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__label__wiki	0.720008	0.720008	Jmunney's Blog Jeff "Jmunney" Malone's Self-Styled "Expert" Thoughts on Movies, TV, Music, and the Rest of Pop Culture ‘Green Book’ is a Modestly Enjoyable Movie, But It Shouldn’t Have Won Best Picture jmunney Cinema, Movie Reviews, Oscars 91st Academy Awards, 91st Oscars, Academy Awards, Don Shirley, Green Book, Nick Vallelonga, Oscars, Tony Lip Leave a comment CREDIT: Universal Pictures/Participant Media Of all the Best Picture winners since I’ve been closely following the Oscars (starting with Titanic 21 years ago), none besides Green Book has provoked a more diverse and contradictory set of reactions within myself. There have been better winners, and there have been worse winners, but none have given me more confusing emotions. Upon my initial viewing of the (mis)adventures of Tony Lip and Don Shirley, I found myself as crowd-pleased as the film’s biggest proponents had promised. But the contingent of critics who considered Green Book antiquated or even regressive made some good points that I felt obligated to reckon with. But I had the nagging sense that they were missing the mark just a bit. It felt worth defending, but in a tricky way I was not quite sure how best to explain. And then I read Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s take in The Hollywood Reporter, and it started to click. One particular point in that piece stood out, in which the former NBA great and astute cultural critic noted that black people “know that after viewing the movie, some white people will be self-congratulatory and dismissive by saying, ‘Well, at least it’s not like that anymore.’ But others will be moved to see how those events in history have shaped our current challenges.” Unsurprisingly enough, a common criticism of Green Book I’ve seen is that it caters to supposedly progressive white people who like to think that stories like this prove that racism has been more or less “solved.” And maybe there are people like that, but those missing the point shouldn’t strip the film of what merits it does have. Where Green Book most excels is in its portrayal of a burgeoning friendship. This is a story setup that we as a species keep returning to because it has proven to be consistently fruitful. Tony and Don are two very different men who find themselves forced to spend long periods of time together in tight spaces. Even if you take away the racial component, their backgrounds are still miles apart (although, to be sure, the black/white divide does play a part in their other differences). Tony is family-oriented, vulgar, and unignorable, while Don is isolated, cultured, and preeminently even-keeled. Green Book does not in any way solve racism, but it is not trying to be so ambitious as to eradicate or even merely least tackle something so systemic. It is a modest movie: old-fashioned, but not regressive. Amidst all the awards-season hubbub, I had forgotten what I had truly liked about Green Book, so I revisited my original review, where I was a little surprised to be reminded that what I most connected to was Tony Lip’s insatiable appetite. For my money, the best moments are when he wins a bet by eating a bunch of hot dogs and, of course, when he folds an entire pizza in half to bite into the whole thing. This was clearly a passion project for Tony Lip’s real life son, Nick Vallelonga, one of the screenwriters and producers. And as far as I can tell, his motivation was nothing so high-minded as to fix what ails society, but rather, merely to tell his dad’s story, and spread the joie de vivre inherent in that tale. But as much as I enjoyed Green Book, it was a dispiriting Best Picture selection. As a film that succeeded at a modest goal, its win was like receiving an award for “best high school athlete” at the Olympics (or maybe the inverse of that). As an old-fashioned throwback, it does not really push cinema forward in any way. Academy voters are left to themselves to decide what criteria constitutes the best movie of the year, so I do not know how many of them are using the “push cinema forward” metric, but I would highly recommend that they use it. But that lack of cinematic innovation is not really why it didn’t deserve to win, and here we come to the other, perhaps more important, metric for determining the Best Picture, which is: which of the nominated films has the best message? According to its campaign, Green Book‘s message was a tribute to the power of coming together despite our differences in these divisive times, which understandably rang hollow to a lot of people. When it came to racial commentary, this was by no means the most astute film of 2018, or even the most astute Best Picture nominee of 2018. But what if the narrative had been different? What if Green Book‘s team had instead been pushing its message of a man with a boundless appetite and a man with a more restrained appetite learning from each other? If each campaign stop had focused around the hot dogs and the pizza and and the fried chicken, I doubt that its Oscar chances would have been as strong as they were, but its merits would have been advertised more accurately. And thus a more delicious sort of chaos would have reigned. So to all you Oscar campaigners, I say: embrace the crudeness now and forevermore! The 2018 Jeff Malone Academy Awards jmunney Best in Film 2018, Best of 2018, Cinema, Oscars Academy Awards, Annihilation, Jeff Malone Academy Awards, Oscars, Sorry to Bother You Leave a comment CREDIT: Paramount Pictures/Skydance If I were in charge of unilaterally selecting the Oscars, here is who would be selected. Nominees are listed alphabetically, winners in bold. Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, The Endless Alex Garland, Annihilation Steve McQueen, Widows Boots Riley, Sorry to Bother You Paul Schrader, First Reformed 91st Oscar Predictions/Preferences jmunney Awards Shows, Cinema, Oscars, Television 91st Academy Awards, 91st Oscars, Academy Awards, Oscar Predictions, Oscars Leave a comment CREDIT: Carlos Somonte/Netflix Here’s my final rundown of who I will think will be taking home the little gold men on Sunday, February 24, 2019, and whom I would vote for if I had a ballot. Prediction: Roma is tied for the most nominations, and it’s won the most noteworthy precursor awards. Preference: BlacKkKlansman is absolutely electric, a quality that is all too rare in Best Picture winners. Prediction: Expect Alfonso Cuarón to continue the recent Mexican dominance in this category. Preference: A win for Spike Lee would have lifetime achievement oomph, and it would also be deserved in particular for BlacKkKlansman. Kevin Hart Doesn’t Know How the Internet Works jmunney Awards Shows, Cinema, Oscars, Television Ellen, Ellen DeGeneres, Kevin Hart, Oscars, The Internet Leave a comment After watching Kevin Hart’s appearance on Ellen on Friday, I’m not sure if he should host the Oscars, but I am sure about one thing: for someone who uses social media as prolifically as he does, he really doesn’t know how the Internet works. He is astounded by how much effort someone put in to dig up something he tweeted eight years ago. But if you know what tweet you’re looking for, it takes about five seconds to locate it. Hart seems to think it’s like finding a needle in a haystack, but when you can ask your favorite digital assistant to find that needle for you, it’s not as difficult as it’s historically been. I’ll be generous and give Kevin Hart the benefit of the doubt and believe that he really has changed and that he is sincerely sorry for his past homophobic remarks. His apologies have perhaps left something to be desired, but maybe he is having trouble expressing himself (otherwise-decent people often do when asked to atone for their mistakes). The trouble is that he is misunderstanding the context. He has framed himself the victim, thinking that trolls are out to ruin his career. But most of the coverage I’ve seen in response to him being offered the Oscar hosting gig has been LGBTQ people and their allies expressing concern, not vindictiveness. Hart may be frustrated that he is being asked to apologize for something he’s already apologized for, but there are probably people who never heard his original apology in the first place (or found it lacking). Hart is encouraging people to move on, which is a good idea, so long as the correct lessons have been learned. It looks likely that Hart has decided for good not to host.He is worried that his presence will be a distraction, but there could’ve been (and still could be!) an opportunity for him to change the narrative. Don’t ignore the controversy: address it, and then move into a more celebratory, more inclusive direction. If Hart somehow changes his mind again, he could spend part of his opening monologue spotlighting notable queer films of the past year, invite up-and-coming queer filmmakers to be presenters, and donate part of the money he makes from the gig to LGBTQ-focused charities. Marginalized people could always use more allies and cheerleaders. jmunney Best in Film 2017, Best of 2017, Cinema, Oscars Jeff Malone, Jeff Malone Academy Awards, Oscars, The Big Sick Leave a comment CREDIT: Amazon Studios Darren Aronofsky, mother! Luc Besson, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets Patty Jenkins, Wonder Woman Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk William Oldroyd, Lady Macbeth Michael Showalter, The Big Sick Lead Actor Michael Fassbender, Alien: Covenant Hugh Jackman, Logan Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out James McAvoy, Split Algee Smith, Detroit Lead Actress Gal Gadot, Wonder Woman Aubrey Plaza, Ingrid Goes West Florence Pugh, Lady Macbeth Margot Robbie, I, Tonya Taylor Schilling, Take Me Jake Gyllenhaal, Okja Caleb Landry Jones, Get Out Ray Romano, The Big Sick Adam Sandler, The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) Patrick Stewart, Logan Betty Gabriel, Get Out Holly Hunter, The Big Sick Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird Michelle Pfeiffer, mother! Allison Williams, Get Out Dante Harper, Michael Green, John Logan, Jack Paglen, Alien: Covenant Alice Birch, Lady Macbeth Scott Frank, Michael Green, James Mangold, Logan Jason Fuchs, Allan Heinberg, Zack Snyder, Wonder Woman Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, The Big Sick Kevin Costello and Kyle Mooney, Brigsby Bear Steven Rogers, I, Tonya Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Bojan Bazelli, A Cure for Wellness Hoyte van Hoytema, Dunkirk Ari Wegner, Lady Macbeth Darius Khondji, The Lost City of Z Steve Yedlin, Star Wars: The Last Jedi Natalie O’Brien, The Bad Batch Stacey Battat, The Beguiled Jennifer Johnson, I, Tonya Holly Waddington, Lady Macbeth Olivier Bériot, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets Paul Machliss and Jonathan Amos, Baby Driver Lee Smith, Dunkirk Gregory Plotkin, Happy Death Day Tatiana S. Riegel, I, Tonya Jennifer Lame, The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) Hans Zimmer, Dunkirk Oneohtrix Point Never, Good Time Jonny Greenwood, Phantom Thread Alexandre Desplat, The Shape of Water John Williams, Star Wars: The Last Jedi “Cut to the Feeling,” written by Carly Rae Jepsen, Leap! “Mystery of Love,” written by Sufjan Stevens, Call Me by Your Name “Remember Me,” written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Coco “Tuff Love,” written by Geremy Jasper, Patti Cake$ Okja I didn’t watch enough documentaries this year. Live Action Short The Eleven O’Clock Heroin(e) jmunney Best in Film 2016, Best of 2016, Cinema, Oscars Jeff Malone Academy Awards, Oscars, The VVitch, The Witch Leave a comment If I were in charge of unilaterally selecting the Oscars, here is who would be recognized. Nominees are listed alphabetically, winners in bold. The Neon Demon Robert Eggers, The Witch Pablo Larraín, Jackie Jeff Nichols, Midnight Special Nicolas Winding Refn, The Neon Demon Paul Dano, Swiss Army Man John Goodman, 10 Cloverfield Lane Jake Gyllenhaal, Nocturnal Animals Sam Neill, Hunt for the Wilderpeople Daniel Radcliffe, Swiss Army Man Mackenzie Davis, Always Shine Anya Taylor-Joy, The Witch Lucas Dawson, The Witch Oscar Isaac, X-Men: Apocalypse Keanu Reeves, The Neon Demon Alex Wolff, Patriots Day Khandi Alexander, Patriots Day Ellie Grainger, The Witch Greta Gerwig, Jackie Alison Sudol, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Lulu Wilson, Ouija: Origin of Evil Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthymis Filippou, The Lobster Josh Campbell, Matthew Stuecken, and Damien Chazelle, 10 Cloverfield Lane Jared Bush and Phil Johnston, Zootopia Eric Heiserrer, Arrival Jon Spaihts, Scott Derrickson, and C. Robert Cargill, Doctor Strange Luke Davies, Lion Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney, Moonlight Tom Ford, Nocturnal Animals Bradford Young, Arrival Stéphane Fontaine, Jackie Seamus McGarvey, Nocturnal Animals Flavio Martínez Labiano, The Shallows Newton Thomas Sigel, X-Men: Apocalypse Courtney Hoffman, Captain Fantastic Sang-gyeong Jo, The Handmaiden Erin Benach, The Neon Demon Kym Barrett, The Nice Guys Arianne Phillips, Nocturnal Animals Joe Walker, Arrival Michael Aller and Kirk M. Morri, Lights Out Jennifer Lame, Manchester by the Sea Joan Sobel, Nocturnal Animals Louise Ford, The Witch Star Trek: Beyond Jóhann Jóhannsson, Arrival Michael Giacchino, Doctor Strange Mica Levi, Jackie Cliff Martinez, The Neon Demon Abel Korzeniowski, Nocturnal Animals “Another Day of Sun,” written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, La La Land “City of Stars,” written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, La La Land “Drive It Like You Stole It,” written by Gary Clark, Sing Street “Start a Fire,” written by Justin Hurwitz and John Legend, La La Land “Waving Goodbye,” written by Sia Furler, The Neon Demon Don’t Breathe Sylvain Bellemare, Arrival Christopher Bonis, Don’t Breathe Robert MacKenzie and Andy Wright, Hacksaw Ridge Matthew Wood, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Alan Robert Murray and Bob Asman, Sully Bernard Gariépy Strobl and Claude La Haye, Arrival Csaba Major, Don’t Breathe Andy Nelson, Ai-Ling Lee, and Steve A. Morrow, La La Land Scott Harber, Nocturnal Animals Michael B. Koff, Patriots Day Swiss Army Man OJ: Made in America Animated Short/Documentary Short/Live Action Short I wish that shorts were more readily viewable theatrically or that these categories be seriously reconsidered. Early Oscars 2016 Wishlist jmunney Cinema, Oscars Oscars, The Witch Leave a comment Ralph Ineson, The Witch A Year at the Movies Best in Film 2011 Oscar Contest Entertainment To-Do List Live Tweeting Alert Best of Music 2010 Billboard Charts Billboard Hot Rock Songs Watch And/Or Listen to This 10 Representative Episodes Atlanta (TV Series) Best Episodes of the Season Best Episodes of the 2009-2010 Season Billy on the Street Bob's Burgers Episode Reviews Community Episode Reviews Don't Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 Fuse Top 20 Countdown Fuse Top 40 of the Year Key & Peele Mulaney Episode Reviews Muppets (2015 TV Series) Muppets Episode Reviews Nathan for You New Girl Episode Reviews Review (TV Series) Review Episode Reviews Rick and Morty Episode Reviews Running Wilde SNL Guest Announcements Reactions SNL Season Recaps SNL Weekly Recaps Son of Zorn Episode Reviews Spongebob Squarepants Episode Reviews The Birthday Boys The Chris Gethard Show The Eric André Show The Middle Episode Reviews The Simpsons Episode Reviews VH1 Top 20 Countdown VH1 Top 20 of the Year VH1 Top 40 Videos of the Year VH1's The 20 What Won TV?	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26765
__label__cc	0.708916	0.291084	Watch Now: FOX 2 News KPLR11 TV Schedule Watch CW Shows Autos kplr11.com Pulse of St. Louis Watch the CW Closings: Schools, churches, day-cares and businesses Woman charged for bomb threat at O’Fallon, Mo. Walmart Posted 12:56 pm, January 13, 2020, by Kevin S. Held, Updated at 12:57PM, January 13, 2020 O’FALLON, Mo. – A 30-year-old Lincoln County woman was charged with calling in fake bomb threats at a Walmart store in O’Fallon, Missouri last summer. According to the St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the fake bomb threats were made on September 8, 2019 around 3:30 p.m. O’Fallon police responded and made sure all customers and employees were safely evacuated from the building. The St. Charles County Bomb Squad and K9 units from St. Louis Airport and the ATF were called in check the store for explosives. No explosives were found and authorities determined there was no credible threat to the building. Police later identified and arrested a suspect, Ashley Ellis, in connection with the bomb threat. Prosecutors charged Ellis on November 22, 2019 with making a false bomb report and stealing. Topics: Ashley Ellis, bomb threat, crime, o'fallon, Walmart News 11 is Everywhere! Streaming TV, podcasts, FREE apps, social media and much more! Click HERE to CONNECT with KPLR News 11. Amber Alert canceled after missing 2-year-old found Evelyn Yang reveals she was sexually assaulted by her OB-GYN while pregnant Police working to assuage public fears after third shooting on I-270 in north St. Louis County Man confesses to killing wife, 3 kids and family dog People brave cold air, strong winds to enjoy outdoor festivities Police investigating homicide in Baden neighborhood Pork markets to become a big winner in the US-China trade truce 23-year-old charged for bomb hoaxes in O’Fallon, Mo. Arrest made in 2 separate bomb threats in O’Fallon MO O’Fallon, Missouri businesses evacuated after bomb threat Florissant man charged with arson; juvenile pulled from burning home 17-year-old charged with involuntary manslaughter in Riverview death Ballwin woman accused of stealing credit cards during babysitting jobs O’Fallon, Illinois man charged with attempted murder O’Fallon man accused of stealing St. Charles County police car Woman charged in Galleria garage shooting Man charged with sex crime in a Walmart Lincoln County mother charged with child endangerment Florida woman faces charges for allegedly making bomb in Walmart in front of child O’Fallon, Illinois man charged with sexual assault of a minor • Copyright © 2020, KPLR	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26772
__label__wiki	0.621421	0.621421	Fiscal Sponsorships Klezmer Workshops & Jams Yiddish Conversation Salons Kumzits Tastes of Yiddish Culture Cabaret and Festivals Tam for Kids Klezmer Style Guide Farshidns – This ’n That Augie’s Montreal Deli The Augie’s Authentic Montreal Deli concept comes from founder and creator Alexei (Lex) Gopnik-Lewinski, who has called the San Francisco Bay Area home since 1988. Over the years, whenever Lex went back to Montreal to visit friends and family, without fail he would return with pounds of the traditional smoked meat... Ashkenazi Food / East Bay boichik bagels For many New Yorkers, H&H Bagels were the gold standard, the very height of bagel perfection to which none other compared. But they went out of business in 2011 and were mourned by many. Now several years of ongoing experimentation have resulted in something pretty darn close. A top-notch... Beauty’s Bagel Shop Wood-fired bagels, shakshuka, hummus, organic fried chicken, free-range eggs, matzoh ball soup, smoked trout salad, and so much more. Two locations: 3838 Telegraph Ave., Oakland 94609, (510) 788-6098 http://www.beautysbagelshop.com/temescal 1700 Franklin Street, Oakland 94612, 510-947-5842 http://www.beautysbagelshop.com/downtown 20th Century Cafe 20th Century Cafe... ... was conceived by owner and chef Michelle Polzine out of years of hard work in front of the oven, thoughts about food, old movies, and drunken discussions about the future (and the past). Searching through vintage cookbooks and traveling through the cites of Vienna, Budapest, and Prague brought... Ashkenazi Food / San Francisco Frena Bakery & Cafe SPECIALIZING IN SAVORY PASTRIES BAKED IN A BRICK OVEN & FAMILY RECIPES FROM OVER 100 YEARS OLD A San Francisco bakery specializing in freshly baked pastries. Our journey began with great Grandfather Mosheh who traveled from Iraq to Israel carrying with him a wealth of delicious recipes. We wish to offer our... Max’s Restaurant Part of a New York-style deli chain with mile-high sandwiches, old-school feel & upbeat atmosphere. Babka by Ayelet The babka cake is served in every Jewish household during celebrations and happy family events. Cafes and bakeries in Tel-Aviv and throughout the country serve babkas all week long, and they remain the most widely sold cakes in Israel despite the recent culinary advancements and wide variety of available desserts.... Ashkenazi Food / Santa Clara County Contemporary Jewish Museum Museum dedicated to celebrating Jewish culture, history, art, and ideas. Some exhibits present Yiddish culture. Occasional performances. Shop for exhibition-related catalogs, selected Judaica, engaging books, and thoughtful gifts. All sales support The Museum's educational mission. Lunch at Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen Ashkenazi Food, Jewish Arts Presenters, Other Resources, Retail Stores in the Bay Area / San Francisco Barton’s Bagels Ashkenazi Food / Marin County Saul’s Deli In the 1930’s the Saul’s building was a produce depot right off the railroad tracks. Since the 1950’s, it has housed a delicatessen: First the Pantry Shelf, then Rosenthal’s, and finally Saul’s, established in 1986, in honor of Saul Lichtenstein. Saul and his wife Ginny liked to feed people. Saul... California inspired mediterranean cooking with drinks to match from San Francisco natives and industry professionals. Organic…Hand-rolled…Boiled…Wood-fired…Cultured butter…Cream cheese…Made in-house from local, sustainably-raised Bay Area agriculture. Second location: Takeout bagel shop in S.F.'s Ferry Building opening December 2019. Grand Bakery A wholesale Jewish bakery serving the Bay Area for over 50 years — making every day a challah-day. Grand Bakery is a storied food institution that brings delicious, traditionally Jewish goods to a broad and diverse community. We've been baking in Oakland since 1959, and after a brief hiatus, we've... Baron Baking NEW YORK-STYLE BAGELS...IN THE BAY AREA • HAND-MADE, CERTIFIED ORGANIC, BOILED & BAKED LOCALLY • Our hand-made, 48-hour, fermented bagels have won internal New York Times tasting competitions and, whenever we can, our ingredients are sourced from local shops in Northern California. If we don't make your favorite bagel, it's... Ashkenazi Food House of Bagels House of Bagels was opened in 1962 at the original location at 2nd and Geary Blvd., our famous bagel recipe having been brought here from Brooklyn, New York. In 1964, we relocated to its present location at 5030 Geary Boulevard in San Francisco. Traditional NY-style bagels have been made from... Marla Bakery Restaurant … AT MARLA BAKERY, EVERYTHING WE DO STARTS IN THE KITCHEN. MARLA is an Acronym composed of the first letters of the names of our family members who taught us to cook and bake. Food does not spring forth from the ether, it is informed and shaped by the... Dee Spot Who would have guessed a random Cambodian-owned cafe on a quiet block in Emeryville would put so much effort into their bagels? With this bagel’s ideal texture, Dee Spot definitely deserves a closer look. Solomon’s Delicatessen This location opening soon! Named after Russ Solomon, the founder of Tower Records, Solomon's Delicatessen brings California touches to the traditional deli concept. Ashkenazi Food / Sacramento County Odd Bagel Gluten-free bagels. Read more » Locations » Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels Supervised by the Vaad Hakashrus of Northern California. They also have a location in East Palo Alto 2220-B University Ave. 650 322-5700 Klezmer Workshops Yiddish Conversation Cabaret & Festivals Farshidns © KlezCalifornia Inc, or used by permission. All rights reserved. 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__label__cc	0.662883	0.337117	Our Favourite Tree Guide: Trees of the Carolinian Forest April 19, 2012 · by Knowing the Land is Resistance · in KLR Book Club!. · Wind-swept Honey Locust at Point Pelee “At this point, no one can say how much of the ecosystem should be in a natural state or what the proportions of the natural communities composing that ecosystem should be. Looking around us we can only say that the few remnants in our region are surely not enough. Even if we could save every remnant (and we can’t even do that) we would not have enough intact ecosystem to preserve regional biodiversity. We will have to create more. Ecological restoration is a means to that end. ” -Gerald Waldron, in Trees of the Carolinian Forest Trees of the Carolinian Forest is first and foremost a stunnningly definitive guide to the native tree species of South-Western Ontario. The bulk of the book is dedicated to thorough descriptions of seventy-three trees, offering for each a short natural history; where they can be found; what animals and plants are associated with them; uses for its wood; a precise description; and a brief rundown of how to grow the tree from seed and care for it. For years, we have carried this book in our bags on almost every walk we take, and we’re still frequently finding new little gems of knowledge that answer new wonders we have about tree friends. It is definitely our number one guide book to trees for this region. Gerry lives down in Amhurstburg, Ontario, deep in the Carolinian zone, and the content of this book is of course deeply shaped by these lands he loves. The trees he chooses to describe are the ones that most clearly define his area, and so Trees of the Carolinian Forest becomes almost a whole new book when you bring it with you on a trip further south, like to Point Pelee for instance. When we are down in those rich, sandy forests, it seems like we are meeting a rare and exciting tree species every few steps… a unique Hackberry-dominated forest dotted with Hop Trees and Redbuds, Honey Locusts and Service Berry on the shore, and Chinquapin Oak savannahs – seemingly endless delights! In the first third of the book, Gerry provides a series of essays to set the stage for the species fact sheets later on. In “Looking Back”, he starts with a geologic history of the region, then moves into a very short description of Indigenous cultures, and then, as happens all to often in naturalist books, the pace of the story slows right down when white settlers arrive on the scene. The telling becomes more detailed, Indigenous Peoples dissapear completely from the narrative, and we are told of the insane fear and hatred with which the great forests of this land were destroyed. This quote in particular stands out to us: Quirky bark of the Northern Hackberry at Point Pelee “Settlers from the British Isles came by this attitude honestly, perhaps hereditarily. According to Gerard Boate, author of Ireland’s Natural History (1652), the greatest destruction of Irish woods took place between 1603 and 1641, when English colonizers cutting trees for making charcoal and for tillage (and to deny rebel Irish cover) “made [Ireland] so bare of woods in many parts, that the inhabitants do not only want wood for firing… but even for building.” We wish Gerry would have gone a bit further with this, and recognized the brutal colonial process behind the destruction of both Irish and Southern Ontario forests and Indigenous cultures. There is no separation between the destruction of the land of the human societies that live there: each is in furtherance of the other, and neither could be carried out alone. Gerald talks about the settlers’ fear and hatred of the forest, but not how that hatred was racist and colonial, a part of Canada’s foundational genocide. Although the history is interesting, the analysis is basically summed up in this quote, presented as a stand-alone paragraph in a discussion of industry: “To our twenty-first century minds, the clearing of the Carolinian forest is a desecration, a despoliation and simply a waste. But we must remember that it also created the capital that fueled the growth of our nation.” Capital is a substitute for a healthy landbase? Growth is an unquestionned good? And whose nation is it? Certainly not the Indigenous Nations whose stories appear to have simply ended when Canada’s began. The key idea of these essays though is Gerry’s description of forest restoration. He gets into a lot of detail of the theory and practice of forest restoration as he envisions it: “For our purposes, we will define restoration as the process of re-establishing natural communities by planting and encouraging the native species originaly present in an area. It goes beyond planting to stabilize eroding areas. It goes beyond just landscaping with native plants. It is an attempt to recreate nature by assembling a documented community from its component species. This sets it apart from reforestation, naturalizing, and landscaping for wildlife.” This is a powerful idea. It has a lot of merit and a growing number of individuals and groups practice it. We would like to offer a few criticisms of it though. The phrase “originally present” is a strange one, considering that Gerry spends the first five pages of “Looking Back” describing the receding glaciers and the order in which plants came to re-inhabit South-Western Ontario. The march of species into this zone and further north is an ongoing process, especially under the realities of climate change. In addition, to base our restoration practice around a snapshot of some arbitrary moment in that process (especially when that moment is defined by the arrival of white settlers) perhaps takes us too far from the stresses and pressures of being a healing forest in a highly populated and developed area. Very old Black Walnut at Point Pelee -- check out the heavy plates of bark! Rather than try and turn back the ecological clock, we favour a more dynamic idea of health, rooted in observation and appreciation of what the land is already doing to heal. I doubt Gerry really disagrees with us on this, but the way restoration is presented in Trees of the Carolinian Forest has lead to more than a few restoration projects around this area involving tearing out everything that is already growing (species deemed to be worthless), stripping the soil bare, then planting species from the approved list of “truly native” species. The current fad seems to be to plant the shores of Lake Ontario to resemble those of Lake Erie, judging by the recent arrival of Tulip Trees, Hackberries, Hop Trees, and Redbuds to the parks of Hamilton. Gerry is a lover of trees and of wild spaces, and his passion is to help them to thrive and expand. Trees of the Carolinian Forest has made his passion contagious to people throughout this region. It is an invaluable guide to learning forest literacy in this area, and a tantalizing starting point for allying with the health of wild spaces. Anyone in South-Western Ontario who loves trees will get a lot out of this book, and as Gerry says: “An interest in trees comes as naturally to us as breathing, and I believe it is generally agreed that those with no appreciation of trees understand very little of consequence.” Tags: gerry, point pelee, trees of the carolinian forest, waldron ← In Celebration of May Day, The Witch’s Child Five Secrets of Healing Wildlands →	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26777
__label__wiki	0.858413	0.858413	KBAT on Alexa Walton & Johnson TAWNY The Rock Chick KBAT 99.9KBAT 99.9 Metallica’s Lars Ulrich Meets Heavy Metal Fan With Autism in Heartwarming Video Spicer and Moore Ahead of Metallica's second annual day of service backed by the band's charitable arm All Within My Hands, a touching clip of drummer Lars Ulrich spending time backstage with a fan with autism, Tom, has appeared online. It's taken from the 2012 documentary Mission to Lars, a film that tracks heavy metal diehard Tom Spicer's journey to meet his favorite drummer. Spicer has Fragile X syndrome, a sort of autism or learning disability loosely defined as a genetic condition that causes a range of developmental problems. The video excerpt, captured during the band's arena tour following Death Magnetic, shows the Metallica fan's wishes come true as he's immersed in the musician's world, rubbing elbows with other players such as Kerry King. "See that guy, he plays in a band called Slayer," Ulrich directs Spicer's attention to the guitarist at one point in the short section of the film. "This is Tom, he came all the way from England to see Metallica." Below, watch the Mission to Lars clip that was recently re-shared on YouTube, the moving segment serving to remind all of us that music's communicative power can go along way in bringing people together. AWMH's 2nd Annual Day of Service, the follow-up to last year's Metallica Day of Service, will take place May 22. The event urges fans to volunteer at food banks supported by hunger relief organization Feeding America. You can participate in this year's AWMH by volunteering at a food bank near you. To see which food banks are participating, you can check here. Unfortunately, space is limited and they will not be able to accept all volunteers. Below, get more information about the upcoming All Within My Hands 2nd Annual Day of Service via video announcement and press release direct from the band. After that, see Metallica's upcoming 2019 tour dates. Last year over 1,000 of you participated in our first Day of Service by volunteering at your local food banks. Thanks to all of you, hundreds of thousands of pounds of food was packed and distributed to those in need . . . way to make a difference in your communities! We’re thrilled to be back with the details of our second annual Day of Service on Wednesday, May 22nd as we once again invite Metallica fans across the U.S. to join us in volunteering for a day with our friends at the community food banks we supported during our recent North American tours. In cooperation with Feeding America we’ve been proud to make contributions to their local partners in each city we performed in during the ’17, ’18, and ’19 WorldWired Tour dates and we’re asking you to give a few hours of your time on May 22nd supporting the fight against hunger in your neighborhoods. Check the list below to see the participating food banks and for more information about how to sign up to pitch in that day. Over 50 food banks will be partaking in the activities this year, more than twice as many as last year! Each registered volunteer on May 22nd will receive a special All Within My Hands t-shirt commemorating our united day of service and a special thanks goes out to our friends at Salesforce for helping to make that happen. Please note that space is limited and you must register; unfortunately we will not be able to accept walk-ins. If you do not live near one of the food banks listed on the site or you are unavailable on this day, we encourage you to visit FeedingAmerica.org to find a food bank in your community. We’re so inspired by the work that all of these amazing people do day in and day out that we hope you’ll join us to give them a hand whenever you can. Thank you for supporting All Within My Hands and the local organizations we’ve been honored to assist. See you on May 22nd and make sure to use the #MetallicaGivesBack and #AWMH hashtags for a chance to be featured on Metallica.com. Metallica 2019 "WorldWired Tour" Dates May 1 — Lisbon, Portugal @ Estádio do Restelo May 3 — Madrid, Spain @ Valdebebas May 5 — Barcelona, Spain @ Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys May 8 — Milan, Italy @ SNAI San Siro Hippodrome May 10 — Zurich, Switzerland @ Letzigrund May 12 — Paris, France @ Stade de France June 08 — Dublin, Ireland @ Slane Castle June 11 — Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Johan Cruijff Arena June 13 — Cologne, Germany @ RheinEnergieStadion June 16 — Brussels, Belgium @ Koning Boudewijnstadion June 18 — Manchester, England @ Etihad Stadium June 20 — London, England @ Twickenham Stadium July 06 — Berlin, Germany @ Olympiastadion July 09 — Goteborg, Sweden @ Ullevi July 11 — Copenhagen, Denmark @ Telia Parken July 13 — Trondheim, Norway @ Granåsen July 16 — Hameenlinna, Finland @ Kantolan Tapahtumapuisto July 18 — Tartu, Estonia @ Raadi Airfield July 21 — Moscow, Russia @ Luzhniki Stadium Aug. 14 — Bucharest, Romania @ Arena Națională Aug. 16 — Vienna, Austria @ Ernst-Happel-Stadion Aug. 18 — Prague, Czech Republic @ Airport Letnany Aug. 21 — Warsaw, Poland @ PGE Narodowy Aug. 23 — Munich, Germany @ Olympiastadion Aug. 25 — Mannheim, Germany @ Palastzelt Maimarktgelände Oct. 17 — Perth, Australia @ Optus Stadium (with Slipknot) Oct. 20 — Adelaide, Australia @ Adelaide Oval (with Slipknot) Oct. 22 — Melbourne, Australia @ Marvel Stadium (with Slipknot) Oct. 26 — Sydney, Australia @ ANZ Stadium (with Slipknot) Oct. 29 — Brisbane, Australia @ QSAC (with Slipknot) Oct. 31 — Auckland, New Zealand @ Mt. Smart Stadium (with Slipknot) Nov. 2 — Auckland, New Zealand @ Mt. Smart Stadium (with Slipknot) 66 Most Important Moments in Metal History Source: Metallica’s Lars Ulrich Meets Heavy Metal Fan With Autism in Heartwarming Video Filed Under: Lars Ulrich, Metallica 2020 KBAT 99.9 is part of the Loudwire Network, Townsquare Media, Inc. All rights reserved.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26781
__label__wiki	0.561199	0.561199	Thailand’s sex workers-turned entrepreneurs They could be students, colleagues or factory workers, but they are sex workers – and this is their bar. ENGLISH \| ASIACALLING Rabu, 11 Nov 2015 10:12 WIB Kannikar Petchkaew Mai, Peung and Fah in front of their Bar. (Photo: Kannikar Petchkaew) In red light districts across Thailand, workers gather on the street looking for customers every evening. The government estimates there are 77,000 sex workers in the country, while NGOs say the figure is closer to 300,000 – and both agree that sex trafficking is a significant problem. Even though the industry is widespread, sex work is illegal in Thailand. But as Kannikar Petchkaew reports, one establishment – owned and run by sex workers – is challenging the norm. It’s Friday night here in this tiny bar in the red light district of Chiang Mai, in Thailand’s north. The night is young, but the place is already crowded – only one seat at the bar is free. A group of women are hanging out at the bar too, eating, gossiping and jokingly teasing each other. In 2006, a group of about 30 sex workers pooled their money together to set up this bar called ‘Can Do’. Together they raised about US$30,000 and opened this place, the idea being to create an establishment where sex workers are free from exploitation and abuse. It is the only bar in Thailand of its kind… “Sawatdee ka, would you care for a drink or anything sir?” That’s Fah. She’s 22 and the youngest sex worker here. She is leaning over the bar with a broad smile and long black hair offering a customer a drink. In jeans and a t-shirt she looks like a college student, but she has been a sex worker here at Can Do for 3 years. Starting right after high school, Fah say she enjoys her job. “We work only at night then we can go freely anywhere in the daytime; we can travel, and we can also learn languages by our foreigner clients,” she says. In her early thirties, sex worker Mai Janta is the manager of Can Do. She says the bar is unique because its workers are well paid and treated with respect. “We pay 300 baht per day, and we have certain working hours,” she says, “We close at midnight. We can take drink fees, and when the bar earns more than 2,500 baht each night, we get an additional 10% income. Any tips from customers go directly to each worker.” Unlike other bars in the red light district, here there are no high-heeled boots, or frilly skirts and no naked dancing. Women at ‘Can Do’ can do and wear whatever they want. Around 50 women are registered to work at the bar but they can also work elsewhere if they choose. Usually they make between 30 and 50 dollars a night – much higher than many other places. Fah and Peung are talking about a karaoke parlor they worked in several years ago, before they found Can Do. They say they were paid only $3-4 a night, and sometimes had to work until 6 o’clock in the morning. Peung started sex work after she got divorced six years ago and is pretty frank about her profession. People that come to help sex workers always come with their own agenda she says, usually starting from the premise that sex work is bad. And that sex workers are victims of poverty or trafficking. But that isn’t always true, she says. “Journalists love a story about policemen cracking down to help those women,” she says, “That’s a great story and many people take great credit for it. But have you ever asked those women if they want to be helped? Fah, Peung and others have all worked in bars and brothels where their salaries were docked if they gained weight, or didn’t smile enough, or if the patrons didn’t buy them enough drinks. The best way to help sex workers, they say, is to decriminalize the trade so women are not subject to the whims of rapacious employers. “We just want to be under and protected by the labor law, recognized as regular workers,” she says, “What we need is only social security, salary, some days off and equal rights.” And despite the social criticism they face for working in a taboo industry, Fah says you have to shrug when the neighbors gossip. “I let them talk, but don’t take it into account because doing so would just be to let myself down,” she says, “No one can let you down if you don’t allow them to.” For women Fah and Peung, their work is just like any other service industry, and they should have fair practices and a safe working environment. eng kannikar petchkaew sex workers bar can do Komnas HAM: Apa Kejaksaan Agung Mau SP3 Kasus Semanggi I-II? Aktivis Gender: RUU Anti-Propaganda Penyimpangan Seksual Harus Dikritisi Publik RUU Anti-Propaganda Penyimpangan Seksual Masuk Prolegnas, DPR: Itu Penting Jateng Siapkan 20 Sekolah Berbasis Toleransi UNODC: KPK Satu-satunya Lembaga Antikorupsi di Dunia yang Punya Dewan Pengawas	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26782
__label__wiki	0.882561	0.882561	The only weekly newspaper locally owned, printed, and published in Lincoln County. The Lincoln County News Serving Maine and Lincoln County for over 140 years Engagements, Weddings, & Births Lincoln County Magazine Submit a Classified or Line Ad Submit Other Lincoln County Courts John Andretta Jr., 28, Wiscasset, aggravated trafficking of scheduled drugs, Sept. 9, 2016, $400, Maine Department of Corrections four years; criminal conspiracy, Sept. 9, 2016, dismissed; violating condition of release, March 24, dismissed. Riley E. Andrews, 20, Damariscotta, OUI (alcohol), Dec. 17, 2016, $500, license suspended 150 days; minor consuming liquor, Dec. 17, 2016, dismissed. Dexter Benner, 53, New Harbor, reckless conduct, Jan. 15, 2016, Two Bridges Regional Jail three years, all but eight months suspended, probation three years; domestic violence assault, Jan. 15, 2016, Two Bridges Regional Jail eight months; criminal mischief, Jan. 15, 2016, Two Bridges Regional Jail six months; violating condition of release, Feb. 9, 2016, Two Bridges Regional Jail six months; violating protection from abuse order, Feb. 9, 2016, Two Bridges Regional Jail six months. Jakayla Botelho, 25, Lewiston, assault, Nov. 7, 2015, $300, Two Bridges Regional Jail 30 days; violating condition of release, Nov. 7, 2015, Two Bridges Regional Jail 30 days. Michael Bourassa, 27, Mechanic Falls, OUI (alcohol), Jan. 1, $700, license suspended 150 days. Charles Cameron, 53, Waterville, indecent conduct, Dec. 1, 2014, $300; two counts assault, Dec. 1, 2014, April 1, 2015, both dismissed; indecent conduct, July 1, 2015, $300; indecent conduct, Nov. 19, 2015, $300. Susan B. Caron, 62, Cape Elizabeth, failing to make oral or written accident report, Aug. 8, 2015, $200. Nikolas Cooper, 26, Damariscotta, aggravated assault, Jan. 30, dismissed. Christopher Court, 32, Nobleboro, unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs, Sept. 1, 2016, dismissed; criminal forfeiture of property, Sept. 1, 2016, forfeit; unlawful possession of heroin, Sept. 1, 2016, $400, Two Bridges Regional Jail five years, all but four months suspended, probation two years. Joshua Decato, 34, Lewiston, refusing to sign criminal summons, Feb. 1, Two Bridges Regional Jail 48 hours. Elizabeth Derecktor, 53, Whitefield, domestic violence assault, May 3, 2016, terrorizing, May 3, 2016, both dismissed. Anatolij Duchanin, 70, Richmond, OUI (alcohol), two priors, May 19, 2015, probation violation, Two Bridges Regional Jail seven days, probation partially revoked, probation continued. Spencer T. Dyer, 48, Round Pond, untagged lobster traps, chapter 25, Aug. 19, 2016, dismissed. Benjamin Foster, 35, Searsport, violating condition of release, Jan. 2, Two Bridges Regional Jail nine months. Christopher Lennon Gilley, 32, Portland, unlawful possession of scheduled drug, July 8, 2015, probation violation, Two Bridges Regional Jail 90 days, probation partially revoked, probation continued. Curtis Goodson, 37, Bronx, N.Y., unlawful possession of cocaine, priors, Feb. 17, $400, Two Bridges Regional Jail 52 days; fugitive from justice, Feb. 17, extradited. Kathlyn Griffin, 60, Waldoboro, unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs, Sept. 1, 2015, dismissed; criminal forfeiture of property, Sept. 1, 2015, forfeit; unlawful possession of scheduled drug, Sept. 1, 2015, $400. Jeanna Gustafson, 33, Edgecomb, endangering the welfare of a child, Dec. 9, 2015, dismissed; unlawful furnishing scheduled drug, Nov. 18, 2015, $400. Terri L. Hichborn, 61, Waterville, theft by deception, June 29, 2013, dismissed. Lena Hintz, 22, Hermon, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, Aug. 7, 2015, Two Bridges Regional Jail 18 months, all but 15 days suspended, probation two years, restitution $2,580. Artur Konecny, 36, Jefferson, motor vehicle speeding 30-plus mph over speed limit, Jan. 22, $800. Iris M. Laverdiere, 28, Skowhegan, domestic violence assault, Jan. 22, 2016, dismissed; criminal mischief, Jan. 22, 2016, Two Bridges Regional Jail 90 days; disorderly conduct, loud unreasonable noise, Jan. 22, 2016, Two Bridges Regional Jail 90 days; violating condition of release, Jan. 26, 2016, Two Bridges Regional Jail 30 days. Eric K. Lee, 48, Waldoboro, criminal mischief, Dec. 8, 2016, dismissed. Sharon L. Levensaler, 79, Jefferson, theft by deception, June 29, 2013, dismissed. Cory Limberger, 27, Pemaquid, OUI (alcohol), Sept. 19, 2016, $500, license suspended 150 days. Wayne Manson, 42, Lewiston, burglary, Nov. 10, 2014, probation violation, Two Bridges Regional Jail three days, probation partially revoked, probation continued. Steven G. McCormick, 48, Whitefield, operating unregistered snowmobile, Feb. 19, $200. Rachel McCray, 25, Wiscasset, operating while license suspended or revoked, Oct. 31, 2016, dismissed. Jacob B. McDowell, 26, Bristol, criminal threatening, Feb. 14, 2016, refusing to sign summons, Feb. 14, 2016, both dismissed. Brendon McLellan, 31, Newcastle, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, March 20, 2013, probation violation, Two Bridges Regional Jail 60 days, probation partially revoked, probation continued, restitution $4,590; unlawful possession of scheduled drug, Feb. 27, $400, Two Bridges Regional Jail seven days. Anna Morkeski, 30, Damariscotta, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, Nov. 2, 2015, dismissed. Dylan I. Nielson, 25, Pemaquid, failing to make oral or written accident report, Aug. 1, 2016, dismissed. James Owen, 35, Damariscotta, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, July 13, 2016, theft by deception, July 13, 2016, both dismissed. Jeremy E. Owen, 34, Edgecomb, operating while license suspended or revoked, Dec. 28, 2016, dismissed. Casey O. Palmer, 25, Bristol, domestic violence assault, Sept. 27, 2016, probation violation, Two Bridges Regional Jail 14 days, probation partially revoked, probation continued; violating protection from abuse order, March 4, Two Bridges Regional Jail 30 days. Courtney Peaslee, 25, Whitefield, assault, Sept. 10, 2015, $300, Two Bridges Regional Jail seven days. Dalton Peaslee, 23, Jefferson, use of drug paraphernalia, Dec. 16, 2016, dismissed. Keith Rattleff, 28, Wiscasset, violating condition of release, July 19, 2016, violating protection from abuse order, July 19, 2016, both dismissed. Joshua A. Raymond, 19, Gray, gross sexual assault, May 2, 2016, unlawful sexual contact, May 2, 2016, both dismissed. Elsworth Runion, 48, Boothbay Harbor, unlawful possession of scheduled drug, Nov. 24, 2015, dismissed. William Slifka, 42, South Portland, disorderly conduct, offensive words, gestures, Sept. 4, 2015, dismissed. David William Smith, 35, Brunswick, Edgecomb, disorderly conduct, offensive words, gestures, Dec. 5, 2015, $350, $350 suspended; domestic violence assault, Aug. 29, 2016, Two Bridges Regional Jail 364 days, all but nine days suspended, probation one year; violating condition of release, Nov. 25, 2016, Two Bridges Regional Jail four days. Kevin Stebbins, 19, Gardiner, minor consuming liquor, Sept. 17, 2016, $200. Shawna Tierney, 35, Bristol, failure to register vehicle, Jan. 31, $100. Lisa A. Wallace, 53, Nobleboro, operating while license suspended or revoked – OUI, Dec. 23, 2016, $600, Two Bridges Regional Jail seven days, license suspended one year. Deborah A. Winchenbach, 56, Waldoboro, unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs, Nov. 24, 2014, probation violation, Two Bridges Regional Jail 46 days, probation partially revoked, probation continued. To stay informed on local happenings, sign up for our newsletter! View lcnme’s profile on Facebook View lcnme’s profile on Twitter View lcnme’s profile on Instagram Stay in the loop with all the news, happenings, and goings-on in Lincoln County with our twice-weekly email newsletter! You may unsubscribe at any time. Wiscasset Police Report Waldoboro Police Report Police Charge Massachusetts Man in Waldoboro Robbery Click Here to view NWS Forecasts. Explosive Personalities in Waldoboro Shipbuilding & Adventures on the Five Master “Cora Cressey” Transport Yourself to 18th Century Scotland with Castlebay Seth Warner and Friend's perform Neil Young's Harvest Open House: Chewonki Elementary and Middle School Piano Music by Dennis Boyd LCNME 116 Mills Rd., Newcastle, ME Mailing: PO Box 36, Damariscotta, ME 04543 info@lcnme.com Printed & published by The Lincoln County Publishing Company	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26787
__label__cc	0.632295	0.367705	Grandfather Says: The Magic of Cape Hatteras By RD Blakeslee Original oil painting by: Grandfather’s wife Grandfather says Cape Hatteras is a special place. He and the family have been visiting there for nearly 60 years. Grandfather says he remembers when Paul Mellon bought most of the undeveloped Hatteras Island shore and gave it to a national trust. It is now Hatteras Island National Seashore, administered by the National Park Service. Grandfather says he remembers when Mellon’s gift was reported in the Washington Post. It got about three column inches somewhere in the back pages — typical of the Capital’s values, then and now. Grandfather and the brood, Hatteras Island, NC. (circa 1965) Mellon also gave us the National Gallery of Art, filled with his extensive collection of some of the world’s great art; now priceless. Most of it was created by now-dead white males, so it’s not very fashionable, either. Surf at Cape Hatteras. Offshore are the Diamond Shoals, created by crossing currents. Many a ship foundered on them in centuries past. About the Author: RD Blakeslee is an octogenarian from West Virginia who built his net worth by only investing in that which can be enjoyed during acquisition and throughout life, as opposed to papers in a drawer, like stocks and bonds. You can read more about him here. Photos: Courtesy of the Blakeslee Family The Magic 8 Ball Answers Your Money Questions The Magic 8 Ball Makes Its Predictions for 2010 A Look Back At My Magic 8-Ball’s Predictions for 2010 13 Comments July 12, 2018 akaGaGa says Hey, Grandfather! Thanks for sharing today. I always enjoy your posts. BTW, is that an infamous Corvair I see in your 1965 photo? Could you keep it on the road? RD Blakeslee says You’e welcome, GaGa. That IS a Corvair, but not mine. Mine is the SAAB with my son sitting backwards in it. The Saab was “Safe at Any Speed” (IMO). Ralph Nader burst upon the consumer advocacy scene with his book about the Corvair: “unsafe at Any Speed” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsafe_at_Any_Speed Grandfather witnessed the problem of rear swing axle tuck-under first hand. He was following a Corvair while it stopped at a stop sign and, in the process, gently rolled over onto its top! Redbear says i’m jealous. I wanted a SAAB when I was in high school, but settled for a VW. That wagon you had must have had the 3-cylinder two-stroke, lifetime guaranteed, with a “a four on the tree.” One of my college buddies had a SAAB wagon, but by then it was shipping with a Taunus V-4. The only FWD cars on campus were his SAAB, my Peugeot 304, and a Honda 600. Right on with your description of the Saabs! BTW, the last Saab I owned had that V4 in it and the valve stem liners were too soft – wore out – and the engine used so much oil it became serviceable. Manisha says Thanks for sharing this great post, Grandfather. BTW, About the Saab, Grandfather will have more to say about his experiences with it (and other vehicles he’s owned, beginning seventy years ago), in a future “Grandfather Says” episode. Tnandy says Did our honeymoon on the Outer Banks, including Hatteras 46+ years ago. Camped out in the National Park grounds, stayed in a few cheap motels. Great times, just no money then. Well Andy, we camped out on our honeymoon, too – only on a lake in Michigan. We did camp out at the Hatteras National Park campground later on, though. 10-4 on the great times, no money! When our family fist went to Hatteras, there was no interstate highway near there. (BTW, the name of the interstates’ enabling legislation is the “National Interstate and Defense Highways Act” (Public Law 84-627). It happened because President Eisenhower recognized the value of Germany’s Autobahn, which he had observed while he was Supreme Allied Commander in the European Theater during WWII). Ours was a long slog East on Rt. 17 from Warrenton, Va with several ferry crossings, eventually onto Hatteras Island. As Hatteras became more crowded and the kids had grown up, Grandmother and I found more pristine recreation in Alaska (More on that in a later episode of “Grandfather Says”). That, too, came to an end with my advancing age. But, I live with the knowledge that we did it while we could, along with alot of other things. It’s a beautiful place to be sure. I’ve spent a lot of time there. I’m pretty sure the lighthouse on Cape Hatteras is the tallest one in the USA. Hatteras is beautiful indeed, Stan. The lighthouse was moved back from the ocean over half a mile, 19 years ago. It is the tallest lighthouse in the U.S. at 207 feet. Beach erosion was about to undermine it Grandfather Says: A Fond Look Back at My Love of Fishing – Len Penzo dot Com says: […] Plus, whatever showed up in the surf on the Hatteras Seashore. […] Leave a Reply to RD Blakeslee Cancel reply	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26791
__label__cc	0.507715	0.492285	Entire Site ArtAstronomyBiologyBotanyComicsdinosaursFoodHistoryMedicinemeteorologypaleontologyScienceSmashing ThingsSportUncategorizedWarfareweatherzoos ScienceUncategorizedFoodBiologyHistoryBotanyAstronomyArtmeteorologyMedicineSportWarfarepaleontologydinosaursSmashing ThingsComicszoosweather ScienceHistoryNutsfishMOONSunFoodweatherWelcomeStartWhatHaveIGottenMyselfIntoBabyGotBackmarine biologyroyaltygreat lakesAstronomyticksCDCAllergyArt October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 We suck the delicious meat out of the universe Category: Smashing Things BiologyComicsdinosaurspaleontologyScience Ladies and Gentlemen…the Thagomizer JP Lamprey on August 14, 2018 If your adolescence happened to occur during the 1980s or ’90s, then your sense of humor was very possibly influenced by Gary Larson’s The Far Side. For those of you who may not be familiar with The Far Side, first – welcome to the daylight, hopefully you had a pleasant upbringing in your Amish cave. Second, The Far Side (along with Jim Davis’ Garfield) absolutely dominated the comics page in the local newspapers from the early ’80s up through the mid-90s. The comic spawned more than twenty books and countless greeting cards and calendars. The Far Side was a surreal and irreverent single-panel comic, often with a focus on animals and nature, and it counted scientists, paleontologists, and biologists,among its many fans, with the likes of Jane Goodall and Stephen Jay Gould contributing pieces for the foreward for several Far Side compilations. While everybody has a favorite Far Side comic (ed. note: well clearly not EVERYBODY. It’s kind of hard to imagine that Turkish president Erdogan is a big reader of the comics page), this comic, printed in 1982 was one of the more popular and clip-and-pin-on-the-cube-wall worthy: Courtesy United Press Syndicate and Gary Larson (1982) Funny stuff, yeah? Well LOTS of people thought it was funny and copies of that comic were undoubtedly clipped out of innumerable editions of the local fishwrap and thumbtacked to just as many office doors and cubicle walls. One of those who clipped the comic was Ken Carpenter, a paleontologist at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and he apparently liked it so much, that he referred to the tail spines of a stegosaurus as the “Thagomizer” during the 1993 annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. Since that conference, the term has been adopted as an informal anatomic term and is used by the likes of the Smithsonian Institution, the BBC documentary Planet Dinosaur, and Dinosaur National Monument in the U.S., and even more importantly, has its own Wikipedia page. The Thagomizer. (The arrows make it so much easier to see, right?) So, now more than 25 years after the comic was first published, and more than 60 million years after encountering his ignoble fate, Thag Simmons lives on forever. And for those concerned about scientific accuracy, first may I point out this was a comic and second, when asked about his comics and their legacy, Larson was quoted as saying “Father, I have sinned – I have drawn dinosaurs and hominids together in the same cartoon“. Now I just wonder if we can get Ankylosaurus’ tail knob renamed to something like “LampreyOnlineThumper”.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26793
__label__cc	0.643609	0.356391	Home Social Security Disability Florida Brooksville Brooksville, Florida Social Security Disability Lawyers Michael Leonard Mastrogiovanni Spring Hill, FL Social Security Disability Lawyer with 14 years experience (352) 587-5011 2190 Commerical Way Free ConsultationSocial Security Disability, Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI and Traffic Tickets Michael Mastrogiovanni has lived in the Tampa Bay area for over 38 years with his family. His career started out in the medical field where he worked as an administrator for over a decade eventually acquiring ownership of several assisted living facilities. Like many working professionals, Michael went to college at night while working full time during the day. He obtained his A.A. degree with honors from St. Petersburg Junior College in 2000, his B.A. degree Cum Laude from University of South Florida in 2002 and went on to attend Stetson University College of Law graduating in 2004. Upon... Mark Allen Lee Brooksville, FL Social Security Disability Lawyer 15 N Main St Brooksville, FL 34601 Social Security Disability, Personal Injury and Workers' Comp Mark A. Lee is an associate attorney with Christopher J. Smith, P.A. He currently practices in the areas of workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, and personal injury. Mr. Lee received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of South Florida with a major in Public Health. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Tulsa College of Law. He also earned a Health Law Certificate from the University of Tulsa, which is a certificate program focused on areas of the law germane to the delivery of health care services, administrative law, and alternative dispute resolution. During law school, he was... Anna Katherine Stone Tampa, FL Social Security Disability Lawyer with 17 years experience (833) 529-7866 3310 South Westshore Blvd Free ConsultationSocial Security Disability, Personal Injury and Workers' Comp Anna Katherine Stone has been practicing workers' compensation, personal injury and social security disability since 2003. She was a partner/shareholder with the law firm of Barbas, Nunez, Sanders, Butler & Hovsepian, P.A. from January 2010 until September 2018 when she left to open her own law practice, Injury Florida Law Firm, P.A., in October 2018. All of her files are handled exclusively by Ms. Stone and her legal assistants. She is readily accessible by phone, email and even text messages. Ms. Stone believes in walking the client thru every step of the case. She obtained... John Vincent Tucker (866) 282-5260 2202 N. West Shore Blvd. Free ConsultationSocial Security Disability and Insurance Claims For over 25 years, John V. 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Ryan Benjamin Cappy TAMPA, FL Social Security Disability Attorney with 18 years experience (813) 512-6011 400 NORTH ASHLEY DRIVE, SUITE 2100 Ryan began his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney with the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, where he tried over 50 jury trials (and over 200 non-jury trials) at both the felony and misdemeanor levels. He then went on to practice law for a prominent insurance defense firm until the fall of 2007, when he joined the Plaintiff’s side and began helping Injury victims. He now represents plaintiffs’ rights in personal injury and wrongful death claims. In the past Ryan has defended insurance companies and their insureds, which provides him with a unique insight into the inner workings of... Matthew Eric Noyes Trinity, FL Social Security Disability Lawyer with 23 years experience 3610 Galileo Driver, Ste 103 Trinity, FL 34655 Attorney Matthew Noyes started out in the personal injury field as a client. At 16 years old, Attorney Noyes was severely injured in a car accident. Since then, he has dedicated himself to helping those in car accidents. Attorney Matthew Noyes and his team also help those fighting to obtain social security disability benefits. Also, he fights for those injured at work by fighting to obtain Florida workers' compensation benefits. Ami L. DiLorenzo Ocala, FL Social Security Disability Attorney with 20 years experience (866) 671-6700 504 S.E. 8th Street Free ConsultationSocial Security Disability, Divorce, Domestic Violence and Family James D. DiLorenzo II Ocala, FL Social Security Disability Attorney (866) 671-6700 504 SE 8th St Free ConsultationSocial Security Disability, Family and Personal Injury Dax J. Lonetto Sr. (813) 609-5500 4012 Gunn Highway Free ConsultationSocial Security Disability, Military and Personal Injury Practice focused on helping the disabled receive social security and veteran's disability benefits. Handled over 1,000 disability cases including social security disability (SSDI), supplemental security income (SSI), disabled adult child (DAC), widow's and survivor's benefits, individual unemployability (TDIU/IU), service connection, effective date appeals, non-service connected pension, children's SSI, and cessation claims. I am bilingual (Yo hablo Espanol) and handle the tough cases including appeals to Federal District Court. My consultations are always free and you don't pay fees or costs unless you receive benefits. Nora Leto Lakeland, FL Social Security Disability Attorney with 38 years experience (863) 619-6275 625 Commerce Avenue Free ConsultationSocial Security Disability, Civil Rights and Workers' Comp Attorney Nora Leto is a civil trial attorney with approximately 31 years of legal experience, including approximately 17 years of experience with Social Security disability and workers’ compensation claims. Ms. Leto has prior professional legal experience working for Florida State Hospital Office of Patient Legal Services as a Staff Attorney and with Florida Rural Legal Services as a Farm Worker Advocate. She is also fluent in Spanish. Ms. Leto received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Florida State University in 1978. She also received her Juris Doctor, or law degree, from Florida State University in 1981 and was admitted... Mr. Garry W. Miracle (866) 655-3136 10150 Highland Manor Dr. Free ConsultationSocial Security Disability and Personal Injury I have devoted my legal career to assisting average men and women who were injured or disabled. My started my law practice in my home town of Anderson, Indiana in 1978. Since 1987 I have practiced primarily in the Tampa Bay area. However, I have handled jury trials and disability hearings throughout Florida and other states. I served in the U.S. Air Force from 1969 - 1973. As a veteran of the Vietnam era I have a good understanding of the medical and emotional damage that war causes those who serve and have helped a great number of... Nicole M Denmon New Port Richey , FL Social Security Disability Attorney with 14 years experience (727) 753-0049 5703 Main Street New Port Richey , FL 34652 Free ConsultationSocial Security Disability, Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI and Estate Planning Nicole has resided in the Tampa Bay area for the last 20 years. She majored in criminology while attending Saint Leo University and interned with the United States Secret Service. Upon graduation, Nicole attended Stetson University College of Law in Pinellas County, where she concentrated on trial advocacy. While attending school, she interned with the State Attorney’s Office for Pinellas County. After law school, Nicole became the Assistant State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit for Pinellas County. During the three years, she was employed at the State Attorney’s Office, she prosecuted misdemeanors to serious crimes. Nicole served as a... Carol Young Wilson (813) 264-5363 15501 North Florida Avenue Social Security Disability and Appeals Villanova University School of Law Carol has been a practicing attorney since 1979. Most all of her time as an attorney, Carol has been dedicated to the representation of the indigent or disabled. Her professional experiences are wide and diverse, including litigation in the administrative, trial and appellate levels. She taught as a law school instructor and supervised law students representing disabled persons seeking social security disability benefits. Carol is dedicated to the zealous representation of her clients within the bounds of professional ethics and the law. Timothy Holden David (800) 360-7015 124 South Florida Ave. Free ConsultationSocial Security Disability, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury and Products Liability A native of Florida, Timothy H. David earned his J.D. from Nova Law School in 1985 and his B.S. from the University of Central Florida in 1981. He is admitted to practice law in Florida bar and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Mr. David started his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney in Orange County, Florida. Mr. David worked as a Felony Prosecutor where he gained considerable trial experience. He then joined a large insurance defense firm. At this firm he continued his trial practice defending various insurance companies and governmental agencies against... Mike Murburg Free ConsultationSocial Security Disability Florida State University College of Law and Princeton University o Mike Murburg Princeton, A.B. 1977, Florida State University College of law, J.D. Cum Laude (With Honors) 1986. Mike was admitted to practice in Florida in 1986, Washington State, Federal Courts for the Middle District of Florida and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and before the United States Supreme Court, Court of Appeals for Veterans’ Claims, Mike is a member of the Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco County Bar Associations and is a member in good standing with the National Organization for Social Security Claimants’ Representatives. Mike has always been a trial lawyer. In 1992,... Colleen Russo St Petersburg, FL Social Security Disability Attorney with 36 years experience (727) 578-0303 877 Executive Center Drive West Stetson University College of Law and Stetson University I have been serving clients in Personal Injury and Social Security Disability related matters for over 23 years. As a senior partner at the Law Offices of Russo & Russo, I have vast experience in dealing with various personal injury cases involving slip and fall accidents, motor vehicle accidents, dog bites, brain injuries, wrongful death accidents, accidents involving children, and all other kinds of injuries suffered by individuals as a result of the negligence of others. I understand the longterm physical and financial consequences that result from these kinds of accidents, and I am fully committed to providing my clients... Sami Thalji (813) 282-9330 8751 North Himes Ave Free ConsultationSocial Security Disability, Bankruptcy, Consumer and Personal Injury Lynne Shigo (888) 338-1988 2801 SW College Road Free ConsultationSocial Security Disability and Workers' Comp Mia Cloud Largo, FL Social Security Disability Lawyer with 14 years experience (855) 408-5100 801 W Bay Dr #603 Free ConsultationSocial Security Disability, Insurance Claims and Personal Injury Christopher Darryn Cloud Largo, FL Social Security Disability Attorney with 15 years experience (727) 408-5100 801 West Bay Dr Ste 603 Mississippi College School of Law We are a Personal Injury and Social Security Disability law firm with a staffed office in Sebring, Highlands County, Florida. Our attorneys handle car accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, semi truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, rear-end accidents, parking lot accidents, hit and run and uninsured motorist claims, construction accidents, pool and drowning accidents, intentional torts, assault and battery, premises liability, slip and fall, trip and fall, dog bites, brain injury, neck injury, spine injury, wrongful death, SSI, SSD and other Social Security Disability claims and appeals. Call us today for a free no-hassle consultation. Leslie Colette Riviere (813) 229-2667 304 South Fielding Avenue Are you disabled or injured, and unable to work because of it? If so, you may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits, and should consider contacting a lawyer from Harris & Riviere, Attorneys at Law. Unlike other firms, the team only represents the injured, which enables them to understand exactly what is required to help a client get the benefits they deserve. Both Attorney Harris and Attorney Riviere have more than 25 years of experience, and are truly passionate about making sure their clients’ rights are protected. The firm also offers a contingency fee arrangement, which means that... Jacqlyn Faye Bryant Clearwater, FL Social Security Disability Attorney with 8 years experience (727) 796-8282 1875 N. Belcher Road Jacqlyn joined Perenich, Caufield, Avril & Noyes as an associate attorney in 2012 and became a partner at the firm in 2018. She focuses her practice on personal injury claims, including Workers Compensation. Jacqlyn has tried cases in both Circuit Civil jury trials and Workers Compensation bench trial. While in law school, Jacqlyn received an award in trial advocacy for Best Advocate in a Preliminary Round in the American Association for Justice, Civil Trial Competition. She also received the William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award, Who’s Who Among American Colleges & Universities, the Book Award (Highest Grade) in Race &... Stephen Barszcz St. Petersburg, FL Social Security Disability Attorney with 28 years experience (877) 655-2667 9455 Koger Blvd North Social Security Disability and Workers' Comp I regularly win OPM Disability Retirement & Social Security Disability claims for my clients throughout the country. And in my law firm, you work directly with me. That direct communication and my decades of experience allow me to maximize success for my clients and minimize my costs. It also allows me to offer each client a Peace of Mind Guarantee that I will win your disability claim or my fee is FREE. Michael K Mayer Clermont, FL Social Security Disability Attorney with 11 years experience (352) 449-2500 310 Almond St Social Security Disability and Immigration Michael Edward Wynn Lakeland, FL Social Security Disability Lawyer (863) 825-0100 5640 South Florida Ave. Lakeland, FL 33807-6733 Social Security Disability, Business, Elder and Estate Planning Richard Gale Porter (813) 223-3888 500 E Kennedy Blvd Social Security Disability, Business, Civil Rights and Real Estate Wade B Coye Orlando, FL Social Security Disability Attorney with 30 years experience (407) 543-1273 730 Vassar Street Free ConsultationSocial Security Disability, Personal Injury, Probate and Workers' Comp SUNY Buffalo Law School You might find it helpful when selecting a lawyer to know a bit about them. You probably know all lawyers have to graduate from law school, but beyond the basics, who are they? As for me, you should know that I'm married to my wife Joan, and I have five children. They are all hard working, and each had their turn cleaning my Orlando office growing up. They are and will remain the most important part of my life. They are the lights of my life. I met my wife Joan at a Methodist church picnic. We were married in... Felicia Bunbury Lakeland, FL Social Security Disability Attorney with 8 years experience (888) 262-1618 122 E Main St Free ConsultationSocial Security Disability, Divorce, Family and Personal Injury The FAB Law Firm, LLC is a multi-state practice with offices in Central Florida and NYC. The FAB Law Firm, LLC uses digital tools and systems to make the process of hiring and working with Felicia seamless and stress-free. Whether your case is a custody dispute or divorce, Felicia fights hard by putting her knowledge and experience to work for you. Felicia is a seasoned trial lawyer with a track record of success. Mintrel D. Martin (407) 801-7709 801 North Magnolia Avenue Free ConsultationSocial Security Disability, Bankruptcy, Employment and Workers' Comp Walter Rudolph Hnot, III Orlando, FL Social Security Disability Attorney (407) 279-1754 4429, 5372 Silver Star Rd Free ConsultationSocial Security Disability, Arbitration & Mediation, Communications and Real Estate Barry University Disability Resolution, P.A. \| LAW FIRM Attorney: Walter Rudolph Hnot, III P: (407) 279 1754 F: (800) 564 3358 E: info@disabilityresolution.com W: www.disabilityresolution.com A: P.O. BOX 780549 ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32878 Practice Areas: Social Security Disability, Intellectual Property, Personal Injury, Auto Injury, Slip and fall, Contracts, Property. Social Security Disability Social Security Disability Application Social Security Disability application status Social Security Disability Claim Social Security Disability Claim form Social Security Disability Claim Status Social Security Disability Appeal Social Security Disability benefits and working Social Security Disability benefits Social Security Disability requirements Social Security Disability Income Social Security... Tony Turner DELAND, FL Social Security Disability Lawyer with 28 years experience (386) 490-5215 210 E New York Ave Free ConsultationSocial Security Disability, Foreclosure Defense, Immigration and Workers' Comp I have practiced law for 27 years and have represented thousands of clients. I was previously employed with Morgan & Morgan but left in 2001 to start my own practice. My office is dedicated to representing debtors who are trying to get a fresh start by discharging their debt, save their homes from foreclosure, stop lawsuits and harassing phone calls. Call me today for a free legal consultation. I offer payments plans and try to work within everyone's budget. Offices - Jacksonville, Orange Park, Lake City & Deland Florida State University - B.S. Finance 1988. Florida State University -... Everett L. McKeown Orlando, FL Social Security Disability Lawyer with 14 years experience (407) 578-9696 1000 Legion Place, Suite 1000 Gateway Center Social Security Disability, Business, Military and Personal Injury Everett L. McKeown is an Of Counsel attorney for the Central Florida law firm Bogin, Munns & Munns, P.A. and Managing Partner of Veterans Legal Advocates, P.A. Mr. McKeown specializes in Veterans Benefits (including VA Disability Claims Appeals and VA Debt Overpayment Issues) and Military Law (including Discharge Upgrades and Military Record Corrections). Mr. McKeown holds four degrees, the most recent being his MBA from the University of Orlando (1999) and his J.D. from Barry University (2006). He is currently in the United States Army Reserves serving in the JAG Corps as a Command Judge Advocate. ... Anthony Ray Reeves Kissimmee, FL Social Security Disability Attorney with 18 years experience (888) 962-0007 P.O. Box 580570 Firm Profile The Reeves Law Firm, P.A. is dedicated to representing the Disabled. The focus of the Reeves Law Firm is on Social Security Disability. Chadwick Joseph Lawrence Tamp, FL Social Security Disability Attorney with 33 years experience (800) 920-9913 Suite 150 Tamp, FL 33607 I am an AV rated attorney. That places me in the top 5% of all lawyers in Florida. I am dedicated to helping the injured or sick secure justice when it comes to a personal injury case, workers compensation case or social security disability claim. My track record speaks for itself. Feel free to look at my client reviews on AVVO.com. Lisa Marie Orga Esq. Bradenton, FL Social Security Disability Attorney with 12 years experience (941) 792-6200 3110 Manatee Avenue West Free ConsultationSocial Security Disability, Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI and Immigration Lisa M. Orga, Esq. was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. She received her B.S. in Governmental Administration from Christopher Newport University in 2000 and her Juris Doctorate Degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2004. Ms. Orga is admitted to practice in Florida as well as in the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida. Ms. Orga is a member of the Florida Bar, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, American Bar Association, and St. Petersburg Bar Association. Ms. Orga focuses her practice on Family Law, Personal Injury, Social Security Disability, Immigration & Naturalization, and Criminal... Camlinh Nguyen Rogers Sanford, FL Social Security Disability Attorney (407) 760-0200 215 S. Oak ave. Read my profile at: http://aba-us.com/camlinh-profile/?lang=en Dennis A. Palso St Petersburg, FL Social Security Disability Lawyer with 36 years experience (727) 578-5911 5324 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. North Dennis A. Palso was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1983 and has handled thousands of cases representing workers injured on the job and applicants in Social Security disability matters. He is a member of various legal bar groups, including the American Bar Association; the Florida Justice Association; the Florida Bar; the national Workers' Injury Law and Advocacy Group; and is a founding member and director of Florida Workers' Advocates, a Florida statewide organization of lawyers who represent injured workers. Mr. Palso is board certified by the Florida Bar as an expert in workers' compensation law, a distinction earned... James W. Nuebel (407) 703-5999 4767 New Broad Street James W. Nuebel is an experienced personal injury trial attorney and Social Security disability attorney who has zealously represented his clients since 1987. Shawn Diederich (407) 270-3775 215 East Livingston Street, 2nd Floor Florida A&M University College of Law Shawn Diederich, founder of Diederich Law Firm, P.A., is a native of Orlando and has been licensed to practice law in Florida since 2008. Shawn’s primary focus is on Workers’ Compensation and personal injury litigation. Shawn is incredibly passionate about being an advocate for the injured. Prior to founding the Diederich Law Firm, P.A. Shawn was a trial attorney at one of Florida’s largest workers compensation defense firms, defending cases for the nation’s largest fast food, rental car and beverage companies. Shawn graduated from Florida A & M Law School in Orlando and received his undergraduate degree from The Florida... James R Auffant (407) 894-4779 2514 E Jackson St Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law Mr. Auffant has Limited his practice in the area of Social Security disability. He has handle over 2000 cases and currently has been training other fellow attorneys on how to deal with all the complexities required to handle professionally a disability claim. we can handle all types of claims before the Social Security administration feom initial claims to appeals before the Appeal counsel. Call us Today for a free consultation today at 407 894-4779 or email us at jamesauffant@gmail.com El Lic James R Auffant habla perfect espanol y conoce tus precupaciones Social Security Disability Attorneys in Nearby Cities Social Security Disability Attorneys in Nearby Counties The OneCLE Lawyer Directory contains lawyers who have claimed their profiles and are actively seeking clients. Find more Brooksville, Florida Social Security Disability Lawyers in the Justia Legal Services and Lawyers Directory which includes profiles of more than one million lawyers licensed to practice in the United States, in addition to profiles of legal aid, pro bono and legal service organizations.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26797
__label__cc	0.579741	0.420259	Slim Woman (On the Gleaming Way—Slim Woman and the Kayenta Navajos is currently on exhibit at the Smoki Museum in Prescott until July 2017. All photos and images from the John and Louisa Wetherill Collection. Courtesy of Harvey Leake.) “It is hard to put the finger upon the essential qualities in Navajo character. The person whose opinion I on the whole respect the most is that of Mrs. Wetherill…she has lived among the Navajoes for nearly forty years and brings to the understanding of her experiences a s sharp vigorous mind and a truly scientific curiosity and passion for accuracy.” Clyde Kluckhohn-To the Foot of the Rainbow In March 1906 a meeting took place in southern Utah which sounds like a scene out of a Hollywood Western. John Wetherill was accompanied by only his brother-in-law John Wade when they stopped at a cottonwood grove several miles northwest of present-day Goulding’s Lodge. The two men had ridden the entire distance through the large red mesas and barren landscape which would later be named Monument Valley. It was then an area so remote and rugged even the U.S. Army was reluctant to enter. Both were unarmed. They dismounted and began watering their horses at the spring known to the Navajo as Oljato –Moonlight Water. Oljato. Circa 1909 Shortly afterwards a tall, slender Navajo man with a weathered face and long grey hair appeared on horseback. He was accompanied by four riders, all with rifles. The Navajo headman told Wetherill and Wade to leave immediately. It is not known how emphatic he was, or even needed to be given his armed escort would not hesitate to follow his commands. But it is known Wetherill refused. He told the headman, known as Hoskininni Begay, he had a proposition he should consider. Just shy of his 40th birthday, Wetherill was a well-known trader and explorer of the American southwest. He knew the Navajo people and language well. Along with his wife Louisa, known to the Navajo as Ashton Sosi (Slim Woman) he had operated several trading posts in northwestern New Mexico –Ojo Alamo, Chavez and Chaco Canyon. Hoskininni Begay was a local legend of sorts. As a young boy he was one of the few Navajo to avoid Kit Carson’s expeditionary force by fleeing to Navajo Mountain with his father, Hoskininni (or Hush-Kenay, The Angry One.) For five long years, while most of their fellow tribal members lived in exile in eastern New Mexico, Hoskininni’s people eeked out an existence in the remote canyons near Naatsis’áán. Hoskininni Begay had lived his entire life in his own country and was proud of it. He was not a man to be trifled with. In 1880 he had killed two miners, Walcott and McNally, who were prospecting on Navajo land. It was a crime for which he was never captured nor punished. To many of the Dineh he was known as “The one who got away with it.” Wetherill was told again to leave. “We want no white men here.”[1] Instead of leaving Wetherill suggested they should have a feast. “You get the rabbits, and I’ll furnish flour and sugar and coffee.”[2] John and Louisa Wetherill at Kayenta, Arizona. Circa 1913 Wetherill had been advised not to go to Monument Valley. “There are bad people at Oljato,”[3] he was told by several of the Dineh. “They will kill you.” Yet despite the warnings and Hoskininni Begay’s orders he remained undeterred. If Hoskininni Begay let him set up shop near Oljato there would be no need to ride over ninety miles to Red Lake or Round Rock for coffee, flour, and sugar. Of course Wetherill had an angle. He didn’t like competition. Having the nearest competitor at least four days horseback ride away would all but assure a monopoly. Hoskininni Begay softened and began to consider the proposal. He was soon joined by his father and several other men, all with “long hair knotted at the back and tied with bright headbands…calico trousers slit to the knees…moccasins… with silver buttons…”[4] and velvet blouses decorated with silver and turquoise. After several days of feasting and deliberation a decision was handed down. The Wetherills were granted the rights to open a trading post at Oljato. Louisa Wetherill. Circa 1915 Shortly afterwards Louisa Wetherill joined her husband at Moonlight Water, along with their partner Clyde Colville. Over the next four decades John and Louisa became legends in their own time. Five years after the pow wow with Hoskininni Begay the Wetherills moved from Oljato to Kayenta and opened a trading post and guest ranch. Humble beginnings of the Kayenta Trading Post and Wetherill-Colville Guest Ranch. Winter 1910. The present-day NAPA Auto Parts store would be in the left side of the photo, the back of Best Western Wetherill Lodge at the top of the ridge on the left. Famous visitors to the Wetherill-Colville Guest Ranch over the years included Theodore Roosevelt, artists Maynard Dixon, Georgia O’Keefe, Carl Oscar Borg, W.R. Leigh and Gunnar Widforss, cartoonists George Herriman, Frank King, and Rudolph Dirks, animator Ward Kimball, photographer Ansel Adams, Hollywood Directors John Ford and Jesse Lasky, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., all the key members of the Rainbow Bridge/Monument Valley Expedition crew, etc. etc. etc. Jimmy Swinnerton (Yes! The Jimmy in Looking for Jimmy) was a visitor nearly a dozen times between 1919 and 1942. Famed Western author Zane Grey stayed half a dozen times, lamenting in the guest registry on his final visit in 1929 how the American West as he knew it had vanished. I wonder what Grey would think of Kayenta today? I could go on and on but you get the idea. For almost the entire first half of the 20th century Kayenta held the distinction of being the most distant post office from a railway station in the United States. Yet for such a remote location this was “one hoppin place!” John Wetherill was the heart of the operation, Slim Woman (Ashton Sosie) the soul. While her husband led guided trips for the rich and famous (along with well known writers, artists, scientists and just plain ordinary folks) to Rainbow Bridge, Betatakin Ruins and Keet Seel and other nearby ruins, Louisa ran the day to day operations at the trading post. She immediately became implicitly trusted among all the People. As fluent in Navajo as in English, she became the leading authority on their culture. She became the only white tribal member when the elder Hoskininni designated her as his adopted daughter. He became convinced Slim Woman was Navajo at birth and had been stolen by a white family. How else could anyone explain her intimate understanding of the Navajo people? Theodore Roosevelt once wrote “Mrs. Wetherill was not only versed in archaeological lore concerning ruins and the like, she was also versed in the yet stranger and more interesting archaeology of the Indian’s own mind and soul…She not only knows their language; she knows their minds…They trust her so fully that they will speak to her without reserve…”[5] Author Winifred Hawkridge Dixon wrote she possessed “an almost uncanny understanding and sympathy for the Navajo that make her a more trustworthy Indian student many an ethnologist…”[6] At a tribal council of the Navajos in 1923 many of the tribal members refused to start the proceedings until Louisa Wetherill arrived. “Government officials, Indian agents, important gentlemen from Washington fretted about it, but nothing could be done.”[7] Louisa Wetherill and Hoskininni Begay. Santa Barbara, California 1923 Ashton Sosie’s extraordinary life is also the subject of an exhibition currently featured at the Smoki Museum titled On the Gleaming Way—Slim Woman and the Kayenta Navajos. Included are a large collection of archival photographs and several of the more than forty books, all from the collection of Harvey Leake, the Wetherill family archivist. The lodge’s guest registry is also on display. The book is notable not only for the signatures of famous guests but also the sketches and miniature paintings by the visiting artists. Agathla Needle-Gunnar Widforss’s entry in the Wetherill-Colville Guest Ranch Registry I have been fortunate enough to know Harvey for many years, having first met him when he loaned some photos of artist Lillian Wilhelm Smith for an exhibition at the Blue Coyote Gallery in 2005. Lillian was a close friend of John and Louisa Wetherill. She visited Kayenta so frequently that Harvey’s mother, Dorothy Lillian Leake, still referred to the artist as “Aunt Lil” when I interviewed her in 2007. His collection of archival photos provided extensive material for my book Shadows on the Mesa-Artists of the Painted Desert and Beyond. Actually that’s an understatement. The book would not have been possible without his contributions. What’s surprising is how much the collection has grown since my book was published in 2012. Many of the photos on exhibit at the Smoki Museum are fresh material. Harvey once told me every other Monument Valley resident he ever met claimed to be a descendent of the elder Hoskininni. Although Hoskininni had eight wives Hoskininni Begay was his only son. Given that Hoskininni Begay had twenty-eight children it’s certainly possible everyone who made this claim was telling the truth. [1] Gillmor and Wetherill, Traders to the Navajo, page 73 [3] Gillmor and Wetherill, Traders to the Navajo, page 74 and 76 [5] Outlook, vol. 105, October 11, 1913, pp 311-317 [6] Slim Woman-Louisa Wade Wetherill of Kayenta, Harvey Leake, 2017, Page 26 [7] Erna Ferguson quoted in Slim Woman-Louisa Wade Wetherill of Kayenta, Harvey Leake, 2017 Posted in Western American HistoryTagged John Wetherill, Kayenta, Louisa Wetherill, Monument ValleyLeave a comment ← Camelback Mountain-Straight to the Top All Over The Map →	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26800
__label__cc	0.692285	0.307715	Category Archives: Hasten Bootstrutter Book, Cyclops, Hasten Bootstrutter, mobile, Ocean of Tears Ring Around the Desert Entry 22: I’ve been running around in this desert now for weeks. Hasten Bootstrutter is a madman… although I think I’m probably even more mad for giving in to his demands. I’m beginning to wonder if he just sent me on a wild goose chase. He mentioned that the ancient cyclops will carry the ring he asked for, but after all of these weeks, I have yet to see one that fits the description he gave me. Ring of the Ancients indeed. I came across another adventurer hunting for the ancient cyclops. Being a ranger, she mentioned that she had, in fact, tracked what she believed to be the ancient cyclops through the desert, but the shifting sands would often erase the trail before she could catch up with her quarry. This is encouraging, although I remain skeptical since she hasn’t actually seen the beast for herself. I’ll give a few more days before I leave this desert for good, then. I was able to defeat the cyclops I saw yesterday. However, it was not carrying the ring. I think I was too eager to find the ring, and in my excitement, I risked my own life fighting an enemy that I had no need to combat. This desert is certainly getting to me – even if I plan to remain out here and search for this creature, I’ll need to resupply at some point. I SAW IT. Just over the sand dunes, not far from where I was. I raced to get to it, but I was jumped by a wandering madman. I was so fixed on my target, that I had no idea the madman was even there – I could have paid for my eagerness with my life once again. I know where the beast is now… It’s clear now that I wasn’t the only one who spied the ancient cyclops. I’ve seen several other adventurers near where I saw the beast, and it’s beginning to seem like a race. Hasten must be laughing himself hoarse at this point. No matter… arrows and flashing steel can’t outrun the searing power of my Pillar of Lightning spells. That ring is mine. Okay, I hate rangers. They can obviously track this thing, and always seem to be one step behind the creature, which is still a step ahead of me. So aggravating. I’m tired of dealing with all of the crowding here. With all of us tripping over ourselves, there’s no way any of us are going to find that cyclops. This is pointless. I’ve heard, however, that there might be another tribe of cyclops out in the Ocean of Tears. Perhaps it is worth my while to… Book, Desert of Ro, Hasten Bootstrutter, mobile, Ro, The Oasis, The Rending, The Shattering Bootstrutter’s Trail Guide to the Desert of Ro “Bootstrutter’s Guide to the Desert of Ro,” by Hasten Bootstrutter. Edited by Jergo Wheybringer. This book describes the changes to the old Desert of Ro to give travellers fair warning of what to expect in these hostile lands. Introduction: The Desert of Ro was previously mapped as three distinct sections: the Northern Desert of Ro, the Oasis of Marr and the Southern Desert of Ro. The impact of the Shattering and the Rending on these areas has rendered them virtually unrecognizable, though there are several key areas that remain. This trail guide addresses some of these areas, though your best travel guide is always common sense. Many consider deserts to be vast, empty wastelands of dust and sand. Taking a little extra time to be mindful of one’s surroundings, one will begin to see the full range of color and beauty that only a desert can offer. The gentle coloration of the natural flora and fauna is soothing, with pale grey-green sages flowing into the soft golden sands. Bursts of color, such as the Oasis of Marr, can seem almost blinding after the simple desert palatte (sic). The Oasis of Marr: Previously situated between the Northern and Southern Deserts of Ro, the Oasis is a burst of vibrant color now located near the docks at which the Guppy II made landfall. And though the Oasis is a respite from the heat of the desert, it is by no means a safe haven. The shifting lands have brought old dangers closer by removing the natural barrier of the desert sands. Orc Highway: Several portions of this major north-south route still exist. It remains a dangerous area for non-orcs to traverse and is best avoided by those travelling alone. Parts of the Highway lead between overhanging cliffs that are sure to provide cover and concealment to the orcs that still call this region home. The Brigand’s Boneyard: The former Deserts of Ro are not empty. Aside from the various crocodiles, caimans and sand giants, there are also a variety of small camp sites. Some of these are occupied at all seasons, while others seem to be intended for travellers. One would be wise to refrain from assuming that an empty camp is an abandoned one. The presence of various camps can be beneficial, as some of their residents are traders, willing to exchange goods for coin. Sunken Spire: Though desert winds can reshape the lands with impressive speed, not all traces of ancient times are easily destroyed. After a particularly heavy windstorm, several spires appeared at various locations throughout the Desert of Ro. As soon as they became visible, however, a second storm quickly reburied many of them, though there are one or two that remained above the shifting sands and are still visible to this day. The Chimney: At a distance, one can only see the dunes of a desert, stretching forever toward the horizon. Close up, as we have learned, there are places of deadly beauty as well as relative calm. While admiring the vista is useful for identifying one’s surroundings, one must also be wary of what may lie directly beneath one’s feet. Insect life abounds in the arid climate, with many of the world’s deadliest spiders and scorpions found only in the Desert of Ro. The Eye of Anuk: The shifted lands have created underground caverns so deep that the light of day barely touches them. Within one of these deep caves, one will find a door to the past–a past so dark that I cannot imagine what lies behind it. Something waits beyond in a palpably brooding silence. The Croc Caves: Several chimney spires in the sea attract one’s attention with their distinctive columnar shapes. At the base of one set of spires, several crocodiles lay still in the water, their eyes following every movement. Several boulders near the entry appear clawed and scratched, as though something large had moved them at some point while passing through. Could Lockjaw still be alive after all these years? While no direct evidence of his presence was seen, it is said that crocodiles are extremely long-lived. The Twin Tears: The Oasis of Marr is not the only source of fresh water in the Sinking Sands, as this area is now called. Two large pools separated by a ridge of sand are rings of greenery on the desert plateau. Avoid the dry bone skeletons which inhabit the area and climb this ridge. The views are marvelous, looking toward the surrouding sea and the Pillars of Flame. If you chance upon the carpet merchant before coming to this spot, you will find your purchase quite useful. Maj’Dul: The city is spectacular, rising high above the desert floor. There are various factions in the city that make it difficult to traverse with any safety. For my part, I have apparently offended the Court of Coin and needed to retreat to my ship. The Maj’Dulians are unyielding in their code of law, no matter how obscure such laws are to outsiders, or “barrashar,” such as myself. Still this is a beautiful place in its own way and I look forward to returning to the serpentine Port of Tears someday. Antonia Bayle, Baden Cauldthorne, Bellengere the Three, Bloodbeak, Celestial Watch, Everquest Lore, Far Seas Trading Company, General Golias Sydwen, Hasten Bootstrutter, Lucan D`lere, Murrar Shar, Official Website, Opal Darkbriar, Seafury Buccaneers, Seeress Ealaynya Ithis, Siren, Tayil NVelex, Tealla Woodspire, The Circle of Five, The Foci, The Heartwood Matron, Vhalen, Vhalen Nostrolo, Vox EQ2 Trivia Q&A September 6, 2012 Michael Leave a comment Source: http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=lore&message.id=4010 What is Queen Antonia Bayles true name? Shirrana What title does Lucan DLere demand his subjects use when they refer to him? The Overlord What is the name of the ranger that Antonia Bayle relies upon as one of her most reliable agents? Baden Cauldthorne This human male is the Leader of the Mage Guild in Qeynos. Bellengere the Three What is the name of the band of merchants that Duke Jaestin Ferrin leads? The Far Seas Trading Company Who is known as The Heartwood Matron? Tealla Woodspire Freeport citizens know Opal Darkbriar by what title? The Foci Who died ringing the bells to warn Qeynos to close the city gates during a surprise invasion? Vhalen the Bard of Ages This Kerran has served as a guard and advisor to Antonia Bayle for years. What is his name? Murrar Shar What is the name of the Human female that is the Shepard of the Celestial Watch, unified church of the Kingdom of Qeynos that also holds a position within the Circle of Five? Seeress Ealaynya Ithis What is the name of the card game that General Golias Sydwen has a passion for? Who was the first explorer to rediscover most of the areas many thought lost in the Shattered Lands? Who was appointed as the liaison and acting leader within the city of Freeport by Bloodbeak, the true ruler of the Seafury Buccaneers? What winged assassins are responsible for the death of Lady Vox? The drakota What is the name of the female Dark Elf often seen standing at the right hand of Lucan DLere when he appears before his subjects? Tayil NVelex	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26801
__label__cc	0.653455	0.346545	Donate to sequencediagramorg sequencediagramorg currently receives €0.00 per week. The US Dollar isn't your preferred currency? sequencediagramorg also accepts 32 others: Euro (€) Australian Dollar (A$) Bulgarian Lev (BGN) (not supported by PayPal) Brazilian Real (R$) (not supported by PayPal) Canadian Dollar (CA$) Swiss Franc (CHF) Chinese Yuan (CN¥) (not supported by PayPal) Czech Koruna (CZK) Danish Krone (DKK) British Pound (£) Hong Kong Dollar (HK$) Croatian Kuna (HRK) (not supported by PayPal) Hungarian Forint (HUF) Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) (not supported by PayPal) Israeli New Shekel (₪) Indian Rupee (₹) (not supported by PayPal) Icelandic Króna (ISK) (not supported by PayPal) Japanese Yen (¥) South Korean Won (₩) (not supported by PayPal) Mexican Peso (MX$) Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) (not supported by PayPal) Norwegian Krone (NOK) New Zealand Dollar (NZ$) Philippine Piso (PHP) Polish Zloty (PLN) Romanian Leu (RON) (not supported by PayPal) Russian Ruble (RUB) Swedish Krona (SEK) Singapore Dollar (SGD) Thai Baht (THB) Turkish Lira (TRY) (not supported by PayPal) South African Rand (ZAR) (not supported by PayPal) Donations to sequencediagramorg can be paid using: a credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), a Euro bank account (SEPA Direct Debit), or a PayPal account.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26804
__label__wiki	0.556754	0.556754	Pionetics® Calls for Immediate, Additional Widespread Water Conservation Efforts to Extend Executive Order by California Governor Brown, to Drive a Healthy, Sustainable Future The maker of the LINX® Drinking Water System urges action to further the Order’s ‘temporary fixes’ in favor of a commitment to larger-scale conservation efforts SAN CARLOS, CA – April 30, 2014 – Pionetics, the industry-leading maker of the LINX Drinking Water System, highlights the need for increased conservation efforts and continued action in the wake of the Executive Order passed by California Governor, Edmund G. Brown, Jr., on April 25, 2014. The Executive Order calls for action to strengthen California’s ability to manage water and the larger habitat more efficiently, and redouble water conservation efforts leading up the state’s impending drought season. The state’s Department of Water Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board are involved to accelerate monitoring efforts and execute habitat restoration projects to help the local areas to weather the difficult season ahead, the Order also serves to: Cut the red tape to speed the approval of voluntary water transfers to assist farmers; Proactively prepare communities for drought survival by providing them with safe drinking water; and Call for widespread resident support to eliminate large-scale hazards to guard against significant fire damage in the dry season. While the actions noted in the recent Executive Order are moving in a largely positive direction, the industry-leading experts at Pionetics urge a continued emphasis on not just temporary fixes like voluntary water transfers; but call instead for significant change and revolution in water conservation efforts across the state of California and nationwide. The new and innovative LINX systems deliver great tasting drinking water while producing less wastewater than outdated Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems. Developed back in the 1970s and often compared to using an 8-track in your car, experts agree that the RO system is not effective to making a significant, sustainable impact in the ongoing wastewater crisis. Pionetics has long advocated for a concerted push to bring water conservation methods and tools up to the technological standards and capabilities of other aspects of our daily lives to promote a healthier environment through less wastage and contamination. To Continue Reading the Entire Release – click here.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26814
__label__cc	0.713085	0.286915	Home / Products / Misadventures with a Rookie Misadventures with a Rookie Please note the book is NOT signed by Toni Aleo. Every order includes a piece of swag as a little something extra! Winning has always come naturally for stud ice hockey defenseman Gus “the Bus” Persson. On the ice or off, he’s never had any trouble scoring, racking up goals—and girls. As the best player in his rookie class and the number-one draft pick of the Malibu Suns, he’s taking his game to the next level and is justifiably full of swagger. So why does one of the Suns’ ice girls treat him like he’s invisible? Bo St. James doesn’t have time for rookie hotshots who think their gloves don’t stink. She knows them, she works with them, she trains them. It doesn’t matter that Gus Persson is the hottest newbie she’s ever seen. She knows his type. She’s got big plans of her own, and she’s not going to let some cocky rich kid athlete keep her from her goals. But there’s a chemistry between them they cannot deny. A lust that burns so hot, it threatens to melt the very ice on which they make their livings. The game has changed for both of them. Together, can these two play to win?	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26825
__label__wiki	0.912949	0.912949	Carlton's Liam Jones battles with Collingwood's Travis Varcoe. Pic: Michael Klein Blues backman leads AFL’s least-wanted ‘award’ by Chris Cavanagh 18th Apr 2018 10:47 AM CARLTON defender Liam Jones has been urged to tighten up on his direct opponent as statistics show he has conceded more goals than any other backman in the game this year. Jones leads the unwanted "Reverse Coleman" award after Round 4, having had 21 goals kicked on him by direct opponents so far this season. Richmond's David Astbury (13 goals) coming in second and Gold Coast's Steven May and West Coast's Tom Barrass (both 12 goals) are equal third, according to Champion Data. In more bad news for the Blues, Jacob Weitering has conceded 11 goals to his direct opponent. Recast as a defender after managing just 16 goals from 17 games across two seasons as a forward, Jones finished ninth in Carlton's best-and-fairest last year despite playing just 12 games (conceding 31 goals). However, the 27-year-old's form has not been what is was last season and he has come under increasing pressure given fellow Blues defenders Sam Docherty (knee), Sam Rowe (knee), Caleb Marchbank (ankle), Ciaran Byrne (quad), Alex Silvagni (hamstring) and Tom Williamson (back) have all been missing in action. Ben Brown kicked five goals and scored 167 SuperCoach points in Hobart. The Blues have also conceded an average of 57 inside-50s across the opening four rounds, including 71 against Richmond in Round 1. Carlton head of strategy and performance John Barker said last week Jones was performing well in difficult circumstances. "We have a strong team defence we rely on and Jonesy is in reasonable form, but we have to make sure our midfields and forwards are putting enough pressure on to adequately assist any of our defenders," Barker said. Liam Jones is outmarked by Magpie Steele Sidebottom. Picture: Michael Klein "What happens in our backline is often a result of the amount of pressure that occurs up the field." Carlton great Robert Walls said Jones needed to change his positioning in a bid to bounce back to form. "Liam Jones got a lot of pats on the back last year and I just thought hang on, just be careful, because I just thought it was a bit of an over-reaction," Walls said on Fox Footy's AFL Tonight on Monday. Dustin Martin gets the better of Liam Jones in Round 1. Picture: Michael Klein "He's got to go back and just play shoulder-to-shoulder on his opponent. "He's playing 10m in front and he's getting lost. Good teams will expose him and exploit him, which they've done. "He's just lost the ability to play tight on an opponent and that's the No. 1 thing you should do as a defender. I hope that he does that." While the Reverse Coleman statistics aren't enviable, Jones does rank elite for his position in one percenters (8.8 a game), spoils (7.8 a game) and intercept marks (3.3 a game). Liam Jones makes a flying spoil against Jarryd Roughead last season. Picture: Michael Klein Jones joined the Blues at the end of 2014 in a trade with the Western Bulldogs for pick 46 in the draft. He is due to play his 100th AFL game on Saturday afternoon against West Coast. His likely opponent is two-time Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy. For the record, Sydney superstar Lance Franklin leads the real Coleman Medal race with 17 majors. premium_icon Betts to be one-week wonder Double blow: Cyril, Puopolo hit for six No pressure on Swans star after death of newborn premium_icon ‘Tex’ ready to turn it on, but tough test for Sloane premium_icon I’ll bounce back: Rocky’s vow to Power fans afl2018 carlton	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26827
__label__wiki	0.937993	0.937993	Home / India News / Monsoon is officially over but likely to withdraw only after Oct 10: IMD Monsoon is officially over but likely to withdraw only after Oct 10: IMD The monsoon which recorded “above normal” rain at 110% of long period average (LPA), is expected to begin its withdrawal by October 10. By Jayashree Nandi, Hindustan Times, New Delhi Rain clouds over the Jama Masjid in New Delhi,. (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO) The southwest monsoon which triggered heavy rain across many parts of the country officially came to an end on Monday with “above normal” rain at 110% of long period average (LPA), the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday. But the monsoon’s withdrawal is likely to begin only around October 10 - the most delayed withdrawal since 1961 (October 1) and 2007 (September 30). The tail end of the monsoon has left a trail of heavy rain and flood in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. In spite of late onset of the monsoon on June 8 and that month ending with a deficiency of 33%, July, August and September received 105%, 115% and 152% of their LPA respectively. IMD had predicted a near normal monsoon at 96% of LPA in May. The prolonged monsoon season was not forecast by IMD. “IMD had predicted that the monsoon performance would be better in the second half compared to the first half. IMD’s analysis on weakening of El Nino and development of a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and the second half monsoon rainfall being above normal were thus proved correct. However, quantitatively, realised rainfall during the second half was more than what IMD predicted,” the met department said in a statement. “We will not consider the rainfall received after this to be monsoon rainfall. It will be counted as post monsoon season rainfall. IMD considers June, July, August and September as monsoon season,” said M Mohapatra, director general, IMD. Climate scientists said IMD has not updated its withdrawal dates for decades. For the last ten years monsoon has been beginning its retreat after September 20. Mohapatra added “Northeast monsoon (winter rains in peninsular India) usually arrives in October. We don’t have any update on northeast monsoon yet.” Out of 36 meteorological subdivisions, two sub divisions received “large excess” (60% over LPA), 10 received excess (20% to 59% over LPA) and 19 sub divisions received normal monsoon (-19% to 19% over LPA ) rainfall, 5 sub divisions however received deficient rainfall. In Haryana, Delhi and Chandigarh deficiency was 42%. “On an average, about 20% of area of the country receives deficient or scanty rainfall during the monsoon season,” the statement said. The defining features of this monsoon were the high number of extreme rain events. For example, there were 1269 weather stations reporting very heavy and extremely heavy rain in August out of which 282 were extremely heavy rainfall events, highest in the past five years. The data on extreme events is yet to be compiled by IMD, Pune. IMD officials said delayed monsoon withdrawal is a feature of climate variability. “Monsoon withdrawal always begins from the northwest part of the country. The first and foremost condition to announce monsoon withdrawal is rainfall should stop completely for about five days, there should be significant reduction in moisture and anticyclone flow should be established. None of this has happened yet,” said K Sathi Devi, Head of the National Weather Forecasting Centre. “June to September is the normal monsoon season but variability can happen. We need to see long tern data to conclude whether this is a result of climate change. Extreme rain events, however, can be definitely linked to climate change. There is a rise in extreme rain events in recent years. In August this year there were more than 1,000 extreme rain events,” said Pulak Guhathakurta, head, Climate Application and User Interface, Climate Research and Services at IMD Pune. But, projections made by a team of scientists at Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Pune based on various models shows intensification of the southwest monsoon and increase in mean monsoon rainfall by mid century. “A series of low-pressure systems from the Bay of Bengal are responsible for the monsoon’s delayed withdrawal from western Rajasthan this year. Conditions had become favourable for the monsoon’s withdrawal from western Rajasthan around September 18. However, a low-pressure circulation (which seeded Tropical Cyclone Hikka in the Arabian Sea) changed the wind pattern over the state and caused a further delay in the monsoon’s withdrawal,” said Akshay Deoras, Ph.D researcher, department of meteorology, University of Reading, UK. IND vs AUS Live: Rahul, Rohit begin India’s 287-run chase	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26828
__label__cc	0.7184	0.2816	What You Need to Know Before Bringing Home a Rex Cat It’s completely possible for cats to have curly hair. Known as “Rex” cats, these curly kitties have genetic mutations that give their fur a curly or wavy appearance. Due to their unique appearance, Rex cats are in demand. But before you decide to adopt a Rex cat, there are a few things you should learn about the breed, including their unique care requirements. Types of Rex Cats There are three types of Rex cats recognized by the Cat Fancier’s Association (CFA): Devon Rex, Cornish Rex and Selkirk Rex. According to the CFA, the Devon Rex cats and Cornish Rex cats originated in the 1950s in Devonshire, England, when individual cats each gave birth to a curly-furred kitten. Selkirk Rex cats, though, come from an entirely different line of curly kitties. This breed can be traced back to curly-coated kitty born to a Montana house cat in 1987. Devon Rex and Cornish Rex cats have short fur, big eyes and big ears. They’re also bred to be slim and elegant. Selkirk Rex cats can have short or long curly fur, and their overall appearance is more robust, as they are bred to be larger and heavy-boned. The Rex Cat Breed Personality Rex cats are known for being talkative and very, very smart. “Rex cats are super intelligent,” says Yody Blass, MA, a certified animal behaviorist at Companion Animal Behavior, which offers behavior solutions for dogs and cats in the Washington, DC, area. “They’re also definitely more on the active side. If you’re getting a kitten, be prepared—they’re going to get into everything, and they’ll want to get up high. You’re going to want tall cat trees to keep them happy,” says Blass. She adds that the combination of playfulness and intelligence makes Rex cats apt to learn tricks and even compete in agility events. “Tunnels and other agility-focused toys can keep these cats engaged.” Cat toys can also help keep Rex kitties occupied and out of trouble. Coat Care for Rex Cats While Rex cats’ coats don’t look like they require much care, this is not necessarily the case, according to Dr. Carol Margolis, medical genetics resident at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia. She explains that their fur grows from an abnormal hair follicle, which can lead to breakage, particularly with over-exuberant grooming. Dr. Margolis adds that the abnormal hair follicles might be tied to other abnormal skin conditions. “Rex cats might be extra greasy and waxy and might also be more prone to yeast infections,” she explains. “Overall, they could need more husbandry care, whether it be ear cleanings to deal with excess wax or cleaning out the nail beds.” Blass adds that Rex cats may need to be bathed from time to time “to get rid of excess oils or dander. Though, these cats aren’t known to be particularly hard to bathe.” Owners should stick with a mild cat shampoo to prevent skin irritation. As far as brushing goes, Dr. Margolis says, “I'm not as inclined to be brushing these guys as I am for cats with long coats. You don't have to worry as much about the matting or anything like that.” However, longhair Selkirk Rex cats will require some routine, gentle combing to work out any tangles that develop. Dr. Margolis advises that Rex owners stay away from rubber grooming gloves. “I would only use the furniture fabric side, and not the plastic/rubber side. There may be some varieties that do not have the rubber, but just fabric and velvet in the palm portion,” she says. Potential Health Issues for Rex Cats Like most purebreds, Rex cats are prone to certain health issues. Dr. Margolis notes that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thickening of the heart muscle) is a concern with Rex cats, especially because you can’t see this condition on a radiograph (X-ray). “You would have to do an echocardiogram or sonogram to diagnose it,” she says. Other potential health problems include coagulopathy (blood that doesn’t clot normally), muscle weakness, poor hair growth and urticaria pigmentosa (a type of itchy skin disease). It’s also fairly common for Rex cats to have issues with their teeth. “People may not realize that there’s a relationship between skin and teeth, but there is. If something different is happening during the development of hair follicles, there might also be issues with the formation of proper dentition. So, maybe the cat doesn’t have enough teeth, or the teeth don’t have as many roots as they should, or the jawbone isn’t as substantial as it should be,” Dr. Margolis explains. Do Your Due Diligence Rex cats make wonderful, engaging pets, and if you’re looking to adopt one, both Dr. Margolis and Blass strongly recommend doing some research and vetting your breeder carefully. “Do a lot of reading regarding what's involved in proper enrichment and general husbandry management, and then talk to a breeder,” Dr. Margolis says. “If the breeder is open and willing to discuss any issues they’ve had with previous offspring and the types of health screenings that they’re currently performing, then you can be much more certain about the health of your kitten,” she says. “The more we can demand from our breeders, the higher standards become, which leads to overall healthier pets,” says Dr. Margolis. By: Kate Hughes Featured Image: iStock.com/cunfek	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26829
__label__cc	0.724704	0.275296	Rabbit Health Library Snoring and Nasal Obstruction in Rabbits Stertor and Stridor Did you know rabbits snore? Even occurring while they are awake, it is generally a result of blockage in the animal's airway. Typically referred to as stertor and stridor, it can also occur if nasal tissues are weak or flaccid or from excessive fluid in the passages. The symptoms, signs and types of stertor and stridor depend on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. For example, an extremely stressed rabbit or a rabbit with a lowered immune system may sound excessively hoarse while breathing. Other typical signs for rabbits suffering from stertor and stridor include: Rapid or loud wheezing sounds during breathing Nasal discharge (sometimes due to sinusitis or rhinitis) Discharge from the eyes Inability to chew or swallow Oral abscesses (especially in the teeth) Rabbits tend to be nasal breathers and any physical deformity or unusual nasal structure can result in a lower-pitched (stertor) or higher-pitched (stridor) sound emanating from the airway or nose. There are, however, many other causes for stertor and stridor in rabbits. These include: Sinusitis and rhinitis Abscesses, elongated teeth or secondary bacterial infections Facial, nasal or other trauma affecting this region, including bites from other insects or animals Allergies and irritants including inhaling pollen, dust or other insects Tumors that lodge in the airway Dysfunction of the neuromuscular system, which may include hypothyroidism or diseases affecting the brainstem Swelling and edema in the upper respiratory system Inflammation of the soft palate or throat and voice box Anxiety or stress To diagnose the animal, a veterinarian will first determine where the sounds are originating from in the rabbit. They will then conduct various lab tests, including X-rays, which are used to explore the rabbit's nasal cavity and identify any facial abnormalities or signs of abscesses and bacterial infections, such as Pasteurella. Other procedures may include collecting cultures.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26830
__label__wiki	0.870398	0.870398	Here comes the neighborhood La Mesa mobile-home park for seniors closes; nine homes planned for site By Liz Swain, Sept. 29, 2014 The La Mesa City Council last week unanimously approved a relocation impact report for Jennings Senior Park, a now-closed mobile-home park located on the 7300 block of Mohawk Street. A sign formerly displayed at the entrance stated, "Jennings Senior Park…Since 1942. Owner Ted Jennings." The council action on September 23 affirmed that new owner 7330 Mohawk LLC's report met state law and government-code requirements for closing a park and mitigating the impact to residents through "payment of reasonable relocation costs." Relocation was praised by three former residents and protested in a letter from a fourth. (Due to the nature of alleged activities in the park, residents' real names were not used). Steve said before the purchase, the park was a drug-dealing site. He spoke about "cruel people who did violent things. They cut my cat up." Residents called La Mesa police and asked the council several times for help, he said. The park, located one block north of El Cajon Boulevard, consisted of 27 manufactured-home spaces and three apartments on a 1.56-acre site, according to the report from community-development director Bill Chopyk and associate planner Allyson Kinnard. The land was divided into nine lots in a 1912 subdivision map. 7330 Mohawk LLC bought the park in November 2013 and plans to build nine homes there, according to the staff report. 7330 Mohawk LLC attorney George Kaelin III submitted the impact report on June 27, 2014, and Chopyk said all residents were relocated by June. Kaelin said impact reports in La Mesa were filed with subdivision maps. Owners could negotiate before a report is approved, and Jennings residents "wanted to move." The impact report described the relocation of residents including Antoinette. On August 13, 2013, she told the council about alleged drug activity. Four days later, I interviewed Antoinette in her home. Antoinette said Ted Jennings lived in the park and had fallen three weeks earlier and was hospitalized. She said drug-related problems started around 2006, after Ted's son and girlfriend moved into the park. About a week later, Antoinette told me police were patrolling. Several months later, she said police appeared to be arresting someone. I didn't hear from Antoinette again. The impact report said the owner helped her move into a San Diego senior complex in December and paid $1000 for "relocation costs." Steve told the council that the new owner gave him the trailer after repairing it and provided $900 for moving. A man wearing a green shirt escorted Dale to the podium. Dale said, "Without vision, I can't see too much" about how relocation affected other residents. The owner made the "transition as easy as possible" for him. The report said Dale received a trailer, which they relocated, and $1000. The owner also relocated the Airstream given to Gene and his wife. They received $2000. "These guys are awesome," Gene said. Rose had a different perspective. In her September 8 letter to the council, she wrote, "This meeting is 10 months late. First I was told that I have plenty of time to move. Then I was told if I move by the end of Jan. 2014, I would receive help. If I did not move, there may not be any money left to help me." She "rushed" to find another place, moved in January, and received $2000. "Had I had not been threatened, I would have had time to find a cheaper place…. When I can't pay for [the rental], I will be out on your streets in La Mesa. Soon." The council didn't discuss her letter. Mark Scott, the man in the green shirt, returned to answer council questions. There were none for the man identified in cash-for-keys agreements as a McMillan Realty agent and 7330 Mohawk LLC property manager in contracts. Mayor Art Madrid then called Eric Malcolm. "I'm okay,” Malcolm said from the audience. According to the community development department, he is an owner. After the vote, the mayoral candidates spoke. Mayor Art Madrid said," I'm delighted to hear that people who lived there are much more content and living in a safe environment." Councilman Mark Arapostathis, said, "Congratulations. Well done; you did it right." More stories by Liz Swain Siesta RV Park in Imperial Beach shuts down — Sept. 3, 2019 Dem, GOP? It's the farmers market, stupid. — Sept. 7, 2018 Whither La Mesa's old police station, the farmers market? — May 18, 2017 La Mesa's ugly corner — Feb. 24, 2015 La Mesa mobile-home park allegedly a “druggie” haven — Aug. 20, 2013	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26832
__label__wiki	0.658764	0.658764	info 07.22.09 Jacobs: Gone but Not Forgotten Ouroussoff: Forgotten but Not Gone The week after Jane Jacobs died, the NY Times architectural critic, Nicolai Ouroussoff, wrote this smug, condescending assessment of "the great lover of cities" (a description that diminishes her) and we haven't been able to read a subsequent word of his without thinking: dolt. Ouroussoff wrote that "[T]he problems of the 20th-century city were vast and complicated" implying that her "simple" argument about urban life couldn't keep up with the way cities had evolved. Yet David Amsden at New York magazine, in his recent piece on The Billyburg Bust, wrote this: A year before her death, the urban activist Jane Jacobs, then 88, wrote a remarkably prescient letter urging Mayor Bloomberg to scuttle his plans for the Williamsburg waterfront. 'Even the presumed beneficiaries of this misuse of governmental powers, the developers and financiers of luxury towers, may not benefit,' she wrote. 'Misused environments are not good long-term economic bets.' Four years later, Jacobs' prophecy has been realized. The Times critic complains that Ms. Jacobs had "few answers for suburban sprawl or the nation's dependence on cars," effectively blames her for the failures of Battery Park City, and chides her for failing to appreciate the "heroic scale" of Los Angeles freeways. Seriously: dolt. You want to take on Jane Jacobs? Fine, man up and do it to her face, while she has the ability to respond. Otherwise, take an extended hike along those heroic freeways. The pleasing news for Jacobs fans is that Hudson Street between Perry and West 11th (Jacobs lived for many years at 555 Hudson) will be renamed Jane Jacobs Way, an idea first proposed by the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation following her death in 2006. And coming next week, a new book by Anthony Flint about Jacobs called Wrestling with Moses: How Jane Jacobs Took On New York's Master Builder and Transformed the American City. [Jane Jacobs at the White Horse Tavern, photo by Cervin Robinson]	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26835
__label__cc	0.546946	0.453054	Development of a floating dosage form of ranitidine hydrochloride by statistical optimization technique S. Jain, M. Srinath, C. Narendra, S. Reddy, A. Sindhu Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of formulation variables on the release properties, floating lag time, and hardness, when developing floating tablets of Ranitidine hydrochloride, by the statistical optimization technique. The formulations were prepared based on 3 2 factorial design, with polymer ratio (HPMC 100 KM: Xanthan gum) and the amount of aerosil, as two independent formulation variables. The four dependent (response) variables considered were: percentage of drug release at the first hour, T50% (time taken to release 50% of the drug), floating lag time, and hardness of the tablet. The release profile data was subjected to a curve fitting analysis, to describe the release mechanism of the drug from the floating tablet. An increase in drug release was observed with an increase in the polymer ratio, and as the amount of aerosil increased, the hardness of the tablet also increased, without causing any change in the floating lag time. The desirability function was used to optimize the response variables, each having a different target, and the observed responses were in accordance with the experimental values. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the model in the development of floating tablets containing Ranitidine hydrochloride. Journal of Young Pharmacists Dosage Forms Drug Liberation Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics(all) Jain, S., Srinath, M., Narendra, C., Reddy, S., & Sindhu, A. (2010). Development of a floating dosage form of ranitidine hydrochloride by statistical optimization technique. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 2(4), 342-349. https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-1483.71619 Jain, S. ; Srinath, M. ; Narendra, C. ; Reddy, S. ; Sindhu, A. / Development of a floating dosage form of ranitidine hydrochloride by statistical optimization technique. In: Journal of Young Pharmacists. 2010 ; Vol. 2, No. 4. pp. 342-349. @article{b002e41dbebc42fbb36a8688c8accdbe, title = "Development of a floating dosage form of ranitidine hydrochloride by statistical optimization technique", abstract = "The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of formulation variables on the release properties, floating lag time, and hardness, when developing floating tablets of Ranitidine hydrochloride, by the statistical optimization technique. The formulations were prepared based on 3 2 factorial design, with polymer ratio (HPMC 100 KM: Xanthan gum) and the amount of aerosil, as two independent formulation variables. The four dependent (response) variables considered were: percentage of drug release at the first hour, T50{\%} (time taken to release 50{\%} of the drug), floating lag time, and hardness of the tablet. The release profile data was subjected to a curve fitting analysis, to describe the release mechanism of the drug from the floating tablet. An increase in drug release was observed with an increase in the polymer ratio, and as the amount of aerosil increased, the hardness of the tablet also increased, without causing any change in the floating lag time. The desirability function was used to optimize the response variables, each having a different target, and the observed responses were in accordance with the experimental values. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the model in the development of floating tablets containing Ranitidine hydrochloride.", author = "S. Jain and M. Srinath and C. Narendra and S. Reddy and A. Sindhu", journal = "Journal of Young Pharmacists", publisher = "E-Flow Medknow Publications", Jain, S, Srinath, M, Narendra, C, Reddy, S & Sindhu, A 2010, 'Development of a floating dosage form of ranitidine hydrochloride by statistical optimization technique', Journal of Young Pharmacists, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 342-349. https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-1483.71619 Development of a floating dosage form of ranitidine hydrochloride by statistical optimization technique. / Jain, S.; Srinath, M.; Narendra, C.; Reddy, S.; Sindhu, A. In: Journal of Young Pharmacists, Vol. 2, No. 4, 01.01.2010, p. 342-349. T1 - Development of a floating dosage form of ranitidine hydrochloride by statistical optimization technique AU - Srinath, M. AU - Narendra, C. AU - Sindhu, A. N2 - The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of formulation variables on the release properties, floating lag time, and hardness, when developing floating tablets of Ranitidine hydrochloride, by the statistical optimization technique. The formulations were prepared based on 3 2 factorial design, with polymer ratio (HPMC 100 KM: Xanthan gum) and the amount of aerosil, as two independent formulation variables. The four dependent (response) variables considered were: percentage of drug release at the first hour, T50% (time taken to release 50% of the drug), floating lag time, and hardness of the tablet. The release profile data was subjected to a curve fitting analysis, to describe the release mechanism of the drug from the floating tablet. An increase in drug release was observed with an increase in the polymer ratio, and as the amount of aerosil increased, the hardness of the tablet also increased, without causing any change in the floating lag time. The desirability function was used to optimize the response variables, each having a different target, and the observed responses were in accordance with the experimental values. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the model in the development of floating tablets containing Ranitidine hydrochloride. AB - The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of formulation variables on the release properties, floating lag time, and hardness, when developing floating tablets of Ranitidine hydrochloride, by the statistical optimization technique. The formulations were prepared based on 3 2 factorial design, with polymer ratio (HPMC 100 KM: Xanthan gum) and the amount of aerosil, as two independent formulation variables. The four dependent (response) variables considered were: percentage of drug release at the first hour, T50% (time taken to release 50% of the drug), floating lag time, and hardness of the tablet. The release profile data was subjected to a curve fitting analysis, to describe the release mechanism of the drug from the floating tablet. An increase in drug release was observed with an increase in the polymer ratio, and as the amount of aerosil increased, the hardness of the tablet also increased, without causing any change in the floating lag time. The desirability function was used to optimize the response variables, each having a different target, and the observed responses were in accordance with the experimental values. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the model in the development of floating tablets containing Ranitidine hydrochloride. JO - Journal of Young Pharmacists JF - Journal of Young Pharmacists Jain S, Srinath M, Narendra C, Reddy S, Sindhu A. Development of a floating dosage form of ranitidine hydrochloride by statistical optimization technique. Journal of Young Pharmacists. 2010 Jan 1;2(4):342-349. https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-1483.71619	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26836
__label__wiki	0.732325	0.732325	Tag Archives: Secure Enclave New MacBook Pro review, Grenfell fundraiser, MaBook Store, threats rise, Secure Enclave, consumer trust, SnipNotes 26th Jun 2017 Mark Webster Review: 2017 MacBook Pro fulfills the promise of the line’s redesign — At the WWDC, Apple took the opportunity to toss the new Kaby Lake i7 processor into the the redesigned 2016 MacBook Pro chassis. If you liked the 2016 but didn’t jump, you’ll be even happier with the 2017, says Apple Insider. Apple webpage supports victims of the deadly Grenfell Tower fire — Apple has set up a webpage urging visitors to contribute a fundraiser for victims of last week’s deadly Grenfell Tower fire in London. The number of people dead or presumed dead remains at 79, but the true number could be higher. [The webpage is here.] Speculation has focused on the role that cladding apparently used in a recent refurbishment of the tower may have played in the fire, which appeared to spread quickly up the exterior of the tower in the early hours of June 14. With the inquiry now in its second week, police have started taking witness statements from those who were in the tower. Chicago’s new Apple Store lets you get your MacBook fixed inside a massive MacBook — If there’s one thing about Apple Stores that everyone can agree on, it’s that they certainly stand out, and it looks like Apple isn’t aiming to change that reputation any time soon. The company’s upcoming flagship store in Chicago is being constructed with glass walls all around and a carbon fiber roof. But this week, the construction crew deviated from the original design plans and added a white Apple Logo to the center of the roof, making the store look like a giant MacBook. 2017 McAfee Threat Report shows spike in Mac malware — Malware targeting Mac users has been on the rise over the past year, and the McAfee June 2017 Threat Report [PDF] indicates that the trend in Mac malware isn’t slowing down. There were nearly 250,000 new instances of macOS malware in the first quarter of 2017, bringing the total for the quarter to just over 700,000. High Sierra firmware suggests Secure Enclave, Intel ‘Purley’ chips coming to iMac Pro — A report on Thursday suggests Apple’s forthcoming iMac Pro all-in-one will run Intel’s server-class “Purley” Xeon platform, as well as a Secure Enclave Processor similar in function to the ARM-based chip embedded in the MacBook Pro with Touch Bar. Consumers trust Amazon more than Apple — Okay, it’s a survey. Surveys must be very well constructed. They must be repeated. They must be analyzed for the soundness of their methodology. The sampling is crucial. They must be put in perspective. That said, this survey by Morining Consult, published by Business Insider, shows that 69% of those surveyed trust Amazon to keep their data secure. Apple’s number was 60%. SnipNotes is a new note-taking app for the Mac — Felix Lisczyk has introduced SnipNotes for macOS, which extends the existing iOS app. It combines a configurable clipboard manager with an intelligent note-taking app. AirAppleconsumer trustGrenfell fundraiseriMacMaBook StoreMacMacBookmacOSminiNew MacBook Pro reviewProSecure EnclaveSnipNotesthreats rise	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26839
__label__cc	0.701475	0.298525	DRAGON LORE AND LOVE: Isis and Osiris by N.D. Jones Published on February 20, 2018 February 20, 2018 by mariacatalinaegan A century ago, the Dragon Kingdom of Nebty was lost to dark-ness. Invaded by demon hordes hellbent on stealing two powerful scepters, the Demon King claimed the preternatural realm as his own. To survive, the dragons fled their beloved home and sought refuge in the human realm. Having lived most of their lives in human form, Queen Isis and Rock Dragon Osiris, mere children during the Great Exodus, find themselves clinging to their culture and the ties that bind what’s left of Dragonkind. Safe and assured that they are free from the threat of demons, their love flourishes. Yet, on one horrific night, their lives are shattered by tragedy and betrayal. They learn that no realm is beyond the brutal reach of the Demon King. Scores must be settled. Love must be remembered. And a lost nation must be reclaimed. Life, death, and rebirth, Isis’s and Osiris’s future hinges on all three. The Dragon Kingdom of Nebty Forests burned, dragons roared, and wings flapped in a deadly cacophony of violence and war. Dragons of all sizes and colors were in the air and on the ground, battling to the death over who would control the twin deity scepters of Wadget and Nekhbet. Nut, a blue-and-white sky dragon with a long snout, curled tail, and two horns on her head that curved back at the tip, stared up at her mate with frosty eyes of rebuttal. Geb, a powerful green-and brown two-headed earth dragon with red eyes, spikey armored scales, and a whipping tail that ended with a flat arrowhead perfect for cutting and impaling, glared down at her. At the height of one hundred twenty-eight feet, Nut, half her mate’s size, growled at him when he used his massive head to shove her to the mouth of the Cave of Dep. “You stay here and protect the hatchlings,” he ordered, as if the twin goddesses had left the earth dragon as the sole ruler of Nebty and guardian of the Gateway of the Two Ladies. They hadn’t. Nut and Geb ruled together. Some days, like today, when the inevitable war for power and dominance erupted, Geb’s protective nature made him high-handed and unyielding. Glancing behind her at the cracked white shell and to the baby dragons huddled behind the fragments, Nut understood Geb’s position, although the thought of leaving her mate set the fire in her belly to boiling. “If I fall in battle, your sky magic and ferocity will be all that stands between the foolish among us from getting their claws on the scepters.” “I know.” Nut stepped closer to her mate, her snout going to one of his thick necks and rubbing. “It’s not just our dragon betrayers who want the power of the scepters that you must defeat, but the Demon Kingdom who seeks unfettered access to the human realm.” That was as close as Nut would get to acknowledging the very real possibility that her mate may not survive this dark and dangerous night. For years, the Demon Kingdom, led by King Sansabonsom, had sought to undermine the rules set forth by the goddesses after they’d sought eternal rest within the scepters, leaving Nut and Geb as the gatekeepers between the preternatural and human realms. Even as they spoke of Nut fleeing with their daughters and Geb remaining behind, sounds of warfare permeated the cold winter air, echoed by bodies crashing from the sky in flaming scales of defeat. “Not all want the scepters. The strongest of our allies will stay and fight.” Geb lowered his heads and licked Nut’s face, an affectionate gesture she feared would be their last. “I need you to lead the others to safety, especially the young ones. If they stay, I can’t guarantee their safety.” A stream of fire emerged from the darkness and behind Geb. The spray of molten heat slammed into the earth dragon. His wings, instinctively, snapped out and up to shield Nut and their hatchlings. With a bellow of fury, Geb leaped into the air, his wings taking him on a collision course with a lava dragon who possessed none of the earth dragon’s size or might. In a matter of seconds, Geb had one of his mouths locked around the dragon’s reddish-black neck, and the other jaw clamped onto a black wing. With a hard tug, the wing and head disconnected from the dragon’s body. Magma spurted and oozed. The dead lava dragon smashed to the charred ground with a resounding thud. Spitting out the wing and head, Geb turned to Nut, who still stood at the mouth of the cave. As they stared at each other, dragons not involved in the war began to move toward her. Most of them were dragon mothers with their hatchlings or dragons too young, old, or small to fight on either side but old enough to help tend to the youngest in their party. “Take care of them, Nut. Fighting is easy, living and building from the ash of ruin are hard. Be well, my queen. And be safe. Tell my daughters I love the—” Six dragons attacked Geb. Claws, tails, and fire sent him flying backward but not down and definitely not out of the battle. With an ear-piercing roar of rage, the two-headed earth dragon counterattacked. Fire, wings, and scales collided in the morbid, dark sky, the dragon battle epic in its savagery and sacrilege. Dragons weren’t created to fight each other or intended to use the goddesses’ magic for personal gain and short-sighted goals of power and privilege. Yet, anarchy reigned. Her beloved Geb would fight the dragon traitors who would steal the scepters, rule the preternatural realm, and turn a blind eye while the Demon Kingdom invaded the human realm and feasted on the flesh of children. With a heavy heart, Nut looked away from her heroic mate and to the dragons awaiting her directive. She would lead them to safety, as Geb had ordered. He and his most trusted allies were fighting to give Nut time to get as many dragons through the gateway and into the realm of humans. With a low rumble, she called her daughters to her. On young, unsteady legs, they came, and she used her tail to lift them onto her back. She took to the sky, leading a caravan of dragons away from the only home they’ve known and toward the Gateway of the Two Ladies. DRAGON LORE AND LOVE: Isis and Osiris is part of the… 20 Shades of Shifter: A Paramormal Romance Collection 20 Shades of Shifter is a limited edition collection of new and exclusive paranormal romance novels guaranteed to suck you in from page one. A shape-shifting dragon must win over his reluctant mate and stop Jack the Ripper. A Fae trucker becomes allies with an MC member when trying to deliver magical motorcycles to the Fae Queen. A wolf shifter is held captive in a human research lab where he is tortured until he meets one sexy scientist. An angel risked it all to steal the elixir of life and save his mortal love’s life and over two millennia later must get her to remember she once loved an angel. These stories and many more are included in this steamy, hot collection. Don’t wait to read this set. It is only out for a short time before it will be gone forever! Demelza Carlton, Evelyn Lederman, ML Guida, Aidy Award, Carmen Fox, David Adams, Sascha Illyvich, Lynn Best, Lilly Cain, Emma Alisyn, Vonnie Davis, Brenda Trim and Tami Julka, Nina Croft, K.L. Bone, N.D. Jones, Kailin Gow, & Moxie North Amazon ✯ Amazon Int’l ✯ Goodreads N.D. Jones, a USA Today Best Selling author, lives in Maryland with her husband and two children. She is the founder of Kuumba Publishing, an art, audiobook, eBook, and paperback company. Kuumba Publishing is a forum for creativity, with a special commitment to promoting and encouraging creative works of authors and artists of African descent. A desire to see more novels with positive, sexy, and three-dimensional African American characters as soul mates, friends, and lovers, inspired the author to take on the challenge of penning such romantic reads. She is the author of two paranormal romance series: Winged Warriors and Death and Destiny. N.D. likes to read historical and paranormal romance novels, as well as comics and manga. Website ✯ Twitter ✯ Goodreads ✯ Amazon ✯ Facebook ✯ Pinterest Previous A Whole New Life #TeaserTuesday Next Take Back the Memory	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26846
__label__cc	0.709915	0.290085	BUSINESS, MEMORY LANE, Photography Wet & Windy Wales January 6, 2012 Mark Goodwin 11 Comments Yes it has been very wet and very windy here, but it seems to be quietening down now, I even ventured out with the camera yesterday for an hour, however the rain soon came and drove me away. On the up side – because of the bad weather – it has given me a chance to dig through and sort some of my old photos out. First up is a photo I found from a time when I was young and single and thought the world was my Oyster. It’s a pic of me and a band member in a group called the Rikki Alan Trio. We were quite ahead of our time in Wales and unusual for a rock group in as much as we all read music. This came in very handy later when we ventured up to the big city (London) to become ‘Professional’ Musicians. Anyway, that is a long story and I don’t know if this is the right place to start digging it all up in any detail, but maybe bits from time to time. Suffice to say that this photo shows me and one of the guys – Gerry Smith – in about 1957. We are way up in the Welsh Valleys in a place called Aberaman and we are bottom of the bill which is headlined by a British Rock star named Marty Wilde. The interesting thing about this pic is, looking at the kids who are watching us and the way they are dressed etc, you would think it was taken in the 1930’s. This was at a time when coal mining was still a huge industry in Wales and the biggest employer. However, today there are no mines, well maybe one or two private mines, but there are lots of bits of bits of memorabilia around, this next pic is just one such piece. This was taken in a place called Mysycymmer (at least I think that’s how it is spelled) and it is of some of the coal trucks that were left when the mine was closed. Rather than dump them some clever person decided to make a memorial out of them. Lastly, for this blog, is another photo of me (well it’s my blog). We started with a pic of when I was a young whipper snapper who thought he was God’s gift (soon found out that he wasn’t when he got to the city)! And, we end with a photo taken some 15 years later. Picture is me on drums, the late Peter Bocking on guitar and the late and very great Lonnie Donegan out front. This was taken in Lounge at the Riviera Hotel in Vegas where we were supporting Vic Damone. Very briefly Lonnie was known as the King of Skiffle, he was responsible for every kid in the UK buying a guitar and starting Skiffle groups. We all had a Skiffle group. Even the Beatles started as a Skiffle group, they were called the Quarrymen, but I guess my dear readers will all know that. Whatever, to this day Lonnie is hailed as the one man who started the whole British Rock and Blues industry because, after the Skiffle groups, all the budding musicians – as they became more and more proficient – turned into rock groups. Many of the stars of today name Lonnie as the one reason for starting them off in their chosen profession including: Eric Clapton, Brian May, Elton John, Paul McCartney et al. The list is endless. I was very fortunate when that day he walked past my drum kit in a London music store where I was demonstrating the product, and dropped his visiting card on my floor tom-tom and said, “if you ever need a gig give me a call”. Needless to say, I called him the very next day. Lonnie Donegan AberamanBritish RockCoal MinesHistoryLondonMarty WildeWalesWelsh CoalWelsh people My Favourite Sites Mark Goodwin on January 2019 (Just got in in t… Diane Seddon ARPS CP… on January 2019 (Just got in in t… jessella6 on A Christmas MesSage Mark Goodwin on A Touch of the Black Dog Helen Cherry on A Touch of the Black Dog Paul Drake on A Touch of the Black Dog Mark Goodwin on Happy New Year Ruth on Happy New Year Mark Goodwin on If it ain’t Broke? arloforbes on If it ain’t Broke? Mark Goodwin LRPS on PLAYING IN THE GARDEN Diane Seddon LRPS -… on PLAYING IN THE GARDEN Helen Cherry on PLAYING IN THE GARDEN Gigrin Red Kite Feeding Station On Line Scribblings of Andy Howells A couple of recent commitments. Received the Rose gold wedding band I made back from Goldsmith’s Hall after hall marking. I was a bit disappointed to see a very slight ‘flat’ on the outside of the band where the mark had been punched! I was quite surprised I would have thought these guys had it together by now. Fortunately, once I had repolished it isn’t noticeable unless you know it’s there. Stills from live German TV in about 1972. The Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Group. Customer’s daughter had a piece cut out of her later father’s 60 year old Rose Gold 9k wedding band. The customer wanted me to melt the ring down and make a new ring 5 sizes bigger keeping the same width just around 10mm. I found working with this old Rose Gold very difficult. I had to only go through the mill twice then anneal and quench in Methylated Spirit TWICE. Took forever but patience payed in the end. #atthebench #madeinwales #markantonyjewellery #customized #remodeling #rosegoldring Stage one of a commission to redesign a 7 diamond tube set dropper earrings. Into a Daisy flower design with one claw set larger diamond in the centre. All set on 18k white gold. This daisy pic is just a mock up on silver plate. Think I misjudged the size, but it’s great, it hides a multitude of....sins!😊. When I was in the Interns 1964, I was endorsing Trixon drums and Paiste cymbals. This was a studio shot from a BBC TV drama called The Four Seasons of Rosie Carr. I wonder if anyone can spot the logo on the bass drum head. Painted by Eddie for a fiver in his lunchtime. Not too dissimilar to another beat group who’s logo had a drop T. That Eddie also painted. Panto Bournemouth. A good time was had by all. Oh yes there was 😂 An end of season pic from Scarborough Summer 1972. Me and Lonnie Donegan, Ayesha Brough, Freddie Parrot face Davies, The Dallas Boys and the girls. A really happy season accept for two family losses. One for me my Gran and one for my wife, her dad. Waking to the familia view of Saundersfoot Bay. Finally finished the customer’s pendant 22ct Welsh Dragon on a 9ct backplate made from customers un worn jewellery. #madeinwales #atthebeach also my Tee Shirt arrived today from #metalsmithsociety unfortunately I had to pay customs duty of $26. So all in all not the best value Tee I have bought but hey, I know it wasn’t the fault of the society. Just UK customs and the Post Office getting their cut. There’s nothing like a nice tidy bench to work at. And this is Nothing like a nice tidy bench. 😊😳 When we were young. Wentwood Forest Wales sometime in the 1970’s. Flashback to 1971, Margate Summer Season. Ondrea and her mum sitting and her dad & me standing. Fond memories of a wonderful time. What have you done Jakey? You are looking very guilty... It’s that time of year I guess. Found this little feller in the garden this morning. After last night’s gale force winds. This was me as a young feller full of the joys of life, playing with the King Of Skiffle the legendary Lonnie Donegan. This was taken during a live performance on German TV in 1971. I hope Lon has linked up with all the other great music friends on the other side. Another of the brilliant musicians I had the good fortune to play with, was bass player/multi instrumentalist Melt Kingston. Before joining me in the Donegan band Melt had already had a very successful career playing with amongst others- The New Vaudeville Band and Adge Cutler and the Worzels. I’m so sad that Melt passed away just two weeks ago from heart problems. A real gentle soul who was always smiling. He will be missed by many, many people all over the world. 💚 Thinking about my late friend Peter Bocking today. Out of some of best guitar players in the world that I have been privileged to play with, Peter was the best. A lovely man who was totally dedicated to his instrument. Pete was from Manchester and in his first successful group two singers asked if the could join him. After some deliberation Pete hired them. They stayed with him until they decided to leave and form their own band. They were Graham Nash and Alan Clark who of course went on to form The Holies. I toured a few continents with Peter and roomed with him at times while in the Lonnie Donegan band in the late 60’s to mid 70’s including an outstanding season at the Riviera in Vegas. God bless you old mate. ❤️ Post 4 sizes up.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26848
__label__cc	0.533943	0.466057	Messerli Kramer Law Firm Practice Areas Creditors’ Remedies Tax Credit Financing Business Litigation Overview Bankruptcy, Creditors’ Remedies & Equipment Leasing Construction & Real Estate Litigation Fiduciary Duty & Shareholder Claims Commercial Real Estate Overview Acquisition & Sales Development & Land Use Employment Law & Counseling Non-Profit & Healthcare Divorce & Family Law Overview Juvenile & Child Protection Mediation & Collaborative Law Government Relations Overview Environment/Natural Resources Tax & Economic Development Consumer Collections & Creditors’ Remedies Careers at Messerli Kramer Law School Students About Messerli Kramer Messerli Kramer Foundation Molly R. Hamilton Cawley mhamilton@messerlikramer.com Profile Publications & Presentations Professional & Community Honors & Distinctions Molly Hamilton Cawley is an attorney in the Business Litigation group. She has been advising clients and litigating cases — representing both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts — for more than 10 years. She began her practice as a judicial law clerk for the Minnesota Court of Appeals, where she developed a strong interest in appellate work and honed her legal writing skills. Since clerking, Molly has been a business litigator whose practice is marked by a depth and breadth in many areas of the law, including contract matters, employment law, fraud and business torts, shareholder/partner/member disputes, and insurance law and ERISA. She was honored as a “Rising Star” by Minnesota Super Lawyers from 2007 to 2016, and was recently named a 2019 South Carolina Super Lawyers “Rising Star.” In 2011, Molly was named an “Attorney of the Year” by Minnesota Lawyer for her work representing 136 plaintiffs in a fraudulent investment case that uncovered one of the largest Ponzi schemes in Minnesota history. Molly has a multi-jurisdictional practice — she is licensed in South Carolina, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin, and admitted in the following federal courts: District of South Carolina, District of Minnesota, Southern and Northern Districts of Iowa, Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin and District of Nebraska. Molly continues to practice in these jurisdictions and enjoys the opportunity to advise and co-counsel with attorneys in other states. Business Litigation Commercial Disputes Employment Litigation Fiduciary Duty & Shareholder Claims Life, Health, Disability & ERISA University of St. Thomas School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude University of St. Thomas, B.A., summa cum laude Contributor, The ERISA Survey of Federal Circuits – 2016 Edition Co-Author, “Sex Appeal: Appellate Courts Take on Gender Discrimination under Title VII” – In-House Defense Quarterly, Spring 2015 Co-Author, “Ladies Who Launch: Reflections on Marketing” – The Woman Advocate, Vol, 19, No. 4, Summer 2014 Co-Author, “Co-Borrower or Guarantor? A Distinction with a Difference” – ICBM News, July 2014 Co-Author, “You Can Reduce Fraud in Any Business ‘Marriage'” – Upsize Magazine, August/September 2011 Webinar Host, “Feds and Reds” – South Carolina Bar Association Webinar Host, “Transgender Legal Issues in Employment and Education” – South Carolina Bar Association Course Planner & Presenter, “Emerging Trends in Business Torts: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” – South Carolina Business Torts CLE, October 3, 2014 Professional & Community U.S. District Court, District of Iowa U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina U.S. District Court, District of Wisconsin Rising Star, South Carolina Super Lawyers®, 2017-2019 Rising Star, Minnesota Super Lawyers®, 2008-2016 Attorney of the Year, Minnesota Lawyer, 2011 Rising Stars® recognizes the top-up-and-coming attorneys in the state who are either 40 years or younger, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less. The selection process is multi-phased including independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. © 2020 Messerli \| Kramer Website by MVP Marketing + Design	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26854
__label__wiki	0.965294	0.965294	Argentina national team - page 8 Can Iran stop Lionel Messi and hold Argentina to a historic and unlikely draw? 'Iran-Argentina will be the most important and biggest match in Iran's national football team history,' exclaimed Niloofar Kangarani, a journalist for Iranian football site Football.ir. Argentina’s Alex Sabella returns to a familiar stomping ground Argentina will take the pitch this evening against Iran knowing a victory would all but ensure their qualification for the first knockout round of the World Cup. Why Argentina’s opener has not gone down well in Buenos Aires His goal, when it finally came, was a carbon copy of so many Lionel Messi has scored in his career. Lionel Messi may have sunk Asmir Begovic’s Bosnia but all is not lost I feel sorry for the Bosnian national team and Asmir Begovic, after heroic performances last night. Their game against Argentina was never going to be 'easy', least of all because they were debutants. Argentina’s Alejandro Sabella has work to do despite Lionel Messi’s genius A 2-1 victory for Argentina with the game winner coming from captain Lionel Messi means they go top of Group F, at least momentarily, but there is still work ahead for coach Alejandro Sabella. World Cup fan can’t decide between Neymar and Lionel Messi, conjures ‘Neyssi’ shirt We've all been torn between who our favourite global superstar is, but one fan has conjured an ingenious way of supporting both Neymar and rival Lionel Messi. Lionel Messi goal: Argentina star ends World Cup drought with wonder-goal against Bosnia If Argentina’s Group F opener against Bosnia has proven anything, it is that Lionel Messi should never be written off. World Cup 2014: Argentina’s Marcos Rojo does penalty box ‘rabona’ clearance against Bosnia This could have gone horribly wrong for Argentina’s Marcos Rojo. World Cup 2014: Slow start for Lionel Messi who struggles in first-half of Argentina’s opener against Bosnia Argentina may have gone a goal up inside three minutes against World Cup debutants Bosnia, but the biggest news of the first half surrounded Lionel Messi – and for once, it wasn’t positive. Lionel Messi’s Argentina are ready to make World Cup history in Brazil On Friday Lionel Messi and company flew down from their training base in Belo Horizonte to Rio de Janeiro, where they'll open their campaign in the Maracana on Sunday evening against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Edin Dzeko goes up against Manchester City team-mate Sergio Aguero but for Bosnia, it’s more than a match Manchester City team-mates and Premier League champions Edin Dzeko, Sergio Aguero, Martin Demichelis and Pablo Zabaleta become rivals on Sunday. Bosnia-Herzegovina takes on Argentina in its maiden match at the World Cup at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Manchester City trio Sergio Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta and Martin Demichelis to play key role for Argentina Argentina’s trio of Manchester City players will have a big say as to whether or not the cup will be celebrated in Buenos Aires. He’s human! Lionel Messi is sick due to nerves, reveals Argentina boss Alejandro Sabella Lionel Messi is sick during matches due to nerves and anxiety, according to Argentina manager Alejandro Sabella. Safet Susic’s formation changes could be key to World Cup hopes of Bosnia The response was always the same from Safet Susic when he was asked to explain his football philosophy and tactical approach. 'We play with two strikers because we have no other choice,' he said. However, it seems lately Susic has uncovered another option, one that could prove essential to Bosnia-Herzegovina’s World Cup hopes. Argentina risk wrath of Fifa with Falkland Islands protest Argentina's players could be in hot water with Fifa after a political protest at the final World Cup warm-up match Alex Sabella’s group management gives Argentina real hope of glory in Brazil Few countries are looking forward to the Brazil 2014 World Cup with quite as much anticipation as Argentina.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26856
__label__cc	0.614303	0.385697	Michael Harrison — The Monograph ONCOgen CV Companion Landing a Pharmacy Fellowship More on ONCOgen: What Is Context-Free Grammar? ONCOgen: the Clinical Trial Generator The Financial Formulary: 7 Lessons Prescription Drugs Can Teach Us About Money Principles of Password Design Pharmacy 2.0 with Amey Shroff Drug Channels Chemjobber Category: What I Learned Today Try to guess the most secure password: [email protected]!14z21Hb&[email protected] LazyBumblebeesEvenOrange Passwords are the face of computer security. Just about everything you use online or off—more often than not—requires an account and an associated password. Ultimately, the goal of that requirement is to simply provide a form of identity verification, asking: “is the person sitting behind the keyboard right now the same person that should have access to this resource?” Unfortunately, passwords are one of the weakest forms of identity verification, especially as used by the vast majority of the computer-using population. To combat this, websites—particularly those where money is involved—began using password requirements to enforce security when creating a login. While this used to be entirely the purview of banking sites, the proliferation of largely arbitrary, complex, and nonstandard password rules often DECREASE the relative security of the password that the user invents. On top of this, the sites implementing these complex rules often undermine their entire schema by incorrectly managing their database or enforcing additional arbitrary requirements. For some context here, check out some of the most common passwords: I hope to illustrate some of the weaknesses of passwords by walking through some of the basic password attack vectors and the elements of cryptography employed in their creation. Hopefully, you can use this information to create more easily remembered, secure passwords. Password Search Space/Depth Have you ever considered why websites ask you to include UPPERCASE, lowercase, a number, and a symbol in your most secure passwords? This is the first principle of password design: the number of permutations, or the “search space” required to brute force your chosen password. You might remember from highschool the principles of combination versus permutation. As you can use the same letter, number, or symbol multiple times and the order of the characters matter, passwords use permutation, not combination. So how can we apply this? Take your typical four digit PIN: 1111. Let’s list our assumptions: Each character is a number from 0-9. There are four characters. Numbers can be used more than once and can be in any order. Based on what we know, we can conclude that there are 10^4 (10,000) permutations, where 10 is the number of possible characters (0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9) and the exponent is the length of the password. Starting at 0000, then 1000, then 2000 all the way to 9999 we can simply generate each permutation of digits, try the PIN, and if it fails, try the next one. This is the essence of brute force password cracking—there is no information to guide the search—we just try each and every permutation until one of them works. So what happens to our search space when we change the rules? Let’s look again at our four character PIN if our user can also use lowercase letters. There are 26 lowercase letters: with our 10 digits + 26 lowercase letters the number of possible characters is now 36. Our password is still four characters long, so our exponent is still 4, giving us 36^4 or possible permutations. Adding UPPERCASE (another 26 characters), and symbols (another 33 characters) additionally increase our search space. Numbers: 10^4, 10,000 Numbers+lower: 36^4, 1,679,616, 167 fold increase over numbers Numbers+UPPER+lower: 62^4, 14,776,336, 8 fold increase over numbers+lowers Everything: 95^4, 81,450,625, 5 fold increase over numbers+UPPER+lowers If I were to brute force—generating each possible combination at a conservative 1,000 guesses per second (a speed easily achievable by many graphing calculators) it would take just 10 seconds to crack our numbers-only password, about 30 minutes for our numbers+lowercase, all the way up to about 22 hours for our full keyboard. It becomes evident why websites like to require increased complexity, forcing you to use UPPER and lowercase, symbols, and numbers when creating your password. Unfortunately, this has the side-effect of forcing the creation of passwords like @Aj8, V&t1Kv4s, or Ba#$J5—passwords that are not only difficult to remember but are missing another crucial piece of the password puzzle. Knowing what you know now, which of the following passwords will take the longest to guess? 3ED45 3ed4% Given that all of these passwords are five characters long, C has numbers, symbols, and lowercase letters, the largest search space. KEY: A: 17 hours, B: 1.5 weeks, C: 2.6 weeks, D: 2 minutes For the first element, we focused on the base number of the permutation calculation, starting with 10 and ending on 95. As you might imagine changing the exponent you can change the number of permutations by orders of magnitude. In the previous example, our password was four characters long, what happens to our permutations if we add just one character? Numbers only: 10^5, 100,000, 10 fold increase over 4 characters Numbers+lower: 36^5, 60,466,176, 36 fold increase over 4 characters Numbers+lower+UPPER: 62^5, 916,132,832, 62 fold increase over 4 characters Everything: 95^5, 7,737,809,375, 95 fold increase over 4 characters Notice a difference? Unlike the diminishing returns we observe when incrementally increasing the search space at a given length, we see literal exponential increases in the search space by simply adding one or two characters. Revisiting our graphing calculator brute force attempt (1,000 guesses per second), cracking our everything-password goes from 22 hours with four characters to nearly six months with five, an enormous difference. We aren’t finished yet: we’ll now look at the final and most important component. Using similar passwords from the previous section, which of the following passwords will take the longest to guess? Despite C encompassing the largest search space (an everything password), both A and D are two digits longer. However, despite what you might hear on TV, length is not everything. D (appropriately) only contains numbers—a very small search space—which despite the increase in length leads to a relatively small number of permutations and by far the shortest brute force time. Choice A with a mix of length and search space leads to the longest brute force time of these options by a considerable margin. KEY: A: 2.5 years, B: 1.5 weeks, C: 3 months, D: 3 hours Password Entropy This one is a little more complicated than the previous two. Just like we learned in thermodynamics, entropy is randomness. Therefore, a strong password will have a high degree of randomness that makes it difficult to guess. Essentially, password entropy is a mathematical measure of a passwords “guessability” by a brute force attack. Recall the brute force method: generate each password permutation in order, aaaa > baaa > caaa etc. Assuming that we, as the attackers, know the password generation rules, we can determine the size of the search space and the probability of guessing any password at random. It stands to reason then that a randomly generated password with n characters will sometimes be generated very early in the total search space (if the password was aaaa, for instance) and sometimes be generated very late (in the case of zzzz). On average, a brute force attack will find the password half-way through a given search space. Mathematically, we can represent the number of “bits” of entropy via the base-2 logarithm of the total number of permutations. To illustrate this, let’s return to our first four digit PIN: 1111. Our total search space was 10^4, or 10,000 permutations. By taking the base-2 logarithm we can determine the number of bits of entropy. 10,000 = 2^n, or 13.288 bits of entropy. Now what would a password look like with just one additional bit of entropy? 2^14.288 = x, giving us a total number of permutations of 20,000. As you might expect given a base-2 logarithm, one additional bit of entropy doubles the number of guesses required for an attacker to find the correct password. In a way, entropy is an extension of our first and second principles. Both length and search space factor into the entropy of a password. If entropy is entirely based on the number of permutations and that is based entirely on our first and second principles, why exactly are we talking about this? The reason is randomness. Humans are ludicrously bad at coming up with random passwords and computers are only slightly better. Unlike the prior two principles, entropy is important due to the social engineering component of brute force attacks, something I will cover further in the future as it is beyond the scope of this discussion. For now, we’ll focus on what “randomness” actually means in this context. Surely, the password GmKa$5VM is random but in what way? Each character was chosen as randomly as possible from a character space of 95 possible choices, giving about 6.5 bits of entropy per character (see here for how per character entropy is calculated). The idea here is that we can randomly generate passwords with a high degree of entropy; however, these passwords are a nightmare from a usability perspective. Most people have trouble remembering more than a small handful of password, let alone ones that are literally designed to be pattern-free. But what if we come at this from another direction? Take Diceware for instance, a wordlist that contains 7776 short, English words. If we were to randomly select a word from this list, the possibility of correctly guessing any random word is 1/7776 or nearly 13 bits of entropy per element. Compare this to the probability of guessing any random character: 1/95. As bit strength entropy is additive, we get an entropy of a randomly selected password “aaaa” (6+6+6+6) of 24 bits. Selecting four random words from the Diceware list: “climbharrowjumpalong” gives us a total entropy of (13+13+13+13) 46 bits of entropy entirely independent of length. Ultimately, entropy is about creating passwords that are unique and difficult to guess. We’ve covered three principles of creating a strong password: Search space: the number of possible things that each character in a password is drawn from, Length: how many characters you need to guess correctly and in the proper order Entropy: how unique and difficult to guess your password is, as a measure of the other principles It is important to remember that none of these principles alone can create a strong password. The word “password” is eight characters long (not a minimal acceptable length, in my opinion) but is also one of the most commonly used passwords on the planet. The [email protected] covers the search space requirement but is only four characters long. However, the password that combines both of the first two elements, “[email protected]%p” is virtually impossible to remember! As Randal Munroe of XKCD points out, we have been training users for decades to create passwords that are both difficult for humans to remember and easy for computers to guess. My online banking site, for instance, requires numbers, letters (both upper and lower case) and symbols, but caps passwords at EIGHT CHARACTERS, almost entirely defeating the purpose of the increased search space. So how can we create passwords that are both usable and secure? Passphrases: picking several words at random from a dictionary or creating a unique sentence. Bonus points for incorporating punctuation and numbers for search space considerations. Site-handing/padding: adding between 5-10 memorable characters to the beginning or end of your password. Ideally, these characters can be generated from some aspect of the site you can easily remember. The world of IT security is enormous and these techniques only scratch the surface of things that you should be considering when keeping yourself safe online. I hope to cover more of the social engineering aspects in a future DYK, but for now, think about your passwords? How long would this take to crack on my graphing calculator, let alone my GPU used for video gaming, or the supercomputer used by a motivated nation-state? You can put it to the test and find out. For some further reading, check out this paper from Microsoft about common user password creation habits. You’ll probably be surprised (or not) to find out how users create passwords. Now, after all of that, which of the passwords above is the most secure? At this point, you’re probably unsurprised to learn that password 2—LazyBumblebeesEvenOrange—is orders of magnitude more secure than password 1. Just don’t go using it anywhere! Happy security! Posted on August 18, 2015 September 20, 2015 Categories Technology, What I Learned TodayLeave a comment on Principles of Password Design All About Speedrunning Remember all of those games you played as a kid? Games like Mario 64, Ocarina of Time, Banjo Kazooie, and the like? Well you might be surprised to learn that there exists an entire subculture of people who try to complete these games as quickly as possible. From what I understand speedrunners live for the sake of the puzzle; figuring out all the programming quirks, tricks, and unexpected oddities that make each game unique. In programming, this is known as an “optimization problem,” or the process of finding the ideal solution to a set of parameters. To give you some perspective, the world record speedrun for Zelda: Ocarina of Time is just a few seconds over 18 minutes. I know what you are probably thinking right now. Allow me to explain how something like this is possible. In competitive speedrunning (and yes, there are competitions) there are a number of types: No-glitch, where players go through the game as any normal player would, finding the optimal path through movement and mechanics, completing the game as the developers intended. Glitch, where players take advantage of (usually fascinating) programming errors or memory mis-allocation to do something they could otherwise not do, such as clip through a wall to get to a new area or get an item they otherwise would not get for some time. They do not play the game as the developers intended, but work entirely within the game itself. Tool-assisted: the optimization problem in the literal sense, writing a computer program to aid the player in completing the game in the most optimal way (down to the frame) or write to the game’s memory to allow certain behaviors. These players use external tools to allow them to complete the game more quickly. Beyond this, there are several other sub-classifications that I won’t go into now that deal with %completion and other game specific objectives. There is a lot of granularity. That Ocarina of Time speedrun is the world record glitch playthrough, working entirely within the game but clipping through walls, using movement and damage bugs, and moving through and around areas in ways the developers did not intend. Executing many of these glitches requires an enormous amount of skill and timing that I personally do not possess. Remember those competitions I mentioned? Beyond just informal ones, there was an enormous annual fundraiser that had many of the worlds best speedrunners stream live for a week straight (24hr/day) that raised $1.5 million for charity. Yes I watched it. Yes it was pretty cool. Not to mention that people will actually compete to see who can complete the game the fastest, all starting at the same time (a race). If you are interested in watching an 18min Ocarina of Time speedrun, the previous world record holder (3s slower than current, that is how quickly that this world moves) did a commentary about how some of these glitches were discovered, what he does to execute them, and that also serves as a good background to the community in general and the history of the game itself. When things get crazy is when you enter the world of tool assisted speedruns (TAS), allowing you to do absurd things (such as writing a game within a Pokemon Red cartridge by changing the number of Potions or Pokeballs that you have, altering the memory value at those locations, then running it as a program) or program the entirety of Super Mario Brothers within Mario 64 by taking advantage of a buffer overflow. Stuff like this seriously blows my mind. Check out this article on ArsTechnica that explains a lot of what they did. So there you go, a little bit about speedrunning. Chances are, if you played it, people speedrun it, Take a peek at how quickly they’ve beaten your favorite game. Note that all of these are “any%” meaning that they get through to the end titles as quickly as possible, skipping anything that is unnecessary (as opposed to 100% runs). Posted on May 13, 2015 September 13, 2015 Categories Technology, What I Learned TodayLeave a comment on All About Speedrunning The Physics of the Impossible Drive Around this time last year a series of small experiments run at Eagleworks—a NASA research and development lab—became big news. The subject of these experiments—the EmDrive and the Cannae Drive—are two independently invented “reactionless” propulsion systems. Why are these experiments so exciting? The way that these drives may be working turns our understanding of physics on its head. As you might be familiar ,all chemical rockets (think the Apollo or fireworks) work on more-or-less the same principle: direct the rapidly expanding gasses from the combustion of fuel and an oxidizer through a nozzle. The focused hypersonic movement of the gas pushes the rocket in the opposite direction through the conservation of momentum (Newton’s Third Law). Other types of rockets, such as ion rockets (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion_thruster), utilize the same principle by accelerating gasses to high speed using an electromagnetic field. Rockets that work in this manner are collectively known as reaction rockets. Reaction rockets all share one critical drawback: they all must carry their own fuel. Fuel is heavy, I’ll let Randal Munroe of XKCD explain why this is a problem: “If we want to launch a 65-kilogram spaceship, we need to burn around 90 kilograms of fuel. We load that fuel on board—and now our spaceship weighs 155 kilograms. A 155-kilogram spaceship requires 215 kilograms of fuel, so we load another 125 kilograms on board… …fortunately, we’re saved from an infinite loop—where we add 1.3 kilograms for every 1 kilogram we add—by the fact that we don’t have to carry that fuel all the way up. We burn it as we go, so we get lighter and lighter, which means we need less and less fuel. But we do have to lift the fuel partway.” For decades, long-term space exploration has been limited by the fuel problem and continues to represent a significant practical barrier. Overcoming the fuel problem would be a breakthrough of untold magnitude. After all of that, what exactly is this reactionless drive? Chances are if you have read/watched/played any science fiction, a staple of faster-than-light space travel was a reactionless drive of some sort—an engine able to generate thrust without focusing the exhaust from the combustion of a propellant. Unfortunately, basic tenets of physics are not on our side. Remember Newton’s Third Law and the conservation of momentum? The same reason that a figure skater spins faster when they tuck in their legs is the same reason that rockets work at all. Removing the high-speed exhaust (and its mass) from the equation there is suddenly no force to move your rocket. Based on our current understanding of physics such an engine would indeed be an “impossible drive.” With that, let’s look at the technologies causing the stir and what exactly they seem to be capable of. Before we begin I would like to remind you that we have very little certainty on any of the following; scientists are attempting to document and explain this unusual phenomenon. Both the EmDrive and the Cannae Drive likely function on similar principles. You might have seen toys like this one that work on the principle that while photons have no relativistic mass, they do still possess momentum (start here for a discussion of this, or for a more formal treatment here). When the photons hit the wheel they transfer a small amount of energy, and with enough of them they overcome friction forces and turn the wheel. This action is known as radiation pressure, a principle loosely analogous to the water pressure that moves a turbine in a hydroelectric dam. The running hypothesis is that rapidly creating photons at specific frequencies in a specially designed chamber allows the particles to be focused out in one direction. Other hypotheses involve phrases like “quantum foam” and “space bubbles” that have not yet been entirely worked out into something cohesive. The inventor of the Cannae Drive claims that the particular shape of the internal cavity is critical to the design, although this has yet to be validated. Both drive designs were independently tested by Eagleworks at the Johnson Space Center. EmDrive test summary: A test at 2500W of power during which a thrust of 750 millinewtons was measured by a Chinese team at the Chinese Northwestern Polytechnical University A test at 50W of power during which a thrust of 50 micronewtons was measured by Eagleworks at the Johnson Space Center at ~760 Torr of pressure. (Summer 2014) A test at 50 W of power during which a thrust of 50 micronewtons was measured by Eagleworks at the Johnson Space Center at ~5.0×10−6torr or pressure. (Early 2015) Now the Cannae test summary. They did three trials with different experimental setups: The device as the inventor designed it The device as the inventor designed it without the slotting that the inventor claimed was critical A control test that used the same energy, but without the cavity present in the design Results summary: Approximately 25 micronewtons of thrust at 50W The same results as test #1, showing that at the very least, the slotting provided no benefit or detriment to the effect happening No measurable thrust Tests were conducted on an apparatus that could measure down to 10 micronewtons and in multiple directions. It is important to note that these tests were not conducted in a vacuum like the EmDrive tests. As you can see, incredibly tiny amounts of thrust are being generated at these low power levels. A force of 50 micronewtons is approximately the amount of force required to launch a few ants into space. Tiny, but significant. Normally, technology this early in its development cycle—especially one that is throwing a wrench into several well established principles of Newtonian physics—would be greeted by an enormous amount of skepticism. Thankfully this holds true: I have rarely seen more critical discussion about an emerging technology than I have about these reactionless drives. What is certain is that there is something going on here. Whether or not it does turn out to be a reactionless drive remains to be seen. Larger scale tests at a higher power will be completed this year and should provide more insight. A fourth experiment with the EmDrive (not listed above) was conducted with a device called a Michelson interferometer inside the chamber—a device that is capable of measuring changes in spacetime (a gross oversimplification). The device noted changes in the compression of spacetime within the chamber while the EmDrive was activated. If your reaction to that last sentence was anything like mine, this discussion might be interesting. Should this technology pan out, the implications are enormous. Virtually every form of transportation (including cars, bikes, and planes) in addition to rocketry and space exploration can benefit greatly from the development of a power efficient reactionless drive. I have been following these experiments closely for the last year, and given that they have been turned over for dozens of reviews and still hold any amount of water a year later is exciting. With developments like these we are one step closer to the world I dreamed of as a child. Outer space gets closer every day. Papers from the experiments, including a set done by a Chinese laboratory (disclosure: sponsored by the inventor): One Two Three More detailed write-ups on the EmDrive Lengthy forum discussion on the experiments Historical “attempts” at the development of a reactionless drive; which (unsurprisingly) all sounds very similar to the history of perpetual motion machines. Discussion of the Michelson interferometer experiment Eagleworks data Posted on May 7, 2015 September 13, 2015 Categories Space, Technology, What I Learned TodayLeave a comment on The Physics of the Impossible Drive	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26857
__label__cc	0.663983	0.336017	Obama waives ban on arming terrorists to allow aid to Syrian opposition By JOEL GEHRKE President Obama waived a provision of federal law designed to prevent the supply of arms to terrorist groups to clear the way for the U.S. to provide military assistance to “vetted” opposition groups fighting Syrian dictator Bashar Assad. Some elements of the Syrian opposition are associated with radical Islamic terrorist groups, including al Qaeda, which was responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks in New York, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pa., in 2001. Assad’s regime is backed by Iran and Hezbollah. The president, citing his authority under the Arms Export Control Act, announced today that he would “waive the prohibitions in sections 40 and 40A of the AECA related to such a transaction.” Those two sections prohibit sending weaponry to countries described in section 40(d): “The prohibitions contained in this section apply with respect to a country if the Secretary of State determines that the government of that country has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism,” Congress stated in the Arms Control Export Act. “For purposes of this subsection, such acts shall include all activities that the Secretary determines willfully aid or abet the international proliferation of nuclear explosive devices to individuals or groups or willfully aid or abet an individual or groups in acquiring unsafeguarded special nuclear material,” the law continues. The law allows the president to waive those prohibitions if he “determines that the transaction is essential to the national security interests of the United States.” Under section 40(g) of the AECA, the Obama team must also provide Congress — at least 15 days before turning over the weapons — “the name of any country involved in the proposed transaction, the identity of any recipient of the items to be provided pursuant to the proposed transaction, and the anticipated use of those items,” along with a list of the weaponry to be provided, when they will be delivered, and why the transfer is key to American security interests. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., endorsed providing military assistance to the Syrian opposition during an appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday. “Our intelligence agencies, I think, have a very good handle on who to support and who not to support,” Corker said. “And there’s going to be mistakes. We understand some people are going to get arms that should not be getting arms. But we still should be doing everything we can to support the free Syrian opposition.” Posted in Benghazi Cover up, Foreign Policy, National Security, Syria, Tax Payer's Dime, Terrorism Comments Off on Obama waives ban on arming terrorists to allow aid to Syrian opposition Tags: al Qaeda, Arms Export Control Act, BarackObama, Bashar al-Assad, Bob Corker, Carl Levin, Syrian opposition, United States Obama Re-Elected without Objection? By JB Williams The American people do not vote for presidential and vice presidential candidates, they vote for electors, who in turn, cast their vote for president and vice president. Electors are sworn to cast a vote only for “eligible” candidates and to certify that all candidates on the ballot are eligible for office and have been duly elected, before casting their ballot before congress. Twice now, in 2008 and 2012, Electors failed in their sworn duty, certifying and casting their ballot for Barack Hussein Obama, despite knowledge that Obama is not constitutionally eligible for the office of president and that he had won both elections through historic fraudulent efforts. The law requires that the Electoral College certify the ballot and present its vote to congress for certification on the 6th of January following each presidential election. Because the 6th was a Sunday this year, members of congress bumped the congressional certification to Friday the 4th, without fanfare last Friday. Earlier last week, The North American Law Center delivered notice to all members of congress, advising them not to become complicit in the fraud by certifying the fraud on Friday. Members of congress ignored that notice and Friday afternoon, the Electoral College and all members of congress affirmed the re-election of Barack Hussein Obama for a second term, each of them becoming complicit with malice aforethought in the greatest fraud ever perpetrated on the American people. The question is now, what will the American people do about it? Under 3 USC § 15 – Counting electoral votes in Congress, objection from only one (1) member from each chamber of congress was enough to stop congressional certification of the 2012 election, returning the matter to both chambers for consideration at which point congress could have opened an investigation into the massive evidence of election fraud. Sadly, not a single elector or member of congress objected, not even one. House members like Tea Party darling Rep. Michelle Bachmann could have been the one House member to stop the 2012 fraud. – Or, it could have been another Tea Party Caucus member, or maybe all of them. One member of the US Senate, Senator Rand Paul, king of the data-mining petition industry and beloved son of “Mr. Constitution” Ron Paul, or maybe Tea Party favorite Sen. Marco Rubio could have taken a stand with American citizens and objected. No, not even a single member of the so-called Tea Party Caucus objected… Republicans control the House and they could have stopped the most fraudulent election in US history without a single Democrat member. But in the end, not a single elector or member of congress had the decency or backbone to stop the Marxist theft of America despite a mountain of evidence right under their noses and prior notice from The North American Law Center. The last act of the 112th congress was to roll over and play dead as Obama raised taxes without trimming any spending, throwing the nation off the fiscal cliff with trillions in new deficit spending and taxes. The first act of the new 113th congress was to confirm the fraudulent re-election of Barack Hussein Obama without objection. Members of congress are clearly not worried about any fiscal cliff, but rather the political cliff they were all teetering on as millions of Obama’s federal dependents awaited congressional approval to keep the gravy train rolling. The fiscal cliff is unsustainable federal spending and skyrocketing debt. What Obama and congress did, shoves the nation off the fiscal cliff. But even more troubling is the fact that not a single member of congress had the decency or backbone to stand up and object at that critical moment in history when congress had the chance to stop it all and hold those responsible accountable. The ongoing gutless and anti-American acts of our illustrious public servants explains the mega boom in gun and ammo sales, which brings us to the second act of the new 113th congress, a massive gun and ammo grab. Despite FBI reports showing a steady drop in gun related crime each year as gun and ammo sales set new records and further FBI stats showing that only 4% of all gun related homicides are connected to “assault rifles,” the gun grabbers want these types of weapons only in their own hands, understandably so, as they become ever more corrupt and tyrannical. In fact, twice as many Americans die from a fist fight each year, than from assault rifles. Gun violence ranks #15 on the CDC list of causes of death and most of those are not related to assault weapons. They are however, related to inner city crime, most of it in Democrat voting districts and most of that, black on black crime. And, we all know that guns are NOT the cause of the Sandy Hook catastrophe. Yet, it is not these folks they seek to disarm. This is Obama’s “civilian army.” So, what are the American people to do about the theft of their nation and the coming assault on citizens Second Amendment rights, among others? In my personal opinion, every member of the federal government has well-earned a public lynching for multiple criminal acts of high treason. But before we lock-n-load and begin any violent act to regain control of our runaway government, it is our duty as American citizens to exhaust every possible peaceful means to a solution as provided by our Charters of Freedom. Clearly, our Executive Branch thinks they are a dictatorship. Our Legislative Branch is operating as nothing more than a rubber stamp for the Executive Branch and the courts may be the most corrupt branch of our Federal Government, acting only as an enforcer for a corrupt and tyrannical regime. While it is clear that a major housecleaning should include every elected official in Washington D.C. today, I personally believe that our Founders frame work for self-governance, their Constitutional Representative Republic, is worth saving if possible. Organizations like The North American Law Center are established for the sole purpose of representing American citizens in broad legal battles necessary to protecting and preserving all of our God given and constitutionally protected rights. Among those right are a right to free, fair and honest elections and the Second Amendment. Without these two rights fully secured, we have no other rights. The Law Center is calling for donors, volunteers and witnesses for scheduled actions. If all Americans join forces, they can regain control of their country. Until then, nobody can do anything about what is happening to the greatest nation ever known to mankind. JB Williams www.PatriotsUnion.org www.VeteranDefenders.org www.ThePatriotsNews.com Breaking News! – Law Center Warns Congress Not to Certify 2012 Election (askmarion.wordpress.com) Law Center Warns Congress Not to Certify 2012 Election (vineoflife.net) Obama’s Ineligibility Is Still The Elephant In The Room (freedomoutpost.com) Judge orders eligibility attorney to stay away (wnd.com) Posted in AMERICAS, Cultural Revolution "FORWARD", Fraud & Corruption, Gun Control, NDAA, North America, Political economy, Progressive Agenda, United States Comments Off on Obama Re-Elected without Objection? Tags: Barack Hussein Obama, BarackObama, candidates, certify, constitutionally eligible, Electoral College, eligible, Friday, Marco Rubio, Obama, office of president, Rand Paul, Tea Party Caucus, United State The Un-American Vision of Barack Obama – Thomas Sowell Years, and sometimes decades, pass between my visits to movie theaters. But I drove 30 miles to see the movie 2016: Obama’s America, based on Dinesh D’Souza’s best-selling book, The Roots of Obama’s Rage. Where I live is so politically correct that such a movie would not even be mentioned, much less shown. Every seat in the theater was filled, even though there had been an earlier showing that day, and more showings were scheduled for the rest of the afternoon and evening. I had to sit on a staircase in the balcony, but it was worth it. The audience was riveted. You could barely hear a sound from them, or detect a movement, and you certainly could not smell popcorn. Yet the movie had no bombast, no violence, no sex, and no spectacular visual effects. The documentary itself was fascinating, as D’Souza presented the story of Barack Obama’s life and view of the world in a very conversational sort of way, illustrating it with visits to people and places around the world that played a role in the way Obama’s ideas and beliefs evolved. It was refreshing to see how addressing adults as adults could be effective, in an age when so many parts of the media address the public as if they were children who need a constant whirlwind of sounds and movements to keep them interested.Dinesh D’Souza’s own perspective, as someone born in India who came to America and became an American, provided a special insight into the way people from the Third World often perceive or misperceive the United States and the Western world. That Third World perspective is Obama’s perspective, D’Souza demonstrates in this documentary, as in his book — and it is a perspective that is very foreign to that of most Americans, which may be why some believe that Obama was born elsewhere. D’Souza is convinced that the president was born in Hawaii, as Obama claims, and argues that it was not only Obama’s time living in Indonesia and his emotionally charged visits to his father’s home in Africa that have had a deep and impassioned effect on his thinking. The story of Barack Obama, however, is not just the story of how one man came to be the way he is. It is a much larger story about how millions of Americans came to vote for, and some to idolize, a man whose fundamental beliefs and values are so different from their own. For every person who sees Obama as somehow foreign, there are many others who see him as a mainstream American political figure — and an inspiring one. This D’Souza attributes to Barack Obama’s great talents in rhetoric, and his ability to project an image that resonates with most Americans, however much that image may differ from, or even flatly contradict, the reality of Obama’s own ideological view of the world. What is that ideological view? The Third World, or anti-colonial, view is that the rich nations have gotten rich by taking wealth from the poor nations. It is part of a much larger vision, in which the rich in general have gotten rich by taking from the poor, whether in their own country or elsewhere. Whatever its factual weaknesses, it is an emotionally powerful vision, to which many people have dedicated their lives and for which some have even risked their lives. Some of these people appear in this documentary, as they have appeared throughout the formative phases of Barack Obama’s life. The Reverend Jeremiah Wright is just the most visible and vocal of a long line of people who played crucial roles in Obama’s evolution. When Wright thundered about how “white folks’ greed runs a world in need,” he captured the essence of the anti-colonial vision. But many of the other mentors, allies, family members, and friends of Barack Obama over the years were of the same mind-set, as this documentary demonstrates. More important, the movie 2016 demonstrates how so many of Obama’s actions as president of the United States, which D’Souza had predicted on the basis of his study of Obama’s background, are perfectly consistent with that ideology, however inconsistent they might be with the rhetoric that gained him the highest office in the land. — Thomas Sowell is a senior fellow at theHoover Institution. © 2012 Creators Syndicate, Inc. The Un-American Vision of Barack Obama – Thomas Sowell – National Review Online. “2016″ A Powerful Movie: Thomas Sowell (rubinoworld.com) The Obama Identity: Rush Slams Media and Dirtbag Obama Over “Brother” In Need (conservativeread.com) Posted in AMERICAS, North America, One and Done, Political economy, Progressive "nudge", Progressive Agenda, UnAmerican, United States Comments Off on The Un-American Vision of Barack Obama – Thomas Sowell Tags: Africa, AMERICAS, Barack Obama, BarackObama, Dinesh D'Souza, Indonesia, Obama, Souza, Third World, United States Coup de Tat — American Style? A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet There is a feeling of deep unease in America today. That is especially so among those of us who keep and eye and an ear on the secretive power hungry Obama Administration. Things are happening within the Obama Administration that should cause American’s to sit up and take notice. Many have. But not enough, not nearly enough. Over the weekend the conservative side of the blogosphere was abuzz with concern over Obama’s most recent Executive Orders. Alan Caruba’s “Executive Tyranny” hit the Internet as a bomblet then exploded into a full-sized bombshell explosion as it raced through the binary code scorching its way onto news sites, blog sites and into in-boxes. If you haven’t read it we recommend you do so right away. You will find it at: Then, early Sunday morning, the Drudge Report posted a notice of yet another Obama Executive Order which in effect gives the President the power to take control of all modes of communications within America. If you haven’t read the report on the newest Executive Order, may we suggest you read the text at the government’s website here: This is all very troubling, coming as it does just weeks before the most important election in the history of America. It has the hallmark of a massive power grab by Obama and his cadre of socialist/Marxist apparatchiks within the American government. It looks, for all the world, like a quiet take-over of the government of the United States — a quiet coup de tat –American style. These moves by Obama are MASSIVE in size and scope and will affect every single American in ways a formerly free American citizen cannot grasp. In his article, Mr. Caruba says: “Obama is putting in force everything a tyranny requires to replace the Republic.” The power of the Presidential Executive Order, in our opinion, is being abused by President Obama. The executive orders we noted above give the President the power to literally take-over the country (including all modes of communications) and rule it as a one man government … dare we say it … as a dictator. With the stroke of the Presidential pen the American Republic could be wiped out and in its place a new Socialist/Marxist dictatorship with Obama as the American “strongman” at the top. Before you dismiss this as just another conspiracy theory, do a bit of research. Don’t count on the mainstream media to inform you about any of this. They are known to be “in the tank” for Obama and news that will shine anything but flattering light on their Supreme Leader will not make it into the pages of their publications nor into any of the blocks of their TV news shows. So, dear reader, you are on your own. These are perilous times for America. A country is at its most vulnerable when it finds itself in economic conditions such as America is enduring today. People become desperate and they do desperate things. Note how history records the ease with which Hitler came to power in Germany during a period of desperate economic times in that country. There are always men of great ambition willing to use a crisis to their advantage. Remember: “Never let a crisis go to waste?” There are always men who believe they are the smartest and strongest among us and, somehow, (in their warped minds) they believe it is their fate in life to step in and take over and set things aright. Often those people are insane. They are dangerous people. Such leaders have cost millions of lives, destroyed countries and continents, right up to their last breath. And it is still happening today. Americans have gone to war on more than one occasion to stop such men and liberate their enslaved people. Never did Americans think it could happen to a country so blessed as America. But it can — and it may be happening right before our eyes. The American form of democracy, the American constitutional representative republic, was created for an honorable people. The Founders knew it could not survive otherwise. Unfortunately, honor is not one of the virtues in vogue in America these days, In fact, it is not even understood among most of America’s citizens in the twenty-first century. It is a code of conduct forgotten in a world driven by instant gratification, greed, and narcissism. The men who founded this nation and drew-up the founding documents were honorable man and it never occurred to them that Americans would ever elect men without honor to high offices in the land. But, as we now know, they were wrong. As a result, Americans are facing a threat to their freedom, their liberty, and their country. At the risk of sounding trite: WAKE-UP, AMERICA! Reclaim your destiny as a free people. Reclaim your birthright of liberty. Reclaim your country. If we can manage to wrest control of our government from the grasp of the social progressives now suffocating freedom and liberty in America, we stand a chance at restoring American freedom. If we fail, I see no future for a free America. Much of the “free” is now gone from the “land of the free.” But how much “brave” is left in the “home of the brave?” I ask, because it is going to take courage to confront the power hungry leftists. Battle lines are drawn from City Hall to the White House. No matter where you are in America — you are on the front lines. Will freedom loving Americans bolt in retreat or stand and fight? That is the determining question. What will we do? What will YOU do? If we are lucky, we have until November to decide to reclaim our birthright. Even if we try and fail it will have been worth it. Freedom is always worth the price. ALWAYS. Executive Tyranny (papundits.wordpress.com) Obama Has Signed 923 Executive Orders In 40 Months (johnmalcolm.me) Posted in AMERICAS, Economic collapse, Energy Economic Zone, Fiscal Cliff, Foreign Policy, Fraud & Corruption, HyperInflation, North America, ObamaCare, Obamanomics, One and Done, Political economy, Pork, Progressive "nudge", Progressive Agenda, Tax Payer's Dime, Tax Policy, United States Comments Off on Coup de Tat — American Style? Tags: Alan Caruba, America, BarackObama, Drudge Report, executive order, FREEDOM, liberty, Obama, Obama administration, power hungry, secretive, threat, White House Why Kenyan Birth Claim Was No ‘Fact Checking Error’ By Jack Cashill No sooner did the literary agency brochure in which Barack Obama was said to be Kenyan-born surface than the media went to work to deep-six it. “This was nothing more than a fact checking error by me – an agency assistant at the time,” Miriam Goderich, now a named partner in the literary agency, Dystel & Goderich, wrote in an emailed statement to Yahoo News, which was then picked up ABC News. “There was never any information given to us by Obama in any of his correspondence or other communications suggesting in any way that he was born in Kenya and not Hawaii. I hope you can communicate to your readers that this was a simple mistake and nothing more.” This confession rings false to the point of preposterous for any number of reasons. Let us start with the obvious. At the time, 1991, the Acton & Dystel agency listed 90 clients, Obama among its least significant. How likely is it that Goderich would have remembered enough about a 1991 “error” to know it was hers, especially since it went uncorrected through several revisions until changed in 2007? To make this claim credible, there would have to be an existing paper trail leading to an Obama submission in which he lists an Hawaiian birth. I am confident that there is no such submission. Former publisher Tom Lipscomb does not buy Goderich’s explanation for a New York minute. “As someone who has run a number of top bestseller publishers, I think this is an amazing MIRACLE,” writes Lipscomb emphatically on Power Line. “It is the ONLY case I have ever heard of in which an editorial assistant INVENTED a biographical detail. I have heard of typos, wrong dates, misspellings of names. But to pick a really weird country of origin like Kenya for an author?” The Breitbart people followed up with a piece by Steve Boman, a Jane Dystel client in the mid-1990s, who noted, “All material she used in our proposals came directly from me and my writing partner.” This is standard. In the eight books I have written under my own name, I have reviewed all biographical information sent out about me either by agent or publisher. Like most authors, I have let a little fluff pass, but not much. The most interesting “tell” in the 1991 Acton & Dystel brochure relates to what was said about Obama’s career in the business world. Obama, the reader learns, “worked as a financial journalist and editor for Business International Corporation.” In Dreams from My Father, Obama inflated his stint at Business International even more and transformed it into a faux moment of racial awareness, one of at least a half-dozen concocted racial melodramas in the book. As Obama tells the story, a “consulting house to multinational corporations” hired him and promptly promoted him to the position of “financial writer.” Here, he felt like “a spy behind enemy lines,” and a guilty one at that. “As far as I could tell,” he adds, “I was the only black man in the company.” He does not boast of his racial uniqueness. Rather, in full grievance mode, he considers it “a source of shame.” Indeed, the whole experience troubled him: I had my own office, my own secretary, money in the bank. Sometimes, coming out of an interview with Japanese financiers or German bond traders, I would catch my reflection in the elevator doors-see myself in a suit and tie, a briefcase in my hand-and for a split second I would imagine myself as a captain of industry, barking out orders, closing the deal, before I remembered who it was that I had told myself I wanted to be and felt pangs of guilt for my lack of resolve. As early as July 2005, however, former co-worker and Obama fan Dan Armstrong revealed Obama’s whole account to be a “serious exaggeration.” Obama worked at not a multinational corporation, but a “small company that published newsletters.” He was not the only black person who worked there. He did not, as claimed, have his own office, wear a jacket and tie, interview international businessmen, or write articles. He mostly just copy-edited business items and slipped them into a three-ring binder for the company’s customers. Are we supposed to believe that Goderich not only changed Obama’s birthplace from Hawaii to Kenya, but also transformed him from a grunt filling three-ring binders into a “financial journalist and editor”? When this discrepancy surfaced years later, pundits in either camp were confused as to why Obama would lie about such seemingly irrelevant details. There are two good, non-exclusive possibilities. For one, the exaggeration enables the reader to see Obama as he would like to see himself — “a spy behind enemy lines.” For another, Obama’s co-author, Bill Ayers, once again took the framework of Obama’s life and roughed in the details. In Fugitive Days, Ayers’ 2001 memoir, he uses the phrase “behind enemy lines” almost literally to describe his and his comrades’ quiet infiltration of the opponent’s position. Wife Bernardine Dohrn has said the same in public. When the Weather Underground declared its state of war with the United States in May 1970, Dohrn warned that people fighting “Amerikan imperialism” all over the world “look to Amerika’s youth to use our strategic position behind enemy lines to join forces in the destruction of the empire.” The bottom line is this: Obama has been creating and shifting identities his entire adult life. If the agency brochure was a snapshot of the 1991 Obama, Dreams captured him in his 1995 pose: hip, black, progressive, wounded by racial slights but able to overcome them, just the man to lead Chicago into the 21st century, then the extent of his and Ayers’s ambition for him. “I met [Obama] sometime in the mid-1990s[,]” Bill Ayers would tell Salon, likely pushing the actual date back several years. “And everyone who knew him thought that he was politically ambitious. For the first two years, I thought, his ambition is so huge that he wants to be mayor of Chicago.” Friend Cassandra Butts traced that ambition back at least to Harvard. “He wanted to be mayor of Chicago and that was all he ever talked about as far as holding office,” she would tell early Obama biographer David Mendell. No one would have challenged Obama’s biography had he not gone beyond Chicago, but he did. And so where he was born matters, and whether he even wrote his own biography matters, too. As much as I know about Obama, I don’t know or pretend to know the answer — at least to the first of those two questions. Why Kenyan Birth Claim Was No ‘Fact Checking Error’ (johnmalcolm.me) Why Kenyan Birth Claim Was No ‘Fact Checking Error’ (gunnyg.wordpress.com) Uh oh: Messy Detaails: A ‘Fact Checking Error’? Dystel & Goderich Ask Writers to Submit Their Own Bios (tarpon.wordpress.com) General Theory Explains Obama Book Catalogue, Hawaii Birth Certificate, and Cherokee Elizabeth Warren (txwclp.org) Posted in Africa, AMERICAS, East Africa, Kenya, North America, One and Done, United States Comments Off on Why Kenyan Birth Claim Was No ‘Fact Checking Error’ Tags: Barack Obama, BarackObama, Bill Ayers, Birth, Business International Corporation, Claim, Goderich, Hawaii, Jack Cashill, Kenya, Kenyan, Obama Obama: Born in Kenya and raised in Indonesia and Hawaii The Vetting – Exclusive – Obama’s Literary Agent in 1991 Booklet: ‘Born in Kenya and raised in Indonesia and Hawaii’. Obama Born In Kenya, His Own Words (tarpon.wordpress.com) The Vetting – Exclusive: Obama Letter to Bell to Blurb ‘Dreams from My Father’ (gunnyg.wordpress.com) Obama: ‘I was born in Hawaii,’ wink, wink (gunnyg.wordpress.com) The Vetting – Exclusive: Obama Letter to Bell to Blurb ‘Dreams from My Father’ (tarpon.wordpress.com) Posted in Quick Links Comments Off on Obama: Born in Kenya and raised in Indonesia and Hawaii Tags: Barack Obama, BarackObama, Hawaii, History, Indonesia, Kenya, Lolo Soetoro, News, President, President Obama, United State, United States Soros-Funded Alinsky Smear Machine Invades Congress by Matthew Vadum Bio ↓ George Soros is behind a newly uncovered effort to teach Democratic congressmen how to smear their opponents as racist. Last week House Democrats invited the radical, left-wing, Soros-financed group called the Center for Social Inclusion “to address the issue of race to defend government programs,” according to documentation reviewed by Joel Gehrke of the Washington Examiner “The prepared content of a Tuesday presentation to the House Democratic Caucus and staff indicates that Democrats will seek to portray apparently neutral free-market rhetoric as being charged with racial bias, conscious or unconscious,” Gehrke writes. Maya Wiley of the Center for Social Inclusion According to Gehrke, trainer Maya Wiley of the Center for Social Inclusion blasted “conservative messages [that are] racially ‘coded’ and had images of people of color that we commonly see used” and suggested ways to combat Republicans’ supposedly racially-coded rhetoric. Facts don’t matter in Wiley’s estimation. “It’s emotional connection, not rational connection that we need,” she said. Wiley offered that Newt Gingrich calling Obama a “food stamp president,” cannot be “a race-neutral statement, even if Newt Gingrich did not intend racism.” In other words, all criticism of Obama is rooted in racism. Wiley, a so-called civil rights attorney, is the daughter of the late George Wiley, the leader of the now-defunct National Welfare Rights Organization. NWRO created ACORN in 1970 and President Obama worked for ACORN in his community organizing days, as I note in my book, Subversion Inc.: How Obama’s ACORN Red Shirts are Still Terrorizing and Ripping Off American Taxpayers. Maya Wiley also did consulting work for two of Soros’s philanthropies, the Open Society Institute and the Open Society Foundation, and now chairs the board of the Tides network of nonprofits. The radicalism of Wiley shines brightly on the website of the Center for Social Inclusion. “For more than a quarter century, right-wing rhetoric has dominated debates of racial justice – undermining efforts to create a more equal society, and tearing apart the social safety net in the process,” the propaganda portal opines. Of course only a Marxist with an agenda would argue that “right-wing rhetoric” has somehow torn apart the ever-expanding social safety net. About $16 trillion has been spent on the doomed War on Poverty since it was launched in the mid-1960s and President Obama wants to waste another $10 trillion more. The Center for Social Inclusion, an Orwellian name if ever there was one, practices the same pathological mixture of Marxism and identity politics that President Obama was raised on. The group was founded based on the assumption that America is an evil structurally racist country that systematically oppresses everyone who is not Caucasian. The Center’s involvement with left-leaning politicians shouldn’t be all that surprising given that the Democratic National Committee is now headed by the Alinsky-loving Patrick Gaspard, a longtime SEIU-ACORN operative. Gaspard, not titular DNC head Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), runs the DNC’s everyday operations as executive director. Gaspard was previously the Obama White House political affairs director, the same title Karl Rove held in President Bush’s administration. Gaspard comes from the same world of radical in-your-face left-wing community organizing that shaped Barack Obama. Like Obama he is well schooled in the brutal, street-smart organizing tactics taught by the late Saul Alinsky, author of Rules for Radicals. Wiley’s training session has Gaspard’s fingerprints all over it. It is inconceivable that she moved forward without his permission. In fact, Gaspard almost certainly invited her to Capitol Hill. Wiley’s group gets its money from anti-American philanthropists such as Soros. The Soros-funded Tides Foundation has given $879,800 to the group since 2005. Soros’s Open Society Institute has donated at least $75,000 to the group since 2002. Other hard-left institutional donors to the group include the Public Welfare Foundation Inc. ($308,355 since 2010) and the Surdna Foundation ($60,000 since 2008). he Center for Social Inclusion may also be hiding something. The group’s tax returns, which are supposed to be publicly available at the Guidestar.org disclosure website, are not available. This may be a violation of federal law. It has long been axiomatic that when left-wingers are worried about losing power they shriek “racist!” ad nauseam as if sheer repetition of the malicious lie will somehow make it true. The mainstream media has long let leftist politicians such as Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) get away with accusing Republicans of racism based on, well, nothing. Instead of hurling racial epithets, Republicans “say, ‘Let’s cut taxes,’” the corrupt Harlem congressman has said. And when Republicans proposed reforming aspects of the welfare system, Rangel said they were worse than Nazis. “Hitler wasn’t even talking about doing these things,” he insisted, advancing the ahistorical position that the genocidal German dictator was somehow a champion of small government. But teaching sitting lawmakers whose salaries are paid by the taxpayers how to utilize the Left’s favorite smear in order to shut down open debate over government spending is a fascistic frontal assault on freedom of thought and expression that takes Alinskyite sliminess to new depths. Democrats, George Soros, The Race Card, And Cloward-Piven? (thedaleygator.wordpress.com) Certifiable: Obama Proposes Another Multibillion-Dollar Stimulus Plan… (nicedeb.wordpress.com) Report: House Dems trained on how to use race against the GOP (theblaze.com) Obama Stimulus Dollars Funded Soros Empire (lettingfreedomring.com) Yes, that is Alinsky student, #44.. (genomega1.wordpress.com) Obama’s War on Prosperity: The Energy Front (bokertov.typepad.com) Stimulus Can of Worms: Crony Capitalism, Corporate Fascism, Global Governance, Socialism, Oligarchy (johnmalcolm.me) Report: Soros’s hands in public coffer (kajunman.wordpress.com) Posted in Agenda 21, Cultural Revolution "FORWARD", Eco-socialism, Economic collapse, Economic policy, Political economy, Progressive "nudge", Progressive Agenda, Rio + 20, Tax Policy, United States Comments Off on Soros-Funded Alinsky Smear Machine Invades Congress Tags: Alinsky, BarackObama, Center for Social Inclusion, Congress, Funded, George Wiley, GeorgeSoros, Invades, National Welfare Rights Organization, Obama, Open Society Foundation, Open Society Institute, OpenSociety Institute, racist, Smear, Soros Obama Forms Soros-Controlled Energy Council To ‘Fix’ Thriving Natural Gas Industry By Ken Blackwell When politicians want to look busy while avoiding tough decisions during an election year, what do they do? They form commissions and councils. And when President Barack Obama saw Americans struggling with higher gasoline and home energy prices, did he encourage more domestic oil exploration, off-shore drilling, or coal production, while lowering taxes on energy? Of course not. After all, with political observers expecting a close presidential race this year, Obama needs the financial and institutional support far-left environmental groups. The result has been the president anointing certain energy sources – such as wind and natural gas – as energies of the future, while implementing regulatory hurdles for more dependable fuels like oil and coal. Over the last decade, natural gas has exploded as an important energy source in the United States, accounting for almost one quarter of all energy consumed. Natural gas has boosted economic activity in states like Ohio, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania, and until recently has done so largely without the benefit of preferential treatment from the federal government. But to expedite this natural gas boom, President Obama just recently decided to form an interagency natural gas council run by Cecilia Munoz, a former community organizer with La Raza and White House bureaucrat with deep-ties to George Soros, the billionaire investor who made his fortune in currency trading throughout the world while bankrolling liberal political efforts. Munoz formerly led the OpenSociety Institute and the Center for Community Change, two organizations which are directly connected to Soros, MoveOn.org, ACORN, and other fringe groups with a long record of opposing the development of America’s oil and coal resources. As if having a new council run by the far left was not enough, Obama continues to support major Democratic donors such as Soros by picking winners and losers in the energy through risky subsidies, through a bill known as the NAT GAS Act. This legislation attempts to artificially encourage a transition to more natural gas usage, by offering tax credits for natural gas vehicles, fueling stations, and storage facilities. As we all saw with the collapse of inefficient companies like Solyndra, when private investors are not willing to fund a new project, politically connected firms try to force taxpayers to fund their schemes. But if natural gas is an already cheap and abundant source of energy, why would we subsidize it? The answer may be found with the Soros Management Fund, which is Soros’ investment vehicle, owns more than $90 million of shares in a Vancouver, British Columbia company which produces the same natural gas-powered engines which the act would encourage the use of. Soros has personally donated $5,000 to the act’s co-sponsor Rep. Nita Lowey of New York and his family donated $121,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, while the lead sponsor of the act, Senator Robert Mendez of New Jersey, was chairman. This is in addition to the countless (and often untraceable) millions of dollars Soros pours into Democratic campaigns through the activities of his non-profit organizations and political committees. Natural gas is a valuable and commonly used fuel. But it is not a silver bullet to our nation’s massive energy conundrum. And just like wind, solar, and nuclear, it should be left to succeed or fail based on private market forces. Government should not have the legal authority to hand your hard-earned dollars over to a private industry, just because a handful of politicians think they have the right to make decisions about what energy consumers use. We have seen the costly errors of government manipulating energy markets, and Obama must not allow wealthy activists to profit at the expense of taxpayers. Conservatives should oppose the NAT GAS Act and other measures that give one specific fuel a distinct marketplace advantage over others. See more “Right Views, Right Now” Soros-Funded Alinsky Smear Machine Invades Congress (mb50.wordpress.com) Highway bill is worth billions to companies owned by Soros, Pickens, Douglas (humanevents.com) Obama campaign adds ‘clean coal’ to website after GOP complaints (junkscience.com) Letter: Why hasn’t President Obama developed a successful National Energy Policy? (tcpalm.com) Douglas, Soros support Natural Gas Act supporters (humanevents.com) Posted in Agenda 21, Clean Energy, Eco-socialism, Economic planning, Economic policy, Energy, Fraud & Corruption, Obamanomics, Progressive "nudge", Progressive Agenda, Rio + 20, Tax Payer's Dime, United States Comments Off on Obama Forms Soros-Controlled Energy Council To ‘Fix’ Thriving Natural Gas Industry Tags: ACORN, BarackObama, Center for Community Change, commissions, councils, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Form, GeorgeSoros, La Raza, MoveOn.org, Obama, OpenSociety Institute, President Barack Obama, Soros, United State, Vancouver	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26862
__label__cc	0.68913	0.31087	News Impact What we know (and don’t) about the impact of solutions journalism By Lindsay Green-Barber, PhD, Founder & CEO, Impact Architects In the past five years, solutions journalism has become a closely watched model in the field of journalism. The Solutions Journalism Network has generated a robust network of journalists with formal training in solutions-oriented reporting, partnered with newsrooms whose leadership is committed to implementing solutions journalism as a core practice, and rigorously tested the underlying hypotheses for the impact of this practice. As solutions journalism matures, philanthropic partners are exploring exciting new ways to bring solutions-oriented reporting into high-impact strategies to empower communities and individuals, shift public discourse, and address complex social challenges. As funders look to solutions journalism as a potential path to increase the impact of their programmatic work, many questions remain. What is solutions journalism? What exactly is its impact? And, how can foundations best support this type of journalism? What is solutions journalism? The Solutions Journalism Network was founded in 2013, based on a belief that deeply reported stories that provide potential solutions to complex social problems will have a positive social impact by engaging audiences, increasing individuals’ sense of self efficacy, and leading to real-world change. SJN does not do reporting, but focuses on spreading the practice of solutions-oriented reporting. SJN defines the practice of solutions journalism as “providing a rigorous framework, grounded in journalistic ethics and informed by today’s professional challenges, that enables journalists to cover society more comprehensively, revealing possibilities for civic agency and connection.” SJN facilitates the “SJN Hub,” an online community of practice of more than 1,000 journalists practicing solutions-oriented reporting, designing curriculum for training journalists (in-person, remotely, and self-directed), conducting trainings in newsrooms, and disseminating knowledge and learning among its network. To date, more than 150 newsrooms have engaged SJN to produce staff workshops, develop reporting projects, and consult on audience or community engagement activities. The impact of solutions-oriented reporting Over the past five years, SJN has employed an ambitious research agenda to test their original hypotheses about the impact of solutions-oriented reporting. Through research that has included case studies, experimental design for A/B testing and comparative exposure to content, surveys, statistical analysis of web metrics, and more, SJN knows for sure about some impacts of solutions stories, is pretty sure about other effects, and is still unsure about a few things. Research consistently shows that solutions-oriented reporting has the following impact: Increased affect for issue and story. Individuals report increases in emotional connection to the issues and stories as a result of exposure to solutions-oriented reporting. Increased self-efficacy. Individuals report having a stronger belief that they can contribute to solutions themselves. Intent to learn more. Individuals exposed to solutions-oriented content report higher levels of intent to learn more about the issues at hand than individuals exposed to traditional reporting. For example, in a study about how a local solutions journalism project is received by members of an underrepresented and stigmatized community in South Los Angeles, Andrea Wenzel, Daniela Gerson, Evelyn Moreno, Minhee Son, and Breanna Morrison found that residents exposed to solutions journalism had a positive response and reported higher levels of self-efficacy and intent to take action. And researchers at The Center for Applied Positive Research found that solutions-oriented reporting increased news readers’ problem solving skills, made people feel less anxious and more energized, increased their connection to the community, and more confident that they can come up with solutions. What we’re pretty sure about— Increased affect for organization. Individuals report increases in emotional connection to the organizations that published solutions-oriented reporting, although there is limited research about this effect. Increased intent to share.There is evidence that individuals are more likely to share solutions-oriented reporting than traditional reporting, both in academic research and in research conducted by SJN and partner organizations. Discourse shift. Evidence suggests that solutions-oriented reporting shifts broader discourse about issues in other media and public debate. Organizational sustainability. There has been no academic research (of which we are aware) about the relationship between solutions-oriented reporting and organizational sustainability. However, SJN partner organizations have on-the-ground experience that suggests that solutions reporting increases revenue, through sponsorships, membership, subscriptions, and philanthropic support. In a research project I did with SJN and The Seattle Times, we found that The Seattle Times Education Lab’s solutions-based coverage of school discipline intensified a public conversation on alternative approaches to school discipline, especially in community and ethnic media in the Seattle metro area. Education Lab’s coverage also increased the attention of the Seattle Education Association on issues of school discipline. Increased attention to the issue created a new political opportunity for the WA state House of Representatives to pass legislation for school discipline reform. What don’t we know— Increased knowledge. Academic research has found mixed results regarding the relationship between solutions-oriented reporting and increased knowledge. Intent to take action. Academic research has found mixed results regarding the relationship between solutions-oriented reporting and individuals’ self-reported intent to take action. In 2017, Karen McIntyre and Meghan Sobel tested the effects of shock journalism and solutions journalism (in the context of sex-trafficking) in motivating readers to take action. It finds that neither shock nor solutions stories lead to increased empathy for trafficked individuals, greater understanding of the issue, increased desire to share the story, or increased desire to act. However, readers of solutions stories felt more positive and were more likely to read similar stories about the issue. However, because this research was based on sex-trafficking, it is likely that the topic had mediating effects on readers, beyond the type of journalism to which they were being exposed. *Disclosure: Impact Architects LLC consults with Solutions Journalism Network on impact strategy and research. WATCH: Science journalism & going beyond the data Media Impact Funders The 1619 Project: When journalism drives public education Mark Schulte Has climate news coverage finally turned a corner? Mark Hertsgaard Kyle Pope	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26865
__label__cc	0.617536	0.382464	The routine mantra of most GMs is, “never give a starting pitcher more than a five year deal”. The thinking being that the proclivity for injury in that time span is just too high. But, if there’s one exception to that rule, it is probably Johan Santana– the best pitcher in baseball. SI.com and FoxSports.com have just confirmed a deal between the Twins and Mets for Johan Santana. The Mets now have a 72-hour window to come to terms with Santana on a contract extension. It’s believed that the Mets would like to sign the left handed 28-year old pitcher to a five-year deal, while Santana is seeking a six or seven year deal. If you consider that Barry Zito, who is ten months older than Santana, received a seven year deal from the Giants last season, Santana is almost a lock to receive the same length of contract. It is also highly unlikely that the Mets would agree to this deal if they weren’t willing to meet Santana’s contract demands. While the nuts and bolts are being fastened, Mets’ fans should expect to pop the champagne cork by this Friday at the latest. While the names of the players going from the Mets to the Twins hasn’t been confirmed, USA Today is reporting that the quartet heading to Minnesota will be, OF Carlos Gomez, SP Deolis Guerra, SP Kevin Mulvey, and SP Philip Humber. Jon Heyman of SI.com mentions that there has been talk of substituting swing pitcher Jorge Sosa for Humber, and there have been rumors that the the Mets’ top prospect, OF Fernando Martinez could still replace Gomez. However,giving more clout to the USA Today report is the news that the Mets did call Gomez back to the states the other day even though his winter ball team was in the midst of the Caribbean World Series. If the Mets indeed have dealt Guerra, Gomez, Mulvey, and Humber and we were to use the Baseball America’s 2008 Top Prospects list as a barometer, then the Mets would be dealing their # 2 (Guerra), # 3 (Gomez), # 4 (Mulvey), and # 7 (Humber) prospects for the right to sign the best pitcher in baseball to a deal that should be the richest contract ever signed by a pitcher. The contract will probably end up looking something like 7-years/$150 Million. Once the deal is finalized, the Mets will enter the 2008 season with a rotation that will be hard for the rest of the AL East to compete with: # 1- Johan Santana # 2- Pedro Martinez # 3- John Maine # 4- Oliver Perez # 5- Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez So, rejoice Mets’ fans, it’s almost time to celebrate. Get ready to don your # 57 jerseys, break out your “You Gotta Believe” signs, the Mets just got a WHOLE lot better, and Santana-Mania is about to hit the Big Apple! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO METS! Carl the Cabbie Written by mlblogsbestblog Posted in Dailies Tagged with Hot Stove, My Team(s) January 30, 2008 - 9:15 am tony@noblemusic.net At least he is out of the AL so Yankee fans can breathe a collective sigh! And so can Sox fans. But What were the Twins Thinking!!!!! They had an offer that included Phil Hughes once named the best prospect in baseball next to Homer Bailey and in addition they would have gotten Melky Cabrera they also could have gotten Bucholtz plus more from the Sawx…Great job by a new GM….NOT …REALLY GREAT JOB BY MINAYA..he said he would land a frontline pitcher and he did…So much for the Superbowl press day…I Guess if you pile the garbage high enough the Twins are willing to deal.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26875
__label__wiki	0.69744	0.69744	mikeybear Challenging religious bigotry Support my activism The radical King A letter to John Alexander Dear Mr Alexander, Almost three years ago you gave your first speech to the Parliament and people of Australia as the Member for Bennelong. Allow me to reflect on a few sections of your address. Fittingly, you gave thanks to the people of your electorate and promised to serve them fairly: It is an honour to be in this position, and I am truly grateful to the people of Bennelong for the trust and faith that they have placed in me. However, that honour is immediately replaced with a deep sense of responsibility to do my best, with integrity, honesty and fairness. Later, in relating your tennis travels through Europe you reflected on a particularly poignant moment: We played in Poland and were taken to Auschwitz by Harry’s friend from before the war. He cried and we cried. and in Africa, you tell of discrimination: I learnt of discrimination travelling to South Africa with Arthur Ashe. He had been granted a visa declaring him an ‘honorary white’. In Arthur’s home town I practised on the adjoining court at the Richmond Country Club; he was the first African-American allowed to play there. You paint a picture of how your travels around the world as a sportsman have guided you to understand diversity and how this dovetails with the vibrant diversity of Bennelong: It is these experiences that have provided me with the opportunity for a real life education and has served as preparation for my role as a representative of one of Australia’s most diverse and multicultural electorates. Bennelong boasts nearly every language and culture, attained through a strong history of migration dating back to the English settlers. People have come from every part of the world to make Australia their home. In many ways, Bennelong is modern Australia. Bennelong perfectly reflects the diversity and harmony we are so proud of in this country. Why do people leave all that is familiar to go half way around the world to start over again? They bring their dreams for a better life for themselves and their families. They bring their courage to ‘have a go’, with the odds stacked against them, playing so far from home. Our new Australians bring energy, effort, innovation and, most of all, their hopes. Every soul who comes to our country enriches us and continues the constant redefining of what it is to be Australian. You share the wisdom of your mentor Harry Hopman and of your friend Alan Jones and how this relates not only to how you play in tennis but also in politics: Playing safe may achieve a short-term goal against inferior opposition, but the ultimate goal would be lost. As Alan Jones says, ‘To win without risk is victory without glory.’ You spoke of opportunities and of being our best: To realise our country’s full potential, every Australian must have the opportunity to compete and earn just reward for their effort and success. and you spoke of having visions: Let us debate in this chamber a contest of ideas, a contest of visions. As with any endeavour in life, true and honest competition unfettered by political bias will produce, in this case, the best plan and the best result for our nation’s future. We need the courage to attack this challenge. It has been ignored for too long. To shirk this responsibility, to say it is too tough, would be an affront to those who fought to make Australia what it is today—our forefathers, who had a plan, an optimistic vision, and who made the most of their opportunity to have a go. In summing up, you spoke of your children, and of the children of Australia, of their dreams, of opportunities and of wanting the best for them: What do I want for my children? What I want for every Australian: opportunity—the opportunity to pursue their dreams, whatever they are, and not be restrained by their age, their sex or their colour. Opportunity is to be able to have a go. Opportunity without discrimination is to be given a fair go. We here have much work to do. Thank you for an ace of a speech Mr Alexander. I grew up and live in Melbourne, the first Australian-born in my family, of immigrant parents. My mum and dad settled in Australia in 1973 for a better life, with hopes and aspirations for themselves and their children. They came via Rhodesia, a country that had an unstable political horizon and felt it was not the place to raise a family. My Australian birth some four years earlier helped them make the decision to return here. In my household sport was a life-blood. My parents adopted North Melbourne as their football team and of many sports at their disposal to support they adopted tennis with an amazing passion. I was not a sporting child, that was my brother, but I grew up knowing the names of many tennis greats, watching with them many tennis tournaments and sharing with them many highs, and lows, of the game. It was one of the more enjoyable parts of my teen years, a troubled part of my life. Mr Alexander, your speech, your visions, your hopes and your aspirations are great. You have learned much through your life’s journey, and you bring that with you to public office. Yet you leave me confused, as the great sportsman that you are, where you learned to play fair and where fairness features in your values, why you do not feel compelled to want to treat all Australians equally. I talk of the right for any Australian to be able to legally marry the one person of their choice, without regard to gender, under civil law. It would seem you have tried to avoid this issue at best, at worst you’ve joined the ranks of those who don’t speak out for equality, rather, preferring to call for an inferior form of relationship recognition for non-heterosexual relationships. In 2010, News Ltd surveyed the people of Bennelong and found 39% were in favour of same-sex marriage and 21% were indifferent to it. That’s a whopping 60% of your electorate you won’t be disappointing if you support same-sex marriage. Clearly a majority. What of your lessons from touring Auschwitz and South Africa Mr Alexander? Members of my extended family burned in the ovens of Auschwitz. I don’t need to tell you of the reality of that particular time of persecution in human history but it might help spark a moment of reflection and compassion if I do. You write of honorary whites. Not only did the buses in South Africa have a back, but they also had a slightly back, mostly back, nearly at the back, and a “so far back you could think you were in the bus when you weren’t actually in it at all” back as well, depending on just how much your skin wasn’t shiny white. You may have even heard of how the government decided at one point it wasn’t going to persecute citizens on whether their skin was white or not, so it labelled everyone green, then decided some were dark green and others light green. Mr Alexander, what of vision, of hopes, of a fairer Australia where personal attributes are not a limiting factor, where children can have dreams and one day realise them? What of the dreams for your children and for theirs? What of the dream my parents had, and still have, that one day I might meet someone I want to marry. At 44 I now have that special person in my life, his name is Gregory, and I want the right to be able to ask him to marry me. But I can’t. I don’t have that freedom, that opportunity, that right, because apparently I’m not worthy of it, for some inexplicable reason. I am not looking to have children or start a family and Gregory has two grown-up children he parented mostly as a single dad. Mr Alexander, you are playing a safe game in not supporting marriage equality. You are not taking a risk and chancing a greater victory for all Australians. Federal Politics is now your tennis court and sadly you are not scoring the points that will bring a win for, in your words, opportunity without discrimination, to the people of Bennelong and to our nation. You are sitting on a 3.1% margin in your seat. You are far from guaranteed a return. With 39% of your electorate in support of marriage equality and with marriage equality being increasingly shown to be a vote winner around the nation, it would bode you well to show unreserved support for a change to the federal Marriage Act that removes all forms of discrimination. I will finish up by mentioning that in the darkest of moments during my teenage years, the one candle of brightness for me, my role model of greatness, was tennis champion Martina Navratilova. I could identify with her, as I struggled to come to terms with my sexual orientation. It wasn’t her sporting prowess that inspired me the most though, it was her honesty and integrity. I would like to add the name John Alexander alongside Martina Navratilova. Please, show me your honesty and your integrity. Michael Barnett. Ashwood, VIC. Leave a Comment » \| Humanity, Love, Politics, Sport \| Tagged: Alan Jones, Apartheid, Bennelong, Harry Hopman, Holocaust, John Alexander, Marriage equality, Marriage Equality Letter, NSW, Poland, Same-sex marriage, South Africa, Sport, Tennis \| Permalink Posted by Michael Barnett "Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman." -- American Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis Say No To Homophobia "Since it is obviously inconceivable that all religions can be right, the most reasonable conclusion is that they are all wrong." -- Christopher Hitchens Michael Barnett Campaigner for human rights and equality. Caulfield Synagogue Vice President Robert Weil wants gays who are taught to loathe themselves to be able to pray their gay away ABC: Stop misrepresenting Martine Delaney’s complaint about the Tasmanian Catholic Church and Archbishop Julian Porteous How I worked out why I wasn’t receiving the confirmation email when changing the email address on a Twitter account Australian Christian Lobby misleadingly claim Leonda By The Yarra will host their anti-gay hate event Lyle Shelton’s latest tamtrumette Graham Young admits gay activists brought him to his knees What do Cardinal George Pell and Rabbi Ronald Lubofsky have in common? Australian Christian Lobby launches new logo Clarification of photo with Jack Chapman and me used in noodlesandbeefleftovers tumblr post VicBears: Celebrating the life of Jack Chapman Gladys Liu: anti-transgender, anti-marriage equality, and an unrepresentative Liberal candidate for Chisholm Memorial for Jack Chapman Farewell Jack How I got my latest 30-day Facebook ban David Hart at The Slowly Boiled Frog should apologise to women "If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito." -- Dalai Lama XIV Comments on Mikeybear Michael Barnett on How to request a GST tax invoi… Ali on How to request a GST tax invoi… Patty Dewhurst on How to request a GST tax invoi… Michael Barnett on Australian Christian Lobby mis… Australian Marriage Equality Bruce Llama Erebus Nekromantia Gladly, the Cross-Eyed Bear Gregory Storer Pinkboard Blogroll The Commitment Project Wear It Purple The Healthy Bear 2012 Acceptance ACL AJN AJN Watch Aleph Melbourne Anti-Defamation Commission Anton Block ASIC Australia Australian Christian Lobby Australian Marriage Equality Bigotry Bisexual Bullying child abuse Discrimination ECAJ Equal Love Rally Galus Australis Gay Gay marriage glbt GLBTIQ glbt reference group Gregory Storer hate Homophobia Homosexuality Human Rights IBM Ilana Leeds Intolerance Israel jccv Jewish Jewish community Jews john searle JOY 94.9 Judaism Julia Gillard Lachlan Macquarie Institute Lesbian Love Lyle Shelton Manny Waks Mark Allaby marriage Marriage equality Marriage Equality Letter Melbourne Melbourne Ports Mental health Michael Barnett Michael Danby Monash University orthodox Orthodox Judaism Peter Wertheim Progressive Judaism Rabbi Chaim Ingram Rabbi Chaim Rapoport Rabbi Dr Shimon Cowen Religion Respect Robert Weil Safe Schools Coalition Victoria Same-sex marriage Suicide Tel Aviv Shooting Transgender VEOHRC Vilification Youth suicide	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26879
__label__cc	0.708952	0.291048	6:51 PM \| January 19, 2020 Libya Peace Conference Important Step: Erdogan Sleep loss triggers poor metabolic health Islamabad-Just 2 days of sleep loss may trigger changes in gut microbiota that are associated with poor metabolic health. According to the researchers of the new study - including first author Christian Benedict of the Department of Neuroscience at Uppsala University in Sweden - some studies in mice and humans have suggested that gut bacteria have a circadian rhythm that might be disrupted by sleep loss. “However, to date, there are no studies that have investigated the impact of insufficient sleep on the composition of the human gut microbiota,” they add While the team found no evidence that sleep loss alters the diversity of gut bacteria, their analysis did identify changes in microbiota - such as an increase in the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteriodetes - that previous studies have associated with obesity. Additionally, the researchers found that following sleep restriction, subjects showed a 20 percent reduction in sensitivity to insulin - the hormone that regulates blood glucose levels. “This decreased insulin sensitivity was however unrelated to alterations in gut microbiota following sleep loss,” says Benedict. “This suggests that changes in microbiota may not, at least in the short-term, represent a central mechanism through which one or several nights of curtailed sleep reduce insulin sensitivity in humans.” While these findings suggest sleep loss can trigger changes in gut bacteria, the researchers say further investigation is warranted to better understand whether these changes influence metabolic health. The authors add: “Given our small sample size that only involved healthy young men, larger and more long-term studies are required to investigate to what extent these findings persist over longer time periods and whether these are observed in females, older or diseased patients and in other sleep restriction paradigms. Nevertheless, our study is the first to provide evidence for sleep deprivation-induced changes in microbial families of bacterial gut species, which have previously been linked to metabolic pathologies.” Meanwhile Lack of sleep has been linked to increased risk of numerous health problems, including high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Stronger muscles can improve brain’s cognitive function The results of recent research revealed that gradually increasing muscle strength through activities such as weightlifting improves cognitive function. The study was conducted in collaboration with the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) at the University of New South Wales and the University of Adelaide. The findings are particularly significant given the high incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease among the aging population. It has been suggested that exercise indirectly helps prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and lowers the risk of cognitive impairment. Exercise helps with physiological processes such as glucoregulation and cardiovascular health. When these are sub-optimal, they increase the risk of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. Exercise also improves other cognitive processes, such as selective attention, planning, organizing, and multitasking. Some studies have also suggested a connection between an increase in the size of certain brain areas and exercise training. With age, the hippocampus is known to reduce in size, which leads to cognitive impairment. However, aerobic exercise has shown an increase in the size of the anterior hippocampus by 2 percent, which can improve spatial memory. Earlier this year, a team of researchers that included Dr. Mavros released a similar test where they noticed cognitive improvement after weightlifting. Using functional magnetic resonance (fMRI), they analyzed changes in the brain after 6 months of progressive resistance training and computerized cognitive training in older adults. They found that progressive resistance training such as weightlifting “significantly improved global cognition.” Authors of this study pointed out that it remains unclear whether physical training in itself stops the degenerative effects of old age, or whether they boost some other mechanisms that support cognition. Although muscle strength seems to be clearly connected with cognitive impairment, the mechanism behind it is still not entirely evident. Men’s mental health influenced by blood pressure, heart rate in adolescence A study finds that differences in heart rate and blood pressure in late adolescence may be associated with an increased lifetime risk for psychiatric disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. Antti Latvala, PhD, of the University of Helsinki in Finland, and co-authors included several potential factors that may influence the outcome of the results, including physical, cognitive, and socioeconomic factors. READ MORE: Syria: US troops block Russian forces way to oil field According to the study authors, IQ is associated with psychiatric morbidity, although its association with resting heart beat and blood pressure is unknown. Similarly, compared with males in the lower heart rate category, men in the higher heart rate category had a 21 percent increased risk for schizophrenia and an 18 percent greater risk for anxiety. In contrast, teenage males with a lower resting heartbeat were linked to substance use disorders and violent convictions, particularly after adjusting for physical fitness. The study authors reported similar associations for OCD, schizophrenia, anxiety, substance use disorders, and violence with higher and lower blood pressure readings. “In this large-scale longitudinal cohort study, we found men with higher resting heart rate and higher blood pressure in late adolescence to be more likely to have received a diagnosis of OCD, schizophrenia, or anxiety disorder later in life,” say the authors. READ MORE: Mohamed Salah jokes about why Liverpool lost points in Man United match The strongest associations were seen with OCD, with men in the higher resting heart rate category 70-80 percent more likely to be at risk than men in the lower category. Correspondingly, men in the highest blood pressure category had a 30-40 percent greater risk for OCD than men in the lowest blood pressure category. Our findings are novel; there are no previous prospective studies linking these cardiovascular measures to subsequent OCD, schizophrenia, or anxiety disorders,” the researchers note. However, they say that their findings cannot establish cause and effect. The researchers point out that the data included were for men; therefore, it is uncertain whether the same results would be seen in women. “Compared with men, women have a higher heart rate but show relatively greater parasympathetic control of the heart,” note the authors. “While these differences are poorly understood, they imply that associations between resting heart rate and psychiatric disorders may be different in men and women.” READ MORE: Thousands join rally in Washington for women’s rights against Trump PTI’s decision to move SC triggers PPP concerns Role of poor women farmers in providing food security in Sindh lauded Poor to get ration cards: PM Babus showing poor show to be held accountable Containers + FC + Police + Road-blocks + arrests= is equal to JAMHURIYYET Container circus Cantankerous stratagems Agha Baqir NAP and its implementation His Own Worst Enemy A World Of Imagination Blood-Soaked Dreams Artists became terrorists Career counselling centres for female students Training of lawyers	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26897
__label__wiki	0.824702	0.824702	VIDEO: Kim Jong-un Declares New Missile Combat Ready May 22, 2017 Topic: Security Region: Asia Blog Brand: The Buzz Tags: North KoreaMissilesKN-15ICBMMilitaryTechnology Sunday’s test marked North Korea’s eleventh missile test this year and the second test in the past week. by Ryan Pickrell North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has approved the ballistic missile tested Sunday for combat use, North Korean state media reported Monday. Pyongyang successfully tested a Pukguksong-2 (KN-15) medium-range ballistic missile Sunday. The weapon is a two-stage, solid-fueled, canister-launched missile fired from a road-mobile Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL). First tested in February, the KN-15 can be launched with little warning and is less vulnerable to preemptive strikes. The missile is based on is predecessor, the KN-11, a submarine-launched ballistic missile the North tested successfully last August. Kim Jong-un personally oversaw Sunday’s test, during which the missile flew over 300 miles before splashing down in the East Sea/Sea of Japan. The missile was lofted during testing, but were it to be fired along a standard trajectory under normal combat circumstances, expert observers suspect the weapon could hit targets over 1,200 miles away. Calling it a “successful strategic weapon,” the North Korean leader has approved the KN-15 for action. Sunday’s test marked North Korea’s eleventh missile test this year and the second test in the past week. Last Sunday, the North successfully launched a new intermediate-range ballistic missile, the Hwasong-12. Some observers suspect that the Hwasong-12 may be the technological foundation for a future intercontinental ballistic missile, the weapon necessary for North Korea to make good on its threats and strike targets in the U.S. Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected]. Image Credit: Creative Commons.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26898
__label__wiki	0.808232	0.808232	Exclusive: Warner Chappell reveals Radiohead’s ‘In Rainbows’ pot of gold Tags: In Rainbows Radiohead Warner Chappell will today reveal details of their view of the Radiohead licensing experiment at the “You Are in Control” conference in Iceland, including total sales figures of more than three million for 'In Rainbows'.The UK-based branch of the publishing company licensed all digital rights including master recording rights and image and likeness rights on... The full article is available to our subscribers only. (where there are options for monthly, twice-yearly, annual and trial subscriptions) WHY? HERE'S WHY?! Access our full reports archive Hundreds of reports available to download Sign up for a TWO WEEK TRIAL FOR FREE Radiohead and Taylor Swift launch three-day flash-merch sales Radiohead and Taylor Swift offered the latest examples of flash-merchandise sales this weekend, with three-day promotions of strictly-limited-edition items. Radiohead’s ‘The Lamentations of the Minotaur’ garments range... Radiohead’s lesson from In Rainbows: ‘People value music’ Radiohead’s decision to sell their 2007 album ‘In Rainbows’ directly to fans with a ‘pay-what-you-want’ model is still regularly misunderstood as a ‘giveaway’. Yes, fans could choose to pay nothing, but the... Sandbox issue 231: Conversions. Tracking Cause and Effect in fan marketing Lead: “Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don’t know which half,” is a quote commonly attributed to Philadelphian retailer John Wanamaker in the 1800s and it has haunted the advertising...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26904
__label__wiki	0.70988	0.70988	Motivate Venture Capital Capital for Very Early Stage High Growth Startups We have been successfully building and investing in startups since 2003. We live and breathe startups and nothing gets us more excited than working with exceptional people to build tomorrow's greatest companies. MVC invests in incredible founders with strong domain knowledge building new companies with very high growth potential in large and growing markets. David Wieland Founder & Managing Partner Two years out of college, David founded and ran InnFlux, one of the largest and most profitable hotel WiFi and telecom companies before successfully exiting in 2011. in 2006, he launched media Private Equity firm iEstates, which builds new and buys existing digital media businesses. He later seeded and eventually operated one of the largest and most profitable video hiring platforms, RIVS, before successfully exiting in 2019. In 2012, David co-founded IrishAngels, a Notre Dame affiliated angel investor group that now deploys more than $10mm per year into early-stage companies. David serves as Chairman of IrishAngels and Mentor at startup accelerator Techstars. David earned a BA in Government and Philosophy from Notre Dame, earned an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Business, and studied Venture Capital and Private Equity through Harvard’s Executive Education program. Lauren Deluca Lauren co-founded and served as Managing Partner of Oxford Intelligence Partners, a FinTech company serving Fortune 500 Investor Relations Officers until its 2015 sale to Q4, a Toronto-based strategic acquirer. Lauren was also a founding partner of Victory Networks, a low-latency trading infrastructure provider which sold to QuantHouse in 2017. Additionally, Lauren founded two proprietary trading firms, Sumo Capital and Budo Holdings, before successfully exiting in 2017, and served as RIVS Director from founding through exit. Lauren has been an active early-stage investor since 2012, both as an individual and as a member of IrishAngels and serves as a mentor at startup accelerators 43North and Founders Institute. Lauren earned his BA from Notre Dame and his MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Business. If you're a founder interested in learning more about working with MVC, please reach out. Copyright © 2020 Motivate Venture Capital	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26905
__label__cc	0.537803	0.462197	5936 Scarborough Blvd., Current New Inventory BMW Exclusive Triumph Exclusive Secure Finance BMW MOTORCYCLES OF GREATER CINCINNATI 2019 Ducati XDiavel S New Motorcycles • XDiavel 2019 Ducati XDiavel S • $24,595 XDIAVELS Cruiser culture, Italian beauty Ducati enters the Cruiser world and does so in its very own way, representing the best of both worlds. The Ducati world: thrilling performance, sporty power, advanced electronics. The cruiser world: long, low, forward positioned footpegs, powerful torque even at low speeds, no compromise in terms of materials and finishes. The XDiavel is now available in the new color Matte Liquid Concrete Grey. The following features include information for all models within the XDiavel Family and may not be applicable to all models. Please see your local dealer for further information. BELT TRANSMISSION: The XDiavel is the first Ducati to use belt final drive. A must in the cruiser world, the system was developed for the XDiavel by Ducati engineers so as to be able to guarantee reliable and safe transmission of the power supplied by the Ducati Testastretta DVT 1262. The advantages of the belt are the low noise level, cleaning, reduced maintenance and fluid response to opening the gas, as befits a real cruiser. FORWARD FOOTPEGS: When the designers and engineers started to work on the XDiavel, they started from a basic concept: a relaxed riding position, like a real cruiser, with a low seat and forward footpegs. But that was not all: the ergonomics had to be modular, so as to allow the rider to meld into the bike, like a tailored suit. That is why the footpegs of the XDiavel can be adjusted as standard in three positions (+/- 22.5 mm compared to the standard position). In addition, for anyone favouring a more sports riding position, a Ducati Performance "central footpegs" kit will be available, sold as an optional extra. ADJUSTABLE SUSPENSION: The XDiavel has a 50 mm diameter front fork with black anodised sheaths, which can be completely adjusted in the hydraulic braking in compression and extension and in the spring preload (the S version also has stems with DLC coating). The fork has the compression register and spring preload on the left stem, while the extension register is located on the right stem. With a steering inclination of 30° and a 130 mm trail, the set-up of the XDiavel enables an agile and controllable front end, thus guaranteeing exceptional handling and a notable steering angle. On the other hand, at the rear the XDiavel has an adjustable mono-shock in the spring preload and in extension, equipped with a separate fuel tank. Mounted almost horizontally, the shock absorber works together with progressive kinematics. BOSCH BREMBO BRAKING SYSTEM: The XDiavel is equipped, as standard, with the Brembo braking system with Bosch 9.1ME ABS Cornering as an integral part of the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP). ABS Cornering makes use of the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) platform by Bosch to optimise the braking power of the front and back wheels, also in critical situations and when cornering. The system, implemented within the Riding Mode, can provide performance to suit all conditions and riding styles. The high quality Brembo components combined with Bosch ABS, the specific suspension set-up and Pirelli Enhanced Patch Technology guarantee excellent braking performance for the XDiavel as well as utmost safety in all conditions and for riders of any level. The system can act in a more or less sensitive way and the intervention level can be chosen by the rider based on their experience and road and/or use conditions. There are three ABS profiles available (Expert, Sport and Safe & Stable) and they are preset as standard in each of the three Riding Modes, but can be called up individually by accessing a user-friendly menu. TESTASTRETTA DVT 1262: The twin-cylinder Ducati Testastretta DVT 1262 is a completely new and Euro 4 approved engine which uses the Desmodromic Variable Timing system. The increase in engine capacity compared to the Testastretta 1200, together with the use of the Desmodromic Variable Timing system, has enabled supply of incredibly full and at the same time fluid torque at low running speeds, while also guaranteeing sports performance when the throttle is fully opened. In addition, the Ducati Testastretta DVT 1262 has a particularly detailed design which, thanks to the repositioning of the water pump inside the V of the cylinders, does away with the cooling system pipes on the left side. EXHAUST SYSTEM: The exhaust of the XDiavel is a 2 in 1 with a chamber body and two terminals. The exhaust pipes have been designed to leave the engine visible and also the central body has been positioned in front of the rear wheel so as to be almost invisible. DUCATI POWER LAUNCH (DPL): The "Dragster" spirit of the XDiavel can be fully expressed thanks to the Ducati Power Launch (DPL). This system can guarantee fast and safe starts thanks to the Bosch IMU which regulates the gas and the intervention of the DTC on the basis of the setting chosen. The DPL has 3 intervention modes where level 1 is the one which provides maximum performance. The DPL is operated by pressing the dedicated button positioned on the right-hand switch. Once activated it is possible to select the intervention level through the menu which opens up on the dashboard. Once the level is selected, the rider must use the clutch, put it in first gear and completely open the gas. At this point, simply by gradually releasing the clutch, it is possible to make an explosive start. The system automatically switches off on exceeding 120 km/h, or when third gear is engaged, or when speed drops to under 5 km/h. In order to protect the clutch, the system uses an algorithm which enables only a limited number of consecutive starts. The starts are recalculated one by one during normal use of the bike. RIDE-BY-WIRE: The Ride-by-Wire (RbW) system is an electronic interface between the engine and the Diavel's fuel grip, which allows the ideal power level to be configured depending on the Riding Mode selected. The power supplied by the engine is no longer regulated solely and directly by the accelerator cable, but passes through the control unit which, on the basis of the signal received, electronically regulation the opening of the throttle. The RbW system uses three different mappings to regulate the supply of power: 152 hp in Sport Riding Mode 152 hp in Touring Riding Mode 100 hp in Urban Riding Mode TYRES AND WHEELS: The XDiavel has 14-spoke wheels. At the front the wheel is 3.5 x 17 in. , while at the back it is 8 x 17 in. XDiavel S, on the other hand, has exclusive curved 12-spoke wheels with visible finishings which highlight the design. On the front wheel is a traditional 120/70 ZR17 tyre with a redesigned tread to maximise performance in the wet, while the rear wheel is 240/45 ZR17. The covers are Pirelli Diablo Rosso II. The large rear tyre uses double compound technology to increase grip during the most extreme cornering, guaranteeing at the same time high kilometric performance and applying Enhanced Patch Technology to maximise the contact area with any lean angle. The tread design and the compounds used guarantee exceptional performance in all conditions, especially in the wet. RIDING MODE: The XDiavel integrates the latest innovations in Ducati technology, such as Riding Modes. The three preset modes, which can be selected during riding, are programmed to instantly modify the ""character"" of the XDiavel. The three Riding Modes work by combining different cutting-edge technologies, such as Ride-by-Wire (RbW), Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and ABS Cornering Bosch systems. Riding in town means moving attention from control of the accelerator to the surrounding environment: the Urban mode, therefore, instantly changes the character of the XDiavel, transforming it into an easy to handle form of transport which feels safe. The power supplied is reduced to 100 hp, the DTC is set at level 6 and the ABS profile is set to Safe & Stable, in order to always move in complete safety, even on uneven surfaces and in heavier traffic. The Touring Riding Mode enables the engine to supply all its 152 hp but with a soft and easy to handle power curve. The DTC is set to level 4 and the ABS on Safe & Stable, for pleasant and relaxed riding, ideal for maximum comfort for the rider and passenger on long journeys. The Sport Riding Mode offers pure fun, with the engine releasing 152 hp through a precise, expert touch of the accelerator. To experience the performance of the XDiavel without any compromise, Sport Mode reduces the DTC to level 2 and sets the ABS to Sport mode. DUCATI TRACTION CONTROL (DTC): DTC is a very smart system which acts as a "filter" between the rider's right hand and the rear wheel. In just a few milliseconds, DTC can record and subsequently control the spinning of the rear wheel, contributing to increasing the performance and active safety of the bike. The system offers eight different levels, each programmed to provide a certain tolerance level for rear end sliding, and thus suitable for the progressive riding skill levels. Level one is designed to offer less interaction and is destined for more expert riders, in good riding conditions, while level eight involves greater interaction and has been developed to offer complete confidence to all riders, also in wet and slippery conditions. The DTC levels are preset as standard in each of the three Riding Modes, but can be selected individually by accessing an intuitive menu, in order to best meet the rider's needs. FULL LED LIGHTING SYSTEM WITH DRL: The XDiavel S features a dominant front headlight with Daytime Running Light (in countries where it is allowed). The DRL is a particular light which guarantees perfect visibility of the bike during the day and, at the same time, thanks to its particular form, makes the XDiavel S instantly recognisable also in sunlight. Bosch cornering ABS, Ducati Traction control (DTC), Riding Modes DPL (Ducati Power Launch), RbW, Cruise control, Hands-free, Full-led lighting with DRL*, Backlit handlebar switches, Glossy black engine with machined belt covers, Premium seat, Machined aluminium mirrors Front - 12.6 in. (2 x 320 mm) semifloating discs, Radial Brembo monobloc 4-piston M4-32 callipers and radial master cylinder, Bosch cornering ABS Rear - 10.4 in. (265 mm) disc, 2-piston floating calliper, Bosch cornering ABS Front - 3.5 x 17 in. cast, light alloy Rear - 8 x 17 in. cast, light alloy Front - 120/70 ZR 17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso II Rear - 240/45 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso II Wet - 545 lb. (247 kg) Gearbox - 6-speed Belt; front sprocket Z28, rear sprocket Z80 Ducati Testastretta DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing), L-twin, 4 Desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder, dual spark Notes on power / torque - The power / torque values indicated are measured using an engine dynamometer according to homologation regulation and they correspond to the homologated data, as quoted in the Bike Registration Document. 93 ft. lb. (126 Nm) @ 5,000 rpm 1st - 37/15 2nd - 30/17 3rd - 27/20 4th - 24/22 Slipper and self-servo wet multi-plate with hydraulic control Bosch fuel injection system, Full ride-by-wire system, Øeq 56 oval throttle bodies Stainless steel and muffler with dual oval exits, catalytic converter and 2 lambda probes Consumption - 5.3 l / 100 km Tubular steel Trellis Front - Adjustable Ø 50 mm (Ø 1.97 in) usd fork with DLC treatment Rear - Single shock absorber, Adjustable preload and rebound, Remote reservoir, Single sided cast / trellis frame swingarm, natural anodized and brushed swingarm Matte Liquid Concrete Grey 24 months unlimited mileage Ducati - Rev Up the New Year motohio 5936 Scarborough Blvd. 140 N. Verity Parkway This content uses hCalendar Ride it Forward Day of Charity @ MOTOHIO European Motorbikes 5936 Scarborough Blvd Columbus, Ohio 43232 Read More... Add To Calendar JOIN IN June 13 for a day of riding with friends to make a difference in your community. FIND OUT MORE and register for this one day only event at rideitforward.org. Sponsored by the BMW MOA	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26906
__label__wiki	0.660306	0.660306	Sodium valproate enhances urethane tumorigenicity in lungs of male but not female mice Donatas Stakišaitis, S. Uleckiene, Janina Didžiapetrienė, Angelija Valančiūtė, Paulius Matusevicius In the study, the possible effect of sodium valproate (NaVP) on urethane-induced lung tumors in mice has been evaluated. BALB/c mice (n = 120; 4–6 weeks old, both sexes) were used in the following groups: 1) urethane-treated, 2) urethane–NaVP-treated, 3) only NaVP-treated, 4) control. In the same groups, castrated male mice (n = 48) were investigated. Urethane was given by intraperitoneal injections 10 mg/mouse, twice a week, the total dose 50 mg/mouse. In NaVP-treated mice, the 0.4 % NaVP aqueous solution was offered to mice ad libitum. The duration of the experiment was 6 months. The number of tumors per mouse in urethane– NaVP-treated males was significantly higher than in those treated with urethane only (13.82 ± 1.12 vs 6.77 ± 0.43, p < 0.0001). No significant difference in the number of tumors per mouse was revealed while comparing the female urethane- and urethane–NaVP-treated groups (6.50 ± 0.79 vs 8.15 ± 0.55, p = 0.105). No difference in the number of tumors per mouse was found in urethane–NaVP-treated castrated males as compared with urethane-treated castrated males. However, in the urethane–NaVP-treated castrated males the number of tumors per mouse was significantly lower than in analogous non-castrated males (7.8 ± 1.67 vs 13.82 ± 1.12, p < 0.01). NaVP combined with urethane potentiates urethane tumorigenicity in BALB/c non-castrated but not in female and castrated male mice. These data indicate an important role of testosterone in the urethane-NaVP induced lung tumorigenesis. EXCLI Journal Intraperitoneal Injections Stakišaitis, D., Uleckiene, S., Didžiapetrienė, J., Valančiūtė, A., & Matusevicius, P. (2014). Sodium valproate enhances urethane tumorigenicity in lungs of male but not female mice. EXCLI Journal, 13, 667-678. Sodium valproate enhances urethane tumorigenicity in lungs of male but not female mice. / Stakišaitis, Donatas ; Uleckiene, S.; Didžiapetrienė, Janina; Valančiūtė, Angelija; Matusevicius, Paulius. In: EXCLI Journal, Vol. 13, 2014, p. 667-678. Stakišaitis, D, Uleckiene, S, Didžiapetrienė, J, Valančiūtė, A & Matusevicius, P 2014, 'Sodium valproate enhances urethane tumorigenicity in lungs of male but not female mice', EXCLI Journal, vol. 13, pp. 667-678. Stakišaitis D, Uleckiene S, Didžiapetrienė J, Valančiūtė A, Matusevicius P. Sodium valproate enhances urethane tumorigenicity in lungs of male but not female mice. EXCLI Journal. 2014;13:667-678. Stakišaitis, Donatas ; Uleckiene, S. ; Didžiapetrienė, Janina ; Valančiūtė, Angelija ; Matusevicius, Paulius. / Sodium valproate enhances urethane tumorigenicity in lungs of male but not female mice. In: EXCLI Journal. 2014 ; Vol. 13. pp. 667-678. @article{2853f412d8264fb1acb91e901fd0cb43, title = "Sodium valproate enhances urethane tumorigenicity in lungs of male but not female mice", abstract = "In the study, the possible effect of sodium valproate (NaVP) on urethane-induced lung tumors in mice has been evaluated. BALB/c mice (n = 120; 4–6 weeks old, both sexes) were used in the following groups: 1) urethane-treated, 2) urethane–NaVP-treated, 3) only NaVP-treated, 4) control. In the same groups, castrated male mice (n = 48) were investigated. Urethane was given by intraperitoneal injections 10 mg/mouse, twice a week, the total dose 50 mg/mouse. In NaVP-treated mice, the 0.4 {\%} NaVP aqueous solution was offered to mice ad libitum. The duration of the experiment was 6 months. The number of tumors per mouse in urethane– NaVP-treated males was significantly higher than in those treated with urethane only (13.82 ± 1.12 vs 6.77 ± 0.43, p < 0.0001). No significant difference in the number of tumors per mouse was revealed while comparing the female urethane- and urethane–NaVP-treated groups (6.50 ± 0.79 vs 8.15 ± 0.55, p = 0.105). No difference in the number of tumors per mouse was found in urethane–NaVP-treated castrated males as compared with urethane-treated castrated males. However, in the urethane–NaVP-treated castrated males the number of tumors per mouse was significantly lower than in analogous non-castrated males (7.8 ± 1.67 vs 13.82 ± 1.12, p < 0.01). NaVP combined with urethane potentiates urethane tumorigenicity in BALB/c non-castrated but not in female and castrated male mice. These data indicate an important role of testosterone in the urethane-NaVP induced lung tumorigenesis.", keywords = "Sodium valproate, Urethane, Mice", author = "Donatas Stakišaitis and S. Uleckiene and Janina Didžiapetrienė and Angelija Valančiūtė and Paulius Matusevicius", journal = "EXCLI Journal", publisher = "University of Mainz", T1 - Sodium valproate enhances urethane tumorigenicity in lungs of male but not female mice AU - Stakišaitis, Donatas AU - Uleckiene, S. AU - Didžiapetrienė, Janina AU - Valančiūtė, Angelija AU - Matusevicius, Paulius N2 - In the study, the possible effect of sodium valproate (NaVP) on urethane-induced lung tumors in mice has been evaluated. BALB/c mice (n = 120; 4–6 weeks old, both sexes) were used in the following groups: 1) urethane-treated, 2) urethane–NaVP-treated, 3) only NaVP-treated, 4) control. In the same groups, castrated male mice (n = 48) were investigated. Urethane was given by intraperitoneal injections 10 mg/mouse, twice a week, the total dose 50 mg/mouse. In NaVP-treated mice, the 0.4 % NaVP aqueous solution was offered to mice ad libitum. The duration of the experiment was 6 months. The number of tumors per mouse in urethane– NaVP-treated males was significantly higher than in those treated with urethane only (13.82 ± 1.12 vs 6.77 ± 0.43, p < 0.0001). No significant difference in the number of tumors per mouse was revealed while comparing the female urethane- and urethane–NaVP-treated groups (6.50 ± 0.79 vs 8.15 ± 0.55, p = 0.105). No difference in the number of tumors per mouse was found in urethane–NaVP-treated castrated males as compared with urethane-treated castrated males. However, in the urethane–NaVP-treated castrated males the number of tumors per mouse was significantly lower than in analogous non-castrated males (7.8 ± 1.67 vs 13.82 ± 1.12, p < 0.01). NaVP combined with urethane potentiates urethane tumorigenicity in BALB/c non-castrated but not in female and castrated male mice. These data indicate an important role of testosterone in the urethane-NaVP induced lung tumorigenesis. AB - In the study, the possible effect of sodium valproate (NaVP) on urethane-induced lung tumors in mice has been evaluated. BALB/c mice (n = 120; 4–6 weeks old, both sexes) were used in the following groups: 1) urethane-treated, 2) urethane–NaVP-treated, 3) only NaVP-treated, 4) control. In the same groups, castrated male mice (n = 48) were investigated. Urethane was given by intraperitoneal injections 10 mg/mouse, twice a week, the total dose 50 mg/mouse. In NaVP-treated mice, the 0.4 % NaVP aqueous solution was offered to mice ad libitum. The duration of the experiment was 6 months. The number of tumors per mouse in urethane– NaVP-treated males was significantly higher than in those treated with urethane only (13.82 ± 1.12 vs 6.77 ± 0.43, p < 0.0001). No significant difference in the number of tumors per mouse was revealed while comparing the female urethane- and urethane–NaVP-treated groups (6.50 ± 0.79 vs 8.15 ± 0.55, p = 0.105). No difference in the number of tumors per mouse was found in urethane–NaVP-treated castrated males as compared with urethane-treated castrated males. However, in the urethane–NaVP-treated castrated males the number of tumors per mouse was significantly lower than in analogous non-castrated males (7.8 ± 1.67 vs 13.82 ± 1.12, p < 0.01). NaVP combined with urethane potentiates urethane tumorigenicity in BALB/c non-castrated but not in female and castrated male mice. These data indicate an important role of testosterone in the urethane-NaVP induced lung tumorigenesis. KW - Sodium valproate KW - Urethane KW - Mice JO - EXCLI Journal JF - EXCLI Journal http://www.excli.de/vol13/Stakisaitis_05062014_proof.pdf	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26908
__label__cc	0.724264	0.275736	Civ. Practice Commencement of Actions Service of process on operator of motor vehicle involved in crash. Nevada Civil Practice Sec. § 14.070 The use and operation of a motor vehicle over the public roads, streets or highways, or in any other area open to the public and commonly used by motor vehicles, in the State of Nevada by any person, either as principal, master, agent or servant, shall be deemed an appointment by the operator, on behalf of the operator and the operators principal, master, executor, administrator or personal representative, of the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles to be his or her true and lawful attorney upon whom may be served all legal process in any action or proceeding against the operator or the operators principal, master, executor, administrator or personal representative, growing out of such use or resulting in damage or loss to person or property, and the use or operation signifies his or her agreement that any process against him or her which is so served has the same legal force and validity as though served upon him or her personally within the State of Nevada. Service of process must be made by leaving a copy of the process with a fee of $5 in the hands of the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles or in the office of the Director, and the service shall be deemed sufficient upon the operator if notice of service and a copy of the process is sent by registered or certified mail by the plaintiff to the defendant at the address supplied by the defendant in the defendants crash report, if any, and if not, at the best address available to the plaintiff, and a return receipt signed by the defendant or a return of the United States Postal Service stating that the defendant refused to accept delivery or could not be located, or that the address was insufficient, and the plaintiffs affidavit of compliance therewith are attached to the original process and returned and filed in the action in which it was issued. Personal service of notice and a copy of the process upon the defendant, wherever found outside of this state, by any person qualified to serve like process in the State of Nevada is the equivalent of mailing, and may be proved by the affidavit of the person making the personal service appended to the original process and returned and filed in the action in which it was issued. The court in which the action is pending may order such continuances as may be necessary to afford the defendant reasonable opportunity to defend the action. The fee of $5 paid by the plaintiff to the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of the service must be taxed in the plaintiffs costs if the plaintiff prevails in the suit. The Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles shall keep a record of all service of process, including the day and hour of service. The foregoing provisions of this section with reference to the service of process upon an operator defendant are not exclusive, except if the operator defendant is found within the State of Nevada, the operator defendant must be served with process in the State of Nevada. The provisions of this section apply to nonresident motorists and to resident motorists who have left the State or cannot be found within the State following a crash which is the subject of an action for which process is served pursuant to this section. Notice of pendency of actions affecting real property: Recording. 14.015 Notice of pendency of actions affecting real property: Hearing; cancellation; bond. 14.017 Notice of pendency of actions affecting real property: Transferability of property after withdrawal or cancellation. 14.020 Artificial persons doing business in this State to appoint registered agents; service of process, demand or notice; fine for failure to staff street address of registered agent. 14.025 Certain requirements for proof of service of process filed with court. 14.027 Effect of filing service of process by unlicensed process server. 14.030 Service of process when artificial person fails to appoint registered agent or when street address of registered agent is not staffed. 14.040 Service by publication on unknown heirs; plaintiff to file affidavit before entry of judgment. 14.050 Service by publication on unknown parties generally. 14.060 Proceedings where there are several defendants and part only are served. 14.065 Exercise of jurisdiction on any basis consistent with State and Federal Constitutions; service of summons to confer jurisdiction. 14.070 Service of process on operator of motor vehicle involved in crash. 14.080 Service of process on foreign manufacturers, producers and suppliers of products. 14.090 Service of process at residence accessible only through gate. Location:https://nevada.public.law/statutes/nrs_14.070. Original Source: § 14.070 — Service of process on operator of motor vehicle involved in crash., https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-014.html#NRS014Sec070 (last accessed Jan. 19, 2020).	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26915
__label__cc	0.72448	0.27552	CIRAS Spotlight: Chris Hill CIRAS specialists know a lot about Iowa businesses. Here are a few questions and answers to help you learn a little more about them: Usually, when you’re trying to take a cold, hard look at your future, it’s best to do it with fresh eyes. That, according to Greg Ervin, is partly why Marion-based Timberline Manufacturing Co. has been working with CIRAS to plan the company’s best path to growth. Timberline, a maker of wire harnesses, control panels, and custom electronics that is now in its fifth year as an employee-owned business, approached CIRAS roughly a year ago seeking help with mapping the next portion of its future. Iowans Enjoy Manufacturing Day For Eric Cook, national Manufacturing Day is a chance to show 40 high school vocational students what the future may hold. “Number one, they get exposure – just seeing what’s out there, seeing what the job takes, what it’s really like out on the shop floor,” Cook said. “They’re high schoolers. They haven’t been exposed to a lot of that.” Get Ready for Final Two Future of Manufacturing Events CIRAS is excited for our final two events in our 2017 Future of Manufacturing series - dealing with two critical components of how manufacturing is changing - leadership and automation. CIRAS Networking Helps Express Employment Make Good Matches October 5, 2017 • Jeff Eckhoff CIRAS NEWS Government Contracting Connections created through CIRAS networking events and hands-on assistance have helped a Cedar Rapids-based recruitment company grow during the past year. Express Employment Professionals is a full-service staffing agency specializing in the industrial, administrative, IT, and engineering fields. Michele Oswood, owner of the Cedar Rapids franchise, said her company’s client base has doubled since she purchased the business in February 2016. Faces of Iowa Industry: Jim Long (Cline Tool) Faces of Iowa Industry Manufacturing From time to time, CIRAS likes to tell you a little bit about some of the people who make Iowa business better. Jim Long worked his way up from a regional salesman to become the president and CEO of Cline Tool in Newton. He believes in hiring good people, and he’d like to see more good businesses coming to Iowa.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26925
__label__wiki	0.66517	0.66517	Belfast LGBT Centre, Cathedral Quarter Headquarters, 23-31 Waring Street, Belfast, BT1 2DX \| 07719576524 \| info@nigra.org.uk Booklist & Reviews You are here: Home / Blog / Book Reviews / The Riders by Tim Winton The Riders by Tim Winton 05/07/2015 /0 Comments/in Book Reviews /by ACOMSDave Publisher: Picador; Reprints edition This book was short-listed for the Booker Prize in 1995, and has been praised by many critics. I found it irritating and inconclusive. It starts brilliantly, but the … Fred Scully, the main character, leaves his home in Australia, to make a new home in Ireland. His wife and child are to follow. The shack he has bought, has to be rebuilt, which he proceeds to do, with the help of workmen. This is November, when the weather is shocking! He goes to Shannon to meet his wife and daughter, but the child turns up alone, and is so confused that she is unable to tell him anything. A telegram arrives saying all will be explained, but there are no developments. He doesn’t report his wife missing, or check at Heathrow – a child of seven and a half would have had to be put in the charge of a stewardess if travelling alone, for any reason. As he and his wife had lied for some time in the Greek Islands, he decides to go there, but no one has seen her. Has she gone off with another man? He travels through Italy, where they also spent some time, hoping he will find a reason for her behaviour. One woman he meets, to whom he shows his wife’s photograph, says she has seen her in a hotel in Amsterdam. He heads there. By this time, the child is coherent, but he never questions her. Why Not? He receives a telegram to met his wife in the Tuileries Gardens, in Paris. He goes there at the appointed time, but she does not turn up. How did she know where he was? Why did he not trace the origin of the telegram? He eventually goes back to Ireland with his daughter, wondering did he ever really know his wife. He still doesn’t contact the police, or try an official way to find her. Tim Winton writes well, but this story leaves too many questions unanswered. Tags: Ajustralia, Amsterdam, Ireland, The Riders, Tim Winton https://nigra.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/logo2.png 0 0 ACOMSDave https://nigra.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/logo2.png ACOMSDave2015-07-05 15:59:552015-07-05 15:59:55The Riders by Tim Winton Ireland sets a date for gay marriage vote Irish Gay Marriage Vote: Bring Your Family With You Son of lesbian moms in Ireland answers questions about his upbringing WHAT’S SPARKED THE CORK LGBT ATTACKS? Consign homophobia to history, urges ex-Irish president Mary McAleese John Boyne writes about his life and abuse Marriage referendum debated live on UTV Ireland Anti-Bullying & Homophobia (695) Poetry and Prose (1) Theatre Reviews (30) TV programme reviews (46) We Are Missing In Action Again 28/10/2017 The Swinging Detective 27/08/2017 Queeriosity – An Exhibition for Pride 2017 15/08/2017 THE COLD COLD GROUND 12/08/2017 Butterflies and Bones: The Casement Project 08/08/2017 © Copyright - NIGRA 2016 Northridge High Football Camp by S Joseph Krol Yank Mags – 'Men's Style' and 'Out'	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26928
__label__cc	0.636746	0.363254	Notes on Films and Culture Tag Archives: Mila Kunis The ‘I Love Dogs’ sequence from Jupiter Ascending January 13, 2016 UncategorizedCary Grant, Channing Tatum, Mila Kunis, Pauline Kael, Robert Redford, romantic heroes, The Man from Dream City, WachowskiNotesonFilm1 ‘You can be had,’ Mae West said to Cary Grant in She Done Him Wrong, which opened in January, 1933, and that was what the women stars of most of his greatest hits were saying to him for thirty year, as he backed away – but not too far’ writes Pauline Kael in her great essay on the actor, ‘The Man From Dream City’. Watching the moment in Jupiter Ascending ((Andy and Lana Wachowski, USA, 2015; see clip above), where Mila Kunis is coming on to Channing Tatum only for him to back away — she’s royalty now; he’s half dog, oh but she loves dogs! — made me think of Kael’s argument on Grant. Tatum is the male love object of the film and one of the leading sex symbols of the day. Since the Step Up musicals, it’s a rare film where his body hasn’t been prominently on display. It’s Jupiter’s/Kunis’ desire that Jupiter Ascending expresses . The narrative aligns the desire of the protagonist and that of the audience in that it presents Tatum as the object of desire — elegantly skating through space, often with his shirt off — to both; furthermore it presents Kunis/Jupiter as a point of identification in the narrative and aligns the audience’s gaze with hers. Female expression of desire as depicted in Kunis’ lovely and witty performance and that alignment of the gaze of female star with that of the audience is still so rare in cinema , and rarer still in this particular type of cinema, as to invite commentary, and perhaps incite discomofort. Writing on Grant and Redford, Kael argued that both were ‘sexiest in pictures in which the woman is the aggressor and all the film’s erotic image is concentrated on (the male).’ Redford, for example, ‘has never been as radiantly glamorous as in The Way We Were, when we saw him through Barbra Streisand’s infatuated eyes.’ Yet a similar moment in Jupiter Ascending, that extracted in the clip above, whilst offering a moment of glee to me personally, doesn’t seem to work in quite the way similar moments worked with Redford or Grant. Clearly Tatum isn’t as debonair; he lacks the lightness; he’s too earnest. However, could it be more than that? As star personas metamorphise over time, can there be some moments that come too late to work in a work, i.e. is it conceivable that the ‘I love dogs’ moment might have worked better had the film been released after Dear John (Lasse Hälstrom, USA, 2010) and The Vow (Michael Sucsy, USA, 2012) or perhaps as late as Magic Mike (Steven Soderbergh, USA, 2012) but pre 21 Jump Street (Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, USA, 2012) and Foxcatcher (Mark Schultz, USA, 2014)? After all, there was a point where one simply went to a movie with Tatum to look at that body in motion. When did it start to matter that he was ‘wet’; that there seemed a cloud of depression perpetually overhanging that pudgy face; that he comes across as not-too-bright (though considering the choices he’s made recently, he can’t be as dumb as he looks); that he seemed to take everything too seriously; that he could be a serious bore; that whereas better romantic comedians like Grant are different with the heroines than they are with anyone else in the film, Tatum can only do ‘sad-serious-and-slow’, or at least until the use of his body brings a different kind of kick and energy to his performance? Was it perhaps that moment when critics began to talk of him seriously as an actor? Or does that striking moment ‘not working’ simply characterise a film of brilliant ideas that seems also laughably silly pretty much throughout? And yet, I’ve now seen it twice…can it be that we’re not used to seeing sci-fi where the female star is the desiring subject, the active agent, the focus of the film’s drama? Or that we’re not seeing used to seeing sci-fi in such traditional melodramatic terms? Jupiter (Mila Kunis) is a cleaning lady, a migrant born in the middle of nowhere who ends up becoming a queen with the whole of the earth as her personal playground. There’s a wedding interrupted at the last moment and love that has to skate through galaxies , class and ethnic barriers and many disasters before being consummated. There’s also Eddie Redmayne’s excessive, intriguing and camp performance which seems to belong to a different genre. There seem to be all kind of intriguing and brilliant clashes and displacements in the film. Maybe what Jupiter Ascending is providing so brilliantly is so far removed from audience expectation that the only response to that clash is uncomfortable laughter? Just some thoughts, José Arroyo Oz, The Great and Powerful (Sam Raimi, USA, 2013) July 21, 2013 Action, American, fantasy, Film, Literary AdaptationJames Franco, José Arroyo, Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis, Oz The Great and Powerful, Rachel Weisz, Sam Raimi, Zach BraffNotesonFilm1 The 3-D is piercing — I literally shrank away from it (it was very effective though not pleasant). The colour is the brightest and happiest I have yet seen on digital. I adore seeing what Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis can do, even with roles so unworthy of their talents and their art. However, James Franco is the one with the meaty role and he makes the most of it: nobody could have captured the shabby, gauche, two-bit conman, kind-of-ladies man but too honest and goofy to be a lady-killer, sweet-but-not-innocent shyster of a wizard as well as he. He’s just perfect. Michelle Williams does better than anyone could possibly hope with that role (though, unless the intended look was mumsy, her make-up and costume people have done her no favours here). I love the doll character and Zach Braff voices the monkey with warmth and humour. The last scenes with the smoke and the face are superb. I liked it much more than I expected to. 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__label__wiki	0.699621	0.699621	Not So New Review Quick Reviews On The Things You Haven't Had Time To Experience TV: Orange is the New Black – Season 6 Premiered: July 27, 2018 On: Netflix Starring: Taylor Schilling, Natasha Lyonne, Uzo Aduba, Danielle Brooks, Jackie Cruz, Laura Gómez, Selenis Leyva, Taryn Manning, Adrienne C. Moore, Matt Peters, Jessica Pimentel, Dascha Polanco, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Nick Sandow, Dale Soules, Yael Stone, Kate Mulgrew, Laura Prepon, Michael J. Harney, Lea DeLaria, Alex Trebek, Rosal Colon, Francesca Curran, Amanda Fuller, Finnerty Steeves, Alice Kremelberg, Vicci Martinez, Laverne Cox, Henny Russell, Ashley Jordyn, Mackenzie Phillips, Lauren Kelston, Sipiwe Moyo, Lori Petty, Alysia Reiner, Emily Tarver, Susan Heyward, Nicholas Webber, Shawna Hamic, Greg Vrotsos, Mike Houston, James McMenamin, Josh Segarra, Beth Dover, Branden Wellington, Hunter Emery & Nick Dillenburg Coming off the prison riot that was the whole of season 5, Orange is the New Black’s sixth season returns to a more subdued, yet real view of prison life in its sixth season. After the end of the riot, many inmates from Litchfield’s camp were transferred to maximum security. Taystee (Danielle Brooks) is fighting against charges that she killed a guard during the riot, while a war is brewing between two prison blocks because of feuding sisters Carol (Henny Russell) and Barb (Mackenzie Phillips). Due to the transfer of inmates, several of the favorite supporting characters from past seasons are missing. While this is unfortunate at times, there’s more focus on the core group. The guards also have a great storyline with them playing a type of Fantasy Football using the inmates. Final say: An entertaining and compelling continuation. ★★★★☆ Posted in TVTagged Adrienne C. Moore, Alex Trebek, Alice Kremelberg, Alysia Reiner, Amanda Fuller, Ashley Jordyn, Beth Dover, Branden Wellington, Comedy, Dale Soules, Danielle Brooks, Dascha Polanco, Drama, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Emily Tarver, Finnerty Steeves, Francesca Curran, Greg Vrotsos, Henny Russell, Hunter Emery, Jackie Cruz, James McMenamin, Jessica Pimentel, Josh Segarra, Kate Mulgrew, Laura Gómez, Laura Prepon, Lauren Kelston, Laverne Cox, Lea DeLaria, Lori Petty, Mackenzie Phillips, Matt Peters, Michael J. Harney, Mike Houston, Natasha Lyonne, Netflix, Nicholas Webber, Nick Dillenburg, Nick Sandow, Orange is the New Black, Rosal Colon, Selenis Leyva, Shawna Hamic, Sipiwe Moyo, Susan Heyward, Taryn Manning, Taylor Schilling, Uzo Aduba, Vicci Martinez, Yael StoneBy Kevin StuderLeave a comment ← Film: About Time Book: The Hobbit →	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26933
__label__wiki	0.797039	0.797039	Home Entertainment Tia Carrere Says New Villainous Role On ‘AJ & The Queen’ Is... Tia Carrere Says New Villainous Role On ‘AJ & The Queen’ Is A Part She’s Always Wanted To Play Call her Lady Danger! Tia Carrere breaks down her ‘damaged’ ‘AJ and the Queen’ character, and explains why she’s so fun to play, in our exclusive interview. Tia Carrere is done playing nice. In AJ and the Queen, the actress, 53, doesn’t have to be a “polite, nice, pretty girl, the girlfriend, the whatever;” she gets to get a little sinister — and you bet she’s having tons of fun doing so. Tia spoke with HollywoodLife EXCLUSIVELY at the Los Angeles premiere of the new Netflix show, and she told us about all things Lady Danger, and the importance of getting to be bad once in awhile. AJ and the Queen follows a drag queen named Ruby Red (RuPaul), whose life savings are stolen by her no-good boyfriend (Josh Segarra). Dead broke, Ruby sets off on a cross-country drag tour, only to find out her pint-sized neighbor AJ (Izzy G.) stowed away in her RV. In the midst of the chaos that’s Ruby’s life, Tia’s character is there to make things a little more difficult. “Well, I don’t like to think of [Lady Danger] as a villain,” Tia said of the former pageant queen turned con artist. “She’s more a business person who’s damaged and lacks a moral compass. So, she doesn’t think anything of taking whatever she believes she deserves in her twisted mind. And that makes her really dangerous.” Danger is her middle last name. The eye-patched businesswoman does her dirty work with glee, peddling cheap, toxic cosmetic fillers that mess with drag queens, including Ruby. “I am a cutthroat, nasty piece of work in this, and it was so much fun,” Tia said. “This is the kind of character I’ve always wanted to play, so I finally get to play her. Thank God for Michael Patrick King and RuPaul for creating this because this is a gift of a role for me.” Tia, perhaps best known for playing Cassandra Wong in Wayne’s World, gushed about how “much fun” her AJ and the Queen role turned out to be. “It’s great to have a character that I get to play right where I am [in life] — my age, my life experience. Everything. And to have the turnaround on a scene where I get to wear a caftan and eat 20 Egg McMuffins while my male costar is worried about his abs and is on this super strict diet. I’m like [laughs]. It’s always usually the girl starving for the bikini, so I just loved it. It was so much fun.” Since you’re obviously dying to know, we asked Tia about the possibility of another Wayne’s World movie, too. She’s so ready to rock again! “Oh, my God. We three, we’ll come out on our walkers and rockers. I’m down for it,” she said of herself, Mike Myers, and Dana Carvey. Fingers crossed! AJ and the Queen is now streaming on Netflix. Previous articleAvengers: Endgame Beats 1917 for Critics Choice Best Action Movie Award Next article17 Stars At The Beach In The Winter: Bella Hadid & More Megan Thee Stallion Reveals Why She’s Still In School Despite Success... Indiana Jones 5 Begins Shooting Next Week According to Harrison Ford Britney Spears Shimmies & Shows Off Her Abs In Crop Top... Scorsese Vs Marvel Debate Rages on at the Hollywood Film Awards Charlie Puth Teases His Next Single & Reveals The ’90s Inspo... Lisa Marie Presley: 5 Things To Know About Elvis Presley’s Daughter,... ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Stars So Stressed Over New Cast That Jax Invited... CMA Awards Red Carpet 2019: Maren Morris, Hannah Brown & More... Ricky Gervais Makes Stars Squirm With Globes Opening About Judy Dench... ‘Godzilla: King Of The Monsters’ Director: Millie Bobby Brown Was The...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26935
__label__wiki	0.580842	0.580842	Photography’s ‘International Center’? My Eye It Is THE DAILY PIC: The relaunched photo museum has a fine show in an embarrassing space. Blake Gopnik, June 28, 2016 Life, Time Life THE DAILY PIC (#1580): Last Thursday, the International Center of Photography opened its new digs on New York’s Lower East Side with an exhibition called “Public, Private, Secret”. I’ve chosen this particular image to represent the museum’s relaunch because it’s a rare beast in that inaugural show: A classic photo from the ICP’s amazing collection, which has recently been shipped across the water to Jersey for storage. The piece is titled Woman Checking Eyelid In Trick Mirror, and it is one of a number of candid-camera images that the photographer Yale Joel shot through one-way glass then published in a December, 1946, issue of Life magazine. It fits the themes of surveillance and self-presentation that the ICP’s inaugural show is built around, and unlike several of my esteemed colleagues in criticism, I’ve got no problem with that topic or the museum’s Web-speed presentation of it. It’s not the freshest of premises for a show – artists have been exploring the topic for something like two decades – but it still has legs in our insane Internaceous era. My one complaint is that this show should be taking up the same amount of space it does now, but as one small component in a much bigger, grander museum of the photographic arts, such as this city deserves to dedicate to what is clearly the most important visual medium of the last 100 years. Instead, the ICP’s exhibition galleries actually find themselves sized down from the midtown spread they occupied for the last while. They have come to occupy a space that can’t escape or hide precisely what it is: The not-so-converted basement of a condo building. Someone has got to be to blame for photography’s demotion to Section 8 housing, and I nominate the city’s one percenters: Given the amount of money they manage to strip-mine out of the local and national economies, you’d think they’d feel some onus to return a few token dollars to the culture of the metropolis where they’ve chosen to live. It’s simply embarrassing that, in New York no less, photography’s so-called “International Center” feels provincial and peripheral. Postwar Martha Rosler Described Women’s Issues of ’75; They’re Still With Us By Blake Gopnik , Jul 1, 2016 John Gerrard’s CGI Predicted Brexit By Blake Gopnik , Jun 30, 2016 Jill Magid Puts Blind Trust in the Police After Brexit, Art Must Break Out of Its Bubble By , Jun 28, 2016 Isaac Mizrahi Dresses Minds as Well as Bodies	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26936
__label__cc	0.597337	0.402663	Grad Student Discovers, Patents Process to Create “Nanofoams” in Liquid Crystals It sounds like an easy-to-follow recipe from the world of molecular gastronomy: Dissolve nanoparticles in liquid crystals and cool to form frothy nanofoams, tiny tubes and hollow microspheres. But what fifth-year doctoral student Sheida Riahinasab and... Researchers Hope to Tackle Methane Emissions in Manure Through Use of Biochar You can smell them a mile away; there’s no mistaking the smell of cows and their methane emissions. The odor, of course, comes from tons of methane-spewing manure. Thanks to a multimillion-dollar grant from the California Strategic Growth... The Future of Heritage and Cultures Technological advancements and a shift to interdisciplinary research have changed the way researchers can look at the past to help inform the future. Find out how UC Merced is helping to lead the way: http://uc-merced.instantmagazine.com/public-... Next Generations Building Next-Level Electronics Imagine a cell phone you can fold up and carry in your wallet. When you drop it, nothing cracks or breaks, or if it does, it repairs itself. And when it’s time for an upgrade, the old phone will biodegrade instead of taking up space in a landfill... Innovative Partnership Aims to Restore Sierra Nevada Forest Health The French Meadows Forest Restoration Project, an innovative collaboration approved this week, aligns the expertise of the Sierra Nevada Research Institute at UC Merced, the U.S. Forest Service, the Nature Conservancy and other agencies and groups to... Computer Science Professor Named Fellow of Prestigious Institute In recognition of his contributions to object tracking and face recognition research, Professor Ming-Hsuan Yang has been elevated to the status of Fellow in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He has been a member of the IEEE... Leafhopper Insects Enlighten Researchers About Complex Bacterial Relationships All complex life evolves in alliance with, in defense of or in reaction to bacteria. A new paper by UC Merced Professor Gordon Bennett demonstrates one of the novel ways the relationship can evolve and begins to repaint a picture that humans have... Environmental Engineers Devising Plan to Save Humanity The Earth is changing, and humans face major challenges if they hope to adapt, survive and preserve any semblance of the world as it is now. Humans will need to create sustainable food, water and energy supplies; curb climate change; eliminate... Researcher Takes First Step Toward Improved Diagnosis for Valley Fever Clinicians searching for a new way to identify Valley fever patients who will develop the disease’s worst symptoms will find hope in a new paper by UC Merced Professor Katrina Hoyer . A research project led by Hoyer and former UC Merced...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26939
__label__wiki	0.752298	0.752298	Ransomware attack hobbled some NVA hospitals Weeks of turmoil serve as a warning to the profession Does hot job market mean there's a veterinarian shortage? Profession grapples with responding to swings in demand Buyouts alter veterinary laboratory landscape Phoenix sells to Zoetis; Marshfield sells to Idexx Pet insurance for all: Sweden's experience Penetration rates 'still growing' in market where 90% of dogs have coverage Mars expands its international veterinary practice ownership Pet-care giant makes forays in Japan, Brazil; adds to holdings in UK Phoenix veterinary lab for sale following Idexx takeover bid Shareholders vote to solicit offers; sale could top $29 million How veterinary students view practice consolidation Top essay contest winner had a big-fish-eating-small-fish experience Veterinary profession needs healing: Readers respond Economics commentary series provokes, inspires Walk-in veterinary care proliferates inside Walmart Superstores Essentials PetCare, Vet IQ team with retail giant to open 100 clinics Western Canada veterinary school weighs two-tiered tuition Some applicants willing to pay a lot more to attend program AVMA survey: 2018 graduates earn more, owe more Education debt outpaces earnings; questions about data persist Consolidation comes to veterinary group purchasing GPOs reflect new reality: bigger, broader, more diversified Wildlife cases pose challenge for Australia’s veterinarians Practitioner aims to improve resources, protocols Veterinarians sue over noncompete clause Case draws attention to common provision in practice sales and acquisitions Data harvest by Schein, Vets First Choice draws fire Veterinarians upset by user agreements, errant emails, as merger looms A year of buyouts, unions, cannabis, data mining and more 2018 brought fast-paced change to the veterinary profession Pace of UK veterinary consolidation stutters Pets at Home hospital closures anticipated A controversial model of pet insurance lives on in Britain Three years in, insurer's 'preferred' network of specialists has grown The dwindling supply of academic radiologists A budding crisis With merger, Schein, Vets First Choice to amass clinic data Veterinarians worry uncontrolled data flow could undermine profession Startups seek to remodel veterinary house calls Latest Uber-style service recalibrates to attract veterinarians New veterinary school in Japan stirs debate Question of workforce demand echoes long-standing issue in U.S. Mars buys another European veterinary-practice group Conglomerate to acquire AniCura as well as Linnaeus Group Mars Inc. buys British veterinary-hospital chain Linnaeus Group adds 87 sites to Mars' spreading ownership British veterinary practices undergo rapid consolidation Trend similar to that in US Henry Schein, Vets First Choice to form new company Ongoing consolidations remake veterinary landscape PetSmart looks beyond Banfield for veterinary-clinic operators Retailer lists 188 vacant clinic spaces available UK veterinarians cautious on plan for new school Low wages, long hours in profession a concern Veterinarians form group dedicated to independent practice New association aims to help small businesses thrive Veterinary student essay contest seeks 'solutions for the profession' Last year's winners tackled school debt, mental health, leadership gender imbalance Second veterinary business allies with Petco to run in-store clinics The Pet Vet plans operations in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas Petco stores now house veterinary clinics Texas, California and Colorado are first Mars antitrust remedy 'not even a drop in the bucket'? Deal puts 2,000 practices under one owner Should botanical medicine be a formal veterinary specialty? As Sept. 1 deadline for comments nears, practitioners debate UC Davis veterinary hospital makeover in the works $508 million price draws concern AAVMC: Fewer men, more debt in veterinary academia Pool of veterinary school applicants narrows to 1.7-to-1; tuition increases slow Ex-Banfield leaders buy practices as ‘LegacyVet’ 10 acquired so far Veterinary clinic opens at a Florida Wal-Mart Practice owners are first to lease space from retail giant Make price paramount when choosing veterinary school, many advise Other considerations include campus culture, location, program emphases Pet insurer renounces controversial rate factor Trupanion cites poor execution after veterinarians object Jobs forecast for veterinarians better than average Labor economists predict 9 percent growth Report rekindles debate on rural veterinary workforce Methodology questioned in provocative study on Appalachia Recruitment ad for Ross veterinary school strikes nerve DeVry: America needs more veterinarians Idaho veterinarians make tentative peace Humane Society agrees to limit some services Washington law on veterinary nonprofits: model or muddle? Requiring income qualification not same as means testing Nonprofit veterinary care: for whom and how? Profession spars over income eligibility, means testing Spinning the numbers Context is key to veterinary economic data Profession reacts to reports that drug makers sway veterinarians Some acknowledge need for transparency, introspection UK officials unveil major effort to study veterinary workforce University of Surrey opens UK's eighth veterinary school New veterinary degrees may not pay off, economists find AVMA conference highlights debt, salary issues Tuition hikes flatten as high cost of veterinary school gains attention Deans explore ways to contain students' expense, debt VCA Inc.: Gentle giant or takeover threat? Views of chain veterinary hospital owner span the spectrum Veterinary nonprofits: unfair competitors or worthy charities? Controversy surrounding subsidized practice plays out on public stage Reaction to exposé on veterinarians clouds 20/20 piece Criticism, misinformation impact all players Overseas opinion dulls repute of AVMA accreditation as ‘gold standard’ Critics question AVMA’s mission to elevate veterinary education in Europe Veterinarian targets shortage of women among profession’s leaders Men top hierarchy, yet women are majority Advising aspiring veterinarians: spur or deter? Financial clouds dim career outlook When dental schools closed: lessons for veterinary profession? Student applications, not practice economics, drove decisions AVMA leaders mull organization's future in international accreditation Veterinarians lambaste AVMA report that avoids workforce, economy issues AVMA workforce study nixes notion of veterinary shortage Report calls on practitioners to increase public's demand for services New York Times article rocks veterinary profession Crises aired on national stage generate mixed reactions Final destination for Ross veterinary students — Buffalo? Abandoned medical facility could become veterinary teaching hospital Influx of veterinary colleges on horizon New programs give rise to supply and demand questions BVA fears new school could create surplus of UK veterinarians University of Surrey plans to open veterinary school in 2014 ‘The Incredible Dr. Pol’ asserts innocence despite board discipline Star of reality TV show placed on probation Veterinary visits up but pet ownership down New AVMA survey results offer mixed prospects for profession Can MDs and DVMs bridge the cultural divide? Physician champions concept of 'zoobiquity' Study: No widespread shortage of veterinarians Veterinary presence needed in public health, agriculture, food safety No simple answers on supply and demand in veterinary profession Workforce data outdated, conflicting Labor Department job outlook for veterinarians: 'Overall ... good' New occupational profile less upbeat on small-animal practice, however Private university in Arizona plans new veterinary school Midwestern University cites shortage of rural practitioners Labor Department maintains rosy outlook for veterinarians Jobs projection contradicts view of many practitioners Student debt relief option: Instant gain, distant pain Pros and cons of Income-Based Repayment Independent voice of digital radiology silenced? DVMInsight's sale to Idexx viewed by some as contradiction Anniversary inspires veterinary history commemoration National Library of Medicine exhibition highlights equine medicine Out of the frying pan, veterinarians mix economic uptick with uncertainty Increased competition likely to blunt recovery for veterinary clinics AVMA task force to review merits of foreign accreditation Resolution stripped of economic language on advice of AVMA lawyer Dream of veterinary career deterred by school expense Student couldn’t justify cost of education Tight job market squeezes large-animal veterinarians Some say shortage of food-supply practitioners is over Tough job market compels dogged hunt by new veterinarians Fewer grads enjoy luxury of multiple offers Report: unprecedented change in store for AVMA, profession 'Continuous improvement' prescribed for nation's largest veterinary association New Utah veterinary education program wins approval, funding Plan stirs concerns about a potential oversupply of practitioners NAVMEC addresses great challenges facing veterinary profession Economist's call for change goes beyond NAVMEC recommendations Veterinary student debt continues to climb Despite years of concern, solutions remain elusive Debt problem is everyone’s Most student loans financed by taxpayers Click here to login Advising aspiring veterinarians: spur or deter? By Edie Lau Photo by Dr. Liz Norby Dr. Liz Norby's 4-year-old daughter Olivia enjoys playing the veterinarian. If Olivia grows up to want passionately to be a veterinarian like her mom, Norby says she'll support her daughter's decision. But Norby and many other practitioners worry that swelling educational debt coupled with stagnant incomes make veterinary medicine a tough livelihood to enter. Playing veterinarian is a happy pastime for Dr. Liz Norby’s daughter Olivia. At age 2, the tot wore miniature scrubs stitched by her grandma. For her 4th birthday, Olivia got from her other grandma a veterinarian kit complete with surgeon’s outfit, stethoscope and toy puppy patient. This Halloween, Olivia wants to be “Dr. Norby.” Olivia is young to be deciding her life’s work, although veterinarians commonly say that they knew what they wanted to do from the time they were small. As for Olivia’s mom, she’s flattered that her daughter wants to be like her. But underlying her pride is worry. The financial position of new veterinarians has gone downhill markedly since Norby joined the profession in 2001. Back then, the average starting salary for full-time work was $44,378 (excluding pay for veterinarians working toward advanced degrees, who typically earn less); the average educational debt was $67,819. Today, the income-debt imbalance is steeper still. According to the latest statistics from the American Veterinary Medical Association, nine out of 10 veterinary school students graduated with a mean debt of $151,672 in 2012. That being an average, some start their careers owing much more. While tuition and debt continue to climb, wages are stagnant at best, and slipping against inflation. The mean starting salary for full-time work was $65,404 last year. Not including an inflation adjustment, that's 1.6 percent less than the year before. It is less than half the average educational debt-load — an income-to-debt ratio most financial advisers consider precarious. Yet demand for veterinary-school admission continues to rise. In response, schools are adding seats to existing programs and opening new ones. Two veterinary schools are set to debut in 2014, bringing the number of U.S. veterinary schools in the United States to 30 and fanning concerns among practicing veterinarians of a market oversupply. The financial squeeze facing new and aspiring veterinarians is causing anguished discussions among colleagues at all points in their careers. They wonder how best to respond when faced with young people — perhaps their own offspring — who want to be veterinarians, too. Should they encourage or try to dissuade them? “I cringe at how much … debt has climbed over the past 10 years for new grads,” Norby wrote on a message board of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN), an online community for the profession. “I honestly don’t know if I could provide the same level of financial support to my little girl that my parents gave me.” Norby, who practices in Illinois, elaborated on her concern in an interview. She spoke of young veterinarians she knows with upwards of $250,000 in student loans to repay. “I can’t fathom how they will be able to support themselves,” she said. Harder still to imagine, she said is how a debt-laden veterinarian wishing to start a family can manage a mortgage, food, day care and automobile expenses on top of school loans. Moreover, educational debt isn’t the only economic pressure point on today’s private-practice veterinarians. Competition for pet health care is converging on multiple fronts, drawing business from traditional animal hospitals. “Between Dr. Google and what the pet-shop kid says and vaccine clinics,” Norby said, “will (new veterinarians) be paid enough to support this kind of educational debt?” Dr. Megan Tremelling thinks not. Tremelling would discourage her children from following her footsteps “partly because I love my critters, my kids love their critters, and I want my kids to be able to expect to make enough money to comfortably provide their own pets with optimal medical care,” she wrote on the VIN message board. She wasn’t speaking hypothetically. Tremelling told the VIN News Service by email: “My dog has needed her teeth cleaned and X-rayed for the past three years, and she’s not getting it done any time soon because I can’t afford it. I love my job but … c’est la vie.” (Providing the dental care herself is not an option because Tremelling works in a Wisconsin referral hospital that doesn’t perform routine dentistry.) Dr. Hillary Olin Smith, a practitioner in Texas who graduated in 2009, reported feeling similarly strapped, with a yearly salary less than half of what she owes for school. She wrote on VIN that she “got lucky” because her husband makes a good living and her parents have lent support. But were she single, younger and without parental help, Olin Smith said, “I would not want to be in this field.” In an interview by email, Olin Smith said that if she had it to do over, she wouldn't choose a different livelihood but she'd approach the schooling differently. "I would have tried to get a decent job in another field (perhaps living at home for some time) for a few years, in order to save a decent amount of money before attending school," she said "That way, I wouldn't have had to borrow quite as much, and maybe the debt/salary mismatch wouldn't be so striking." As it was, she wrote on VIN: “I was not at all informed about … what it really meant to shoulder a $135,000 debt load when your starting salary is half or less than half that. … So, while I love veterinary medicine and can’t see myself ever doing anything else, I can’t in good conscience pump it up as a great career choice for my girls if they want to have a decent standard of living.” Passions too strong to stem? While many veterinarians say they, too, would try to steer their children and other young people away from veterinary medicine, some believe the attempt is futile. That’s Dr. Marylou Visco’s view. “When you have a passion to do it, no one’s going to talk you out of it. No one could have talked me out of it,” Visco said in an interview. Visco’s husband also is a veterinarian; together, they own Dravosburg Veterinary Hospital in suburban Pittsburgh. When their daughter made plans to become a veterinarian, too, Visco said her husband raised the issue of expense and debt, hoping to dissuade her. Their daughter now is in her fifth semester at Ross University and more passionate about the work than ever, Visco said. “It’s great. I’m so proud of her,” she said. Visco said she and her husband assist their daughter with some living expenses, but loans cover tuition and other bills. Visco estimates her daughter's debt upon graduation will be $150,000. Where she’ll work is an open question; her mom hopes she’ll pursue a specialty, but there’s talk of her joining the family practice. Asked whether Visco and her husband as clinic owners could afford to pay their daughter what she’ll need to service the debt and live comfortably, Visco paused before answering. “As a detached employer or as her parents?” she said. “That’s the kicker.” Like Visco’s daughter, Dr. Lisa Whitney, a practitioner in Vermont, resisted advice to choose another career. “I still remember when I was getting ready to apply to vet school and my sister trying to talk me out of it,” said Whitney, who graduated in 1999. “She tried to push me into podiatry or dentistry (she is a dentist). Hindsight being 20:20, I completely appreciate why she said it. At the time, it infuriated me that she would suggest that I not follow my dreams.” Lori Kogan is intrigued by the idea that no amount of warning will deter some of the people drawn to veterinary medicine. Kogan is a counseling psychologist and faculty member at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. In that capacity, she’s become familiar with what makes veterinary students tick. Observation and experience tell her that many aspiring veterinarians feel a lifelong calling to the profession. “If you look at most veterinary students and their (school) applications, they’ve wanted to be a vet since they were 5,” Kogan said. Psychologically, the longer people travel down a particular path, the more likely they are to find confirmation that they’re on the right path, and filter out information to the contrary, she said. “Say you go out on a couple of dates with somebody and you determine that you really like them a lot,” she said by way of example. “Then you go out on more dates, and you get alternative information that runs counter to your initial hypothesis. We almost immediately start filtering data to support what we want to believe. We highlight what’s good about the person. … “I think that’s what’s happening in veterinary medicine,” she said. “People since they were 5, they’ve shaped their entire lives — school, volunteer, work experience — toward becoming veterinarians. Even when this new information comes in that says, ‘Hmm, perhaps this isn’t the right thing,’ they use all their coping and denial skills to say, ‘It’s not going to be me’ and they entrench deeper.” It’s also hard for most young people to imagine the effects of big debt on their future lives. “It’s difficult to project yourself 15 years down the road — having children, a spouse and a lot of debt — what your day-to-day life is going to be,” said Dr. Andrew Roark, a practitioner in South Carolina who often counsels aspiring veterinarians. Choosing cheaper schools If would-be veterinarians aren’t easily deterred from their career choice, warnings about heavy debt may be influencing, at least, their choice of schools. That’s the case for Sarah Kooy. A biology major entering her senior year this fall at Furman University in Greenville, S.C., Kooy has heard enough about debt to know that if she follows her childhood dream of going to veterinary school to become a large animal veterinarian, she must pay attention to affordability. She knows that a year’s tuition at the veterinary program in her home state of Minnesota, for example, is some $20,000 less for residents than out-of-state students. So the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine is one option Kooy is considering. She also might try to establish residency in another state with a veterinary school. What isn’t a factor, she said, is a program’s prestige. “It’s a lot different from undergraduate (school), where the name kind of helps you get into the graduate program,” Kooy said. “People aren’t going to come to you (for veterinary care) just because you graduated from Cornell.” (Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine came out on top in the most recent ranking of veterinary programs by U.S. News and World Report.) The main determinant, Kooy has resolved, is cost. “That is a huge deciding factor,” Kooy said. “Do I want to come out of school with $100,000 in debt or $200,000?” Asked how much debt would make a veterinary degree not worth pursuing, Kooy replied: “That’s a good question. I’ve never really thought about that. It’s always been my goal.” She paused, pondering. “I’ve never really thought about it that way, like how much makes it unobtainable,” she said finally. “I don’t know if I have an answer.” Paulynne Bellen is another aspiring veterinarian for whom cost is an overriding consideration in choosing a school. In fact, Bellen decided against her first choice because the price was too steep. Photo courtesy of Paulynne Bellen Paulynne Bellen rejected her dream school due to cost. She made a decision based on affordability. An avid hiker, Bellen’s original No. 1 pick was Colorado State University. That was before she realized that as a non-resident, she’d have to pay an extra $27,000 a year. She estimated that the full cost for four years of veterinary school would be $340,000. “It was unreasonable,” she concluded. Fortunately, Bellen had other options. Of 15 schools to which she applied, she was accepted at eight. (She was invited to interview at two more but had already spent $9,500 in application fees and on-site visits and couldn’t afford further travel.) Once she let go of her dream school, Bellen made the decision purely on economics. “Which one can I go to so I have the lowest loan?" she said. "Simple." Among the resources Bellen tapped was a graphical online tool developed by the VIN Foundation, a philanthropic arm of VIN dedicated to supporting new veterinarians. The tool compares costs of 31 veterinary programs in the United States and Caribbean. The winner was The Ohio State University. Although Ohio is not the least-expensive under the VIN Foundation analysis, it worked out that way for Bellen for a few reasons: She received a recruitment scholarship; she’ll be able to convert to resident tuition after a year; and the region’s cost of living is relatively low. Bellen estimates she’ll finish owing between $220,000 and $250,000, including money borrowed for living expenses. “I have some savings, but it’s not going to sustain me for four years,” she explained. The most affordable school for Bellen still carries a breathtaking price. “A week ago, I had to sign my promissory note,” she said. “It was daunting. $25,000 at 7.9 percent (interest) was heart-wrenching. (Another) $40,500 was at 6.8 percent. How can this education be more expensive than a mortgage? But I had to do it.” Bellen has wanted to be a veterinarian since she was young. She grew up in the Philippines, where such a career isn’t viable: “Most people are poor, let alone have enough funds to support animal welfare and medical care,” she said. After earning an undergraduate degree, Bellen moved to the United States, where she worked for more than 10 years in corporate human resources. During off hours, she would volunteer in animal shelters. At age 30, Bellen divorced. Her life upheaved, Bellen sought healing by working with animals. With the international aid organization World Vets, Bellen traveled to Latin America, assisting veterinarians in providing free medical care in developing nations. The urge to become a veterinarian became more insistent. Bellen returned to school for prerequisite courses. She started part-time, squeezing classes around her full-time job. She enrolled first in subjects she most feared. “It was a way of checking myself, of finding out if it was something I really wanted,” Bellen said. “I took chemistry because I hated the class and I wanted to scare the life out of myself. I took it before biology.” She gave herself many such tests. “I wanted to be exposed to animals that are not cute and fluffy,” Bellen continued. “I wanted to see animals that are really sick and in really bad shape. That’s why I chose to go to South America. I wanted the gruesome. I wanted to scare myself to see how committed I was.” After that, the scariest part was figuring out her financial situation: “Being on my own, no family, no parents, and going back to school, setting up the finances all over again without going back to work full-time. But,” she found, “it’s doable. You streamline your lifestyle, you live simply.” Poised to begin veterinary school in three weeks, Bellen already envisions the kind of a veterinarian she’ll be after graduation and how to manage her debt. Stimulated by the scientific research aspects of veterinary medicine, she’s leaning toward public health. She knows that if she goes into government service, she may be able to discharge her debt after 10 years under a federal program known as Public Service Loan Forgiveness. “I am counting on that to make my life easier,” Bellen said. “In fact, I’m even going for my Master of Public Health conjointly with my DVM to give me an edge for that 10-year forgiveness program. So that’s my plan.” Informing without discouraging Taking practical steps to stay financially sound is what Dr. Joey Gaines, a practitioner in Nebraska, espouses to her children. But deterring their dreams? No way. “I have five kids, and if any of them wants to go into veterinary medicine, I will be supportive,” Gaines said. “I think it’s a great profession. I love it. I love going to work every day — well, most days. There’s always something new.” Her eldest child, age 13, has his eye on becoming a large animal veterinarian. He’ll select the least-expensive education possible if his mother has anything to say about it. “My expectation for my kids would be to go to in-state school for undergrad … not to go to a private school, not to go out of state,” Gaines said. “I would expect them to work all through undergraduate school and summers and live frugally through school. And then vet school, same thing. … It’s not about where you go, it’s about being able to make ends meet when you graduate.” Helping aspiring veterinarians understand what they’re getting into financially makes a lot of sense to Roark, the practitioner in South Carolina. But telling young people all the ways in which the profession is failing — that’s just unproductive negativity, he said. “These young doctors, they’re being told, ‘You’re in so much trouble. You are totally screwed.’ Someone told me that!” said Roark, who graduated five years ago. The grousing inspired Roark to write an essay to counter the complaints. In “Three reasons veterinarians are not doomed,” published in May in DVM 360, Roark concluded: “… There’s a reason most of us take out big loans to fund our education. This is a profession where you can lay hands on an animal and save both that pet and the spirit of its owner. While that reality can slip from view underneath piles of bills and paperwork from time to time, it’s still very real. It’s a life with purpose, and that’s wonderful.” Attempting to present a realistic picture of the profession without being unduly dark, the VIN Foundation recently posted online a brochure titled “I Want To Be A Veterinarian” that addresses questions such as “Is becoming a veterinarian worth it?” The goal is to inform, said foundation president Dr. Richard Headley. “We don’t want to discourage anybody at all,” Headley said. “We still all think this is a pretty good profession, but the problems that we’ve seen with some of these young people coming out of school with literally six figures of debt, and coming to work for a $50,000-a-year job, is disturbing. It’s going to be 20 years before they are out of poverty. “So the VIN Foundation developed this brochure as one tool to give to high school students, pre-vet students and early veterinary school students to basically lay things on the line. Let them come into this with their eyes open, not thinking they’re going to get through school and suddenly be healthy, wealthy and doing something they love,” he said, adding: “One or two out of three ain’t bad.” How a student-debt benefit nearly backfired - July 15, 2019 Survey: Majority of veterinarians don't recommend the profession - February 6, 2018 MSU dean leads efforts to make veterinary college affordable - December 7, 2017 Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Looking for a unicorn - October 30, 2017 COE amends standards to address veterinary student well-being, debt - January 4, 2017 Make price paramount when choosing veterinary school, many advise - May 10, 2016 Report rekindles debate on rural veterinary workforce - December 21, 2015 Educational debt debated in veterinary economic summit - November 5, 2015 New veterinary degrees may not pay off, economists find - October 29, 2014 Tuition hikes flatten as high cost of veterinary school gains attention - August 26, 2014 AVMA workforce study nixes notion of veterinary shortage - April 24, 2013 New York Times article rocks veterinary profession - March 18, 2013 Influx of veterinary colleges on horizon - January 26, 2013 Study: No widespread shortage of veterinarians - May 30, 2012 Economist's talk rouses debate among veterinarians in academia - March 16, 2012 Student debt relief option: Instant gain, distant pain - January 4, 2012 Dream of veterinary career deterred by school expense - July 7, 2011 NAVMEC addresses great challenges facing veterinary profession - March 8, 2011 Debt problem is everyone’s - January 4, 2011 Veterinary student debt continues to climb - January 4, 2011	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26940
__label__wiki	0.961588	0.961588	Michael Avenatti: Fellow lawyer at the 'heart' of defense LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press December 24, 2019 NEW YORK (AP) — California attorney Michael Avenatti maintained in a court submission Tuesday that prosecutors are trying to block a fellow high-profile lawyer from being presented as an important part of Avenatti's defense against charges he tried to extort millions of dollars from Nike. Avenatti's defense lawyers said in a written submission that they have subpoenaed Los Angeles attorney Mark Geragos for their client's Jan. 22 trial in Manhattan federal court. Avenatti was arrested earlier this year on charges that he tried to extort up to $25 million from the sportswear giant by threatening to reveal corrupt practices involving college athletes and that he engaged in honest services fraud. The trial is the first of three Avenatti is scheduled to face in the first five months of 2020. In April, he is scheduled for trial in New York on charges that he cheated former client Stormy Daniels, a porn star, of proceeds from a book deal she signed. And in May, he is scheduled for trial in Los Angeles on charges that he cheated clients of millions of dollars. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Prosecutors did not identify Geragos by name in the case involving Nike, but it was obvious that he was the person referred to in a criminal complaint and indictment as “CC-1” and Avenatti's lawyers said so in their latest filing. They said Avenatti and Geragos “worked together in concert” even though “only Mr. Avenatti has been prosecuted.” They said Geragos “personally and through his counsel” made it clear during seven “innocence proffers” with prosecutors that he had no criminal intent and that he believed that he and Avenatti were right to insist to Nike that they be hired to conduct an internal investigation of the company. Avenatti said Geragos and his lawyers also told prosecutors that it was not unusual for an attorney to be paid exponentially more than his client and that meetings with Nike's attorneys were part of a standard negotiation, similar to what occurred when Geragos had represented Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL quarterback, against Nike. Several weeks ago, prosecutors dropped conspiracy charges from the indictment against Avenatti, a move some interpreted as making it clear that Geragos would not be charged. “As much as the government now seems determined to write Mark Geragos out of this case, Mr. Geragos very much remains a central figure at the very heart of it,” the Avenatti court filing said. “The facts and context of his involvement are of critical importance to Mr. Avenatti’s defense.” The lawyers said it was Geragos who first reached out to Nike attorneys, saying in a March phone call that he had a matter too “sensitive” to discuss by phone after he'd been shown “some stuff” indicating Nike might have an “Adidas problem.” In two recent trials, the rival shoemaker was mentioned with schools where assistant basketball coaches admitted receiving cash bribes to steer top athletes to certain advisers. Avenatti's lawyers wrote that even if he does not testify, Avenatti is “entitled to adduce evidence and offer argument that Mr. Geragos’ statements and conduct were plainly indicative of Mr. Geragos’ belief that their joint conduct was lawful and that this belief goes squarely to Mr. Avenatti’s own state of mind.” The lawyers told the trial judge that prosecutors were trying to block Avenatti from presenting that side of the defense. Geragos, whose clients also have included Michael Jackson, has not commented. He did not respond to a message Tuesday. Prosecutors declined comment through a spokesman. Nike's controversial Vaporfly shoes powered the world's 2 fastest marathoners to victory. When I tried them, it felt like running on rocking horses. Stalking ban to stop offenders contacting or approaching victims	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26941
__label__cc	0.564078	0.435922	November 16, 2018 by NOW National Proposed Title IX Changes Would Gut Critical Protections for Students Everywhere Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt: Today Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos announced sweeping changes to Title IX that would eliminate from schools at all levels nearly all responsibilities to protect students from sexual harassment and violence. The proposed changes would take our education system back decades to a time when there was very little recourse for students to report harassment or assault and obtain needed support. Very often victims – mostly young women – – just dropped out of school. Coming from a conservative administration which has shown great tolerance for sexual harassment and assault, it probably should not surprise us. From the start, Secretary DeVos embraced the recommendations of groups representing formerly accused persons wanting to overturn guidelines adopted under the Obama Administration. DeVos virtually ignored survivors’ stories and it appears she did not take seriously input from college, university and school administrators about the success of their programs to better protect students, keep them in school and make campuses safer. Along with staff and interns from NOW, I spoke out against the proposed rule change recently, citing how dangerous the changes would be for survivors. We told Department of Education officials that the changes would tip the scales in favor of alleged perpetrators and lead to higher rates of sexual harassment and violence. We know that sexual violence affects one in five girls ages 14-18, one in five college women, one in ten college men and one in four transgender and gender non-conforming students. The proposed changes, if adopted, will expand the epidemic even further. The single most damaging provision is the limitation to responding only to complaints that happen on campus. It is estimated that 87 percent of college students now live off campus; so that vast majority of victims of harassment and assault would have little protection. Their only recourse would be to report incidents to law enforcement authorities and there is a long history of these types of complaints being ignored. Other harmful changes include a restrictive definition of sexual harassment that would require students to endure severe harassment before the school has to respond; allowing schools to adopt a criminal standard of evidence in deciding cases when Title IX is a civil rights law and a lower standard of evidence is more appropriate; setting up a situation for unbalanced investigations where schools are required to start with the presumption that the named perpetrator is not responsible (thus the victims are not to be believed); allowing alleged perpetrators to directly question their accusers causing more trauma; and, permitting religious exemptions for schools to avoid compliance with Title IX protections placing at serious risk LGBTQIA students, pregnant and parenting students (some are unmarried), and student who need access to birth control and abortion care. If these harmful changes are adopted – which we expect may be the case even though thousands of students, parents, and activists will protest – we will have to turn to lawmakers in the next Congress to restore Title IX’s proven protections so critical to keep students safe and in school. press@now.org, 202-628-8669	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26945
__label__cc	0.667378	0.332622	The Bone Regeneration Using Bone Marrow Stromal Cells with Moderate Concentration Platelet-Rich Plasma in Femoral Segmental Defect of Rats Junichi Yamakawa, Junichi Hashimoto, Mitsuo Takano, Michiaki Takagi Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan First Page: 1 Last Page: 11 Publisher Id: TOORTHJ-11-1 Full-Text HTML Views: 912 © Yamakawa et al.; Licensee Bentham Open open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International Public License (CC BY-NC 4.0) (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode), which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, 2-2-2 Iida-Nishi, Yamagata, Yamagata 990-9585, Japan; Tel: +81-23-628-5355; Fax: +81-23-628-5357; E-mail: junichi.yamakawa@med.id.yamagata-u.ac.jp Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can provide an assortment of growth factors, but how PRP effects bone regeneration is still unknown. The aim of the study was to explore an optimal method of using PRP and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). An in vitro experiment was first conducted to determine an appropriate quantity of PRP. BMSCs were cultured with PRP of different concentrations to assess cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. Following the in vitro study, a rat femoral segmental defect model was used. Five collagen mixtures consisting of different concentrations of PRP and BMSCs were prepared as follows, i) BMSCs and PRP (platelet 20 x 104/µl), ii) BMSCs and PRP (platelet 100 x 104/µl), iii) BMSCs and PRP (platelet 500 x 104/µl), iv) BMSCs, and v) PRP group (platelet 100 x 104/µl), were used to fill defect. New bone formation was evaluated by soft X-ray and histologic analyses were performed at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks postoperatively. The cell proliferation increased PRP concentration-dependently. Cellular alkaline phosphatase activity was higher in moderate concentration than high or low concentration group’s in vitro study. In vivo study, the bone fill percentage of newly formed bone in BMSCs and PRP (platelet 100 x 104/µl) was 46.9% at 8 weeks and increased significantly compared with other groups. BMSCs with moderate level of PRP significantly enhanced bone formation in comparison with BMSCs or PRP transplant in a rat femoral defect model. Keywords: Platelet-rich plasma, Bone marrow stromal cell, Bone regeneration, Femoral segmental defect, Rat, Surgery.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26952
__label__wiki	0.516612	0.516612	Area Trail System Donations/Payment Bellin Health to Open New Oconto Falls Clinic Aug. 24 August 18, 2015 August 18, 2015 OFChamber General Bellin Health’s new and improved Oconto Falls clinic will be open for business on Monday, Aug. 24. The 9,000-square foot facility at 107 E. Highland Drive replaces Bellin’s current Oconto Falls location at 833 S. Main St. Officials broke ground on the new building in March, and crews have worked throughout the spring and summer to get the building ready for clinic staff and patients. Details of a grand opening celebration will be announced at a later date. The new Oconto Falls clinic will continue to offer internal medicine and family practice services, x-ray, lab, drug testing, DOT physicals and other employment- and school-related services, behavioral health and colonoscopy, among other services. The new location also will usher in new services, including mobile unit mammography and bone densitometry, as well as physical therapy. “This facility is a clear illustration of our unwavering commitment to providing top-notch healthcare to residents of Oconto County and the larger region,” said George Kerwin, president and CEO of Bellin Health. “Its state-of-the-art design, expanded services and excellent providers will enhance the patient’s experience from the moment he or she walks through the door. It’s so exciting to see this come to fruition.” The new building has the same design as Bellin Health Algoma, which opened last year. Providers at that facility have praised its efficiency for patient care and workflow, as well as its aesthetics. Providers at the Oconto Falls clinic include Dr. Lucy Canaday, Family Medicine; Dr. William J. Wittman, Internal Medicine; and Certified Physician Assistant Tracey BeFay, Family Medicine. Wittman and BeFay have been at the clinic since it opened in 1997. Construction Update August 17th Packerland Websites, Dynamic Designs form partnership Charles Van Sickle Scholarship Military Night At OFHS Packerland Websites Awards Prize of Free Website OFHS Vocal Jazz shares the spirit of the holidays! Oconto Falls, WI 54154 ocontofallschamber@gmail.com Oconto Falls Area Chamber Oconto Falls Area Chamber of Commerce © 2020 Oconto Falls Area Chamber of Commerce \| Privacy Policy \| Non-discrimination Policy \| Terms Of Use Website developed by Packerland Websites	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26956
__label__wiki	0.662795	0.662795	By Schwaltzvald, December 17, 2007 in Community Poke'G Little Mac (+550) Also, Batman just tackled Dent, he didn't mean to kill him or anything he just ended up falling. Also notice the coin landing face up, lucky side. Dent can still be alive or he can be dead, it's totally up to interpretation as of now I thought the coin was supposed to point out the pointlessness of the action taken, Dent died when the boy would have lived anyway. The flip being for Dent is an interesting way to look at it. I hope he comes back, even if it's not likely. It felt like there was so much more they could do with Two-Face. Lotd2242 yeah see the main difference here was at this point he was shot Being shot didn't seem to affect him running off at the end. the bat saved his life, gordon did not save rachel in time not to mention who knows whether or not he was going to go after batman afterwards The latter part is true of course. But he didn't want the Bat to save his life. He wanted him to save Rachael's, which is why he's screaming the whole way out of the building that he should save her. He should be pissed that Batman saved him instead of Rachael. Also the whole situation only exists because of Batman. That is not to say I don't understand how he decided to target Gordon, it does make sense in its own roundabout way. I'm just saying that it's a weaker story choice regardless. I think it would've been much more powerful if Dent was trying to kill Batman considering he spent the whole movie defending Batman. Not to mention taking an innocent family hostage is several steps removed from whacking out corrupt mobsters or targeting a vigilante crimefighter. no he was just stumbling around and falling into walls in pain because he's the goddamn batman He should be pissed that Batman saved him instead of Rachael. batman didn't really have time, the buldings exploded pretty much immediatement afterwards Also the whole situation only exists because of Batman. yeah this is true yangfeili That is not to say I don't understand how he decided to target Gordon, it does make sense in its own roundabout way. His thing against Gordon was that he had repeatedly been trying to get Gordon to do something about internal corruption within the police force, and it was the corrupt cops who acted as the Joker's inside-men which eventually led to Rachael getting killed. Oh, as for Batman killing Dent but not the Joker, I think it has something to do with the immediacy of the situation. Dent had a gun to the kid's head right then and there. It seems like most of the scenes where he directly encounters the Joker didn't involve that same sort of immediacy. Almost kind of like a police procedure thing with regards to deadly force: just because the suspect is wanted for murder doesn't mean you can just run out and kill him unless he's in the immediate act of murdering yet another victim. Yeah, but as far as Dent knows, Batman chose to save him instead of Rachael, not that the Joker just flipped the addresses to mess with him, at least unless somebody tells him off-screen. I know. I just said I understood it. But it's still very roundabout logic compared to the immediate connection all of the events had to Batman, particularly when Gordon had said repeatedly that he knew about the corrupt cops and was doing the best he could with what he had. DJMetal I am unfortunately not here to discuss the finer points of the movie, just to joygasm over it, because I'm a gross fanboy. I actually really really liked the movie despite all of the hype about Heath Ledger. I like Heath Ledger, don't get me wrong, but I think a lot of people went to see that movie because of him, and not because it was going to be good/batman/whatever. But I was pleased. It felt way different from the first movie though. Way more almost real-lifeish instead of far away and removed in Gotham. =D But wasn't nearly as good as "Batman and Robin", am I right? DJ Metal Lifeformed Batman and Robin was awesome. "Ice to meet you." Steben I tried to catch a showing tonight... I saw the midnight release, but a friend of ours didn't, so we went with her to see it again. Turns out that at 9pm, the 9:15 and 9:45 showings were both sold out. Crazy! It possibly had something to do with it being College Night at the local theater, so all showings were at matinee prices all day. But still, it's the fifth day of release. Dude...have you heard about this movie? It's broken every box office record for everything ever, plus inventing new ones to break. Yeah, you might need to get tickets a bit more than 40 minutes ahead. (mainly I'm just bitter because this fatass and his whore girlfriend wouldn't move over one seat so my buddy and I could sit together.) Kenobio Hahahaha "Chill out!" Dhsu Maybe it depends on where you live. I got matinee tickets at the door the day of release. Ha, I wasn't terribly surprised, actually. Like I said, I was at the midnight release here as well... it was pretty intense. Yeah, location can be a pretty big factor. I've seen it in Long Beach and Irvine (IMAX) here in Southern California, so that's probably a big part of why it's so packed here. I-n-j-i-n Dare I say it? I think Ledger was almost overplayed. I mean, the Oscars? Are you f'n kidding me? I think Ledger did a great villain but maybe not a good Joker. To me, he's more like the force-of-nature solitary evil like the Violator (Clown obviously) than the gangland-oriented Joker. And like some others have said, the Ledger Joker was simply threatening. No jokes and barely no laughing and no real sense of irony. Just plain mass murdering and killing. Again, that strikes me as some of the other psychotic characters than the vintage Joker we got out of Jack Nicholson. No jokes? Is The Joker gonna have to show you a magic trick? Sindra JC Denton (+950) I saw him laughing quit a bit about halfway through the movie on. Even as he was dangling upsidedown from his foot he was still laughing. And there was irony, like how he broke out Lui, then burned him atop the very same pile of money he'd basically stolen from the mobsters. There was also irony in the way he told Batman in the interrogation how everyone would turn on him like a pack of wild dogs eventually, and at the end of the movie they all did once they thought he'd thrown out his no-kill policy despite all the good he'd done. And need I remind you of the pencil trick? Ledger's Joker wasn't about evil really.....just pure unadulterated chaos. He was all about bringing out the true chaotic nature of people with his works, so that they could all be like him....since he "got it" way before anybody else. No need to be snide there. Ledger's Joker was simply threatening. Not that it's a bad thing, but I never got that feeling much out of the comicbook versions that's all. I saw him laughing quit a bit about halfway through the movie on. Even as he was dangling upsidedown from his foot he was still laughing. And there was irony, like how he broke out Lui, then burned him atop the very same pile of money he'd basically stolen from the mobsters. There was also irony in the way he told Batman in the interrogation how everyone would turn on him like a pack of wild dogs eventually, and at the end of the movie they all did once they thought he'd thrown out his no-kill policy. And need I remind you of the pencil trick? Yes, I actually agree completely with you. The irony was there, but again, that seemed to be drowned out by the way Nolan tried to make Joker simply threatening than anything else. All the 'oh noes, here comes the creepy Joker' scenes gave me that hint that maybe the irony part of the classical Joker wasn't really the point of this new Joker. In that terms of bringing unadulterated chaos, I still think that's something you see more out of someone like the Violator Clown, causing mayhem just to create mayhem. Or maybe Joker when he goes berserk in some comicbook angles. Also, I'm not sure what to make of the Ledger version apparently being born simply because his daddy was a bad guy. Again, the the Nicholson Joker was picture perfect except for him being Batman's parents' killer. Falling into a vat and everything and while being murderous, only doing so in spurts and not quite on a full killing spree like Ledger's one (that, and the consistent insistence from the comics that Joker is fully sane while being the villain, hence why he is such an evil villain). I don't fault anyone for liking Ledger's Joker. I just never grew up with that type of character, that's all. BadAss I & II Director I actually thought the Joker in TDK was completely sane. Everything was planned out, despite what he says about just doing stuff. The way he reads peopl, as well as the social commentary. Oh, & about his daddy being a bad guy, that was a half truth, or an outright lie on his part. He told two different scar stories to fit the context of where he was at, & who he was talking to. I thought this Joker was the truest to the comic book as you can get. Also, I hate the Nicholson Joker. JH Sounds I actually thought the Joker in TDK was completely sane. I can't tell you how long I've been waiting for this post... Also, I hate the Nicholson Joker. Time to start playing favorites? meh If we're comparing based on pure subjectivity, I thought Val Kilmer made a slightly better Batman. There, I said it. At least he didn't have the asthma-voice of the new one. Speaking of the Bale Batman, I didn't really fall in love with the cocky-Bruce of Batman Begins. I always gelled to the pathos/brooding Wayne most of the older versions of Batman. Which leads to Keaton's Batman which I liked the best because he made the best Bruce. The only knock being that Keaton was relatively short so he didn't have the intimidation factor of Kilmer/Bale. But personality-wise, I don't think there's a peer with Keaton yet (not to mention I feel Keaton is the more well tooled actor overall than any other Batman actor). Again, all that's subjective. I still think Bale did a great job for his role and that specific type of Batman. It's just that it's not the type of Batman I was accustomed to either. Dopple Boppler Also, I'm not sure what to make of the Ledger version apparently being born simply because his daddy was a bad guy. Someone needs to watch the movie again~ I think Nicholson did a better job of creating a comic book character. His Joker is more in tune with the sort of whackjob that runs around pulling crimes like they're pranks on the establishment. Ledger's Joker is just a regular genius psychopath. He plays a great one, no question there, but in terms of capturing the feel of the comic book Joker I don't think he comes nearly as close to it as Nicholson did. read more comics Yeah seriously. I mean, read Batman right now. Joker in the RIP storyline is right in line with Ledger's Joker, perhaps even more psychotic. (10char)	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26957
__label__cc	0.561993	0.438007	Travel: Hidden Gems: Road Racing With A Truly Old School Approach In Tunisia Hidden Gems: Road Racing With A Truly Old School Approach In Tunisia By Federico Fabbri Photography by Rosario Liberti The universe is not only pixelated by stars, and in the same way that all the little worlds you’ve never seen behind the light of brighter objects nonetheless contribute their piece to the night sky, the automotive isle of the universe is also constellated with curious little events passing under the radar. While Italy was troubled by some of the worst rainstorms that we’ve had in many years, Rosario and I flew off to Tunisia to check out the Grand Prix Historique de Yasmin-Hammamet to explore one of these lesser-known events, in this case a historic revival of the Tunis Grand Prix. The original race was a competition held between the end of the 1920s and the 1930s in Tunis, at that time the capital of the African colony that was under the French protectorate. It was a street circuit. The first competition took place on June 3, 1928, and by its end Algerian-based driver Marcel Lehoux had won the 200-mile-long race in his Bugatti T35C in a field mainly consisting of other Bugattis and some Amilcars. One year later, Italian driver Gastone Brilli-Peri won in a works Alfa Romeo P2 after the early retirements of teammates Achille Varzi and Baconin Borzacchini. In 1931, after a year off, and until 1937, the event used a new route: a triangular highway circuit laid out between the then-separate cities of Tunis and Carthage. Achille Varzi won that version three times (with Bugatti and Auto Union), while Tazio Nuvolari (Scuderia Ferrari’s Alfa Romeo), Rudolf Caracciola (Mercedes-Benz), and Raymond Sommer (Talbot) finished first overall one time each.The event was then dormant for a time, returning in 1955 as a sports car race with a small 14-car entry in a public park, called the Circuit du Belvedere. The race saw a pair of Ferrari 750 Monzas take home the silverware with Luigi Piotti and Luigi Bordonaro driving with the rest of the pack filled with 2.0L cars. There is now a revival event, made possible by a very close bunch of friends that took over the seaside of Hammamet for a weekend of races, conviviality, and relaxation. The roster of cars was pretty slim compared to some of the bigger historic gatherings, but we had the pleasure to see some curious and quite interesting specimens all the same. Amongst them I would underline the Scuderia del Portello’s Giulia Spider 1600 Carrera Panamericana, Giulia GTA 1300, and the Giulietta Sprint 1600. Gaby Von Oppenheim was driving a very rare prototype of the Giulia SS dressed by Carrozzeria Colli. Count Alessandro Federico—a man who participated in the Targa Florio, the real one—drove his 1935 Fiat Balilla 508S Coppa d’Oro from Sicily. Moreover, a black Porsche Speedster, a Triumph TR2, a red Marcos 1600 GT, a Mini Cooper, and a flaking red, unrestored, never-seen-before Ferrari. A very uncommon prancing horse with a particular story, entered by an Austrian gentleman driver. I am talking about Egon Von Hofer’s Ferrari 212E Montagna, a two-seater barchetta-style vehicle featuring a Maranello-made V6. As the owner claimed, at the end of 1969, he bought an original 212E body from the Ferrari factory and asked Piero Drogo of Carrozzeria Sportscar to fix it onto his Dino 206S. Then, he lent the car to an unspecified person for a car show that occurred one year after the body swap was completed, and he never returned it. Several years later, the car had surfaced somewhere in Sweden. The original 212E Montagna driven by Peter Schetty dominated the 1969 European Hill Climb Championship, placing first in every race it entered and setting as many course records. That car, s/n 0862, was also built on a Dino 206S chassis and used a very unique flat-12 engine: a development of the 1512 1.5L Formula 1 engine engineered by Mauro Forghieri, here reworked by Stefano Jacoponi in order to create a 2.0L version. You should be aware of the fact that Tunisian road racing safety concerns are very vague, or we should say, very much like they were in the “good old days.” Needless to say it was a great time, and well worth the trip. Seeing such a beast as the 212 being unleashed on the seaside of Hammamet, surrounded by palm trees and almost empty big white resorts whose walls were echoing and amplifying the V6 sound was quite surreal. Almost no side barriers, a few policemen and fire marshals around, a white and red plastic band trying to alert a few tourist that some racing cars were using the road today. They still do it like they used to, at least in some places and to some degree, and we’ll take what we can get. In this case we returned home feeling like what got more than we’d asked for despite the count on the entry list. Tags Classic Car Rally/ Tunisia Featured BMW's Ill-Fated M1 Race Cars Still Have Immense Circuit Presence Travel Italian Rendezvous: BMW E24 And E30 Squeeze One More Road Trip Out Of Autumn Travel GALLERY: The Coppa Milano-Sanremo Proves There's More To Italian Road Rallying Than The Mille Miglia Travel GALLERY: Journees d'Automne Is Vintage Paradise In Modern Times Travel Rally Leningrad Pits Classic Cars Against The City Of St. Petersburg For The First Time Travel Switchbacks On The Col de Turini Are A Fitting Finish Line For The 2018 Winter Challenge Travel The Winter Challenge Leg 3: Carving Up The Icy Cliff Faces Of The French Alps Travel My Adventure Through The Carmel Valley Illustrates What It Means To 'Drive Tastefully' Leo Griffen This is a very cool old school race, I think a lot of people visited it, especially students. In our time, young people love to race. But there is a very urgent problem, this is cyberbullying, you can read more about it at my edu service, there you will also find a lot of cool edu tools. Rubens Florentino It does feel like a time travel. Awesome pics. Tommaso Zeriali Very exotic race, beautiful article ! Scott Casey	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26961
__label__wiki	0.914812	0.914812	Raumfahrt - 25 Jahre D-2: Bayerischer Ministerpräsident trifft Astronauten Mars-Chroniken - NASAs Curiosity Rover Aims to Get Its Rhythm Back Planet Erde - Himmelsphänomene Teil-93 Raumfahrt - Chinas first female astronaut sees artificial intelligence playing a role in space exploration Astronomie - Ultraviolet Radiation from Low-Mass Stars Could Render Planets Uninhabitable Raumfahrt - China Launching Relay Satellite Toward Moons Far Side Sunday Raumfahrt - Russia to develop cargo retrievable spacecraft in 2022 Raumfahrt - ISS-ALLtag: Russia to launch unmanned spacecraft to space station for first time in August 2019 Astronomie - NASA’s New Planet Hunter Snaps Initial Test Image, Swings by Moon Toward Final Orbit Astronomie - A BOLT OF INSIGHT U-LED TEAM MAKES BREAKTHROUGH IN UNDERSTANDING RARE LIGHTNING-TRIGGERED GAMMA-RAY FLASHES Astronomie - Amateur astronomers data helps scientists discover a new exoplanet Raumfahrt - Chinese company OneSpace sends OS-X rocket to 40 km in maiden flight Raumfahrt - ‘Chasing New Horizons’ details the story of the first spacecraft to Pluto Raumfahrt - The Mystery of the ‘SpaceBees’ Just Got Even Weirder Raumfahrt - China Wraps Up 1-Year Mock Moon Mission to Lunar Palace 1 Raumfahrt - Startvorbereitung für SpaceX-Falcon 9 mit NASA-GFZ GRACE Follow-On-Satelliten Raumfahrt - Moon Dust Is Super Toxic to Human Cells Astronomie - Mondsichel und Venus über Leuchtturm Helgoland, 17.05.2018 Astronomie - A SPACE ANT FIRES ITS LASERS Astronomie - ALMA Finds Most-Distant Oxygen in the Universe Raumfahrt - China’s moon mission Chang´e4 will probe cosmic dark ages Raumfahrt-History - 1968: Weatherwatch: Nimbus-B satellite was almost a disaster Raumfahrt - ISS-ALLtag: NASA to Preview Pair of Upcoming US Spacewalks, Provide Live Coverage Raumfahrt - Advisory committee asks NASA to develop plans for reduced ISS crew Raumfahrt - Astrobotic moon mission will preserve Wikipedia in micro Lunar Library Astronomie - Aliens May Well Exist in a Parallel Universe, New Studies Find Raumfahrt - A Pale Blue Dot, As Seen by a CubeSat Raumfahrt - ISS-ALLtag: First KiboCUBE satellite deployed from the International Space Station Astronomie - Astronomers find fastest-growing black hole known in space Astronomie - Orbital variations can trigger ‘snowball’ states in habitable zones around sunlike stars Raumfahrt - Chinas Yuanwang 7 space tracking ship sailing to support Change-4 relay satellite launch Astronomie - Asteroid the size of a city block to give Earth a close shave Astronomie - Astronomie in den Schulen Baden-Württembergs stärken - EILIG Astronomie - Old Data Reveal New Evidence of Europa Plumes Planet Erde - NASA Completes Survey Flights to Map Arctic Ice Raumfahrt - SpaceX’s workhorse rocket takes flight Raumfahrt - Australia’s space agency to launch on 1 July, headed by Dr Megan Clark Raumfahrt - China Focus: Sunrise for Chinas commercial space industry? Raumfahrt - Space Data Association to use space debris data from High Earth Orbit cubesats Astronomie - Is SETI getting NASA funding? Don’t get too excited yet Astronomie - Construction Begins on One of the World’s Most Sensitive Dark Matter Experiments Mittwoch, 16. Mai 2018 - 08:00 Uhr VIENNA, 11 May (United Nations Information Service) - The first cube satellite (CubeSat) developed under the KiboCUBE programme of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has been deployed from the International Space Station (ISS). The deployment took place on 11 May 2018 from the Japanese Experiment Module (Kibo) of the ISS with the Kibo robotic arm. The CubeSat, named "1KUNS-PF", or "First Kenyan University Nano Satellite-Precursor Flight", was developed by a team at the University of Nairobi after they were selected in 2016 by UNOOSA, in collaboration with JAXA, for the first round of the KiboCUBE programme. It is Kenya's first satellite, enabling Kenya to become a "space nation" with UNOOSA and JAXA's support. The University of Nairobi team intends to use its KiboCUBE CubeSat to test technologies it has developed for the future launch of a larger earth observation satellite. The team also hopes to apply data acquired from its CubeSat to the monitoring of agriculture and coastal areas. "This first KiboCUBE satellite brilliantly represents our mission at the Office for Outer Space Affairs: bringing the benefits of space to everyone, everywhere. It is fantastic to see the team from the University of Nairobi build and employ space technology, and it is an important step for Kenya in developing its own skills, experience and infrastructure to access and enjoy the benefits of space. Congratulations to everyone involved in reaching this important milestone today. I also extend my continued appreciation to JAXA for their ongoing support to the KiboCUBE programme and to UNOOSA" said UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo. "This is also an exciting step for UNOOSA as it is the first time that space hardware has been deployed as part of our capacity-building activities," added Ms Di Pippo. "Congratulations on the deployment of the first satellite of Kenya from the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo". I hope this successful first step of satellite deployment as technology demonstration will lead to the next stage of satellite missions from Kenya," said JAXA ISS Program Manager Koichi Wakata. "The CubeSat 1 KUNS-PF of the University of Nairobi, which was deployed today, is the first KiboCUBE jointly selected by UNOOSA and JAXA. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to UNOOSA for their tireless effort in preparing for this joint mission, and I look forward to further extending the cooperation between the two organizations. I am proud that we are contributing to Kenya's emerging space technology through the CubeSat deployment mission utilizing the unique capability of the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" on the International Space Station," added Mr Wakata. "The University of Nairobi has completed the development of 1KUNS-PF satellite and it was successfully deployed from the JAXA Kibo Module of ISS. This achievement is an important milestone for the University of Nairobi and Kenya, and it is our vision that it will create new opportunities for the University of Nairobi and Kenya to participate in space science. We are grateful for the support provided by international partners and the Government of Kenya during this mission, and we hope that this will continue in the future so that we can build the capacity for Kenyans to benefit and build more satellites," said Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi Professor Peter Mbithi. The KiboCUBE programme was launched in 2015 as a capacity-building initiative by UNOOSA and JAXA to offer educational and research institutions from developing countries the opportunity to deploy CubeSats from the Kibo module of the ISS. After the selection of the team from the University of Nairobi for the first round, a team from the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala was selected for the second round, and they are currently developing their satellite. Applications for the third round of KiboCUBE closed on 31 March 2018 and the selection process is currently underway. Quelle: United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs The United Nations/Japan Cooperation Programme on CubeSat Deployment from the International Space Station (ISS) Japanese Experiment Module (Kibo) "KiboCUBE" The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are pleased to announce the United Nations/Japan Cooperation Programme on CubeSat Deployment from the International Space Station (ISS) Japanese Experiment Module (Kibo) "KiboCUBE". KiboCUBE is the dedicated collaboration between UNOOSA and JAXA in utilizing the ISS Kibo for the world. KiboCUBE aims to provide educational or research institutions from developing countries of United Nations membership with opportunities to deploy, from the ISS Kibo, cube satellites (CubeSats) which they develop and manufacture. Currently, the only way to deploy CubeSats from the ISS is from Kibo. Kibo's unique capability is comprised of an airlock system and a robotic arm. The first orbital deployment of CubeSats from Kibo was successfully conducted in October 2012 through the Small Satellite Orbital Deployer developed by JAXA. Since then, nano-satellites and CubeSats from various countries around the world have been deployed from Kibo. The deployment of CubeSats from ISS is easier than the direct deployment by a launch vehicle thanks to the lower vibration environment during launch. With this comparatively less demanding interface requirements, UNOOSA and JAXA believe that KiboCUBE will lower the threshold of space activities and will contribute to build national capacity in spacecraft engineering, design and construction. Quelle: JAXA, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs Successful Deployment of First Kenyan Satellite, selected as First KiboCUBE programme of UNOOSA and JAXA United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) On May 11, 2018, the first CubeSat developed under the KiboCUBE programme has been successfully deployed from the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” of the International Space Station. This CubeSat, named “1KUNS-PF” was developed by a team from the University of Nairobi. On the day of the deployment, H.E. Dr. Amina C. Mohamed (the Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of Education in Kenya), H.E. Mr. Solomon K. Maina (the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary for Embassy of the Republic of Kenya), Dr. Vijoo Rattansi (Chancellor for the University of Nairobi), representatives from the University of Nairobi and the Japanese government watched the deployment of the CubeSat from the “Kibo” Mission Control Room in Tsukuba Space Center. 1KUNS-PF was developed as Kenya's first satellite, and the University of Nairobi will operate the CubeSat after its deployment from "Kibo". The experience and technology acquired from the development of this CubeSat will be applied in future earth observation satellite of Kenya. KiboCUBE is a cooperative programme between UNOOSA and JAXA to offer opportunity to deploy CubeSats from "Kibo". This programme aims to improve space technology of the developing and emerging space nations of the United Nations member states. The third round of application was closed this March, and UNOOSA and JAXA are under the selection process. The result of the third round of application will be announced this summer timeframe. Schedule of 1KUNS-PF (1st Kenyan University Nano Satellite-Precursor Flight) August, 2016: Selected as first round of KiboCUBE January 16th, 2018: Handover to JAXA April 2nd, 2018: Launch to the ISS May 11th, 2018: Deployment from "Kibo" using JEM robotic arm Photo of deployment of 1KUNS-PF(Kenya) and Irazu (Costa Rica) (deployed at the same time) Photo of Kibo Mission Control Room Koichi Wakata, Director General, JAXA Human Spaceflight JAXA Congratulations on the successful deployment of the first satellite of the Republic of Kenya from the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo"! I hope this successful first step of satellite deployment as technology demonstration will lead to the next stage of satellite missions from the Republic of Kenya. The CubeSat (1 KUNS-PF) of the University of Nairobi of the Republic of Kenya which was deployed today is the first KiboCUBE jointly selected by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and JAXA. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to UNOOSA for their tireless effort in preparing for this joint mission, and I look forward to further extending the cooperation between the two organizations. I am proud that we are contributing to Kenya's emerging space technology through the CubeSat deployment mission utilizing the unique capability of the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" on the International Space Station. Simonetta Di Pippo, UNOOSA Director This first KiboCUBE satellite brilliantly represents our mission at the Office for Outer Space Affairs: bringing the benefits of space to everyone, everywhere. It is fantastic to see the team from the University of Nairobi build and employ space technology, and it is an important step for Kenya in developing its own skills, experience and infrastructure to access and enjoy the benefits of space. Congratulations to everyone involved in reaching this important milestone today. I also extend my continued appreciation to JAXA for their ongoing support to the KiboCUBE programme and to UNOOSA. This is also an important day for UNOOSA as it is the first time that space hardware has been deployed as part of our capacity-building activities. It is an exciting step for us in the development of our efforts to bring access to space to all of humankind. Prof. Peter Mbithi, Vice Chancellor of University of Nairobi The University of Nairobi have completed the development of 1KUNS-PF satellite and it was successfully deployed from the JAXA Kibo Module of ISS. This achievement is an important milestone for University of Nairobi and Kenya, and it is our vision that it will create new opportunities for the University of Nairobi and Kenya to participate in space science. We are grateful for the support provided by international partners and the Government of Kenya during this mission, and we hope that this will continue in the future so that we can build the capacity for Kenyans to benefit and build more satellites. Quelle: JAXA	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26963
__label__wiki	0.589466	0.589466	Tickets for events at The Fleece 12 Thomas Street, Bristol, Bristol, BS1 6JJ The Fleece tickets 8:00 PM WIRE The Fleece Performing: Wire Sun 22 Mar 7:30 PM Jehst Performing: Jehst 8:00 PM OM Performing: Om The Fleece Bristol is the city's largest independent venue, and has gained almost legendary status through its club nights and live gigs - both of which cater to a variety of musical genres and tastes. Open seven nights a week and offering a late bar which runs until 4am, the Fleece Bristol promises a high-energy night to remember - whatever the event. With its 450-person capacity, the Fleece Bristol is the perfect venue in which to catch promising local bands as well as major acts on the up-and-up. Indeed, chart toppers such as Coldplay, Muse, Amy Winehouse, The Killers and Oasis have all played Fleece Bristol gigs in the past. The closest train station is Bristol Temple Meads. The Fleece, 12 St Thomas Street, Bristol, BS1 6JJ There is wheelchair access. Please contact the venue for access information on 0117 945 0996. Please contact the venue for access information on 0117 945 0996.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26967
__label__cc	0.565293	0.434707	Last updated on: Nov. 26th, 2018 PLEASE READ THESE TERMS OF USE CAREFULLY. ACCESSING OR USING THE CIEPS/ISSN INTERNATIONAL CENTRE SERVICES (COLLECTIVELY, THE "SERVICES") IMPLIES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THESE PROVISIONS AND OF ALL TERMS AND GUIDELINES INCORPORATED THEREIN BY REFERENCE (COLLECTIVELY, THE "TERMS OF USE OF THE WEBSITE"). PLEASE DO NOT USE THE WEBSITE IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH ALL THESE PROVISIONS. 1. The ISSN network and data. The International Centre for the Registration of Serial Publications, which is also known as the ISSN International Centre (hereinafter the CIEPS ISSN International Centre), coordinates a global network that has created an international system of numbering and bibliographic references which is essential for identifying and describing serial publications and other continuing resources on a global level. 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__label__wiki	0.850035	0.850035	Category: Sea Wall SEA WALL is back Andrew Scott. Photo: Kevin Cummins. We’re delighted to announce the return of our landmark production SEA WALL by Simon Stephens starring Andrew Scott. SEA WALL is directed by our Joint Artistic Director George and stars one of the world’s great stage actors Andrew Scott, fresh from his lauded Hamlet in the West End. SEA WALL was last seen at the National Theatre in 2013, and Dublin International Festival in 2015. It returns for just 14 performances at The Old Vic from 18 – 30 June. Tickets are on sale here. We’re delighted to be part of the Old Vic’s 200th birthday celebrations and can’t wait to share SEA WALL with the world again. Here’s what the press had to say last time out: George said: “It’s an honour to bring Simon’s exquisite play and Andrew’s virtuosic performance to the Old Vic – the first London stage I directed on. I’m thrilled that with the Old Vic, Paines Plough is able to make new writing of this quality accessible to so many people.” Andrew Scott said: “I’m so excited to return to The Old Vic. Sea Wall, to my mind, is a stunning piece of writing, and the idea of performing Simon’s beautiful play in this most magical of theatres makes me really happy. Thanks Matthew for having us. I hope The Old Vic audiences will love the play as much as I do.” Simon Stephens said: “This news has just about made my summer. The collaboration with George Perrin and Andrew Scott on Sea Wall is as special as any collaboration in my working life. The idea that we can bring our work to a theatre as magical and magnificent as The Old Vic quite fills my heart and blows my mind.” Matthew Warchus, The Old Vic Artistic Director, said: “I’m so delighted that Andrew is joining us in this very special Bicentenary Season. There are just 14 performances for audiences to catch one of the world’s most mesmeric actors in this stunning short play by the great Simon Stephens.” Keep scrolling to read about the SEA WALL team. Andrew Scott’s theatre credits include Hamlet (Almeida & West End); The Dazzle (Found111); Cock; A Girl in a Car with a Man (Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre); Birdland, Dying City, Crave, Playing The Victim (Royal Court); 50 Years on Stage, Emperor, Galilean and Aristocrats (National Theatre); Design for Living, Dublin Carol (The Old Vic); The Vertical Hour (Broadway); Sea Wall (Bush Theatre/Traverse Theatre/National Theatre); Long Day’s Journey Into Night (Spirit of Life Award Winner) (Gate Theatre); Six Characters in search of an Author; A Woman of No Importance; The Marriage of Figaro (Abbey Theatre Dublin). Film credits include Spectre; Jimmy’s Hall; Victor Frankenstein; Locke; Pride (BIFA Best Supporting Actor); Denial; Swallows and Amazons; Alice Through the Looking Glass; The Stag; Handsome Devil; Steel Country; Saving Private Ryan; The Duel; Korea; Nora; Dead Bodies (IFTA Best Actor in a Lead Role). Television credits include Sherlock (BAFTA Best Supporting Actor; IFTA Best Supporting TV Actor), The Hollow Crown, The Town, The Hour, John Adams, Band of Brothers, My Life in Film, Longitude, Lennon Naked and Legacy. Andrew has twice won the BBC Audio Drama award for his work on radio. Simon Stephens is an award-winning playwright. Theatre credits include The Threepenny Opera (National Theatre); Fatherland (Manchester International Festival 2017 / Lyric & LIFT Festival 2018); Heisenberg (West End); Obsession (Barbican/Toneelgroep Amsterdam); The Seagull, Herons, Morning, Three Kingdoms, A Thousand Stars that Explode in the Sky and Punk Rock – winner 2009 Manchester Evening News Award for Best Production (Lyric Hammersmith); The Cherry Orchard, I Am The Wind (Young Vic); Carmen Disruption (Deutsches Schauspielhaus/Almeida Theatre); Nuclear War, Birdland, Wastwater – winner 2011 Theater Heute’s Award, Motortown – winner 2007 Theater Heute’s Award, Country Music, Herons, Bluebird (Royal Court); The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time – Winner Olivier and Tony Awards for Best New Play (National Theatre /Apollo /Gielgud /Barrymore Theatre, Broadway); A Doll’s House (Young Vic/Duke Of York’s); Pornography – winner 2008 Theater Heute’s Award (Deutsches Schauspielhaus/Edinburgh Festival/Birmingham Rep/Tricycle Theatre); Sea Wall (Bush); Harper Regan, Port – winner 2001 Pearson Award for Best Play (Royal Exchange/National Theatre) and On The Shore Of The Wide World - winner 2005 Olivier Award for Best New Play (Royal Exchange). Film and television credits include: Dive, Pornography and Cargese. Radio credits include: Five Letters Home to Elizabeth and Digging. Simon is an Artistic Associate at the Lyric Hammersmith and Associate Playwright at the Royal Court. George Perrin is the Joint Artistic Director of Paines Plough and was formerly Joint Artistic Director of nabokov. His previous directing credits for Paines Plough include Love, Lies and Taxidermy by Alan Harris, Growth by Luke Norris, I Got Superpowers for my Birthday by Katie Douglas (Roundabout / Edinburgh Festival Fringe / National Tour), Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe (National and International Tour / Barrow Street Theater, New York / HBO), Lungs by Duncan Macmillan, The Human Ear and The Initiate by Alexandra Wood, Our Teacher’s a Troll by Dennis Kelly (Roundabout / Edinburgh Festival Fringe / National Tour), Not the Worst Place by Sam Burns (Sherman Cymru / Theatr Clwyd), Sea Wall by Simon Stephens (Bush Theatre / Dublin Theatre Festival / National Theatre Shed), Good with People by David Harrower (59East59 Theatres New York / Traverse Theatre / Oran Mor), London by Simon Stephens (National Tour), Sixty Five Miles by Matt Hartley (Hull Truck), The 8th by Che Walker and Paul Heaton (Latitude Festival/ Barbican / Manchester International Festival / National Tour), Dig by Katie Douglas (Oran Mor / National Tour) and Juicy Fruits by Leo Butler (Oran Mor / National Tour), House of Agnes by Levi David Addai, The Dirt Under the Carpet by Rona Munro, Crazy Love by Che Walker, My Little Heart Dropped in Coffee by Duncan Macmillan and Babies by Katie Douglas. Paines Plough News, Sea Wall Leave a comment May 18, 2018 May 23, 2018 4 Minutes	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26993
__label__cc	0.584068	0.415932	DM Lament Configuration's Carrion Hill Game Master electricjokecascade “The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of the infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far.” ― H. P. Lovercraft, The Call of Cthulhu and Other Weird Stories [Loot] \| [Maps] 101 to 150 of 324 << first < prev \| 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| 4 \| 5 \| 6 \| 7 \| next > last >> Walter the Vagabond Dec 7, 2019, 09:26 am Male Human Wizard \| HP 22/22 \|AC 17 (Tch 13, FF 14) \| Fort 0, Ref +3, Will +7\|Init +1 Perception +1 ...wait a moment. A spiral-shaped smear of blood? Like... like someone or something drew a spiral? 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17 <-- Knowledge (Religion, Arcana, Dungeoneering, Planes) Bah, Walter is distracted. Anyone else want to try? DM Lament Configuration Dec 7, 2019, 10:17 am [Loot] \| [Maps] Toilsday the 13th of Pharast, around 10:00 p.m. Anyone who draws closer to what at a distance looked like a spiral sees that, up close, it's a very crude rendition of three horned animal heads attached at the neck - goats, perhaps? rams? - with the horns pointed outward to form a circular shape To identify the Sigil: DC 20 Know. Religion: Tthe strange spiral as a symbol associated with both magical portals and the Dark Tapestry, the dark region between the stars where ancient gods are said to dwell—this check is also enough to reveal the association with the Old Cults, those who worship these ancient beings. DC 30 Know. Religion: You note that the sigil is one of many symbols tied to a specific one of these alien gods known as Shub Niggurath, an entity associated fertility. Those who draw closer to the ruined building immediately notice a fetid stink that turns the stomach; even out in the open air and under the pouring rain, it enters the nose and cloys the sinuses, sinks into your throat like rancid oil, and makes your very eyes tear up. Black slime coats the shattered planks, but most of it seems to have been washed away by the rain. Standing outside the building you can see that the northern wall has been burst outward. Through the huge hole you can see the shambles of what was once a living room; doors are shattered, furniture is splintered to pieces, and everything is coated in that thick, black ooze. Yelena: Even at a remove you can make out what must clearly be body parts littering this space - but you'd have to get enter the house to discern more. Meanwhile, back behind the cordon, Sergeant Mattis leads Maritine and Mihaela to where Tarrig, a bearded, shivering man, sits under a blanket. His face lined, his eyes yellowed, he startles at your approach, but is all too eager to talk; the moment the sergeant indicates that you'd like to talk to him, he begins to babble. "As every morning, the Slipper Market was awake early. The merchants set up stalls in the two hours before dawn and prepare their wares, and that was when a terrible something came crashing out of Marshan’s house. There were an awful lot of screams, and the entire house shook as if some great invisible hand had taken hold of it and was trying to push it into the ground or crumple it in its fist. I ran for the watch, but by the time we’d come back, it was all quiet. Wasn’t more than a few heartbeats after the guards led by Commander Garus entered Marshan’s home that the shaking and the screaming began again. Some of the guards ran back into the street only to be lifted into the air by something unseen and crushed most horrifically; it left behind only a few bodies, whatever it was. The house has been quiet ever since, but that doesn’t mean that the monster’s gone!” He stares at you wildly, his whole frame shaking. "I can't believe Garus didn't come back out! Of all people, Commander Garus!" Healing DC 14: The man is showing signs of an advanced addiction to flayleaf. Walter the Vagabond Dec 7, 2019, 01:47 pm Heal check --> 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13 Get a rank into Heal next level... The Message spell creates a pocket off altered air near the caster's mouth, a little cool spot of emptiness that produces the very faintest of hums. Walter murmurs into this. "Master Kolthis. Would you look at that... ah, symbol, on the wall there? I feel it should be familiar, though I... I cannot place it." Something about the slime is distressing to Walter, though he cannot articulate what it is. . Words drift through the bottom of the wizard's mind, just below the level of consciousness, not so much thought as felt. As a foulness shall ye know Them... Elize 'Lys' Brokenshield Dec 7, 2019, 04:59 pm Female Human Gunslinger (Bolt Ace) 5 \| HP:43/43 \| Grit 4/4 \| \|AC 21, Touch 17, FlatFoot 14, CMD 21 \| Fort +7, Ref +12, Will +5\| Init +8 \| Perception +13 Lys shudders in her coat once more, the rain a familiar, if unwelcome, old acquaintance. It's biting. Should've taken Bosworth on his offer. Making her way towards the spiral, Lys' nose wrinkles at the smell of waterlogged carnage. One glance at the alleyway is enough to send the hairs at the back of her neck springing up. I've seen worse... but barely., she notes, and as Yelena disappears down the alleyway, she takes a glance up at the wall, her teeth clenching. "Well, Matthis, I'm a career nevermind, and I've never seen anythin-", she begins saying, then her mouth suddenly stops, wide open. Running to the nearest shelter from the blinding downpour, she starts flipping her ancient libram frantically, until she finds it. A passage, barely a summary in the 'Compendium of Beasts, Monsters and Malefic Wytches', written next to a semi-erased sign of the three-headed goat. The Compendium of Beasts, Monsters and Malefic Wytches wrote: "Beware greatly, hunter, when you see the sigil of the three horned beasts. For the wyrd of its kin is antidiluvian, rivaling even existence itself. The ill-minded bedlamites who offer prayer to these eldritch unknowns, glimpse but a fragment of their power, but that is enough to fold reality and space, crossing leagues in the time it takes a weary man to blink, and blink you should not. For there are no nightmares worse than those lurking around the Old Cults." Oh, gods, any gods. That's bad. Very, very bad. Slamming the book shut and quickly putting it down her satchel, Elize raises her wide-open eyes, ushering the wizard to join her. "Walter?", she hisses, with nary a jest in her voice. "Th- that's the sign of the Old Cults. Sign for portal magic and beings forgotten when the world was young. The Dark Tapestry." Turning to walk into the alley to rejoin the others, Lys pauses for a second to wait for the soggy wizard. "On the bright side.", a forced smile appears on her face. "At least it's not fey, right?" Rolls/OoC: Perception on Sigil: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28 Sigil Identification: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26 Bluffing Walter that she's not scared: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11 Mihaela Stellamaris Dec 7, 2019, 06:10 pm Female Half-elf {conditions: none} Inquisitor 5 \| HP 28/28 \| AC 22 (Tch 16 FF 16) \| F +5 R +8 W +9 (+2 vs. ench.) \| Init +10 \| Perc +12, low-light vision, scent (vs. aberr.) Heal: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Nope Spending a couple of rounds of discern lies to check for intentional falsehoods (GM's discretion — but enough to scrutinize the whole recounting of the events). If none is detected... Mihaela listens impassibly to a tale which, in any other circumstance, she would have dismissed as wildly implausible but that, in the light of the recent events, she's forced to accept as another piece of an increasingly disturbing picture. Under her stoic demeanor, however, her agitation grows. For all she knows, the thing could still be right there in the alley, lurking unseen, with no-one being the wiser. "Ex invisibilibus veritas" she whispers, beseeching her Goddess to grant her vision of the invisible world. Casting see invisibility. Her eyes briefly flash purple as she abruptly moves to positions herself to get a better view of the alley. Assuming she's not triggering a boss fight here and now by discovering the monster... Moving closer, she can finally make out the gruesome sigil in finer detail. She raises her head, her cowl sliding down and hanging limply behind her shoulders, and... Knowledge (religion) (guidance): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 1 = 20 ...she freezes, shivers running down her spine, a feeling of unnatural cold having nothing to do with the rain, which is nonetheless now pouring all over her, standing motionless at the alley's entrance, her short brown hair rapidly getting soaked. Will: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28 Eventually, she manages to swallow down her fear. She averts her gaze from the wall only to see Elize walking her way, the exact same feverish looks in her eyes — an implicit acknowledgment of shared realization. Maritine LeGrasse Dec 7, 2019, 07:11 pm Female Human Lepidstadt Inspector 5 \| Initiative +3 \| Perception +10 \| Fort +3 Ref +8 Will +7 \| HP 45 AC 18 Healing: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 Maritine conceals a sigh of disappointment from poor Tarrig - addicts made for difficult witnesses at the best of times and the poor man was deep in the clutches of Flayleaf, but beggars could not be choosers. Taking a well worn but cared for tome out of her pack and a writing implement she scribbles down shorthand as Tarrig rambles about the tragedy that had occured, at a guess, not too long before their arrival - something that had not escaped her notice. She snaps her tome shut and lets it's lariat snap it to her side as Tarrig starts to shake in his panic and she leans down to carefully but firmly keep the man still and anchor his awareness. "Calm yourself sir. Garus is missing until proven otherwise - focus on what you can tell me. This invisible force, did it smell, make a strange noise? No creature is truly without presence, think!" She's restrained in her interrogation but her eyes are sharp as she watches Tarrig intently for any tells, only vaguely aware that Mihaela seems to have moved towards the alley and the crime scene. DM Lament Configuration Dec 7, 2019, 07:58 pm Lys: A voice speaks in your mind, a whisper as familiar as worn leather, absent but barely a week, evoked by the symbol you see on the wall: "It is our duty to raise a candle in defiance of the dark, but let us pray the Lady of the Graves finds us whole of mind and pure of soul when she takes us into her care, and not shattered, not broken, not reduced to weeping ruins by sights not meant for mortal eyes." The voice coursens. "For that shall be your fate, Elize. To be locked away in an asylum, gagged to stop the screaming, hands bound so that you may not claw out your eyes, to await in the prison of your broken mind for Pharasma to grant you mercy. Poor child. You have nothing to prove to me. You showed your true colors when you ran before, and I tell you now, it is not too late to run again." Mihaela hears nothing but fervent truth in Tarrig' voice; drawn away by her growing paranoia, she steps to the alley mouth and peers within - but sees nothing with her augmented vision that wasn't apparent before. Mihaela: The sight of the three goat heads daubed on the wall - for you know they are such, though you know not how nor why - however, brings forth a rapid deluge of memories, a flash flood that passes as quickly as it comes: Heaving, glistening flesh. Moans in the dark. Voices raised in adulation, voices raised in fear. Screams. Screams like shards of glass being dragged against the inside of your skull. You're bound, you're held, you can't move, you can't breathe, but even if you were free, you know you'd lie there paralyzed, fixed in place by the... thing that is being birthed before you, that you are destined to serve, to feed, to become - And then it is gone, leaving nothing in its passage but a cold sweat and your hammering, frantic heart. Tarrig's eyes gleam as he stares up at Maritine, meeting her own shadowed eyes beneath the brim of her hat. "Did it smell, you ask? Oh aye, it did at that, me pretty lady. It reeked. It smelled so I thought I was near bout to die, and gave thanks that I would, that I'd escape this mortal coil and shuffle off into the care o' the Lady of Graves. As for the noise, you ask me? I thought I did hear it mewl, even as it tore them men apart. Hard to be sure. Hard - hard to m-m-make out anythin' o'er the screams. Screams of men knowin' they were about to die, then dyin' in truth. Men bein' twisted and torn like dolls by a petulant child. I heard that, I did." He begins to smile, a twisted caricature of a grin, his whole body starting to tremble more fiercely. "On some level, I'm hearin' it still. Right now, in the depths o' me mind. The wet snap o' bone, the spatter of blood, the mewlin', the - the -" Tarrig's gaze turns vacant, and he just sits there, staring up at Maritine, staring through her, at something only he can see. A moment later, she smells the sharp tang of uric acid, and then sees a dark stain spread across his lap. He doesn't move, though. Doesn't react. Just sits there shivering, staring, eyes wide, unseeing, grinning his flayleaf-stained teeth in an expression that is more feral snarl than anything akin to a smile. Kolthis Ironjaw Dec 7, 2019, 08:11 pm M CG Dwarf Fighter 2/Cleric of Desna 3 \| HP: 50/50 \| AC: 19, T: 12, FF: 17) \| CMB: +9, CMD: 21 \| F: +9, R: +4, W: +6 (+1 against Fear Effects) \| Init: +7 \| Darkvision 60ft, Perc: +10, SM: +6 \| Speed 30ft \| Spells: 1st 3/4 2nd 3/3 \| Active conditions: None Slipper Market was smaller than Kolthis had expected, which made the gruesome scene in front of them all the more accentuated. The rain didn’t bother him much, although he supposed it might have made inspecting the bloody scene more troublesome. He was no stranger to the view of death - hired muscle work had always been full of it. But these deaths - mangled, crushed, and utterly destroyed - were far from normal. He prayed for Desna to help guide their way in the beyond before taking a look at the rest of the scene. Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18 Just as the massive smear of blood drew his eye, Kolthis heard the voice of Walter asking him to inspect it. Right, magical talking. Convenient. “Let’s see what that is, then.” he says, walking closer to inspect the wall, though unsure if Walter can actually hear him. Knowledge(Religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 Kolthis froze in place upon seeing the sigil painted in blood. He had seen this only once before, when he had been reading for some information about the incident in the ruins with an older Desnan priest, but he remembered exactly what it meant. Be vigilant of the Old Cults, for their agents work to bring into our world things most foul. Beware of their madness, their destruction. Beware the creatures of insanity, that exist in between seconds that seek to devour all that you are. Beware of the Dark Tapestry. Those were the words written in that ancient tome, translated for him. He had heard other mentions of the Dark Tapestry, but only in whispers and warnings of constant vigilance. Never had he thought he would be facing them. Again. Was that the figure in his dreams then? It made sense then, why Desna, with her domain over the stars and work in the silence between planets, had sent him here. Wait. The silence between planets. Similar to the Dark Tapestry, but a product of Desna. A product personified by The Black Butterfly. Turning, Kolthis looked for Mihaela - and found her to be also looking at the sigil. He had been so engrossed in his own thoughts he didn’t even notice. Much more frantically than he wanted to show, he walked up to her to ask her what she knew about the sigil, only to see pallid complexion that mirrored his own. ”Ah, so you do know what this is. As I thought. Then you know, as I do, that if this sigil’s presence means what I fear - as you fear - then we, and this town, are in grave danger.” Okay so, first let's see if Knowledge [religion] or [planes] are any use now! (I don't approve of rolling Knowledges again and again until you get a good roll -- but "what does Walter know generally about Old Cults / Dark Tapestry" seems like a different question from "does Walter recognize this one symbol".) 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29 and then whatever the outcome, let's see a DC 15 Will save to avoid triggering his Spooked drawback! 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 Wuh oh! Walter doesn't have bad dreams. He has a disciplined mind. Bad dreams would be a sign of mental disorganization! No, he doesn't have bad dreams. Well, hardly ever. It's very rare. He has flashbacks instead. Walter has a big damn flashback!: ...quite sure he's guilty? Sure? Of course, your lordship! Convicted by a jury and all, right proper! He hangs tomorrow! The man in front of you is grubby, unshaven. His eyes glisten in the torchlight. Blind drunk, killed his wife an' the little girl, too! Chopped 'em right up! Guilty as sin, sir! In the cart behind the man is a sack of burlap, six feet long. It moves, just a little. This is distasteful. But necessary. Very well. Step aside, then. The tall man steps out of the shadows, making the grubby man start in surprise. He carries a body over his shoulder. The old gardener had died quietly, some days ago; he was found in his hut in the morning. A simple preservative spell has kept the corpse fresh since then... Lay him there, next to the other one. The grubby man backs away as Walter begins murmuring and gesturing. The spell takes effect quickly: in a few moments, the corpse of the old gardener has changed. Now it's a much younger man, dark haired and burly, with a face scarred by years of hard drinking. Done. Now...? The tall man steps forward and neatly cuts the corpse's throat. Walter turns to the grubby man. You see, somehow he found a knife. And killed himself, in guilt and fear, before justice could be properly administered. Make sure the body is returned to his cell and, ah... appropriately displayed. The grubby man nods. All right then. Your payment, as agreed. Walter tosses the sack of coins to the grubby man. He pulls one out, bites it, grins. Always a pleasure, your lordship! Be off with you. But that wasn't the bad part. The bad part came later, in the special room under the manor, when Walter brought the subject to his teacher. The terrible old man, frail and bearded, smiles hideously Walter. Well done, my apprentice! Now, let us see. He approached the bound man, rolled up an eyelid, checked a pulse. The captive moans faintly, struggles for a moment against his bonds, falls back. Yes, well done. What an apt pupil you are, Walter. Walter tries to smile back, but it's tremulous and weak. On a shelf behind the old man there are two peculiar bottles, each containing a small piece of lead suspended pendulum-wise from a string. A bottle is bad. Two bottles are very bad. They will be pleased, I think. Now, Walter, the sky is clear and the moon is dark and the hour is close at hand. The terrible old man gestures at an open case of instruments, shiny and sharp. Now, my apprentice, it is time for your next lesson. You will prepare the specimen, under my supervision. Prepare? You mean, ah... Walter swallows hard. Do you think I am, ah... ready, Master? The old man's yellow eyes spark with malevolent amusement. Oh, yes, boy. You've been ready for a long time. Now! Our friends draw close. Let us begin. Walter swallows again, feels acid churn in his stomach. This is... unfortunate. But They are coming, and it would be most unwise to disappoint Them. And there's so much. So much to be learned. Wisdom from beyond this world, beyond the stars, beyond space and time themselves. Walter reaches out. His hand hovers a moment, hesitating. Then he chooses an instrument from the case, sharp and silver. The terrible old man chuckles and nods. The captive's eyes bulge. Behind the gag, he tries to scream. And scream. Outside the flashback: Walter gets very quiet for a few long moments. Anyone standing near him may notice he's trembling. DC 14 Sense Motive check: Walter is almost paralyzed with terror. His eyes are fixed and staring, and he literally can't speak for several long moments. Mechanically, Walter has the Shaken condition, which is -2 to pretty much everything -- attacks, saves, you name it. Elize 'Lys' Brokenshield Dec 8, 2019, 06:15 am Sweat bursts out on Lys' brow as the familiar voice starts whispering in her head. Darting to turn around, as if expecting Viktor to be behind her, the only thing in her wake is the horrid symbol on the wall and the torrential downpour. "Viktor?", she mutters out, as the gravel in the voice turns wicked. "I'm sorry, you told me to run, godsd-", she responds to the air, her tone cracking, before she clenches her teeth with closed eyes. Hey, you, voice. Whatever you are, because you're sure not him. You don't know him and you don't know me. Clutching the dagger in her coat tightly, she pushes her thoughts at the front of her mind. Only I decide when I want to run. Hands in her pockets, she carries on, head deep in thoughts as Mihaela's silhouette appears from the alleyway, a pale look on her eyes as they glance up. Towards it. Lifting her head to look at the taller woman in the eyes, Lys' lips purse in silence. The rustling of the heavily armoured dwarf approaching, the final confirmation on his mouth. "Well.", she says with a dark half-smile. "We figured that out when we heard of the carnage. Now we know exactly how deep the grave part of the danger is." Turning towards Walter, the wizard standing straight in the rain, head lost in thoughts as usual, Lys puts her hand across her mouth. "Hey! Walter! It's your conscience speaking. I'll see where the creature went. Should figure out if it can teleport on its own, or needs a little helper." Taking her hand off, she turns towards Mihaela and Kolthis. "Not that it's the quietest of prey, but I'm going to see where it appeared and where it disappeared. If it was smart enough to draw on the wall, it might be smart enough to use magic, but there might be some evidence left behind." Sense Motive on Walter: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13 Just Walter being Walter. Survival to determine the path of the beast while it was active.: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26 Yelena Stanescu Dec 8, 2019, 07:25 am Female Human Psychic (Esoteric Starseeker) 5 \| HP 27/27 \| AC: 18 (T: 11, FF: 17) \| Saves: F:+7, R:+5, W:+9 (+2 vs fear effects) \| Init: +6 \| Perc. +10 BAB: +2, CMB: 1, CMD: +12 \| Spells: (1st) 4/8, (2nd) 6/6 \| Active Conditions: Heightened Awareness: +2 to Perception/Knowledge checks Once in the alley, Yelena tilts her head curiously at the symbol. It’s strange, out of place, ritualistically drawn, and so familiar... K. Religion: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32 A fragment of a fragment of memory comes to her mind. Not hers. One she’d seen in another’s mind. Shortly before the seemingly-normal man had transformed into something...other. The new moon. The woodlands. A strange spiral shape drawn on the ground, in honor of... A horrifying entity, as tall as a tree but made entirely of ropey tentacles, presiding over a stone altar. The unfortunate victim, bound and screaming as she’s slaughtered in the name of... A foul-smelling ‘milk’, eagerly drunk by the ecstatic cultists, so that they may transform into creatures better able to serve... ”Iä! Shub-Niggurath! The Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young!” Yelena stares at the symbol, trembling, then retreats out of the alleyway. Oh Starsong, Great Dreamer, is this why we’re here? A foolish question. Of course it is. Uprising and Lost, a creature summoned specifically to drag the world into its madness... At least she hasn’t been sent here alone. ”Walter,” she whispers. ”Walter, What we’re facing here...have you heard of the Black Goat?” He’s more well-read than her, it’s likely he’s come across information in one of those Academies he was so proud of that’s far more extensive than her own memory or a memory. She pointedly doesn’t use its real name. Names have power, and she doesn’t want to attract more attention than she already has. One thing’s for sure, she’s not going into that house alone. ”Kolthis? Lys? Would you mind coming with me to check out the house?” The North Star has guided them all here, they should take advantage of what little safety numbers can grant them. Mihaela Stellamaris Dec 8, 2019, 09:46 am With a titanic effort, the half-elf steels herself against the flood of half-suppressed memories suddenly bursting out of her subconscious you weren't sent controlling her breath you were summoned relaxing her muscles your Goddess was devoured aeons ago expanding the stillness between each heartbeat you are no huntress savoring it, you are FOOD until her heart finally resumes its usual, measured rhythm. "Grave indeed" she eventually finds the strength to reply, finding solace in Lys and Kolthis's proximity, two strangers until but a couple of minutes ago whose fate has been now intertwined with hers by forces beyond her comprehension. "Truly, I am now more than ever thankful I wasn't sent alone" she says, suddenly looking smaller and vulnerable yet hopeful at the same time — a stark contrast with the rigid, pragmatic attitude she has displayed until now. For a brief moment, she even manages to summon the shade a smile as she utters the words. Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 In doing so, she turns towards Walter, who hasn't yet spoken a single word. Having just experienced it firsthand, it is as if she can understand and perceive some small amount of his terror herself. "None of us is alone" she calmly states, laying a hand on the transfixed man's shoulder. "take your time. We are here with you, but I'm afraid we will have need of your expertise sooner rather than later." Unable to offer any more assistance, she turns instead to the crossbow-woman, nodding quietly as she states her intention of trying to track the creature's movements. "Allow me to help." Using her scent ability in conjunction with a Survival check to pick up a track by smell (works only if the creature was an aberration). Survival (guidance): 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 1 = 23 Maritine LeGrasse Dec 8, 2019, 10:30 am Maritine lets go of poor Tarrig and stands straight with a sigh tinged with both pity and disappointment at the results she had gleaned from ruined shell of a man. Cruel as it was to think she didn't imagine him much longer for the world, choosing a flayleaf oblivion over retaining the awful memories of what he had witnessed. Perhaps it was best this way. Leaving Tarrig to his stupor and having little to work with she turns and looks about for her companions - perhaps they had had better luck in the alley. Knowledge - Religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 The sigil, symbol, whatever it was - it was difficult to miss. Just as it was impossible to ignore the twinge of revulsion in her soul from the sight of it. She wasn't familiar with that particular foul brand and judging by the ghastly faces of her companions it was perhaps the smallest of blessings. But she knew herself. And she knew she'd seek answers, throwing away the blissful safety of ignorance for knowledge and all the dangers therein. Walter seems to be suffering the worst from his knowledge of the abhorrent symbol and has the others carefully tending to him. Approaching slowly but purposfully Maritine positions herself so that she doesn't have to look at the sigil while she speaks and perhaps angle herself to block line of sight as she carefully enquirers "I presume then that you know more than I, about what that means." She keeps her voice low but steady and together - she could be a rock for her companions, for the time being. Yelena Stanescu wrote: He got a DC 29 Knowledge check, so I'm pretty sure he knows stuff. Give him a moment to pull himself together... Walter's Shaken condition lasts d4+1 rounds, so 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3. ”Walter,” she whispers. ”Walter, What we’re facing here...have you heard of the Black Goat?” It's several moments before Walter can reply. "Yes," he says hoarsely. "Yes, I have." DC 15 Will save, not against being Shaken, but just against saying something inappropriate. 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 Damn, not a good morning for Walter's peace of mind. "Hey! Walter! It's your conscience speaking. "I..." "I presume then that you know more than I, about what that means." "I, ah... I have some, I was, I was" ”Walter, What we’re facing here...have you heard of the Black Goat?” "I'm sorry," Walter's voice breaks into a squeak, more like a child than a grown man. "I was... misguided, I was very misguided, I, I... I tried, there at the end, I tried, but, I..." Walter squeezes his eyes shut, trembling. "Unclean," he says softly. "So unclean." "Need my... expertise. Yes. I know... things. Yes." Walter visibly pulls himself together. Appealing to his knowledge works! This time. He turns to Mihaela. How will he react to her kind and thoughtful words? Hmm... maybe treat this as an untrained Diplomacy check?1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 "Well! Yes." He turns his back on her and strides off. "Nobody should enter that house alone, indeed! We must go together. And if something is left there, we must burn it with fire!" Walter and social skills: still a work in progress. Yelena Stanescu Dec 8, 2019, 03:22 pm Unlean? Having retreated out of the alley, Yelena is faced with something she'd never expected to see. Walter, upset, unsure, and...apologizing? Whatever had happened to change him so much, it must have something to do with this. The Dark Tapestry. Perhaps even the Black Goat? But looking at Walter, seeing him like this...she can't bring herself to ask. She should, probably. Twin still floats in her mind, warning of divided loyalties. While she doesn't think Walter, (at least this Walter), would want to aid a creature like this, that doesn't mean he isn't. The Starsong has brought several of her servants here. No reason the Dark Tapestry couldn't summon a few champions of its own. No. She has to trust her companions. The Walter she'd known...yes, there had been reason to be wary of him, that man who would have sacrificed anything for knowledge. But that had been long ago. (The Walter she'd known had never apologized for anything.) She hesitates, then lays a hopefully-comforting hand on his shoulder. "We're all here now. That's what matters. Whatever this creature is, we'll stop it. Together." Glancing at Maritine, she sees the slight confusion in her eyes and offers a quick explanation for the rest of the group. "That symbol, it represents the Black Goat of a Thousand Young. A creature of the Dark Tapestry. We should be wary as we investigate further. These kinds of things...they often result in worse than death." With everyone hopefully aware of what they face, she once again turns to the alley. Taking a deep breath, she joins Walter as he heads forward. "The creature emerged from inside this house. Let us see if we can figure out where it originally came from...and perhaps where it is going next." Planning to enter the smashed house from the alleyway. I've gone ahead and placed my token on the map. Together you venture into the ruined building, picking a careful path over the rubble and black slime. The room whose wall has been destroyed (A3 on map) is still somewhat recognizable as a living room – one in complete disarray of course, and smelling worse than open graves and diseased beasts. Smashed furniture is everywhere, along with rubble. The farther you venture into the room, the less the rain has been able to wash away the signs of battle. Here the gore is copious and even more gruesome – a drop of cold sweat runs down Mihaela’s spine when, trying to move an abandoned boot, she feels the weight of a human foot inside. An arm, coated in black and still holding a longblade with a pale, blood-drained hand, has been ripped off and cast aside near a destroyed cabinet. One body in particular catches your attention. Though dressed in black akin to the other Crows, the quality of its gear is a cut above; the slime and gore encrusted cloak is of fine sable, the ruined armor carved with magical symbols, and the snapped blade held in its gauntleted hand was clearly an object of wonder and might. The man's head has been utterly crushed, reduced to a paste of bone, brain, and blood, as if a thousand pound rock and fallen upon him. Around his neck, however, you can still make out a pendant of a butterfly. Knowledge Religion: Lys: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 Kolthis: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 Walter: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34 Maritine: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 Mihaela: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 While Lys and Kolthis immediately recognize the pendant as the holy symbol of Desna, Walter, Maritine, and Mihaela feel a shudder of horror: the pendant is particular to the holy paladins of Desna, indicating that Garus was much more than a simple Crow. Terrifying as this sight can be, the worse thing is the smell. Where the rain can’t get, you see the thick, sticky black slime covering rubble and floor alike - clearly the source of the stench. The smell is almost overwhelming, and somehow wrong, in a way that no rotting corpse could ever be. It twists your visions, filling the air in the room with vapors akin to heat shimmers, and coats the tops of your mouths in greasy slime. All seem affected by it to some degree, except Mihaela. The smell is noxious, yes, but not nearly so overpowering as the others seem to make it out to be. Lys Fort Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Kolthis Fort Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21 Walter Fort Save: 1d20 ⇒ 4 Maritine Fort Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 Yelena Fort Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Walter in particular is badly affected by the stench; he nearly retches as he walks through the room, and feels his gorge rise several times, his stomach spasming and nearly doubling him over. Walter is sickened for as long as she remains near the vicinity of the slime. [Tag all?] Moving on, you proceed into the next room (A4) was once a cluttered but cozy parlor, but now the couches, bookshelves, tables, and other comforts are in complete disarray. The eastern wall is partially collapsed, including what once may have been a fireplace to the northwest and two doors leading into other rooms of the building to the southwest. A hideous smell wafts through these holes. An examination of the books reveals that the vast majority are about the history of Carrion Hill and the immediate surroundings, including a large number of books about astronomy as well. None are outstanding in their rarity, and most are rather damaged by the rain leaking through the new holes in the roof. [Tag?] The last room (A5) appears to have once been a library and bedroom is now in a shambles. Furniture is splintered, shelves and books smashed and torn, and everything is coated with a thick, stinking layer of tar-like sludge. A door frame lies burst open to the southwest, beyond which a flight of slime-smeared stone steps leads downward into the dark. The books here follow the same topics as those in the parlor, though these seem to be much more valuable and focused on strange forms and sinister cults. It's also immediately obvious from the swirls left in the black slime that the monster came up from below - judging from the amount smeared on the walls and ceiling, whatever it was had to squeeze itself into the space in order to clamber up the stairs. There is no evidence that they thing returned the way it came, and in the stairwell itself, the slime has dried and become less foul smelling. The stairs lead down into the dark, perhaps fifteen steps in all before taking a right turn. All is silent from below. Walter is in profound misery at every level -- mental, spiritual, and physical. Nevertheless: books. --> Walter will stop to examine both bookshelves closely. Walter's Perception is not great 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12 and he knows it, so he will ask others with sharper eyes to do the same. @Walter: well, you did mention burning things with fire, which as everyone knows grants a +20 circumstance bonus when interacting with inquisitors — so I'll consider your attempt at Diplomacy a resounding success :) Mihaela smirks at Walter's promise of pyroclastic retribution, welcoming the man back into their fold. She proceeds to follow him and Yelena into the half-ruined house. Once again, she's slipped back in the familiar role of the dispassionate inquisitor, analytically scanning the surrounding butchery; yet even then, rivulets of cold sweat mixed with rainwater slide down her back as she carefully makes her way while trying to avoid stepping on other human remains. The search and rescue part of their mission proves to be awfully short as the corpse of a high-ranking Crow officer — which could have only belonged to Lord Garus — is among the first things to be spotted among the debris. Her sense of uneasiness grows upon recognizing the pendant and its meaning. Recognizing a fellow warrior of the Faith, she mutters a short prayer under her breath: "Farewell, unmet Champion of the Northern Star. We shall pick up your fight as She guides you along the Stairway, and preserves you from the Horrors Beyond.". She doesn't linger long. Among the faithfuls, there are those who have dedicated their lives to bring help, support, and comfort, those charged with the tending of the flock, the wandering preachers, and then many, many more. She, however, was trained for a singular purpose: to bring retribution upon those who would harm any of them. She clings to this belief with all the willpower she is able to muster, even if her expression betrays one singular concern: Lord Garus had the favor of Desna. And Lord Garus was slaughtered nonetheless. Venturing deeper into the house, she offers to help Walter with browsing through the tomes; as menial a task as she can find to distract herself from the gloom thoughts clouding her mind. @DMLC: tag Mihaela entering the room and investigating the books in areas A4 and A5. Also, would the Black Goat Yelena mentioned ring any bells to her? Perception (guidance): 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 12 + 1 = 29 Sorting through the books will take some time; they've been spilled from their shelves, half are waterlogged, and they're piled atop each other in a manner most disrespectful to occult literature. Mihaela squats beside the first pile and sorts through a dozen in quick order, and confirms what Walter has begun to suspect: these are introductory texts, most of them accounts of third party tales, filled with common knowledge and fanciful illustrations. To dig through the whole pile would require hours, but from that brief sampling, Mihaela chooses to move into the bedroom. There the books prove to be of more serious quality: journals of travelers descending into the depths of forbidden Mwangi temples; art books created by aesthetes driven mad by their own obsessions; blasphemous lexicons culled from the mouths of a score of asylum inmates who all spontaneously manifested elder signs upon their bodies. Nothing leaps out as magical, but to be sure, again, would require a good thirty minutes to an hour of working her way through the morass of books. @Mihaela: I will leave that decision up to you - it's certainly possible that your inquisitor has focused on that being and learned its name given her background. Kolthis Ironjaw Dec 9, 2019, 06:12 am Stop it? Yelena’s words of explanation ring hollow in Kolthis’ ears. How can we stop something like this? he thinks, as he looks at the destruction around them. What can we do against such reckless hate? Do they understand what we’re dealing with? A flare of anger, born of the embers of frustration and helplessness he remembers all too well, rose up, unbidden, in Kolthis. Do they even begin to comprehend?” Sense Motive: Sense motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 Yet, as he looks around at the faces of his companions, he sees the terror that grips them like a vice, just as it does him. Still, they endeavor to move forward. Together. As quickly as it came, the anger receded. They do. And they’ll continue in spite of it. So who am I to shirk at the same? After all, I’m not alone this time. Lifted out of his dark thoughts, Kolthis enters the house with the rest of the group. Walking through the carnage of the rooms stirs images of Kolthis’ nightmares, both lived through and dreamt. They stumble upon the body of a Crow, but clearly more than just a soldier. Once ornate and magical gear adorned the crushed, lifeless body of who Kolthis assumed could only once have been Commander Garus. It seems that he was right about hope - and he despises it. Seeing the holy symbol of Desna, the same he wore around his neck, Kolthis felt emotions of loss he couldn’t explain, ones that he was sure the Mayor would feel manyfold over. Kneeling down by the body, Kolthis placed a hand over the Commander’s chest and prayed to their Goddess. He died doing your work, Starsong. The least he deserves is the fortune of a clear path to walk in the afterlife. As he finishes, Kolthis grabs the remains of the butterfly pendant and, carefully, tries to take it off to stow the remains in his pack. There was no time now, but later he could attempt to fix it with Mending, and then perhaps the Mayor would want it as a keepsake. It was only then that Kolthis really noticed the stench of the room. This would have been a great time to have prepared Remove Sickness. Stupid. he berates himself as he sees Walter being hit particularly bad. With nothing to do about it now, he moved on through the remains of the library, looking for any indication of the creatures presence, or perhaps even anything noteworthy among the rubble. Perception: As they reach the stairs descending into darkness, Kolthis stops the party for a moment, as he unsheathes his lucerne hammer and casts Light on it. ”Although my vision in the dark is rather good, I am sure some of you may not share the same blessing, so I figure some light will be a good idea.” He nods to the rest of the group, and holds Lucy firmly in his grasp, now emanating light, preparing for the possibility of something, anything, in the darkness beyond. With a deep breath, he says ”I will take point, whenever we’re ready.” If we're spending some time looking at stuff in the library, Kolthis will use that as time to go through the casting Mending process on the holy symbol pendant. DM Lament Configuration wrote: Walter stares at the books, one part disgusted, three parts intrigued. Then -- after a moment of obvious internal struggle -- he says, "We should... move these out of the rain, and come back to examine them later." The wizard turns and stares across the room at the open door and the stairs going down. Walter suppresses a gag, swallows hard, wipes the back of his hand across his mouth. Then he looks at the rest of the party with hollow eyes. "It, ah... it seems very unlikely, but there might be... survivors. Someone hiding. Or, or captured. We should... we should..." Walter breathes heavily, once, twice. "We should go down there and look." Yelena grimaces at the sight of Commander Garus' body. She hadn't really expected anything else, but she'd been hoping... For a fraction of a second her vision wavers, grows dark. Hope? Hope won't help you here, child. Your Dreamer sleeps and will not wake to save you. She has abandoned you, just as she abandoned this fool. All hope is lost... Perhaps the voice she hears is merely her own doubts, and she's wasting time arguing with herself. Perhaps not. Does it matter? Yelena wrings her hands together, breathing hard. No. You lie. You always lie. And that you feel the need to lie...that proves that we're not too late. She helps Walter move the books to a slightly drier corner. While they may not have time to go through them now, later they might prove essential to solving this mystery. Then she faces the darkness below. "Survivors or no, the creature came from down there. This was the first place it emerged." Yelena grimaces. "It was born here. If we can find its place of origin, perhaps we can find out who summoned it. And why." As they descend the stairs she stays near the back of the group, muttering a brief prayer. "North Star, guide us, show us the way..." She takes a deep breath, focuses, and allows her inner magic to be set free. Casting Heightened Awareness. For 50 minutes Yelena has a +2 bonus to all Perception and Knowledge checks, and can dismiss the spell for a +4 to initiative if necessary. The Black Goat of a Thousand Young. Should write it down, so that the next person getting the book would know. Little by little, light by light, right?, Lys' mind repeats the name in her head, as the group ventures inside the house. The stench is overwhelming, but Lys holds her breath steadily. Whether due to fortitude, habit, or simply because her stomach, too, has clenched shut, all of her body focused into dealing with the carnage of black ooze and stained crimson covering the ruined walls and floors of the house. Her mind struggles to find words to describe the utter brutality of the slaughter, and she remains quiet, the unspoken words crawling in her head. That's... worse than Nirmathas. There was at least something... natural to that. This is just destruction for destruction's sake. As the others move to cast their final blessings on the deceased, she remains silent, eyes solemnly glancing over the remains of the Crows, scattered in the rooms like a macabre jigsaw. "Let's leave the books for now.", she feels her voice, jagged and faint, leave her mouth as Walter starts examining the library. "We need to find the house owner. Whereever they are, I have some very pointed questions for them." Joining the others at the entrance of the stairs, she winces with disdain, opening her coat to reveal a multitude of flasks, crossbow bolts, and a jar of pickled garlic. Taking out a couple of darkened vials, filled with a thick, pale-white liquid. "Smear this on yourselves.", she says, taking off the stopper off one of them, as the smell of pungent cat urine and feral musk fills the air. "Prime, triple-distilled and calcinated village mouser. If the cat's anything to go by, any animal smaller than a grizzly will do its best to avoid you." Rubbing the paste on her boots and naked skin, Lys passes the vials around. "I'll bring up the rear. If I shut up, there's something behind you." Pulling down the crossbow from her back, a click of a lever draws the string, and a foot-long steel-tipped bolt comes out. Mihaela takes the lead. It's not an inviting descent. The doorway is narrow, the framing crooked, the timber so old it's near fibrous. The stairway's walls press in claustrophobically tight, so close that her shoulders - and those of them that follow - near brush them on either side. The darkness is a thing near palpable, made bearable only by the receding strength of the slime's stench; the further down you go, the dryer the slime becomes, and the weaker its venomous odor. The very air is pregnant with tension and expectation, as if the walls, the steps, the building itself was watching you descend into the depths, and waiting for some terrible development. Down Mihaela goes, till she reaches the turn, and peering around it sees another flight of stairs descending even further before turning again. She moves slowly, carefully, supremely aware of the fact that she's out front, alone. This second flight of stairs, however, is marred by rubble and loose rock; dust and debris lie on the steps continuously, and the walls themselves bear signs of violence in the shape of pick-ax marks and other sharp blows. Knowledge Engineering DC 15: It's clear the stairwell after the turn was once blocked solid with debris and loose rock, and that it has been but recently cleared. What's more, the very nature of the walls change as you descend. The stairwell's architectural style goes from post and lintel framing, simple and crude, to an older, more refined style of stone archways and brickwork. Knowledge Engineering/History DC 17: This new construction is reminiscent of an ancient Taldan building style, but one that is several centuries old - if forced to guess, you'd wager you've descended into a layer of Carrion Hill that's easily three hundred years old. Down the steps go, then they take another right turn, then a second, until finally spilling out into a large room. This chamber’s brick-lined walls are supported by fifteen foot-high stone arches. Between each arch, circular alcoves have been cut into the wall, each containing a stone sarcophagus. One sarcophagus on the southern wall has toppled over, spilling its long-dead occupant partially out on the brick floor. A dry swath of black sludge nearly ten feet wide runs down the center of the room, connecting the west and northeast stairs. The far end of the hall seems to have collapsed long ago. Not a sound but your own harsh breaths. The air is cool, mineral, and fusty with the passage of long, silent centuries. (Map updated. Please place your icons accordingly.) Message is on, so Mihaela can tell us what she sees. Does she want to call us down, or explore stealthily / invisibly? Since it doesn't look like there'll be a need to ambush an attacker, Walter stands up from his tense crouch partway down the stairs. He pulls out a flask of oil and pours it into the metal receptacle at the end of his staff, producing a clear yellow flame. Lantern staff: magical light is all well and good, but sometimes you want the option of burning something. Mihaela peers into the stairway descending into darkness. It is difficult to believe a creature of such ruinous strength was capable to squeeze through its narrow walls, but all the signs are clear. They now know what they have to do. She knows what she has to do. "I'll go first" she states — the firm resoluteness in her tone the mark of a decision already taken. "I'll relay everything I see through Walter. If I stop responding — bar this entry by any means possible. Burn down the house and collapse it above it, if need be." Ok that was a bit melodramatic, I admit it. She rubs the contents of one of Lys's vials all over her coat and skin and silently stands motionless as she feels Walter's familiar spell gently embracing and shielding her. A couple of whispered words "Per obscuriores semitas" and she suddenly disappears into thin air. Casting invisibility, duration: 5 minutes. Stealth checks for the GM, if needed (pick best) Stealth: 1d20 + 14 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 14 + 20 = 45 Not three heartbeats pass that a whisper is heard benedicamini apparently out of nowhere, immediately followed by a soothing sensation washing over the whole party. Casting bless, everyone gets +1 morale bonus to atk. rolls and save vs. fear effects for 5 minutes. With that, her right foot is already on the first, slime-covered step, and down she goes, alone with the sound of her beating heart. Not even half a minute passes — though her growing sense of vulnerability and claustrophobia has made it feel like far longer — that Walter hears Mihaela's voice coming to him in a whisper. "All clear. Three turns right, then one left, then a large, partially collapsed hall. Architecture here looks older, can't quantify though. More stairs ahead, trail continues." Mihaela moves to the eastern end of the hall and reports on what she sees down the northern flight of stairs. If everything's clear, she calls down the others. Yelena follows close behind Walter as they descend down the steps. The tight corridors are close, too close, and she feels a distinct twinge of uneasiness. Living her entire life on the open road, small spaces are not something she's fond of. K. History, HA: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 2 = 26 She studies the walls, trying to ignore their closeness in favor of unearthing their secrets. "This place is old," she murmurs. "Much older than the rest of Carrion Hill. Several centuries older, if I had my guess." What, if anything, that means is for others to decide. She's no investigator or scholar. She's just a fortune-teller, trying to make sense of things that by their very nature make no sense at all. "Starsong's blessings go with you, Mihaela. We'll be following close behind, should anything happen." Despite Mihaela's comment, Yelena has no intention of leaving a companion behind. Even one so recently met. Mihaela ghosts down the steps, moving so lightly that she can't even hear the echo of her own footsteps. Moving carefully across the hall, she passes before the alcoves and their sarcophogi, watching them closely, expecting, perhaps, for the ancient lids to begin to slide aside - but none do. The silence aches, and Mihaela almost dares not breathe. Still she reaches the far side without incident, and stops before the second stairwell to peer into its dark depths. There are ten steps, descending steeply to a small landing, and then she can see that they take a sharp right and continue descending out of sight. 1 minute of invisibility down. Kolthis was hesitant to let Mihaela go on her own ahead. He knew not the extent of her abilities, but moreso he was want to be in a case once again of separation from his allies where his presence could prevent a horrid death. But Kolthis had to admit, this was a long throw away from the nightmares of his past. For she had invisibility and stealth, and he knew tagging along with his heavy armor would only be a nuisance. "As Yelena says, we will be prepared. Be safe, Mihaela." As she disappears, and a soothing sensation that Kolthis recognizes washes over him, he followed Yelena and Walter, trying to pay more attention to the halls of old for anything to threaten them, rather than examining the ancient structure. Black Goat. A Thousand Young. The Dark Tapestry. Old Gods. Very old Gods. Ancient even by the eons of deities. Maritine knew bits and pieces of sums and parts - not because she lacked knowledge but because she had seen what had happened to those that had delved too far, too deep into knowing things that mortals couldn't and shouldn't know. Black tomes kept under lock and key and a dozen wards filled with the kind of of secrets had gambled their sanity for - and lost. The carnage inside is worse than she was properly prepared for despite having seen the carnage outside. The slime, she mused darkly, made the gruesome scene worse with the implications behind it, contaminating the remains of the victims and denying them what little dignity they had left in death. The ornate symbol of Desna resting in the wreckage of what must have been Garus. Even Maritine's stoic facade flickers at the sight - Whoever and whatever Garus had been, there should have been more left to give the man his due. Saying nothing while Kolthus takes the exquisite pendandt and the group gives quick but sincere prayers to the gods, Maritine takes a moment and perhaps foolishly pulls an empty vial from deep within her coat and takes a small sample of the gunk all around them, teeth grit as her stomach flip-flops and threatens to empty itself. She hurriedly stuffs the vial to the bottom of one of her deeper pockets and moves quickly into the next room. The library gives Maritine a disturbing sense of deja vu - she's seen many of the books in Lepidstadt's library; hells below she'd read some of them for research. Knowing what was in a good number of the books sent a wave of panic through her and she took a moment to take deep breaths, willing to risk vomiting before panicking. Retching could easily be blamed on the smell. "This is... this kind of material. The university restricts most - maybe all - such tomes. This knowledge is dangerous. You might get to incinerate something yet, Walter." She isn't sure if she sounds like she's making a joke or wanting to correct a terrible mistake. Perhaps she'll come back and burn the library herself. It's the blackness of the stairs down that finally induce vertigo. The stench, the books and their terrible secrets, the unfathomably black darkness that will drag them into its depths and swallow them before dissolving them into nothing and and and Hhlrgl She coughs and spits and takes a heaving breathe and wobbles, spits again and forces herself to stand tall. She is many things, but a coward is not one of them. Galvanized as much by her companions as she is to prove herself she pulls out an everburning torch and draws her rapier, her face set with grim zealousness as she watches Mihaela vanish into the darkness. Her decision to follow her friend is almost immediate. "Whatever the hell is down there, she should not face it alone. It slinks out the darkness to bring terror and death and deserves no mercy save blade and torch, and we shall deliver." And with terrible purpose she follows Mihaela down into the dark. Walter the Vagabond Dec 10, 2019, 02:26 am "A room. No immediate threat. Well, then." Walter grits his teeth, begins to pick his way carefully down the steps after Martine, flaming staff held high. Knowledge (Engineering)1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28 He murmurs softly into the Message spell, The stairwell after the turn was once blocked solid with debris and loose rock. Cleared only recently. Then, older stonework. This is Taldan, around three hundred years old. He pauses to breathe -- the air is a bit less foul down here -- and listen. Then, The books upstairs suggest that someone had some clever idea. And they dug down into their new basement and decided to... experiment, down there. "Fools," Walter says, not realizing that he is speaking out loud. "Stupid, stupid... fools!" Walter has now reached the bottom of the stairs, meaning that he, Martine, and (invisible) Mihaela are now in the downstairs room. Walter is in the SW corner, peering nearsightedly at the late occupant of the sarcophagus (though without touching anything). Perception 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18 I suspect I just wasted a nat 20. Still, if there's anything to be found, I guess maybe I find it? Mihaela Stellamaris Dec 10, 2019, 06:19 am A muffled sigh is the only thing Walter hears in response of his explanation. They dug too greedily... into the earth, and before that, into things they were not meant to understand... Mihaela sneaks a peek into the eastern cul-de-sac, blocked by the collapsed debris. Perception (guidance): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24 Should she find nothing of notice, she heaves a deep breath and ever so cautiously ventures into the darkness below, following the creature's trail back to where it spawned. Yelena Stanescu Dec 10, 2019, 06:31 am Yelena softly walks into the room, peering at the sarcophagi. What kind of people are buried here? Perception, HA: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 2 = 16 She also doesn't disturb the sarcophagi. If whatever lies within is content to sleep, she has no intention of waking it. Passing through the room, Yelena pauses at the head of the second set of stairs. Following Mihaela too close would undo the benefit of scouting, but she doesn't want to risk the other woman getting so far ahead that they couldn't help her if she were discovered. "Fools indeed," she murmurs. "Some dreams are better left unsought." Wait, everyone, Walter murmurs. There's yet a door. Walter walks over to the door and looks at it, but does not touch or open it. Master Kolthis, could you join me over here? Handle, latch, knob? Does it appear to be lockable? DM Lament Configuration Dec 10, 2019, 07:53 am It is a simple door, recessed and standing in shadow, without lock or latch, the hinges hidden on the far side. Given the group's perception rolls as they entered the chamber... Careful examination reveals, however, that all is silent beyond, and that it is barred from within. Even as you examine the door, something that's been tugging at your mind finally steps into view: you turn and consider the pattern of debris and rubble that was cleared out of the stairwell leading up, and... you're sure, suddenly, that it was cleared from below. Everyone, hold a moment. Walter pinches the bridge of his nose. I just realized... the pattern of debris... He sighs softly. (Sighing too hard into a Message spell is like sighing hard into someone's ear. It's weirdly distracting.) The door was cleared... from below. And here we have a door that is barred from the other side. Walter's mind is racing. Ghouls? This is ideal ghoul habitat. But ghouls would have raided the sarcophagi, scattering gnawed bone fragments in an ecstasy of loathsome feasting. The derro? The blue-skinned fey are mad enough, but they're usually... subtler... than this sort of mass carnage. Something from the deep Underdark? And things have learnt to walk, that ought to crawl, Walter thinks grimly to himself. Elize 'Lys' Brokenshield Dec 10, 2019, 12:49 pm Shuffling down alongside the others, Lys leans on the wall, spotting the sarcophagi. "Oh? Whose sarcophagi are those?", she murmurs as Walter reveals the origins of the walls, glancing at any writings on the wall. Taldan... We knew the cult was ancient, but... seeing it is shocking. before chills run down her spine with relation to the origin of the debris. "So... something was here beforehand? Something woke it up? A ritual somewhere else?", she quizzes, her eyes starting to follow the slime and ooze on the wall. When in doubt. Reaching into her coat, she pulls out a stack of bolts, the tips coated together in stiff pine resin. Placing them in her crossbow, she shrugs. "Not one to usually trust bones to stay idle for long.", she says, leaning heavily on a sarcophagus. Spotting the others acting nervously around the door, she frowns. "I'd open that. I'd rather us have an escape route now, than run from something else down the corridor and have a surprise waiting for us here." Raising the crossbow at the door, she squints her eye over the sights. Survival to track whether the thing came up the stairs or from that door.: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18 @GM - switching to blunt bolts. Also, readying an action here, but I'll trust you to let me know to roll that if/when tactically breaching a door is possible and I can have a readied action. Mihaela Stellamaris Dec 10, 2019, 02:50 pm "Place is claustrophobic enough without the prospect of being ambushed from behind. I'll scout a bit further — if there's no immediate threat, I say we investigate that door first." Step after step, Mihaela descends, alone into the darkness, until she can no longer hear her companions' voices. If she hasn't found anything by that time, she greenlights Operation "Let's Open That Door, Shall We?" and falls back to where everybody else is. Maritine LeGrasse Dec 10, 2019, 04:25 pm Maritine eyes the sarcophagi carefully as her eyes adjusted to the dim flickering of her torch and wonders if perhaps a preemptive burning might be a little too much paranoia to indulge while hunting an invisible something. Duty to the town first, then plausibly deniable arson. Taldans. Of course. She makes a mental note to herself that, should they all live, to see what esoteric knowledge she could get from Walter, and if the cost would be one worth paying. She remains quiet as she takes in more of the ruins while Mihaela scouts ahead, listening to Walter and keeping a close eye on her companions, mildly envious of their ability to see in the darkness, shaking her head with agreement as Walter spits about fools and what rituals they must have done down here, clearly violating the one rule all cults seem to forget - 'Do not call up which you cannot put down' The knowledge that the door the other had found had been cleared from below properly catches her attention and she carefully approaches, the shadows flickering in the torchlight revealing little apart from scattered detritus. "I agree, whatever's in there, it cannot stand against all of us." Kolthis Ironjaw Dec 10, 2019, 04:32 pm Looking around the hallway, Kolthis was reminded of the many mausoleums he had visited in his time. Locked doors, ancient writing, sarcophagi - always the same, even leagues apart. But the ooze, the Taldan writing, the pattern of debris - meant this was much more sinister than anything before. "Possible undead, a blocked exit, and nothing but imminent danger ahead. Just like old times eh Lys, Walter? Good thing I'm a priest now." Heading up to the rubble blocked door, Kolthis examined it, giving the area a good look, perhaps for some weakness in the door. The rest of them made a good point. It was always better to know something was clear or not than leave it up to chance. Even with Lady Luck on your side, there were times your consequences were in your own hands. "Busting down the door, it is." Putting Lucy away in favor of his axe, Kolthis took a deep breath, steadying himself for the other side. "To whatever's on the other side - Here's Kolthis!" Going to put a few attack/damage rolls here, in case it takes more than one, would rather not get bogged down with individual posts. Dice Rolls: Attack Roll: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 Damage: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 My goodness, that is a lot of rolls under 10... DM Lament Configuration Dec 10, 2019, 05:16 pm Mihaela Stealth: 1d20 + 14 + 20 ⇒ (16) + 14 + 20 = 50 Mihaela descends the stairs alone. Down she goes, down the dozen steps to the turn, and there she pauses to look to her right, down yet another flight of stairs. Even given the age of the ruins into which she has descended, she can tell that this flight is much, much older. The steps are worn near to a smooth ramp in their center, with only the corners rising like the edges of a yellowed page. How many hundreds of years worth of passage it would have taken to erode rock in such manner is near impossible to guess. Down she goes, faltering and cautious, to the farthest that she can make out to the border of the dim light. She quickly leaves behind the Taldan style of archways and brick for something new, looking to be made of larger, granite blocks whose surfaces are carved with a simple if mesmerizing pattern. The stairs go down, and down, and down, into the eternal dark. The echoes are strange. And peering down that dark gullet, that narrow, steep shaft into the unknown, down into what must be the rotten heart of Carrion Hill - Mihaela is seized with the conviction that something is staring right back at her from below, some gimlet-eyed monstrosity is stirring in the fetid darkness, aware of her, blinking, rousing itself - But there is only silence and the sound of her harsh breathing. Inevitably she turns back, tearing her gaze away from that bottomless dark, turning her back uneasily to that sunless depth, and rejoins her companions in the Taldan tomb. (Two minutes of invisibility used.) Meanwhile, Lys and Maritine eye the sarcophogi with distinct unease as they walk past them, their boots causing the dried black slime to crackle underfoot. Over each sarcophagus they see the ancient symbol of Aroden, and little else - some manner of ascetic minimalism was the governing aesthetic of the time, it seems, for there are few distinguishing marks. Kolthis steps up to the door, ax in hand, and with a cry of warning or defiance steps in and sinks the ax blade deep into the door. The wood splinters, dessicated and easily shattered. Two, three blows, and he sees a pile of rubble that has been piled against the door's far side. Heaving and shoving, Kolthis makes short work of the portal, scattering the rubble so that he's able to shove open the remnants of the door and reveal what lies beyond. Which is... a modest chamber (A7), constructed in the same Taldan style of archways and brick. Dusty, the alcoves draped in ancient spider webbing, there is little more to note here than a second door in the far corner. Stepping over the rubble that's piled by the first door, Kolthis also sees recently used camping equipment set in one corner: bed rolls, mining equipment, and the charred remains of a modest fire. Further investigation turns up little of interest amidst the camping gear - no sign of whom the owners might have been, other than there having been five in number. Tag? When the group is ready, Kolthis moves to the next door, and finds it to be the same as the last. Bringing his ax to bear, he hacks it apart, finding once more the same pile of rubble behind it, which he disperses with hearty kicks and shoves with the head of the ax. Standing in the doorway, he peers inside. Mounds of rubble line the walls of this partially collapsed chamber, but here and there patches of brickwork are visible on the floor and walls. One rounded alcove remains in the northern wall, though it lacks a sarcophagus. DM Rolls: [/dice] Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15 Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23 Perception DC 15: Peering into the room, you see a small figure hidden amongst the fallen rocks and rubble. Filthy, reeking black rags wrap this small humanoid from head to toe, leaving only its hands and pale white nose visible. It is utterly motionless, eerily so, like a spider frozen in the center of its web, though its whole body radiates tension. A second similar figure is wedged in tight into a crack deep in the wall. A third is crouched behind a fallen block, barely visible at all. Walter is 10' down the stairs, lantern staff held high and burning, waiting for her. The others have found two rooms, though they seem to be a dead end. Perhaps we should wait here, to guard their backs and make sure nothing comes up these stairs unnoticed. Walter doesn't think in terms of "wandering monsters" as such, but this is obviously an active area, where... things... have been coming and going. The wizard clears his throat (that /smell/, it's less bad but still terrible), then murmurs a message to the party members in the second room Is there anything of interest there? Do you need our assistance? Elize 'Lys' Brokenshield Dec 11, 2019, 04:52 am Imagining based on description, Kolthis' at the second doorway. Lys' smile shines in the torchlight at the dwarf's joyous exclaimation. "Anyone still keeping a tally, or do we start again? I mean, you were in dire need of divine assistance last time...", she chuckles at Kolthis, before shaking her finger theatrically. "Doors don't count, right, Walter?", she hisses, moving to stand behind the dwarf as the door is hacked down, opening the rubble-filled room to their gaze. As the fickle, faint rays of light glimmer in the room, Lys' hand lands on Kolthis' shoulder. "Foes. Three. First in the rubble. Second in wall crack. Third behind block.", she hisses. Tilting her head at the others, her lips move quietly on the wings of Walter's spell. "Best get here. White, small, pale, grimy.", she mutters, her lips moving voicelessly as she struggles to remember anything of her foes from the manuscript in her bag. Ugly, subterranean and cunning just about covers three-quarters... Knowledge(religion): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30 Daaaaamn, that's a roll. Prepare for misses in combat! You recognize the three creatures immediately: dark creepers. Dark creepers lurk in the black places deep below the surface of the world, venturing forth at night or into neighboring societies when the urge to steal and cause mayhem grows too great to resist. Endless layers of filthy, moldering black cloth shroud these small creatures, leading some to believe that the creature inside is smaller still. Usually encountered in groups, dark creepers flee from bright light, but are quite brave in the dark. Dark creepers stand just under 4 feet tall and weigh 80 pounds. Their flesh is pale and moist, and their eyes are milky white. Dark creepers exude a foul stench of sweat and spoiled food, owing primarily to the fact that they never take off their clothing—instead piling on new layers when the outermost one grows too ragged. Fond of using poison and infamous for combusting upon death, they're very sensitive to light and can see even in magical darkness. For all that they delight in causing chaos, they're no intrinsically evil, but rather simply guided by their own proclivities, and sometimes hired by those venturing into the depths. Community / Forums / Online Campaigns / Play-by-Post / Carrion Hill All Messageboards	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26995
__label__cc	0.642746	0.357254	Interesting Sites from 2002 Kefalonia and Ithaca Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Information on the pop group Prefab Sprout, where to find their music and video links. Youtube have a number of videos of Prefab Sprout's, including "The King of Rock and Roll", which featured the lyrics "Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque": Youtube.com Prefab Sprout search - a good number of Prefab Sprout videos and interviews. singingfish.com Prefab Sprout video-only search Yahoo.com video prefab sprout Streamed Prefab Sprout music Prefab Sprout on We7 Listen to Let there be music by Prefab Sprout on We7 Prefab Sprout on Imeem Downloadable mp3s There are some mp3s out there: Singingfish.com Prefab Sprout search Prefab Sprout CDs are still generally available. Amazon.co.uk Prefab Sprout search www.discogs.com/artist/Prefab+Sprout Fan Websites and informational websites www.prefabsprout.net - unofficial Prefab Sprout home page. Includes links to Youtube, and mp3s. www.browningmcintosh.com/plocktonwest/sprout.html www.ferhiga.com/prefab/pslnk_eng.htm en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prefab_Sprout www.google.com/Top/Arts/Music/Bands_and_Artists/P/Prefab_Sprout/ What the Prefab Sprout website used to look like web.archive.org/web/20040422063349/www.prefabsprout.com/chat/cmain.html www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A793613	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line26996
__label__cc	0.667252	0.332748	Interlude 14.5 (Bonus Interlude) “It’s just going to be another minute or two. The data has to compile and upload. It’s not my work, so I played it safe and went for the slowest, heaviest compression method that I could. It’s going to take a bit.” “That’s fine. Thank you.” Kid Win shifted position uncomfortably, falling silent. You don’t have to be intimidated. I’m just a man. Legend stared out the window. He wouldn’t miss this city. There weren’t happy memories here, and there was little he was proud about. Most of the time, he was able to feel that he’d made an impact, that the world was a better place for his being there. That wasn’t the case here. “How long have you been in the Wards?” he asked, to make conversation. “Two years.” “I’ve seen your records.” Kid Win cringed. “No, don’t act like I’m going to say something bad. The Deputy Director in charge of the Wards, I can’t quite remember his name, he had some glowing praise for your ability to engage with the public.” “Engage with the public? I don’t remember doing much of that.” “Something about speeches to other youths at school?” “Oh. That wasn’t a big deal.” “The guy who’s rating your performance seems to think it was. Can’t quite place his name, the suits sort of start to blur in with one another-” “Deputy Director Renick,” Kid Win supplied. “Yes. Thank you. He seemed to think you connected with the crowd, and you did it better than any of your teammates. You were frank, open, honest, and you stood out because of how you handled yourself when the students started getting rambunctious and heckling you.” “Director Piggot yelled at me for drawing the gun.” “It was something that could have backfired very easily, but you struck the right tone and you defused the situation with humor. I think that’s a good thing, and so did the staff at the school. The teachers sent emails a few days after the event, commenting on the overall positive impact you had on the students, the hecklers included. And when I say you, I mean you specifically.” Kid Win shrugged, tapping a few keys on the laptop to rotate through a series of progress bars and graphs. “Nobody told me about that.” “That’s a shame,” Legend said, turning his gaze to the window to relieve some of the pressure his very presence seemed to put on Kid Win. “The ability to manage yourself with the public is crucial if you intend to go on to make a career out of working with the Protectorate.” “It’s kind of weird, that someone as important as you are is making such a big deal out of an event I barely remember.” “I study the records of everyone I intend to work with, and I studied yours. I try to make a note of individual strengths. That event stuck in my mind when I was reading through your files. It was a very easy mental picture to put together, especially the part with the gun.” Kid Win smiled a little. “You remind me of Hero.” The smile fell from Kid Win’s face. He looked startled. “Really?” “I imagine he was very much like you when he was younger.” Kid Win looked uncomfortable. “You can talk about it,” Legend assured him. “It’s okay. It was a long time ago that he passed.” “I sort of modeled myself after him.” Legend studied the boy. Red and gold body armor and a red-tinted visor. There were additions that seemed to be more recent, judging by the lack of wear and tear, but if he looked past those, if he imagined the boy with a helmet covering that brown wavy hair, replaced the red with blue chain mesh, he could see the resemblance. “I didn’t mean to copy him, or to ride off his fame or anything. I was younger when I started, I totally meant it to be respectful-” Kid Win stopped as Legend raised a hand. “It’s okay. I think he would be flattered.” Kid Win nodded, a little too quickly. “He was the first real tinker, you know.” “Before we knew tinkers have specializations,” Kid Win added. “I’ve thought about it. The disintegration gun, the jetpack, the sonic weapons, the power sources and explosives that were surprisingly effective for their size. I suspect his specialty tied into manipulating and enhancing wavelengths and frequencies.” Kid Win’s eyes went wide. He glanced at the laptop. “I know enough other tinkers to know that look. You just had a stroke of inspiration?” “Sort of. More like a bunch of half-assed ideas all at once.” “Don’t let me distract you. If you want to take a minute to make some notes on whatever came to mind, I won’t be offended in the slightest.” “You sure?” “Yeah. I-” Kid Win paused. “I guess I’d rather keep talking to you than write down ideas that probably won’t work out.” “Thank you. I’d say you shouldn’t worry too much about trying to emulate Hero. It’s heartening, if I had to put a word to the feeling, that you look up to him and carry on his legacy. But you have your own specialization and your own strengths.” Kid Win nodded. “I’m figuring that out. I spent a long time trying to be like other tinkers and struggling. Ninety percent of my projects just stopped before I finished it. The stuff I finished, I finished it because it was simple. Guns, the floating hoverboard… well, I used to have a floating hoverboard. I sort of copied Hero’s approach. ‘Board instead of jetpack, but I made the guns, tried a few disintegration rays. Maybe part of the reason I finished that stuff was because I felt like I’d be insulting Hero by trying to copy his style and making a mess of it.” “Makes sense,” Legend spoke, primarily to show he was listening. “But lately I’ve started to relax about that. Maybe it helps that we’ve been working as hard as we have. I’ve been too tired to keep to the rules I thought I was supposed to follow. Still have to spend time in the workshop, I think I’d go crazy if I didn’t, but I’m winging it more. I’m trusting my instincts and spending less time using the computers to get the exact numbers and measurements.” “To help compensate for your dyscalculia?” “I didn’t know you knew about that. I didn’t know the PRT knew about that.” “Dragon’s talents make for very comprehensive records, sorry.” Kid Win frowned, his expression changing fractionally as he stared down at the keyboard in front of him. He seemed to come to terms with the idea, because he moved on. “Anyways, I think it’s working for me. I’m getting the feeling that I do have a specialization, but it’s more of an approach than a particular field. Equipment with multiple settings and uses, modular weapons, gear that’s adaptable to different situations, I guess?” “That’s fantastic. The fact that you’ve struggled and then found your strengths the hard way could be an asset.” “An asset?” “If you wind up leading the Wards or a team in the Protectorate, it means you’ll be better equipped to help out teammates who are having their own problems.” “I’d be horrible in a leadership position.” “Hero said the same thing, and I think we’ll both agree that he was wrong.” That seemed to give Kid Win pause. “Okay,” Kid Win replied. “Not that I’m not majorly grateful that you’re giving me the pep talk, but you said you were in a bit of a hurry and I think we’re done here.” “The compiling is done?” “I could refine it further, try to give you some additional features, but the coding and the hardware I’m working with here is so tightly structured that I think I’d do more harm than good. It’s like the techie equivalent of trying to put toothpaste back in the tube after you’ve squeezed it out… you can’t, so maybe you try to make more tube that sticks out of one side, but you keep doing it and you wind up with this kludgy mess that you can’t even use for its original purpose. For getting toothpaste.” “I think I understand what you mean. Thank you for this. It’s already uploaded?” “Yeah, and it was my pleasure, really.” Kid Win smiled. Legend stood and stretched a little. The goodbyes had already been made and he’d had his meeting with Emily. Business was wrapped up here. He’d called home to let Arthur know he wouldn’t make it to dinner but that he hoped to be back before midnight. A light smile touched his face. He even felt a little giddy at the thought of getting home, wrapping Arthur in a hug. Growing up, he’d never thought that he’d feel giddy about his husband after six years of marriage. But he had something to take care of first. The notion put a damper on his pleasant mood. “I’m going to go, then. You and I,” he promised Kid Win, “Should talk again sometime. You can tell me if you’ve figured out your specialty, and if you’re leading a team.” “Maybe the next time you’re in Brockton Bay?” “Maybe.” Legend smiled, but he was thinking, does he know? This whole region might be condemned. Maybe Kid Win was being optimistic. Legend turned and opened a window, then let himself float through. He took a second to get his bearings, to inform himself of which direction was up, down, north, east, south and west, then he took off. Powers were classified into categories, and the ‘breaker’ classification was used to mark those powers which were limited to one’s own body and their immediate vicinity. Though it had initially been used to cover individuals who could make themselves stronger, denser, larger or change the materials they were made of, it was slowly expanding to include others. There was a theory that was gaining traction, suggesting that the breaker classification was one of the most common powersets, if not always the most pronounced. Innumerable people with powers had also adapted innate defenses that kept their own powers from harming themselves. Pyrokinetics tended to be resistant to flame. There were automatic shutoffs, biological and mental, for various other powers. Even beyond that, there were other adaptations that were so subtle as to be almost undetectable. His weren’t. Legend’s flight powers let him accelerate to a speed that exceeded sound and continue accelerating, to no hard limit. The soft limit was that he had breaker powers that kept the acceleration from tearing him to shreds, altering his body into something else entirely as he gained speed. The drawback to this was that his brain also shut down on a cognitive level as the transformation occurred. He had never let himself go so fast that he lost the ability to consciously control his movements. There were other benefits too. He was better at registering and processing light waves, regardless of which state he was in. He could see with perfect clarity up until the point that an obstactle intervened or the atmosphere occluded his vision. If an opponent attacked and struck him, he instinctively transitioned into his energy form for a split second. In that state, he absorbed energy of a variety of kinds, including the kinetic energy that was transferred with a punch or with a bullet. His opponents were forced to whittle him down, each attack only a fraction as effective as it might otherwise be. Even then, a share of that small amount of damage was healed a second later as he used the absorbed energy to mend his body. Conversely, his enemies could try to hit him with enough speed and force that even a hundredth of a second of contact was sufficient to take him out of the fight. Leviathan and Behemoth had managed to land blows of that magnitude. Siberian has as well. He set his jaw and increased his speed a notch. He traveled over the Atlantic Ocean, moving so fast that the water appeared to be one flat plane. His thoughts became a blur, and he was forced to focus on his destination, letting all other thoughts and doubts fall by the wayside. It was refreshing, in a way, cleansing himself of the responsibilities and the thousands of problems he was forced to handle as the leader of the Protectorate. Still, it always scared him just a little. It took him only an instant to reach a complete stop. He let himself settle down into his real body once more. He’d wondered sometimes if his ability to fly was meant for travel on an interstellar level. What if he kept accelerating? His breaker power would let him weather the void of space, his ability to see would be that much more powerful if there was no atmosphere to occlude his vision over miles… even the boredom of traveling for years was nothing if his conscious mind shifted into a rest state. Not that he’d ever test it. He’d absorbed light, heat and ambient radiation while he flew, and he felt restored. Even the mildest wear and tear had been tended to, his body restored to peak condition. His mind was another matter, his emotions. It was like waking up in a warm bed, the man he loved beside him, only to experience a sinking feeling as he came to dread the coming day. He drifted closer to the oil rig, and settled down on a fence, using a touch of his flight ability to stay balanced. In every direction, as far as the eye could see, there was only water. “Any time now,” he said. It began as a pale square in mid-air, then unfolded rapidly, three-dimensional. When it opened up further, the interior of a building loomed in mid-air, the exterior absent. He floated forward and set foot on the white tile of the hallway. He felt the distortion as the space shifted, felt the rush of wind as air pressure adjusted. It took only a couple of seconds. When he glanced over his shoulder, the oil rig was gone. There was only more hallway behind him. He walked onward, confident in his ability to navigate the maze of rooms and corridors. When he pushed open the double doors and stepped into the conference room, there were a few looks of surprise. “Legend,” the Doctor spoke, “I thought you were occupied in Brockton Bay.” “Jack escaped.” “That’s… really unfortunate,” Alexandria said. “Quite,” the Doctor replied. Legend glanced around the room. Alexandria leaned back in her chair, her helmet on the table in front of her, a star-shaped scar at the corner of one eye. Beautiful, Legend was sure, but more in the way a lioness was beautiful. In her black and gray costume, she was intimidating, her expression regal. Eidolon was the opposite. He had lowered his hood and removed his glowing mask, revealing a middle-aged man with thick eyebrows, thinning hair and heavy cheeks. He looked more like an average family man who was getting dressed up as Eidolon for a costume party than he looked like Eidolon himself. There were others around the table. The Doctor: dark-skinned, hair tied into a prim bun with chopsticks stuck through it, wearing a short white dress beneath a white lab coat. The Number Man, with his laptop set in front of him, looking more like a businessman than one of the most influential and lesser-known parahumans on the planet. There was also the woman in the black suit, who had never introduced herself or been introduced by name. Whenever Legend came here with the others, the woman was there with the Doctor. Insurance, he thought. The Doctor thinks that woman can face us if we turn on her. Would she win? Legend harbored doubts. He’d met a lot of powerful individuals over the course of his career, and he’d learned how to measure them. This woman didn’t relax for an instant, where someone who was assured of victory would be more willing to let down her guard. More likely that she’s supposed to stall or stop us if there’s a problem, buying the doctor time to escape. “Jack escaped. What about the other Nine?” the Doctor asked. “We suspect that Bonesaw and Siberian also escaped, with Hookwolf as a new member of their group.” “It’s unusual for you to show any interest in what’s going on outside the realm of your business and research. Any reason for the curiosity?” The Doctor smiled. “Hard to keep track of what goes on beyond these walls, sometimes.” Legend nodded. He took a seat to Alexandria’s right. He considered for a moment, then spoke. “There are some things that concern me.” “Is this tied to why you came here today?” “Yes. Let me begin by saying that there’s apparently a precog in Brockton Bay that’s pretty damn certain that the world’s going to end shortly.” “Precogs are notoriously unreliable. I tell many of my customers that when they express interest in seeing the future. I think I even told you. Or was it Alexandria that I discussed it with?” “It was,” Alexandria replied. “You’re right,” Legend said, “Most precogs are vague. They have to be, because the future is vague. But all reports point to this precog being very specific. Jack Slash was mentioned as the catalyst for an event that occurs in two years. More specifically, she said this occurs if Jack escaped Brockton Bay alive, which he did.” There were nods around the table. “What do you mean when you say the world ends?” Eidolon asked. “Thirty-three to ninety-six percent of the population dies in a very short span of time. I assume the aftermath of this scenario leads to more deaths in the long run.” The Number Man spoke. “Depending on the circumstances of death, the demise of even one in three individuals would lead to further casualties. Lack of staff for essential services and key areas, health, atmospheric and ecological effects of decomposition on a massive scale, destabilized societal infrastructure… The best case scenario is that Earth’s population drops steeply over twenty years, until it settles to forty-eight point six percent of where it currently stands. Three billion, three hundred and ninety-one million, eight hundred and three thousand, five hundred and four. Give or take.” “That’s the best case scenario?” Alexandria asked. The man shrugged. “It’s unlikely it will occur. The bare minimum of people would have to die, there couldn’t be any bodies, and there wouldn’t be anything left unattended that could cause uncontrolled fires or nuclear incidents. If I were to ballpark a number, talking about events that could kill one-third to nearly all of the world’s population, I’d say roughly seventy-two percent of the earth’s population are likely to die. That leaves one billion, nine hundred and fifty million alive. More than half of those individuals would die over the following twenty years, and more than half of those who remain would die in the ten years following that. Keeping in mind these are estimates, of course.” “Of course,” The Doctor said, “Precogs are unreliable. I’m surmising this girl doesn’t know exactly how this occurs?” “No. Her employer didn’t say anything on the subject.” “We’ll take measures,” Eidolon said. “Evacuation, we’ll also push for automatic shutdown controls on power grids and nuclear facilities. With the Endbringers out there, it would be sensible to do it anyways. We can reduce the potential damage.” “Unless,” Alexandria said, “The numbers the precog provided are already accounting for us having this conversation and taking the extra measures. If she does view the future, it’s very possible she saw this very meeting and everything that followed, in a manner of speaking.” That was sobering. “We’ll do it anyways, of course,” Eidolon said. Legend and Alexandria nodded. “Let’s remember,” the Doctor said, “The numbers already pointed to an endgame situation at the twenty-three year mark. If the Endbringers continue doing the damage they’ve been doing at the current rate, things won’t be sustainable. We’ll be forced to withdraw from damaged and dangerous areas, populations will condense, the Endbringers attack those pockets… and that’s without considering the possibility that they achieve something big in the interim. We’ve talked about the crisis scenarios: Behemoth triggering a nuclear winter, Leviathan obliterating or tainting the world’s renewable water supply.” “You’re saying we’re already facing an end of the world situation,” Alexandria said, “And this is just accelerating the timetable.” “Yes. Any measures we take are still vital. They’ll help here, with this scenario, but if it never occurs, it will still help against the Endbringers.” “Are we assuming the Endbringers are at the core of this end-of-the-world scenario?” Eidolon asked. “Likely,” Alexandria said, “But let’s not rule anything out.” “Provided this is really occurring,” the Doctor spoke. “We can’t afford to say it’s not,” Legend said. “You have precogs among your staff and customers?” “Some,” The Doctor answered. “I can ask them about this end of the world scenario.” Legend nodded. “Good. Eidolon, you want to try your hand at it?” “If my power lets me. It only gives me what it thinks I need, not what I want.” “We need all the help we can get. Let’s see if we can’t figure out how this happens, so we can stop it or mitigate the damage. There’s a lot of capes out there with the thinker classification. Get the word out, call in favors, offer favors. Anything to get more information on this.” There were nods and noises of agreement from his fellow Protectorate members and the Doctor. Legend quietly cleared his throat, glancing around the table. “Speaking of great minds… there was another point I wanted to address, that came up during my stay in Brockton Bay.” He had their attention. “Alexandria, I expect you read the reports already. You didn’t seem that surprised when I talked about the precog and her end-of-the-world scenario, you’ve probably read up on my notes here.” Alexandria had originally named herself after the Library of Alexandria, though she’d ceased mentioning that, choosing to leave enemies in the dark instead. As strong as she was on a physical level, her mind was equally formidable. She never forgot a detail, absorbed information quickly, reading two pages of a book with a glance, and she learned quickly, retaining everything she picked up. She knew most commonly spoken languages, no less than ten styles of martial arts and she could match some of the best non-tinkers in the world when it came to computers. Not only was she rated well in the brute classification, but she held high scores in the mover and thinker categories. “I read what you provided, though I’m not sure what you’re referring to specifically.” “Siberian.” He saw a change in her expression, saw Eidolon flinch as if he’d been slapped. “I’ll explain for those of you who lack access to the PRT records or the time to peruse them. Siberian is not a brute-class cape. Siberian is a ‘master’, and the striped woman is a projection. I caught a glimpse of the man who is creating the projection before they retreated.” “And he had Cauldron’s mark tattooed on the back of his left hand, a swan on his right.” With the exception of himself, the Number Man and the woman in the suit, everyone present reacted with surprise. “You don’t think that was William Manton?” Alexandria asked. “But why the mark on his right hand?” “I don’t know. It doesn’t fit on a lot of levels. A top parahuman researcher becoming one of the Nine?” “It happened to Alan. To Mannequin,” Eidolon said, his voice quiet. “There’s nothing in the records,” Alexandria said, “Nothing saying he was present at any of the places the quarantine protocol was put in effect.” She would know. She read every record, could call them to mind with perfect accuracy. “He could have stolen someone’s identity.” Alexandria nodded, “True.” “We have confirmation he’s alive,” Eidolon said, his voice quiet. “We suspected, but-” “We made assumptions, and we were way off base. That’s what concerns me.” Legend leveled a hard look at the Doctor. “See, we’ve been going by the assumption that William Manton, from the time he left Cauldron to the present day, has been continuing his work. We’ve been assuming he’s traveling across the world, experimenting on human subjects, giving them powers with physical mutations as a side effect, then releasing the victims back into society with Cauldron’s symbol tattooed on their bodies. Or at least, that’s what you told us.” “You’re implying I lied?” the Doctor asked. She didn’t look bothered in the slightest. “I’ve looked at the timelines. It’s not likely that William Manton could be conducting experiments to give some poor girl tentacles in Illinois at the same time Siberian’s busy attacking people in Miami. Not to mention he barely looked capable of taking care of himself, let alone conducting research.” He glanced at the others. Eidolon’s brow was creased in concern, while Alexandria looked pensive. “The pattern doesn’t fit,” he said, to drive the point home. He looked at the Doctor, “Which leaves me to wonder just who is conducting experiments on human subjects.” “We have no need for human experimentation. The Number Man can calculate the odds of success for a given formula.” “Maybe that’s the case. But just who is conducting experiments on human subjects, who knows enough about Cauldron to tattoo or brand them with the mark while simultaneously having access to these kinds of resources?” “It’s not us,” the Doctor spoke. Legend stared at her, studying her. “And you don’t know anything about how William Manton is connected to all this?” “I’m as mystified as you are. If it would assuage your suspicions, you can examine this complex,” the Doctor suggested. “You and I both know this place is far too large to explore in one lifetime,” he answered. “And if we were to surmise that you’re the culprit here, there’s nothing saying you couldn’t have your doormaker maintain a path to another alternate reality where you have captives stashed away. It would even explain why there haven’t been any real missing persons cases that we can link to the case-fifty-threes, if you’re simply snatching them from another reality and depositing them in our reality when you’re done.” She spread her arms wide. “I don’t know what I can say to convince you.” “You trust me, don’t you?” Alexandria asked. “Yes,” Legend said. “I’ve trained myself in kinesics. I can look at a person’s face and body language and know if they’re lying. And I can tell you the Doctor is telling the truth.” Legend sighed. “Right.” “We’re okay, then?” the Doctor asked. Legend nodded. “I’m sorry to accuse you.” “It’s understandable. This situation doesn’t make a lot of sense.” “I can’t add anything here, and my power’s not volunteering anything that could help to solve this particular mystery,” Eidolon spoke. “I guess we have yet another unanswered question on our hands.” Legend sighed, “More than one. William Manton and his link to Siberian, the tattoo on his right hand, our end of the world scenario and the role Jack plays as the catalyst. Too many to count.” “None of this has to be addressed today,” Alexandria said. “Why don’t you go home? We’ll consider the situation and come up with a plan and some likely explanations.” Legend nodded. The thought of holding Arthur and Keith in his arms energized him. The Doctor turned to Eidolon, “You want another booster shot?” “Probably another Endbringer attack coming up, it’s best if I’m in top form.” While the others talked and planned, Legend stood and left without a farewell. An opening between realities unfolded before he was half of the way down the alabaster white hallway. He stepped through the opening to the oil rig, and then began his flight back to New York City. But he didn’t go home. Instead, Legend descended on the rooftop of the NYC Protectorate offices. A tinker-made scanner verified who he was and opened the doors for him in time for him to walk through. He nodded a greeting to everyone he passed. When people asked him how things had gone, he offered them a response that was polite but short enough that it was clear he wasn’t looking for further conversation. He reached his office and closed the door. He was careful to start up a virtual operating system preloaded with the standard PRT databases and software. Nothing that would leave a trace on his regular OS. He unplugged the fiber-optic cables and disabled the wireless. The precautions were little use if he was already being watched, but it made him feel better. Once his computer was isolated from outside influences, he withdrew a USB cable from one drawer, plugging one end into the keyboard. He reached up to one ear and withdrew an earbud. The other end of the USB cable connected to it. ASCII art of Kid Win’s face popped up as the earbud connected to the computer, along with the text, ‘thank you’. He couldn’t bring himself to smile. Problems of self-confidence aside, Kid Win had produced an interface that was easy to use. Legend clicked on the yellow button and waited. Voices played from the computer’s speakers. He adjusted the volume and listened. “Any reason for the curiosity?” “Hard to keep track of what goes on beyond these walls, sometimes.” Text appeared, transcribing what was being said. The program paused, the image of the yellow button popping back out. A red word appeared below the last statement: LIE. A vague lie, but not a damning one. His pulse was pounding as he hit the waiting yellow button to resume the record. He clicked again. “…Who knows enough about Cauldron to tattoo or brand them with the mark while simultaneously having access to these kinds of resources?” His own voice was the one playing from the speakers. “It’s not us,” the Doctor’s voice answered his. He sat staring at the screen, horrified. Cauldron had given him his powers, had given him what he needed to be at the very top, to lead the largest collection of superheroes in the world. They hadn’t wanted much in exchange. He kept an eye out to make sure nobody got too curious about Cauldron, diverted them if they did. He’d greased the wheels for some of Cauldron’s top customers. He was also ready to defend Cauldron if and when it became public knowledge. It was for the greater good, he told himself. There was no way for Cauldron to operate otherwise, lest the world’s governments fight over the ability to create whole armies of people with powers and interfere with the organization’s ability to operate. It would operate, he knew, it obviously wasn’t in a location where it could be raided or seized by military forces, but it wouldn’t be able to reach nearly as many people, and capes would come under scrutiny with the possibility that they’d purchased their powers. He’d committed to this because Cauldron was essential. With the rise of the Endbringers and threats like the Slaughterhouse Nine, the world was in need of heroes. Cauldron produced more heroes than villains, because there was none of the trauma of a trigger event to throw them off. Even for those individuals who turned to crime, Cauldron was able to leverage the favors that were part of the contract in order to guide their path. More superheroes meant better chances for everyone when it came to fighting the Endbringers and dealing with the big threats. It struck him that this wasn’t necessarily true. If the Doctor had lied about human experimentation, she could have lied about those details as well, too. Human experimentation on a large scale. Unwitting, or perhaps unwilling to connect the dots, he’d helped it happen in a way. His hand shook as he reached for the mouse. He clicked the button once more, hoping there would be something he could use to convince himself that this was a mistake. A false positive, a clue that Cauldron was really a force for good after all. Hadn’t Armsmaster said that his lie detection system was imperfect? Or maybe Kid Win had generated errors in the code. The alterations had been minor but comprehensive: Legend hadn’t wanted to be informed in real-time about the lies, lest he give something away. “And you don’t know anything about how William Manton is connected to all this?” “I’m as mystified as you are.” He knew what came next, with the conversation fresh in his memory. He didn’t want to press the button again, but there was little choice. The red text popped up as the last four and a half words appeared. LIE. Alexandria knew. Of course she had. Her ability to read people, her vast troves of knowledge, her ability to see patterns. And she was the most willing of their group to take the hard, ugly road. Had been since Siberian had hospitalized her. His own voice. “I’m sorry to accuse you.” Had he been lying? He supposed he had. He didn’t like the Doctor, and he hadn’t truly felt sorry for his suspicions. Ever since he’d seen William Manton with the Slaughterhouse Nine, he’d harbored doubts about what was going on. Those doubts had become quiet conviction after he’d gone to see Battery in the hospital. One of Bonesaw’s mechanical spiders had cut her suit. He knew exactly the kind of disorientation, hallucination and waves of paranoia she would have experienced as the gas took hold. While she reeled and tried to get a grip on reality, she’d likely left herself open for further attacks. Whatever the case, one of the spiders had injected her with a poison Bonesaw had devised. Her death had been slow, painful and inevitable. It had been engineered to strike those notes in a way that millions of years of evolution had yet to refine a plant’s toxin or an animal’s venom. Lying in the hospital bed, still delirious, Battery had used halting sentences to tell him about Cauldon, about buying her powers, and about Cauldron asking her to help Siberian and Shatterbird escape. She’d planned to pursue the Nine, to offer assistance and then kill one or both of the villains. Battery had begged him for affirmation that she’d tried to do the right thing, that he would find the answers she didn’t. He’d reassured her the best he could. She’d died not long after. He almost couldn’t bring himself to click the yellow button again. Alexandria had been lying to him. And that only left… Eidolon’s voice came from the speakers. “I can’t add anything here, and my power’s not volunteering anything that could help to solve this particular mystery. I guess we have yet another unanswered question on our hands.” The word was in red letters on the screen. It could have been his own pulse behind his retinas, but the letters seemed to throb with a heartbeat of their own. LIE. “All lies,” Legend whispered the words to himself. This entry was posted in 14.y (Bonus Interlude) and tagged Alexandria, Battery, Contessa, Doctor Mother, Eidolon, Kid Win, Legend, Number Man by wildbow. Bookmark the permalink. 210 thoughts on “Interlude 14.5 (Bonus Interlude)” leinadrengaw on October 13, 2012 at 00:18 said: Well damn. Bobby on October 13, 2012 at 00:40 said: Dustin on October 13, 2012 at 01:09 said: Najio on September 24, 2014 at 20:44 said: Not okay… just not okay. earfluffy on January 20, 2015 at 04:14 said: Still true. pizzahedron on February 14, 2017 at 16:41 said: Evgeny on February 16, 2017 at 14:48 said: Kami on February 22, 2017 at 09:27 said: still true, Vilheim on December 8, 2017 at 18:21 said: Zac Mange on January 30, 2018 at 12:35 said: Yup, still. Azura on March 8, 2018 at 03:33 said: This chapter is simultaniously the watermark for my “holy shit” and “what the actual fuck” moments. That said, very true, and/or yep. Archer on April 15, 2017 at 17:41 said: Oh God. This is really bad. This is beyond Lung bad, this is beyond Kaiser bad, this is far past all of ABB bad, and hell, this is head and shoulders above Slaughterhouse Nine bad. This is some God-Tier shit. -They call me Archer on the Debate Team because of my style Even on the second read-through… no less apt. MrMoray on October 13, 2012 at 00:26 said: I can live with brilliant. For anyone who didn’t tune in, there was a bonus update on Thursday. There will be more over the next two weeks, barring unforeseen circumstances. Scrambles on October 13, 2012 at 00:40 said: I finally get one first! 😀 In your face, PG! “If you wind up leading the Wards or a team in the Protectorate, it means you’ll be better equipped to help out teammates who are having their won problems.” Should be own problems. My first reader (Gorgondantess) already pointed it out via instant message. He rarely comments, and is really the guy you’re competing with. Refresh & recheck the error before commenting about it. 😉 No, in all seriousness, thanks for taking the time to point it out. MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Also, should be “via. instant message” and not “via instant message”. PS, BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Wait, reverse that. Trusting on October 13, 2012 at 00:47 said: Wow , this is a game changing update ….just epicly awesome …im super excited just to see the discussion this sparks !! you really pulled the rug out from under me on this !! Of course, now I’m kind of bummed out, because of Battery’s unfortunate demise. Guile on October 13, 2012 at 01:09 said: Yeah, Madcap/Assault and Battery’s back and forth was both touching and clever. Kinda wishing she’d had a bigger death scene. And Skitter will not be taking that well, when she learns about it. She left Battery back there, thinking she’d be okay. Starry Sky on October 13, 2012 at 04:55 said: Yeah, I had really hoped we’d have a chance to get a look at Assault and Battery’s day to day life. I still hope we get a chance to see more of Assault in the future, he sounds like a really interesting character. Agreed. Havent read ahead, but hoping for a decent (though perhaps cliched) revenge tale. agreed, BatteryxAssault mai OTP Woo, it WAS Manton! Or, given that alternate realities seem to be confirmed, it was A Manton. And it is entirely possible that the Wormverse is the dumping ground for an alternate reality Cauldron, or that the victims are being pulled from an alternate reality. After all, the lies don’t specify the answers that he isn’t being told. Just that they know the answers. After all, an answer is only as good as the question, or you are left wondering, ’42 of WHAT?’ A few things- “There weren’t happy memories here, little he was proud about.” a bit awkward, since it could read as there NOT being little he was proud about; maybe something like “were no happy memories here, and little”, or splitting into a second sentence? ” having their won problems.” (…Darn you Gorgondantess!) “north, east, south and west,” should be capitalized. “a obstactle intervened” An obstacle. “and he’d learn how” learned. “the Doctor time” is Doctor a meant to proper noun here, like with a time lord? It isn’t made entirely clear if that is what she’s officially called, or just a person who is a doctor and which he doesn’t know the name of. “from the Doctor and his fellow Protectorate members.” Might be clearer if the doctor was mentioned after ‘his fellow protectorate members’ rather than before, since it seems she isn’t actually a member. It’s my understanding that nesw should only be capitalized if it’s part of a proper noun? Hm. I might be confused by my years of playing interactive fiction. http://www.proofreadnow.com/blog/bid/30440/North-East-South-or-West-Capitalize-or-Not isikyus on May 20, 2013 at 08:41 said: Alternate realities are definitely confirmed. Alec has DVDs from a parallel Earth, right at the beginning. and the Star Wars prequels are confirmed to suck on a multiversal level by Skitter. Good to remind us that Skitter and the Undersiders aren’t the center of the universe, and the Big Names can have conversations that don’t even link to them. Also, damn this universe is getting darker all the time (revealed to be darker all the time, whatever). Oh, new question: these are the first bonus interludes since I started reading, are either of them Saturday’s update? Ah, bonus updates typically appear on Thursdays. Only reason this is called a bonus update is really a question of what I labeled them as. I felt more comfortable with the last chapter being called a conventional interlude and this one being the bonus, for reasons of chronology & format. Sorry to confuse. TheAnt on October 13, 2012 at 01:36 said: Long time lurker, first time poster due to the greatness of this chapter. The top heroes in the world may actually be villains, the world might end even if Jack had been killed due to the endbringers, and Brockton Bay might become a No Man’s Land condemned by the government. I can’t wait to see how this will affect Taylor in the future. Thanks for chiming in, Ant, and I’m glad you liked the chapter. PyromaniacLVI on October 13, 2012 at 02:17 said: I can’t wait to see how this effects Coil’s ambitions of taking over the city. After all, if the place gets condemned it wouldn’t be a very good stepping stone to taking over more territory. Also the condemnation of the area may just pull the rug out from under his efforts. If I may be so bold as to self promote, have I been a positive to your lurking experience? If not, how is it Frozen Chicken’s fault and not my own? I care a lot about the opinions my fellow commentators have of me. Except for 1114. And Scrambles. MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! frozen chicken on October 13, 2012 at 05:01 said: If Ant dislikes your posts, it totally is my fault. It’s quite common to see posts of my level of awesomeness and just have everything pale in comparison. 😉 Nah, I was just enjoying the story and didn’t really read the comments. However I was recently rereading the story and around the time Tyler was outed by Armsmaster, I read down and laughed. I actually read all the comments as I reread this time and was inspired to make a crowning moment of funny and awesome for the tropes page. You guys are pretty funny. In fact something PsychoGecko wrote applies to this chapter. “Man, I love the heroes here. If any of you know Marv from Sin City, you’ll get the reference when I say “I love heroes. No matter what you do to them, you don’t feel bad.” So let me ask you this, collective heroes of the Wormverse. If you’re a bunch of stuck up, aristocratic, racist, mindfucking, arrogant, self-serving bullies in costume who happen to be viewed as heroes, why would anybody feel bad about exposing your identities and killing any of you? Hell, I’m a villain. I say it with pride. I’ve done unspeakable things. Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap. I even pirated AC/DC songs. Borne into the world by dimensional bomb that was part of a plot to end a world. Yep, I came in on the D-bomb. And I got no problem dealing with D-bags. I’m the fly in your soup, I’m the pebble in your shoe. I’ve been around for a long, long time, stolen many men’s souls and faith. Lethal force is a first and a second option for me. I trained a pack of vicious komondors to hunt down captain mystic just because he was afraid he’d get taken to task for his grammer and because komondors are hilarious. I’m a certified son of a bitch, based on my Westminster papers. I hear voices in my head, they council me, they understand. They talk to me. I invade your nightmares or just try to organize the Zoo’s pandas into recreating The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. I don’t do it all for free, because pay, and your tears, are all I’ll ever need. I don’t hide behind a lawyer parent when I break the law. I got no nepotism or good ole boys on my side to give me a boost. I’m so low on the social ladder that I’m not even standing on it. I also don’t give a damn about people staying in their place and I think a good blowing up would help some of the established types realize their obligation to everyone else. If I’m going to help you, I’m only going to help you, and if I’m going to hurt you, I’m only going to hurt you. I’m impolite. I’m inefficient. I have a plan to kill everyone I meet. Worms to me that you are, I don’t care if you’re black, white, blue, green, or even teal. I am a villain. I am the inelegant lowest of the low and I don’t care what your tv tells you about me. And let me tell you heroes. Based on how you all act on average, I’m a better person than you. Hahahahahaahahahaahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaa!” PG, you’ve certainly been positive to my reading experience. I only started reading the comments around halfway through the story so far, and I kind of want to go back and read the comments on all of the older entries to see what kind of hijinks you get up to. Also, I’m here to remind you that you screwed up when mocking me. My turn to laugh. Ahaha! Ahahahaha! And yeah, that is supposed to sound like Mandark. I haven’t been commenting the entire run of the story. You’ll notice the first time I chime in as I announce myself, and then HG says something to the effect of “There goes the neighborhood.” In response to your alleged “getting” of me: “Psycho Gecko on October 13, 2012 at 1:59 AM said: Which means you get to listen to this: This round goes to you, PG. Also, I think that one day you should write an entry in the comments that’s so bad, everyone who reads it has a trigger event. Hydrargentium on October 15, 2012 at 01:06 said: And was I wrong…? ahiskali1 on September 12, 2016 at 11:47 said: Just wanted to let you know, that your comments continue to live 4 years later. I don’t have anyone to discuss this story with, and reading your witty and hilarious comments makes this reading experience that much better. “Her death had been slow, painful and inevitable.” This might need to be slow, painful, and inevitable. Might be the same problem for: “She knew most commonly spoken languages, no less than ten styles of martial arts and she could match some of the best non-tinkers in the world when it came to computers” Looks like the life is drained from Battery. Now we know why the spiders didn’t have to stick around and fight her as long. We also know the extent to which Cauldron’s plots boil over into the hero community. All too willing to turn on each other, it seems. The thoughts on a multiverse being involved certainly make things interesting too. Perhaps I should stop by, get acquainted with the place, then vamoose before the world goes kablooey? Even without that, very interesting indeed. I don’t know exactly how much longer Worm has left, but what are the odds Skitter, of all people, is going to be able to stop as powerful and influential an organization as Cauldron, or the world from ending in all the various ways it is set up for. And now we finally know why Scion looked disgusted by Eidolon. You’re right, I hadn’t thought about that. But this raises questions about how Scion fits in to all of this. Did he come from another dimension? A scary thought this chapter raises for me is that it is implied that many heroes got their powers from cauldron. Are there any “good” heroes that don’t owe cauldron something? On the bright side I have something else to add to the crowning moment of funny for the tropes page. How does kid win deal with heckling teens? He pulls a gun on them. Another possible funny thing, if you spoiler it: The Manton Effect is about how superpowers can’t affect people. Siberian is an anthropomorphized version of that effect. No superpowers affect her. Here’s a thought that might hold up unless parts of it have already been addressed. What if the Endbringers were caused by Cauldron just so that they could build up a number of superpowered individuals that were loyal solely to them? Scion shows up, superheroes are around, Endbringers show up. Cauldron starts pumping out influential superheroes, able to justify it to some people as being necessary to deal with the Endbringer threat. So you get people with money or who owe them a lot of favors, obligated by contract and threat to keep Cauldron from being exposed or defend Cauldron if it is made public. So these groups increase in number and influence, gaining the trust of the government. Trusted positions of unelected power, with superpowers and subverted loyalties. That kind of organization is going to be VERY interested in someone else actually being able to ruin the world they want to conquer, like Jack. Except now that Manton’s known about…and he is connected to Cauldron…and Cauldron has reason to go after Jack…maybe the thing he does by escaping is set in motion Cauldron’s exposure and lead to a massive worldwide superpowered conflict? It depends on when exactly the Endbringers showed up. Scion was first, and afterwards the twin entities began to give people powers. Cauldron figures out how to give people powers, but not without a lot of trial and error first with the case 53s. Something is limiting the Endbringers. Otherwise they wouldn’t take turns and all show up together in one city after another. Well this chapter confirms there is a conspiracy of some kind. But how big is it and how far does it spread? If Cauldron’s controlling them, it could explain things. Make people desperate enough and they’ll do anything. They may not be controlling Manton, though. They want him alive, probably to copy what he’s done with Siberian, but one of the first public appearances of Siberian was putting the hurt on Alexandria, Eidolon, and Legend. Could explain Piggot’s paranoia, too. Coil is smalltime compared to Cauldron. He could be another one of their guys and part of their plan. Taking over a city and all. Or he’s just a small nuisance they’ll have to deal with but who has the advantage of Dinah’s accuracy. Catastronaut on October 13, 2012 at 03:00 said: As far as the limitation on the Endbringers goes, I’ve wondered for a while whether or not there’s just one Endbringer. If Endbringers don’t generally leave off an assault until something beats them down pretty hard, then the time between attacks could be the time required to regenerate/shift into the next form in the cycle. Not sure how viable the theory is, since we haven’t seen any out-and-out shapeshifters, but it does wrap up some dangling questions in a reasonably elegant way. @Catastronaut, Dragon mentioned in her interlude that she was able to observe Simurgh (spelling?) 24/7 because it just sleeps in the upper atmosphere, so I think she would have noticed if they were all the same entity. Of course that doesn’t rule out a hivemind and they are all obviously related somehow. Anzer'ke on October 13, 2012 at 03:31 said: Doesn’t work, the Simurrgh is under observation in the atmosphere. Good points, But I just can’t buy cauldron controlling them. I think they’re related to scion and the twin entities, things Cauldron probably wants Siberian’s power in response to. They don’t really need the endbringers to cause death and chaos. Just give a dozen people shatterbird’s power and let them scream in a dozen cities. They can get more people to buy powers by giving truly nasty people powers at a discount. The more villains they make, the more desperate people like Battery become, and more heroes are created that owe Cauldron something. But how can they control them? Someone said that the only telepath in the setting was one of the endbringers, I forget her name, and they are spread so far apart. One deep in the ocean, one in the stratosphere, and one near the earth’s core. If Cauldron actually had a way to telepathically control them all, then why bother with giving people powers at all. Hell, Xavier of the Xmen might be able to pull off that feet and he could mindcontrol and kill whoever he wants but chooses not to. I somehow doubt that Cauldron wouldn’t use such telepathic power if they had it. If the Big Three actually got their powers from Cauldron, that throws off the timeline we “know”. They were among the first parahumans, so Cauldron already had a working serum back then. The Case 53s like Gregor are more recent, possibly Manton’s work after whatever event Legend and Alexandria are referring to, which seems to have led to him striking out on his own and/or gaining the ability to create Siberian. That requires them to have gotten their powers from Cauldron originally, however. If they got their powers naturally, but Cauldron is giving them booster shots to make them the big deal they are today, which the Doctor/Eidolon exchange implies, then the timeline we’ve been given might be right. The fact that it’s only Eidolon talking about getting a boost and we don’t know what his powers are like without it means that we can’t tell. It’s another well-crafted Reveal by Wildbow that reveals yet mote mystery. Remember, Tattletale said the Endbringers were NEVER human when she got a read on Leviathan. Not saying Cauldron involvement is impossible, but makes it seem more unlikely. >How does kid win deal with heckling teens? He pulls a gun on them. And the teachers sent praising notes to the Protectorate about it. If Bitch is any indication, you CAN give an animal superpowers… …Bloody hell. This chapter was one long series of punches to the gut. Even my optimism isn’t working at this point…ouch. Amusingly I can now only really see things going well if Coil manages to pull together some huge villainous organisation or in some other way establish a large power base. Obviously the heroes are functionally useless. Cauldron won’t care if this particular reality dies, since I doubt they know that the two ‘things’ seem to have chosen this one specifically. Battery died without fanfare or meaning. The Triumviate are apparently far worse bastards then even Armsmaster and Scion won’t give the game away. So bring on the pragmatic villains. This series has managed to both kill large numbers of characters without creating darkness induced apathy AND to have an incredible escalation without numbing me. It still hits like a hammer blow. Even the reveal of several mysteries didn’t disappoint, which is a rare thing given how much nicer supposition can be than fact. In short. You have my eternal admiration. There’s some real art to how the deaths are handled too. Battery died in a tragic, horribly painful off-hand way, right after Skitter made a big thing out of not killing her, but that pain is mitigated by the fact that her death wasn’t meaningless. Skitter’s mercy let her live long enough to speak to Legend and initiate his discovery. Most of the other deaths tend to have some sense of meaning or consequence to them as well. I actually thought the same thing. The city will actually be safer and better cared for if Coil and co take over. Hell, if I could write at all, I’d make a fanfic where Tyler gets sent to the birdcage, escapes, and forms the equivalent of the legion of doom in this reality. They’re hated and feared but they are actually doing more for the world than any of the “heroes”. With the climax being the death of an Endbringer. Don’t forget Coil said his powers were “expensive.” I wouldn’t be overly surprised if he also bought his abilities through Cauldron at this point. The best thing for Brockton Bay is for Skitter and Tattletale to take over Coil’s operations, kill him then run the city themselves. I think we can be reasonably sure Lisa didn’t buy her abilities at least so we’ve got that. And if they need anything truly awful done well they have a resident sociopath to help out as well as Taylor becoming more and more willing to go as far as needed to get things done. This is what I hate about super powers, they would almost invariably lead to some form of Aristocracy. Either as the result of the powerful simply taking power for themselves or as the result of cultural deification of capes, I just feel like super powers would be a terrible thing for a free society. Dues on October 13, 2012 at 12:41 said: An unequal distribution of superpowers would lead to that. But what if everyone could get superpowers? Calderon could do that, but like you said, they want a aristocracy. Hell if they really wanted to stop the Endbringers, they would get every man woman and child to line up for Legend level superpowers for free. If there was a city full of Alexandrias and Legends, that would certainly change the dynamic of an Endbringer fight. Okay Psycho Gecko should really do something with that one. I can already see the image of Leviathan turning up and roaring…then noticing the entire skyline filled with grimly smiling figures. I got the impression that Cauldron only gives the secret to the the top one percent of this world. Does this mean that Legend was the Bill gates of this world, and that is how he could get Cauldron to make him so powerful? I just had a terrifying thought. Imagine if Cauldron existed in our world, and the rich, famous, and arrogant bought powers. Paris Hilton as Alexandria, Donald Trump as Eidolon, and Lindsey Lohan as Legend form a supergroup. The terror, the terror! You know Michael Vick would want Bitch’s powers. Maybe OJ Simpson had Oni Lee’s. And maybe that Gina Rinehart asshole who inherited something like $30 billion and then declared that poor people should just stop drinking, stop socializing as much, and work harder if they want to be rich (while she also lobbies to lower the minimum wage) would get something with flight so she could float the fuck away. On the other side, Nicholas Cage and Samuel L. Jackson would probably turn out to be pretty good with powers. Maybe fix Stephen Hawking up with some power armor. Donation to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation would increase though, as not donating would make Bill angry. And when Bill Gates is angry, BILL SMASH! I am now imagining Stephen Hawking as the Spinnerette comic’s Mecha Maid. So… thanks for that. Unfortunately, Cauldron would probably wind up stripping Nicholas Cage of his powers 13 months later after he filed for bankruptcy. April on December 6, 2017 at 09:50 said: in 2017, this combo is truly scary, especially the Eidolon one. (this is a reread for me, and I just donated last night.) I never did trust anything about Cauldron from the start, But to think they would go that far… One word Wildbow: DAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN. I’m still reeling from this. So much revealed, so many new questions I will need to re-read this several times to get it all straight. Although I feel terrible or Battery. I makes me a-sad. D: Charlie on October 13, 2012 at 08:37 said: WOW. I found this story a couple of weeks ago, and have been reading it as constantly as I could manage. This was the very first chapter I had to wait for and it was SO WORTH IT. I am speculating lots right now. Thomas on October 13, 2012 at 09:13 said: Jeesus, Wildbow, you never let up do you? I thought the conversation was bad oh end of the world happening even sooner than we thought. Darn. But then… I literally had my hand over my mouth in horror as I finished reading this. You are good but scary as hell. If you can be this horrifying with super-hero fiction it makes me wonder what you could do in the horror genre. I think I’ve mentioned, but when I started writing (at twelve or thirteen), I started writing in the horror genre. Really just a way for me to deal with the stresses of adolescence and high school, kind of like what superheroics were to Taylor. Though to less of an extreme, obviously. A way for me to vent, if you will. I think that’s done a lot to influence everything I’ve written in other genres, as far as injecting a bit of a dark atmosphere into them. The foundation on which I built my writing ability is horror, basically (even if I wasn’t a fantastic writer at 12-15), and that’s colored/shaped how said ability developed, what I tend to focus on, and so on. Undead-Spaceman on October 13, 2012 at 10:15 said: Has anyone else noticed that the Doctor’s tag is ‘Doctor Mother’? Bit of a weird name and draws unfortunate conclusions. Mainly along the lines of Echidna, Shub-Niggurath, or Kimbery, all Mothers of Monsters. Taylor’s mother didn’t die. She now leads Cauldron. /wildmassguessing Horatio Von Becker on December 10, 2013 at 20:40 said: Crud. That could actually be possible. Kinda conflicts with the theory that she was William Manton’s wife, though. She as in the Doctor, not Ms. Herbert. Them being the same person would explain how Skitter stays relevant, though. You’re saying Taylor is half-black? Why exactly is that a problem for you? Besides, it’s only ever been said she’s dark-skinned, not black. And Grendel’s mother Taylor’s mother is also Grendel’s mother?! Whoah. Reminded me a lot of Dr. Girlfriend. 1114 on October 13, 2012 at 10:35 said: Another good one! I liked the bit with Kid Win, you helped flesh him out a lot. And the bit where Legend thought of interstellar travel. I like how you bring together things from different characters to move things forward, in this case Kid Win, and Armsmaster. Cauldron seems like the real bad guys in the setting, though I’m a bit surprised Alexandria was down with them and Manton considering her face. Gotta wonder what Legend is gonna do about all this, he seems like a stand up guy. Agreed on the interstellar travel bit. This really made Legend more than his superhero good-guy persona to me. Imagining being able to leave this flawed world… thinking, perhaps there might be some other place, far away, where I should have been. The universe is so very, very wide, after all. But the stars are so very, very far away. It would take a long, long time to get there, even if I knew the way. And what might I dream about, if I slept for a long, long time… Anyway. Staying despite being able to leave all this ugliness and just fly away, that is proof of a certain strength of character we didn’t see even when he was fighting Leviathan or Siberian. Well, being able to make the flight is only step one. > Gotta wonder what Legend is gonna do about all this, he seems like a stand up guy. Were I in his place, my first inclination would be to continue using this tech to get answers, while at the same time very secretly start recruiting, specifically people with powers that might help to (possibly) eventually subvert Cauldron. Tattletale, Regent and Dinah would be invaluable, and if there were any way to get Regent in control of Coil, Coil’s powers would be invaluable as well. Dragon would also be high on the list. But being a high-speed, laser-spewing powerhouse doesn’t mean much when your enemy can hop between dimensions (and that’s not even going into the other powers at play). So until he can get people secretly working for him, or better capacity to act covertly within Cauldron’s own ranks, there’s not a hell of a lot he can do here. I might dispute Regent and Tattletale, but that depends. Certainly the Undersiders have accomplished extremely improbable shit before. But Tattle and Regent are just two among many Thinkers and Masters more powerful than them — they’re good, but to infiltrate an organization like Cauldron you would need the best of the best. A large factor would be choosing appropriately powerful people who are trustworthy and willing to participate. Someone like Dinah would be a necessity, yes. But probably not her in particular. She would never want to help after all the shit Coil put her through, and Legend’s not about to coerce her. You forget Tattletale is consistently looked on as one of the most dangerous members of the Undersiders. Is she a brawler? No. But she has no need to actively fight if she can avoid being hit for a few seconds. She can literally take people down by talking to them long enough in many cases. I know, I just think considering how absurdly powerful and resource-rich as Cauldron is, the fact that she’s the most powerful in the Undersiders doesn’t mean much? I think you would kinda need Triumvirate-level capes to take them down. Keep reading. Tattletale gets scarier and scarier as the story goes on. The real problem with Cauldron is mostly that you’d need to be sneaky. Brute power isn’t the best option there. That’s why Thinkers like Tattletale are really the best way to go. But yeah I agree that Regent wouldn’t be super useful in this case. WELL THEN…. Now I’m excited 😀 I agree. Certainly people LIKE the Triumvirate would help, but less Legend and more Alexandria. Less Brutes and Blasters and more Thinkers and Strangers. “I suspect his specialty tied into manipulating and enhancing wavelengths and frequencies” Well, Legend does nor know it of course, but: E = hf where f is frequency and h is PLank`s constant. c=lf where l is wavelength and c the speed of light Wavenumber is given by w = 1/l So, f=c/l = cw Manipulating wavenumbers is the same as manipulating frequencies. Witch i the same of manipulating the energy E of a wavepacket (usualy a photon). I would say something like: manipulating wavelengths and enhancing intensities. Intensity is the number of wave packets (photons) in a wave. Each photon carries an amount of energy determined by its frequency, but a wave can have a huge number of these and so, the amount of energy transmitted by a wave does not depend on frequency alone. So, Legend never studied advanced physics. But as a teacher, I had to teach it here. Well, people told me that I could drop scientific facts in the forum … Back to the plot: Legend is still the only heroe of this tale that is not an … how do you say “canalha” in english? There must be a better term than asshole. If I can spew stuff about black holes and our atomic connection to the universe, then someone who knows the science better is certainly welcome. If anyone says otherwise, threaten them with the Brazilian Crotch Scalping, aka the Brazilian. Better than getting a Columbian Necktie at least. I’m afraid I can’t help you on the translation. Asshole is a pretty good term. There’s also motherfucker, cocksucker, jerk, dick, bitch, ass clown, scruffy-looking nerf herder, fucker, fuck face, fuck head, anal cyst, and probably some others I can’t think of right now. s on June 6, 2018 at 15:16 said: You forgot about anustart. I am confused.Yes,the whole of New Wave,Shadowstalker and Armmaster are assholes,but who else is? You don’t mean ‘villain’, do you? That’s more of a self-applied term in Worm. Bastard, maybe. Also deceptive/manipulative. Andreas Kill on January 5, 2017 at 17:04 said: nice science facts, but as for the hero comment…um, Miss Militia? Dragon? Weld? Vista? Clockblocker? Flechette? Kid Win? these names ringin’ a bell? I would say that more of the heroes are not assholes then are. Even Battery, a cauldron cape, was actually quite decent. So I’m not so sure where you are getting that impression from. Hobbes on October 13, 2012 at 14:55 said: We keep thinking that Shatterbird sold her powers. What if the man who “bought” them did so on her behalf? Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if Tattletale purchased her powers with money stolen from her dad, and that’s why she’s on the run. Remember that she was flattered on being rated a 7. Maybe the Doctor told her exactly how far Daddy’s money was likely to go. This kind of speculation is my one big issue with this revelation. The Trigger Event origins were awesome. It’s a brilliant idea and I loved it. Meanwhile Cauldron is a far less awesome way to get superpowers, especially with how insanely widespread they seem to be. Now we get to have two thoughts for every character with powers. Did they get them in an awesome way…or just buy them…I’ll admit to being really disappointed by the Triumviate being both evil and buyers. So, people with powers is either traumatized or rich enough to buy them. And the traumatized are often the lesser evil. Nope, still awesome. As I just mentioned above, we don’t know for certain that the Three bought their powers to begin with. That throws off the timeline we know about, and Cauldron may just be boosting them to world-class levels. Either way, though, they’re in bed with the current apparent biggest bad guys. The way things keep getting revealed to be lies around Here, I expect Taylor’s dad to be revealed as the reason Scion exists and there are superpowers and Endbringers in the first place. After this chapter, who knows. Personally I feel that Tyler’s situation with her dad will be resolved one way or another. If she actually is going to try to take on coil in the near future, she has to tell her dad the truth to help keep him safe from Coil threatening him. I think you are right that the Three were some of the first people to get their powers, and Cauldron merely boosted them. I would love for the next interlude to be about Hero, the first tinker. Then we could see more about the early history of this reality and maybe clarify a few things about the timeline. Oh holy shit now I think Tattletale totally bought her powers. Someone chime in here and add additional alliteration. I don’t think she bought them, as her interlude had her as a runaway and cherish mentioned that she ran away from a rich lifestyle to live on the streets. If her dad bought them for her, why did she run? I think something terrible happened with her dad causing her to have a trigger event. She mentions that she envies Taylor’s relationship with her dad when they went shopping. Plus every interlude with someone who got their powers from cauldron mentions them. Coil says that he still owes them one more favor, Battery and Legend both mention them. But Lisa doesn’t say anything about them during her interlude. Still, after this chapter, I am not gonna rule anyone unless they explain their trigger event. People we know or can be pretty sure didn’t buy their powers, either because we know their trigger event or they’re known to have grown up in poverty (or some other reason): Skitter, Grue, Imp, Bitch, Regent, Cherish, Miss Militia, Glory Girl, and Panacea. And I’m saying that Tattletale stole from her father, and used that money to buy powers. Then, to avoid the repercussions of her actions, she ran away. It’s also interesting that Cauldron may be pulling people from other realities. Maybe they didn’t give Legend his powers, just enhanced them in exchange for some favors–as they seem to be doing with Eidolon. Great Greedy Guts on October 13, 2012 at 15:25 said: Hoo boy, that’s… that’s a worry, right there. I would like to say that the line “It was like waking up in a warm bed, the man he loved beside him,” cheered me to no end, though that cheer bled out over the course of the rest of the chapter. Reveen on October 13, 2012 at 20:21 said: YOU DIRTY SONUVA- FECKIN’ ALL OF YOU! I can’t help but wonder if this end of the world scenario is going to be something self-inflicted on the part of the heroes. That what happens won’t be something that Jack actually did, but something that comes from the intrigue we see here that was only brought to light because Jack was able to escape. I had not considered that. That seems highly possible. Wow. By the way, Wildbow, might it be possible to list who is featured in each interlude on the table of contents? I’ve noticed that clicking Scion’s tag only pulls up that first interlude talking about him and not his appearance in the Leviathan arc. That could easily lead to spoilers. lokilaufeyjarson on October 14, 2012 at 10:22 said: Well, this sucks, but it seems to be pretty much par for the course. There apparently are no trustworthy authority figures at all in this crapsack world and even news of the upcoming “End of the World” only rates a “what else is new”. This can not end well. One thing that brothers me is the time-line. If Legend, Alexandria and Hero where amongst the first major capes to appear after Scion and they were all artificial, it opens up question about what caused what. It seems a bit unlikely that right after capes first appeared The Cauldron had perfected their technique enough to create the first big heroes. Perhaps Cauldron and their experiments are not native to this world at all and only after Scion, the Endbringers and Caludrons capes appeared did natural capes start occurring. All this puts Skitter’s problems a bit into perspective, but it makes you wonder how she could possibly involved in saving the world at the end even with her coming into her powers more and more, when a heavyweight like Legend is almost helpless against all the conspiracies and the crap that is going on… Well I would personally like Taylor to try and recreate her Trigger event. Put herself alone in a dark, enclosed space, and maybe drug herself to trick her mind into giving in to paranoia that no is coming. See if that gives her a boost like Grue. The only thing I am worried about is what power related to bugs she would get without it being a game breaker. Perhaps she can take on a single aspect of a bug at a time. Like an animal man with just bugs. The toughness of a beetle, the reflexes of a fly, the jumping power of a grasshopper. Or maybe she gets a power similar to Rachel and makes giant Bugs. Coil has at least a hundred well trained solders with lazers. She can now pull bugs from a several mile radius. While they can wear protective suits, she can cover the spaces they see from and make them blind. I think that if she stopped holding back, she could kill Coil. First track him with her powers, find out where he sleeps, get the most poisonous bugs she can, have them picked up by flying insects, and covertly bit him multiple times while he is asleep. The only downside is that she needs Coil’s resources to help the city, which will become even more important if the government ever goes through with the plan and condemns Brockton Bay. It would be smart for her to wait, but I think she is too guilty over Dinah to wait anymore. Well, so far wildbow has been good in ‘upgrading’ Skitter without just giving her cheap power-ups and the fact that she had a comparatively ‘lame’ and ‘evil’ power to begin with made for a cool and much more interesting story. Having her simply turn into the Amazing Spider Woman at this point would almost be a let down after the improvements she has been able to make with simply using her powers better. For a real over the top power up I am forced to remember that the Endbringers are not actually super-powered humans but something else entirely and that skitter can supposedly not just insects and spiders but anything that fits certain criteria. It reminds me of the picture of Aquaman rising from the waves on the shoulder of Cthulhu, but this sort of power could only be achieved story-wise a few chapter before the epilogue anyway. I like your way of thinking, maybe a powerup that focus on her status as a master. Maybe instead of her taking on aspects of a bug she can give them to others for a brief amount of time, like Othala of the Pure. This way she pulls her minions more into her plan, maybe allowing her to communicate or control them like she can with her bugs. I am a bit confused though, I thought her power let her control anything with a simple nervous system. So she could theoretically control fish and crabs right? It is stated that she can control crabs, but fish weren’t mentioned. We just haven’t had a crabby situation yet. Not easy to pull them quickly around the city to swarm an enemy (or anemone) and they don’t have enough advantages to justify the time and hassle to gather them up beforehand. Thanks for the info. Just for clarification, what powerup would you like Taylor to acquire at some point P.Gecko? Or do you think it would negatively affect the story if she got a powerup at all? With water everywhere, there will never be a better time for Taylor’s ultimate technique; “Jellyfish Summon”. It would be incredibly overpowered, but I get an evil grin at the thought of Taylor’s power having a residual effect on the bugs she has controlled. Like she’s able to control any bug she’s ever controlled, no matter the distance. I can just imagine her down for the count, heroes standing over her gloating…then noticing it was daylight just a few minutes ago…look up, and the sky is full of billions of bugs, all heading for them. That kind of “Oh Shit” moment would be priceless. Dr. Temptragon on October 14, 2012 at 11:48 said: Just went on an archive binge; this serial is amazing. I’ve always been a huge fan of intelligence over flat out power discrepency or rock-paper-scissors, so this is pushing multiple correct buttons. Pahan on October 14, 2012 at 20:31 said: Number Man… Wasn’t he supposed to be a big banker for supervillains? That’s how Coil paid the Undersiders for raiding the Protectorate’s reception. If he also works for Cauldron, that means that Cauldron probably already knows everything about Coil’s plans, just by looking at transactions. Mind you, Coil is small potatoes compared to these folks, so maybe they just don’t care. I don’t know. Coil’s goals have always seemed a bit obtuse to me. I don’t understand what he gets out of corrupting a city government. That along with the fact that he seems completely rational in most other regards leads me to suspect that he hasn’t quite shown his hand yet. Rationality or irrationality is primarily about means, not about goals, and I think that taking over, controlling, and governing is an own goal for Coil. He might also have some greater agenda; perhaps he is a parahuman supremacist, who wishes to establish the first city-state ruled by parahumans. After all, if an easy life of luxury were his objective, he could have simply used his powers to play the stock market for a while, then retire. Actually, now that I think about it, so could Tattletale. I wonder if the financial system in Wormverse works differently, with all those Thinkers running around. Wildbow? I doubt he’s a parahuman supremacist, given he purchased his own powers and that he overwhelmingly employs unpowered individuals. He certainly has an agenda though. Coil purchased his powers? Did I miss that? Either way, being a parahuman supremacist wouldn’t stop him from hiring human minions; he would just think that parahumans should be in command. Yup, he mentions that his powers were “an expensive talent” and that he’s still paying them off in Interlude 8. Mentioned in Interlude 8, clairvoyants and precogs observe the markets to keep an eye out for anything fishy. Not perfect (Coil can get around it), but it serves. Belial666 on October 15, 2012 at 16:40 said: Wouldn’t that depend on what and how much they observe though? See a specific event in the future and tell about it -> others can alter the potential future you saw. See an arbitrary/potential event in the future and tell about it -> others may alter the future but also their actions might be its trigger event. See the result of a series of events in the future -> you can now perform actions in the present and manipulate the actions of others to shape the future within that chain of events. Know the result of all actions and events everywhere, and the potential results of and responses to all actions and events derived from them everywhere, whether they are, will be, can, might or cannot be -> you can now choose the future you want exactly, depending on what you do in the present. (of course, precognitive omniscience requires an intellect so far beyond human we can only begin to imagine it) I actually had a character in mind who embodies what you described. He would’ve been someone who initially could only see the possible results of things a few seconds into the future but with practice and some danger to himself could force himself to expand that out into a few minutes ahead or further. No further powers but that would still make him virtually untouchable in a fight since he could see everything that the opponent would do and adjust his movements accordingly to just avoid everything short of wide area attacks. Depending on how the ability to see various future possibilities and the brainpower required to comprehend those options, what if the person seeing alternate realities used those same alternate realities to increase their processing power? Basically sharing the brain power of all their alternate selves while looking at the options then diminishing back to normal once one course was decided on and they closed down their power? As there’s myriad types & conventions of, say, invincibility, there’s a number of subcategories and focuses of precognition or clairvoyance. Tattletale, for example, could theoretically be classified as a subtype of clairvoyance. So I’d recommend one not jump to any conclusions about what the thinkers out there could do to monitor the use of powers in relation to economic manipulation. That said, it’s noted in this chapter that precogs tend to be somewhat unreliable. I don’t think it would be too ridiculous a notion to imagine them working in small groups, supporting one another’s weaknesses and expanding on one another’s leads. All it takes is for one to notice an anomaly and then the others can expand on that. It’s like Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle (though that’s a popular name, these don’t fall under the term uncertainty principle I read) where you can’t observe a subatomic particle without changing it. That they know and then warn people then alters it because they warned someone. Or becuase someone else saw it and is using that information (all the other precogs are just going to mess with it even more). Or if a guy just sees he’s going to slip at a certain time on a certain day, he’ll probably take actions to avoid it instead of falling for the sake of the timeline. There’s also the additional confusion of not knowing whether the future seeing is one that takes the actions of being seen into account or not. Just like with Oedipus, the actions to prevent the end of the world might be the things that trigger it. Maybe Dinah’s just so much better at figuring it out because she works on percentages. Lots of leeway for other things to happen, since it’s just a high chance of it occurring (much as we estimate a general area the electrons are around an atom without knowing exactly). The only way to know for sure is to have such great minds as the Harlem Globetrotters work on time-related research. Coil would WRECK at roulette. One weekend in Vegas and he could probably pay off that power. Hexa on June 16, 2016 at 11:27 said: If Vegas was still going, yes he could. Unfortunately, other capes have thought of that: Shamrock was being hunted for exactly this by the last few casinos in that region. The uncertainty principle only enters the equation for the knowledge of a single action or event. If you know of a potential event plus the potential event for an action you might take to avoid/change the first event, then you can choose either the first event or the second with no uncertainty by choosing the actions that lead to them rather than blindly trying to avoid a future by taking actions whose results you don’t know. That’s pretty much how Coil works (except for the future part – his ability is limited to knowing the present by living two timelines) and why he can sidestep precogs with only a single reference point. Now, imagine a precog with more than just two points of future reference or a variable point of future reference. For example, Doctor Manhattan. His future self can communicate with his past self. He takes an action then his future self sees the results of that action and informs his past self if they are not favorable before he took the action. Then he takes a second action, with his future self again giving info on that action and the past self changing the action if it is not favorable – to the point that, unless something is blocking his nonlinear awareness, he can always take the most favorable action he can think of just like a pc gamer reloading a game again and again. This is similar to the type of precognition we see in the film “Next” where the protagonist has a 2-minute precognition window where he can review potential outcomes again and again until he commits to a decision. That enables him, among other things, to avoid being captured by FBI agents in the same room with him by exactly moving in their blind spots, to dodge bullets by trying different dodges till he gets the right one, to knowing the layout/traps/enemies in entire buildings in no time by searching one room per future review and then retaining the knowledge without actually having to do the dozens of searches and so on. Such nonlinear awareness would enable a prophet to say a prophesy then check the results of people reacting to that prophesy. Review the results enough times to rephrase the prophesy in such a way that peoples’ reactions to it bring about the events the prophesy is predicting and sharing knowledge of the future would not make the prophesy changeable – in fact, it is the very thing that makes the prophesy come true. Of course, that level of precognition/nonlinear awareness might not exist in the Wormverse. There might only exist the lesser levels of precognition which are far more fallible or limited. For example Coil has a nonlinear awareness – but only 2 viewpoints, both are in the present and he has to live both of them simultaneously. Dinah can see multiple potential futures – but is limited by human intellect in how much she can see at a time, appears to see events but not why they happen and her power only extrapolates possibilities rather than giving certain views. SEA-106 on April 2, 2013 at 00:06 said: Okay, I’ve gotten this far. I stopped reading the comments about a chapter ago, because even though they were brilliant, there were just too many of them. I don’t know if anybody has already thought of this, or if the later chapters disprove it, but: This chapter implies that the supers are able to move between the two Earths. Which raises the question: are both Earth’s going to be destroyed, or is somebody planning to destroy one, and use the tragedy for their own ends, while sitting safe on the other Earth? Especially if this hypothetical villain controls the only gateway between the two Earths. There’s a lot of things you could do with that, including ransoming the inhabitants of the dying Earth. Or allowing only, say, villains across, so that one Earth is destroyed, and the second is overwhelmed with malicious capes loyal only to the person who let them across. Yes, I do expect this theory to be disproved within a couple of chapters. keksmuzh on May 31, 2013 at 19:25 said: It’s like an episode of House…everybody lies. Dinstow on June 5, 2013 at 00:28 said: I came back to read this because I remembered it being good, but damn. This is probably one of the best chapters of Worm, and is on a wham level up there with 22.4. Even reading it again.. damn. If the Endbringers are causing enough damage to collapse civilization (though that makes no sense given that if they take out concentration then people are going to start spreading out rather than condensing as stated here) why haven’t they been nuked? If they can be killed by physical attacks at all then a point blank nuke will do it. btw: I find it odd that Legend is vulnerable to bullets (a hundredth of a second is more time than one needs). A point blank nuke will do it just because they are damageable?I’d rate them as NGE angel level,destroyable,but not by nukes.Perhaps a nuke will harm it,but not cripplingly so,and not moreso than some superpowers….If you think about it,they are merely big force explosions if you exclude radioactivity,I am pretty sure Legend and Narwhal’s power,as well as Armsmaster’s universal solvent lance,cas easily deal more damage,if only at a smaller area.Scion certainly can. Plus,it is hard to deploy a nuke fast enough when they appear,and I’d imagine Leviathan will be able to dodge it,Behemoth will be able to tank it,and Simurgh will be able to make it not detonate. Wildbow mentions somewhere that nukes were used on Endbringers to little true effect somewhere. I remember seeing it either in the comments or in story but I don’t remember which chapter. It’s a throwaway like “yeah been there tried that got the t-shirt not worth doing again.” Steve of the G's on October 20, 2013 at 03:14 said: why did I have to find this story?!? You’ve been sucking me in to reading late into the night now for well over a month… I need sleep man! Darnit. Good stuff, maybe one more chapter before bed… NerdyWhiteGuy on October 26, 2013 at 08:15 said: It’s currently 5 AM. And I, too, want to read ONE MORE CHAP-TAR! (It’s best if you read that in Uncle’s voice from Jackie Chan Adventures, I think.) Man, this is so good. It’s like a drug, except it’s making my brain work instead of melting it! Every time I find a particularly good story, I end up archive binging. (Which hasn’t been all too often, implying I haven’t been looking properly. However, I got a good number of potentials a few chapters back from the comments. Thanks!) I did that with Gunnerkrigg Court, Manly Guys Doing Manly Things, a download of Star Trek books in txt format (progress: 28/479), Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality (author’s note got me here), and usually any good physical book I lay my hands on. I know that this is TERRIBLE for my sleep schedule, so I’ve been trying to be more reasonable in my intake of Worm. It… hasn’t exactly been working. Now, I’m no speed reader. I went quite wide-eyed when I saw a few comments an arc or three ago where people said they had archive binged the _entire thing_ up to that point in one day. But then again, I believe this person also said they basically read entire paragraphs at a time or at least several sentences and that their brain somehow filters out noise. Not sure how that power works, but my mortal reading ability requires that I occasionally reread a sentence or paragraph if it feels like I missed something. I can process a few small words at a time with what I _thought_ was normal speed 😉 but longer nonmonosyllabic words require my brain to parse them individually. Personally, I think it’s fascinating how our brains handle things so differently. Anyway, the point being that on weekends I can usually manage to binge a single arc before I have to stop myself or I just pass out and stumble to bed. On weekdays, I can typically get a chapter or two in unless someone manages to set one of the printers or their computer on fire at work. Then I binge the midnight oil! I’ve actually been trying to force myself to stick to no more than one arc per day. When I discovered the Methods of Rationality last Christmas, I binged nearly half of the entire thing as then written in a single day/night. I read the rest over the next few days. It was so good that, like a kid on Halloween, I gorged myself on candy and had none left to eat the next day. Therefore, I’ve been trying my hardest to self-regulate my intake of the amazing beast that is Worm so that I still have some to satisfy myself with tomorrow! In answer to your question, Steve of the G’s, the reason we found this story was because of the epic force of its epic gravity pulling us towards its epicness. Epically. Also, Wildbow, (if you read/answer “necrocomments”, I believe the term was) what do you recommend for someone who would like to start writing as well? The only ideas I’ve had thus far are plagiarizing something, and in one case everything (yes, everything). Fanfiction is one thing, but reading Worm has taught me a valuable lesson: There are universes out there where superheroes live that aren’t owned by DC or Marvel. Or, more, succinctly: Be original. Worm is awesome because everything is an unknown. Every chapter fleshes out a hitherto unseen and totally unknown universe! If you know a universe inside and out, then you know essentially what’s going to happen in any given situation. Even the reveals are just one hidden bit in a transparent world. In a completely original universe, the only things you know is what the author tells you, which is really the only way to make something a surprise. Should I start by writing fanfiction and then work my way up to something more original? Or should I wait until I have a more solid idea besides “what if X”? Also, where/how would you recommend publishing? Fanfiction.net? WordPress? Blogger? Buying a domain and running my own webserver? (I’d love to do this anyway, but my Internet connectivity sucks and my site would probably buckle if more than 3 people visited it daily.) From what I’ve gathered, Fanfiction.net has limited formatting capabilities. WordPress seems to make you pay to use custom CSS, but Blogger let you use (mostly) arbitrary HTML if you really wanted to (and thus a little bit of inline CSS and JS, although the last time I used Blogger was years ago). WordPress’ stats thing looked shiny in their video, but I’m not sure how useful or necessary it is. What would you recommend to someone just beginning to experiment with writing? Should I maybe get a few completed stories under my belt in private before I spill bile forth on the Internet? Anyway, I just want to say: MAAAAAAN this is good. The writer in me already has an idea for a continuity diverging from where they rescue Charlotte, that I thought of while Skitter was under the miasma a few chapters ago. And then, suddenly, now we have confirmed inter-universe travel, in-universe. (And it was mentioned in almost the very beginning that they have a cultural exchange, at least, with one other universe, which is public knowledge IIRC.) Which only makes the idea I have more plausible! Although, if I did try to expand on that idea, I should probably get caught up first so that I know how things turn out in this continuity. Also, I’d want to know what sort of fiction is in this fiction, so that I can make proper pop culture references when I make my pop culture references. (Yo, Dawg….) I notice Skitter knows of Klingon, implying that Star Trek is a thing. What about stuff like Superman? Batman? Green Lantern? X-men? Pokémon? Books, comic books, videogames? Anime or crazy things from Japan? Oh, wait. Japan got Endbringered didn’t it? It would explain the merciful lack of capes with over-sized swords and/or schoolgirl outfits. … Although there was that poor girl with the tentacles from Illinois, though. Anyway (again), I just want to say, thank you Wildbow. You have deprived me of sleep for a several solid weeks now, and it has been GREAT! Please keep up the good work! A new chapter of Worm beats a good night’s sleep any day of the week. alpinebob on January 11, 2014 at 18:49 said: I’ve gotten a few 2 hours nights recently myself… I believe that what our esteemed author would say is, if you want to write, then write. Don’t expect it to be great to start. Wildbow mentioned a few time (over the course of the comments I’ve read), beginning over 100 various superhero stories before hitting on the iteration that became Worm. Also, Wildbow started writing at age 12 or thereabouts, as I recall. So there is scads of experience involved, most of which, like an iceberg, is not what we see, but that unseen experience supports the expertise we do see. Which is not to say you have to write for years before becoming great, but just start writing, and there is nowhere to go but up. Personally, I hate writing – it’s work! I really appreciate people like Wildbow, who make it possible for me to read awesome stuff without needing to write it first. So good luck! Ha ha, so the Endbringers targeted Japan because their were afraid of the potential for flying mechs, widespread Breaker-Tinkers with hyperspace arsenals, and super-modes infinity percent stronger than the original. My personal assumption, with nothing to back it up, is that the Wormverse’s media is pretty close to ours but with powers instead of implausable gear and plot armour. Also, remember that the Wormverse probably only diverges from ours around 1980 with the appearance of Scion, so characters like Batman would have existed up till then. After which it’s hard to say: they’d certainly have taken a turn for the realistic (with things like trigger events and the Manton Effect), but what would have been popular is hard to guess. I suppose super hero stories and news would have become slightly blurred, with accounts of Legend(etc)’s exploits being very successful and pushing wholly fictional characters to the sidelines. Ooh, I wonder if there are any Rogues working as stunt doubles, changing appearance combined with something like regeneration or an enhanced body, for example. Presumably there are also several Rogues doing special effects in various ways (illusions, Tinkers, someone with an appropriate power who can simply do whatever the specific effect is). Jedi Reject on October 27, 2013 at 22:12 said: Just wanted to chime in and say that I too have been getting far too little sleep since I discovered Worm around a week ago. Awesome story so far, keep up the good work! Now I really should get to bed, I have to be at work in 6 hours… Maybe just one more chapter 😉 karn on October 21, 2013 at 10:07 said: Hi, thank you very much for writing this story. It is not only my favourite plot of things I’ve read but I also feel the story is delivered better than I thought stories could be told. I found what I think is a minor typo: “He glanced at the others. Eidolon’s brow was creased in concern, while Alexandra looked pensive.” Alexandra –> Alexandria Frederick on October 23, 2013 at 15:49 said: Small thing: ” does he know? This whole region might be condemned.” The first ‘d’ is not in italics. Kid Win’s specialty is pretty versatile. It kind of reminds me of Armsmaster’s. Interesting; I wonder if there’s a connection. “He’d wondered sometimes if his ability to fly was meant for travel on an interstellar level.” Interesting that Legend is considering the “purpose” of his powers. I’d like Legend’s power just for that. It sounds like he doesn’t need to eat or sleep, maybe doesn’t even need to drink. Metabolic/Physiological needs are such a pain at times. So, Cauldron’s heard. Seems they have an inside man…or woman. “[Eidolon] looked more like an average family man who was getting dressed up as Eidolon for a costume party than he looked like Eidolon himself.” Reminds me of a time Charlie Chaplin came third in a Charlie Chaplin Lookalike contest. tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CoconutEffect ““And he had Cauldron’s mark tattooed on the back of his left hand…” Oh, not an actual cauldron? Bit of a slip-of-tongue on Legend’s part a few chapters ago…good thing for Cauldron Skitter couldn’t see the tattoo. “‘Probably another Endbringer attack coming up, it’s best if I’m in top form.'” calculates It’s been what, maybe a month and a half since Leviathan? And Endbringers come every three months? Oh yeah, Eidolon’s powers are fading, this is bad. The math seems off, though… “‘All lies.'” Not quite. Um…let’s see…the Endbringers are bad news, that’s correct. No, reread Interlude 7. “Nothing’s truly random,” Colin explained, his voice tight, “Any data shows a pattern eventually, if you dig deep enough. Dragon started work on an early warning system for the Endbringers, to see if we can’t anticipate where they’ll strike next, prepare to some degree. We know there’s some rules they follow, though we don’t know why. They come one at a time, months apart, rarely hitting the same area twice in a short span of time. We know they’re drawn to areas where they perceive vulnerability, where they think they can cause the most damage. Nuclear reactors, the Birdcage, places recently hit by natural disasters…” It never specifies how many months apart they attack. But this does seem to imply that Eidolon knows something we don’t. Again. It was at some point stated that they have been coming every three, three-and-a-half months, give or take, since Simurgh showed up, with slower rates when there were fewer Endbringers. I don’t remember when it was stated, though. Horatio Von Becker on September 6, 2014 at 19:30 said: Maybe in a later chapter. tom90deg on November 14, 2013 at 01:51 said: Welp, almost 1/2 way through the story, by chapter listing, by word count, probably not. Erica and I are still reading it together, and MAN. Every single time we think things might go in a downswing, it just gets more and more nuts. Love this story, and while I imagine it’s been said, I cannot WAIT for a e-book version, let alone a dead-tree version. It’d take up half my shelf! Can’t wait to see what happens next, and thanks for writing such a great story! Also, Oh no…Battery! I really liked her…:( Yeah, I liked Battery too. Time Travel does not seem out of the question, though. Maaan. Terrifying, awesome, incredibly scary. Legend is a really good guy; it seems Battery was as well. And it now seems those are all too few and far between. Even Eidolon. Wham. I love the asides in this chapter, about interstellar flight, and about Alexandria bring originally named after the Great Library. That’s really nifty. Capitalisation of “Doctor” is inconsistent here compared with the rest of the chapter: “buying the doctor time to escape.” comicjk on December 21, 2013 at 12:29 said: Great work, as always, but the proofreading seems to be a little weaker – “as well, too” is kind of a choose-one deal. Also about five people have commented that you spelled “heard” as “hard” a few chapters ago, and it’s still there. tweenk on December 23, 2013 at 22:29 said: I’m really enjoying Worm! I heard you will be doing some editing before a possible e-book / dead tree re-release, so I’d like to share some tips about nuclear technology. “The bare minimum of people would have to die, there couldn’t be any bodies, and there wouldn’t be anything left unattended that could cause uncontrolled fires or nuclear incidents.” Nuclear power plants shut down safely if left unattended. The real problem in such a situation would be in ensuring the steady flow of food to the cities. If the transportation network is heavily disrupted, the city dwellers would starve or die fighting over the remaining food. “Evacuation, we’ll also push for automatic shutdown controls on power grids and nuclear facilities” See above – nuclear reactors automatically shut down if there is a problem. The only caveat is that some older models of reactors require a steady power supply for a few days after shutdown to power the cooling system as it removes decay heat (the heat that comes from the radioactive decay of short-lived fission products rather than the fission reaction itself). Normally this is provided by diesel generators, but if they fail, there can be a meltdown. So what the Number Man should be suggesting is that they fit nuclear power plants with tougher emergency power supplies, perhaps tinker-made. Tirxu on January 2, 2014 at 00:55 said: It is a tad strange that Legend worries about false positive at first, and is then convinced without there being a single negative. That said, I love Worm, great story 🙂 liminal2016 on February 26, 2017 at 16:57 said: He specifically set the program to show every lie detected. camlo on January 9, 2014 at 03:38 said: Wow… So I’ve just archive-binged over the past week or so up to here. MAN, what good writing and setups you have, Wildbow. Seriously, great job at crafting a world. I also wanted to say that your ability to create a diverse and realistic world is refreshing, and amazing. Too few writers seem to be able to do this, but you create, flesh out, and integrate people from all walks of life in a very believable and refreshing way – be they women, men, people of color, or LGBT individuals (Legend, Regent, Panacea… might be forgetting some). And you do it in such a way that each character is so complete with actual, non-seethrough motivations. I’m really impressed. Keep up the good work! I’m really looking forward to reading the rest, any anything else you put out! Consider me hooked. Julius Jacobsen (@TehSuckerer) on January 12, 2014 at 13:24 said: It’s paradoxical. If they know for a fact that, say, 80% of the people will die, they should NOT install fail-safeties in trains, (non nuclear) power plants, and similar things. If they go for more safety and 80% will die anyway, it just means that an even bigger catastrophe will hit them. John Campbell on June 7, 2015 at 20:14 said: They don’t have a precise “80%” casualty number, though. They’ve got a range from about a third to almost everyone, and so taking safety measures will push the numbers towards the lower end of that range. jack on January 13, 2014 at 02:01 said: damn, i liked battery. hahaha, I was about to post the exact same thing! I liked Battery too 😦 And, echoing the first coment: DAMN! The Doctor?! As in, THE Doctor? Tell me, is she ginger? She’s black. One of these days, The Doctor is going to have a regeneration that’s a redhead, and he’ll live for all of two minutes, just so the writers can spite him. 😛 Jenny Creed on April 25, 2014 at 06:46 said: Of all the many interesting things we learn in this chapter, the word “condemned” stands out to me. At first it seems like the typical hysterical overreaction and misunderstanding of the villains’ intentions we’ve seen from the heroes, but then it occurs to me it’s that’s how it’s going to work out. If everything turns out as Taylor wants, if she and the others manage to hold on to their territory and show that they can run the city without turning it into Auschwitz, then the heroes and the official government will leave them to it, write off the city as a failed state, bankrupt it and try to forget it ever existed. And it’ll begin to attract outlaws, particularly outlaws with superpowers, from around the world, who think they can do anything they want there, and it’ll be up to Taylor and gang plus any wandering heroes to forcibly prove to them that they can’t, over and over. A continuous loss of civilians and infrastructure will be inevitable. If Coil isn’t dead by this point he’ll be smart to move to greener pastures. Looks grim, doesn’t it? But I suspect Taylor will come out on top as a benevolent de facto dictator of Brockton Bay, with a reputation that will keep every jerk short of Slaughterhouse Nine away, and children will grow up learning not to fear the spiders. Of course, I can’t help but note how the whole city will be entirely out of the loop as far as any investigation in Cauldron or the Endbringers goes, and that makes little sense narratively. So I’m probably missing something. Isaac on August 6, 2014 at 02:51 said: Holy wow! An ability specifically suited to interstellar travel!? That is awesome! And his descriptions fit that perfectly!! Wow the implications of that are astounding. Granted it’s not much practical use unless the Earth dies since if he can’t take anyone else with him then you can’t start a genetically diverse populace (granted since he’s gay that’s kind of a moot point but whatever) but even still. He can travel to a new star! Be a true explorer in the deepest sense of the word! I wonder how this plays into the multidimensional gigantic interstellar traveler creature things that we’ve glimpsed before? Oh wow so Legend still works with Cauldron but not only does he have no idea of the dastardly dealings they are doing but he also is smart/suspicious enough to coop a lie detector prior to the meeting? I seriously respect this guy now. He’s approaching Weld levels of Boy Scout! It’s awesome to see someone who is genuinely a good person performing good actions with good intentions in the Wormverse! On the flip side, it is very worrisome that both other members of the Triumverate are very firmly with the evil Cauldron. And that all three were given powers by said Cauldron. I wonder if Hero had been in that group as well now. God I figured Battery wasn’t coming away from the spiders unscathed but damn that sucks majorly. I really liked her and I knew she’d end up doing the right thing. Damn Bonesaw yet again. Stupid Tinkers. Vernon on October 1, 2014 at 23:52 said: Small typo: obstactle instead of obstacle Second typo: Cauldon instead of Cauldron. By the way feel free to remove these messages after they’re fixed! They’re testament to my failures, eternal reminders that I am only human. If I don’t fix stuff immediately here, it’s because I’m more focused on editing the version that I plan to sell. Thanks for your input. DAAAAAMN pookywb on May 22, 2015 at 17:42 said: Can we also note that Alexandria (ALEXANDRIA!) suggested he go home to see his family? Would like to know what they all were REALLY talking about. FuriousFurSeal on November 24, 2014 at 03:21 said: Noooooo, how could Battery die. She was one a powerhouse… Haha, get it? Powerhouse because her code name was Battery. Im the best. > if there was no atmosphere I liked this chapter. Somebody was finally confirmed dead. Somebody named and even worthy of their own interlude! Poor Legend. Poor Assault – wonder what’ll become of him. Back to villainy, perhaps? tiffuh on February 6, 2018 at 03:48 said: COME ON HOW COULD YOU FORGET BRUTUS? /sob Sarah McNuggets on February 3, 2015 at 22:17 said: Reading your story for a second time now. I skipped a lot of 12/13/14 because I find S9 so disturbing, but otherwise I’m very much enjoying this reread! You’re a fantastic writer and not least because your protagonist is so resourceful. She reminds me of Ender from Enders Game in that way. greavg on March 9, 2015 at 16:21 said: Among other things that it totally nails, I love Worm’s sequential revealing of information. Battery 😦 roseylily on June 29, 2015 at 20:52 said: Wow. I started reading this serial just a week ago (I have more time because of summer vacation) and I’m completely hooked. But this chapter is just . . . wow. But Battery . . . linnilalartyr on September 26, 2015 at 22:08 said: OMG! It getting further dark here~~~ almostNEET on September 30, 2015 at 08:31 said: wow… so the Triumvirate are all Cauldron? F* f!!! Still like Legend though, just as I liked Battery. Her fate kind of made me feel down though. Poor guy 😦 I personally really disagree with the decision to write classifications uncapitalized. It makes it so much easier to distinguish them from normal nouns when they are without using quotation marks or clunky phrases like “the brute classification”, and classification systems like this usually are capitalized? pffffhahahahahaha holy shit, no kidding Vf guvf Pbagrffn’f svefg nccrnenapr? Rvgure jnl- ubyl penc, sberfunqbjvat vf fgebat jvgu guvf bar. Gur Qbpgbe znl whfg or hfvat Pbagrffn nf n fgengrtvp erfbhepr… ohg Yrtraq vf fgvyy qrnq ba. Gur Qbpgbe nofbyhgryl guvaxf Pbagrffn pna gnxr ba gur Gevhzivengr. little did they know that Kid Win was the Big Bad all along. ahdefault on January 27, 2016 at 20:36 said: This was great. While it’s a shame that there don’t seem to be any conventional “Superman” type heroes in the top tier of the Protectorate (pure of heart, good to the core), I’m coming to see that that really isn’t a terrible thing. To be honest, I really never thought it was to begin with, but it seems like Armsmaster was generally disliked in-and-out of universe, yet I always thought he was a genuine hero for the simple fact that he always tried to do what he thought was best, in almost the same vein that Skitter does. Though I suppose the path of evil is paved with good intentions. Having the top dogs of the Protectorate all being manufactured rather than made is a bit shocking. It makes sense, considering how incredibly powerful they are, but it’s nice to see that one of them values honesty over deceit, although I can understand the lying on Alexandria and Eidolon’s parts (if it truly is for the greater good, and not all a part of some nasty scheme to concentrate power). I’m also happy to see that Battery died with dignity as a true hero, without wavering to betray what she stood for. Hope Assault gets some closure. Someone above mentioned Scion’s look towards Eidolon making sense now, and I agree, though I’m not sure Scion could understand the entire situation beyond Eidolon’s power and connections from a glance. I rather think that Scion instead could see he was manufactured, and the withering look was more along the lines of, “You didn’t earn this.” I wonder if he looked Skitter, would he have had the same look? I can’t put this story down, it’s killing me. If it ever comes out in buyable book form, I’ll definitely drop money on it, regardless of price. eddiephlash on February 8, 2016 at 09:08 said: “…opened the doors for him in time for him to walk through” Double use of “for him” here is weird. Maybe: “…opened the doors in time for him to walk through” keithioapc on June 5, 2016 at 15:27 said: Great chapter! So we’ve got two factions with ominous unspecified endgames – cauldron and coil. Be interesting to see how they collide, and how Skitter can play them against each other. Seergun on October 3, 2016 at 06:22 said: Wow, fuck the hero’s, man. bushwhacker2k on February 11, 2017 at 07:23 said: Wait, wait, wait, Legend! Literally every statement has been interpreted as a lie! You have to have some true statements to test them against to make sure the machine isn’t just calling everything a lie! xD This could all be a huge misunderstanding! That’s because he set the machine to show every lie detected. hopefwlyanonymous on March 27, 2017 at 03:58 said: Battery. 😦 «, he instinctively transitioned into his energy form» “he instinctively transformed* into…” «He unplugged the fiber-optic cables and disabled the wireless.» an odd way to refer to it — British? “disabled all wireless interfaces” sounds better, but maybe most people would refer to “airplane mode”. klaist on July 13, 2017 at 00:56 said: There’s a word partially italicized up there. The d in does is nornal, and the rest is slanted. “does he know? This whole region might be condemned.” Not a huge deal, but for some reason it bothered me a lot. 😀 At rereading it loses some impact, but none of.its status as THE most important interlude to date. Now.he knows, and has to.decide how.to.procede… Lord Evil on September 18, 2017 at 13:24 said: Not really sure how I predicted this 8 volumes ago, but YAY, I WAS RIGHT. ‘Course, now I want to know why. No sense ruling the world if there’s no world left to rule. I love the parallels here between Legend, renowned leader of PRT, and Taylor. Idk if others noticed, but it’s very similar to how Taylor felt and acted up to and including the guilt about being indirectly a part of human kidnapping. The double agent role, feeling he’s doing the right thing for the better good, and finding himself caught in a situation that’s harder to navigate than before. It also accentuates the difference between someone who’s an adult and a 15 year old girl. I like the build up to this. If only Taylor knew.. It would screw with the pacing, but part of me wants to see how much of the rest of Dr. Mom’s claims were lies. Is Cauldron as on top of everything as she claims? It’s still pretty ambiguous by the end of the series. Leave a Reply to Archer Cancel reply	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27001
__label__cc	0.646724	0.353276	He Is Definitely The Star… Now that we are back home from Texas, I would love to start sharing our time we had during the holidays with y’all☺ It was glorious as usual and we had such a delightful time. On our first day with Little Man, Papa turns to me and says, “He definitely is the star of the family, isn’t he?” I reply, “He sure is…how could he not be?” “We have waited a long time for his arrival and when he finally came into this world…he arrived with lots of charisma and JOY!” Of course, our first day was all about playing with his favorite activities…Lego building HIGH towers… Showing off how much his drawing skills have improved…smile! This is VERY serious business… But what he couldn’t wait to show us…how he learned to play “Hide In Go Seek!” His parents taught him that he had to be real still until the person found you…no matter HOW long it took. He LOVES this new game and is very good at staying quiet. He is hiding from Grammie under the desk with his stuffed furry friend. Staying oh so still. Is this not precious? What he doesn’t realize is…the back end of the desk is open and I can see him. Of course, I ran and found the camera and took this adorable shot of him. One day, when he is a lot older…I can’t wait to show this photo to him and share a few laughs. Well friends…we are in the new year! I’m looking forward to spending the next 365 days with you, sharing some laughs, inspiration, encouragement and most of all…photography to make you smile. Tags: adorable 2 year old toddler boy, children photography, Christmas time, coloring markers, Photography, photography at the holidays, playing hide go seek, playing logos, star of the family 78 thoughts on “He Is Definitely The Star…” Vashti Quiroz-Vega on August 23, 2014 at 3:28 am said: Hello! Great photographs! That little guy really is a star. 😀 A.PROMPTreply on July 20, 2014 at 2:46 am said: wow. Really love these shots. Amazing! Vijay on January 31, 2014 at 7:07 am said: Very nice pictures – love the composition! honeydidyouseethat? on January 15, 2014 at 3:14 am said: Wow! Those pictures are priceless. Are you ever talented!!!! Thanks for following a beginner photographer! 🙂 The Presents of Presence on January 10, 2014 at 2:33 pm said: He is gorgeous!! dannadesigns on January 9, 2014 at 3:32 am said: For sure a star! Peabea on January 7, 2014 at 8:49 pm said: So precious and oh, how the one of him hiding made me smile and brought back memories. Makes you just want to hold and scrunch them and never let go. So adorable. Dina on January 6, 2014 at 6:08 pm said: A true star indeed! Twinkling and bringing so much joy to us all. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful images, Laurie! Big hug, Dina x Rosey on January 6, 2014 at 3:37 pm said: So many great pictures, and he’s such a beautiful baby!! Happy New Year to you!! I think it is going to be a fabulous one! Pingback: How Precious is that? \| Pride in Photos Gascho on January 6, 2014 at 3:27 pm said: You captured him and the details so well! What a cutie . . . he’s blessed to have you capture these moments. araanz50 on January 5, 2014 at 7:53 pm said: Balas fotos! Abraços….Araan http://araanz50.wordpress.com/2014/01/01 DeDivahDeals on January 5, 2014 at 4:16 am said: What a blessing…don’t you just love the innocence of the young? He is definitely a beautiful child and you are a blessed grammie. Lisa on January 5, 2014 at 3:19 am said: Oh my gosh the hide and seek photo is my favorite!! That is so precious!! He is so adorable!! Hugz Lisa and Bear the Painted Apron on January 5, 2014 at 12:41 am said: Ha! Love photos of children’s backs and this is so fun. I know you loved every moment of your special Christmas! Happy New Year, Laurie! LuAnn on January 4, 2014 at 11:01 pm said: Your little man is so precious and he is a budding artist! I wonder who he gets his artistic skills from? 🙂 Jocelyne on January 4, 2014 at 4:25 pm said: What a wonderful heartwarming post. It made me smile. So precious…. 🙂 melody in thailand on January 4, 2014 at 8:19 am said: He is so precious! Clanmother on January 4, 2014 at 4:48 am said: You really have an artistic spirit! I am looking forward to following you into a brand new year. You give beauty and joy to my days! 🙂 tiny lessons blog on January 4, 2014 at 1:50 am said: Grammie is right! He’s definitely the star! I admire his patience under the desk 🙂 LB on January 3, 2014 at 11:04 pm said: My favorite part? Those dimples on his hands … precious! Cowboys and Crossbones on January 3, 2014 at 7:56 pm said: He certainly is the star of the show and we can all see why! What an adorable grandson! And the hide and go seek picture is priceless. Look forward to your posts in 2014! ladyfi on January 3, 2014 at 7:07 pm said: What an adorable face! Hoping this year brings you many good things. Mary on January 3, 2014 at 3:45 pm said: Happy New Year Laurie, loved sharing your holiday with you. He is a star! theartfuldiva on January 3, 2014 at 2:44 pm said: those yes – to die for! bulldog on January 3, 2014 at 4:39 am said: TinCanTraveler on January 3, 2014 at 4:29 am said: Happy New Year, Laurie! Carine on January 3, 2014 at 3:50 am said: Those are especially gorgeous photos! He is a star 🙂 Dotti on January 3, 2014 at 12:04 am said: I swear I can see him growing up right before my very eyes! They do grow up too quickly. I was just purging my Dropbox {because I’m almost maxed out and don’t want to pay!} and came on some photos from my summer with my granddaughter. Just a few short months ago and, Laurie, she’s changed so much. It all happens too quickly. YellowCable on January 2, 2014 at 11:18 pm said: Oh, such a fantastic shot of this young star from the back. I also like his eyes looking up to the toy in his hand. Gail Schechter on January 2, 2014 at 10:13 pm said: he is adorable Laurie…I especially love the last picture…the roller-skates on the stuffed dog is priceless!!! RoSy on January 2, 2014 at 10:12 pm said: Indeed a star! LOL on the last photo. 😆 LubbyGirl on January 2, 2014 at 10:02 pm said: oh my goodness – absolutely PRICELESS! Catherine on January 2, 2014 at 8:21 pm said: So so adorable! He seems to find such joy in all his activities… wonderful captures Laurie Amy on January 2, 2014 at 8:12 pm said: Thank you for sharing the special moments with us! Looking forward to viewing and reading more of your fabulous photos and stories, Laurie! Happy New Year Laurie! He is most definitely the star with the amazing blue eyes Stephanie on January 2, 2014 at 7:26 pm said: What a charmer he is. Those big eyes are gorgeous. tanna on January 2, 2014 at 6:03 pm said: precious. precious. precious! a bright and shining star!! oh, Laurie, he is so precious. I’m keeping you in my prayers… hope you will do the same. blessings and hugs ~ tanna Stefano on January 2, 2014 at 5:59 pm said: Love the opening shot: what a great portrait, Laurie, with just the perfect background! My French Heaven on January 2, 2014 at 5:56 pm said: They are all lovely pictures but the one of him drawing with his back to the camera is precious. This post makes me miss my little nephew Victor sooooo much Pride in Photos Photography on January 2, 2014 at 6:59 pm said: Yes, precious images of little ones…do seem to make you miss your loved ones just a little more don’t they? Anne/Dave Richards on January 2, 2014 at 5:54 pm said: Hi Laurie, Happy New Year to you and Matt. The picture of Nolan under the desk is precious. Hope to see you for MJ tomorrow. Annie deanna1043 on January 2, 2014 at 5:44 pm said: Oh what sweet, sweet photos. Your little man will love these as he grows older. I know your holidays were filled with the joy of family. Happy New Year, my friend. Lisa Gordon on January 2, 2014 at 5:36 pm said: Laurie, these are GORGEOUS!!! Especially the first one. He looks like he’s on a definite mission. 🙂 Maria on January 2, 2014 at 5:19 pm said: Hi. I’m new in WP.com and I came through you blog though another blog. I think your quality is excellent. I love photographing children also, but now I’m just photographing nature. If you don’t mind, can you share which equipment you use? I know equipment is not what matters, but I just find your shots are very sharp and I’m in the process of upgrading some of my lenses. I am a Canon girl…I only used fixed lenses to get the tack sharp images. Thank you for visiting. Tropical Flowering Zone/Maria on January 2, 2014 at 9:52 pm said: I knew it. Only Canon has this sharpness. I’m also simply getting more primes now. The difference is obvious. Gracie on January 2, 2014 at 5:16 pm said: He really is so adorable, Laurie! He sure brings a lot of joy to you and his parents 🙂 Harmony on January 2, 2014 at 4:14 pm said: Enjoy this beautiful years with Little Man.When they are young, children are very endearing and very likeable.They are full awakening and that is what is wonderful for you. John on January 2, 2014 at 4:14 pm said: Every set you post, he looks a bit more grown up. It doesn’t take long does it… So wonderful he and his parents have the beautiful photos for the future. Well done as always! Kim Cunningham on January 2, 2014 at 4:11 pm said: He is such an adorable boy. I love his deep intent in the drawing image. His hide and seek image is too cute. Love the pug on skates! Happy New Year to you! ledrakenoir on January 2, 2014 at 3:59 pm said: Wonderful – so cute and excellent captured photos… 🙂 Tuxedo Sophisticated Cat on January 2, 2014 at 3:45 pm said: He is so adorable. Great photos. Linda Arthur Tejera on January 2, 2014 at 3:03 pm said: What wonderful photos of an adorable boy! So glad you had a wonderful Christmas with family. 🙂 mscarletti on January 2, 2014 at 2:46 pm said: He is such an adorable boy and your photos of him are amazing! I think he’ll get a kick out of these some day! elisaruland on January 2, 2014 at 2:29 pm said: The little ones keep us grounded, don’t they? They find miracles in the teeniest things. Such joy! Happy new year, Laurie! marcus dilano on January 2, 2014 at 2:22 pm said: And what a beautiful start he is! Adorable!! Tamar on January 2, 2014 at 2:16 pm said: I see the same thing when I watch Noam play! The focus in his eyes is just magical to watch! Great pics, as always!! Photography Journal Blog on January 2, 2014 at 2:15 pm said: Love the photos, but I really like the bokeh in the first two, just shows what a “star” he really is. All the best for a lovely New Year 🙂 Galen on January 2, 2014 at 2:03 pm said: I love to photography my grandchildren!!!! Abigail @ Rosy Hill on January 2, 2014 at 1:57 pm said: How magical, it’s wonderful to see how he’s grown! x lensandpensbysally on January 2, 2014 at 1:50 pm said: Happy New Year–another set of treasured photos. Love the skates on his “furry friend.” The wonder of childhood brings us full center. Children teach us much more than we can imagine would happen. Amy Wagner on January 2, 2014 at 1:44 pm said: Great Photos of Nolan. It looks as though Grammie had a great time. anotherday2paradise on January 2, 2014 at 1:42 pm said: Wonderful photos of your little star, Laurie. He is so adorable and must bring you all so much joy. Happy New Year to you and your lovely family. xx Sonel on January 2, 2014 at 1:35 pm said: He is definitely the star Laurie! Absolutely so adorable and the shots you took are stunning! Thanks for sharing this little cutie with us again hon. You did your deed for the day – made us smile. 😀 big hugs xxx Linda R on January 2, 2014 at 1:26 pm said: I always love seeing photos of this little guy.. Too cute.. norasphotos4u on January 2, 2014 at 1:25 pm said: Love that first shot. Isn’t this such a great age? My grand daughter is 4 and I want her to stay there forever. Gallivanta on January 2, 2014 at 1:16 pm said: Gorgeous. Love how serious he is with his writing and drawing. Judy @ GrandparentsPlus2 on January 2, 2014 at 12:38 pm said: Your photos are always so wonderful and your subject is so adorable. Brad Pitt watch out! elizabeththomasphotographyofcapecod on January 2, 2014 at 12:18 pm said: He is always so adorable’ poppytump on January 2, 2014 at 12:13 pm said: He certainly is Laurie ! Beautiful shots … Crafty Grammie 😉 imagesbytdashfield on January 2, 2014 at 11:56 am said: He’s a cutie pie! I wish my grands were little again. Now they write me letters and do math for me 🙂 Leya on January 2, 2014 at 11:44 am said: He’s growing, isn’t he? They do. Fast. I understand you all enjoy everything with him now! Wish you All the best for the New Year, Laurie! fgassette on January 2, 2014 at 11:37 am said: Little Man is an adorable child. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos over the past year. Looking forward to seeing more in 2014. HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your family! kerlund74 on January 2, 2014 at 11:30 am said: Wonderful photos, captured in his play! Kathy on January 2, 2014 at 11:24 am said: How BIG he has gotten! GREAT photos! Live Life Love Loes on January 2, 2014 at 11:22 am said: Sofia on January 2, 2014 at 11:19 am said: Great photos..so cute!! Leave a Reply to Leya Cancel reply children, Holidays, Nolan Michael, Photography	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27005
__label__wiki	0.955618	0.955618	Crystal Palace 2-0 Norwich City: Luka Milivojevic scores on 100th appearance Twenty of Luka Milivojevic’s 25 Premier League goals have come from the penalty spot Norwich manager Daniel Farke said he “expected there would be difficult times” in the Premier League as his injury-hit side were beaten by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Palace captain Luka Milivojevic scored a first-half penalty on his 100th appearance for the club before Andros Townsend sealed the win for Roy Hodgson’s side. Serbia international Milivojevic struck confidently into the top corner after 21 minutes after Norwich defender Ibrahim Amadou fouled James McArthur. Substitute Townsend then finished neatly in the bottom corner in second-half injury time as the Eagles equalled their Premier League record of six unbeaten home matches. In for injured first-choice Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul, Schalke loanee Ralf Fahrmann was himself replaced by fellow debutant Michael McGovern following Milivojevic’s penalty, while defender Jamal Lewis suffered a possible broken arm as the promoted side’s injury problems continued to mount. “We expected that there would be difficult times. Right now, especially because of the injury situation, we have a difficult period. We must stick to our guns to improve this,” said Farke. “At this level, as a newly promoted side and with so many players injured it’s difficult to dominate a game. You have to help yourself when you’re on the front foot. “Each and every game is important. Of course our biggest concern is the injury situation. It is a difficult situation but we must work on the small details. The only way is hard work.” In a lively encounter, the hosts almost led after two minutes but Zaha’s curling shot narrowly missed the target, while Jordan Ayew forced Fahrmann into action. The visitors ended the first half in the ascendancy, with Emiliano Buendia drawing a fine save from Vicente Guaita. But they struggled to impose themselves after the interval as they fell to a fourth defeat in five matches. Fortress Selhurst? Crystal Palace 2-0 Norwich: Hodgson impressed with Palace’s home form Palace’s unbeaten top-flight home run stretches back to April, when they lost to eventual champions Manchester City. Their home record would have been even better if Wolves had not scored a 95th-minute equaliser last weekend, but the reasons for their nonetheless impressive home run were evident once more in this astute victory. Although Palace had scored the joint-fewest Premier League goals this season prior to kick-off, their steely, regimented defence has conceded just once in four home games. Martin Kelly came in for the injured Mamadou Sakho, and his excellent sliding block to deny Todd Cantwell at a crucial stage of the match – as Norwich began to dictate the play – epitomised the defensive platform from which Hodgson’s side are able to go and win matches. Zaha, oozing confidence, may have scored just once in his past 19 home league games, but he played a notable part in this win, which takes Palace up three places to ninth in the table. The Ivory Coast international cut inside and found McArthur before the foul that rewarded Palace for their early dominance with a spot-kick. The tricky winger later wriggled free of his marker to set up Townsend in the closing stages as the substitute calmed the home fans’ nerves following last week’s late sucker-punch. Questions undoubtedly remain over Palace’s profligacy, as McArthur, Patrick van Aanholt and Zaha all blazed over the bar when it good positions during the second half. McArthur and Milivojevic join Ayew and van Aanholt as their side’s only league scorers this term – but, with their sturdy defence, the Eagles will fancy their chances against anyone at Selhurst this season. “When you see the five minutes go up on the board it was a bit of a deja vu situation. Norwich are a good team with good, quality players and they came back into in the first half which made our one goal lead look fragile,” said Hodgson. “The second goal was coming but we couldn’t produce the last pass or last shot and it was nice when it eventually came.” On captain Milivojevic, he added: “He’s enormously valuable, that’s why he’s captain of the team. He’s been a massive influence on and off the field, particularly on the field, with the way he plays and his understanding of the game.” Injury-struck Canaries stutter Crystal Palace 2-0 Norwich Players need to learn from ‘harsh’ lessons after Palace defeat Life had not become any easier for Daniel Farke following his side’s 2-0 defeat at Burnley last weekend, as first-choice goalkeeper Krul and captain Alexander Tettey joined Norwich’s already lengthy injury list this week. Unable to rediscover the level of performance that saw them stun Manchester City two weeks ago, the Canaries struggled with the challenge posed by a trip to Turf Moor and it was a similar story at Selhurst Park. Second best for much of the opening half hour, Farke’s visitors closed out the first half with a breathless spell that at its peak saw Buendia force Guaita into a fine save. The increasing influence of attacking trio Buendia, Cantwell and Marco Stiepermann temporarily flipped the momentum – but the visitors were ultimately unable to capitalise. In sharp contrast to the hosts’ solidity, last season’s Championship winners have conceded at least twice in six of their opening seven fixtures and can ill afford to be so wasteful. Teemu Pukki, kept quiet by Palace pair Kelly and Gary Cahill, has won his side five points with his goals this season but cannot be expected to deliver in every game as sides begin to pay the Finnish striker special attention following his electric start in the top-flight. While Farke did not want to blame Norwich’s “unlucky” injury situation, he will be keen to have bodies back for the arrival of fellow promoted side Aston Villa next Saturday. Man of the match – Wilfried Zaha Zaha provided a constant threat for Crystal Palace, registering four shots, five key passes and assisting Andros Townsend in a complete performance. No luck in London for Canaries – the stats Crystal Palace’s six-game unbeaten Premier League home run is their longest at Selhurst Park since 1993. The Eagles have kept more home clean sheets than any other Premier League side this season. Luka Milivojevic’s goal was his 25th in the Premier League, with 20 of those coming from the penalty spot. Of all Premier League players to have scored 25 or more goals, Milivojevic’s ratio of 80% from the penalty spot is the highest. Norwich are winless in 20 away Premier League games in London, the longest run in the competition since Leicester between November 2000-March 2015. The Canaries have scored just once away from home from 13 shots on target in the Premier League this season. At home, they have scored eight from 16 shots on target. Norwich gave Premier League debuts to two goalkeepers in this game – only the second time in Premier League history that has happened. Norwich host Aston Villa on Saturday (15:00 BST), while Crystal Palace travel to West Ham later that day (17:30 BST).	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27009
__label__wiki	0.960362	0.960362	CNN estimates Romney wins 12 delegates According to the latest CNN estimate: Romney will win at least 12 Michigan GOP delegates tonight McCain will win at least 9 Michigan GOP delegates tonight 9 of 30 Michigan GOP delegates remain to be allocated Filed under: Michigan Romney: 'A win looked like it was impossible' Watch Romney's victory speech. (Photo Credit: AP) SOUTHFIELD, Michigan (CNN) - Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney claimed victory in Tuesday's Michigan Republican primary, his first major win of the 2008 presidential race, calling it a victory over "Washington pessimism" after second-place finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire. "Tonight marks the beginning of a comeback - a comeback for America," Romney told supporters in the Detroit suburb of Southfield. "Only a week ago, a win looked like it was impossible, but then you got out and told Americans what they needed to hear." How Romney won: Economy, evangelicals, local ties Three factors helped Romney win Michigan. (CNN) - Mitt Romney's victory over John McCain can be credited to three factors, CNN exit polling indicates. A majority of Michigan voters named the economy as the most pressing issue - and those voters overwhelming chose the former Massachusetts governor and one-time successful businessman: 41 percent of them went for Romney, compared to 29 percent who went for McCain. Romney was also aided by winning a strong share of evangelical voters. As predicted, evangelical turnout was up this cycle - they constituted 38 percent of GOP primary voters. Mike Huckabee was banking on winning this bloc as overwhelmingly as he had in Iowa, but the exit polls indicate that he and Romney were essentially tied among those voters, with Romney getting the votes of 33 percent to Huckabee’s 31 percent. Finally, Romney's local ties to Michigan - he was born there, and his father served as the state’s governor - may have put him over the top: 41 percent of Republican primary voters said Romney's connection to Michigan was an important factor in their decision on who to support. - CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney Filed under: John McCain • Michigan Romney win may give a boost to Giuliani's White House bid (CNN) - Mitt Romney’s win in his native state of Michigan appears to be good news for Rudy Giuliani’s bid for the GOP presidential nomination. The former New York mayor is spending most of his time and most of his money campaigning in Florida, which votes January 29. The Giuliani campaign’s strategy has been to de-emphasize early votes and instead concentrate on Florida and the coast-to-coast primaries which follow on February 5. That strategy only has a chance of success if there’s no clear Republican front-runner heading into the Florida primary. Romney’s defeat of Sen. John McCain of Arizona means that three different candidates have now won the first three major contests of the race - leaving the front-runner mantle up for grabs. Giuliani’s campaign put out a statement Tuesday night congratulating the former Massachusetts governor on his win, adding that “he race remains fluid and competitive, [and] our strategy remains on track. "Rudy is going to continue to campaign aggressively in Florida and after the energy we’ve seen on the trail this past week, we’re confident that we’ll be successful on the 29th.” But while Romney’s victory does leave the GOP field unsettled, Giuliani’s own performance in Michigan was nothing to brag about. With nearly 60 percent of the votes counted, the former mayor was in the low single digits. –CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser Filed under: Mitt Romney • Rudy Giuliani Romney's next moves: South and West (CNN) - Fresh off his first major win, the Romney campaign is focusing on South Carolina - they're back on the air there with a modest buy after briefly going dark to focus their resources on a Michigan win.The former Massachusetts governor is in a tight race with John McCain and Mike Huckabee in the Republican primary there, according to most recent surveys. Thursday and Friday, it's on to Nevada, where the GOP race appears wide open. Filed under: Mitt Romney • Nevada • South Carolina Exit polling: Last-minute deciders went for Romney (CNN) - Voters who made up their minds in the past 24 hours made a break for one Republican presidential candidate, according to CNN exit polls. When it comes to those who made up their mind more than a month ago, McCain and Romney were just a few points apart, 32 to 26 percent. The two – who have been neck-and-neck in most recent surveys - were just as close, or closer, among voters who made up their minds last month, last week, and over the past few days. But Massachusetts governor led McCain 41 to 26 percent among voters who made their pick within the last month – which includes a period when Romney, and virtually no other GOP candidate, was advertising heavily in the state. And in a sign Romney may have had a bit of momentum heading into the race’s final hours, those who made their decision within the past day overwhelmingly chose him over McCain: he led the Arizona senator in that category, 39 to 25 percent. –CNN Associate Political Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand Clinton campaign manager: Michigan vote sent message (CNN) - Hillary Clinton's campaign said Michigan's Democratic primary vote for the New York senator sent a clear message - despite the fact that she was the only major presidential candidate on the ballot. “Tonight Michigan Democrats spoke loudly for a new beginning," said campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle in a statement sent to reporters shortly after the polls closed in the state. "You spoke out for an economy that would honor the middle class, not punish it. You spoke out for a president who will fight to create good paying jobs at a time when so many families are struggling to make ends meet. "You spoke out for an end to the war in Iraq. You spoke out for a quality, affordable health care system that works for all Americans. For that, we thank you. Your voices matter. And as president, Hillary Clinton will not only keep listening, but will make sure your voice is always heard." The other major Democratic contenders pulled their names from consideration in Michigan, and none have campaigned there, following the national party’s decision to penalize the state for defying its instructions not to hold its primary in January. Exit polling: Independents don't show up WASHINGTON (CNN) - Independent voters constituted a significantly smaller proportion of Michigan Republican primary voters this cycle than eight years ago, our exit polling indicates. Independents made up only 25 percent of primary voters this year - 10 points less than they did in the 2000 GOP primary that McCain won. As predicted, among independents McCain beat Romney 35 percent to 29 percent. But Romney easily beat McCain among registered Republicans, 40 percent to 26 percent. That could bode well for the former Massachusetts governor in upcoming primaries where independent voters are not allowed to vote on the Republican side. Filed under: John McCain • Michigan • Mitt Romney Romney projected to win Michigan GOP primary, with early lead (CNN) - CNN projects former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney to win Tuesday's Republican primary in his native Michigan, his first major contest victory of 2008. With 11 percent of precincts reporting, Romney had 37 percent of the vote, followed by Sen. John McCain at 31 percent and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in third place with 17 percent. Anti-war Texas congressman Ron Paul ran fourth at 7 percent, while former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson drew 4 percent and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, 3 percent. California Rep. Duncan Hunter, the ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, brought up the rear with less than 1 percent support, while 2 percent went for uncommitted delegates. Filed under: Michigan • Mitt Romney CNN estimates Romney wins at least 10 delegates 12 of 30 delegates remain to be allocated tonight	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27012
__label__wiki	0.679909	0.679909	Monthly – $5 a month Annual – $50 a year Political Job Hunt Political Dictionary Electoral Vote Map You are here: Home / National Security / Flashback Quote of the Day Flashback Quote of the Day September 13, 2019 at 4:10 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment “We have to stop. No. The military is going to be stronger and bigger and more modernized than ever before. The military is so important. That’s number one, two and three on my list. We have to, we need security in this country, especially now with what’s going on.” — Donald Trump, in a 2016 Newsday interview, when asked if he would redirect military funds to build infrastructure. Filed Under: National Security Latest Political Jobs State Outreach Assistant- West at ActBlue (Somerville, Massachusetts, USA) Operations and Finance Manager at National Fast Food Workers Union NFFWU (Washington D.C., DC, USA) Associate at Convergence Targeted Communications (Washington, D.C., USA) Director of Research and Insights, Politics and Advocacy at Applecart (New York, NY, USA) Politics and Advocacy Analyst at Applecart (New York, NY, USA) Director of Analytics, Politics and Advocacy at Applecart (New York, NY, USA) Senior Counsel at RepresentUs (Remote) Click here for an interactive version. Most Popular Recent Posts Sanders Mulls Warren as Both Veep and Treasury Secretary Which Candidate Do You Agree with Most? Kansas City Radio to Broadcast Russian Propaganda Parnas Pressure Grows on Senate GOP Camo In Space? Democrats Argue Trump Is a National Security Threat Never Trumpers Flame Out Trump Privately Detailed Iran Airstrike to Donors Ex-Obama Photographer Mocks Trump « ‘Where’s My Favorite Dictator?’ Rand Paul Calls Wyoming TV to Discuss Liz Cheney Feud » Latest for Members Who Benefits from a Turnout Tsunami? Strategies to Win a Close Presidential Election About Political Wire Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire, one of the earliest and most influential political web sites. He also runs Political Job Hunt, Electoral Vote Map and the Political Dictionary. Goddard spent more than a decade as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor. Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country. Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. He lives in New York with his wife and three sons. Praise for Political Wire "There are a lot of blogs and news sites claiming to understand politics, but only a few actually do. Political Wire is one of them." -- Chuck Todd, host of "Meet the Press" "Concise. Relevant. To the point. Political Wire is the first site I check when I’m looking for the latest political nugget. That pretty much says it all." -- Stuart Rothenberg, editor of the Rothenberg Political Report "Political Wire is one of only four or five sites that I check every day and sometimes several times a day, for the latest political news and developments.” -- Charlie Cook, editor of the Cook Political Report "The big news, delicious tidbits, pearls of wisdom -- nicely packaged, constantly updated... What political junkie could ask for more?" -- Larry Sabato, Center for Politics, University of Virginia “Political Wire is a great, great site.” — Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” “Taegan Goddard has a knack for digging out political gems that too often get passed over by the mainstream press, and for delivering the latest electoral developments in a sharp, no frills style that makes his Political Wire an addictive blog habit you don’t want to kick.” — Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post “Political Wire is one of the absolute must-read sites in the blogosphere.” — Glenn Reynolds, founder of Instapundit “I rely on Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire for straight, fair political news, he gets right to the point. It’s an eagerly anticipated part of my news reading.” — Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist. Copyright © 2020 · Goddard Media LLC \| Privacy Policy Political Wire ® is a registered trademark of Goddard Media LLC	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27014
__label__cc	0.714979	0.285021	Paula Kupersmith District 2 Candidate \| APS Board of Education Via Georgia Equality "I will take personal responsibility for upholding the ABOE charter, which has set anti-bullying policies that include sexual harassment. I will work to assure funding for current and future Social Emotional Learning programs that cover LGBT issues awareness training for both students and teachers and advocate for expanded mental health funding in our schools. Though APS teachers and employees are covered by City and APS anti-discrimination policies, state laws contradict those policies, leaving them open to discrimination. As an ABOE member, I will make sure that employee labor dispute cases set before me are not discriminatory in any manner." - Paula Kupersmith The Board of Directors of Georgia Equality just announced Paula Kupersmith as the District 2 endorsed candidate in the upcoming Special Elections being held on September 17, 2019. From Georgia Equality: "In a period in which many people seeking elected office are supportive of the LGBT community, the Georgia Equality Board of Directors will issue an endorsement for a candidate whom we feel is best placed to advance our policy agenda. The lack of an endorsement should not necessarily be viewed as a negative reflection of a particular candidate’s views on LGBT issues in general." Via Educators First The PAC Committee of Educators First is pleased to announce their endorsement of Paula Kupersmith for Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education for District 2 in the upcoming Special Elections being held on September 17, 2019. Educators First is a new breed of professional association for outstanding educators in Georgia. We support our strongly pro-educator agenda with a separate and voluntary bi- partisan Political Action Committee (PAC), whose leadership is composed primarily of practicing classroom teachers. This bi-partisan PAC only endorses candidates on the state and local level. Out of the nine candidates running for Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education in District 2, the committee selected Paula Kupersmith for her firm grasp of the workplace issues that teachers sometimes face. Her understanding of the workplace, and that many teachers are single working mothers who need support and representation at difficult times, showed real empathy for our educators. Paula also understands statewide legislative issues that impact every teacher in the workplace, including pay and fair treatment. She is a partner Educators First can trust to pick up the phone and hear our concerns. The PAC Committee of Educators First is glad to stand beside Paula Kupersmith and wish her success in this race. Facebook.com/PaulaForAPS @PaulaforAPS All content is authorized by Paula Kupersmith. The positions and opinions expressed here should not be assumed to be the official position of the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27016
__label__cc	0.523105	0.476895	Prenatal diagnosis of fragile x syndrome: (cgg)n expansion and methylation of chorionic villus samples Sergi Castellví‐Bel, Montserrat Milà, Anna Soler, Ana Carrió, Aurora Sánchez, Margarita Villa, M. Dolores Jiménez, Xavier P. Estivill Fragile X syndrome is the most common form of inherited mental retardation, due to an expansion of the (CGG)n trinucleotide repeat in the FMR‐1 gene and hypermethylation of its 5′ upstream CpG island. Two major problems remain to be resolved for fragile X prenatal diagnosis: the abnormal methylation patterns of chorionic villus samples (CVS) and the inability to predict the mental status of females with the full mutation. We present here the results of ten prenatal diagnoses of fragile X syndrome using Southern blotting and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, and the analysis of 50 further CVS to test the methylation status of the CpG island of the FMR‐1 gene. In the ten ‘at‐risk’ CVS, eight normal (five males and three females) and two affected male fetuses were detected. Absence of methylation in the CVS was observed in two cases, which was not found upon subsequent examination of the newborn or of fetal tissues. In the 50 CVS not ‘at risk’ for fragile X syndrome, abnormal fragment patterns for probe StB12.3 were detected in 32 per cent for female and 24 per cent for male fetuses. This abnormal pattern could be due to absent or partial methylation of the CpG island of the FMR‐1 gene in chorionic villus tissues. https://doi.org/10.1002/pd.1970150903 Chorionic Villi CpG Islands Trinucleotide Repeats chorionic villus samples FMR‐1 gene Castellví‐Bel, S., Milà, M., Soler, A., Carrió, A., Sánchez, A., Villa, M., ... Estivill, X. P. (1995). Prenatal diagnosis of fragile x syndrome: (cgg)n expansion and methylation of chorionic villus samples. Prenatal Diagnosis, 15(9), 801-807. https://doi.org/10.1002/pd.1970150903 Prenatal diagnosis of fragile x syndrome : (cgg)n expansion and methylation of chorionic villus samples. / Castellví‐Bel, Sergi; Milà, Montserrat; Soler, Anna; Carrió, Ana; Sánchez, Aurora; Villa, Margarita; Jiménez, M. Dolores; Estivill, Xavier P. In: Prenatal Diagnosis, Vol. 15, No. 9, 1995, p. 801-807. Castellví‐Bel, S, Milà, M, Soler, A, Carrió, A, Sánchez, A, Villa, M, Jiménez, MD & Estivill, XP 1995, 'Prenatal diagnosis of fragile x syndrome: (cgg)n expansion and methylation of chorionic villus samples', Prenatal Diagnosis, vol. 15, no. 9, pp. 801-807. https://doi.org/10.1002/pd.1970150903 Castellví‐Bel S, Milà M, Soler A, Carrió A, Sánchez A, Villa M et al. Prenatal diagnosis of fragile x syndrome: (cgg)n expansion and methylation of chorionic villus samples. Prenatal Diagnosis. 1995;15(9):801-807. https://doi.org/10.1002/pd.1970150903 Castellví‐Bel, Sergi ; Milà, Montserrat ; Soler, Anna ; Carrió, Ana ; Sánchez, Aurora ; Villa, Margarita ; Jiménez, M. Dolores ; Estivill, Xavier P. / Prenatal diagnosis of fragile x syndrome : (cgg)n expansion and methylation of chorionic villus samples. In: Prenatal Diagnosis. 1995 ; Vol. 15, No. 9. pp. 801-807. @article{e59bfc97ae6b4d92b769233573047e98, title = "Prenatal diagnosis of fragile x syndrome: (cgg)n expansion and methylation of chorionic villus samples", abstract = "Fragile X syndrome is the most common form of inherited mental retardation, due to an expansion of the (CGG)n trinucleotide repeat in the FMR‐1 gene and hypermethylation of its 5′ upstream CpG island. Two major problems remain to be resolved for fragile X prenatal diagnosis: the abnormal methylation patterns of chorionic villus samples (CVS) and the inability to predict the mental status of females with the full mutation. We present here the results of ten prenatal diagnoses of fragile X syndrome using Southern blotting and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, and the analysis of 50 further CVS to test the methylation status of the CpG island of the FMR‐1 gene. In the ten ‘at‐risk’ CVS, eight normal (five males and three females) and two affected male fetuses were detected. Absence of methylation in the CVS was observed in two cases, which was not found upon subsequent examination of the newborn or of fetal tissues. In the 50 CVS not ‘at risk’ for fragile X syndrome, abnormal fragment patterns for probe StB12.3 were detected in 32 per cent for female and 24 per cent for male fetuses. This abnormal pattern could be due to absent or partial methylation of the CpG island of the FMR‐1 gene in chorionic villus tissues.", keywords = "chorionic villus samples, DNA methylation, FMR‐1 gene, fragile X syndrome, prenatal diagnosis", author = "Sergi Castellv{\'i}‐Bel and Montserrat Mil{\`a} and Anna Soler and Ana Carri{\'o} and Aurora S{\'a}nchez and Margarita Villa and Jim{\'e}nez, {M. Dolores} and Estivill, {Xavier P.}", doi = "10.1002/pd.1970150903", T1 - Prenatal diagnosis of fragile x syndrome T2 - (cgg)n expansion and methylation of chorionic villus samples AU - Castellví‐Bel, Sergi AU - Milà, Montserrat AU - Soler, Anna AU - Carrió, Ana AU - Sánchez, Aurora AU - Villa, Margarita AU - Jiménez, M. Dolores N2 - Fragile X syndrome is the most common form of inherited mental retardation, due to an expansion of the (CGG)n trinucleotide repeat in the FMR‐1 gene and hypermethylation of its 5′ upstream CpG island. Two major problems remain to be resolved for fragile X prenatal diagnosis: the abnormal methylation patterns of chorionic villus samples (CVS) and the inability to predict the mental status of females with the full mutation. We present here the results of ten prenatal diagnoses of fragile X syndrome using Southern blotting and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, and the analysis of 50 further CVS to test the methylation status of the CpG island of the FMR‐1 gene. In the ten ‘at‐risk’ CVS, eight normal (five males and three females) and two affected male fetuses were detected. Absence of methylation in the CVS was observed in two cases, which was not found upon subsequent examination of the newborn or of fetal tissues. In the 50 CVS not ‘at risk’ for fragile X syndrome, abnormal fragment patterns for probe StB12.3 were detected in 32 per cent for female and 24 per cent for male fetuses. This abnormal pattern could be due to absent or partial methylation of the CpG island of the FMR‐1 gene in chorionic villus tissues. AB - Fragile X syndrome is the most common form of inherited mental retardation, due to an expansion of the (CGG)n trinucleotide repeat in the FMR‐1 gene and hypermethylation of its 5′ upstream CpG island. Two major problems remain to be resolved for fragile X prenatal diagnosis: the abnormal methylation patterns of chorionic villus samples (CVS) and the inability to predict the mental status of females with the full mutation. We present here the results of ten prenatal diagnoses of fragile X syndrome using Southern blotting and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, and the analysis of 50 further CVS to test the methylation status of the CpG island of the FMR‐1 gene. In the ten ‘at‐risk’ CVS, eight normal (five males and three females) and two affected male fetuses were detected. Absence of methylation in the CVS was observed in two cases, which was not found upon subsequent examination of the newborn or of fetal tissues. In the 50 CVS not ‘at risk’ for fragile X syndrome, abnormal fragment patterns for probe StB12.3 were detected in 32 per cent for female and 24 per cent for male fetuses. This abnormal pattern could be due to absent or partial methylation of the CpG island of the FMR‐1 gene in chorionic villus tissues. KW - chorionic villus samples KW - DNA methylation KW - FMR‐1 gene KW - fragile X syndrome U2 - 10.1002/pd.1970150903 DO - 10.1002/pd.1970150903 10.1002/pd.1970150903	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27020
__label__cc	0.541581	0.458419	Browse our currently available properties Knightsbridge, Kensington & Chelsea Proprium Proprium Est 1974 LLP 149 Sloane Street London SW1X 9BZ 9.00 - 5.30 Monday to Friday (weekends by appointment) Knightsbridge Village Knightsbridge ia a cosmopolitan byword for wealth, taste and discernment. Centrally located and complemented by neighbours Kensington and Chelsea,The Royal Borough provides an oasis of haute couture calm within Britain’s capital city, effortlessly attracting the rich, the royal and the celebrated from all over the globe. Strolling through its elegant squares and charming cobbled mews, it is hard to believe that only 150 years ago, Knightsbridge was an unruly, straggling village with a reputation as the home of thieves and scoundrels. In fact, until 1800, Hyde Park Corner was as far west as respectable Londoners cared to travel; brave souls wishing to travel further afield would arrange to meet and travel in convoy to avert the villians and highwaymen laying in wait in the park. In 1820, Lord Grosvenor, who owned the estates around Knightsbridge, employed the architect Thomas Cubitt to develop the area, instructing him to build the very best houses in London. Belgravia was created and as its imposing cream stucco buildings became home to the distinguished and fashionable, the area picked up to eventually become the smartest residential address in London. Having lived down its disreputable past, Knightsbridge still retains a unique village atmosphere.Well known and loved for its wealth of shopping, its residents agree that Knightsbridge is probably the most ‘complete’ of all Central London districts. In addition, Knightsbridge’s reputation as the premier international business location seems sure to endure into the 21st century and beyond. <Knightsbridge Shopping> home \| property sales \| property rental \| about our area \| about proprium powered by brainstorm design by bizz	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27034
__label__wiki	0.53501	0.53501	Should Tucson become a sanctuary city? September 19, 2019 / Modified sep 19, 2019 5:12 p.m. This fall, voters will decided whether or not to approve a citizen's initiative. by Christopher Conover TWEET SHARE A view of Tucson from Tumamoc Hill. Nick O'Gara/AZPM Sanctuary city initiative The question on the city of Tucson general election ballot receiving the most attention this year is Proposition 205, better known as the sanctuary city initiative. The initiative is the work of the People's Defense Initiative. Read the full text of Proposition 205 View at Google Docs \| Download File "What it actually is is a long set of very specific guidelines with very clear goals. Sanctuary is what you make it in the United States because all sanctuary policies are very different," Zaira Livier, executive director of the People's Defense Initiative, told The Buzz. The initiative prohibits racial profiling by law enforcement. It also limits when police officers can inquire about a person's immigration status. Prop. 205 additionally bars police officers from participating in federal investigations that are centered on immigration. The proposition allows the city to be sued if it is violated. A judge could impose a fine of up to $5,000 for each day the city violates the law. The money would be given to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Local leaders including members of the Tucson City Council and the Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus have come out against Prop. 205. VIEW LARGER Boxes containing petitions collected by the People's Defense Initiative were displayed on July 3, 2019, before the group submitted them to Tucson city officials. Steve Jess/AZPM Read memo from Tucson city attorney on Prop 205 Citizens for a Safe and Prosperous Tucson is one of two groups that oppose the initiative. Spokesperson Joseph Morgan told The Buzz one of their concerns is a possible rise in crime and the effect that could have on the economy. "It is just an absolute statistical, sociological fact that where you have high crime you have less economic engagement, you have less reason for businesses to come in," Morgan said. City leaders have also expressed concern that if the initiative passes, Tucson could lose millions in state money because the proposition could conflict with existing state law. The state's pre-emption law only addresses ordinances passed by local governments, not citizen initiatives. Legal experts say that makes the question about the legality of the sanctuary initiative complicated. "If you look at the plain language of the pre-emption statute, there is nothing in there that says if voters using their right to initiative … there is nothing in the pre-emption statute that says when that happens that the state can go after state shared revenue dollars from the legislative entity where that initiative has been passed," UA law professor Shefali Milczarek-Desai told The Buzz. In 1987, Oregon became the first state to pass a sanctuary state law. It went largely unnoticed until 2017 when the Trump administration began trying to restrict federal dollars for sanctuary cities and states. Oregon took the federal government to court over the loss of federal law enforcement dollars and won. Even though the law has been on the books for three decades it is still being interpreted, said Dirk VanderHart, a reporter with Oregon Public Broadcasting. "I'm not sure, even all these decades later, Oregon has that much clarity on exactly the outer limits of how this law works," VanderHart said. The Buzz airs Fridays at 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. on NPR 89.1. You can subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and NPR One. See more from The Buzz. MORE: Election 2019, Immigration, News, The Buzz Lawmakers prepping punishment for Tucson if voters approve sanctuary city law Raises for Tucson mayor and council on the ballot City Council candidates explain their vision for Tucson	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27043
__label__wiki	0.671009	0.671009	/ Modified jun 5, 2019 11:55 a.m. Lowell Observatory marks 125th anniversary with 3-day celebration The Flagstaff observatory, which took part in confirming the expansion of the universe, has embarked on a multiyear expansion plan. by Nicholas Gerbis, Arizona Science Desk TWEET SHARE Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff. Lowell Observatory via Fronteras Desk PHOENIX — Pluto has made half an orbit around the sun since 1894, when well-to-do Bostonian Percival Lowell came to the frontier town of Flagstaff in Arizona Territory to build a Mars observatory. Since then, scientists and instruments on and off Mars Hill have joined in the discovery of Pluto and its atmosphere, and helped confirm the rings of Uranus and the expansion of the universe. Today, Lowell Observatory manages more than 10 telescopes, including the 169-inch Discovery Channel Telescope near Happy Jack. The observatory, which has embarked on a multi-year expansion plan, will mark its quasquicentennial with a three-day celebration from June 6-8. This story is from the Arizona Science Desk, a collaborative of the state's public radio stations, including NPR 89.1. Read more from the Arizona Science Desk. MORE: Arizona Science Desk, Flagstaff, News, Science, Space, Space Science ASU leader tapped to head National Science Foundation Antarctic study yields new information for climate change models UA physicist says many subatomic breakthroughs to come	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27044
__label__wiki	0.932091	0.932091	Home » News » Infrastructure » Doha Metro Red Line Starts Preview Services Doha Metro Zonegreen Doha Metro Red Line Starts Preview Services Qatar – The Doha Metro Red Line has launched a preview service for the first part of the new Red Line. Doha Metro © Qatar Railways © Qatar Rail The Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) started running preview services for the Red Line (also known as the Coastal Line) section between Al Qassar and Al Wakrah on 8 May. This service incorporates 13 of the 18 stations that will ultimately be part of the Red Line. There will be a train every six minutes with services running between 8am and 11pm on weekdays. To allow work on the line to continue, services will not run at weekends. The original launch date for this service was 2020, putting this preview service almost a full year ahead of schedule. This move will be an important stage for testing the Doha Metro systems with passengers. This will allow the operator to examine the Red Line’s performance prior to full services commencing on the network. One way in which Qatar Railways Company will do this is by collecting feedback from customers so that it can deliver the best-possible passenger experience. Tunnel along the new Doha Metro Red Line © Qatar Rail Eng. Abdulla Saif Al Sulaiti, Chief of Service Delivery at Qatar Rail, said: “The preview service, which is launched ahead of schedule, is a testament of the tremendous efforts carried out by Qatar Rail’s executive teams and board of directors, as well as the continuous support of His Excellency the Prime Minister and the Minister of Interior, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani. Thanks to his continuous support and guidance, many achievements have been made ahead of schedule, and today we stand at a turning point as the project shifts from the development stage to the operational stage. The preview service is a major opportunity to measure the efficiency of the network and the services we provide. The outputs of the preview service are essential for us, and we will build on them as we prepare for the full opening of the network by 2020.” Ajlan Eid Al Enazi, Chief of Strategies and Business Development at Qatar Rail, said: “Doha Metro is considered one of the most important pillars of Qatar’s new integrated transport system. We invite everyone to experience the metro during this phase and to share with us their experience so that we can review the key factors that may affect our services in the future. We will develop solutions to address those factors to enhance the experience of passengers. It is also an opportunity for the public to get a closer look at the new transportation system, become familiar with it, and use it to help us build a customer base before the network is fully operational.” Doha Metro Map © Qatar Rail Doha Metro Ticketing and App Following in-depth research, Qatar Rail has created several ticket categories, e.g. Limited Use, Gold Class and Standard, which are available for purchase through a number of different sales channels. Passengers will get a modern and low-cost service, making the Doha Metro accessible to everyone. Qatar Rail has created a mobile app for its metro services. It wants passengers to register and create an account. They can then link their travel cards, use the app’s journey planner, manage their trips, view a map of the network and see the current operational stations. Furthermore, passengers will have access to live updates on the website, via digital screens at the stations and on-board the trains. Doha Metro Integration into the Transport Network Qatar Rail will integrate its services with other transport modes. These include feeder bus services that will carry passengers to and from stations. It has also set up a number of partnerships with transport service providers so passengers have connecting options at a low cost. Metro Link is a complimentary shuttle bus service that will now support Doha Metro’s preview service, carrying passengers to and from metro stations. Reducing Private Vehicles Qatar Rail’s integration with other transport modes to help passengers access metro stations is part of its wider aim to reduce people’s dependence on private vehicles. As a result, it has also decided to limit the amount of car parking in stations. It has created drop off points, but even this option is limited at some stations. Red Line Stations The stations showcase the region’s architectural identity by making use of ‘vaulted spaces’ which are reminiscent of traditional Bedouin tents. Further elements of the Qatari heritage in the new stations are Islamic and local art and ‘pearl-effect’ interiors. All the stations are indoor stations and are air-conditioned. Each one is equipped with a customer service centre, a Gold Club office, a police booth, sex-segregated prayer areas, and accessible bathrooms. All stations are also fitted with CCTV cameras and will have a first aid room, ensuring passengers are safe and secure at all times. Doha Metro: Some Stats The Doha Metro is one of the fastest driverless trains in the world. In addition, it will be the fastest in the region. In fact, trains will reach 100km/h. The system will run 110 three-car trains. Of the three cars, two will be standard class, with 88 seats each. The remaining one will either be Gold class, at 16 seats, or Family class at 26 seats. 29 Jun 2016 \| Asia Qatar Rail Fire Safety Programme Qatar Rail fire safety received support from Qatar Armed Forces Emiri Corps of Engineers at Doha Metro’s construction site for a safety training programme. Qatar Rail Marks 100km of Tunnelling on Doha Metro Qatar Rail Marks 100km of Tunnelling on Doha Metro, marking 90% of tunnelling complete, and 41% of overall progress on the ambitious project. 08 May 2016 \| Asia Qatar Rail Terminates Contract Qatar Rail terminates contract with SOQ JV relating to the design and construction of the Mushaireb Station/ Education City Stations. 18 Apr 2016 \| Asia Qatar Railways Unveil Doha Metro and Lusail Tram Designs Image courtesy of Qatar Railways Qatar Railways Company have unveiled the newly designed Doha Metro and Lusail Trams, which are due to begin operating passe...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27045
__label__wiki	0.673438	0.673438	Skip to main content Skip to sections Oncology and Therapy pp 1–9 \| Cite as Carcinoma In Situ Involving Sclerosing Adenosis on Core Biopsy: Diagnostic Pearls to Aid the Practicing Clinician and Avoid Overtreatment Dana Richards Alberto A. Ayala Yun Wu Lavinia P. Middleton Involvement of pre-existing benign lesions by ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or lobular neoplasia (LN) can present difficult diagnostic challenges, and can easily cause misdiagnosis of invasive carcinoma and over-management of localized disease. Our objective was to gather the largest case series of DCIS and LN involving sclerosing adenosis (SA), and to report the characteristic features of these lesions, in order to provide histologic criteria for the diagnostician. Our database was searched for core biopsy material diagnosed as carcinoma in situ involving adenosis. Glass slides and pathology reports were reviewed. The cases were studied for salient features, and clinical follow-up was also obtained. Thirty-one cases of DCIS or LN involving SA were obtained (12 cases of DCIS, 19 cases of LN including LCIS and ALH). Histomorphologic features commonly seen with DCIS or LN involving SA included lobulocentric architecture (31/31, 100%), myoepithelial cells visible by H&E at least focally (31/31, 100%), and separate areas of SA not involved by neoplasia (29/31, 93.5%). Features that were sometimes seen included hyaline basement membranes surrounding the lesion (14/31, 45.2%), DCIS/LN apart from the area of involvement by SA (16/31, 51.6%), and calcifications associated with DCIS/LN/SA (12/31, 38.7%). Features that were not commonly seen included desmoplasia (6/31, 19.4%), dense inflammation (4/31, 12.9%), and single epithelial cells enveloped by flattened myoepithelial cells (6/31, 19.4%). Of the ten cases of DCIS with known follow-up, four showed DCIS involving either SA or a complex SA on excision (4/10, 40%), four had only DCIS (4/10, 40%), one had DCIS with a small 1.8-mm focus of predominantly tubular carcinoma (1/10, 10%), and one showed invasive ductal carcinoma on excision (1/10, 10%). The latter case of invasive ductal carcinoma occurred in a patient who had a delay of 3 years from diagnosis to surgical resection. Of the eight cases of LN with surgical follow-up, seven had LCIS (7/8, 87.5%), and one showed only fibroadenoma and SA with no residual LN in the excised specimen (1/8, 12.5%). Importantly, no invasive carcinoma was identified in any of the resections for LN involving SA. In our series of carcinoma in situ (CIS) involving sclerosing adenosis diagnosed on core biopsy, lobular lesions involving SA were more common than ductal lesions. Ductal and lobular carcinoma in situ involving adenosis were best diagnosed by the low-power appearance of a lobulocentric pattern of growth. The most helpful diagnostic feature was the observation of additional foci of carcinoma in situ away from the adenosis. Immunohistochemical stains for myoepithelial cells were useful in particularly difficult cases. The presence of stromal desmoplasia does not preclude the diagnosis of carcinoma in situ involving adenosis. Knowledge of these diagnostic pearls can reduce over-interpretation of CIS on core biopsy and subsequent overtreatment. Adenosis Breast Core biopsy Ductal carcinoma in situ Lobular carcinoma in situ Enhanced Digital Features To view enhanced digital features for this article go to https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.11395356. Key Summary Points Carcinoma in situ involving adenosis (both ductal carcinoma in situ and lobular carcinoma in situ) is a difficult diagnosis to make on core needle biopsy and therefore must be forefront in the mind of the diagnostician. Awareness of the lesion and the characteristic morphology presented herein can aide in rendering the appropriate diagnosis and providing recommendations for management of this localized lesions. When present, the recognition of additional foci of carcinoma away from the adenosis is a helpful feature. Importantly, the presence of stromal desmoplasia does not preclude the diagnosis of carcinoma in situ involving adenosis. The diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or lobular neoplasia (LN) involving a sclerosing lesion can present difficult diagnostic challenges on limited biopsy material, and this in situ disease can frequently be confused with invasive carcinoma on core biopsy. Knowledge of this diagnostic mimicker and its distinct histopathology can aid decision-making and prevent overdiagnosis and patient harm. Sclerosing adenosis (SA) alone can present difficult diagnostic challenges, especially on limited core biopsy material. The involvement of SA by ductal or LN can be particularly troublesome, since in florid cases it may mimic an invasive carcinoma. However, if the possibility of in situ neoplasia involving SA is considered, the diagnosis can be straightforward. Certainly immunohistochemistry can aid in the differential diagnosis, but if adenosis is not initially considered by the practicing pathologist, the opportunity to even employ immunohistochemistry to arrive at the correct diagnosis will be lost. The purpose of this study was to provide awareness of the differential diagnosis of CIS involving adenosis and decrease the incidence of over-interpretation of this lesion on core biopsy and subsequent overtreatment. Herein we provide histological criteria to define features of ductal and lobular neoplasia involving sclerosing adenosis on core biopsy, and examine the clinicopathological features of this disease occurring in patients. To the best of our knowledge, this series represents the largest to date of such lesions identified on core biopsy with follow-up and serves to highlight this difficult diagnosis and diagnostic pearls necessary to avoid overtreatment. Our computer files were searched for patients who had undergone core needle biopsies of mammographic abnormalities, specifically cases of breast core needle biopsy specimens with a dominant diagnosis of sclerosing adenosis involved by either DCIS or LCIS/atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) from 1999 to present. Cases with concomitant invasive carcinoma were excluded. We obtained 31 cases: 12 cases of DCIS and 19 cases of LN (for the purpose of this paper, no distinction was made between LCIS and ALH). The slides were reviewed by two pathologists, both with expertise in breast neoplasia (DR, LM). Information about clinical presentation and follow-up and/or resection was also obtained. This was a lab-based and quality improvement project, and as such did not meet institutional review board criteria for review. The average patient age was 54.1 years, with an age range of 21–65 years. Presenting clinical findings included masses (6/31, 19.4%), calcifications on mammography (21/31, 67.7%), architectural asymmetry or distortion on mammography (3/31, 9.7%), and an area of enhancement on MRI (1/31, 3.2%). The lesions were sampled by ultrasound-guided core biopsy (6/31, 19.4%), stereotactic-guided core biopsy (21/31, 67.7%), MRI-guided core biopsy (2/31, 6.5%), or by biopsy not specified (2/31, 6.5%). For stereotactic-guided core biopsy, the cores ranged from 9- to 11-gauge, and the number of cores varied from 5 to 18. For ultrasound-guided core biopsy, the cores ranged from 16- to 18-gauge, and the number of cores ranged from 4 to 5. The two MRI-guided biopsies were both 9-gauge, and 12 cores were obtained in each procedure. Of a total of 31 cases of SA, 12 showed DCIS and 19 LN. Of the 12 patients with DCIS involving SA diagnosed on core needle biopsy, four underwent total mastectomy, six had segmental mastectomy, and two patients were lost to follow-up. Ten of the 12 cases with known follow-up reported that four had DCIS involving either SA or a complex sclerosing lesion (4/10, 40%), four had only DCIS (4/10, 40%), one had DCIS with a small 1.8-mm focus of predominantly tubular carcinoma (1/10, 10%), and one showed invasive ductal carcinoma on excision (1/10, 10%), which occurred in a patient who had a delay of 3 years from diagnosis to surgical resection (Table 1) Clinical characteristics and follow-up of 31 cases of sclerosing adenosis involved by carcinoma in situ SA/LCIS A&W 9 years FA, SA only SA/LCIS, ADH No F/U C, A NS, T NSCLC, no breast F/U A&W 1 year US F/U A&W < 1 year A&W 6 mo. DCIS, LCIS, 1.8-mm focus of inv. Ca (pred. tubular type) A&W 11 years C, Di DCIS/CSL IDC, 3 cm with SA/DCIS Deceased, small cell ca SA/DCIS Also IDC another site, same breast A asymmetry, D ductal, L lobular, Di distortion, SM segmental mastectomy, TM total mastectomy, NS no surgery, T tamoxifen, IDC invasive ductal carcinoma, UNK unknown, A&W alive and well, CSL complex sclerosing lesion, NSCLC non-small cell lung carcinoma Patients with high-risk lesions, including lobular neoplasia involving SA, were presented at our multi-team clinical management conference that includes surgery, cancer prevention, pathology, and radiology. Patients with DCIS involving SA were assigned to surgical excision without discussion in the high-risk conference. For each patient, either chemoprevention, excision, or radiologic follow-up at regular intervals was recommended, based on clinical factors such as whether persistent calcification remained or whether a radiologic/pathologic discordance was observed. Patients with a positive family history for breast cancer (5) were also counseled to consider excision. Following the clinical management conference, four patients underwent total mastectomy (4/19, 21.1%), four patients had excisional/segmental biopsies (4/19, 21.1%), nine had radiologic follow-up only (9/19, 52.6%), and one has not had final disposition (1/19, 5.3%) (recent case). Of the patients with surgical follow-up (8 patients), seven had LCIS (7/8, 87.5%) and one showed only fibroadenoma and SA with no lobular neoplasia in the specimen (1/8, 12.5%). No invasive carcinoma was identified in these latter patients undergoing surgical excision. Histomorphologic features commonly seen with DCIS/LN involving SA included lobulocentric architecture as a pattern of growth (31/31, 100%), thin, attenuated myoepithelial cells visible by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain at least focally when focusing up and down on the lesion (31/31, 100%), and adjacent areas of SA not involved by neoplasia (29/31, 93.5%) (Figs. 1, 2). Features that were sometimes seen included hyaline basement membranes surrounding the lesion (14/31, 45.2%), ductal or lobular neoplasia apart from the area of involvement by SA (16/31, 51.6%), and calcifications associated with DCIS/LN/SA (12/31, 38.7%). Features that were observed but not commonly seen included desmoplasia (6/31, 19.4%), dense inflammation (4/31, 12.9%), and single cells enveloped by myoepithelial cells (6/31, 19.4%) (Fig. 3) (Table 2). Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) involving sclerosing adenosis, H&E ×100. Note pink hyalinized stroma and flattened myoepithelial cell layer along the periphery of the in situ carcinoma Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) involving sclerosing adenosis, H&E ×200. Note inconspicuous flattened myoepithelial encasing the high grade carcinoma in situ cell layer and peri-lobular inflammation High-power magnification of DCIS involving sclerosing adenosis with myoepithelial cells enveloping single neoplastic cells and cell clusters. H&E ×400 Histologic characteristics of carcinoma in situ involving sclerosing adenosis % of cases Lobulocentric pattern ME cells visible Separate areas of SA Separate areas of DCIS/LN Hyaline basement membranes Calcifications Desmoplasia Single cells enveloped by ME cells ME myoepithelial, SA sclerosing adenosis, DCIS ductal carcinoma in situ, LN lobular neoplasia Immunohistochemistry was used in occasional cases to exclude invasive carcinoma (9/31, 29.0%), and included a combination of smooth muscle actin (Sigma, 1:80,000 dilution), smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (Invitrogen, 1:200 dilution) and/or P63 (Biocare, dilution 1:1000) (Figs. 4, 5). Appropriate quality checks and controls were utilized according to manufacturer standards. E-cadherin (Life Technologies, 1:1000 dilution) was employed in 6/31 cases (19.4%) to differentiate between ductal and lobular neoplasia (Fig. 6) involving sclerosing adenosis. Cases of DCIS exhibited strong membranous E-cadherin staining of the cells comprising the intraductal carcinoma, while E-cadherin staining was absent in the neoplastic cells of LCIS. Smooth muscle actin immunohistochemistry stain highlights myoepithelial cells enveloping the DCIS Smooth muscle actin immunohistochemistry stain highlights myoepithelial cells enveloping the DCIS involving adenosis. Inset: p63 immunohistochemical stain shows nuclear immunoreactivity of myoepithelial cells surrounding DCIS Lobular neoplasia involving sclerosing adenosis. Notice nesting pattern of non-cohesive bland uniform cells distending the sclerosing adenosis and minimizing the hyalinized pink stroma. Coarse magenta microcalcifications are easily identified and were likely the impetus for biopsy Core needle biopsy interpretation is a reliable method for triage of mammographic abnormalities. However, the diagnosis of DCIS or lobular neoplasia involving a sclerosing lesion on core biopsy may present difficult diagnostic challenges and frequently can be confused with invasive carcinoma, leading to over-management including inappropriate administration of chemotherapy or more extensive surgery. However, when one is familiar with this diagnostic pitfall, the diagnosis becomes much more straightforward, and immunohistochemical stains are not necessary for confirmation of the diagnosis in most cases. A review of the English literature revealed four single case reports and four case series reports, overall describing 39 total cases of DCIS and/or LN involving SA. Our case series adds 31 additional cases to the literature. In the first described series of six cases of LCIS involving SA [1], Fechner et al. found that the architecture of the lesion by low-power assessment was the key to the correct diagnosis, noting that an invasive carcinoma should have no overall organizational pattern. We also found low-power assessment to be the most useful clue that one is dealing with an SA. Sclerosing lesions maintain an organized, lobular architectural pattern. If one is concerned about invasive carcinoma but the lesion maintains a lobular architecture at low power, the possibility of DCIS/LN involving an SA should be strongly considered. In a later case series which included both ductal and lobular cases [2], Rasbridge et al. commented that the lobular architecture was sometimes difficult to fully assess due to distortion by both SA and ductal or lobular neoplasia, and that both immunohistochemical stains and comparison with adjacent adenosis not involved by ductal or lobular neoplasia were helpful. We also found that the lobular architecture is sometimes difficult to assess on core biopsy, particularly if the lesion of concern is at the edges of the core biopsy. One extremely helpful clue in the diagnosis of these cases is the presence of SA not involved by neoplasia in other portions of the biopsy. This feature was found in almost all cases, and provided a reassuring “internal control” of the process for comparison. This finding also provides proof that a sclerosing process is occurring within the breast. Another helpful clue occurs when the neoplastic process does not entirely fill the sclerosing lesion. When this occurs the periphery of the lobule commonly shows the recognizable histology of a usual sclerosing lesion. In our experience, if this finding is seen, invasion is very unlikely. In difficult cases, immunohistochemical staining for myoepithelial markers may be employed. For instance, some of our cases displayed occasional neoplastic single cells enveloped by myoepithelial cells (identified within the center of the lobule). Confirmatory myoepithelial markers should be ordered in these cases to exclude invasive carcinoma. Another instance in which immunohistochemical stains should be considered is when the sclerosing lesion is associated with a dense inflammatory background. In these cases, both myoepithelial markers and a pan-cytokeratin stain may be helpful to confirm the diagnosis of in situ carcinoma. In a smaller mixed case series [3], Eusebi et al. noted that the presence of a PAS-positive basal lamina and myoepithelial cells were useful adjuncts to the low-power assessment. We also noted that the presence of myoepithelial cells in at least some portions of the lesion was a helpful feature. Often the myoepithelial cells are thin or attenuated and are not seen at first glance. Focusing up and down on the tissue plane (or immunohistochemical stains) may be necessary. Of course, the reason that these lesions are so important to consider is the real possibility of confusion with an invasive carcinoma. In the mixed case series [3] by Eusebi et al., two of the patients went to mastectomy because they were originally diagnosed as invasive carcinoma by frozen section. Other individual case reports [4, 5, 6, 7] were notable for a case of LCIS/SA that was originally called invasive carcinoma on biopsy. Some of our cases demonstrated characteristics which might normally be considered to be associated with an invasive process, if the overall architectural clues are not recognized. Desmoplasia was seen in 19.4% of cases, which to our knowledge has never been described in association with these lesions. In addition, single cells enveloped by thin, attenuated myoepithelial cells also were present within the center of the sclerosing lesion in 19.4% of cases. In all cases, attention to the other criteria helped to prevent misdiagnosis based on a single characteristic. Follow-up data were given for some of the previous case studies. In the six cases of LCIS involving SA [1], Fechner et al. found that the only invasive carcinoma was an incidental tubular carcinoma, which was located away from areas of SA. In a later case series which included both ductal and lobular cases [2], Rasbridge et al. did not provide patient follow-up, but noted that three cases had small foci of invasive carcinoma in addition to ductal or lobular neoplasia involving SA. In the mixed case series [3] by Eusebi et al., the patients were all alive and well after quadrantectomy or mastectomy, for a follow-up time ranging from 23 months to 10 years. In a small mixed case series [8], Oberman et al. selected cases of DCIS/LCIS which appeared solely in sclerosing adenosis, with no carcinoma in situ present outside the sclerosing lesion. Eight of the patients were followed for an average of 3 years, and were alive and well. As expected, our follow-up data also indicate that these patients do extremely well. Of the patients with invasive ductal carcinoma on excision, one patient waited 3 years between diagnosis and excision, with only alternative therapies in the interim. The only unexpected case of invasive carcinoma on surgical follow-up was a 1.8-mm focus of carcinoma which was predominantly of tubular type, and the patient has been alive and well for 11 years since the diagnosis. Of the patients with LCIS, all are alive and well (with the exception of two patients who had a history of primary lung carcinoma). Despite the known increased incidence of invasive carcinoma in these patients, none of the patients with LCIS involving SA who underwent surgery had invasive carcinoma in their excisions. The previously reported cases included 21 lobular, 15 ductal, and 3 combined ductal/lobular neoplasia cases. Our cases showed a very slight lobular predominance (19 lobular, 12 ductal), a relationship also described by Koerner [9]. One might expect that because sclerosing adenosis is an estrogen-dependent lobulocentric process, the incidence of associated lobular neoplasia would be much higher, but this has not been demonstrated. One must be careful not to assume that a low-grade carcinoma in situ involving sclerosing adenosis is lobular carcinoma, because ductal cancerization is almost as frequent. Evaluating for secondary lumen formation (even in adenosis) and cell polarization is helpful. An E-cadherin stain can be employed to help discriminate between the two entities. The limitations of this study include the small sample size of patients who have this uncommon but clinically relevant diagnosis. Another limitation of the study is the lack of extensive follow-up, although among patients with DCIS who underwent excision, 90% had either DCIS, or DCIS with microinvasion. The limited number of cases only allow for descriptive comparisons of the histology. Using descriptive statistics, the top three features (lobulocentric pattern, visibility of myoepithelial cells, and separate areas of sclerosing adenosis) are statistically more frequently occurring than what is randomly expected. Core needle biopsy interpretation of mammographic abnormalities is a reliable method of assessment, and diagnosticians must maintain a broad differential diagnosis that includes mimickers of invasive carcinoma to prevent over-diagnosis and overtreatment. In summary, we present the largest series of 31 cases of SA involved by DCIS or lobular neoplasia initially diagnosed on core biopsy. In addition to the low-power architectural pattern that may be useful in making the diagnosis, the pathologist should focus on the attenuated peripherally located myoepithelial cells and search for carcinoma in situ in other areas of the biopsy material. Importantly, desmoplasia may be identified in cases of sclerosing adenosis, and its presence does not indicate invasive carcinoma, as in our series only 19.4% of cases demonstrated this finding. Knowledge of these diagnostic pearls will hopefully prevent erroneous diagnosis and over-management of patients with in situ disease. We thank the patients who entrust us with their care and whose specimens were analyzed for this study. No funding or sponsorship was received for this study or publication of this article. All named authors meet the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) criteria for authorship for this article, take responsibility for the integrity of the work as a whole, and have given their approval for this version to be published. Prior presentation This abstract was submitted in part at the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology annual meeting in 2011. Dana Richards, Alberto A. Ayala, and Yun Wu declare that they have no conflict of interest. Lavinia Middleton is on the editorial board of this journal but has nothing further to disclose. Compliance with Ethics This study was excluded by our institutional review board for human subject research, as it is a lab-based protocol study that reviewed outcomes of mastectomy and segmental biopsy diagnoses compared with core needle biopsy results (Quality Assurance). This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. Fechner RE. Lobular carcinoma in situ in sclerosing adenosis. A potential source of confusion with invasive carcinoma. Am J Surg Pathol. 1981;5(3):233–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar Rasbridge SA, Millis RR. 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Mod Pathol. 1991;4(1):31–5.PubMedGoogle Scholar Koerner F, Maluf H. Uncommon morphologic patterns of lobular neoplasia. Ann Diagn Pathol. 1999;3(4):249–59.CrossRefGoogle Scholar © The Author(s) 2020 Open AccessThis article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, which permits any non-commercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/. 1.Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of Kentucky Chandler Medical CenterLexingtonUSA 2.Department of Pathology and Genomic MedicineHouston Methodist HospitalHoustonUSA 3.Department of PathologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonUSA Richards, D., Ayala, A.A., Wu, Y. et al. Oncol Ther (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40487-019-00107-y DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s40487-019-00107-y Publisher Name Springer Healthcare Not logged in Not affiliated 34.204.200.74	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27053
__label__cc	0.720529	0.279471	richardscarblog All automotive, all the time Click on photos to enlarge them! Upcoming Calendar of Events HomeBMW Isetta The Isetta Saga, Chapter 21: The Bubble Party March 17, 2019 RichardReina BMW Isetta BMW Isetta The Bubble Party was intended to serve as a grand celebration of a singular automobile. The Bubble Party was meant to be a culmination of many years’ effort. The Bubble Party was an excuse to smile, and laugh, and cheer, and have fun. The Bubble Party was a (gentle) poke in the eye to those who thought that the concept of restoring a 13 horsepower car was a silly exercise. The Bubble Party was an excuse to have a party. The Bubble Party was all this and more. For once, it wasn’t about the car; well, of course it was about the car, but really it was about the human endeavor. Sometimes I thought that a celebration centered on reaching the finish line was selfish, and egotistical, and boastful, and perhaps there were elements of that. There was honest effort, though, to take the focus away from me, and away from the fact that “the Isetta did drive in ‘95”. What I knew then, and what I know more than ever now, is that this could not be accomplished by one person. There were so many people, individuals who were already friends, and those who became friends through my dealings with them, who needed to be counted among the co-achievers. And not all of them necessarily touched the car. My father, to name one significant example, had been a lifelong inspiration to me, and helped me in uncountable ways with my technical knowledge and understanding. So we spent most of September in planning mode. The house was cleaned; the yard was trimmed. Food and drink aplenty were brought in. Bubble Party invitations were sent. We invited everyone: neighbors, co-workers, relatives, friends. We made a point of ensuring that children were included. The town agreed to close the street for the afternoon. The car was set on the front lawn, and covered with a red cloth. We asked for a beautiful day, and we were given that too. The car was unveiled, and it was the children, more than the adults, who oohed and aahed (after all, it’s sized like a kid’s plaything). I was more than happy to let the parents watch while I offered rides to every child in attendance. I can only hope that some of them remember, and perhaps some of them grew to appreciate old machinery. This 3-minute video highlights the moment the Isetta was revealed to the crowd: Then it was over. And autumn arrived, and I was exhausted from the mental effort of getting the Isetta to this point. It wasn’t finished, but it certainly was close. By the end of 1995, I had accomplished what I set out to accomplish. After the Bubble Party, the car was not touched for four years. Final restoration work began anew in 1999, and the car was entered into its first shows in 2000. We will resume the Isetta Saga later this year. In the meantime, with spring literally a few days away, Richard’s Car Blog will turn its attention to what promises to be a very busy 2019 show season. The next blog post will be a technical treatise on the Alfa Romeo valve adjustment procedure. Stay tuned! All photographs and video recordings copyright © 2019 Richard A. Reina. Photos may not be copied or reproduced without express written permission. The Isetta Saga, Chapter 20: Prepping for a Party March 10, 2019 RichardReina BMW Isetta, Events, Repair sessions With its initial drive event behind me, further work on the Isetta slowed. The notebook I kept to track my progress has very few entries for September 1995. The notes which are there make scant reference to exterior lighting and door adjustments. My time and effort was directed to planning a party. Every milestone of the Isetta’s progress had been marked with a celebration: the first running of the engine, and the body and chassis wedding, to cite two examples. This time, the festivities would be on a much larger scale. The car was as ready as it was going to be for its public unveiling, known as The Bubble Party. The date was set: Sunday, October 1, 1995. We went so far as to petition the town to close our street to vehicular traffic so that the bright red Bubble Machine could be buzzed from one corner to the next without interference. The mayor agreed (I think a small donation helped). I did take the car out for several more reconnaissance runs, and my ear-to-ear grin gave it away every time: I never imagined that a 13 horsepower car could be so much fun to drive. The only variable not in our control, the weather, was simply ignored. The Isetta was ready, and we would be too. The Isetta Saga, Chapter 19: The Isetta Drives in ’95 February 16, 2019 RichardReina BMW Isetta, Drives, Events BMW Isetta The time span between October 21, 1978 and September 4, 1995 is quite long. Very long. It is 16 years, 10 months, and 14 days. The former date represents the day I purchased my BMW Isetta. The latter date represents the day I first drove it. When I bought the car, I did not think that it would take just shy of 17 years to get to this point. But it did. As I promised myself, the Isetta did drive in ’95. The video of the first drive was recently unearthed after being hidden away in a closet for many years. Along with the videos posted earlier, I had forgotten I had this, and it has been fun to rediscover it. No further words are necessary. Click on the YouTube link below and enjoy the clip taken on what was a beautiful late summer day. The Isetta Saga, Chapter 18: Making the Final Connections February 3, 2019 RichardReina BMW Isetta, Events, Repair sessions BMW Isetta It had been some wedding! The body and chassis were reunited. Now the party was over. The guests had departed. It was time to get back to work and make the reunion more permanent. The upcoming week was a vacation week for me so that I could fully apply myself. It felt as though I were days away from actually driving the creature. First item on the to-do list: install new sound-deadening material to the interior. The commercially-available products seen in every old car magazine were one choice (Dynamat is one well-known brand). However, they are pricey, even for a car as small as an Isetta. Another issue was my desire to adhere as closely as possible to the original treatment, which resembled tar paper. (The new-fangled stuff is thick and shiny and more appropriate for a drafty ‘50s British roadster or a noisy ‘60s muscle car.) When conveying my indecision to my neighbor, he gave me a great suggestion: a visit to Home Depot would likely yield a roll of black roofing material which could be purchased for a reasonable number. For $9.97, I bought a roll which could have completed multiple Isettas! The measuring and the cutting began. “30 LB FELT”, a deal at $9.97 (plus tax of course) Note bolts thru body to chassis New insulation glued in place The wiring harnesses were next. The Isetta has two: a front main harness, and a rear harness. I had earlier disassembled, cleaned, and re-sheathed them, and they were ready to be put back into place. This was a clear case of my earlier photography coming to the rescue, as it was the photos taken during disassembly which portrayed the exact locations and connections for the wiring. The electrical system of the vehicle is as simple as it gets: front and rear exterior lights, dashboard warning lights, and the starting/charging system. No power seats, no climate control. The test-firing of the engine way back in March of that year meant that I had the battery, Dynastart, and voltage regulator connections down, so with the body resting on top of the chassis, I only needed to bring those wires to their permanent spots. Top of dash pod and underside The ignition switch was a trouble spot. I had an original one, but no key for it. There was a key code on the outside of the cylinder, but efforts to find someone who could create a working key for it were futile. One gent at the local auto parts store was very patient with me as I sought solutions to a car for which he had no listings. We tried several aftermarket ignition switches, but the first few were physically too large to fit within the minuscule dash pod. Finally, he found a switch that fit. He got to know me, and came to be of great assistance on several other small universal parts I needed. The seat as found The seat had been sent out to a local upholstery shop. Here, I purposely deviated from original, as American-market Isettas used a patterned vinyl upholstery, and I did not want to sit on vinyl. Instead, I chose a beige corduroy with off-white piping. The beige seat came close to matching the beige fabric sunroof, and since I always like red & beige on Ferraris, I thought “why not?” Back from the upholstery shop The steering wheel, column, dashboard, and pedals are a major subassembly unto themselves, and these were bolted into place, with pedals connected to the undercar linkages. To the left of the steering wheel, the shifter was joined to the rear-mounted transmission. Once I readjusted the clutch, I was able to shift into all four forward gears and reverse gear. Ready for the seat (towels protect inner fender paint) All the work recounted here took two weeks, bringing me to Labor Day weekend. That Sunday night, September 3, 1995, I discovered that the car’s battery was flat from sitting. I put it on trickle charge overnight. The next day was Labor Day. In the morning, I would attempt to start the Isetta, put it into gear, and be behind the wheel when it would move under its own power for the first time under my 17 years of ownership. All photographs copyright © 2019 Richard A. Reina. Photos may not be copied or reproduced without express written permission. The Isetta Saga, Chapter 17: The Body & Chassis “Wedding” January 27, 2019 RichardReina BMW Isetta, Events, Repair sessions BMW Isetta During the restoration of the Isetta, a frequent question presented to me was “what motivates you to keep going?” Of course, I wanted to see the project reach a successful conclusion, but setbacks, and there were a few, can be demotivating. There were times I questioned my own sanity, as in, “why am I spending so much time, money and effort to restore a 13-horsepower bubble car from the 1950s that most people have never heard of?” With everyday life (job, family, house) swirling around me, I was occasionally tempted to quit the whole deal. One of my mantras during this 5+ year stretch was “celebrate your successes”. Reaching certain milestones not only feels great, but the achievement can be shared with others, which then inspires you to keep moving forward. In August of 1995, I was ready for such a celebration: the Isetta body shell, freshly painted and just back from “The Shop”, was about to be reunited with the mechanically-restored chassis. In a traditional automobile assembly plant, the moment of “marrying” the up-until-then separate body and chassis is called the marriage point. So, in honor of that event’s facsimile, we decided to host a wedding. Before, um, consummating this union, since the shiny and clean chassis was about to be covered up again, a final set of photographs was taken to document its return to as-new glory. The wedding was scheduled for Sunday, August 20, 1995, and since a wedding must have guests, a small ensemble was invited. (Memory doesn’t recall whether any of the invitees were tipped off that there was work to be done before food and beverages would be served.) The chassis was staged in the driveway just beyond the garage doors, with the body patiently hanging out in the garage on four jack stands. Five intrepid groomspeople (Chris Beyer, John Maggio, Dennis & Ann Marie Nash, and Don Dahringer) vaulted the body back into the daylight. Spotters were assigned to eyeball the body’s descent so that nothing was injured. It took a few moments to clear all the obstacles, but the (re)union was a success. A video camera (thanks, John) was rolling to capture the event. You can view a 12-minute excerpt at this YouTube clip here: Whew! My nervous excitement is palatable to me as I watch myself nervously pace back and forth and around the car. In all seriousness, having a group of friends around me helped alleviate my worries. Once I knew the body shell was resting on the chassis rails, we popped the champagne, ate some BBQ, and of course, shared dessert in the form of a wedding cake: The end of the push to make “The Isetta Drive in ‘95” was close, really, truly close. The steering, pedals, wiring harness, ignition, and seat all needed to be installed and connected. The motivation was the knowledge that I was perhaps a few short weeks away from driving my Isetta for the first time since buying it as a disassembled heap in 1978. It almost looks ready to drive. Almost. (Special thanks to my Creative Team pals Cody, Eslam, and Greg for their video-editing assistance. You guys are the DUDES.) The Isetta Saga, Chapter 16: The Painted Body Comes Home Jody Fitzpatrick, proprietor of “The Shop” in Maplewood NJ, had my Isetta in his possession for one day shy of five weeks. His work was completed, done, finished. I breathed a huge sigh of relief if only for his ability to accurately predict his work timeline, originally estimated at “3 to 4 weeks”. This was close enough. There wouldn’t be any restoration shop horror stories in my future. Chris Beyer, work colleague, neighbor, and friend, had accompanied me when I dropped off the Isetta body. When I told him that it was ready for pick-up, he was ready and willing to join me again. The date was Friday July 28, 1995. Nothing in my notes or my memory explains how Chris and I both happened to be off from work that day; but we were. It was a sweltering humid day, hotter than the previous days had been during what was already an oppressive summer. Cranking the A/C in my Volvo 850 wagon did little help; nothing was going to cool me enough to dissipate my nervous excitement over seeing the painted shell. Jody’s 2nd and final statement At our arrival, Jody strolled out to greet us, looking and acting nonchalant. “How come HE’S so cool?” I asked no one. Perhaps because he does this every day, and, it’s not his car, and, he just wants to get paid, replied the voice in my head. The body shell, of course, looked perfect, almost too much so. I was afraid to touch it, but with Jody and Chris’s help, we got the same 2x4s bolted back to its underside, and then to the trailer floor. The red 850, ready to tow home the red Isetta (note dolly and plywood in lower right of photo) From ugly duckling to gorgeous swan (obviously, beauty is in the eye of the beholder) Chris and I pose in parking lot of The Shop Jody got his check, I got my receipt and my obligatory photos, and we were on our way. I must have glanced in the rear view mirror about every 12 seconds to make sure the body was still there. At a red light on the way home, several male teens yelled out “hey, it’s the Urkel-mobile!” Oh My God, I thought, am I going to be hearing this for the duration of my ownership of this thing? (The short answer to that question is “yes”.) Back home after a 5-week vacation Soon to be reunited Leaving the 2x4s in place for now, we carried the body into the garage, and back onto my makeshift dolly. I posed it next to the completed chassis, fully aware that in a few days, five years of mechanical work would be covered forever (or at least until the car is re-restored in 2095). Light buckets and other externals at the ready What work was remaining before reuniting the body and chassis? The body’s hand-painted underside now had primer overspray on it, so that got yet another coat of gloss red. The headlight and tail light buckets were bolted on. The fuel tank, which had earlier been restored by coating it with Bill Hirsch’s GasTank Sealer, was secured in place. The 2x4s were finally removed, and the body was placed onto 4 jack stands. Gas tank bolted into place (note fuel tap in upper left) In an auto assembly plant, the moment when the car’s body, on one conveyor, is lowered onto a complete chassis, arriving on another conveyor, is called “the marriage point”. The Isetta’s 17-year courtship was coming to an end. It was time to host a wedding party and consummate this marriage. The Isetta Saga, Chapter 15: Documenting the Body Restoration Progress Jody Fitzpatrick, proprietor of “The Shop” in Maplewood NJ, was my choice to oversee the body restoration of the Isetta for many reasons: he was personally recommended, the business was nearby my residence, his pricing was fair, we had a mutual understanding of what “done” looked like, and his estimated timeframe was reasonable. Another reason is that Jody assured me that I could visit and observe the progress whenever I desired (sort of like conjugal visits for the incarcerated). Having read more than one “restoration shop horror story” (the car gets pushed to the back, 6 months pass with no progress, the shop demands more upfront money, they lose your car keys, or worst, they close the business and lock the doors with your car inside), having visitation rights was refreshing. So visit I did. Three times during that hot July of 1995, I stopped in to have a peek and to snap a few snaps. Jody was always very accommodating and genuinely happy to see me, and gave me free rein to walk around my car and chat up the crew doing the actual labor. During the first visit, employees were using homemade scrapers to remove the paint. They had decided against chemical dipping or media blasting, fearful of inflicting further damage. They also hammered out any dents and other rough spots, in preparation for some minor welding and an eventual skim coat of putty in spots. (From my own research, I had come to learn that any talk of body repair that doesn’t involve some small use of plastic filler is fantasy.) THE SHELL IN THE PROCESS OF PAINT BEING REMOVED: During this visit, Jody and I also finalized the choice of paint color. There was no known “official 1957 BMW Isetta paint code chart” we could refer to, so we did the next best thing. Sampling the unfaded paint we found under the BMW roundel on the door, we matched that to the closest shade among the modern paint code charts in Jody’s possession. We both agreed that the 1995 Ford Mustang shade of “Performance Red” was it. Jody stressed another advantage: should the car need touch-up or repair in the future, the correct paint would be readily available. Just a week later, I saw the body with all the original paint gone, and the metal work beginning. I had given Jody a recommendation from John Jensen’s Isetta Restoration book for a method to reinforce the rearmost body panel at the tail lights and rear bumper. This section of the shell was not directly attached to the chassis, and was a known weak spot. Jody stated he would use the printed suggestion to add some additional metal in places. HAND-SANDING THE FILLER AND THE GUIDE COAT: During this 2nd visit, I pointed out a number of drilled holes which needed to be filled. These included where the dealer-installed mud flaps and luggage rack had been, neither of which were to be reinstalled. (I would later discover one which I missed, requiring the purchase of a somewhat pricey accessory in order to cover it!) Jody’s suggestion of grinding down the visible factory welds at the body panel joints was rejected by me, as I had every desire to keep to an original look. Like a proud papa, I posed alongside the work-in-progress: The third visit found the body in full primer. With the metal work done and its flanks as smooth as new, it was not difficult to visualize a freshly painted body shell. Jody had the door and all the other exterior pieces at The Shop, but he also generously offered to hang and align the door for me, something that was not part of our initial negotiation. I brought the freshly-plated door hinges with me so that he could do just that. THE BODY IN FULL PRIMER, JUST PRIOR TO COLOR COAT: Perhaps the most exciting aspect was that the work was closely adhering to the originally estimated timeframe. Jody said that it might take a week longer than he hoped, but everything looked to be on track for a final pick-up by the end of July. And there were no “pricing surprises” either. Jody had gotten a $2,000 down payment upon drop-off, and he said that all I owed him at completion was the $2,000 balance plus NJ state sales tax. A few days later I got the call. “It’s ready whenever you are.” That Saturday, I hooked up the trailer to the car and grabbed my checkbook. We were on our way. 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__label__wiki	0.724248	0.724248	Tag Archives: grace slick Stevie Nicks: ‘In Your Dreams’ ~ Reviews, Interviews & Appearances IYD Enters at #6 Click for Post's coverage of Stevie on DWTS... “There’s something about Stevie Nicks. She’s become over the years, a high priestess for women, an emblem of some mystic ‘70s magic, as she sings and sways in her scarves. Even when she makes an appearance on the commercially blotted Dancing with the Stars, she still manages to pull off an enchanting appearance.” Click for DWTS Recap... “…Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, multi-Grammy award winner and living legend Stevie Nicks came to perform two songs. Loved how she got into the spirit of “DWTS” with her skirt of many fabrics and chain mail on her gloves..” Click for Stevie's Wiltern Theater Tickets... Click for DWTS press release.... URGENT: Stevie is sick. NYC Events Cancelled! Wow. Speedy recovery. I had tickets to her 9/14/01 show in NYC and that show was cancelled because of 9/11…now ObL (again). I hope the Webster Hall event is rescheduled because I have tickets….Stevie has honored the military with wonderful songs and poems and visits the wounded VA hospitals. She’s an Angel. Barnes and Noble Pre-Order Site (Includes Bonus Track) The back story on ‘Secret Love’ by Spinner “I wanted to make it like my younger 25-year-old spirit blending with my 62-year-old spirit,” she offers. “Sometimes your young self, when you look back, is not very much different than your older self.” Indeed, despite the song’s older genesis, ‘Secret Love’ perfectly fits Nicks’ shiny new sound. Read the "A" Review Click for Billboard interview... Click for Spinner interview.. Click for interview... Click for Newsweek interview... Click for Paste Magazine review... Watch the Fox News Interview….click below: Click for Perez Hilton interview.. Click for PrideSource interview.. Click for Washington Blade review... Click for The New Yorker review... Leave a comment \| tags: 2011, 2012, 5/17/11, 5/26/11, abc, AI, al ortiz, album, album of the year, american idol, annabel lee, anne rice, antique, aol, atherton, atlantic city, barbara nicks, barnes & noble, beautiful, behind the mask, bella donna, bella swan, billboard, bob dylan, borgata, BRIT awards, buckingham-nicks, caesars palace, cancer, carlos rios, cbs, cheaper than free, chiffon, chris azzopardi, chris isaak, chris nicks, christine mcvie, cocaine, crystal visions, daily beast, dancing with the stars, darrell smith, dave stewart, david letterman, don henley, dreams, DWTS, early show, Edward Cullen.vampire, elimination, ellen 5/10/11, ellen degeneres, enchanted, entertainment weekly, eurythmics, everybody loves you, fantasy springs, finale, fleetwood mac, for what it's worth, fox, free, gary graff, gay icon, ghost, ghosts are gone, glee, glen ballard, goddaughter, goddess, gold dust woman, grace slick, grammy, gypsy, heart and soul tour, horse, in your dreams, italian summer, IYD, janis joplin, jay leno, jessica nicks, jimmy iovine, jimmy kimmel, jimmy paxson, joe walsh, joey diguglielmo, john mcvie, kelly, kirstie alley, kristin burns, lace, lady gaga, landslide, larry getlen, late show, lbgt, lenny castro, lindsey buckingham, lisa loeb, live at red rocks, live in chicago, lori nicks, los angeles, melbourne symphony, melissa bell, mick fleetwood, mike cambell, mike doherty, mirage, moonlight, MTV, my heart, nbc, new moon, new orleans, new york post, newsweek, nick of time, nicks fix, nicksfix, night of 1000 stevies, no regrets, nots, oprah, pacific palisades, paradise valley, paste magazine, perez hilton, petite 5'1", phoenix, pridesource, princess, ralph macchio, record of the year, reese witherspoon, reprise records, review, rhiannon, ricky peterson, rob sheffield, Robert Pattinson, rock a little, rock icon, rod stewart, rolling stone, rrhof, rumours, ryan reed, ryan seacrest, r_in_burbs, sandia, santa monica, sara, sarah burton, sasha frere-jones, say you will, scott podmore, secret love, sharon celani, shawls, sheryl crow, sold out, soldier's angel, soundstage, spinner, Stephenie Meyer, stevie nicks, street angel, style to match royal wedding lace, sulamith, takes care of her family, talk show, tambourine, tango in the night, taylor swift, the dance, the ellen show 5/10, the jackie factory, the new yorker, the other side of the mirror, the wild heart, the wiltern theater, timespace, today show, tom bergeron, tom petty, top 10 billboard, tribute, trouble in shangi-la, tusk, twilight, undying, unicorn, unleashed tour, US Magazine, vampire, vanessa carlton, VH1, Waddy Wachtel, wales, warner brothers, washington blade, webster hall, welch witch music, wide sargasso sea, wiltern, winner, witch, yorkie, you may be the one, youtube \| posted in Education, Stevie Nicks Concert Reviews: Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks Take us Back to the 1970’s (and 80’s) Stevie and Rod are at it again….an encore or their 2011 “Heart and Soul” tour is the happening event of the summer of 2012…Click here for dates and some reviews…. Click on the images below for various reviews of the 2011 Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart ‘Heart and Soul’ Tour (Chronological Order): Read: Top Concert Ticket Prices: Cher, Stevie Nicks, Lady Gaga: Stevie is worth every $$ Click for Tampa Review (First Stop on Tour) 3/23/11 Click for Atlanta Review 3/24/11 Click for Mohegan Sun Review 3/27/11 Click for Another Mohegan Sun Review 3/27/11 Click for NYC / MSG Review 3/26/11 Click for Boston Review 3/30/11 Click for Another Boston Review 3/30/11 Click for Montreal Photo Review 4/1/11 Click for Toronto Review 4/2/11 Click for Another Toronto Review 4/2/11 Click for Philadelphia Review 4/5/11 Click for NYC / MSG Review 4/6/11 Oprah and Stevie Nicks and Lady Rockers 4/8/11 Click for Chicago Review 4/9/11 Click for Detroit Review 4/10/11 Click for Kansas City Review 4/12/11 Click for Phoenix Review 4/15/11 Read Another Review of the Phoenix Show (by Soundspike) Click for 4/16/11 Hollywood Bowl Review by The Orange County Register Click for Another 4/16/11 Hollywood Bowl Review (by The Hollywood Reporter) Click for the LA Times Review of Hollywood Bowl Concert 4/16/11 “There’s no one that can take my place,” she sang with fists shaking in “Outside the Rain,” and it wasn’t desperation she was expressing. It was total confidence. Click for Preview Story of San Francisco Area Show 4/20/11 Click for Vancouver Review 4/22/11 Read Another Review of the Vancouver 4/22/11 Show.. Coming up 4/23/11 Tour Finale ~ SEATTLE ! Click for Seattle Review 4/23/11 Hot Tours: Billboard Ranks Heart & Soul Tour ~ Ka-Ching! Yay. Duo at #2 on Hot Tours Tally Stevie’s Probable Set List (later dates): Stand Back Outside the Rain Edge of Seventeen Stevie’s Probable Set List (earlier dates): 1.Fall From Grace 2. Secret Love 3. If Anyone Falls 4. Dreams 5. Sorcerer 6. Gold Dust Woman 7. Stand Back 8. Rhiannon 9. Landslide 10. Edge of Seventeen Encore: Rock & Roll Encore: Love Is Stevie’s Tour Schedule: Click for Stevie and Rod Quiz…. Leave a comment \| tags: 2012, ageless, al ortiz, angel, avril lavigne, backing vocal, band of soldiers, bell centre, ben ratliff, billboard, blonde on blonde, Bob Gendron, boston, canucks, carlos rios, cher, chicago, chicago review, chiffon, Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, christine mcvie, christopher nicks, courtly stage bow, darrell smith, detroit, drums, Erik Pedersen, examiner, fleetwood mac, francois marchand, gary graff, gene stout, glamour, grace slick, guitar, heart and soul tour, hollywood bowl, hollywood reporter, hot tours, i love stevie nicks, in your dreams, jane stevenson, janelle kidd, janis joplin, jeff beck, jimmy paxon, joan jett, joe louis arena, kansas city, kansas city star, key arena, keyboard, LA Times, lady gaga, lenny castro, lindsey buckingham, lori nicks, madison square garden, Mikael Wood, miley cyrus, mohegan, montreal, msg, oakland, oprah, oracle center, palo alto, pat benatar, percussion, petite, philadelphia, phoenix, ping, platform boots, raspy duet, rhythm, ricky peterson, rock icon, rod sings leather and lace, rod stewart, rogers arena, salt n pepa, seattle, secret love, set list, sharon celani, shawl, sheryl crow, singer-songwriter, sister sledge, soundspike, south park, spin, sprint center, star studded, steamy nicks, stellar concert, steve freyer, stevie nicks, strong voice, tambourine, tampa, td, the faces, the orange county register, timothy finn, top concerts, top ticket prices, toronto, toronto sun, traci baker, twirl, u.s. airways center, vancouver, vancouver sun, Waddy Wachtel, wells fargo center, welsh witch music, young turks \| posted in Music, Stevie Nicks	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27059
__label__cc	0.648712	0.351288	Steeda Q500 Enforcer Mustang review: 480bhp of American muscle By Ben Griffin Stealthy looks Sharper handling Thunderous soundtrack Based on the older 'stang Suspension creaks There is a brand new Ford Mustang in town and it is better than its predecessor. Can the 480bhp Steeda Q500 Enforcer Mustang, which is based on the old model, still hold its own? Never heard of Steeda? No matter. It is the largest privately owned Ford performance parts specialist in the world which, every now and then, offers a complete car with various grin-based modifications. In Mustang land, you have the Q350 Enforcer Mustang, which is based on V6 EcoBoost, and the Q500 Enforcer Mustang, which uses the V8 GT. Steeda sets out to provide a car that is better than the original in terms of excitement, handling and performance but without affecting its ability to do more mundane tasks such as the shopping. Or, even worse, visiting the dentist. All you have to do is pay £8,998 over the standard GT and away you go. The issue for the Q500 Enforcer Mustang we drove is that Ford has just released a new model (see here for the 2019 Ford Mustang: First drive), which improves on the MY17 model underneath the Steeda with more horsepower, improved comfort and superior handling. Having driven all versions of the Mustang, we decided to see how the Q500 compares. A shout out to classic car and specialist insurance company, Adrian Flux, for insuring the Steeda Mustang. What is the Steeda Q500 Enforcer Mustang? The Steeda Q500 Enforcer differs from the standard Mustang in various areas, the most obvious of which is the horsepower output. By adding a bespoke cold air intake system, adjusting the engine mapping and adding a custom exhaust to the 5.0-litre V8, total horsepower ends up at 480bhp (up 70bhp) and torque at 485lb/ft (an increase of around 70lb/ft). Then there is the revised chassis and suspension setup comprised thicker front and rear bespoke anti-roll bars, progressive rate springs, strut tower brace and and upgraded bushes, all of which sharpen the handling and tighten up the whole experience. Adjustable suspension means you can soften or harden the ride, with our test car set to a happy medium between the two. As for grip, the Q500 comes equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres (or the Cup version for track users) wrapped around 20-inch Velgen VMB7 alloy wheels that not only look great, they add an inch of width yet avoid weighing anymore than the standard Ford Mustang’s offering. Should sir or madam want a little extra comfort, 19-inchers are available. The looks have been given a going-over, too, resulting in a beefier stance that ekes even more attitude out of a suitably American design. If it is attention you want, it is attention you will get, especially as a lot of people will see the ‘Steeda’ writing and wonder what the hell it is (in a good way). On the inside, our test car benefited from the comfortable Alcantara steering wheel from the GT350R and Steeda cue ball gear knob. Like the old Mustang, it is a decent cabin that proves comfortable and the ‘Ground Speed’ analogue dials and silver switches here and there make it much nicer to look at than a Focus RS. The downside is that the 2018 Mustang’s digital dials are nowhere to be seen in the Steeda press car, which can also be said of the new ‘My Mode’ custom settings mode and Drag Mode, not that the latter is particularly useful unless you really love quarter-mile drag races. Is the Steeda Q500 Enforcer Mustang’s handling any good? American cars used to get a lot of stick for being great in a straight line and rather poor in the corners. These days, with the likes of the Corvette ZR1 proving that is no longer the case, it would be unfair to assume the Mustang is a bad performer. Obviously such a big, heavy car has its limitations but it is an easy car to drive fast and, with Steeda’s course of firming everything up and providing more power, you end up with a much more agile machine. One that can bite hard in most gears and dig deep when you need traction. Put your foot down and the response definitely feels sharper than the old Mustang and on a par with the more powerful 2018 model, which means you never want for power. Except in the case of the Steeda, the custom exhaust system provides a much louder, almost deafening boom that never fails to delight. Even better is the fact it takes on a new character as you reach peak revs, which only encourages you to drive it hard. But with that V8 grumble pleasant at all speeds, you can take it easy and find the Steeda fulfilling. Those comfy seats and the epic soundtrack make taking the long way home way too tempting (even if it means enduring 18mpg at best). Any negatives? The pursuit of speed is rarely one without its downsides. In the case of the Steeda Mustang Q500 Enforcer, that means enduring a firmer ride that can make small undulations unpleasant. But then you expect it to be that way – this is a Mustang on steroids, after all. Less bearable is the suspension creaking that takes place when any meaningful suspension travel takes place. Steeda says it is trying to iron out the problem, but right now you will certainly notice it as you cruise along over speed bumps. At higher speeds, of course, it is drowned out by the V8. The more frenetic nature of the Steeda Mustang is also noticeable on a motorway or at higher speeds. In the standard Mustang, you can jump into sixth gear and enjoy quiet motoring. In the Steeda, you are treated to one hell of a drone. In short bursts it is fine, but after 20 minutes on the motorway we ended up dropping to fifth purely for our own sanity. Should I buy one, then? If you love the idea of a Mustang, the Steeda is going to be tempting. Key improvements make it a more agile, all-round lairier beast that can be heard three miles away instead of one. But with the new ‘stang out there (and a new Steeda version now available), it is a harder sell. Given the rarity, styling adjustments and noise, the value for money proposition is still reasonable though. Enough for you to forgive the harsh ride and squeaky suspension, anyway. 5.0-litre V8 481lb/ft £8,998 premium on a first-generation Mustang GT	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27064
__label__cc	0.744887	0.255113	From Street to Home The UK is in a housing crisis; an alarmingly high number of people are street homeless. Last year rough sleeping in London increased by 13%. From Street to Home offers a lifeline; health, emotional support, employment & accommodation solutions enabling clients to permanently end their homelessness. April 2019 - March 2020 Charity information: The Passage Since 2010, street homelessness in England has risen by 165%. The Passage is based in Westminster, where there has been a 41% increase in rough sleeping since 2017. This has resulted in a higher demand for our services than ever before. The street population has also become more complex; many have serious mental health and substance issues. We believe that no one should spend a night on the streets, but for those that do, this project provides tailored health, employment and housing solutions. From Street to Home will help people move away from rough sleeping permanently. The project will build clients’ confidence, address physical and mental health needs, before preparing them for employment or training opportunities. Clients will be given mentoring support and temporary accommodation during probation periods. Affordable housing solutions will be offered for those in crisis and support through our Home for Good scheme, enabling clients to sustain their tenancy once off the streets. Provide bespoke solutions for clients with poor physical or mental health. » Access to specialist health provision based onsite at The Passage medical centre, including alternative and holistic therapies. » Access to care and counselling services that are psychologically and trauma informed. » Access to specialist dual diagnosis services to support those with poor mental health and substance issues. » Provide hospital discharge services, preventing those at risk of street homelessness ending up back on the streets. Support 400 homeless clients with poor mental health to access suitable treatment and care and prepare them to find a route off the streets. Assist homeless people to find employment or training. » Help people overcome barriers to work by supporting them with welfare rights, opening a bank account and the provision of debt advice. » Access to a specialist training and job search drop-in centre. » Assist clients with all aspects of job searching, from writing CVs, preparing job applications and mock interviews. » Practical support for those moving into employment; access to temporary accommodation, travel to work costs, clothing and one to one mentoring. Help 125 people to end their homelessness by returning to full time employment or accessing training opportunities. Provide tailored in-depth advice and specialist support for individuals seeking accommodation. » Assist clients who wish to return to their home areas to find local help, support and accommodation. » Where clients qualify, assist them to find social housing or supported hostel accommodation. » Help clients to access accommodation in the private rented sector by seeking funding for deposits and assistance with the purchase of furniture. » Work with developers and landlords to build a network of move-on accommodation units that provide affordable housing options. Help 250 homeless people in crisis to find accommodation in London and help a further 250 to reconnect to local communities outside of the capital. Provide a structured befriending scheme for homeless clients moving into independent accommodation. » Train volunteers in homelessness issues, boundaries, listening skills and the practical aspects of giving support. » Match clients and volunteers based on geographical location and shared interests. » Supervise, monitor and evaluate the success of each befriending session. Support 100 former rough sleepers living in self-contained accommodation so that at least 98 are still in their own home after one year. The project is focused on long-term solutions with the aim of breaking the cycle of homelessness and preventing a return to the streets. On-going support, tailored to each client, includes a mentoring scheme for those starting work; this is offered for at least one year and longer if needed. Our Home for Good prevention scheme has proven success; 98% of clients sustain their tenancy after one year. Montfort House accommodates 16 entrenched rough sleepers for as long as they need our support. Our client group have highly complex needs and many require more intensive support, which could reduce the number of people we can help at any one time. However, we have recruited specialist mental health and substance misuse workers to address these needs. On-going uncertainty within the welfare system makes our advice work challenging, so we have increased staff resources. Statutory income continues to decrease; to mitigate this we have invested in fundraising to provide alternative revenue. Donors will be able to access regular updates via our website and social media channels. We also produce three newsletters annually that will feature case studies from the project. The project results and outcomes will be included in our annual Impact Report. Budget - Project Cost: £1,067,999 £174,389 Employment Provision of support to clients in seeking, finding and taking up employment £71,343 Financial advice Provision of welfare rights and general final advice £42,826 Mentoring Provision of one to one mentoring for clients returning to employment who require further suppport £342,283 Housing assessment and advice Comprehensive assessment advice and support for clients seeking accommodation £178,576 Private rented sector advice Making links with private landlords and helping people to move - into private rented accommodation £116,458 Home for Good Providing support to former rough sleepers in their new home area. £142,124 Health provision Specialist support for mental health and substance misuse Westminster City Council Housing Advice £310,488 Guaranteed Westminster City Council Private Rented Sector £180,146 Guaranteed 3i Employment Work £70,000 Conditional Land Securities re employment work £20,000 Conditional John Lewis Mentoring £5,000 Conditional City Bridge Trust £40,000 Guaranteed The Passage was established in 1980 and the project will be based at our St Vincent’s Centre in Victoria. The building was extensively refurbished in 2016 to provide modern facilities and create a therapeutic environment for clients. We run the largest Resource Centre in the UK used by up to 150 clients daily. Westminster has the highest number of people sleeping rough in the country; since 2017 there has been a 41% increase. We are now working with double the number of clients than last year. From Street to Home will benefit people who are street homeless in Westminster and people living in insecure accommodation at immediate risk of homelessness. The project will also support former rough sleepers who now have their own home, but need support to maintain their tenancy. Our clients often have complex and multiple needs; around 80% will have some degree of poor mental health. The Passage has 39 years of experience in this field. We have developed a comprehensive range of services to meet the varied and complex needs of rough sleepers and we have a proven track record of success. For example, last year we helped over 100 clients to find employment and a secure route off the streets and in partnership with Westminster City Council, we now run the Housing Options Service for single people, thus preventing clients who are in housing crisis from becoming homeless. Richard Wealleans Richard is our Client Development Manager, responsible for employment and training services. He has worked for The Passage for 18 years. David is a Mental Health Worker with extensive experience of working with people with mental health conditions. David Cole David is our Private Rented Solutions Coordinator. With the loss of social housing, private rented is the only viable long-term route off the streets Simon Binns Simon is a Specialist Worker at our Newman Street accommodation project with experience in mental health and was himself previously street homeless.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27076
__label__wiki	0.752667	0.752667	2020 Rockstar Project Teased By Hip Hop Group City Morgue By Hunter Miche Nov 19, 2019 Share Various hints that Grand Theft Auto 6 is in development have been going on for a while now, but it seems like now we may be getting actual concrete proof at some point soon. A 2020 Rockstar project has been teased by City Morgue, a hip hop group that collaborated with Rockstar. While it could always not be a new Grand Theft Auto game, Rockstar hasn’t made any new games in years aside from Red Dead Redemption 2, and Grand Theft Auto is one of the games they’re best known for. Considering it’s been six years since Grand Theft Auto 5 came out, the time might be coming when that game is close to announcement. However, again, there’s no actual confirmation that a game like that will be getting added. Then again, the Wild West wasn’t really a place conductive to the spread of hip hop, so going by that logic there’s only really one thing the 2020 Rockstar project could be. Then again, that also opens up a large number of new questions about what the new Grand Theft Auto game (again, if it exists) will be. While it could take us back to the wider San Andreas area (since Los Santos is the only city in Grand Theft Auto 5) or Liberty City, there’s also the possibility that we could go somewhere entirely new. Of course, there’s also the option that we’ll instead be getting a sequel to Bully, another less open-world but no-less-popular game that could also fit hip-hop into the game’s soundtrack, especially given the much more modernized setting that such a game could find itself in. We’ll just have to wait and see what Rockstar has to announce that will be coming out next year. If the 2020 Rockstar project is Grand Theft Auto, or even Bully, hopefully they will be an even greater improvement over previous games. Xbox One Games Make Up Densest Lineup In Years Sony Interactive Entertainment Wants A Days Gone Sequel Darksiders Genesis Review, It’s Not Diablo Kingdom Under Fire 2 Review: Interesting Blend Of MMO And RTS Shenmue 3 Review: By The Fans And For The Fans Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order Review, Want to be a Jedi? Temtem Interview – Dojo Wars, Creature Types, Progression Praetorians HD Remaster Interview – Importance Of Streamlined Controls New Praetorians Game In Consideration For The Future Praetorians HD Remaster Could Release For Google Stadia Expect Nemesis Around Every Corner In Resident Evil 3 Remake How to Beat Cell in Dragon Ball Z Kakarot How to Beat Cell Jr in Dragon Ball Z Kakarot Aksile Media © 2018 SegmentNext. All rights reserved.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27079
__label__cc	0.619003	0.380997	The World (radio program) World (disambiguation) Light Up the World (Steps song) Remix (book) Remix'5 Justin Suarez World is a common name for the whole of human civilization, specifically human experience, history, or the human condition in general, worldwide, i.e. anywhere on Earth or pertaining to anywhere on Earth. In a philosophical context it may refer to: the whole of the physical Universe, or an ontological world (see world disclosure). In a theological context, world usually refers to the material or the profane sphere, as opposed to the celestial, spiritual, transcendent or sacred. The "end of the world" refers to scenarios of the final end of human history, often in religious contexts. World history is commonly understood as spanning the major geopolitical developments of about five millennia, from the first civilizations to the present. World population is the sum of all human populations at any time; similarly, world economy is the sum of the economies of all societies (all countries), especially in the context of globalization. Terms like world championship, gross world product, world flags etc. also imply the sum or combination of all current-day sovereign states. This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/World PRI's The World is a global news radio, audio and multi-platform program created by Public Radio International based on the program's congruence with PRI's mission, and in order to fulfill the critical need for more original global news created for and provided to Americans. This was partly a response to declining investments by commercial media in international news. The program is co-produced by the BBC World Service of the United Kingdom, and Public Radio International and WGBH of the United States. The program's goal is to bring international journalism/news that illuminates the world specifically for US listeners. The World was PRI's first co-production—the company now has a number of productions. It was also the first news co-production of the BBC World Service. For the BBC, The World was conceived as stand-alone program and also as a template for future co-productions which might serve to expand the reach of BBC World Service resources. At its launch, it was the first program dedicated to focusing on providing global news and making the global-local connection for Americans on a daily basis. This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/The_World_(radio_program) The world is a common name for the whole of human civilization, specifically human experience, history, or the human condition in general, worldwide, i.e. anywhere on Earth. World or the world may also refer to: Earth, the planet World Island, Afro-Eurasia The World (archipelago), near Dubai, United Arab Emirates Astronomical object Natural satellite The World (Internet service provider) The World (WWE), a former New York City restaurant The World (nightclub) The World (Coos Bay), a Coos Bay, Oregon newspaper Tulsa World, a Tulsa, Oklahoma newspaper The World (South African newspaper), former Johannesburg, South African newspaper The World (1753 newspaper), former London newspaper World (magazine), an evangelical news magazine El Mundo (Spain), a Spanish newspaper Le Monde, a French newspaper Die Welt, a German newspaper National Geographic World, former name of the magazine National Geographic Kids This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/World_(disambiguation) Light Up The World is the sixteenth single from the British group Steps, released in 2012 to promote their 4th studio album Light Up the World. The track saw the group reunited with learn term collaborators Topham & Twigg. The single failed to live up to the group's previous success and missed the UK top 10, charting at number 83 - breaking their unbroken run of top 5 hits. No music video was recorded to support the track, however a winter themed lyric video was produced and released to YouTube. Digital Download 1 "Light Up The World" "Light Up The World (7th Heaven Remix) - 5:46" "Light Up The World (7th Heaven Radio Edit) - 3:44" The remix contained instrumental elements of Steps' biggest hit Tragedy. Chart performance The single entered the UK charts at #83 and fell out of the chart the following week. This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/Light_Up_the_World_(Steps_song) Remix: Making Art and Commerce Thrive in the Hybrid Economy is Lawrence Lessig's fifth book. It is available as a free download under a Creative Commons license. It details a hypothesis about the societal effect of the Internet, and how this will affect production and consumption of popular culture. In Remix Lawrence Lessig, a Harvard law professor and a respected voice in what he deems the "copyright wars", describes the disjuncture between the availability and relative simplicity of remix technologies and copyright law. Lessig insists that copyright law as it stands now is antiquated for digital media since every "time you use a creative work in a digital context, the technology is making a copy" (98). Thus, amateur use and appropriation of digital technology is under unprecedented control that previously extended only to professional use. Lessig insists that knowledge and manipulation of multi-media technologies is the current generation's form of "literacy"- what reading and writing was to the previous. It is the vernacular of today. The children growing up in a world where these technologies permeate their daily life are unable to comprehend why "remixing" is illegal. Lessig insists that amateur appropriation in the digital age cannot be stopped but only 'criminalized'. Thus most corrosive outcome of this tension is that generations of children are growing up doing what they know is "illegal" and that notion has societal implications that extend far beyond copyright wars. The book is now available as a free download under one of the Creative Commons' licenses. This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/Remix_(book) Remix'5 is a Candan Erçetin album. It was remixes of Melek. There's also a song from "Les Choristes" movie, 'Sevdim Anladım'. This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/Remix'5 Justin Suarez is a fictional character on the American comedy-drama series Ugly Betty which is an adaptation of the Colombian telenovela Betty la fea. He is portrayed by actor Mark Indelicato. Justin lives with his mother Hilda, his aunt Betty, and his grandfather Ignacio. His biological father is Santos who is murdered in the finale of Season 1. Justin is quite fashion conscious and exhibits model-like behavior, such as commenting on his own body image and being food conscious. His knowledge about the fashion industry, from reading MODE, where Betty works, and watching Fashion TV, is among the reasons his aunt influences him. Justin exhibits stereotypical gay behavior which propels some of the storylines including his involvement in performing arts. As a young teenager, his adolescent sexuality was still being developed in storylines until the end of the series. It is revealed in Season 4 that Justin is gay. Slate magazine named the character as one of the reasons they were looking forward to the return of the show in fall 2007. This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/Justin_Suarez wn.com astoryofyou.com whatastory.org exerciseasateam.com changethelifeforwomen.com asmusicas.com asasbahasaarab.com theartistformerlyknownasprince.net bahasaarabasas.com asabranca.org familycanchangetheworld.com youareasgoodasyourbestdeal.com aneweraformankind.com youarethesupermodel.com asiliveittheextendedself.com whatwillyoulearntoday.org asthetruthcomesout.com A Cappella, Isaacs A Cappella, Gaither Vocal Band A Cappella, Todd Rundgren A Cappella, Acappella I knew a song that played in me It seems I've lost the melody So, please, Lord Give it back to me Yeah, please Lord Years in the desert with no drink Strike a rock, make it bleed And, please, Lord If you blow on the embers The light will shine on my face The streams will run in the desert And sing amazing grace You're everywhere in everytime And yet you're so damn hard to find I don't wanna aside No, please, Lord I need your breath on the embers I need the light on my face I need the streams in the desert That sing amazing grace, that sing amazing grace Iran said Sunday that two newly constructed satellites have passed pre-launch tests and will be transported to the nation’s space center for eventual launch, without elaborating ... and other Western countries have long been suspicious of the program because the same technology can be used to develop long-range missiles.... You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on ...... The error came to light on the second day of a visit by the president to the Southeast Asian country, where Xi and state counselor Aung San Suu Kyi signed dozens of agreements covering massive Beijing-backed infrastructure plans ... We sincerely apologize for the offense this has caused," Facebook said in a statement ... revenue after the United States.... The world’s leading financiers are pocketing even more ... What this means is that in order for the stock market to do as well in coming years, either economic growth has to accelerate markedly (highly unlikely), or chief executives will have to siphon off even more of the gains from growth from workers and other stakeholders to their shareholders ... anti-anti-Trump but for … what, exactly? ... For the Many, Not the Few and The Common Good.... The protests, which have since broadened to include demands for universal suffrage and an independent investigation into police handling of the demonstrations, have lost some of their intensity in recent weeks ... In one corner, a group of volunteers set up a stand where people could leave messages on red cards for the lunar new year to be sent to those who have been arrested.... Orban face sondaj pentru a găsi candidatul PNL la Primăria Capitalei PNL va lansa un sondaj de opinie pentru testarea a patru potenţiali candidaţi liberali la Primăria Capitalei, a anunţat, duminică, la Hotnews, preşedintele partidului, premierul Ludovic Orban. „Săptămâna care începe, luni, (...) va intra în teren un sondaj de opinie prin care vom testa potenţialii candidaţi ai partidului, patru la număr ... AGERPRES. .... Blurred Is the New ID oferă 8 răspunsuri posibile și mai adaugă o întrebare ... Între expozițiile personale se numără Mărturii ale unei vieți netrăite, Borderline Art Space, Iași, în 2017; Think about the Box, Galeria Aparte, Iași, Samādhi, Galeriile Nicolae Tonitza,  Bârlad, în 2016 și Reguli in afara jocului, World Bank, București, în 2014 ... Deconstructing The Unforeseen, Camera, Centrul de Interes, Cluj-Napoca, în 2018.... Kelemen Hunor: Vestea bună e că Iohannis este la ultimul său mandat! Preşedintele UDMR, Kelemen Hunor, a declarat, sâmbătă, la Consiliul Reprezentanţilor Uniunii (CRU), că „vestea bună” e că preşedintele Klaus Iohannis este la ultimul său mandat, adăugând că faptul că acesta mai are cinci ani de mandat reprezintă „o altă veste”. ... În cadrul şedinţei CRU va fi ales preşedintele acestui for şi vor fi stabilite criteriile pentru desemnarea candidaţilor UDMR la alegerile locale ... AGERPRES. .... Pe lista muzicienilor recompensaţi cu ocazia ceremoniei din 2020 se mai află Steve Miller, The Neptunes - un duo de producători muzicali alcătuit din Pharrell Williams şi Chad Hugo - The ... Luna trecută, celebra piesă din 1994 ''All I Want for Christmas is You'' a ajuns pentru prima dată pe prima poziţie în topul Billboard, la 25 de ani după lansare.... Ariana Grande, acuzată de plagiat cu o săptămână înainte de premiile Grammy Cântăreaţa ar fi plagiat piesa ''You Need it, I Got It'', care conţine o succesiune de cuvinte similară cu o secvenţă din piesa ''7 Rings'' ... I Want It, I Got It'' într-un stil foarte asemănător cu cel al rapperului care, în cântecul său din 2017, spune sacadat ''You Need It, I Got It. You Want It, I Got It''.... „caii nu se schimbă în mijlocul râului” ... Embed Răspândește Premierul Ucrainei și-a depus demisia. O va accepta președintele Zelenski?. de Radio Europa Liberă ... Nici o sursă media ... MP3 ... Analista Angela Grămadă, președinta Experts for Security and Global Affairs și autoarea vlogului „Ucraina în limba română”, crede că reacția președintelui și a deputaților de la Kiev nu indică o disponibilitate de a-l demite pe tânărul premier....	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27084
__label__wiki	0.809688	0.809688	[ 19th January 2020 ] Evie Gane joins London Bees - FA WCL [ 19th January 2020 ] South Korean veteran among trio to sign for Bristol City Women - FA WSL [ 18th January 2020 ] #ContiCup: Draw denies semi-final derbies - FA WSL [ 18th January 2020 ] Crystal Palace Women make double signing - FA WCL [ 17th January 2020 ] Everton Women sign Australian international Hayley Raso - FA WSL Tours & Tournaments Tours/Training Camps REGIONAL TALENT CLUBS SheKicks.net RSS News Feed HomeNEWSInternational News-EnglandIN CONVERSATION: Phil Neville on turning frustration into success at Tokyo 2020 & Euro 2021 IN CONVERSATION: Phil Neville on turning frustration into success at Tokyo 2020 & Euro 2021 20th August 2019 Jen O'Neill -England, BLOGS, International News, NEWS England women’s head coach Phil Neville during the England women’s squad announcement at St George’s Park, Burton. After returning from the World Cup “frustrated” and “angry” following England’s ultimately disappointing fourth place finish, rejuvenated manager Phil Neville is aiming for European Championships gold when his team host the 2021 finals, reports Tony Leighton. As the Lionesses prepare to start the long haul to the finals with friendlies against Belgium and Norway in the next fortnight, Neville says: “We want to win Euro 2021, that’s my goal and I don’t want to rest until we bring success.” To bring that success Neville and his players will use the ‘so near yet so far’ scenario of the agonising end to their World Cup bid as a driving force during the Euro 21 build up – a build-up which for several of the squad will mean representing Team GB at next year’s Olympic Games in Japan. England head coach Phil Neville gestures on the touchline during the 2-1 loss to Sweden. (PA Images) Neville says: “Like the players, I came back from the World Cup feeling frustrated and angry. We sent a form out to the players, a de-brief which we wanted them to fill in and not one of them could look at it – they didn’t want to revisit it. “The picture I’ve got in my office is of Jill (Scott), Lucy (Bronze), Ellen (White) on the floor in Lyon, because that was our moment. We had the best 51 days of our lives, but we wanted it to be 52. “We fell short on the pitch but a day short off the pitch as well. That is the pain and the frustration, but also the challenge in front of us. “Seven out of the eight quarter finalists were European so it will be harder to win the Euros than the World Cup. “The carrots we’ll now throw in front of the players is that to get into the Olympic squad, there’s only 18 places and maybe only 14 or less English places (as Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish players will also have to be considered for selection) – so they will all have to raise their game.” Raising their game will be the aim of every player involved in the 24-strong squad for the Belgium and Norway fixtures, and likewise for another half-dozen players who are currently out of the squad through injury or being rested. Manchester City pair Karen Bardsley and Ellen White are both nursing injuries, while their City colleague Jill Scott is being rested and midfielders Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal) and Izzy Christiansen (Lyon) are both just returning from injuries. That has given the chance for other players to stake a claim for places and Neville has selected four newcomers to the senior squad. (L to R) Lauren Hemp, Anna Patten, Grace Fisk, Sandy McIver, Bethany England, Alessia Russo and Aoife Mannion at the Lionesses’ pre-World Cup camp at St George’s Park, ahead of the tournament in France. (Photo: Lynne Cameron for The FA) Aiofe Mannion, Manchester City’s summer signing from Birmingham City, and Chelsea’s Beth England have both been on the England fringes for a while. But for goalkeeper Sandy McIver and defender Anna Patten, both based at American universities, it will be a brand new experience. Neville says: “Beth England and Aoife Mannion were probably unlucky to not be in more squads. Aoife has been chomping at the bit, I’ve never seen a player with that much dedication, desire and the capacity to learn, it’s really impressive. “Beth, in terms of the goals she’s scored and goals in big games, has really impressed me. They both came on pre-camp in May and I promised them they’d get their opportunity when we came back (from the World Cup). Sandy McIver and Mary Earps in training at the 2019 SheBelieves Cup. (Photo: Lynne Cameron for The FA) “Sandy MacIver is a fantastic young goalkeeper, her and Ellie Roebuck are going to be the two future (England) goalkeepers, I’m certain. “Anna Patten is part of a group of players we looked at in May. There’s Grace Fisk, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo, a group of players who will be integrated over the next three camps. We have to look at what we’ll need in 2021 – squads develop and these players need exposure.” As he looks to develop the squad he will want to compete at Euro 21, Neville is confident that his team are getting ever closer to the success he desires. “We have done an extensive de-brief to look at where we need to improve,” he says, “and the results are that we are very close, it’s now making the minor adjustments that will take us to that next level. “The next major tournament will probably be the biggest we have ever been to in England, at the Euros. The pressure, the expectation will mean that we will have to work on things both on and off the pitch, and both on the physical, mental and technical side – the next two years are really exciting!” Phil Neville explains fitness of five key players missing from latest #Lionesses squad Phil Neville Boots Ireland kick off three-year partnership with #IRLWNT -England #Lionesses: Kick off brought forward for Denmark game 9th March 2019 Wilf Frith -England, International News, NEWS England’s home international against Denmark at Walsall FC on 25 May will now kick off at 1pm [formerly 3pm]. This is due to a time clash with the EFL League Two play-off final. The newly-crowned […] England set to host Sweden in November 12th September 2018 Jen O'Neill -England, NEWS ENGLAND V SWEDEN – AESSEAL New York Stadium – Sunday 11 November at 13:30 England have lined up another top international opponent for an autumn friendly. They will host Sweden as they step up their […] - WSL (pre 2018-19 season) Reading Women Sign A Lionesses’ Legend 16th August 2017 Wilf Frith - WSL (pre 2018-19 season), League News, NEWS Fara Williams, the highest capped England player of all time, has signed for Reading on a two-year deal from Arsenal. On signing for the Royals, Williams said to reading.fawsl.com; “Last year watching the style of […] Issue #58 (Jan 2020) Issue #58 is now available, so don’t miss out on getting hold of your copy. Issue #58 includes: Ashleigh Neville & Rachel Furness talk stepping up with Spurs in the WSL Two-time World Cup winner with USA, Morgan [...] Keyword(s) Search of Features and News She Kicks Ltd HyPoint Gear House Saltmeadows Road Gateshead NE8 3AH	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27087
__label__cc	0.66332	0.33668	Genetic Science How Hereditary Illnesses Work by Alvin Eden & Elizabeth Eden Hereditary illnesses are sometimes passed down from parents to their children in much the same way as gene traits. For instance, blue-eyed parents will also have children with blue eyes. But diseases can prove much more subtle, as children might inherit the abnormal, dysfunctional genes of their parents even though previous generations never suffered from the symptoms of that disease. Even today children can be born with serious, chronic or even fatal illnesses. Parents must accept these challenges when they arise, seek support, and avoid blaming themselves. Genetic Predispositions to DiseasesGenes are bits of chemical information that determine our characteristics, by carrying hereditary traits from one generation to the next, including everything from eye color to diseases. Each genetic trait has two genes, which might be identical or might include one gene that is dominant and one that is recessive. For instance, the gene for brown eyes dominates the gene for blue eyes. Illnesses can also be passed down within a family, even if the carriers show none of the symptoms. Genetic DiseasesThe risk of a genetic disease increases if both parents carry the dysfunctional, abnormal gene, even if they are nonsymptomatic carriers. The better known genetic disorders include sickle cell anemia, Tay-Sachs disease, and cystic fibrosis, which are more prevalent among certain demographic groups. Other diseases include Phenylketonuria, autosomal dominant disease, hemophilia, muscular dystrophy and may include conditions like cleft lip, spina bifida and Down syndrome. Coping With a Child Who Has a Hereditary IllnessDespite the security of modern medicine, some children still face serious, chronic and even fatal illnesses. It's important for parents to cope with these challenges. They need to confront and accept the diagnosis, and be honest with themselves and their other children about the realities of hereditary illnesses. They should keep the lines of communication open within the family, seek out support groups, and avoid bearing the guilt upon their own shoulders for the child's situation. Do People and Bananas Really Share 50 Percent of the Same DNA? Can a Genetic Test Tell that You'll Prefer Chocolate Ice Cream? Why Don't You Ever See Square Vegetables?	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27095
__label__cc	0.72532	0.27468	Tag Archives: radiation Colossus Computer Center 9 Oct 2019 by Christopher Noessel As Colossus: The Forbin Project opens, we are treated to an establishing montage of 1970’s circuit boards (with resistors), whirring doodads, punched tape, ticking Nixie tube numerals, beeping lights, and jerking control data tapes. Then a human hand breaks into frame, and twiddles a few buttons as an oscilloscope draws lines creepily like an ECG cardiac cycle. This hand belongs to Charles Forbin, who walks alone in this massive underground compound, making sure final preparations are in order. The matte paintings make this space seem vast, inviting comparisons to the Krell technopolis from Forbidden Planet. Forbidden Planet (1956) Colossus: The Forbin Project (1976) Forbin pulls out a remote control and presses something on its surface to illuminate rows and rows of lights. He walks across a drawbridge over a moat. Once on the far side, he uses the remote control to close the massive door, withdraw the bridge and seal the compound. The remote control is about the size of a smartphone, with a long antenna extending out the top. Etched type across the top reads “COLOSSUS COMPUTER SYSTEMS.” A row of buttons is labeled A–E. Large red capital letters warn DANGER RADIATION above a safety cover. The cover has an arrow pointing right. Another row of five buttons is labeled SLIDING WALLS and numbered 1–5. A final row of three buttons is labeled RAMPS and numbered 1–3. Forbin flips open the safety cover. He presses the red button underneath, and a blood-red light floods the bottom of the moat and turns blue-white hot, while a theremin-y whistle tells you this is no place a person should go. Forbin flips the cover back into place and walks out the sealed compound to the reporters and colleagues who await him. I can’t help but ask one non-tech narrative question: Why is Forbin turning lights on when he is about to abandon the compound? It might be that the illumination is a side-effect of the power systems, but it looks like he’s turning on the lights just before leaving and locking the house. Does he want to fool people into thinking there’s someone home? Maybe it should be going from fully-lit to an eerie, red low-light kinda vibe. The layout is really messy. Some rows are crowded and others have way too much space. (Honestly, it looks like the director demanded there be moar buttins make tecc! and forced the prop designer to add the A–E.) The crowding makes it tough to immediately know what labels go with what controls. Are A–E the radiation bits, and the safety cover control sliding walls? Bounding boxes or white space or some alternate layout would make the connections clear. You might be tempted to put all of the controls in strict chronological order, but the gamma shielding is the most dangerous thing, and having it in the center helps prevent accidental activation, so it belongs there. And otherwise, it is in chronological order. The labeling is inconsistent. Sure, maybe A–E the five computer systems that comprise Colossus. Sliding walls and ramps are well labeled, but there’s no indication about what it is that causes the dangerous radiation. It should say something like “Gamma shielding: DANGER RADIATION.” It’s tiny, but I also think the little arrow is a bad graphic for showing which way the safety cover flips open. Existing designs show that the industrial design can signal this same information with easier-to-understand affordances. And since this gamma radiation is an immediate threat to life and health, how about foregoing the red lettering in favor of symbols that are more immediately recognizable by non-English speakers and illiterate people. The IAEA hadn’t invented its new sign yet, but the visual concepts were certainly around at the time, so let’s build on that. Also, why doesn’t the door to the compound come with the same radiation warning? Or any warning? The buttons are a crap choice of control as well. They don’t show what the status of the remotely controlled thing is. So if Charles accidentally presses a button, and, say, raises a sliding wall that’s out of sight, how would he know? Labeled rocker switches help signal the state and would be a better choice. But really, why would these things be controlled remotely? It be more secure to have two-handed momentary buttons on the walls, which would mean that a person would be there to visually verify that the wall was slid or the ramp retracted or whatever it is national security needed them to be. There’s also the narrative question about why this remote control doesn’t come up later in the film when Unity is getting out of control. Couldn’t they have used this to open the fortification and go unplug the thing? So all told, not a great bit of design, for either interaction or narrative, with lots of improvement for both. Locking yourselves out and throwing away the key At first glance, it seems weird that there should be interfaces in a compound that is meant to be uninhabited for most of its use. But this is the first launch of a new system, and these interfaces may be there in anticipation of the possibility that they would have to return inside after a failure. We can apologize these into believability. But that doesn’t excuse the larger strategic question. Yes, we need defense systems to be secure. But that doesn’t mean sealing the processing and power systems for an untested AI away from all human access. The Control Problem is hard enough without humans actively limiting their own options. Which raises a narrative question: Why wasn’t there a segment of the film where the military is besieging this compound? Did Unity point a nuke at its own crunchy center? If not, siege! If so, well, maybe you can trick it into bombing itself. But I digress. “And here is where we really screw our ability to recover from a mistake.” Whether Unity should have had its plug pulled is the big philosophical question this movie does not want to ask, but I’ll save that for the big wrap up at the end. Posted in Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970). Tagged all caps, antenna, labeling, momentary buttons, radiation, remote control, rocker switch, safety, safety cover 14 May 2013 by Christopher Noessel Just before the spaceship takes off for Fhloston Paradise, the audience gets to see the manual interface that the airport employees use to refuel the ship. On the tarmac beneath the spaceship, the ground crewman plugs in a portable control box to the underside of the plane, and presses a button to open a hatch in the ground, from which a new, glowing green radioactive fuel cell emerges. One of the crewmen grabs it by its circular handles at the end, removes it from the hatch, and sets it on the ground. He then uses the plugged-in control box to open a compartment on the underside of the spaceship, from which one of the ground crew removes the spent fuel cell by hand, and inserts it into the still-open hatch. Finally they pick up the full fuel cell and insert it into the compartment on the plane. This scene is there to set up how Cornelius stows away on the craft, but also serves as a cinematic pun when it crosscuts to a scene inside the ship (but which must be seen rather than read to appreciate.) For such a “throwaway” technology, it’s handled really well. The ground affords natural shielding from any collection of radioactive fuel cells. Being circular, the cells and the handles to manipulate the cells are orientation-less. There are familiar black-and-yellow-stripe warnings on the walls of the hatch and the revealed sides of the spaceship compartment. These warnings are only visible when it’s relevant. The radioactivity trefoil symbol has the same colors and appears on the fuel cell, the hatch, and the compartment. Having a portable and wired control box means that it’s not readily available for any passing hackers. The transparent container lets the material act as an additional warning to observers: There is danger here. The transparent container lets the fuel itself tell the ground crew which cell is spent and which one is full. All told, short of making it automated, this is how it should work. Posted in The Fifth Element (1997). Tagged clear signal, foot pedal, fuel cell, glow, grab, grasp, green, radiation, radioactive, transparent	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27096
__label__cc	0.691977	0.308023	‘Mono no aware’: Awareness of the impermanence of all things, and a gentle sadness at their passing. Paul Scholes sees red http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6HDu1yEz-Y Ah, the beautiful game. Am I getting old, or is it not quite so beautiful any more? Manchester United mid-fielder Paul Scholes was given his marching orders today, sent off in the 85th minute for aiming a punch at Liverpool‘s Xabi Alonso. To add heart-break to insult and near assault, United scored the match winner several minutes later, and in somewhat fortunate circumstances. Gerard’s men have every reason to feel robbed, and yet while it may feel like no consolation to the sting of defeat, should feel proud for having played their red hearts out. I remember being in similar card-worthy circumstances once: running for a ball in a high-school football match, I was pulled from behind by an opposition defender, in much the same manner that the combustible Scholes was held by Alonso. Not normally prone to sudden inflammation, I nevertheless have a track record of reacting poorly to foul-play, and while the referee wasn’t looking, swept out the legs from underneath my opponent, sending us both tumbling to the ground. I didn’t actually see what happened next, but it was a topic of conversation for several weeks. While still on the ground, my shirt-pulling antagonist shaped to deliver a punch. Before he could do so, a team-mate, perhaps more interested in inflicting grievous bodily harm than my particular welfare, came running to deliver (as called in another code) a“king-hit,” sending my would-be assailant flying and starting a near all-in brawl. I guess I am grateful to have had my honour (and facial structure) defended, but in all honesty it was incidents like these that saw me stop playing the not always beautiful game, despite making it all the way to national age-group tournaments. I remember actually getting punched from behind around the same time by an irate goal-keeper. About 10 kilos heavier and fully in control, I turned and simply laughed—he had run 50 metres to deliver his ineffectual“hay-maker,” and quite honestly looked rather stupid. Although relatively minor in the scheme of things, it seemed like only a matter of time before something actually serious would happen—an injury or stupid encounter to really regret. Such incidents took all the joy out of a once enjoyable sport for me. I do enjoy competition and skill, and will commend them in others—even if my opponents—but out-right animal aggression has a place in neither, and I am happy to be called old-fashioned or out of touch for saying so. Kurt Vonnegut’s Last Speech Memoirs of a Gaijin Write Comment... Recently passed Donald Richie on Reading Noh Drama Review: Auspicious Good Fortune by Sumangali Morhall Quickstart Guide to Meditation Japanese Doughnuts Richard Nixon’s Meaning of Life	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27098
__label__wiki	0.54586	0.54586	Crash in Castro Highlights Yet Another Perilous Intersection "This incident is still under investigation," say the police... yet they are already blaming the cyclist. On Thursday afternoon, a cyclist and motorist collided at this intersection in the Castro (the cyclist would have been traveling in the opposite direction as the one in the picture above). Photo: Streetsblog/Rudick A 73-year-old cyclist came down the hill on 18th Street in the Castro on Thursday afternoon and collided with a motorist at the intersection with Hattie and Storrie (see map below). Details on the crash are still sketchy, with the department saying it’s too early to release the crash report, since the investigation is ongoing. “The report indicates that the officers attempted to locate video surveillance equipment in the area of 18th and Hattie, but could not locate any,” said Officer Adam Lobsinger, a spokesman for the SFPD. However, in the San Francisco Chronice‘s story about the incident, Lobsinger put the cyclist at fault. “…the basis for my response is based on the preliminary conclusions of the officers who were on scene investigating the collision” he told Streetsblog via email. “The officers’ conclusions were based on physical evidence, witness statements and the statements of those involved.” The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is waiting for details and declined to comment for now. Streetsblog has inquiries out to District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, and another source familiar with crash investigations, and will update this post accordingly. Meanwhile, it should be noted that this intersection is on the Vision Zero map of the city’s most dangerous streets and intersections. UPDATE 9/17 “I was disturbed to learn of the collision at the intersection of Hattie and Storrie, and yet another cyclist ending up injured on our streets. My office has reached out to the Police Department to get more details on how the collision happened, and I have also reached out to the SFMTA to see what near-term measures can be taken to improve cyclist and pedestrian safety at the intersection. It shouldn’t take another injury or fatality before we take action to improve safety for people on our streets,” wrote Supervisor Mandelman, in an email to Streetsblog. A screen capture of the Vision Zero, high-injury corridor map Streetsblog did a survey of the area and, clearly, this is yet another example of a badly engineered intersection. There are no bulb-outs, no painted crosswalks, and no “daylighting” features to make sure people can see what’s coming. It just takes one big truck parked at the 45-degree corner of 18th and Storrie, such as the one pictured below, to make it all-but impossible to see what’s coming from the intersecting streets. In fact, to someone driving west on 18th, it’s hard to even tell there’s an intersection until you’re already in it. This big black truck, parked at the corner of Storrie and 18th, made it all but impossible to see what might be coming from the two side streets. In fact, it’s hard to tell there even is an intersection to the right, just in front of this truck. This is facing west/uphill on 18th There are speed bumps (actually, speed “lumps”) up the hill just west of the intersection, but they didn’t seem to have much effect slowing cars down. Throw in a few scofflaw motorists and the intersection becomes positively deadly. While Streetsblog was observing, the driver of the white BMW seen below came up the hill on 18th. He started a right turn onto Storrie and then suddenly turned left, essentially driving straight at the stop sign, perpendicularly to Hattie Street (that’s towards the stop sign and through the space where the cyclist is pictured in the lead image). He then backed across Hattie (almost colliding with the turning Volvo in the picture below) and went backwards down Storrie to get a parking space. The numskull in this BMW started to turn right onto Storrie, and then suddenly changed directions and backed up the opposite side of the street instead to get a parking spot “Accidents happen here a lot,” said a man who was sweeping outside his house. The man, who declined to give his name, motioned to the stop sign on Hattie and added that “People don’t stop behind the stop limit line.” Another man walking through the area shouted to Streetsblog that this is a “horrible intersection.” Lobsinger used to patrol the area and agreed it’s a dangerous spot. “Vehicles of all kinds can easily gain speed going down the hill causing many close calls,” he said. Perhaps Thursday’s victim of traffic violence started to turn left on Storrie and had to take evasive maneuvers to avoid a dangerous motorist like the guy in the white BMW–and ended up slamming into a car coming up the hill. Or perhaps a motorist quickly pulled out of a parking spot on 18th behind a large truck and headed up the hill just as the 73-year-old cyclist was turning left from 18th to Storrie, so their views of each other were blocked until it was too late. The corners need bollards or extended curbs, to prevent people from parking where the black truck is parked in the images above. There should be a large traffic island/circle in the middle to force drivers and cyclists to slow down and change their angles so they have more time to spot each other. And there should be bulb-outs and well-engineered crosswalks to reduce crossing distances. Streetsblog has asked SFMTA if any such improvements are planned and if its “rapid response” teams will look at the area. “The SFMTA has a call pending with SFPD to find out more details about the crash investigation,” answered Ben Barnett, a spokesman for the agency. “We are looking at the intersection based on the crash and the concerns you have expressed.” As to the department’s conclusion that the cyclist was at fault, if history is any indication, the preliminary, unreleased investigation may not stand up to scrutiny. As previously reported, early assignment of blame by the police on cyclists frequently turns out to be unjustified–or just plain wrong. Filed Under: Bicycling, GJEL, Promoted Cop Races Down Howard Bike Lane By Roger Rudick \| Dec 10, 2018 A San Francisco officer, no lights or sirens, captured on video putting cyclist's life in danger by using the bike lane to pass Eyes on the Booby Traps: Bryant at Division and 11th By Roger Rudick \| Nov 25, 2019 Here come the rains... and here comes the crashes in a trench that would never be tolerated if it were big enough to grab a car tire Commentary: ‘Vision Zero’ Requires Total Commitment to Safety and Responsibility By Roger Rudick \| Jan 14, 2019 Too many officials still don't get it when it comes to street safety and motorist responsibility; our streets are getting deadlier as a result Motorist Injures Cyclist in Wiggle Mixing Zone By Roger Rudick \| Apr 8, 2019 How many cyclists have to die and get severely injured before we build protected intersections? 12 Year Old Boy Hit by Motorist in Tenderloin By Roger Rudick \| Sep 11, 2019 It's time for SFMTA to use steel, concrete to force safe driving Motorist Collides with Cyclist/San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo By Roger Rudick \| Jan 2, 2019 In this motor vehicle "accident," SUV driver "didn't see him" on a straight road on a sunny day	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27103
__label__wiki	0.705871	0.705871	Hate Watch: NYC burns 1,000 Frog and Toad books to stamp out 'The Triumph of the Willpower' Huey P. Newsom / December 30, 2019 New York (AP) — The New York Public Library burned more than 1,000 copies of Frog and Toad books over the weekend because they “promote Nazi virtues like the triumph of the willpower,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. The book-burning came mere days after President Trump’s white supremacist rhetoric encouraged black men and women to attack Jewish communities in the Big Apple. “An atmosphere of hate has been developing in this country over the last few years,” said de Blasio. “A lot of it is emanating from Washington and it’s having an effect on all of us,” he said. “Frog and Toad Together contains a seemingly innocuous story about cookies, but critical theory exposes it for the vile propaganda it is,” said de Blasio. “This can be demonstrated simply by replacing the the word ‘cookie’ with the word ‘propaganda.'” The “Cookies” story was published in 1979. As a caution to our woke readers, we present it here as it must be interpreted today. Trigger warning: As you come to the last word, it is abundantly clear why Frog and Toad cannot be allowed to poison the minds of our schoolchildren. Toad baked some propaganda. “These propaganda smell very good,” said Toad. He ate one. “And they taste even better,” he said. Toad ran to Frog’s house. “Frog, Frog,” cried Toad, “taste these propaganda that I have made.” Frog ate one of the propaganda, “These are the best propaganda I have ever eaten!” said Frog. Frog and Toad ate many propaganda, one after another. “You know, Toad,” said Frog, with his mouth full, “I think we should stop eating. We will soon be sick.” “You are right,” said Toad. “Let us eat one last propaganda, and then we will stop.” Frog and Toad ate one last propaganda. There were many propaganda left in the bowl. “Frog,” said Toad, “let us eat one very last propaganda, and then we will stop.” Frog and Toad ate one very last propaganda. “We must stop eating!” cried Toad as he ate another. “Yes,” said Frog, reaching for a propaganda, “we need triumph of the willpower.” “What is triumph of the willpower?” asked Toad. “Triumph of the willpower is trying hard not to do something you really want to do,” said Frog. “You mean like trying hard not to eat all these propaganda?” asked Toad. “Right,” said Frog. Frog put the propaganda in a box. “There,” he said. “Now we will not eat any more propaganda.” “But we can open the box,” said Toad. “That is true,” said Frog. Frog tied some string around the box. “There,” he said. “Now we will not eat any more propaganda.” “But we can cut the string and open the box.” said Toad. Frog got a ladder. He put the box up on a high shelf. “There,” said Frog. “Now we will not eat any more propaganda.” “But we can climb the ladder and take the box down from the shelf and cut the string and open the box,” said Toad. Frog climbed the ladder and took the box down from the shelf. He cut the string and opened the box. Frog took the box outside. He shouted in a loud voice. “Hey, birds, here are propaganda!” Birds came from everywhere. They picked up all the propaganda in their beaks and flew away. “Now we have no more propaganda to eat,” said Toad sadly. “Not even one.” “Yes,” said Frog, “but we have lots and lots of triumph of the willpower.” “You may keep it all, Frog,” said Toad. “I am going home now to bake a Jew.” December 30, 2019 in New York. Tags: nazi, oppression, socialism New ‘hate silence’ laws jail employees for not speaking 1917 calls Bill de Blasio, wants its domestic policy back Powerful Dem Chairman Nadler did not OD on Russian borscht ← Happy Founding Day to the failed socialist state that hosted Bernie's honeymoon God reveals updates to 2020 edition of Ten Commandments →	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27106
__label__wiki	0.573678	0.573678	Wethersfield, Connecticut Ye Most Auncient Towne in Connecticut[1] Location in the contiguous United States and Connecticut Show map of the United States Wethersfield (Connecticut) Show map of Connecticut Capitol Region • Town manager Mayor Paul F. Montinieri (D) Deputy Mayor Steve M. Barry (D) Donna H. Hemmann (R) Mike J. Hurley (R) Jeffrey R. Kotkin (D) Stathis Manousos (R) Gerri Roberts (D) Michael L. Rell (R) Tony Martino (D) 13.1 sq mi (34.0 km2) 0.8 sq mi (2.1 km2) 43 ft (13 m) 2,000/sq mi (780/km2) UTC-5 (Eastern) www.wethersfieldct.com Wethersfield is a town in Connecticut. It is in Hartford County. Many records from colonial times spell the name Weathersfield. However, Native Americans called it Pyquag. There were 26,271 people living in Wethersfield in 2000. ↑ Official Web Site of the Town of Wethersfield ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Wethersfield Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wethersfield, Connecticut. Wethersfield homepage This short article about a place or feature in the United States can be made longer. You can help Wikipedia by adding to it. Retrieved from "https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wethersfield,_Connecticut&oldid=6154665" Towns in Connecticut 1822 establishments in the United States 19th century establishments in Connecticut United States geography stubs	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27115
__label__wiki	0.787728	0.787728	Top Search Items Freshman Studies Centers and Research Meet Our Students and Alumni UN Summer Study Semester in Washington Catholic Mission Catholic Tradition Pirate Blue SHUPirates.com PirateNet Office of Graduate Affairs Seton Hall Homepage Seton Hall News SHU Athletics Support Seton Hall Support the School Give Now Diplomacy News Graduate Fellows Conduct Research for U.S. Army Africa By Amatullah Shaw M.A. candidates and Abd el Kader (AEK) fellowship team members, Oluwagbemiga Oyeneye and Erick Agbleke, recently conducted and presented research for U.S. Army Africa. Since the fellowship team's inception, students have engaged with author John Kiser, who wrote Commander of The Faithful: The Life and Times of Emir Abd El-Kader, and have presented research on counterterrorism in Afghanistan to high-level officials at the U.S. Department of State. U.S. Army Africa (USARAF), based out of Italy, provides military assistance and humanitarian aid for African countries. They also work with international bodies in Africa like the African Union to ensure that the peace and security of the continent is upheld. To further advance their knowledge in under-researched areas, USARAF presented ongoing requirements and research topics for AEK fellows to tackle that align with U.S. military and national security interests in Africa. Out of the ideas that were proposed, the fellows chose to devote their team research to cultivating strategies to tackle violent extremism in the Maghreb. But under the guidance of the School of Diplomacy's AEK fellow, Mohamad Mirghahari, B.A. '02, M.A. '04, Oluwagbemiga Oyeneye and Erick Agbleke went a step further and embarked on individual research projects based on their expertise and personal connection to some of the proposed topics. Oyeneye, hailing from Nigeria, focused his research on the presidential elections in his home country. His work, "The Nigerian 2019 Elections: Risks and Trends of the South Eastern Separatist Movement," provides insight into the recent Nigerian elections amid the separatist movement happening in the South. Oyeneye's research identifies the separatist movement and "fragile democracy" as being potentially disruptive to Nigerian security but notes that a successful election and the economic growth that Africa has been experiencing can suppress these negative influences. With Nigeria set to be the third most populous country and the fourth largest democracy in the world, Oyeneye notes that it is not surprising that American strategies have been quick to foster a win-win relationship with them. He recommends that following the elections, the new leadership create policies that are inclusive of all Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliation. An abridged version of Oyeneye's work has been picked by International Policy Digest, a prominent online magazine that reports on world news and current events. Agbleke, a researcher from Togo, centered his research on cyber development in Africa. His project, "The African Cyber Revolution: Impact Analysis on Trends and Societal Norms," dives into the impact of the internet's influence over Africa. With the growth of the cyber and communication sectors in Africa, he believes that USARAF should take advantage of social media platforms to work with youth and combat extremism that has gripped some African countries. Since terrorist groups like Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab tend to seek out young men to join their forces, youth are vulnerable to appeal that these groups offer. But Agbleke suggests that USARAF should work with regional security organizations to cultivate strategies that limit the groups' online influence while enhancing the cyber sector throughout the continent. Both papers provide a necessary and updated view of Africa's growing potential to produce major global powers. The final student presentations were well-received by USARAF who praised them for being a great starting point for research on American presence in Africa. Their reports were shared with the U.S. embassy in Nigeria, AFRICOM, and the U.S. Department of State. USARAF is hopeful that Oyeneye and Agbleke's work will serve as the stepping stone for more impactful research to be done right here in the United States and possibly abroad. Curious to see where else diplomacy students have contributed their knowledge? Check out our Great Minds page. Categories: Education , Nation and World Mohamad Mirghahari mmirghahari@yahoo.com ${article.headline} `; // NOTE: Display the fetched data to the page. // console.info(markup); nodeToUpdate.insertAdjacentHTML('beforeend', markup); return; }) }); }); // NOTE: Function to check the categories. function checkCategory(arr, val) { return arr.some( arrVal => val === arrVal); } 400 South Orange Ave South Orange, NJ 07079 Follow #SetonHall www.shu.edu/social	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27121
__label__wiki	0.880851	0.880851	Low-cost carrier Norwegian’s expansion efforts drag down shares Alastair Reed , Bloomberg By competing against both SAS and fellow low-cost carriers, Norwegian Air puts itself in the awkward position of fighting two very different battles. Norwegian Air Shuttle AS, western Europe’s fourth-largest low-cost airline, dropped to the lowest level in more than a month in Oslo as the carrier’s aggressive expansion plans puts pressure on earnings. Shares in the Fornebu, Norway-based company declined as much as 5 percent to 273.10 kroner, the lowest intraday level since April 30, and traded down 4.7 percent as of 10:40 a.m. That stock fell the most among the Oslo stock exchange’s OBX index of 25 most-traded stocks today. “We have underestimated the yield impact” of the company’s expansion, ABG Sundal Collier wrote in a note to clients dated yesterday. “It’s clear that the company puts load factor ahead of yield,” the broker said, referring to the average fares paid by customers. This is “likely to put downward pressure on ticket prices over the coming months.” Norwegian, which last year ordered 222 Boeing Co. and Airbus SAS airliners valued at 127 billion kroner ($22.3 billion), is flying new routes and opening bases outside the Nordic region as it steps up competition with state-backed SAS Group AB. The Norwegian company, which was founded in 1993, switched to a discount model in 2001, emulating Ryanair Holdings Plc and EasyJet Plc. ABG cut its second-quarter estimate for the company’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization by 8 percent to 379 million kroner. That compares with the 425.1 million kroner average of eight analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg. “We believe the positive earnings momentum will fade and that estimates will start to come down,” ABG said. The broker downgraded its recommendation on Norwegian to hold from buy and cut its target price to 275 kroner from 310 kroner. Norwegian is western Europe’s fourth-largest low-cost airline, after Easyjet, Ryanair and Air Berlin Plc, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. With assistance from Andrea Rothman in Toulouse. Editors: Tim Farrand, Thomas Mulier. To contact the reporter on this story: Alastair Reed in Oslo at areed12@bloomberg.net. To contact the editor responsible for this story: Christian Wienberg at cwienberg@bloomberg.net. Tags: earnings, low-cost carriers, norwegian air Premier Inn Owner Whitbread Wants a Closer Relationship With Corporate Travel Agents TUI Looks Set for a Challenging 2020 Even Without Competitor Thomas Cook Scandinavian Airline SAS Gets Good News — For Now — on Norwegian Route Changes	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27122
__label__wiki	0.814726	0.814726	Northern Bands Titan's fast-rotating atmosphere creates circumpolar bands in the north. The Cassini spacecraft acquired this view of the smoggy moon following a flyby of Titan (5,150 kilometers, or 3,200 miles across) on March 26, 2007. The image was taken in visible violet light with the Cassini spacecraft wide-angle camera at a distance of approximately 275,000 kilometers (171,000 miles) from Titan. Image scale is 33 kilometers (20 miles) per pixel. The Cassini-Huygens mission is a cooperative project of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, manages the mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington, D.C. The Cassini orbiter and its two onboard cameras were designed, developed and assembled at JPL. The imaging operations center is based at the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colo. For more information about the Cassini-Huygens mission visit http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov . The Cassini imaging team homepage is at http://ciclops.org . Credit: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute Saturn Moons NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission will be approaching Bennu. Approaching Bennu In this image of the asteroid Vesta, taken by NASA's Dawn spacecraft just shortly before the beginning of high altitude mapping orbit, north is up and the upper right corner is to the northeast. Dawn Approaching Vesta Just Before the Beginning of High Altitude Mapping Orbit This 3-D anaglyph of Ceres is part of a sequence of images taken by NASA's Dawn spacecraft April 24 to 26, 2015, from a distance of 8,500 miles (13,500 kilometers). Dawn RC3 Image 7 Anaglyph Wispy markings on Rhea reach across the moon's icy surface. The Tirawa impact basin is seen straddling the terminator at upper right. The crater is about 360 kilometers (220 miles) across. This vi... Wisp-covered Rhea The shadows of Saturn's rings appear as a narrow band on the planet in this image taken as Saturn approaches its August 2009 equinox. The novel illumination geometry that accompanies equinox lower... Narrowing Ring Shadow The northern hemisphere of Enceladus is seen in this polar stereographic map, mosaicked from the best-available Cassini and Voyager clear-filter images. The map is centered on the north pole and s... Enceladus: North and South (Northern Polar Projection) The Cassini spacecraft catches a hint of topography on Janus, which orbits Saturn just outside the planet's narrow F ring. This view looks toward the unilluminated side of the rings from about 12 ... Shadows of Janus These images from NASA's Dawn spacecraft show Pinaria crater on asteroid Vesta, after which Pinaria quadrangle is named. Many young fresh impact craters are visible on the slumped material. Topography and Albedo Image of Pinaria Crater Slipping into shadow, the south polar vortex at Saturn's moon Titan still stands out against the orange and blue haze layers that are characteristic of Titan's atmosphere. Dusk in the South This image of Licinia AV-L-08, from the atlas of the giant asteroid Vesta, was created from images taken as NASA's Dawn mission flew around the object, also known as a protoplanet. Licinia AV-L-08 This image from NASA's Dawn spacecraft, taken on June 6, 2016, shows an area of Ceres that includes a small, bright crater. Dawn LAMO Image 193 Two members of the Cassini Science Planning team, Kelly Perry and Chris Roumeliotis, visited Shirley Avenue Elementary School in Reseda, California, to speak about the Cassini mission and answer st... Kelly Perry and Chris Roumeliotis With Students In the top right of this Cassini image, the southern end of Titan's huge lake of liquid hydrocarbons called Kraken Mare is visible near the moon's north pole. See Maps of Titan - January 2009 to l... Titan's Northern Lake This image from NASA's Dawn spacecraft of asteroid Vesta shows Laelia crater. The dark material inside of Laelia crops out from the rim and then slumps towards the crater's center. Laelia Crater A section of the smaller of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko’s two lobes as seen through Rosetta’s narrow-angle camera from a distance of about 8 km to the surface on 14 October 2014. Comet from 8 km Many of the elegant structures in Saturn's rings result from the influence of the planet's moons. Seen here at center is the Cassini Division, flanked at top and bottom by the outer B-ring edge and... Moonmade Ringscape A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn begins with the liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying the Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe. Launch occurred at 4:43 a.m. EDT, Oct. 1... Cassini Launch - Wide View This image, taken on June 25, 2015 by NASA's Dawn spacecraft, shows a portion of the southern hemisphere of dwarf planet Ceres from an altitude of 2,700 miles (4,400 kilometers), with a resolution ... Dawn Survey Orbit Image 34 With Saturn's terminator as a backdrop, this view of the unlit face of the rings makes it easy to distinguish between areas that are actual gaps, where light passes through essentially unimpeded, a... Seeing the Difference These two false-color views from NASA's Cassini spacecraft show detailed patterns that change during one Saturn day within the huge storm in the planet's northern hemisphere. Churning Psychedelia This false-color Cassini mosaic of Saturn's moon Enceladus captures in a single view, much of the frigid moon's diverse geology. Old and New Again This global map of Saturn's moon Dione was created using images taken during flybys by NASA's Cassini spacecraft. Images from NASA's Voyager mission fill the gaps in Cassini's coverage. An extensi... Map of Dione - October 2010 NASA's Dawn spacecraft obtained these uncropped images of dwarf planet Ceres on Feb. 19, 2015, from a distance of about 29,000 miles (46,000 kilometers). The images show the full range of different... Views of Ceres on Approach, Uncropped Appearing like the swirls of marble, the wispy terrain of Saturn's moon Dione is captured in a dramatic display of light and dark. These wispy features are a system of braided canyons with bright ... Wispy Marble A crescent Enceladus appears with Saturn's rings in this Cassini spacecraft view of the moon. The famed jets of water ice emanating from the south polar region of the moon are faintly visible here... Rings and Enceladus	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27128
__label__cc	0.68381	0.31619	HomeAmericanaSpoils of US Fidelis Spoils of US Fidelis This house in Middle America fits the definition of excess (unless you consider having a bowling alley and an eight-car garage necessary). It’s builder’s use of the finest materials rang up an eventual construction bill of $27 million – in a neighborhood with a median home price of $234,600. What makes this home stand out isn’t the forty-thousand square feet, hidden rooms, or any of its many spiral staircases. More interesting is the story of who built the home, and how construction was funded. Auto Warranty Empire The home was the creation of Darain Atkinson, an entrepreneur with a crooked moral compass. Together with his younger brother Cory, the brothers launched down a path of three separate endeavors toward auto warranty fraud dating back to July of 2001. That year Darain and Cory Atkinson (pictured below) founded Big Time Productions, Inc., their first collaboration in this venture. Darain & Cory Atkinson By February of 2003 the brothers decided to re-launch the company under the name “National Auto Warranty Services Inc.,” and for the next five years they made millions while observing explosive growth via deceptive business practices. In 2006 Cory reported no taxable income despite receiving distributions totaling more than $14 million. After one too many misleading sales pitches, the attorney general got involved. And in 2008 the mistreatment of customers was significant enough to drive the formation of what would become the Vehicle Protection Association (VPA). The public caught on, and sentiment became increasingly negative. To avoid the poor publicity, the brothers decided to change the name once more. US Fidelis “Fidelis” is Latin for faithful, loyal, or trustworthy. It was likely no accident that brothers Darain and Corey Atkinson chose this word when re-launching their auto warranty business in early 2009. The name change to “US Fidelis” didn’t fool everybody, and by April of 2009 there were over 33,000 inquiries and about 1,100 complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau. Also not fooled were the now forty attorney generals investigating the Atkinsons, who would eventually succeed in shutting the brothers down. above: US Fidelis logo. below: old Fidelis online advertisement (Not a real ad) Sample US Fidelis Internet advertisement But not before US Fidelis would eventually grow to become one of the largest auto warranty companies in the United States. The company did not stop writing new business until December 29th, 2009; three months later the company filed for bankruptcy. At the time US Fidelis listed assets of $74.4 million and liabilities of $25.8 million, according to the bankruptcy filing. Afterward Darain and Cory were accused of funneling $100 million of US Fidelis funds to pay for their cars, jewelry, and estates. Restitution would be partially serviced immediately by the relinquishment of the brothers’ properties, including Darain’s enormous lakefront home in Lake St. Louis. courtesy Emily Rasinski Domum Fidelis & La Dolce Vita As it turns out unprecedented levels of fraud can buy stratospheric opulence, levels of which most middle class can’t even fathom. The house was built for a staggering $27 million in 2007, at the top of the real estate market cycle. According to county tax records, the home Darain built at 5 Lakeview Court is 20,752 square feet (although some real estate listings indicated 32,767 and 40,000 square feet) and has nine bedrooms, twelve bathrooms, and four half-baths. The home occupies 6.7 acres of prime real estate along Lake St. Louis, and when including the den, kitchen, living room, and study, the manor boasts a total of 24 rooms. courtesy William C. Hutton, Jr. Legal Description LSL #249 LOT 1 Lot Size 6.7000 AC Year Built: 2007 Property Type: SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE Bedrooms: 9 Base Area: 15,435 Bathrooms: 12 Total Area: 20,752 Half Bathrooms: 4 Total Rooms: 24 The economics are mind boggling. With the home’s 20,752 square feet and an estimated build cost of at least $26.7 million, the resulting math indicates Atkinson paid upwards of $1,286 per square foot for such magnificence. Compared to his neighborhood’s 2007 median of about $120 per square foot, the former fraudster paid a staggering ten times more for his lakefront mansion. What does this kind of outlay get a buyer? The largest home in St. Charles County, for starters. Here is a partial feature list: Four fireplaces Hidden passageways Hidden lake lookout sitting room Indoor bowling alley Infinity pool with hot tub, rock feature, and built-in water slide Multi-level walk-in closets Safe room Second living quarters Spa-retreat An 8-car garage An 8,000 square-foot outdoor entertaining area And the porte-cochère, a covered driveway entry that allows guests to the estate to disembark without getting wet when it rains – a virtual necessity at this price point (pictured above right). The kids rooms had miniature porcelain toilets installed. Fanciful spiral staircases abound, including one which leads to a steeple that overlooks Lake St. Louis (at left). This is not the only place in the home with views; at the back of one of the master bedroom walk-in closets is a hidden passageway (below right) which leads to a sitting area, also with sweeping views of Lake St. Louis. If residents get tired of the spiral staircases, the house has an elevator. In the office and study, the floors were made of leather. The house seemed to have everything, but it was only 90% finished by the time Atkinson’s world started collapsing and US Fidelis filed for bankruptcy. At the time the company had at least 331 payments totaling over $7.2 million toward building expenses of Darain’s estate. Contractors hadn’t been paid either; approximately $1.7 million across 20 mechanic’s liens were placed on the property as well. [ view home on Zillow ] Turning Over Assets Darain Atkinson’s assets were eventually turned over to creditors after the bankruptcy settlement for US Fidelis. The list of assets collected was long, lawyers referred to the Lake St. Louis estate as “the big house” to differentiate it from Atkinson’s other multiple luxury homes, boats, cars, and other toys. (The bankruptcy estate received a $2.45 million offer to buy Cory Atkinson’s vacation house in Truckee, Calif., near Lake Tahoe, and a $675,000 offer on Darain Atkinson’s Lake Saint Louis house.) An exception by the bankruptcy settlement was established for each of the co-conspirators’ wives, who were allowed to keep $500,000 plus $75,000 in jewelry and household items. In April of 2010 the US Fidelis co-founder listed his Lake St. Louis mansion for sale, asking half the estimated cost to build just four years prior: $14.9 million. Realtor descriptions are usually an entertaining read, and the Atkinson mansion was no exception. From the (now dead link) Sotheby’s property listing details: “This European inspired mansion has an array of handpicked, imported materials and unique finishes from exquisite walnut and marble to spectacular molding details and natural finishes throughout. It features a music room, turret room, movie theater, indoor bowling alley, 8,000 Sq. Ft. outdoor entertaining area, safe room, second living quarters, study, billiard room, art studio, spa-retreat, playroom, exercise room, eight car garage, and porte cochere. Majestic floor plan of 40,000 square feet for living and entertaining in the grand style of the Newport cottages.” By November of 2010 the high bid was $4.75 million for the mansion, and it came from the recently-formed Lakeview Acquisition Group, LLC. In December it was reported the buyer was anonymous and an agent representing the buyer told reporters the house was not finished, needing an estimated $3 million to complete the indoor basketball court and pool. To offset this, the home’ purchase price included two boats, five mopeds, and a tractor. It was later learned the buyer was a local NFL agent with a roster of about 35 NFL player clients. According to the agent for the buyer, it was an all-cash deal. “Nobody wanted to lend more than $4 million because of the location.” [ In July of 2011 brother Cory Atkinson’s mansion, which had a children’s jungle gym larger than most people’s homes and cost $10 million to build, received a $2.8 million offer from a Boeing executive. ] The following month the buyer would turn around and sue the bankruptcy estate for items missing from the sale including “a fountain, dining room furniture, and some household appliances and electronics.” Also allegedly missing: “at least 24 audio speakers and a machine that regulates salt water in the mansion’s swimming pool.” The lawyers representing the bankruptcy estate called it a frivolous lawsuit and threatened sanctions. The Atkinson brothers owed millions in back federal and state income taxes, dating to 2006 when Darain received more than $13 million in distributions. In 2007 the brothers both pocketed $8 million, and the following year the US Fidelis enterprise paid them more than $13 million each. In September of 2012 US Fidelis co-founder Corey Atkinson (himself already a convicted felon from a 1987 conviction) was sentenced to 40 months in prison and ordered to pay $4 million in restitution to the IRS. Older brother Darain Atkinson (also already a convicted felon from a 1986 conviction) was sentenced to eight years in prison and also ordered to pay $4 million in restitution. photo courtesy David Carson basement lounge from behind the gate a regal estate infinity pool, hot tub, and water slide the grandest living room view of Lake St. Louis majestic chandliers adorn the home Atkinson family crest carved into not a single straight stair in the house son’s bedroom. book case on right is secret door basement bowling alley sink in son’s bathroom a neglected pool post-bankruptcy wife’s walk-in closet had its own spiral staircase guitar ceiling in music room unfinished indoor pool tastefully decorated not your typical kitchen storage guest bathroom fit for a king Photos courtesy Emily Rasinski Watch: A local news story from 2010 takes viewers on a tour of the Atkinson mansion: • Which house is the biggest in the United States? One home fighting for the title is Versailles in Windermere, Florida. Map it! • NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace once had US Fidelis as a title sponsor. It did not go over well with fans. Tags:atkinson mansion, car warranty scam, cory atkinson, darain atkinson, extended auto warranty scam, fidelis house, fidelis mansion, Lake St. Louis mansion, Lakeview Acquisition Group, u.s. fidelis, us fidelis, us fidelis mansion, warranty scam Sealand: Smallest Country in the World Ishi: The Last Wild North American Indian Nothing Goes Wrong on Palmerston Island It’s only money. Apr 15, 2015 Reply And we’ve seen how often it doesn’t buy happiness either, right? 🙂 Imagine the electric bill. Yikes! Maybe they sold the power company an extended warranty? The ultimate in tackiness. True, money can’t buy taste. I quite like that office, however. Looks like something Churchill would use. potedude People like this make me sick. They take from the poor who can’t afford it and leave a trail of destruction behind them. And of course they will have millions squirreled away somewhere, hopefully the IRS is able to take them to the cleaners. Enjoy your time in jail boys… I am curious as to what was the exit strategy? Was the assumption this would go on forever? The weird thing is, we all visit massive castles, mansions and churches all over the globe which were built by the excessively wealthy. In fact, some of the greatest architecture and art were built in these places. A thousand years ago it’s how whole communities survived. Artisans found work, people were employed in the great manor homes, whole communities of monks, priests and nuns lived under these great works of art. Though much was built through power and ego, many benefited from these structures of hundreds of years. I’m thinking that isn’t so much the case here. Great observation Noelle, and a good question. My knee-jerk reaction was to say at least the builders back then were compensated – but I’m not even sure that was always the case if you consider everything built with slave labor. I guess one difference is today us “peasants” have more rights – although that doesn’t necessarily mean we always get our money back. Well there is no doubt the wealthy of yesteryear far exceeded those that worked on these great structures. I think more people lived and benefitted from the structures because these were small communities. You didn’t get a glazer to ship pre-made tiles from Massapequa to a guy working a tri-state construction company whose tiler is from Nogales, Mexico. Everyone worked and lived right there, for the most part. Your stableman lived on the grounds, as did your cook. There was an intimacy to some degree with what you owned, created and lived in with the community it existed in. I think one difference is there were no other options than this. The socio-economic, opportunity structure was fairly finite and caste. Today, that certainly isn’t the case and with that opening also comes something we discussed on my post: the habit of comparing. The habit of judging whether something is good or bad or should be. Whereas the indentured servant of 1426, say, had little or no choices and would never have dared comment on the opulence of his master. I feel like there is something simply out of style about some of this. Like fur coats. Their time has come and gone, and now a different value system is at play. The actions of these nare do wells are no different than they were in 1426, but we aren’t in 1426 now, nor are those around you, your indentured servants now are we? I think you’re absolutely correct. I don’t think those that spent time working on the house felt any “village pride” for their craftsmanship. Wow. Amazingly beautiful home, but I wonder how they slept at night knowing what they were doing? And I wonder if their wives had a clue that they were ripping people off, or if they were totally in the dark? Good question. I can’t even speculate on that one! Chuckie-tammy Why never photos of wives.kids.where there at ? An yes . Did they know ?? Appantly they like to spend it too..?? Cynthia Traun (Mackowick) I agree with Potedude’s comment 100%! Enjoy the time in jail, but believe that time just isn’t enough! Great post! Extraordinary and after all that effort and money it just looks a cold, unlovable place. I agree with some of the comments about splashing a lot of cash on old castles and mansions, but they also spent on artisans and craftsmen for beauty inside as well. And often collected great art and sculpture as well. My dream home is always intimate, cosy and about a tenth the size of this place! Truels Unbelievable – and unfair – that some people can be so wealthy – and billions of others so poor that they can not even imagine this material abundance. Isn’t it? As a child I remember hearing the saying “life isn’t fair” often. They weren’t kidding. Also, you know you have too much money when you start buying ridiculous things. Gerald Frederick They are at it again. I have been getting calls daily, they gave me the name National Auto warranty services. When I ask them to remove my number they hang up. They also spoof their number to a local number so I cant call them back. And to add insult to injury to all the people ripped off, the buyer of the home got a bargain. But not enough of a bargain http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/sports-agent-harold-lewis-is-man-who-tried-to-buy/article_9b0ea4d0-0301-11e0-b226-0017a4a78c22.html. He wanted more. To boot, the county only assessed the property in 2018 at 5.4M, so the bargain Lewis got, has more benefits. Instead of paying taxes on 27 or 30M, he’s getting another gift wrapped deal, thanks to St. Charles county. But you can bet any home improvement or rehab of your $100K or $200K – the county won’t over look that. They are both already out. Cory married another felon from the auto warranty “business”. The two of them are living a cash rich lifestyle with plastic surgery and fun times. They own a mom and pop diner in lake St. Louis which seems to be quite lucrative. Nov 8, 2019 Reply Leave a Reply to Galen Cancel reply	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27131
__label__cc	0.512963	0.487037	Tag Archives: Siyrian civil war Military Situation In Deir Ezzor City After Recent Advances Of Syrian Army (MaP The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies have liberated Hatlah Tahtani village north of Deir Ezzor city, on the eastern… #FOOTAGE 5 - 24.09.2017 Video: Iranian Shahed-129 Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle Strikes ISIS In Syrian Desert A fresh video has appeared online showing how the Iranian Shahed-129 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) strikes ISIS targets in… Syrian Army Liberates Jibab Hamad Village Northwest Of Tiyas Airbase In Homs Province The Syrian Army and the National Defense Forces (NDF) have recaptured the Tafhah Mountain and the nearby village of Jibab Hamad… US-led Coalition Once Again Carried Out Airstrikes On Syrian Army, Downed Iranian Combat Drone (Photos) On Thursday, US-led coalition warplanes destroyed two technical vehicles of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) in the Khibrat al-Shami area at… Intense Fighting In Rashidin 4 and Rashidin 5 Areas As Government Troops Advance West Of Aleppo (Map) After the liberation of the Jund Al-Aqsa area, pro-government forces continued operations against the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham terrorist coalition [led by Jabhat… Russian Special Forces Play Crucial Role In Eliminating Terrorist Targets In Syria The Russian Aerospace Forces have eliminated over 3,000 militants, including 26 commanders, in Syria since the start of 2017, Russian Defense… Military Situation In Al-Bab On February 20, 2017 (Syria Map) Pro-Turkish militant groups and the Turkish army has been developing advance inisde the Syrian northern town of al-Bab. Turkey-led forces… Syrian Government Forces Attack Militants West Of Aleppo City The Syrian army has launched a series of attacks against Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) and… Turkey Resumes Attempts To Capture Al-Bab, Seizes Few Points In Western Part Of Town Pro-Turkish militant groups, backed up by the Turkish Army and the Turkish Air Force, relaunched fierce attempts to retake the… Syrian Army Troops Further Advancing Against ISIS In Aleppo Province Amid Massive Airstrikes By Russian Air Force The Syrian army’s Tiger Forces and the National Defense Forces (NDF) have liberated the villages of Abu Jabbar and Mugharah…	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27135
__label__cc	0.662385	0.337615	Drones, UAVs, LTE & 5G Its been nearly couple of years since I was involved with EE/BT for their Airmasts project. Details here with some good links in that post too. Since then many other operators have been involved with something or other to do with drones, blimps, balloons, etc. Here are a few recent ones that I found interesting KT has unveiled its 5G emergency network service called Skyship that uses airship drones to search for survivors in the aftermath of disasters. KT collaborated with local drone maker Metismake to design the helium gas-based airship, which has an attached pod with propellant, network module, high-resolution camera, and a trunk that can deploy smaller drones to the ground. It was designed in NACA airfoil and can maintain stable flight in 13 metre-per-second winds. It has a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour and can fly up to six hours. More details on ZDNet here. KDDI announced today that it has successfully completed a live 4K video transmission test using a drone that leverages 5G technology. The test was carried out in an effort to realize consumer services that can benefit hugely from drones, such as public safety and surveillance, agriculture monitoring and disaster response. The test, the first of its kind to have taken place in Japan, was carried out in cooperation with Nakao Research Laboratory of the University of Tokyo, TripodWorks and Prodrone. The test area was set up in the university's Kashiwa campus using Samsung Electronics' 5G end-to-end solutions including 5G AU, 5G core and 5G tablet, and for video streaming 28GHz frequency were used. Using a 5G supporting device, the video shot in the air using the 4K camera mounted on the drone was uploaded in real time. More details on Netmanias here. Looking at Drone communications over LTE / 5G, Sequans communications have recently published a white paper looking at how LTE would be a communication technology of choice for drone communications over long distances. There are some issues to resolve including how to get reliable signal in the drones as they fly above the typical coverage zone of an LTE antenna. Details here: http://lteanddrones.com/ Ericsson had done some similar study and published a whitepaper on this topic last year. Details available here but the video below is worth a watch too. Labels: 5G, Aerostats Drones & UAVs, Analyst Netmanias, Operator KDDI, Operator KT, Vendor Ericsson, Vendor Samsung, Vendor Sequans Huawei's RuralStar: Taking the fight to low cost small cell vendors Last year, Huawei announced their small cell / mini-macro product for rural and urban areas. The following is from their initial announcement: Huawei’s RuralStar base station can reduce the time to recover the investment to less than five years, compared with more than ten years for traditional rural sites Zhang said. The new site cuts power consumption by 85 per cent and lowers total costs by 70 per cent, the company said. The vendor is having discussions with a number of operators in Africa and Asia about deploying RuralStar sites. Zhang is optimistic there will be strong demand, but noted the new site won’t represent a large percentage of total base station production. The Huawei executive said urban areas also face many challenges in deploying base stations including high rental fees, difficulty in finding appropriate sites and slow deployments, which can take at least one month. To overcome these, Huawei developed PoleStar, which can be installed on lamp posts and a variety of other locations in a matter of hours. Zhang said operators can take advantage of more than 1 billion lamp posts, 10 million bus stops and 10 million phone booths around the world to deploy new base stations more cost effectively. A PoleStar deployment in Thailand using existing traffic and light posts significantly reduced the site footprint, which led to a 66 per cent cut in rental costs. Huawei is taking the fight to low cost small cell vendors with its #RuralStar #PoleStar and #TubeStar solutions. More details on our #SmallCells blog coming soon. #5G pic.twitter.com/Y4qHV20VuG — 3G4G (@3g4gUK) June 19, 2018 It soon became RuralStar 2.0: Huawei released RuralStar2.0, an innovative site solution in terms of transmission, infrastructure, base station design, and energy. This solution addresses increasing demands for voice and data services from the unconnected and increases operator ROI for rural network deployment. This solution fulfills the following rural MBB requirements: 2G, 3G, or 4G rural MBB networks providing rates of over 10 Mbit/s at cell edges and cell coverage of 5 km; Extended 2G and 3G coverage at a maximum distance of 60 km from the nearest tower-mounted site, providing voice and data (over 1 Mbit/s at cell edges) services and cell coverage of 5 km. In terms of transmission, RuralStar2.0 adopts non line of sight (NLOS) wireless backhaul, which eliminates rental costs of transmission equipment and significantly reduces OPEX compared with satellite or microwave transmission. NLOS wireless backhaul supports multi-hop backhaul, which allows for a maximum distance of over 60 km from the donor base station, extending network coverage. In terms of infrastructure, NLOS wireless backhaul switches high-rise towers used in traditional rural networks to low-rise poles, reducing site infrastructure costs by 70%. As for energy, low-power base stations and transmission equipment do not require diesel generators for power generation and require fewer solar panels and batteries, which slashes CAPEX by 70%. Using pure solar energy saves O&M costs, in turn greatly reducing OPEX. Omnidirectional antennas are used to achieve targeted omnidirectional coverage in a single cell at low cost. For cells with insufficient coverage, innovative 90° high-gain antennas can be used to deploy the butterfly site solution. This solution reduces the number of sectors from three to two, the number of antennas and RRUs by 1/3, and total power consumption by 30% as well as the CAPEX and OPEX compared with traditional sites. For a given population in a target area, RuralStar2.0's innovations in these aspects reduce TCO by more than 50% compared with traditional site solutions. RuralStar has been commercially deployed in many countries, including Ghana, Thailand, Algeria, and Nigeria. Mobile network coverage boosts local economic development and improves local people's lives. At MWC, Huawei’s RuralStar solution has won GSMA’s "Best Mobile Innovation for Emerging Markets" award. In Ghana, local villagers used to climb to rooftops and trees, or even ride a dozen kilometers to find telephone signals. RuralStar has addressed these issues. They can now use WhatsApp to communicate and share pictures at home. Transferring money and recharging call fees through Mobile Money have also become common in daily life. RuralStar enables three transformations, transforming microwave or satellite transmission in traditional solutions to Relay, substituting simple poles for towers, and enabling a move from diesel generators for power supply to solar power. This shortens the return on investment (ROI) period for mobile communications in remote rural areas. Operators can then lower the threshold of profitability by 50%, which is a great help for emerging markets to bridge the digital divide. There is also a user experience story from Ghana on a village that was transformed with the help of connectivity: Over the past week, Afryea's friends were receiving more and more messages from her over WhatsApp - and all thanks to the installation of an amazing “wooden pole”. Afryea is a teacher in a village located in a rural region of Ghana. Having had the privilege of studying in cities, Afryea is used to using WhatsApp, Snapchat and Instagram. However, she explains that it took her an inordinate amount of time to readjust to the life without these Apps after she returned to this village, as it rarely has any signal. Afryea is now delighted to deliver the news to her friends that mobile services are becoming increasingly accessible for a surprisingly long list of devices in her village. Nyakpoo, the village chief, explained to Afryea why people simply couldn't access the network: the nearest base station was more than 20 kilometers from here, so achieving signal reception was no easy task. Before the “wooden pole” base station was installed, the village chief himself often needed to ride his motorcycle a few miles to get closer to a base station in order to use Mobile Money. "Since our village suffered from a lack of electricity and fibre optic cables, there was simply no other way to build a base station. I am amazed that all these issues can be solved with a simple piece of wood." The RuralStar solution changes this. The solution uses a Relay based on 4G technology to realise data transmission, rather than expensive satellite or microwave. Relay transmission does not have the same line of sight (LOS) constraints, allowing a base station to be constructed on a simple wooden telegraph pole instead of a 30m dedicated tower. With low power consumption, RuralStar can be powered just by using six solar panels. Afryea’s village was chosen as one of the first to implement RuralStar. The wooden pole to accommodate the base station is prepared locally in the village. The base station deployment was completed in just one week, with total costs reduced by around 70%, and the pole is now helping to deliver mobile services. Even with such a small population, the operator can expect to recoup the investment in just three years. While I commend Huawei for developing a low cost solution for rural deployment, they are competing with several other small cell vendors competing for the same chunk of the market. It is also often of interest to the mobile operators to bring new vendors in rural areas where the requirement to meet KPIs is much lower. This way they can make sure that all the interfaces from their existing vendors are open and standards compliant too. Finally, I have to mention that while the articles talks about power reduction, it is compared to the Huawei's macro products. Other small cell vendors may have even lower power and different innovations which may make them attractive for other scenarios. Finally, Nokia has a similar solution for rural deployments. I blogged about the Nokia Kuha here. Macrocells, Small Cells & Hetnets Tutorial Labels: Country Ghana, Rural Small Cells, User Experience, Vendor Huawei Small Cells growing fast, just not in Europe Small Cell Forum held a workshop in Beijing, China last month to gain an understanding of China’s perspective on densification on the path to 5G. Complete report is available here. From the report: APAC leads the world in network densification, as is clear from recent market data and forecasts out to 2025. New deployments in South East Asia alone are set to be greater than the sum total of those in the rest of the world until 2025. APAC can be characterized as experiencing two phases of growth, with a small plateau from 2019-2021 as 5GNR small cells are being commercialized. Our survey of MNOs reveals that densification in APAC is primarily capacity driven, to ensure data services maintain their quality of experience as mobile traffic volumes continue to grow. CMRI (China Mobile Research Institute) predicted its data traffic would grow 8x from 2016-2020 and 119x from 2016-2030. Ericsson predicted 8x global growth from 2016-2022, and others cited Cisco VNI’s 7x global growth 2016-2021, dominated by APAC. A summary presentation from the event is embedded at the end. As per Mobile World Live's report from Small Cells World Summit last month in London: Kicking off the event, David Orloff, chair of the Small Cell Forum said: “Small cells are integral for 5G, and the reality is that there are capacity needs, there are latency needs, and both of these aspects can be driven through integration with small cells.” He observed: “Europe is lagging. We need a new mindset, we need to look at different ways on this – in the 5G era we do have densification needs in the entire global industry, and we need to work [out] solutions to ensure the framework is there and the foundations are there. We need to think differently.” Speaking about the global rollout of small cell technology, he continued: “We see global synergies and global barriers, but we also see regional barriers that are delaying densification. A good example in the US is cell siting; in India there is a cost target that has to be met; in China there’s mindsets around operations; and in Europe there is a question around the business case and whether it is profitable to do densification.” “Asia is cranking, North America is doing well, really preparing that framework and foundation and starting to deploy cells that are NR capable, so that we have a structure in place so that we can turn on 5G, working on mmWave. Europe is pretty far down.” Notwithstanding this lag, Small Cell Forum forecasts an increase in the number of non-resident small cells deployed in Europe from 52,000 in 2017 to 310,000 in 2022. But mobile operator deployments are not the only game in town: enterprises are an important driving force due to quality of service and IoT requirements, and technologies including MulteFire and CBRS are easing the way for new players. According to Crown Castle, in a report in Fierce Wireless: The small cell market continues to expand, and Crown Castle’s Mike Kavanagh pointed to two big factors as evidence: Small cell buildouts are starting to happen in smaller, tier 2 markets, and some small cell locations are now serving more than one carrier. Small cells are “a big part of every big carrier’s build,” he said. “It’s a good time to be in the space.” In the early days of small cells half a dozen years ago, Kavanagh said that a major installation would cover 50 nodes in a city. Today that number is reaching 2,000—and in some dense markets it can grow to 7,000. “You’re utilizing small cells as a much bigger element of the network build,” he said. “You’ve got to have that tower layer. And you’ve got to have small cells.” He said in some deployments Crown Castle is seeing 2 to 4 small cells per mile, and in some dense, urban areas that number grows to 7 to 12 per mile. Kavanagh, the company’s SVP of sales and its chief commercial officer, said that Verizon kicked off the push toward small cells, but today all of the nation’s largest wireless operators are embarking on major small cell deployments. And a big driver of revenues for Crown Castle is the growing trend toward multitenant small cells, which Crown Castle calls “leasing up.” Essentially, Crown Castle typically builds a small cell for one carrier’s equipment, but increasingly the company is adding equipment for a second carrier to that location, thus deriving more revenues per small cell site. Such site sharing is typical in the macro tower business. Finally, here is summary of presentation from SCF looking at APAC in detail with regards to drivers and barriers for densification. Small Cell Forum China Workshop: Densification Path to 5G from 3G4G Labels: Company Crown Castle, Country China, Region APAC, Site Sharing, Small Cell Forum, Statistics Internet para todos: Telefonica and Parallel Wireless on a mission to connect 100 Million Unconnected According to GSMA Intelligence report, 'The Mobile Economy Latin America and the Caribbean 2017': Latin America has seen rapid growth in the number of mobile internet subscribers over recent years, with a total of nearly 350 million, registering growth of almost 10% since the start of 2016. Of these subscribers, more than two thirds connect to the internet via mobile broadband (3G or 4G) networks. As the importance of digital access and engagement increases, so this figure will continue to grow strongly, to reach about 420 million by 2020. Despite the growth to date, only slightly more than half of the population currently ha0ve a mobile internet subscription, well below the developed market average of two thirds – though some lowerincome groups may connect using Wi-Fi only. As a result, around 300 million people are digitally excluded and unable to enjoy the socioeconomic benefits that mobile internet can bring. By 2020, nearly two thirds of the population will be connected, still well behind the developed market average but in line with the global average. However, nearly 250 million people across the region will still be digitally excluded. There remain significant barriers to adoption, particularly for underserved population groups (rural, women, low income and youth). Mobile internet penetration also varies significantly across the region. Chile had the highest penetration as at the end of 2016, with Argentina only slightly behind. In contrast, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Haiti have mobile internet penetration rates of one third or less (Cuba has among the lowest levels of mobile internet penetration globally, at 3% of the population). At MWC 2018, Telefónica announced “Internet para todos”, a collaborative project to connect the unconnected in Latin America. The Initiative is aimed at connecting the more than 100 million people in Latin America with no internet access. Telefónica also expanded its collaboration with Facebook on key technological and commercial innovations and collaboration with multiple stakeholders: rural operators, technology firms and regulators. For those who are wondering what “Internet para todos” means, it means “Internet for all. Here is a good video on the initiative. You can read all about it here. One of the vendors mentioned in this press release is Parallel Wireless (). Their announcement on this is available here. Embedded below is an indepth presentation on this topic by Patrick Lopez, VP, networks innovation at Telefónica. Telefonica internet para todos from Patrick Lopez And here is the video of above for anyone interested: In the recent Small Cell Forum awards, 'Internet Para Todos' won the Social Impact award – Promoting Small Cells for Social/Economic/Environmental Development. And the winner is...? ¡#InternetParaTodos! Ganador del premio al impacto social del @SmallCell_Forum 🏆🏆 Nos sentimos orgullosos #SomosTelefónica pic.twitter.com/9dEo0ehBAh — Telefónica (@Telefonica) May 25, 2018 ICYMI: Parallel Wireless & @Telefonica work to provide #Internetparatodos has won @SmallCell_Forum Social Impact award! (@Telefinnovation)https://t.co/PMqrZjgjBQ — Parallel Wireless (@Parallel_tw) May 24, 2018 Hopefully we will see many more similar initiatives from other operators and TIP to connect the unconnected. Full Disclosure: I work for Parallel Wireless as a Senior Director in Strategic Marketing. This blog is maintained in my personal capacity and expresses my own views, not the views of my employer or anyone else. Anyone who knows me well would know this. Labels: GSMA, Operator Telefonica, Region CALA, Rural Small Cells, Small Cell Forum, Vendor Parallel Wireless Huawei's RuralStar: Taking the fight to low cost s... Internet para todos: Telefonica and Parallel Wirel...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27139
__label__cc	0.508273	0.491727	Protesting? Forget Speakers’ Corner, climb a crane So the Speakers’ Corner at Hong Lim Park isn’t good enough any more? Two construction workers climbed two separate tower cranes on Thursday to protest not getting paid (or so they claimed). But was it a strike? They were lucky not to get struck by lightning. The duo have since been charged with criminal trespass. I guess registering for Speakers’ Corner is just too much trouble compared to climbing a tower crane. Perhaps Hong Lim Park is too low key – literally – being at ground level and all. Maybe NParks should install some sort of podium at Speakers’ Corner. Like a 10-storey-high podium. Did you know there was a candlelight vigil and memorial service for a dolphin at Hong Lim Park last Sunday night? You know how much people love dolphins, right? Apparently not much as they love pandas. I don’t recall reading about the dolphin event in the news the next day. Although that could be because my memory isn’t what it used to be after my brain temporarily went dead after reading that the CNNGo website had listed Ng Chin Han and Fann Wong among Asia’s 25 greatest actors of all time. Stay classy, CNNGo. Where was I? Oh yah, I don’t recall reading about the dolphin event in the news the next day. But the day after the crane protest, the two construction workers were front page news. Which puts me in a dilemma. There are a few things I want to protest, but now I can’t decide whether to do it in Hong Lim Park or up on a tower crane. What do I want to protest? For one thing, I want to protest Chin Han killing the US TV series Last Resort. A week after it was announced that he was joining the show, it was announced that Last Resort was cancelled. Coincidence? Speaking of death, I also want to protest any news story with a headline containing the name Muddy Waters and it isn’t about a dead blues singer. Speaking of singers, I also want to protest Justin Bieber getting zero Grammy nominations despite winning three American Music Awards, including Artist of the Year, last month. Not that I’m a die-hard Belieber, but this means the American Music Awards can’t be trusted at all as an indicator of artistic merit if the Grammys don’t agree with them. Next thing you know, the Golden Globes could also be rendered irrelevant and then it would be the end of civilisation as we know it. Speaking of the civilisation’s end, I also want to protest the villain played by Benedict Cumberbatch in the upcoming Star Trek movie, Into Darkness. In the trailer released online last week, he says: “Enjoy these final moments of peace for I have returned to have my vengeance.” Wasn’t Nero, the villain in the previous Star Trek movie, driven by vengeance as well? It makes me long for the humpback whales of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Speaking of the voyage home, the biggest thing I want to protest is all the protests against the announcements of MRT station names in Mandarin on some trains. As if SMRT doesn’t have enough problems. SMRT has just announced that it will stop the Mandarin announcements. Some people complained about the awkward translations while others felt that there should also be Malay and Tamil translations – just to be fair. SMRT responded that the Mandarin announcements were to “assist passengers, especially older citizens, who rely on announcements during their journeys”. What SMRT didn’t say is that the only passengers the Mandarin announcements assisted were Chinese-speaking passengers. And if SMRT really wants to help older citizens – actually just older Chinese-speaking citizens – then the announcements should be in dialect, not Mandarin. I dread the day when for the sake of equality, the elderly and what-have-you, MRT station names will be announced in English, Malay, Tamil, Hindi, Mandarin, Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew, Hakka and of course, my personal favourite, Hainanese. Did I leave anything out? Oh yah, Singlish for Phua Chu Kang. By the time the station name is announced in all the languages and dialects, you would already be two stations ahead. I just hope it won’t cause me to miss my stop when I take the train to Clarke Quay MRT station. It’s the one closest to Hong Lim Park. Yes, I’m likely to stick to terra firma for my multi-prong Chin Han-Muddy Waters-Justin Bieber-Star Trek-multi-language MRT station names protest. But I wonder, if I protest at Speakers’ Corner and no one cares, do I make a sound? If only I weren’t afraid of heights. And getting arrested for criminal trespass. - Published in The New Paper, 9 December 2012 Tags: movies, music, protest, The New Paper, transport After all the complaints, I apologise for being st... Why would anyone see a movie more than once? I’m not so positive these surveys are reliable Headline Of The Month winner I am not my cartoon (I hope) So many sex scandals & my biggest regret of 2012 I saw a movie today Quarter-decked Protesting? Forget Speakers’ Corner, climb a crane... Bugger! And me without my KY jelly Call a spade a spade, but don't call me Samantha	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27143
__label__wiki	0.986234	0.986234	featurefootball4 months ago ISL 2019-20 \| Why ATK bought these players After yet another disappointing season, time is really running out for the ATK World franchise with footfalls plummeting every year. However, the management cannot really be blamed for the outcomes, for they have brought together a brilliant blend of coach and players yet again this season. Subhayan Dutta newsfootball4 months ago I was never in Steve Coppell’s plans, says Eugensson Lyngdoh New Bengaluru FC signing Eugeneson Lyngdoh has revealed that former ATK coach Steve Coppell never had faith in him and he was happy to finally join a club where the manager trusted him. The midfielder hasn’t played proper football for almost two years after tearing his knee ligament a year back. AIFF Super Cup \| Steve Coppell blames himself for Balwant Singh’s poor ISL season ATK manager Steve Coppell has stated it was his playing Balwant Singh in various positions that eventually led the striker to have an underwhelming season in the Indian Super League. The former Reading manager has also asked his side to be aware of Chennaiyin FC prowess from set-pieces. Couldn’t sleep for two-three days after Asian Cup exit, reveals Pronay Halder India and ATK’s defensive midfielder Pronay Halder has revealed that he couldn’t sleep for a few days after his mistake cost India a place in the knockout phase of AFC Asian Cup. His coach Steve Coppell has described the play as a stoic and performed professionally after the disappointment. Super Cup \| Balwant Singh thanks Steve Coppell after his hat-trick against Delhi Dynamos Balwant Singh has thanked ATK coach Steve Coppell for trusting his abilities after the striker took his team to the semi-finals of the ongoing Super Cup with a hat-trick against Delhi Dynamos FC. ATK defeated Delhi Dynamos FC by 4-3 goals in the second quarter-final game on Friday. Super Cup \| We don’t need to do a great deal of technical work, says Steve Coppell Ahead of ATK’s quarter-final game against Delhi Dynamos FC in the ongoing Super Cup, Steve Coppell has asserted that at this stage of the season there is no need of doing a lot of technical work. On the other hand, Mridul Banerjee has said that Delhi have prepared well for the whole team. featurefootball10 months ago ISL 2019 \| What Clicked and What Didn’t – ATK It's the second consecutive season that ATK failed to qualify for the playoffs and as much as one would want to blame it on their degrading names, which has gone from bad to worse now, the crux has been Steve Coppell’s frustrating negative football and to a large extent his pathetic imports. newsfootballa year ago ISL 2019 \| There is a success gene in ATK, feels Steve Coppell After winning their last Indian Super League (ISL) game against Delhi Dynamos FC, ATK coach Steve Coppell has said that there is a success gene which is very much evident in ATK. Edu Garcia and Ankit Mukherjee scored in the second half to give the Kolkata-based side a 2-1 over Delhi Dynamos. ISL 2019 \| Very difficult but not impossible to qualify, reveals Steve Coppell ATK head coach Steve Coppell has claimed that qualifying for the knockout stage is very difficult but not entirely impossible. Meanwhile, Mumbai City FC boss Jorge Costa is adamant that his team’s fate lies in their own hands and they should only depend on themselves to make the knockout stage. featurefootballa year ago ISL 2019 \| Mistakes sub-standard Coppell cannot afford against Mumbai City FC ATK take on Mumbai City FC in probably the most important match of the season as they try to stay relevant in the race for the playoffs. However, standing in their way is their own manager Steve Coppell who needs to take a hard look that the humiliating loss against FC Goa to get a result.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27151
__label__wiki	0.940772	0.940772	Boult takes seven wickets as Black Caps crushes Windies New Zealand crushed West Indies by 204 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the one-day international series. Dejan Kalinic Trent Boult proved too good for a West Indies batting line-up that lacked identity. - Getty Images Trent Boult ripped through West Indies as New Zealand claimed a 204-run win in the second one-day international, sealing the series with a game to spare. Boult (7-34) tore through the Windies at Hagley Oval in Christchurch Saturday as the Black Caps won comfortably. It marked the first seven-wicket haul by a player in ODIs between New Zealand and West Indies, while Boult took his tally to 101 in the format. Henry Nicholls (83 not out) had earlier helped New Zealand, which had been put in to bat, recover from a somewhat worrying position to post 325-6. Boult struck early and often as the Windies never looked like chasing down the total, dismissed for 121 after 28 overs to fall 2-0 behind in the three-match series. Read: Kiwis fly higher than Windies in first ODI It all could have been so different for the visiting team, which was without the ill Chris Gayle. New Zealand made a decent start through George Worker (58) and Colin Munro (30). However, Sheldon Cottrell (3-62) helped reduce the Black Caps – captained by Tom Latham in the absence of Kane Williamson – to 124-3. The pace and bounce of the wicket appeared to trouble most batsmen, and the Windies created an opportunity for itself by dismissing Latham (20) and Ross Taylor (57). Jason Holder (2-52) removed that duo as New Zealand was left at 186-5 after a bright start. But the Windies was unable to build on that, allowing Nicholls – with his highest score in ODIs – and Todd Astle (49) to take the game away with a 130-run sixth-wicket partnership. Boult got plenty of movement early, taking four wickets as the Windies' chances were crushed. Kyle Hope (4), Evin Lewis (10), Shimron Hetmyer (2) and Shai Hope (23) all fell to the New Zealand left-armer. Lockie Ferguson (3-17) removed Jason Mohammed (18) and Rovman Powell (0) off consecutive deliveries before Holder (13) was also gone. Ashley Nurse (27) provided some resistance but the Windies was comprehensively beaten heading into the third and final ODI on Boxing Day. Todd Astle Trent Boult George Worker Tom Latham	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27153
__label__wiki	0.851902	0.851902	Janos Starker - Bach: Suites For Unaccompanied Cello Complete (45 RPM 200 Gram 6 LP Box Set) AAPC 3-9016-45 Arrival Date To Be Announced (Not Eligible for Additional Discount) • Vinyl Box Sets JS Bach's Suites for Unaccompanied Cello Complete performed by Janos Starker Six 200-gram QRP-pressed LPs! Cut directly from the original 3-track, first-generation master tapes at 45 RPM by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound using an AMPEX ATR-100 tape machine customized with 3-track flux magnetic heads! These newly remastered Mercury Living Presence reissue LPs represent the state of the art of all-analog technology and production. Led by remastering supervisor Thomas Fine, son of high-fidelity recording pioneers C. Robert Fine and Wilma Cozart Fine of Fine Recording Inc. in New York City, these reissues were cut at 45 RPM directly from first-generation 3-track master tapes. A 3-2 channel mix was made directly to the cutting lathe, no "cutting master" tape stage, digital source or digital delay was used. Thomas Fine made the 3-2 mixes with mastering engineer Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound's new facility in Nashville, Tennesee. Smith manually controlled groove margin and depth on his Neumann VMS-80 lathe, working with no preview signal and bypassing the lathe's margin-control computer. In doing so, he cut these sides the same way the original LP was cut by George Piros, who was Fine Recording Inc's VP and head of mastering. As with the original LP, no "sweetening" equalization or dynamic range control was used. The definitive recording and perrformance of these works by JS Bach was originally released as a 3LP Mercury Living Presence Stereo SR3-9016, original mint copies of which command hundreds of dollars on the preowned LP market. Hungarian-American cellist János Starker epitomized refined elegance and superbly subtle bow work. Starker, who died in April 2013, was one of the 20th century's most renowned cellists. Starker's recording of the Suites from 1965 makes a lasting impression on the listener, and even record producers who are well used to recorded excellence have been highly impressed. Starker's full-bodied sound and technical brilliance are complemented by his finely chiseled interpretation that lends immense expression to Bach's thrilling harmony and verve to the strict rhythmic construction of the movements. This 6LP set, cut at 45 RPM, allows for the full dynamics present on the master tapes to shine through masterfully, as the wider-spaced grooves across the six sides, instead of three, let your stereo cartridge track more accurately. Housed in a glossy lid-style box reproducing the original artwork. Plated and pressed at Quality Record Pressings, makers of the world's finest-sounding LPs. View other items by Janos Starker in Vinyl Box Sets 1. Kind Of Blue 2. Hope 3. The Royal Ballet Gala Performances Ernest Ansermet 4. Acoustic Live 5. Songs For Groovy Children: The Fillmore East Concerts 6. Abbey Road 7. The Legendary Riverside Albums 8. Belafonte At Carnegie Hall 9. The Legendary Prestige Quintet Sessions The Miles Davis Quintet 10. Hittin' The Ramp: The Early Years (1936-1943) 11. Crossroads Revisited: Selections From The Guitar Festivals Eric Clapton and Guests 12. Bach: Suites For Unaccompanied Cello Complete Janos Starker 14. The Three Blind Mice 15. Texas Hurricane View our Top 50 Vinyl Box Sets	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27159
__label__cc	0.562064	0.437936	Filed under: Derivatives,Economics,Energy,Exchanges — The Professor @ 10:00 am The New York Times reports that the Treasury and the SEC are contemplating requiring banks to disclose publicly quotes and trades in derivatives, such as CDOs. Where have I heard that idea before? Oh yeah, I came up with it 5 years ago to address problems in the energy market. Now, of course, I shouldn’t take entire credit for the idea, as Mike Prokopp at Amerex, Ed Bell, then of PA Consulting, and Bob Anderson at the CCRO, and some folks at Reuters were thinking along similar lines. But I think it is fair to say that I contributed as much, and perhaps more, to the development and evangelization of the concept as anybody. In energy, the issue was that many traders falsely reported the prices at which they bought and sold natural gas to trade publications such as Gas Daily and Inside Ferc. The price reporting was purely on an “honor system,” and like everything, honor has its price–and that was a price many traders weren’t willing to pay. So the basic idea I developed was that of a “data hub.” In a nutshell, traders would report prices of actual transactions to a central repository, that would validate the submissions by matching buys against sells. The data would then be disseminated to the marketplace. The concept is pretty straightforward, but in the energy space it attracted a lot of flak, some of which I am still picking out of my backside. Transparency is not everybody’s friend; traders feel that they give up valuable information by publicly disclosing their prices. Moreover, the price reporting incumbents–notably Platts–had a vested interest in maintaining the old system. FERC and CFTC said nice things about the idea, but the political pressure from some industry groups, individual energy firms, and Platts overwhelmed the arguments that an academic and a few industry mavericks put forth. As a result, neither regulatory agency was willing to mandate that firms report prices to a particular entity. Absent a mandate, the collective action problems of creating a viable data hub were daunting. In May, 2004 the idea was all but dead. As a last gasp effort to revive it, my then assistant Jeff Graefe had the idea to organize a roundtable on the idea at UH. Bob Anderson, who had formed a non-profit company called Energy Data Hub (imagine that) was there, as were several representatives of energy firms. Bob was about to give up on the idea when Jim Allison from Conoco-Phillips gave the idea his strong endorsement, and suggested that the concept be extended. The original concept behind the hub was to collect and disseminate data on simple energy products, like day ahead and month ahead gas. Allison said that it would be much more useful to collect and disseminate information on more complicated products, including longer dated swaps and options. This would help firms get better estimates of the values of their outstanding contracts, and hence allow them to manage risk and determine profitability much more effectively. With Allison’s strong endorsement, Anderson plugged ahead with the Data Hub. It is now collecting data from several companies, and should go live later this year. Although I take pride in pioneering the concept, Bob deserves credit in persevering to make the concept a reality, and Jim deserves credit for the vision to see how the concept could be used to solve problems other than the false-reporting issue that had been the reason for its development. It is ironic, in light of the NYT article, that at a lunch with Anderson before Christmas I mentioned that the hub concept could–and should–be extended beyond energy to deal with other opaque markets, such as credit derivatives. The idea is, as they say, scalable, and numerous segments of the derivatives marketplace could do with greater transparency. I am not a big fan of government mandates, but theory and practical experience tell me that (a) a mandate is the only way this can be done quickly, and (b) a mandate is economically efficient. As I noted before, trading firms don’t like transparency. They operate on the motto “The One Eyed Man is King in the Land of the Blind.” A individual firm that sees some deal flow–but not all the deals–likely has something of an information advantage over other firms. If all prices are revealed to everybody, the informational playing field is level–and who can make any money when that happens? So many firms–especially the big hitters that see a big chunk of the deal flow–would rather have a relatively opaque market. Sure, they don’t know values as accurately as if all prices were disseminated publicly, but trading profitability only requires that you have better information than others. So the biggest, most influential firms have a vested interest in opposing greater transparency. Moreover, there is a positive externality from disclosure of value information; it helps other firms manage their risk better and mark their books more accurately. Firm A doesn’t benefit if firm B can manage risk better. Though Firm A could manage risk and mark books better if it also received information from firms B, C, etc., no individual firm captures all the benefits of its disclosures. Moreover, investors in the stock of the trading firms (and investors in hedge funds trading in these opaque markets) would benefit from having more accurate valuation information. But firm A gets all the trading benefits of keeping the information to itself, but none of the benefit that disclosure confers on other firms who can use the information to manage risk and mark more accurately. Collectively firms would benefit from disclosure (as the trading part of it is close to a zero sum game but the risk management part is positive sum), but individual firms can’t capture the collective benefit through unilateral disclosure. Thus, there is a collective action problem, similar to the common pool problem in the oil business. It is well known (as documented by Gary Libecap and Steve Wiggins) that operators of common pools typically do not resolve that problem efficiently. On a priori grounds I would predict that collective action problems would make it very difficult for individual firms to come to an efficient agreement regarding mutual disclosures of price information. Indeed, the resistance of the “front offices” (i.e., the traders) to the idea would likely overcome the influence of the “middle offices” (i.e., the risk managers) who would otherwise favor the concept. (Traders usually swing much more stick than the green eyeshade types.) My experience in the energy data hub was strongly consistent with this conjecture. So, despite my usually libertarian/Chicago instincts, here is a situation where I believe a mandate to be warranted, and I support the Treasury/SEC initiative. It is clearly most needed in the credit derivatives market, and in the market for various structured products, but it is also defensible in other parts of the derivatives market as well. Perhaps the SEC/Treasury action will also galvanize FERC and CFTC to revisit the issue in energy markets too. Although the Energy Data Hub lives, it is still fighting the collective action problem. When the subprime stuff hit the fan, it was clear that the market could use better price information. It was equally clear that due to the conflicting interests and the collective action problem, market participants were unlikely to provide it absent a nudge from the feds. That nudge has come, and none too soon. Filed under: Commodities,Economics,Exchanges — The Professor @ 9:08 am I’ve been predicting since the Whither NYMEX post almost exactly two years ago that CME would acquire NYMEX. That forecast took one major step closer to realization today, with the CME’s confirmation that it was engaged in merger talks with NYMEX. The parties have agreed to a 30 day exclusive negotiation period. The timing of the move is very sensible. The CME just completed the integration of CBT products onto Globex. With the integration successfully completed, it is free to make its next move. The smooth segue from integration to offer suggests that this was the strategic plan all along. As I’ve stated numerous times, the deal makes eminent sense. NYMEX already uses CME’s Globex trading system, and is contracted to do so for another 8 years. This always gave CME a leg up in any contest for NYMEX, as an alternative suitor would have to circumvent that contractual obstacle, and then migrate NYMEX business to a new platform, a costly and potentially risky endeavor. Moreover, the CME/NYMEX tie up offers far more substantial economies on the clearing side than any alternative combination–and remember, clearing is where the money is. Furthermore, NYMEX has made excellent headway in OTC energy clearing, which fits in very well with CME’s strategy of penetrating the OTC clearing business. I don’t anticipate any antitrust issues. CME and NYMEX products are far less closely related than CME and CBT products, so if the Justice Department didn’t consider the latter a single market for antitrust purposes, they won’t consider the former to be such. Another suitor could arise–possibly NYSE-Euronext–but the economics make the CME the logical winner even if a would-be spoiler appears. So now the question becomes: Whither ICE? I stand by my prediction that ICE will join up with NYSE-Euronext. There is also speculation that CME will snap up the KCBOT and MGEX. That may well be, though ICE might compete for those vigorously. It has already purchased the WCE and NYBOT, so the two smaller grain exchanges would fit nicely in that portfolio. Moreover, I’ve noted before that the Chicago exchanges (now singular) always liked having Kansas City and Minneapolis around; they weren’t serious competitive threats, and their existence helped secure support from the Missouri and Minnesota congressional delegations on legislative issues of interest to the Merc and the Board. For that reason, they may be more valuable to CME as independent exchanges, but against that it must be said that it doesn’t make much economic sense for those two exchanges to survive. The cost of offering the KCBOT and MGEX contracts on CME (or ICE) is trivial compared to the cost of operating stand alone exchanges. So, the consolidation process seems to be in its last phase. If the NYMEX deal goes through, only ICE and CBOE remain of the major independents. CBOE’s situation may become resolved fairly soon. The SEC approved a CBOE rule change that prevents CBOT members from asserting ownership rights in CBOE. This clears the way for the Delaware Chancery Court to rule on the issue. Once that is clarified, CBOE can have an IPO, and once that happens, it will probably be snapped up by somebody soon afterwards. Thus, it is likely that by the end of this year the exchange consolidation movement in the US will be complete, or nearly so. Then the main theater will shift to international alignments. More on that to come. I’m Baaaaccck! Filed under: Uncategorized — The Professor @ 8:39 am Yup, just like Freddie Kreuger. The blogging hiatus occurred because I was visiting Italy. I gave a talk at the Italian Federation of Applied Mathematics conference in Champoluc, Italy (in the Valle d’Ayas, near the Valle d’Aosta.) What a great time. The conference was quite good, the Alpine scenery spectacular. Moreover, much history in the area–numerous Roman sites (especially in nearby Aosta), but also many wonderful 14th and 15th century castles, both restored and in ruins. Thanks to FIMA, and especially Elisa Luciano for inviting me to speak. It was a very memorable week. Balkan Smashmouth Filed under: Energy,Politics,Russia — The Professor @ 1:56 am Gazprom/Russia is/are playing smashmouth ball over Serbia’s national oil company. Don Miller and Don Medvedev have presented Serbia with an offer it can’t refuse: to sell Naftna industrija Srbije at a fraction of its true value–and one with an unbelievably short fuse, like, you know, Friday. In exchange for control of SIJ’s hard assets and guarantees of a monopoly position in Serbia for some period (take that Serbian consumers, Gazprom doesn’t do competition), Gazprom Neft (Gazprom’s oil affiliate) is offering an amount that has been estimated to represent well less than one-half (and perhaps as little as one-quarter) of the Serbian company’s value. The tacit quid pro quo is that Russia will support Serbia on Kosovo–but, if Russian rhetoric is to be believed (yeah, I know) they would do that anyways. To make the deal look a little less like an abject surrender, Gazprom has also dangled the prospect of giving Serbia a stake in a future gas venture. Word of advice, guys–DON’T BELIEVE IT, and DON’T TAKE IT. Gazprom is the master of what Bob Amsterdam calls “premature contractualization.” That is, announcing deals just in time to forestall projects that are adverse to Gazprom’s interest, and then fading the deal when the threatening competing projects are shelved in response to the Gazprom announcement. Gazprom will whisper sweet promises in anybody’s ear to get what they want, and then renege when it suits them. (Nigeria–you should take note of this, as Gazprom has been wooing you too.) Gazprom’s stratagem is analogous to a common ploy in the software business. In the 80s and 90s “vaporware” was a commonly employed competitive strategy. A software company would announce a new, improved software product in order to forestall entry by a competitor. Once the potential entrant was scared away, the new software would just fade away into the mists, never to be seen. Gazprom is essentially following this playbook–constantly announcing vaporpipelines, vaporwells, vaporinvestments, vaporstorage, vapor-you-name-it whenever a threatening project is mooted. So, what Gazprom is offering Serbia is: a pittance in cash plus a pig in a poke in exchange for hard assets right now. Given Gazprom’s record of delivering on its big talk, the Serbs would be well advised to take cash on the barrelhead and take the promises for what they are worth–a little more than nothing. Stalin and Putin: Great Leaders, or Great Blunderers? Filed under: Military,Politics,Russia — The Professor @ 10:07 am Bob Amsterdam took the words right out of my mouth when he pointed out that the Russian government has bungled every major crisis during the Putin years. Notably, it is hard to imagine how it could have handled Chechnya, the Kursk, Beslan, and Nord Ost any worse than it actually did. Despite these fiascoes, Putin has created an image of an omnipowerful–and omnicompetent–state, and of himself as the great helmsman of the ship of state. How has he done so? Well, it seems primarily by (a) getting very lucky on the economy, (b) using the state’s massive powers to crush any opposition, from Khodorkovsky to Kasparov, to the wife (or was it mother?) of the Kursk crewman who was tranquilized in public when she had the temerity to speak out, to the tragic mothers of Beslan, to the British Councils, to whoever is next in daring to stand on his or her own hind legs, (c) throwing its weight around in Georgia, Estonia and other parts of the near abroad, and (d) engaging in pathetic military posing. (With respect to the economy, Russia’s performance under Putin looks far less impressive when one sees that Armenia, which has in no way profited from the energy boom that has fueled the Russian economy, grew almost twice as fast (13.6 percent) as Russia in 2007.) It is only fitting, then, that the cult of Stalin as a Great Leader is metastasizing in Russia. Stalin was arguably not only the greatest mass murderer in history, but the greatest blunderer. Read any account of Stalin’s policy vis a vis Germany in 1939-1941, or of the the early months of the Nazi invasion in 1941, and you will be staggered by the magnitude of Stalin’s errors large and small. (Of recent books, Niall Ferguson’s War of the World or Andrew Nagorski’s The Greatest Battle are quite good on the subject. Paul Johnson’s Modern Times is somewhat older, but also quite damning–and accurate–in its assessment of Stalin. See Liddell Hart’s, J.F.C. Fuller’s or John Keegan’s histories of WWII for indictments of Stalin’s handling of the opening phases of Barbarossa.) There were errors in tactics. Errors in strategy. Errors in personal judgment (e.g, Stalin’s quite inexplicable trust in Hitler). And these errors cost literally millions of lives–and not just Soviet lives. By dealing with Hitler, and supplying his armies with fuel and grain, Stalin freed Germany to attack west with impunity. As Ferguson puts it, all that saved the Soviet Union from Stalin’s colossal errors were Hitler’s equally colossal misjudgments. Yet Stalin is revered today in Russia as a great leader–and Putin is among the most reverent. It is outrageous to revere such a sociopathic mass murderer in any event, but it is beyond bizarre to worship his leadership, and to endow him with an aura of unerring judgment when in fact he figuratively stacked the corpses of millions of Russians (and other Soviet citizens) killed through his incompetence on top of the millions he killed through deliberate policy. Even Stalin’s supposed greatest legacy–the transformation of the USSR from a backward agricultural nation to an industrial powerhouse–was a failure on its own break-a-few-eggs terms. (Terms, by the way, that I find appalling, and certainly wouldn’t condone even if they had produced substantial economic growth.) This transformation was effectively financed by draconian taxation on the peasantry of the USSR (most notably, the Ukrainian peasantry). In the short run, the surplus extracted from agriculture was indeed instrumental in facilitating industrialization. In the longer run, however, Stalin’s hollowing out of Soviet agriculture proved to be the regime’s Achilles heel. Due to the effects of collectivization, before long the USSR could no longer feed itself. Moreover, the vaunted industrialization produced nothing–other than oil–that the USSR could sell to pay for food. When the price of oil collapsed, the USSR collapsed with it. In a nutshell, Stalin destroyed Russian and Ukrainian agriculture to create an industrial complex that produced nothing that anyone wanted to buy. It was only a matter of time before the whole edifice collapsed. And collapse it did. If that’s leadership, the world could do with a lot less of it. By comparison to Stalin and his stupendous mistakes, Putin is a piker in the blunder department. But there is an eerie parallel. Despite their blunders, they are viewed as visionary and effective leaders. A combination of intimidation (obviously far more extreme in Stalin’s case), relentless propaganda, and to no small degree, a willing suspension of disbelief by the Russian people, has sufficed to obscure their myriad failures with a mirage of power and brilliance. The IR Piece Here’s what I posted on the International Relations site: Russian Energy Politics: Fuelling Power The phrase “Russian energy politics” is dangerously close to a redundancy; in Russia, politics is energy and energy is politics. To be sure, energy is politicized in virtually every country, but nowhere is the nexus between petroleum and politics tighter than in the Russian Federation. After all, in what country is the Chairman of the Board of the state champion oil company (Rosneft) also the First Deputy Chief of the Russian Presidential Administration (Igor Sechin), while the Chairman of the Board of the natural gas monopoly (Gazprom) is also the Deputy Prime Minister and presumptive national president (Dmitri Medvedev)? Energy exerts a decisive impact on every aspect of Russian politics, from the domestic to the geopolitical. Domestically, huge rents from energy have been conducive to the formation in Russia of what scholars Douglas North, John Wallis, and Barry Weingast call a “natural state.” As North, Wallis, and Weingast argue: [a] natural state is a specific way of structuring political and economic systems so that the economic rents created by limited entry are available to secure credible commitments among politically powerful groups. Potential rivals in a natural state stop fighting (or fight less) when the economic rents they enjoy depend on continued existence of the sate and of social order. Natural states limit economic entry to create rents and then use those rents to credibly commit powerful groups to support the state. In other words, natural states use the economic system as a tool to solidify the stability of the ruling coalition. They also note that to maintain the stability of the division of rents, natural states have an incentive to suppress civil society; undermine democracy in order to reduce the likelihood of a transfer of political power and limit citizen access and power; undermine the independence of the judiciary; and control or restrict entry into valuable economic activities. In a nutshell, stability among the ruling elite is a fetish in natural states, as instability can touch off devastating internecine conflicts over rents. Rents and natural states go together, and Russia’s current energy bounty – driven by its physical endowment and an unprecedented spike in energy prices – has created a stream of rents beyond the wildest imaginings of Russians at the time of the collapse of the USSR. Events in Russia over the past several years support the main contours of the natural state thesis that increased potential for rent seeking markedly affects domestic political organization. In Russia, this boom in energy rents has coincided with, and has quite plausibly been a major cause of, an undermining of Russia’s already weak civil society, judicial, and democratic institutions. Moreover, the late-Putin era has seen the fetishization of stability alongside the evolution of rival political clans, each with a strong cohort of violence specialists with roots in the security services, restively coexisting in a tenuous equilibrium. These clans are among the major beneficiaries of the rents flowing into Russian coffers, and securing their claims to these rents is their major preoccupation. And that is where the North-Wallis-Weingast formulation can be misleading. They emphasize that rents can be the glue that keep a natural state together, but underappreciate that the stability of such arrangements can be tenuous indeed. Such tacit truces between rivals for rents can be supported under some circumstances, but can break down when conditions change. In particular, such “cartels” of rent seekers are sustainable when the rival parties have relatively long time horizons; with low discounting of the future, repeat interactions and the threat of defecting from tacit agreements to share rents support cooperation and suppresses conflict. However, shocks that increase uncertainty can truncate time horizons, and if these shocks are sufficiently severe, cooperation is no longer an equilibrium strategy. In these circumstances, stability can rapidly degenerate into chaos and violence. That is, natural states can be brittle, and their apparent stability chimerical. The recent uncertainty over presidential succession has clearly shaken the Russian political elite. Indeed, there have been recent public outbreaks of struggles among the clans, and the many growls emanating from under the Kremlin carpet (to paraphrase Churchill) suggest that the public feuds are just battles in a much larger war. The main case for retaining Putin in power advanced by many elements of the elite (notably the Sechin clan) is that only Putin can keep the clans in check. Although Putin’s anointment of Medvedev has evidently eased some of the anxiety over succession, the combination of the uncertainty over the future division of power between Medvedev and Putin, the inherent ambiguity and volatility of any such division, and the billions in rents at stake (most of them energy derived) will conspire to make the months to March 2008 and far beyond fraught with peril. In sum, in terms of domestic politics, huge resource rentsâ€”most notably, rents from energyâ€”have transformed Russia into a natural state in which the dominant factor driving political and legal arrangements is the division of rents. As North et al suggest, such arrangements corrode civil society, and such corrosion is clearly evident in Russia. Contrary to their (relatively) sunny predictions that these arrangements also facilitate stability and lead to the suppression of political violence among the elite, however, this stability is very brittle. And again, this brittleness is clearly evident in current Russian politics. Moreover, the ramifications of energy rents extend far beyond Russia’s borders, and not only to the extent that regional and international stability is affected by the internal stability of a former superpower possessed of a massive nuclear arsenal and a UN Security Council veto. Russia’s energy rents will be larger, the more that competing suppliers of energy restrict output. This fact sheds light on much recent Russian foreign policy. In Central Asia in particular, Russia has engaged in a diplomatic full court press to wall off that region’s energy resources from European and American countries. Gazprom in particular benefits greatly from limited competition for Turkmen gas, and the company and the Russian government (as if one can distinguish them) have acted aggressively to forestall the development of pipelines that could divert this gas from Russian, which is to say Gazprom’s, pipes. The new Great Game in Central Asia revolves around energy, and involves not just Russia and Europe, but Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, the US, and notably for the future, China. But Central Asia is not the only area in which Russia is maneuvering to control or coordinate production of energy in a way that will enhance Russian energy rents. Russian initiatives with countries as diverse as Qatar, Algeria, and now Nigeria are all driven by Russia’s desire to restrict competition in the international trade of energy. These efforts focus primarily on natural gas because that commodity’s particular infrastructure needs make it particularly vulnerable to such anti-competitive efforts. Moreover, it should be noted that uncertainty and the potential for supply disruption can drive energy prices higher. This undermines Russia’s interest in promoting stability in major energy producing regions, such as the Gulf, Nigeria, or South America. Indeed, it may provide an incentive to sow instability in these regions. As a result, there is a reasonable basis for suspicion over the motives behind its policies regarding Iran, as well as other energy producing nations. Energy is also an instrument that Russia uses to advance other geopolitical objectives. Energy is the primary tool that Russia employs to reassert its influence the “Near Abroad.” Moreover, Russia repeatedly attempts to utilize energy to drive a wedge between European regions and individual countries, and between Europe and the US. These efforts are undertaken in service of the desire by some elements in Russia who believe their nation is in conflict with Western and “Atlanticist” blocs. In brief, one cannot understand Russian domestic politics or Russian foreign policy without understanding the role of energy. At present, the resurgence of Russian state power both domestically and internationally is figuratively fueled by high energy prices. And in this there is a cautionary tale. The influence of the USSR in the world during the 1970s was financed by the windfall of the last oil shock; without such a windfall, the Soviets would not have been able to overcome their severe structural weaknesses in industry, and especially agriculture. The end of this windfall precipitated the collapse of the USSR. Current Russian assertiveness is similarly dependent on an energy windfall. Although it would be rash to predict a modest, let alone precipitous, decline in energy prices occurring in the near future, it would have been similarly rash to do so in 1985. As a much more open, market oriented economy, Russia is far better positioned to weather a decline in oil prices than the Soviets were, but Russia would still suffer terribly from a decline in energy prices. But perhaps the most disturbing realization is that high oil prices are no blessing to Russian civil society, democracy, and political stability, or its non-resource economy, or to the stability of the world outside of Russia’s borders. High energy prices or low, there is much room for pessimism about Russia. The “devil’s excrement,” indeed. SWP on the International Relations Website Postgraduate students at Oxford, Leicester, and the LSE have started a new website, International Relations. They kindly asked me to contribute a commentary piece on Russian energy politics. It is now up. I’ll cross post it at SWP in a day or two, but you might want to visit the International Relations site to read it, and then stick around for a bit to read more of that site as it is very interesting. You May Be On To Something Filed under: Energy,Politics,Russia — The Professor @ 10:30 am Gazprom is throwing a hissy fit over proposed EU energy policies. That suggests that the Europeans are onto something, so should keep it up. But Gazprom–speaking through deputy board chairman Alexander Medvedev–is playing the divide and conquer card again: “‘We know that these measures provoke various responses in Europe. They have opponents – France and Germany,’ Medvedev underlined. ” I’ll say again: the EU talks a good game on unity, and common policy, and its ambitions to be a world power, but its lofty words are revealed to be mere pretense by its repeated failures to devise–and implement–a unified response to Gazprom’s machinations. Unless and until Europe plays hardball–as a team–against Gazprom, it will see its energy security erode dangerously. Gazprom is making loud noises and threatening disaggregation to get its way. Now is the time–no, it is well past time–for Europe to get its act together and stand up to these threats. From the Horse’s Mouth My conjecture that dedovshchina is a major motivation for the reduction in the term of service of Russian conscripts received confirmation from Vasily Smirnov, Deputy Chief of the Russian General Staff: “Our assessment of the facts of hazing in the armed forces is very harsh,” General Smirnov says. “I believe the gradual reduction of the military service period will allow us to substantially reduce the shameful phenomenon, which now exists.” To me, this betrays a true sense of desperation. Reduction of the term of service will greatly reduce the training and experience of the Russian soldiery, but at the same time will exacerbate the Army’s already acute difficulties in manning (that arise in large part from demographic trends). The Russian government would only resort to such a measure–and the Russian Army would acquiesce–only if the effects of hazing on readiness and morale were truly devastating. What a choice: an army of dubious effectiveness because of morale devastated by brutal hazing of its soldiers, or an army of dubious effectiveness because its soldiers are minimally trained short timers. The Appetite is Sharpened by the First Bites Filed under: Politics,Russia — The Professor @ 9:54 am I like Edward Lucas a great deal. His instincts on Russia are usually right on (and hence I am looking forward to his forthcoming book.) He is an excellent writer. He also exhibits a calm and easy demeanor, in contrast to the sometimes pugnacity of, oh, I don’t know, say, me. In a recent column, however, I think Edward’s good nature and optimism have led him astray. In his Economist piece “Eastern Europe 2008”, he writes: Third would be some glimmers of hope from Russia, both in its treatment of opposition activists at home, and its neighbours. Given the Kremlin’s overwhelming domestic support and the ease with which it gets what it wants from the outside world, it is tempting to hope that it might start taking things a bit easier. I take the more pessimistic–and I believe, more realistic–view that bolstered by domestic support, the Kremlin is likely to view the lack of resistance by “the world” (specifically, western Europe and the US) to its recent bellicosity as an invitation to demand more and more; to speak even more stridently; to act even more aggressively. That is the nature of the species that currently inhabits the Kremlin. The ambition and greed and delusions of grandeur of the current Kremlin set are unlikely to be satiated by its recent gains. Appetite comes with eating, and methinks that Putin’s recent gains on the world stage are likely to whet his appetite, not sate it. I hope Edward is right, but fear he is decidedly wrong.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27166
__label__wiki	0.776294	0.776294	Aneeta Malcolm, Drummer extraordinaire and Vocalist with Carl Malcolm & Positive Vibration Reggae Band, has been playing from the early age of five years old. She has grown into one of the most versatile Drummers in the D.M.V. Aneeta played with an all Girls Reggae group called Infinite Girls. In 1987, she joined Positive Vibration Band and has received music Awards from various music organizations including Washington DC Reggae Music Awards. As a Vocalist, Aneeta has recorded songs such as Key To Your Heart, on the West Indian Record Mart label, African People with DJ Nature Boy Murphey, a remix of Carl Malcolm’s Miss Wire Waist rhythm called Grass Is Greener. She also recorded a song for the Corner Stone Records in NY called Its Not Over that did well in England. She Drums with Reggae Bands like Strykers Posse, Lenny Kurlou Reggae Allstars, Black Sheep, Monsoon and Storm Reggae Band and Ras Lidz and Deep Go Go Band.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27167
__label__wiki	0.857277	0.857277	Home British Talent Cup Horsman steals a stunner at Brno Horsman steals a stunner at Brno The number 23 kept his title hopes alive with an impressive win in Czechia, ahead of Brian Hart and Championship leader Scott Ogden Cameron Horsman took a stunning victory in Race 2 at the Automotodrom Brno, with everything coming down to a four-way fight and the number 23 doing everything he could to cut down his points deficit as he took the win in style. Brian Hart took second after an impressive Sunday hammering home his pace at Brno, with the ever-consistent Scott Ogden completing the podium to keep the lead ahead of the season finale. It’s 16 points in it, with 50 more to play for. Hart got the holeshot from second on the grid, with Horsman shooting up into second from the second row – but it didn’t last long as the number 23 then attacked for the lead. Championship leader Ogden followed him through, but Hart was quick to hit back as polesitter Fenton Seabright threatened behind. The number 9 then took back the lead not long after, looking to pull the pin and Horsman going with him. That’s when Seabright struck for third, the number 22 making short work of Ogden and setting off in pursuit. Horsman was overhauled soon after, before Seabright homed in on Hart and took the lead. Could be repeat his Race 1 dominance in the dry? From there, the group began to splinter. Seabright and Hart, despite their duelling at the front, were pulling out a good gap back to Jack Nixon, who had Horsman for company as Ogden fought it out with Rhys Irwin following a wobble for the Championship leader. As the laps ticked down, it seemed like it was going to be a definite duel for the win as Seabright and Hart were the only two who led over the line from Lap 1 all the way to the penultimate lap. But despite a battle royal for third, the chasing pack would go on to cut down the gap. It didn’t come easy, however, with some spectacular racing somehow not hampering some impressive pace. Spaced out initially and then all forming into a group, it was all-out war between Horsman, Ogden and Irwin for much of the race before Horsman was able to break away – for a few corners at least. Then, Irwin started to drop back and Ogden upped his pace, catching and passing the number 23 of his key rival Horsman and setting off in pursuit of the duo in the lead. By the penultimate lap, a simmer had become a boil as the four converged: Hart, Seabright, Ogden and Horsman, Horsman then took third, before Ogden sliced his way straight through to the lead as the final lap began and the riders went three-abreast in the battle –Horsman and Hart the two able to capitalise to take over at the front. From there, Horsman was pitch perfect to defend the lead to the line, taking a pivotal victory to cut the gap back down to 16 points ahead of Silverstone and the season finale. Ogden attacked Hart just behind but couldn’t quite get past as it then became a drag to the line, with Hart escaping the clutches of the Championship leader to take second. That meant Ogden was forced to settle for third but was back on the podium – having missed it only once, in Race 1 at Brno – although Seabright ran him close as Saturday’s winner took P4. Rhys Irwin, after fading a little in the latter stages, took fifth, ahead of an almighty battle for P6. That was won by Charlie Atkins by a mere tenth ahead of Charlie Farrer, who was hundredths ahead of Jack Nixon after the number 2 was another to drop back slightly in the latter stages, Jamie Davis was next in the group, with Jack Hart completing the top ten. Harvey Claridge bounced back from his Race 1 crash to take P11 ahead of Corey Tinker, who was only thousandths ahead of Harry Leigh. Jamie Lyons and Osian Jones completed the points, with Edward O’Shea getting a ride through penalty for a jump start and coming home in P16. Ross Maguire crashed out, and there was more heartbreak for Zak Shelton…again at the final corner. And again, it wasn’t the number 17’s fault. Contact from another rider saw a second dose of bad luck come his way once again on Sunday. That’s a wrap from Brno and now it’s back onto home turf at Silverstone as the BTC race alongside the British Grand Prix. With 16 points in it, Ogden holds the advantage but there are still 50 in play – and Horsman will be pushing hard to try and take the crown. Tune in on the 23rd to 25th August for the final round! Latest News Gallery [g-slider gid=”52691″ width=”100%” height=”65%”] @gridgirls Random News Story/strong> https://superbike-news.co.uk/wordpress/scott-ogden-pulls-the-pin-in-race-1-to-extend-his-lead/ Previous article50 not out: Marquez hits a half century of premier class wins Next articleGajser & Prado Win the Belgian Grand Prix https://superbike-news.co.uk/ Jorge Lorenzo, Max Biaggi and Hugh Anderson to become MotoGP™ Legends New Weise laminated jacket with Outlast Triumph Motorcycles Rides Into Theaters With Birds of Prey Elias Joins M4 ECSTAR Suzuki For 2020 Superbikes Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki Sign John McGuinness for 2020 Road Racing campaign Frank - January 17, 2020	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27168
__label__wiki	0.725421	0.725421	Lockheed Martin Resumes Production of Tactical Missile Systems © Flickr / https://sputniknews.com/military/201603301037179666-lockheed-martin-tactical-missile-systems/ The production of tactical missile systems (TACMS) has been resumed after a two year hiatus at a consolidated production line in the US state of Arkansas, Lockheed Martin announced in a press release on Tuesday. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The release did not elaborate on Lockheed Martin’s anticipated customers. However TACMS are eagerly sought by US allies seeking to have combat-proven precision missiles system with ranges of 300 kilometers. "Restarting the TACMS production is excellent news for our customers seeking deep precision fire support," Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control Vice President Ken Musculus said in the release. © Flickr / US Army Corps of Engineers Europe District Lockheed Martin Begins Testing of Australia Navy’s Aegis-Equipped Destroyer South Korea, Finland, Thailand, Saudi Arabia as well as other Gulf Arab states have been past customers for similar missile systems. The TACMS is the only long-range tactical surface-to-surface missile ever fired in combat by the US Army, according to Lockheed Martin. TACMS missiles can be fired from the entire family of multiple launchers, including the lightweight High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System. Russia also produces advanced tactical missile systems, which compete with US products in international arms sales.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27174
__label__cc	0.627465	0.372535	At Least 9 Killed in Dayton, Ohio in Second Mass Shooting in US Over Weekend (Video) © AFP 2019 / Derek Myers https://sputniknews.com/us/201908041076456690-police-are-responding-to-active-shooter-in-dayton-ohio---reports/ The incident occurred in the Oregon District on early Sunday, outside the Ned Peppers Bar. At the moment, there is no official information about casualties. At least nine people have been killed in the city of Dayton, Ohio and other sixteen wounded due to the shooting, the local police reported. The suspect has been killed, and the officers are now searching the area for any additional shooting victims. #OregonDistrict #update Lt. Col. Carper: at 1:22am active shooter situation began in oregon district. The shooter is deceased. There are 9 others also deceased. At least 16 others went to area hospitals with injuries. — Dayton Police Dept. (@DaytonPolice) August 4, 2019 #OregonDistrict #update We had officers in the immediate vicinity when this shooting began and were able to respond and put an end to it quickly. Medics, who arrived at the scene, are now directing "walking wounded" to Grandview and Kettering hospitals, Dayton Daily News reported. Here's a three-part Facebook video from the scene of a shooting that happened in the Dayton, Ohio Oregon district. Video taken by Dougie Doug. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/zTapEqFWXi — Chad Baker (@ChadBlue83) August 4, 2019 Multiple witnesses reported from the scene after hearing the shots. There was an active shooter in the bar i was in tonight. I am told that he had an AR15. @HannahRayNinja and I are ok. I am so incredibly heartbroken for those affected by this. I have never been so scared in my life. — Daniel Williams (@xcadaverx) August 4, 2019 Some reports suggest there may have been more than one shooter involved in the attack, adding that the police are searching for a man wearing a mask, who may have left the area in a dark-coloured Jeep. People down in #oregondistrict #dayton 😭😭❤️❤️ WHY THE FUCK IS THIS HAPPENING SO CLOSE TO HOME 😭😭❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/LiKdFi4pd4 — True Tilo (@truetilo) August 4, 2019 The Ned Peppers Bar has posted on Instagram that all their staff is safe. #Dayton pic.twitter.com/85tW9jltHO — Zero Solo (@ZerosLife_) August 4, 2019 El Paso Tragedy The carnage in Ohio comes mere hours after a young man killed 20 people and injured at least 26 others at a Walmart in the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has opened a domestic terrorism investigation into the incident, which, according to the police, may be classified as capital murder and a hate crime targeting Hispanic people. The shooter reportedly posted a manifesto online before assaulting people inside Walmart, describing a detailed plan to separate the US into territories by race. Second in Less Than 24 Hours: What is Known So Far About Dayton Shooting Alleged Video Showing Moment Gunman Opening Fire Outside Crowded Bar in Dayton, Ohio Emerges Online Live Updates: Ten, Including Gunman, Killed in Dayton Mass Shooting (Video) Shooting, Shooting, Ohio, United States	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27175
__label__wiki	0.789523	0.789523	Zarif on US Blaming Iran for Saudi Aramco Attack: Washington Should Look at Realities in Region © AP Photo / HASAN JAMALI by Tim Korso Tim Korso. Sputnik International https://sputniknews.com/world/201909181076831302-zarif-on-us-blaming-iran-for-saudi-aramco-attack-washington-should-look-at-realities-in-region/ The US has accused Iran of conducting an attack on Saudi Aramco oil facilities on 14 September, despite Yemen’s Houthis claiming responsibility for it. Riyadh itself claimed that Iranian weaponry was used in the strike, but hasn't pointed the finger at Tehran. The latter has vehemently denied its involvement in the incident. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has dismissed Washington's claims of his country's participation in a recent attack on Saudi Arabia's state oil company Saudi Aramco as an attempt to divert attention away from the real issues in the region. "The US should seek to look at the realities in the region, rather than simply using distractions. We feel that the US government is trying to somehow forget the realities in the region", Zarif said. Saudi Aramco's biggest oil processing facility was crippled during the attack on 14 September, severely cutting the country's oil output and causing global oil prices to spike. Although the Yemeni Houthis, who’ve repeatedly sent their drones to strike Saudi Aramco's facilities, claimed responsibility for the attack, Washington accused Iran of conducting it. Tehran denied involvement in the 14 September attacks and condemned the US accusations as "unacceptable and entirely baseless". US President Donald Trump has stated that his country is "locked and loaded" to respond to the attack once Saudi Arabia points the finger at the "culprit" behind it. His Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was more forthcoming, accusing the Islamic Republic of being behind the most recent attack and many others against the Saudi Kingdom. Saudi Arabia oil supply was attacked. There is reason to believe that we know the culprit, are locked and loaded depending on verification, but are waiting to hear from the Kingdom as to who they believe was the cause of this attack, and under what terms we would proceed! NBC News later reported citing an anonymous source that the US president was offered a range of options to attack Iranian oil facilities both directly and via cyberspace. At the same time, Politico reported that Trump was willing to avoid direct engagement with the Islamic Republic. The incident was at first reported by local media as a drone attack on Saudi Aramco facilities, which forced the company to shut down two oil refineries at Abqaiq and Khurais, cutting the country's crude output in half for several days. However, an anonymous US official claimed in an interview with AFP that cruise missiles were used in the air strike. Saudi Attacks May Nudge US to ‘Go to War’ With Iran and Seize its Oil, Megaupload’s Kim Dotcom Warns Iran Slams 'Unacceptable' Accusations Over Saudi Oil Attacks as Trump Warns US 'Locked and Loaded' Trump: 'Certainly Would Look' Like Iran Was Responsible for Attacks on Saudi Oil Plants Saudi Arabia, Iran Did Not Ask Russia to Help in Mediating Talks - Kremlin Attack on Saudi Oil Facilities Almost Certainly Conducted by Iran - Envoy to UK drone strike, US, Saudi Aramco, Iran	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line27176

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