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The city has decided to separate the Adelaide St. W. bike lane from car traffic after all. Council voted 39-0 in June for a pilot project of a separated “cycle track” on Adelaide, but the transportation department merely painted lines on the road. General manager Stephen Buckley argued last week that he has the freedom to experiment with different ideas during pilot projects. A cyclist rides east along Adelaide St. near Duncan St., Aug. 6. The City will soon instal flex-posts to create a separate bike track. ( Andrew Francis Wallace / Toronto Star ) Cyclists complained. In a response emailed to them on Monday, Buckley and deputy city manager John Livey said the lane will be partially separated this week and fully separated by September. They said the city did not have enough “flexi-posts” in stock in July to use them on all three pilot-project streets: Adelaide, Richmond St. W., and Simcoe St., where posts have already been erected. The government, they said, is now awarding a two-year contract for the supply and installation of additional posts. “Flexi-posts will be installed this week in a couple blocks of Adelaide where we have observed drivers entering the cycle tracks well in advance of intersections to turn right,” they wrote. “The flexi-post installations on Adelaide and Richmond St. will be completed in September as part of the new installation contract.” Article Continued Below The decision was hailed by Cycle Toronto executive director Jared Kolb, though he said flexi-posts provide inferior separation to curbs and planters. Kolb said he knows of 150 people who sent complaint emails to city officials and councillors. He said he doesn’t know if the outcry prompted the apparent reversal. “I’m not quite sure what’s happened here,” he said, but “at the end of the day, the important part is that the project’s back on track.” |
In this Tuesday, June 11, 2013, photo, a small shell is embedded in a tar ball on the beach in Gulf Shores, Ala. After three years and $14 billion worth of work following the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the petroleum giant and the Coast Guard say it's time to end extraordinary cleanup operations in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. (AP Photo/Dave Martin) GULF SHORES, Ala. (AP) -- Finding tar balls linked to the BP oil spill isn't difficult on some Gulf Coast beaches, but the company and the government say it isn't common enough to keep sending out the crews that patrolled the sand for three years in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. Tourist John Henson of Atlanta disagrees, particularly after going for a walk in the surf last week and coming back with dark, sticky stains on his feet. Henson said there were plenty of tar balls to remove from the stretch of beach where he spent a few days, regardless of what any company or government agency might say. "I was out there yesterday and stepped all in it," Henson said. Environmental advocates and casual visitors alike are questioning the Coast Guard decision to quit sending out BP-funded crews that have looked for oil deposits on northern Gulf Coast beaches on a regular basis since the 2010 spill spewed millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf after an explosion and fire that killed 11 workers. The patrols ended this month as coastal monitoring reverted to the way it operated before the spill: The Coast Guard investigates beach pollution reported by the public through a federal system, the National Response Center, and conducts cleanup operations as needed. BP PLC, which has spent $14 billion on cleanup work, is still working with the government and says it will still pay for the removal of any lingering tar from its blown-out Deepwater Horizon well. Cleaning crews will remain on duty in Louisiana, which was hit harder by the spill than other states because the well was so near its coast. But with only "minute amounts" of oil being reported on most beaches now as compared with three years ago, it was time to end the practice of sending out teams in four-wheel vehicles with portable toilets on a regular basis, Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Natalie Murphy said. The work itself can pose an environmental threat by damaging bird habitat and sea turtle nests, wildlife officials say. "There was an imbalance that had to be addressed," Murphy said. The oppressive chemical smells and thick oil deposits that polluted beaches during the summer of 2010 are long gone. White sand unmarred by tar stretches for miles on popular beaches along the Florida Panhandle and on Alabama's coast. The same is true in Mississippi, where the coastal economy depends more on gambling and shipbuilding than tourism. But government reports show that patches of tar balls are still reported almost daily in or near popular spots like Gulf Shores and Pensacola Beach, Fla. For example, 96 reports of tar balls spotted in coastal Baldwin County came in from April 1 through the middle of last week; 96 tar ball reports were submitted for Escambia County, Fla., over the same period. Those reports come in through the National Response Center, which has a toll-free number and website for reporting tar balls. Some of the reports were submitted by trained crews that identified the oil as being from the BP well. Murphy said all the reports of tar balls she has heard involved oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill. Currently based in Gulf Shores, 20 trained Coast Guardsmen fan out under the National Response Center system to check reports of tar balls in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi and begin the cleanup once reports come in, Murphy said. BP is typically contacted to provide assistance for large concentrations of oil, she said, and the company gets a bill if the Coast Guard has to clean up smaller deposits linked to the spill. BP crews cleaned the beach where Henson stepped in tar balls Friday, the day after the company said it got a call about the pollution from the Coast Guard. Records show the federal reporting database contained notes about tar balls being found in the same area five days earlier. Environmentalists say a big problem with the system lies in the fact that many beach visitors may not know a tar ball if they see one. Tar balls and weathered tree bark closely resemble each other in the surf, and both are common along areas like coastal Alabama, where Mobile Bay empties both water and natural debris into the Gulf. The uncertainty over just what is a tar ball leaves most people on the coast unable to report beach pollution even if they have the correct phone number, said Casi Callaway, executive director of Mobile Baykeeper, a nonprofit group that advocates for coastal preservation and protection. |
There were 11 games in the NHL on Saturday night with a variety of storylines. But no story was bigger than the news that Tampa Bay star Steven Stamkos will miss 1-3 months due to a blood clot in his arm. Here’s hoping for Stamkos quick and full return to health. In Corsi action, Spezza had a great night, Hedman has stepped up to cover the Stralman injury in Tampa Bay, and Gorges and Ristolainen flipped the script in Buffalo. Before we get to the game charts, a few words on reading them: A couple of notes on reading the charts: the Corsi differential is based on 5v5 play and is score-adjusted, as per war-on-ice. players at the top (with bars extending to the right) posted positive differentials (good) players at the bottom (and to the left) posted negative differentials (bad) the colour of each bar represents the player’s time on ice (see legend at the bottom) each players individual Corsi For attempts are included in parentheses a player with a strong C +/- but a (0) for iCF didn’t directly contribute to his strong showing. a player with a weak C +/- but a strong iCF score (i.e. greater than 5) may have been hindered by linemates. Maybe. like any reasonable person, I don’t believe that Corsi is everything. But it’s a very important part of the everything. On with the charts… Cousins, Gagner, and Manning led in this afternoon tilt. Read posted a game-high 6 iCF (fairly standard for a game high, which puts double digit iCF totals into some perspective). Karlsson managed 4 iCF and a strong spot on the chart. At the bottom of the chart, recent call-up Ben Harpur carved out a lonely plot for himself. He finished near -15 in Corsi differential and showed that he’s still getting the hang of the NHL game. So it goes. Playing at an odd hour, these two late-night times played a tight game. Spezza was the game’s best while a long list of Stars followed directly behind him. Klingberg added 7 iCF as the Stars snatched a well-earned victory from the Kings. The bottom of the game chart featured a couple of good players in a strange place. Martinez and Muzzin were bombed, which is absolutely rare. They were followed by Stars’ forward Jamie Benn and Kings Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar. Don’t count on seeing another game chart that looks like this one. Nordstrom led, which is a strange occurrence for a forward who has mostly lost the Corsi differential battle of late. Faulk posted 6 iCF and continues to look like a feature NHL star. Saad, Wennberg, and Milano were positives for CBJ. Kukan, Foligno, and Savard took their places at the bottom of the game chart. Hartnell, Atkinson, and Jenner were nearby. CBJ has been out-Corsied most of the time this season and that continued tonight. In an absolutely jaw-dropping change of fortunes, Josh Gorges and Rasmus Ristolainen finished at the top of the game chart. The top. After months of posting among the heaviest negative Corsi differentials in the league, the two finally enjoyed a positive game. Wow. It was almost fitting that Dan Girardi was a positive Corsi player in this game as well. Hedman and Carle led all skaters in this one. Hedman is showing that he’s quite capable of leading the defense corps even without Anton Stralman beside him. Whether or not he can raise his game to a level that compensates for the loss of Stamkos…remains to be seen. The Devils owned the bottom of the game chart. Larsson struggled (as usual). Boucher was at the bottom again. Moore, Zajac, Greene, and Palmieri took their usual spots as well. The Leafs kept the game close and still lost in regulation to inch closer to the top draft pick in the NHL entry draft this summer. The plan is working. Rielly, Gardiner, and Marincin were at the top of the graph, joined by Danny DeKeyser. Gardiner/Marincin led all with 8 iCF each. In the negatives, Kronwall and Marchenko were worst. Kronwall’s been a drag for a while… The power of the rat trick and Spacey in space combined to lead the Panthers to a last-minute, come-from-behind victory over the hapless Habs. Montreal has remained a positive possession team in the wake of Carey Price’s injury but have struggled mightily without their all-world goaltender. He’ll be back next year and that alone will likely be enough to vault the Canadiens back into the playoff picture. Last night, 22-year-old defender Darren Dietz led the way and logged mid-range TOI. Gallagher and Eller were also strong. For the Panthers, Bjugstad was a difference-maker, posting 8 iCF. Barkov had a bit of a night as well. Joe Thornton has put together another incredible season. He led the way tonight and is a regular fixture in the top half of the game charts. His Corsi differential work is excellent. He may be this generation’s Ron Francis, both for his production and his lukewarm regard in mainstream media. Pavelski and Hertl joined Thornton at the top and Burns was strong again as well. For the Predators, Weber returned to his negative ways and Granberg/Ekholm struggled most by far. Dumoulin was excellent in this surprisingly tight Corsi differential battle. Leddy and Hagelin survived for NYI as well. Boychuk led all with 8 iCF. But it didn’t do much to stop the onslaught. Trevor Daley and Brian Strait struggled most. Letang was at the bottom in this one too, which is pretty rare. Don’t bet on that becoming a trend. Orpik got way out ahead and led the Corsi differential in this one easily. Carlson and Williams joined him at the top. Rieder led all Coyotes. Burakovsky mustered 7 iCF to lead the way in that category. Richardson, Doan, and Tanguay posted the most negative Corsi +/- marks in this one but I imagine they don’t mind after their strong showing against the Caps. Dougie Hamilton posted a nice Corsi differential in this game as the Flames dispatched of the helpless Oilers. Korpikoski made a very rare appearance on the positive side. Sekera led all with 8 iCF. Sam Bennett struggled again and Jooris, Giordano, and Brodie joined him at the bottom. Still, a dominant win for the Flames as their disappointing season lurches to a halt. Read more… NHL Game Charts – Friday, April 1 NHL Game Charts – Thursday, March 31 Advertisements |
ABSTRACT Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most commonly used drugs in the world for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms, and are taken by 20-30% of elderly people in developed countries. Because of the potential for significant side effects of these medications on the liver, stomach, gastrointestinal tract and heart, including death, treatment guidelines advise against their long term use to treat OA. One of the best documented but lesser known long-term side effects of NSAIDs is their negative impact on articular cartilage. In the normal joint, there is a balance between the continuous process of cartilage matrix degradation and repair. In OA, there is a disruption of the homeostatic state and the catabolic (breakdown) processes of chondrocytes. It is clear from the scientific literature that NSAIDs from in vitro and in vivo studies in both animals and humans have a significantly negative effect on cartilage matrix which causes an acceleration of the deterioration of articular cartilage in osteoarthritic joints. The preponderance of evidence shows that NSAIDs have no beneficial effect on articular cartilage in OA and accelerate the very disease for which they are most often used and prescribed. Some of the effects of NSAIDs on the articular cartilage in OA include inhibition of chondrocyte proliferation, synthesis of cellular matrix components, glycosaminoglycan synthesis, collagen synthesis and proteoglycan synthesis. The net effect of all or some of the above is an acceleration of articular cartilage breakdown. In human studies, NSAIDs have been shown to accelerate the radiographic progression of OA of the knee and hip. For those using NSAIDs compared to the patients who do not use them, joint replacements occur earlier and more quickly and frequently. The author notes that massive NSAID use in osteoarthritic patients since their introduction over the past forty years is one of the main causes of the rapid rise in the need for hip and knee replacements, both now and in the future. While it is admirable for the various consensus and rheumatology organizations to educate doctors and the lay public about the necessity to limit NSAID use in OA, the author recommends that the following warning label be on each NSAID bottle: The use of this nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication has been shown in scientific studies to accelerate the articular cartilage breakdown in osteoarthritis. Use of this product poses a significant risk in accelerating osteoarthritis joint breakdown. Anyone using this product for the pain of osteoarthritis should be under a doctor’s care and the use of this product should be with the very lowest dosage and for the shortest duration of time. If NSAID use continues, then most likely the exponential rise in degenerative arthritis and subsequent musculoskeletal surgeries, including knee and hip replacements as well as spine surgeries, will continue to rise as well. Journal of Prolotherapy. 2010;(2)1:305-322. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most commonly used drugs in the world for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms,1 and are taken by 20-30% of elderly people (defined as people over the age of 64 years) in developed countries.2 The worldwide pain management prescription drug market totaled approximately $24 billion in 2002 and passed $30 billion by 2006. Celebrex (celecoxib) led the pack with nearly $4 billion in sales in 2002.3 Each year, over 70 million prescriptions for NSAIDs are dispensed in the United States, 20 million in Great Britain and 10 million in Canada.4-6 These numbers do not include the 30 billion over-the-counter tablets sold each year in the United States alone.7, 8 The most common over-the-counter and prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are seen in Figure 1. Figure 1. Common over-the-counter and prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). • Aspirin (Bayer) • Celecoxib (Celebrex) • Diclofenac (Voltaren) • Etodolac (Lodine) • Fenoprefen (Nalfon) • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) • Indomethacin (Iddocin) • Keoprofen (Orudis, Oruvail) • Ketoralac (Toradol) • Nabumetone (Relafen) • Naproxen (Aleve) • Oxaprozin (Daypro) • Salsalate (Disalcid) • Sulindac (Clinoril) • Tolmetin (Tolectin) Treatment guidelines in the United States, Great Britain, and Canada recommend NSAIDs as second-line treatment (after acetaminophen) for mild OA and as first-line treatment for moderate to severe OA.9-11 As baby boomers age, it is estimated that the number of NSAID users will continue to climb, despite the fact that over 100,000 people are hospitalized for gastrointestinal bleeding and of those 16,500 people die from NSAID toxicity each year.12, 13 In 2006, the Osteoarthritis Research Society International formed an international committee to review all guidelines and evidence available on OA. Based on the evidence of potentially serious adverse reactions to NSAIDs, the committee has advised against the long-term use of NSAIDs to treat OA.14 One of the most serious adverse reactions to NSAIDs, that is little appreciated, is that as a class of compounds they cause the breakdown of articular cartilage, thereby accelerating OA, the very disease for which they are most commonly prescribed. Chondrocytes – the only cells in cartilage tissue responsible for the synthesis of collagen and proteoglycans that makeup the cartilage matrix. Cytokines are signaling molecules used extensively in cellular communications. In the normal joint, there is a balance between the continuous process of cartilage matrix degradation and repair. In OA, disruption of the homeostatic state occurs and the catabolic (breakdown) processes of chondrocytes are increased. The principal cytokines linked to the catabolism of cartilage and to the OA process are interleukin (IL)-1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, and IL-6. IL-1 is the prototypic inducer of catabolic responses in chondrocytes. This substance causes the increased secretion of proteinases (which breakdown cartilage matrix) including collagenase, the suppression of proteoglycan synthesis leading to the suppression of matrix synthesis, and ultimately the reduction of the number of chondrocytes.15, 16 (See Figure 2.) Figure 2. The catabolic physiology leading to articular cartilage breakdown.Interleukin-1 is one of the principle cytokines that initiates a cascade that leads to chondrocyte cell death and extracellular matrix breakdown. NSAIDs inhibit prostaglandins, such as PGE2, from stimulating chondrocyte DNA matrix synthesis thereby contributing to articular cartilage degeneration. IL-1 is a potent inducer of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis by inducing PGE2 synthesis in human chondrocytes. The rate-limiting step for the synthesis of PGE2 and other prostaglandins is the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin endoperoxide by cyclooxygenase (COX), which exists in two isoforms, COX-1 and COX-2. All NSAIDs inhibit both COX 1 and 2 enzymes but most of the NSAIDs that have been developed in recent years show greater activity of COX 2 in order to decrease gastrointestinal side effects. (See Figure 3.) PGs act (among other things) as messenger molecules in the process of inflammation. It was hoped that the use of NSAIDs would decrease the catabolic program in OA, thereby having a disease-modifying effect. Research, unfortunately is showing PGs, like PGE2, stimulate chondrocyte proliferation and subsequent synthesis of cellular matrix components.17 The net result of their blockade and other NSAID effects is the acceleration of articular cartilage degeneration. To show how this occurs and to what extent, a basic understanding of articular cartilage anatomy is needed. Figure 3. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 by NSAIDs. Studies have shown that, although most NSAIDs inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2, it is the inhibition of COX-2 that is responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of NSAIDS. On the other hand, inhibition of COX-1 by these agents causes damage to the GI tract. This has led to the development of a new generation of NSAIDs that specifically inhibit COX-2. ARTICULAR CARTILAGE ANATOMY Articular cartilage functions as a wear-resistant, smooth, nearly frictionless, load-bearing surface. The composition and physiochemical properties of articular cartilage, the fundamental organization of the collagen network, and the molecular organization of collagen and proteoglycans all have profound effects on the intrinsic mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix.18 Cartilage is composed of a complex extracellular matrix of collagen and elastic fibers within a hydrated gel of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans. This extracellular matrix, which makes up 98% of the articular cartilage volume, is synthesized by the chondrocytes which comprise the other 2% of the cartilage tissue. It is well known that chondrocytes can synthesize the extracellular matrix such as proteoglycans, collagen, fibronectin, integrins, and other adhesive proteins which are needed to maintain the high tensile strength and low compressibility under load of the articular cartilage.19, 20 Type II collagen is the predominant collagen type in the extracellular matrix with proteoglycan (PRG) macromolecules dispersed throughout. They contain highly negatively charged carboxyl and sulfate groups (keratin and chondroitin sulfate) on the glycosaminoglycans, giving them a high affinity for water. (See Figure 4.) Figure 4. The proteoglycan structure of articular cartilage. The high content of water in proteoglycans help the cartilage act as a shock absorber. The nature of the high density of negative charges imparts the physical properties to PRGs. Because of their attraction and binding of water, PRGs are viscous, making them ideal for lubricating fluid in joints. The charges repel each other, which gives them an open structure and is space-filling. These biochemical traits contribute to the mechanical properties of PRGs in articular cartilage, such as absorption and distribution of compressive weight, protecting structures in the joints from mechanical damage.21 The normal synthesis and breakdown of the PRGs and their component molecules, including glycosaminoglycans, is mediated by the indigenous chondrocytes. Glycosaminoglycans turn over several times as rapidly as the fibrillar collagen. If any part of this complex system is disrupted, the normal properties of articular cartilage are jeopardized, leading to joint degeneration. It is the extracellular matrix of articular cartilage that is the primary target of osteoarthritic cartilage degeneration and the accelerating effects of this breakdown by NSAIDs. One of the earliest features of the development of osteoarthritis is degeneration of the articulating surfaces of the joint. This is characterized by fibrillation of the articular cartilage, in which the mesh of collagen fibers is disrupted. Degeneration of type II collagen is seen, as well as a decrease in the extracellular matrix.22 Loss of proteoglycan from the matrix is characteristic. The loss of aggrecan, the predominant PRG in articular cartilage imposes an increasing load on the collagen fibrils, causing further breakdown.23 Early in the course of OA, the tissue mounts an attempt at repair. Chondrocytes proliferate and there is an increase in matrix synthesis.24 However, if this repair process is disrupted for any reason including the use of NSAIDs, degradative enzymes overwhelm the synthetic capability and the repair fails. Particular compositional, molecular, and structural changes will continue to occur within the articular cartilage including decreased proteoglycan and increased water content, collagen fibril network disorganization, and proteoglycan separation, as long as the inciting issue (NSAID use) continues. (See Figure 5.) Figure 5. The pathogenesis of osteoarthritis accelerated by NSAIDs. NSAID use inhibits the body’s repair processes, leading to decreased proteoglycan and extracellular matrix content and function, which ultimately leads to articular cartilage breakdown. These changes alter the intrinsic mechanical properties of articular cartilage and produce swelling.25 The articular cartilage, having lost some of its compressive ability under load, further degenerates. As the surface fibrillation progresses, the articular defects penetrate deeper into the cartilage until the cartilage is lost. The increased pressure on the subchondral bone causes it to thicken. Often bone cysts form deep to the eburnated areas. Eventually, bony nodules or osteophytes form at the periphery of the cartilage surface. All of these changes account not only for the pathology found on radiographs or histologically (findings under the microscope), but also for the joint pain, tenderness, loss of motion and stiffness of OA.26 It is the relief of some of these clinical manifestations that accounts for the widespread use of NSAIDs not only in the United States, but around the world. THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM In 2006, the Center for Disease Control combined data from the National Health Interview Survey years 2003-2005 Sample Adult Core components to estimate the average annual arthritis prevalence in the U.S. population aged 18 years and older. Overall, 21.6% (46.4 million) of adults reported arthritis or another rheumatic condition diagnosed by a doctor, with 27 million Americans having osteoarthritis, up from 21 million in 1990.27, 28 By the year 2030, an estimated 67 million (25% of the projected total adult population) adults aged 18 years and older will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis with two-thirds of those with arthritis being women. (See Figure 6.) The impact of this arthritis on individuals is significant. Almost 41% report severe limitations in their usual activities and 31% report being limited in work due to the arthritis.29 (See Figure 7.) Figure 6. Projected prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis, in US adults 18 and older, 2005-2030. Data Source: www.cdc.gov Hootman JM, et al. Projections of U.S. prevelance of arthritis and associated activity limitations. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;54(1):226-229. Hootman J, et al. Prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis and arthtitis-attributed activity limitation–United States, 2003-2005. MMWR. 2006;55(40):1089-1092. Figure 7. Percent of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis with ”arthritis attributable” activity and work limitations in 2002. Data Source: www.cdc.gov, 2002 National Health Interview Survey. Hootman J, et al. Prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis and arthtitis-attributed activity limitation–United States, 2003-2005. MMWR. 2006;55(40):1089-1092. Bolen J, et al. Racial/Ethnic differences in the prevelance and impact of doctor-diagnosed arthritis–United States, 2002. MMWR. 2005;54(5):119-123. The average direct cost (medications, assistive devices) of OA is approximately $2,600 per year per person living with OA, but the total annual cost (including lost wages, loss of productivity) of OA per person living with OA is at the low end $5,700 but in the high end over $10,000.30-32 The question remains as to why is there this alarming increase in osteoarthritis to the point that between 1997 and 2005 the number of knee surgeries climbed by 69% from 328,800 to 555,800, hip replacements rose 32% from 290,700 to 383,500, and spinal fusion surgeries increased by 73% from 202,100 procedures to 349,400 per year?33 Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most commonly used classes of medications. Ibuprofen was the first NSAID available by prescription in the United States in 1974, under the brand names Motrin and Rufen. It rose to be the fifth-largest selling prescription drug and in 1984 was the first new entrant in the non-prescription pain reliever market in nearly 30 years. For the last thirty plus years, NSAIDs are among the most frequently used drugs in the United States. From 1973 to 1983, for instance, the number of NSAID prescriptions dispensed by retail pharmacies tripled, rising from 28 million to around 70 million by the early 1980s. (See Figure 8.) Figure 8. Prescriptions for nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs dispensed by retail pharmacies from 1973-1983. Is it this widespread use of NSAIDs many years ago that has led to the current epidemic of disabling osteoarthritis? What are the long-term effects of this NSAID use? Could it be that the massive widespread use of NSAID twenty and thirty plus years ago is the reason that there is currently an epidemic of disabling osteoarthritis resulting in a slew of spine and joint replacement operations? By 1983, five of the 50 drug products most often dispensed were NSAIDs, representing over 4% of the total prescription market.34 To put a practical visual on these numbers in percentage terms, enough NSAIDs were purchased in the United States by drugstores and hospitals to treat 1.29% of the entire civilian population each day in 1983. The number one use for these NSAIDs in 1983 was osteoarthritis. While the prescribing patterns for specific NSAIDs have changed over the years, as drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen became available over-the-counter, an NSAID is still the number one medication prescribed by physicians for osteoarthritis. For instance, 80% of rheumatologists noted they frequently prescribe NSAIDs for symptomatic hip and knee osteoarthritis, while for the same group of clients, 65% of primary care physicians use an NSAID.35, 36 Even when physicians were educated on guidelines based on the European League Against Rheumatism, American College of Rheumatology, and The Arthritis Society guidelines for OA treatment, limiting NSAID use, NSAIDs were still prescribed over half the time for patients with knee OA.37 These prescribing patterns are confirmed in the numbers. For instance, in 2002, the prescriptions for generic ibuprofen and naproxen exceeded 500 million per year, with over 45 million prescriptions written for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors.38 Realize, these numbers do not include all of the over-the-counter NSAIDs that have been consumed over the last thirty plus years. According to the National Consumers League survey conducted in 2002 on the public’s use of and attitudes toward NSAID medications, 83% of the respondents had used an over-the-counter pain medication, with 15% using it daily.39 When this survey was combined with The Roper National Survey of the over-the-counter pain reliever users, 38% used both prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers, and 44% consumed greater than the recommended dosages. The average length of the prescription drug use was 6.6 years.40 In respondents who had arthritis pain, 85% used over-the-counter pain relievers. What this data means is that 36 million Americans are using over-the-counter pain medications daily, with roughly 23 million using NSAIDs. Other surveys have confirmed that a high percentage of the U.S. population (17% or greater) routinely uses over-the-counter NSAID medications.41, 42 In a study of 2433 patients attending an outpatient physical therapy unit, 79% reported using either over-the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatory pain medication during the week prior to the survey.43 In data that we have published concerning unresponsive neck, knee, hip, and temporomandibular joint pain, the average person experienced pain for over five years and was taking one or more pain medications at the time of their first Prolotherapy visit.44-47 This epidemic NSAID prescribing and consuming for osteoarthritis is seen in most developed countries where 20-30% of elderly people (age>64 years) with up to 40% of some populations receiving NSAIDs.48, 49 (See Figure 9.) The question begs to be asked, “Could the use of these NSAIDs be the cause of the incredible rise of osteoarthritis and need for subsequent musculoskeletal surgeries, such as knee and hip joint replacements?” Figure 9. NSAID use according to age. In some populations, especially among the elderly, over 30% are regularly using NSAIDs. Source: Chiroli S, et al. Utilisation pattern of nonspecific nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and COX-2 inhibitors in a local health service unit in northeast Italy. 2003. Clin Drug Invest. 23(11):751-760. © 2003 Adis Data Information BV. THE ANIMAL DATA ON NSAIDS ACCELERATING CARTILAGE DETERIORATION From observations in animal models of OA there is substantial evidence that NSAIDs are toxic to articular cartilage. Drs. Marshall J. Palmoski and Kenneth D. Brandt from the Indiana University School of Medicine published several research papers showing that NSAIDs suppress chondrocyte proteoglycan (PRG) synthesis. Prior to these studies they had already shown that salicylate (aspirin), the drug most commonly employed in the treatment of OA at the time, reduced PRG synthesis in cultures of normal articular cartilage by about 30% and in cultures of OA cartilage by up to 99% at levels achieved in the serum of patients treated with salicylate.50 They also showed that salicylate (aspirin) accelerated the development of structure damage in the OA joint in the canine cruciate-deficient model or that caused by immobilization, and resulted in more severe pathology than that seen in the OA knees of dogs not treated with the drug.51-53 As more clinicians started using ibuprofen and other NSAIDs, instead of aspirin for OA, Drs. Palmoski and Brandt studied the effects these drugs had on canine articular cartilage. Specifically they found that fenoprofen and ibuprofen inhibited net PRG synthesis in a concentration-dependent fashion. At concentrations in the culture medium comparable to plasma concentrations seen in patients after oral administration of NSAIDs in humans, net PRG synthesis in the presence of these drugs averaged 72% and 86% of the control values, respectively (P<0.01).54-56 (See Figure 10.) P-value is the sense of statistical significance. P<0.01 means that there is a less than 1 in 100 (1%) chance that the results occurred by chance. The lower the p-value, the more significant the result. Figure 10. Net synthesis of 35S-glycosaminoglycans by normal canine knee cartilage cultured in the presence of ibuprofen. Ibuprofen inhibited glycosaminoglycan synthesis by cartilage cells at doses that are commonly achieved by those taking this medication. In another study on canine articular cartilage, these researchers found that the inhibitory effect of the NSAID indomethacin was greater when the articular cartilage was depleted of glycosaminoglycans.57 In other words, there is a greater inhibition of PRG synthesis in osteoarthritic cartilage than normal cartilage. Other researchers have confirmed these findings that NSAIDs consistently suppress proteoglycan and glycosaminoglycan synthesis.58-60 This depletion of matrix proteoglycans has been shown to be one cause of the increased degeneration of cartilage chondrocytes from the use of NSAIDs.61 Taken to the extreme, one researcher put it this way, “…depending on dose and at concentrations that in many cases correspond to therapeutic plasma levels, these drugs may lead to a pronounced reduction or complete blockade of synthesis of the proteoglycans and collagen of the cartilage matrix.” They went on to say that the medications can “induce progressive joint degeneration within three to four months.”62 Animal studies have also shown the effects of NSAIDs on proliferation, cell cycle kinetics, cytotoxicity, and cell death of chondrocytes. In one study the NSAIDs indomethacin, ketorolac, diclofenac, piroxicam, and celecoxib inhibited thymidine incorporation of chondrocytes at therapeutic concentrations. NSAIDs also arrested chondrocytes in their cell cycles, thus inhibiting chondrocyte cell replication. Upon 24 hour exposure to indomethacin, ketorolac, diclofenac, and piroxicam, chondrocyte cell death (both apoptosis and necrosis) was induced in cell cultures.63 One mechanism by which NSAIDs are toxic to chondrocytes is by inhibiting PGE2 synthesis by chondrocytes.64 PGE2 elicits differentiation of chondrocytes and is an important contributor to cartilage formation and promotes DNA and matrix synthesis in chondrocytes.65, 66 PGE2 has a growth stimulatory effect on chondrocytes, thereby increasing chondrocyte DNA synthesis.67, 68 NSAIDs inhibit the enzyme cyclooxygenase which is responsible for PGE2 release in chondrocytes.69 HUMAN STUDIES In 1991, Kenneth D. Brandt, MD, one of the main researchers on NSAIDs’ effect on cartilage wrote, “No clinical evidence exists today, however, to support the contention that NSAIDs favorably influence the progression of joint degeneration in man.”70 While this author will not refute this statement, an addition to it is warranted …but much evidence exists that NSAID use accelerates articular cartilage degeneration. This issue is extremely important since 30 billion over-the-counter doses of NSAIDs are sold annually in the United States.71 While the condition known as osteoarthritis has other names, including degenerative joint disease, the name is actually misleading; the words do not accurately describe the pathophysiology of the condition. The term osteoarthritis literally means inflammation of a bony joint but the most common clinical presentation of the condition is one of articular cartilage breakdown without joint swelling, heat, or any other markers of inflammation. The more appropriate term for osteoarthrosis or degenerative joint disease is understood as a non-inflammatory degenerative process. The notion of treating a non-inflammatory condition with an anti-inflammatory medication is bound to have long-term detrimental effects. in vivo – experimentation using whole, living organisms or live isolated cells. Once the cells are disrupted and the individual parts are treated or analyzed this is known as in vitro. At present no quantitative non-invasive method for determining the anabolic (building up) and catabolic (breaking down) activity of NSAIDs on human cartilage in vivo exists. Most information on the effects of NSAIDs on the turnover of extra-cellular matrix macromolecules comes from short-term organ culture studies. Initial evaluations into the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis concentrated on the effects of NSAIDs on glycosaminoglycan synthesis. It was established that in all but the most severe cases of osteoarthritis, the chondrocyte response to proteoglycan depletion was an increase in glycosaminoglycan synthesis.72, 73 One of the first to show that NSAIDs diminished glycosaminoglycan synthesis in aged human cartilage cells (taken during hip surgery) in vitro was a research group from the University of Sydney in 1976.74 J.T. Dingle, led several of the follow-up studies on the effects of NSAIDs on human cartilage metabolism. The initial studies revealed significant declines in glycosaminoglycan synthesis in both normal and osteoarthritic human cartilages.75 (See Figure 11.) Figure 11. The effect of NSAIDs on GAG synthesis in humans (both non-arthritic and osteoarthritic) is shown. Concentrations of NSAIDs are similar to those obtained in serum/synovial fluid during treatment. In a follow-up study, the same research group, took femoral head articular cartilage from non-arthritic and osteoarthritic patients post-operatively after total hip replacement. The relative human cartilage metabolism was measured on 245 osteoarthritic patients and 80 normal patients’ cartilage organ cultures subjected to various NSAIDs. The commonly used NSAIDs indomethacin, ibuprofen, and naproxen were shown to significantly inhibit (from 40 to 70%) glycosaminoglycan synthesis in patients’ cartilage.76 (See Figure 12.) Figure 12. Some of the most commonly used NSAIDs, Indomethacin, Ibuprofen, & Naxopren, were found to decrease GAG synthesis, whereas Paracetamol (acetaminophen) did not. Notice that paracetamol (acetaminophen or Tylenol) did not inhibit GAG synthesis. The researchers noted that caution must be exercised in extrapolation from in-vitro (lab) to in-vivo (person) effects of NSAIDs, but it seems possible that some highly effective anti-inflammatory agents may produce adverse effects on cartilage integrity when employed during long-term treatment.77 Other researchers have confirmed NSAIDs’ inhibitory effect on proteoglycan synthesis and have commented that “…any drug that suppresses proteoglycan synthesis and impairs the ability of the chondrocyte to repair its damaged extracellular matrix, could potentially accelerate the breakdown of the articular tissue.”78, 79 NSAIDS INHIBIT PROSTAGLANDIN SYNTHESIS One way in which NSAIDs stop the chondrocytes from repairing themselves is by the inhibition of the synthesis of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Prostaglandins (PG) are produced by most human cell types (including chondrocytes) and have a variety of physiologic functions. PG synthesis is initiated by the mobilization of arachidonic acid from cell membrane phospholipids as a result of the enzyme phospholipase A2. The enzyme cyclooxygenase along with other enzymes converts arachidonic acid to five primary prostaglandins: PGD2, PGE2, PGI2 (Prostacyclin), PGF2a, and TXA2 (thomboxane). (See Figure 13.) These PGs have a variety of functions including the mediation of inflammation, calcium movement, sensitization of spinal neurons to pain, blood clotting, blood pressure, circulation, control of blood flow in kidneys, hormone regulation, protection of gastrointestinal lining, and the control of cell growth.80, 81 Chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts produce PGE2. PGE2 levels are increased to an impact load on articular cartilage or during cartilage degeneration.82, 83 PGE2 is reported to have anabolic effects on cartilage: increasing proteoglycan and DNA and collagen synthesis,84, 85 stimulating proliferation and proteoglycan aggrecan synthesis,86, 87 and, at low concentrations, stimulating type II collagen synthesis.88 Figure 13. Biosynthesis of prostaglandins.The enzyme cyclooxygenase is the key enzyme in the formation of the five primary prostaglandins including PGE2. NSAIDs inhibit prostaglandin synthesis by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase. Human chondrocytes express two forms of the cyclooxygenase enzyme, known as the COX-1 and COX-2 isoforms. Unstimulated human chondrocytes do not contain detectable COX-2.89 COX-1 is present in most cells under physiological conditions, whereas COX-2 is induced by some cytokines presumably in pathological conditions such as joint trauma, degeneration, or osteoarthritis.90, 91 Put another way, COX-2 is undetectable in most normal tissues, is an inducible enzyme, becoming abundant in activated macrophages (immune cells) and other cells at sites of inflammation. Prostaglandins, whose synthesis involves COX-1, are responsible for maintenance and protection of the gastrointestinal tract, while prostaglandins, whose synthesis involves COX-2, are responsible for inflammation and pain. One of the main prostaglandins involved in this inflammatory reaction is PGE2. Researchers have shown that the PGE2 levels correlate with the amount of COX-2 expression in chondrocytes.92 (See Figure 14.) Also well established is that this PGE2 release can easily be inhibited by the use of NSAIDs.93, 94 (See Figure 15.) Figure 14. Correlation analysis of COX-2 expression and PGE2 levels by chondrocytes. The isoform COX-2 enzyme levels correlate directly with PGE2 levels. Figure 15. PGE2 released into culture medium, as a function of log-NSAID dose (M). Results are expressed as % of control values.• — • ASA; o — o TA. NSAIDs at physiologic concentrations are potent inhibitors of PGE2 synthesis. Since the over expression of the COX-2 protein plays an important role in many pathophysiologic states, including inflammation, cancer, angiogenesis, Alzheimer’s disease, and several forms of inflammatory arthritis, NSAIDs especially those that inhibit COX-2, are used for many of these conditions. In regard to joint inflammation, one author notes, “…by inhibiting joint conditions, they (NSAIDs) may indirectly be beneficial to cartilage, specifically when inflammation is primary in the cause of cartilage damage, as in the case for rheumatoid arthritis.” However, in OA, in which inflammation may contribute to but is not primarily responsible for cartilage damage, adverse direct effects of NSAIDs on cartilage with long-term treatment may have an important impact on long-term outcome.”94 In other words PGE2 can exert catabolic or anabolic effects depending on the microenvironment.95 Since normal articular chondrocytes produce very little PGE2 and osteoarthritic chondrocytes produce a lot of it through the COX-2 enzyme, it would make sense from a traditional medical point of view to attack arthritis pain from this angle. This is especially true since the over expression of the COX-2 protein (and thus increased PGE2 levels) plays an important role in many pathophysiolgic states, including systemic inflammation, fever, cancer, angiogenesis, Alzheimer’s disease, and inflammatory arthritis.96 Yes, in certain conditions inflammation is harmful, but it is a big leap to assume everywhere there is PGE2 it is harming tissue. The articular chondrocytes make PGE2 in response to injury to stimulate healing. Osteoarthritic cartilage spontaneously releases PGE2 in levels at least 50-fold higher than normal cartilage and 18-fold higher than normal cartilage stimulated with cytokines and endotoxin.97-100 The inflammation that occurs through PGE2 when a normal or osteoarthritic joint is injured is the body’s immune system response to try and get the joint injury repaired.101 When a person uses medications that block this response, while pain may be improved, the repair mechanisms for the joint are inhibited. The long-term consequences, of course can be an acceleration of the degenerative osteoarthritic process. (See Figure 16.) Long-term NSAID treatment not only blocks PGE2 production by direct inhibition of COX-2 activity but by down-regulating COX-2 synthesis.102 Figure 16. Chondrocytes produce PGE2 in response to injury. NSAIDs, especially those that block COX-2 inhibit PGE2 synthesis in chondrocytes thereby stalling the body’s main inflammatory repair mechanism. Long-term, this will accelerate degenerative osteoarthritis of the joint. NSAIDS ACCELERATE THE RADIOGRAPHIC PROGRESSION OF OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE AND HIP The suggestion that indomethacin accelerates the bone destruction in osteoarthritis of the hip was first made by Coke in 1967;103 subsequent reports have been numerous that provide further clinical evidence of the damaging effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on osteoarthritic hips.104-107 In one retrospective investigation of the relationship between the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on hip destruction in primary osteoarthritis of the hip, 70 hips were studied in 64 patients. Cranial acetabular migration, a measure of acetabular destruction, was present in 37 hips and absent in 33. Regular intake of NSAIDs was noted for 31 of the 37 migrating hips. In regard to the other six, three took NSAIDs on and off and only three of the 37 did not take NSAIDs. Those patients with serious hip destruction when compared with those who did not have the acetabular destruction did not differ in sex, age, pain grading, or walking ability. The only significant difference was the amount of NSAIDs taken. According to the researchers, NSAID use was associated with progressive formation of multiple small acetabular and femoral subcortical cysts and subchondral bone thinning. They concluded, “The association of acetabular bone destruction with regular NSAID intake in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip adds further evidence to the clinical and experimental observations on the powerful and potentially harmful effects of these drugs on cartilage and bone.”108 In this study the NSAIDs used regularly and associated with acetabular migration in this series were indomethacin (14 hips); ibuprofen (8 hips); naproxen (3 hips); sulindac, aspirin, and piroxicam (2 hips each); flurbiprofen, azapropazone, diclofenac, fenclofenac, and ketoprofen (1 hip each). The authors noted, “This study suggests caution in the widespread use of NSAIDs for osteoarthritis of the hip…” Researchers in Norway studied the course of osteoarthritis in 294 hips of 186 patients with radiographs over a three year period. The development of the disease in patients treated with an NSAID was compared with that in a control group (no NSAID). In the NSAID group the OA disease progressed at a level of statistical significance more frequently and severely. Specifically the researchers found that in the three year period of the study, the osteoarthritic hips treated with the NSAID had more cysts, altered bone structure, and overall hip destruction. The way they put it was, “In the present study, loss of trabecular structure in the subchondral bone seems to be a characteristic feature in ‘indomethacin joint destruction’ as well as disappearance of normal joint contours and multiple small cysts.”109 Solomon reported similar destruction in osteoarthritic hip joints as “new events” during treatment with NSAIDs. He performed further investigations on the extirpated (cut out from surgery) femoral heads with examination of cut surface, slab radiographs, and histology. Many of the heads, and especially those with changes attributable to NSAIDs, were found to have microscopic fragmentation of the bony trabeculae giving the appearance of a jammed marrow space.110 To see if these sort of damaging changes occurred with NSAID use on osteoarthritic knees the Longitudinal Investigation of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs in Knee Osteoarthritis (LINK) study group was formed in England. They did a large study to compare the rate of radiographic progression in knee osteoarthritis comparing indomethacin (NSAID) with placebo. The study involved 20 rheumatology clinics in the United Kingdom. Patients received indomethacin 25mg three times daily or a placebo. The average person in each group was around 60 years of age and had osteoarthritis in the knee for over five years. The study involved 85 clients in the indomethacin group and 85 in the placebo group. Radiographic analysis was done yearly and the radiographic grade was judged by two observers using a six point scale. The average length of follow-up was three years. By the third year of the study, the results were so dramatic demonstrating the acceleration of the degeneration of the articular cartilage in the knee osteoarthritic patient treated with indomethacin that this part of the study had to be stopped. By the third year of the study, the results were so dramatic demonstrating the acceleration of the degeneration of the articular cartilage in the knee osteoarthritic patient treated with indomethacin that this part of the study had to be stopped. There were more than twice as many patients showing deterioration in the indomethacin group as the placebo. The difference between the two groups was highly statistically significant (p=0.009). The authors noted that the risk of deterioration within a one year period in patients taking indomethacin relative to placebo was 2.1 (risk ratio).111 The authors concluded firmly, “Our study confirms beyond a reasonable doubt that indomethacin increases the rate of radiological deterioration of osteoarthritic knees.” What actually happens to patients who take NSAIDs on a regular basis? If NSAIDs, by inhibiting pain and inflammation in osteoarthritic joints, cause people with OA to overuse a damaged joint, this should result in accelerating joint degeneration and joint replacements at an earlier time or, alternatively, if treatment with NSAIDs alters cartilage metabolism and inhibits joint healing, an acceleration of articular cartilage degeneration should be seen. Numerous studies have shown that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, particularly indomethacin, increase the rate of progression of osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.112-117 Statistically significant progression of hip radiographs in osteoarthritic patients can be seen within one year of those patients taking NSAIDs. In one study, the authors noted, “…a statistically significant correlation between the NSAID consumption score and changes in the radiological parameter (p=0.0001). This statistically significant difference was retained when the percentage of days taking NSAIDs was added (p = 0.0004).”118 In a recent landmark study, Dutch researchers studied more than 1600 subjects with hip OA and 635 with knee OA. The researchers evaluated radiographs of the hip and knee at baseline and follow-up. The researchers assessed the associations between different types of NSAIDs and the progression of OA. The mean follow-up period was 6.6 years. They found that long-term use of the NSAID diclofenac was associated with a more than twofold increase in radiologic progression of hip osteoarthritis and a threefold increase in progression observed in the knee. Ibuprofen use was also shown to be associated with a statistically significant increase in progression of the users’ knee and hip OA.119 The interesting point of this study is that the study population was healthy. The authors noted that this may have resulted in an underestimation of the reported associations. Their conclusion noted,“…these data suggest that diclofenac may induce accelerated progression of hip and knee OA. Whether this occurs because of a true deleterious effect on cartilage or because of excessive mechanical loading on a hip or knee following pain relief, remains to be investigated.” Another study comparing diclofenac with placebo, as seen in Figure 17, accelerated OA in knees as evidenced by a greater decline in joint space width on X-rays compared to placebo.120 Figure 17. Graph of the mean (SD) change in joint space width at each 6-month visit in knees with late stage osteoarthritis (joint space width Source: Buckland-Wright JC, et al. Quantitative microfocal radiography detects changes in OA knee joint space width in patients in placebo-controlled trial of NSAID therapy. J Rheumatol. 1995;22:937-43. NSAIDS INCREASE THE NEED FOR JOINT REPLACEMENT It is important to remember that pain has a physiologic function: if a joint produces pain when it is used, it is a signal for the body to use that joint less or else the structure eliciting the pain will be further damaged. One study focused on a group of patients with hip osteoarthritis who needed to have a joint replacement in the not-too-distant future. They were randomly prescribed an NSAID, aspirin-like drug, or acetaminophen. Over the next months, the patients were asked about their joint pain, and radiographs of their hips were taken. The patients given the NSAID had more progression of their hip radiographs and needed to have joint replacements performed in half the time as the group given acetaminophen. The authors speculated why this occurred. They noted that the NSAID might have prevented normal cartilage turnover and repair, and accelerated the joint degeneration; or, more likely, the potent medication decreased joint pain and those subjects were therefore more active. This has led to the suggestion that potent NSAIDs can lead to “analgesic joint,” which can develop when pain is relieved by the NSAID, thus increasing the joint use and subsequent load on the joint, causing accelerated joint degeneration and ultimate need for joint replacement, especially if the excessive joint load continues.121 This latter notion has actually been studied: patients who take NSAIDs for knee OA put increased joint forces on their knees with walking because of pain relief, compared to those who do not have pain relief taking nothing, or just a placebo. As one researcher put it, “Of particular concern is the fact that anti-inflammatory or analgesic relief may actually be associated with an increase in joint forces.”122, 123 Other researchers have confirmed that the same type of knee joint loads that cause knee osteoarthritis are increased significantly during walking with NSAID use.124-126 The net effect of increased pressure on the damaged joint would be accelerated osteoarthritis and need for knee or hip replacement. One research team confirmed that NSAID use increases the risk of getting a hip replacement due to primary osteoarthritis by 50% during a two year period.127 These researchers raised the question of the deleterious effect on cartilage resulting from NSAID intake in osteoarthritis. Other researchers have also confirmed that NSAID users need total joint replacements sooner than those who do not take them.128 OVERALL EFFECTS OF NSAIDS ON OSTEOARTHRITIC JOINTS It is clear from the scientific literature that NSAIDs from in vitro and in vivo studies in both animals and humans have a significant negative effect on cartilage matrix which causes an acceleration of the deterioration of articular cartilage in osteoarthritic joints. The preponderance of evidence shows that NSAIDs have no beneficial effect on articular cartilage and accelerate the very disease for which they are most used and prescribed. While the rapid deterioration of joints after long-term NSAID treatment can be from a loss of proactive pain sensations, it is much more likely that it is a direct effect of NSAIDs on cartilage. (See Figure 18.) Some of these effects can be seen in Figure 19 and include inhibition of chondrocyte proliferation, synthesis of cellular matrix components, glycosaminoglycan synthesis, collagen synthesis, and proteoglycan synthesis. Clinically this is manifested as an accelerated progression of the knee or hip osteoarthritis as seen by standard radiographs. The long-term consequence of the deterioration of the joint is a need for joint replacement. This author notes that massive NSAID use in osteoarthritic patients since their introduction over the past forty years is one of the main causes of the rapid rise in the need for hip and knee replacements both now and in the near future. Figure 18. Effects of NSAIDs on articular cartilage. A typical X-ray showing cartilage deterioration. Studies have shown that taking NSAIDs not only accelerates this process, but makes it more likely the person will need a joint replacement. Figure 19. NSAIDs taken long term have a negative effect on joint physiology and ultimately lead to degenerative arthritis. The effect of NSAIDs on joints • Acceleration of radiographic progression of oseoarthritis • Decreased joint space width • Increased joint forces/loads • Increased risk of joint replacement • Inhibition of chondrocyte proliferation • Inhibition of collagen synthesis • Inhibition of glycosaminoglycan synthesis • Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis • Inhibition of proteoglycan synthesis • Inhibition of synthesis of cellular matrix components RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE USE OF NSAIDS IN OSTEOARTHRITIS The preponderance of scientific evidence shows that NSAIDs damage articular cartilage. Various scientific papers and consensus groups have stated that there is no convincing data to show that the widely used NSAIDs and recommended selective COX-2 inhibitors have favorable effects on cartilage.129-131 Even the main consensus paper from the International Cartilage Repair Society and Osteoarthritis Research Society International stated that NSAID use has to be limited to the short term. Specifically the recommendation was as follows: In patients with symptomatic hip or knee osteoarthritis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be used at the lowest effective dose but their long-term use should be avoided if possible.132 They also noted that NSAIDs should not be first-line therapy for joint OA. Other groups have raised similar sentiments. The committees of the International League Against Rheumatism and the World Health Organization came up with guidelines for the testing of new drugs in osteoarthritis. The consensus from these meetings resulted in recommendations by The European Group for the Respect of Ethics and Excellence in Science (GREES) for governmental registration and approval of new drugs used in the treatment of OA and have added the requirement that the drug not have a deleterious effect on the diseased and non-diseased contra lateral joint; i.e., no deleterious effect on osteoarthritic or normal cartilage.133 If this latter recommendation were followed, the vast majority, if not all NSAIDs, would be immediately taken off the market and no new ones would get approved. While it is admirable for the various consensus and rheumatology organizations to educate doctors and the lay public about the necessity to limit NSAID use in OA, this author (RH) feels the warnings are not enough. Within the last year, for instance, the FDA has again implemented new rules requiring stronger and more extensive label warnings (in addition to the heart disease risks) regarding the risk of liver damage and stomach bleeding for people taking common over-the-counter pain relievers. As for NSAIDs, the new regulations require front labels to instruct users to see new warnings that say, “This product contains a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which may cause severe stomach bleeding. The chance is higher if you are age 60 or older, have had stomach ulcers or bleeding problems, take a blood thinning or steroid drug, take other drugs containing prescription or nonprescription NSAIDs, have three or more alcoholic drinks every day using this product, take more or for a longer time than directed.”134 The lay public for whom NSAIDs are prescribed and recommended by both health care professionals and drug manufacturers should be aware that long-term NSAID use is detrimental to articular cartilage. Specifically, be informed that NSAIDs will likely worsen the OA disease for which it is prescribed. Physicians, allied health care professionals, and drug manufacturers should be required to inform the lay public that NSAID use can accelerate OA articular cartilage degeneration. A strict warning label on these medications should read as follows: The use of this nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication has been shown in scientific studies to accelerate the articular cartilage breakdown in osteoarthritis. Use of this product poses a significant risk in accelerating osteoarthritis joint breakdown. Anyone using this product for the the pain of osteoarthritis should be under a doctor’s care and use of this product should be with the very lowest dose and for the shortest possible duration of time. One of the basic tenants of medicine is stated in the Hippocratic oath, “I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.”135 For doctors to uphold this statement in the treatment of their OA patients, it would necessitate the almost complete banning of the use of NSAIDs for this condition. If this does not occur, then most likely the exponential rise in degenerative arthritis and subsequent musculoskeletal surgeries, including knee and hip replacements, as well as spine surgeries, will continue for decades to come. BIBLIOGRAPHY |
The Ukrainian government has suspended the movement of cargo between Crimea and Ukraine, citing an initiative put forward by PM Arseny Yatsenyuk. The suspension will be active until a list of goods allowed to be delivered to the peninsula is compiled. The decision was preceded by a request from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Monday which wanted to look into the possibility of a temporary “termination of road and railroad freight transport communication with Crimea in both directions”. Within a matter of hours, the ban on cargo transport exchange was approved by the Ukrainian cabinet. Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk proposed that a list of goods and services which could be supplied to Crimea be worked out. Read more “So that this list corresponds with Ukrainian interests, first of all I propose to engage the Mejlis [highest executive-representative body] of the Crimean Tatar People to make sure that the decision will take the interests of our fraternal Crimean Tatar people into account,” the Prime Minister said in a statement. At the same time Yatsenyuk ordered that electricity transmission lines in the Kherson region, which supply Crimea with electricity, be repaired, RIA reported. “In order to restore energy delivery in the Kherson region and ensure energy security of our country, I am asking to start repairing works urgently where it is possible,” he said. On Saturday, transmission towers in Ukraine’s Kherson region were exploded, leading to a power supply shortage the region as well as a blackout in Crimea. The radical Pravy Sektor (Right Sector) movement and Crimean Tatar “activists” have been trying to block repairs. Russian deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak said that the situation in Crimea is difficult but not disastrous. He reported that the peninsula is producing 30 percent of its required power which is enough for the functioning of significant facilities and transport infrastructure. “We are working on accelerating the construction of the power bridge. By mid-December the problem of power supplies to Crimea will be significantly less acute,” Kozak said as cited by RIA. Response to Russian food embargo Prime Minister Yatsenyuk has warned that Ukraine will respond to the food embargo which Russia is going to introduce as of January 1 with a similar step. Read more “Speaking about the embargo, I would like to make it clear that Russian threats to introduce an embargo on Ukrainian goods will face the same response from the Ukrainian authorities,” he said. "There will be an analogous Ukrainian decision to launch an embargo against Russia to every Russian decision to launch an embargo against Ukraine,” he added. Moscow announced that it will impose a food embargo on Ukraine as of January 1, 2016, when the economic part of Kiev’s European Association Agreement comes into force. "Since Ukraine joined economic and financial sanctions against the Russian Federation, we have decided to introduce protective measures by imposing a food embargo,” Russia’s Economic Development Minister Aleksey Ulyukaev said. |
There has been a "worrying rise" in revenge porn, says Minister for Women Michaelia Cash. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The most common form of abuse is offensive language, followed by malicious lies being spread online, being sent unwanted sexual content, and having embarrassing photos posted without the subject's permission. Perpetrators are most likely to be strangers. RMIT's Anastasia Powell said her study had uncovered significant levels of image-based sexual abuse. One in 10 adults has had a nude or semi-nude picture of them taken without their permission. The same proportion has had a sexually explicit image of them sent to others without their permission, or had someone threaten to publicly share such an image. "It's the first Australian study to show the prevalence of this kind of image-based abuse," Dr Powell said. "Interestingly, both men and women report this is happening to them in the same numbers." La Trobe's Nicola Henry said the harm was magnified by the massive potential audience for revenge porn. There are now underground revenge porn web sites where people trade non-consensual images for bitcoins. "A lot of women have no idea that it is going on," Dr Henry said. The researchers said there needed to be better legal protection for victims of digital abuse and harassment. Police are particularly keen for a specific revenge porn offence, as existing laws are too broad to be confident of a conviction. "Technology and its uses are advancing quicker than the law can keep up," Dr Powell said. "We need a revenge porn law, reflecting that this is happening to one in 10 Australians. It's a really important gap." She also called for consistency in state and federal laws so victims don't fall through gaps, depending on where they are located. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said he is "certainly open" to making a specific legal provision for revenge porn. "To threaten a woman ... with publication of intimate photographs is thoroughly unacceptable conduct," he said when announcing $100 million in funding to fight domestic violence. The COAG advisory panel on reducing violence against women is considering whether current laws are adequate to guard against technology-facilitated abuse. The federal government is waiting for the panel to report back by the end of the year before it acts on revenge porn. Minister for Women Michaelia Cash said there had been a "worrying rise" in such incidents. "Perpetrators are now using technology to track, harass, blackmail and abuse their victims in ways that we have not previously seen - this includes the worrying rise in incidents of what is known as 'revenge porn'," she said. But she said technology could be also be used to help, not harm, and "the recently announced Women's Safety Package had numerous examples of how technology can be utilised to assist victims of domestic violence". Police and sexual assault services have identified three "highly concerning" trends in relation to image-based sexual abuse. Aside from revenge porn, sextortion is also occurring, where a perpetrator uses sexual images to coerce a victim into unwanted sexual conduct. In addition, police warned sexual assaults are being photographed or filmed, and then used to intimidate or silence the victim. This "substantially" increases the impact of abuse. Domestic violence support services said technology was enabling perpetrators to harass their victims 24/7. This includes persistent unwanted contact via texts, emails and social media, bombarding victims with threats, and installing stalker apps on the victim's device without their knowledge to monitor their communications and location. Women are much more vulnerable to sexual harassment online than men, experiencing it more often, and more likely to be very upset by the abuse. Men are more likely to receive pornographic material, while women are more likely to receive unsolicited sexual images such as "dick pics". They are also more likely than men to act to stop the harassment, by telling the perpetrator to stop, changing their profile settings, leaving the site or turning off their device. "Given the extent that technology is embedded in our everyday lives, the idea that women might be withdrawing from online participation because of harassment is very concerning," Dr Powell said. |
The Conservatives are pushing to devote just three meetings to hearing expert testimony on the government's proposed anti-terrorism bill when it goes to the public safety committee for review, CBC News has learned. Sources say that one of those days would be taken up by Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney and departmental officials, leaving just two meetings to hear from outside experts. The New Democrats, meanwhile, want no fewer than four former prime ministers to be invited to share their thoughts on the bill. During a closed-door planning meeting Tuesday morning, NDP committee members were expected to put forward a witness wish list that includes former prime ministers Jean Chrétien, Joe Clark, Paul Martin and John Turner and six retired Supreme Court justices. Those names were among two dozen prominent Canadians who signed a letter last week calling for more oversight provisions in C-51. The New Democrats also want to hear from three former members of the secretive Security Intelligence Review Committee that oversees CSIS operations: Bob Rae, Roy Romanow and Frances Lankin. Privacy, ex-CSIS watchdogs also on list Other names include: Former Supreme Court justices Louise Arbour, Michel Bastarache, Ian Binnie, Claire L'Heureux Dub é , John Major and Frank Iacobucci. , John Major and Frank Iacobucci. Former associate chief justice of Ontario Dennis O'Connor. Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien and predecessors Jennifer Stoddart and Chantal Bernier. Former RCMP public complaints commission chair Shirley Heafey. Former CSIS inspector general Eva Plunkett. Former NDP leader Ed Broadbent, who now heads up the Broadbent Institute. NDP sources say the full list will include as many as 50 witnesses, including legal, security and privacy experts. The committee spent most of the morning sequestered behind closed doors, and wrapped up shortly before 1 p.m. ET. NDP to filibuster? Originally, Tuesday's meeting was slated to be in camera only briefly before opening up for a public hearing on employment and training programs for federal inmates and offenders. Instead, those invited witnesses, who included Correctional Investigator Howard Sapers and a group lobbying to restore the prison farm program, were left to cool their heels in the hallway. In the past, New Democrat committee members have successfully tied up House committees for hours — and in some cases, days — by talking through the allotted time in order to stymie the government's efforts to impose tight turn-around deadlines on complex legislation. If the party decides to employ a similar strategy with the anti-terrorism bill, it could push back the government's timeline for passage, although likely not indefinitely, as the committee chair could move to call a vote if he feels that the speeches are repetitious or lacking relevance. NDP criticism 'ridiculous': PM During question period, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair challenged Prime Minister Stephen Harper to commit to a full review at committee — one in which, he said, "security experts and human rights experts [will be] not only heard, but listened to." In response, Harper called Mulcair's criticism of the bill "ridiculous." "I would urge the committee to study the bill as quickly as possible in order to ensure the adoption of these measures to ensure the security and safety of Canadians," he added. Later in the session, NDP public safety critic Randall Garrison suggested that, rather than answer questions, the government "rammed C-51 through this House," and wondered if they were going to try to do the same thing at committee. Blaney, the public safety minister, said he was "disappointed" in the New Democrats. "I think we should care about terrorism, and do as elected members what we can to give the tools to our police officers and law enforcement and intelligence that they need, and show them respect" — something he said Mulcair "has not been able to do." Later, Blaney accused the NDP of not even wanting to debate the bill within committee, and slammed Mulcair for "attacking the credibility" of CSIS officers. "These people respect the law, and I call on him to present arguments, and not lies to defend his position." 'Let's do this right' Speaking on CBC News Network's Power & Politics, Liberal public safety critic Wayne Easter, whose party supports the bill, nevertheless agreed that the committee needs more time to study the legislation. "This is a huge bill, with five major sections — it's an omnibus bill related to national security," he said. "Each section needs to be discussed vividly." He pointed out that the anti-terror laws introduced by the Liberal government following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 spent 19 days at committee. "It's possible to hold evening hearings … to meet during break weeks. Let's do this right in the interests of Canadians." Easter stressed that his party sees the need for the bill. "But there are concerns that have to be addressed, so let's hear the technicalities, and what the legal experts have to say," he said. |
Everyone has the brands to which they are loyal, whether it be for makeup products or smartphones. When buying a new car, the idea is no different; most people purchase another car from the same brand or even a newer version of the same model. Everyone has the brands to which they are loyal, whether it be for makeup products or smartphones. When buying a new car, the idea is no different; most people purchase another car from the same brand or even a newer version of the same model. While Tesla Motors does not have the highest sales figures in the automobile industry (with approximately 7,000 sold in the fourth quarter of 2013 alone), their cars display a level of innovation and ingenuity that few other vehicles have before. The first car that Tesla produced was the Tesla Roadster, a small sports car introduced in 2006, followed by the highly popular Tesla S four-door sedan in 2008. However, they are not any regular car; the Tesla vehicles are designed to operate completely on electricity, an idea that few automakers have strongly championed until recently. The company claims that on a full charge, the Model S can run almost 300 miles until it needs to be plugged up again. Many people are skeptical of the concept of having no gasoline as a safety precaution. Meanwhile, Tesla stresses the fact that most people drive less than 300 miles per day and are able to plug their cars in overnight to charge. The charging rate is somewhere in the neighborhood of 29 miles per hour, so it can be almost completely recharged in the time that you are sleeping. In the case that someone is taking a road trip, which requires traditional “refueling,” Tesla has introduced 75 Supercharger stations in North America that can charge a Tesla battery to 50 percent in half an hour. The idea of no emissions from a Tesla vehicle is music to the ears of many environmentalists and enthusiastic buyers. And while it is a completely electric vehicle, the top model can go 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds with 416 horsepower, which makes Model S appealing to customers interested in performance as well. While the Model S itself has fantastic specs on the outside, the interior is just as neat. The predominant feature of the interior is the 17-inch touchscreen control that commands the attention of everyone in the vehicle. According to the company website, it provides "media, navigation, web, control, energy, camera and phone" access for the driver. Tesla even informs consumers that there are only a few buttons inside the cabin, and the remote is a large button itself, making it very versatile in how it is used. The Model S also features retracting door handles when locked, increasing the streamlined aspect of the design even more. The top of the car is almost completely glass, allowing plenty of light into the passenger area. With this heavy integration of technology and futuristically advanced features, the Tesla Model S has received one of the highest consumer satisfaction rates out of all vehicles. Tesla has made several announcements into the future of its product pipeline, including the Model X, a blend of a minivan and SUV that embodies the Tesla spirit of a sleek and modern design. Deliveries will begin this year, and new orders will begin in 2015. While Tesla's vehicles are rather expensive with starting prices around $70,000, they are definitely worth the investment. They estimate that someone who drives approximately 15,000 miles annually can save over $2,000 per year in gas. However, for those that are looking for a less expensive Tesla vehicle, the company has said that a future model will range from $35,000-$40,000, known as BlueStar, in 2016 or 2017. It will also increase the driving range on a single charge to close to 400 miles and will continue to provide innovations that propel the company's sales forward. The revolutionary automaker has also been under fire recently across the country for its sales and service model, including a bill that has moved through the North Carolina Legislature regarding this issue. The main problem is that the company does not have dealerships for customers to take their vehicles to for service, which some people believe presents an issue for consumers. However, Tesla does have dozens of retail locations and service centers around the United States, and there are plenty more planned for other large cities. Tesla also offers vehicle technicians that it can dispatch to assist with issues or training. In North Carolina, the Tesla legislation did not pass, and Tesla can continue to sale its cars online. Even though it does not follow a similar dealership model as other automotive companies, change is inevitable; this new idea should be embraced, as Tesla is known for offering excellent customer service for its products. Overall, Tesla Motors is a rising star of innovation in the automotive sector. Its mainstream designs, advanced technologies, unconventional features and superb environmental profile deem the company a wonder in manufacturing and customer satisfaction. In the future, I foresee the company being extremely successful with sales and service delivery. It is important to continue to watch Tesla’s sales model over the next several years to see if more manufacturers adapt to this style of automobile sales and service. |
A recent article on Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight.com site finds that the single favorite event at the Olympics among the public (at least among people reachable through 538′s social media) is track and field’s 100 meter dash. That seems right to me: over the decades, I’ve probably written about the 1988 Ben Johnson vs. Carl Lewis 100m dash more times than any other single sporting event, even Kirk Gibson’s 1988 World Series home run a couple of weeks later. (I turned 30 a couple of months later …) This Olympic’s race to find the World’s Fastest Man was won for the third time in a row by Jamaica’s giant goofball Usain Bolt. Most Olympic events are exhausting to contemplate because of all the training that goes into them. But sprinters don’t have to work very hard, so they tend to have time on their hands. It’s basically a test of having God-given talent and not taking too few or too many PEDs, so it’s a fun lifestyle. That’s why they wear so much gold jewelry. The 100m dash is like the Plunge for Distance, except it’s for real. Carl Lewis only worked out 8 hours per week getting ready to win four gold medals in 1984, so he had time to be a disco music star in Japan. The cheerful two times women’s 100m dash gold medalist Shelley-Ann Fraser-Price has time to dye her hair weave the green and yellow colors of the Jamaican flag. The New Yorker recently inquired “How Fast Would Usain Bolt Run the Mile?“, only to find out according to his agent that “Usain has never run a mile.” In his autobiography, Bolt revealed that while setting 3 world records during the 2008 Olympics, he ate about 1,000 Chicken McNuggets. I wrote in 2015: The most striking statistic in human biodiversity studies was, to the best of my knowledge, first pointed out by Runner’s World editor Amby Burfoot in an article in the spring of 1992. He noted that in both the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, all eight finalists each time in the men’s 100 meter sprints were black. When you considered that people of substantial sub-Saharan descent only make up a modest fraction of the world’s population, then 16 out of 16 was extraordinary. But that was before Barcelona in 1992. Rio now represents the 9th consecutive Olympics in which all 8 finalists in the men’s 100 meter dash were black. That’s 72 in a row. I don’t think 72 out of 72 can be fully explained away as a social construct. |
An examination of the strategies, match-ups, and x's and o's of the upcoming series in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Russell Westbrook vs. Devin Harris, Deron Williams, and Wesley Matthews Justin Anderson vs. Kevin Durant Salah Mejri vs. All Comers at the Basket The Dallas Mavericks have limped into the playoffs again, unable to secure a spot without a Dirk Nowitzki throwback to his younger days in a much-needed game at the end of the season. The Mavericks are full of veteran guile, players on short contracts and a small core, including a couple guards that have been on and off of the team for a decade now in Devin Harris and J.J. Barea. They have an intriguing young wing whose minutes have gone up and down throughout the year, and their big man rotation has fluctuated all year. They ended up near the bottom of the playoff qualifiers and have to go up against a juggernaut with a core that’s played together far longer and is far more talented. This series should be a quick sweep without much excitement.Sound familiar? That’s because the same intro could have been written in 2014, when Rick Carlisle used the cast-off team of Mark Cuban’s “fallen angel” contracts around Dirk Nowitzki to push the eventual champion Spurs to seven games in their toughest test throughout the postseason. Now? The Mavericks are better and their opponent, the Oklahoma City Thunder, isn’t as good. The Thunder have more flaws and a dramatically different level of coaching. The Dallas Mavericks have a puncher’s chance here. Nobody’s being fooled here—the Thunder are the better team. But coaching, key matchups, and the Westbrook factor are going to be what this series turns on, and the Mavericks have a huge advantage in that first category.Coaching is going to come out in three main ways in this series: the Mavericks’ defensive scheme, the pace, and the lineup choices and minutes staggering each team chooses to go with. Throughout the season, many have lamented the Thunder’s decision not to ensure one of Durant or Westbrook was always on the floor. We’ll see what happens, but here are some key facts about those two. When both are on the court, Oklahoma City outscores opponents by 13.3 points per 100 possessions . When both sit, the Thunder get outscored by 8.5 points per 100 possessions. With only Durant, they outscore opponents by 8.7, and when Westbrook alone plays they outscore opponents by 5.4. For the Mavericks, Carlisle experimented late in the season with Dirk Nowitzki playing center. We’ll look at how some of the key matchups will make this possible, but Oklahoma City presents a very high-risk, high-reward team to use a Dirk-at-Center lineup against. (Note, all on/off stats are courtesy of nbawowy.com)In 2014, we saw how Carlisle could completely change a defensive scheme to slow down a team. With the Spurs ball movement dependence out of the pick and roll, Carlisle elected to go against the traditional way that NBA teams defend (using all five guys), and instead keep the three off-ball players on their assignment and guard the pick and roll with only the two defenders directly involved. We’ll see just what Carlisle cooks up in his lab, but expect a steady diet of different defensive fronts, like Rob Ryan’s New York Jets when they took down the Tom Brady-led Patriots in the playoffs a few years ago. Blitzes, late swaps to zone, aggressive double teams—nothing is out of the question. Per Synergy Sports Tech, Oklahoma City is the 21st ranking offense against zone fronts, which they’ve only faced for 126 possessions (the bulk of which came against the Mavs bench in a January game where all five starters sat). The Mavericks’ various zone defenses, typically a matchup zone, have them as the 8th best zone in the NBA this season. Dallas is also the most experienced zone team in the NBA, per Synergy, as they run their zone 6.3% of the time. Only one other team uses zone more than 2% of the time (the Phoenix Suns).Finally, look for the pace. The Mavericks got hot by slowing the game down, holding their turnovers to one of the lowest per game averages in the NBA during their recent spate of winning, while the Thunder spend 16% of their offensive possessions in transition, the fifth highest amount in the NBA. Oklahoma City plays the third most possessions per game, while Dallas over the season has been 23rd in pace, and even slower in the last two weeks of the season. Which team can impose their will on the speed of the game will go a long way towards deciding if the series is over quickly or not. (Pace and possession stats courtesy of Synergy Sports Tech)Westbrook is a unique force among point guards, and Dallas will have to change its scheme depending on who they match up with the athletic freak. With Harris on him, look for the Thunder to post up Westbrook and let him run the offense from the block. With Deron Williams, the Thunder discovered in the regular season that Westbrook isn’t going to gain traction on the block so they’ll put him in the high pick and roll as much as possible, likely combined with whomever Dirk is defending. Wesley Matthews is best equipped to guard Westbrook, and is the Mavericks’ best chance to neutralize the Westbrook/Durant pick and roll.This is not an equal battle. The scrappy rookie out of Virginia is Dallas’ best athlete by far, however, and whenever Matthews isn’t on KD, look for Anderson to take the job. In a throwback to 2011, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Deron Williams spend some time there as well, but Anderson’s ability to stay on the court and make KD work will be a key reason the Mavericks pull out wins if they do.The Tunisian rookie’s biggest moments this season have almost all come against the Thunder, including two monster blocks, one each on Westbrook and Durant, as part of the Mavericks’ furious comeback in the January 22nd game. Take a look:Mejri has played more towards the end of the season in a rotation with Zaza Pachulia. Early in the year, Dwight Powell played well against the Thunder and we may see him as well, but we’re likely to see Mejri tested in a crucial situation by a Westbrook pick and roll. We’ll see if the 29-year old rookie, with years of international experience, is ready for the pressure of the NBA playoffs.Russell Westbrook is a force of nature. He’s a triple double machine. He jumps higher, runs faster, and pushes harder than any other player. All of these things have huge upside, but they also have downside if you play him well. If any coach can take advantage of Westbrook’s tendency to launch too many pull-up threes, make ill-advised passes, or over-dribble, it’s Rick Carlisle. On the other hand, any mistake will be punished with ruthless dunks, lobs, or slick passes across the court to open shooters. Westbrook was ejected from one of the four matchups between these teams earlier in the season, as J.J. Barea’s pest-like defense can get to the fiery Westbrook more easily than other players. We saw a similar hothead end up ejected in 2011, when Barea’s constant attacks cost Andrew Bynum his chance to finish out a game.Watch for this floppy set to get Enes Kanter an easy post-up and likely buckets, 3-4 times a game. Kanter’s ability to get buckets against second units will impact at least one game, but his inability to play defense may have the same effect. You will see it coming because Kanter always starts on the right block, so that he can get set up on the left and go to his strong hand if he heads for the paint. A Floppy set is where the two guards start on the block, and the big men each set a down screen for the wings to run out and receive a pass. In this set, Kanter will then receive a cross-screen from the other big man and lead into good post-up position in his favorite spots.I think this series has too many eerie similarities to 2014 against the Spurs. The biggest problem, and what will likely tip the series and is why the Thunder are so heavily favored, is that the Thunder are simply far more talented than the Mavericks. As many opportunities as Dallas has to make this a good fight, I expect an OKC victory in 6 games. My gut says OKC will take game 1, Carlisle will master a game two victory and Dallas can nab the first home game of the series to go up 2-1 and spark some big stories, but then the Thunder superstars will settle down, adjust, and bring them to the second round.Look for postgame breakdowns and some X and O analysis in the coming weeks as the series progresses! |
MIAMI - A baby has been born at Jackson Memorial Hospital with microcephaly, according to Dr. Christine Curry. In total, 15 pregnant women who have delivered at the hospital have tested positive for the mosquito-borne virus, Curry said. Those women are being monitored by doctors at the hospital. "Zika is a thing. Zika is real, and while we don't understand it fully, that is not a reason to dismiss its impact," Curry said Wednesday while addressing the public at the Miami Beach Commission meeting. Last month, a baby girl tested positive for the Zika virus. She is being treated by doctors in South Florida. The baby's mother contracted the Zika virus while traveling off the coast of Venezuela. The baby has not been diagnosed with microcephaly, but doctors said the child is suffering from other Zika-related side effects. Healthcare workers continue to test expecting mothers for the virus. Copyright 2016 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. |
Jobs and Schmidt, whose companies have just ended their love affair, were spotted minutes ago talking business at Calafia in the Town and Country shopping center in Palo Alto. Update: That's not an iPad. And body language analysis, here. Advertisement Our tipster saw em and snapped these shots, and noted that the cafe is owned and operated by former Google chef Charlie Ayers. Overheard from the conversation were two lines by Jobs. Enthusiastically, "They're going to see it all eventually so who cares how they get it." Which seemed to be about web content, said the tipster. And, "Let's go discuss this somewhere more private," after they noticed the crowd gathering around. I think that was probably a wise move. Schmidt was very quiet, listening, and Jobs was doing a lot of the talking. What do you make of the body language? And what's that black thing on the table? Update: No, it's not an iPad. It's a menu. Tipster says the first thing he looked for was an iPad, and that isn't it. The fact they'd meet in a neutral place like this implies, although does not prove, they chose a public place for its neutrality. Or they just wanted coffee and inevitably started talking shop, albeit in public. But since when do billionaires have to step out for coffee? The only thing that adds up is that neither felt comfortable meeting at each other's HQs, and this is the start of talks that will inevitably be tense for both sides. Advertisement I'd assume the coffee was not poisoned. And that they did not go somewhere to wrestle. [Thanks Tipster Z. Kudos on asking Jobs if he wanted to comment for Gizmodo, too, even if his reply was a smile and "No thanks."] Update: The body language analysis turned out interesting. Lots of journalists believe the meeting was planned for press reasons. I think it could go either way. |
The Amethyst Initiative is an organization made up of U.S. college presidents and chancellors that in July 2008 launched a movement calling for the reconsideration of U.S. legal drinking age, particularly the minimum age of 21. The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 requires all US states to raise their minimum age for purchase and public possession of alcohol to 21 or face a reduction in highway funds under the Federal-Aid Highway Act. The Amethyst Initiative was initiated by John McCardell, founder of Choose Responsibility,[1] a former professor of history at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont and current Vice-Chancellor of Sewanee: The University of the South, and is currently supported by 136[2] college presidents who signed a statement proclaiming, "It’s time to rethink the drinking age".[3][4] According to Greek and Roman legend, amethysts protected their owners from drunkenness. Purpose [ edit ] The Amethyst Initiative states that, in their experience as university presidents, they have observed, "Alcohol education that mandates abstinence as the only legal option has not resulted in significant constructive behavioral change among our students," and therefore they urge lawmakers "to invite new ideas about the best ways to prepare young adults to make responsible decisions about alcohol".[5] Gustavus Adolphus College President Jack R. Ohle said in a statement that the initiative is not about lowering the drinking age, but to open a debate on alcohol policies that affect young people and their choices about alcohol use. We need serious, sustained, unfettered debate about the drinking age and the reality of life on a college campus and how these two things are aligned. I signed the statement in hopes that it would encourage debate on our campus about the seriousness of drinking in general but more importantly the high-risk drinking that has become so common on college campuses today. As an educator, I feel a responsibility to encourage a discussion about responsibility. That responsibility rests with not only the students but with those of us who work to provide for their education, safety, and well being. We must engage in civil, informed, and dispassionate debate and consider all policy alternatives no matter how controversial.[6] Statement [ edit ] The Amethyst Initiative states the following:[2] It’s time to rethink the drinking age In 1984 Congress passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, which imposed a penalty of 10% of a state's federal highway appropriation on any state setting its drinking age lower than 21. Twenty-four years later, our experience as college and university presidents convinces us that… Twenty-one is not working A culture of dangerous, clandestine “binge-drinking”—often conducted off-campus—has developed. Alcohol education that mandates abstinence as the only legal option has not resulted in significant constructive behavioral change among our students. Adults under 21 are deemed capable of voting, signing contracts, serving on juries and enlisting in the military, but are told they are not mature enough to have a beer. By choosing to use fake IDs, students make ethical compromises that erode respect for the law. How many times must we relearn the lessons of prohibition? We call upon our elected officials: To support an informed and dispassionate public debate over the effects of the 21-year-old drinking age. To consider whether the 10% highway fund “incentive” encourages or inhibits that debate. To invite new ideas about the best ways to prepare young adults to make responsible decisions about alcohol. We pledge ourselves and our institutions to playing a vigorous, constructive role as these critical discussions unfold. Signatories [ edit ] Signatories of the initiative include:[7] Public reaction [ edit ] The initiative's proposal has been criticized by several groups and government and industry officials, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Joining MADD's criticism are other groups, including the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the American Medical Association, and the National Transportation Safety Board.[8] A spokesman for the Governors Highway Safety Association told The Washington Post that university leaders "are really just punting on the issue and leaving the high school principals to deal with it."[9] However, Amethyst Initiative's parent organization, Choose Responsibility, proposes that only high school graduates should be eligible.[10] In a press release, MADD argues that lowering the drinking age would result in greater numbers of fatal automobile accidents, and that the presidents are "looking for an easy way out of an inconvenient problem" and "misrepresenting science."[8][11] MADD cited former U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, and current University of Miami president Donna Shalala statement that "maintaining the legal drinking age at 21 is a socially and medically sound policy that helps parents, schools and law enforcement protect our youth from the potentially life-threatening effects of underage drinking."[8] Choose Responsibility argues that scientific evidence supports the Amethyst Initiative's views and goals,[12] and refutes some of MADD's past claims.[13] Sanford Ungar, president of Goucher College and signee of the initiative argues that opponents should not fear because the Amethyst Initiative is about opening up the debate to improve alcohol policy. He brings about the misconception that they want to "polarize" the issue at hand, but instead wishes to find a better alternative to the current drinking age.[14] Radley Balko, of Reason, wryly noted inconsistency opponents of the Amethyst Initiative believe that it "would be a "national tragedy" to, for example, allow 19- and 20-year-old men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to have a beer in celebration of completing their tours of duty."[15] Balko also noted research showing that underage drinking laws had not reduced highway deaths.[16] In November 2008, the Student Senate at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse rejected a proposal to urge that university's chancellor to sign the Amethyst Initiative.[17] Supposedly the first such attempt by a student body to ask a president or chancellor to sign on, the measure at UW–L was defeated 14-19 after three weeks' debate. Chancellor Joe Gow said this vote, "certainly defies the 'conventional wisdom' regarding young people being eager to lower the drinking age."[18] In 2014, a pair of researchers published a literature review in Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs of studies on the effect of the drinking age in response to the Amethyst Initiative; the review indicates support for the drinking age remaining at 21.[19] That review, however, was specific to studies focused on the United States of America and comparing trends before and after 1984; based on World Health Organization (WHO) data from 2011 and 2014,[20] foreign countries with lesser drinking ages[21][22] often have fewer alcohol-related deaths per capita annually than the USA. See also [ edit ] |
Local Food May Feel Good, But It Doesn't Pay The market for locally-grown food has seen dramatic growth over the last decade. Despite this boost in sales and popularity, evidence suggests that the economics behind the movement still don't favor the farmer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has new programs to try to prop up small-scale operations, but many local farms only survive because they scrape by on below-market wages, or by doing without things like insurance. Many economists say despite the charm of local food, there are relatively few benefits in terms of energy efficiency, quality or cost. They say that we shouldn't knock our system of region specialization and distribution, and that farmers markets, fun though they are, are not good economic models. MELISSA BLOCK, HOST: These days, farmers markets are springing up all over the place, from small towns to big cities. Locally grown food is booming, as shoppers invest more time, money and thought into what they eat. But not all is well in the local food movement. As St. Louis Public Radio's Adam Allington reports, many of the farmers who supply local markets are barely getting by. ADAM ALLINGTON, BYLINE: It's a chilly March morning in Elsah, Illinois, near the banks of the Mississippi. But inside Amy Cloud's greenhouse it's toasty warm. AMY CLOUD: Right now we have lots of broccoli, cabbage, kale, onions, lettuce, Swiss chard. ALLINGTON: Cloud owns Three River's Community Farm, where she grows vegetables to sell at farmers markets in nearby St. Louis. When it comes to farming, Cloud is no rookie, but it's taken years of hard work and sweat to eek out even a modest profit - somewhere between 25 and $30,000. That's for two people. CLOUD: Both my husband and I live off of an income that any normal person would consider to be just enough for one person, certainly not for a whole couple. We don't have health insurance. ALLINGTON: Stories like Cloud's are actually quite common. Despite the rapid growth of the local foods movement, it's still tough to earn a living. Iowa State economist David Swenson says these farmers often face a losing battle. DAVID SWENSON: It's hard to produce the kind of income that says this is a good and profitable use of my time during the growing season. The income, the returns, the economics of it says that it's a hard uphill climb. ALLINGTON: For starters, Swenson says the return on investment for fruits and vegetables is just too small, no matter how innovative you are. SWENSON: I did a configuration in the class where I had somebody producing 25 acres worth of fruits and vegetables. ALLINGTON: As it turns out, 25 acres is enough to feed a whole bunch of people. SWENSON: Roughly, the needs of 5,000 people, a small Iowa town. ALLINGTON: So imagine that. You're the sole supplier of fruits and vegetables for an entire town. Even then, Swenson says, you'd barely be creating one middle class job. SWENSON: That basically sustained 1.34 jobs and only $35,000 in total labor income and that's labor income to the producer as well as to any help. ALLINGTON: So farmer's markets are all well and good, but the reality, Swenson says, is we just can't efficiently produce most of the foods we buy locally. But others say that doesn't mean local producers can't develop a sizable niche. GREG SCHWESER: The economies of scale aren't necessarily there and the efficiencies aren't necessarily there, but they're being developed. ALLINGTON: Greg Schweser is a food systems planner at the University of Minnesota. Comparing local farmers to their agribusiness brethren is, pardon the pun, apples and oranges. Schweser says while scale may mean smaller returns, it doesn't mean you can't make money. SCHWESER: One acre or two acres, you can make enough money by using hand tools to supplement your income. Now you go up to 10 acres or so, you might need a tractor. We're still not talking about 250 acres of corn and soybeans. ALLINGTON: Schweser also points to the development of local food hubs, as well as the landmark success of farm to school programs across the country. That market is so new, its numbers aren't even tracked by the USDA. JOE RINGHOUSEN: I've got Lodi apples. I've got Winesaps, Jonathans, Goldens and something else in there. ALLINGTON: Joe Ringhousen(ph) farms about 80 acres here in Jersey County, Illinois. He used to sell directly to local wholesalers, but these days, those buyers are more likely to get their fruit from super hubs in Washington State and Michigan. RINGHOUSEN: There used to be, like, 3 or 400 commercial fruit growers in Illinois alone. A man used to be able to have a family and 40 acres and make a living off of it. That's not going to happen today. ALLINGTON: But if there's one universal truth to all farming, it's that some people make it and others don't. And even Joe's son is busy planting 500 new apple trees this spring to prepare the farm for the next generation. And Ringhousen says he's got a good chance to make it. He'll just have to be creative and that might mean selling apples to the likes of Wal-Mart while also building relationships with farmers markets, food co-ops and local bakeries. For NPR News, I'm Adam Allington in St. Louis. Copyright © 2013 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by Verb8tm, Inc., an NPR contractor, and produced using a proprietary transcription process developed with NPR. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record. |
File Size: 874.1 Kb Rating: 88.19% with 857 votes Add This Game to Your Site: <center><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="800" height="600" align="middle" id="Apple-Jack-Pony-Feet-Doctor"><param name="movie" value="http://www.qiqifiles.com/mafa/3/Apple-Jack-Pony-Feet-Doctor.swf"><param name="quality" value="high"><!--[if !IE]>--><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.qiqifiles.com/mafa/3/Apple-Jack-Pony-Feet-Doctor.swf" width="800" height="600"><param name="movie" value="http://www.qiqifiles.com/mafa/3/Apple-Jack-Pony-Feet-Doctor.swf"><param name="quality" value="high"><!--<![endif]--><a href="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflash"><img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player"></a><!--[if !IE]>--></object><!--<![endif]--></object><br><a href='http://www.mafa.com/' target='_blank'>Girl Games</a></center> Link to The Game: <center><a href='http://www.mafa.com/Apple-Jack-Pony-Feet-Doctor' target='_blank'><img src='http://www.mafa.com/thumb/3/Apple-Jack-Pony-Feet-Doctor.jpg' border='0' width='180' height='135'><br>Apple Jack Pony Feet Doctor</a></center> Apple Jack Pony Feet Doctor is a free game for girl to play online at MaFa.Com. You can play Apple Jack Pony Feet Doctor in your browser for free. Come on !Help her clean the wound and apply the magical cream to the affected areas,then strap up the wound. Wait a moment,before cleaning the cream. Her feet will be soon well again. Take her back to home and help her take a shower. Then choose the best dresses for her making her more cute and beautiful in the party. Control: Use Mouse to play. |
WENDY & LISA oh, hi. how have you been? we know, we know. adulting is hard and time gets away from us all. we made a decision to update our web site, but then what felt like a flash, we left to go on tour and are /still/ building out this site. so, it will happen slowly. for now, the info, bio, and tour dates will be kept up-to-date and you can stream all our self-released titles for free! We are still composing for television and film. "Shades of Blue" is our current show. Hopefully, we will have a couple more this season. fingers crossed! we are out on tour with our Revolution bandmates, bobby, mark and matt. it's bittersweet, but has been a wonderful experience and we needed to do this to heal and process our very real pain. see you out there! love, lisa & wendy |
V.167 - Welcome to Alishan is live on October 28! Table of Contents NEW CONTENT Alishan Requirement: Lv. 33 and above It sounds like someone needs help! A mysterious voice has requested your assistance. Accept the quest through the light bulb notifier above your head. Visit Alishan and help Shaoqing by clearing up the dark matter in the forest. Defeat the Dark Shao within Alishan's forest. Rewards: Junky Necklace: Untradeable, Req Level: 33, All Stats: +5, ATT/MATT: +1, Weapon/Magic DEF: +100 Upgrade your Necklace by returning to Alishan and completing daily quests from villagers. Xiaoming's Necklace : Untradeable, Req Level: 33, All Stats: +10, Max HP/MP: +5%, ATT/MATT: +3, Weapon/Magic DEF: +150 Shaoqing's Necklace : Untradeable, Req Level: 33, All Stats: +15, Max HP/MP: +10%, ATT/MATT: +5, Weapon/Magic DEF: +200 Alishan's Necklace: Untradeable, Req Level: 33, All Stats: +25, Max HP/MP: +15%, ATT/MATT: +10, Weapon/Magic DEF: +300 Obtain Alishan Coins and trade them at the Lunch Vendor for some colorful equipment. Alishan Traditional Hat : Untradeable, Req Level: 33, All Stats: +7, ATT/MATT: +5, Weapon/Magic DEF: +70, Number of Upgrades Available: 1 Alishan Traditional Outfit : Untradeable, Req Level: 33, All Stats: +5, ATT/MATT: +3, Weapon/Magic DEF: +50 Alishan Pride : Untradeable, Req Level: 33, All Stats: +6, Max HP/MP: +700, ATT/MATT: +7, Speed: +6, Jump: +6 Shao Spirit Totem : Untradeable, Req Level: 0, All Stats: +30, ATT/MATT: +6 Spirit of Fire Totem : Untradeable, Req Level: 0, STR: +15, ATT: +4 Spirit of Water Totem : Untradeable, Req Level: 0, INT: +15, MATT: +4 Spirit of Earth Totem : Untradeable, Req Level: 0, LUK: +15, ATT: +4 Spirit of Wind Totem : Untradeable, Req Level: 0, DEX: +15, ATT: +4 Alishan Damage Skin : Untradeable Alishan Train Chair: Untradeable ADDITIONAL UPDATES HackShield Removal HackShield is no longer integrated with MapleStory. If you are patching from a previous version and the HackShield folder still exists in your client files, you may delete the folder entirely. HALLOWEEN WEEKEND EVENTS Madhouse: Epilogue October 28 - November 3 Requirement: Lv. 33 and above Part 1: Hidden Record of Darkness Accept the quest from the event quest notifier after completing the quest 'Chloe's Letter'. Collect 6 pages of the Dark Diary by hunting monsters around your level range. Rewards: Lonely Toy Box (x1): Untradeable Secret Shadow Diary Part 2: Chloe's Goodbye Present Accept the quest from the event quest notifier after completing the quest 'The Face Behind the Madness'. Rewards: Lonely Toy Box (x1): Untradeable Chloe's Picture Diary Open the Lonely Toy Box to obtain one of the following: 2x EXP Coupon : Untradeable, Expires after 1 day 2x Drop Coupon : Untradeable, Expires after 1 day Character Slot Expansion Coupon : Untradeable, Expires after 1 day Epic Potential Scroll 100% : Untradeable Protection Scroll : Moveable only within the account Master Craftsman's Cube: Untradeable, Expires after 1 day Halloween Monster Invasion October 30 and October 31 Time: 5 PM - 9 PM Pacific (8 PM - 12 AM Eastern) Requirement: All Levels Powerful monsters are roaming the streets of Maple World's towns this Halloween weekend. It's up to you to band together with other adventurers and take a stand against these monsters to drive them out. Do you have what it takes? Log in to MapleStory and take note of the GM Monster sightings between 5 PM - 9 PM Pacific (8 PM - 12 AM Eastern) on October 30 and October 31 and defend our towns! Halloween Hot Weekend October 31 and November 1 Requirement: Lv. 30 and above Log in Halloween weekend and click the gift box icon on the left side of your game window to receive a Gift Box, then double-click the box in your inventory to open it. The Gift Box can be obtained once each day, and can be opened until 1:00 AM Pacific (4:00 AM Eastern) of the following day. October 31 – Hot Weekend Box. Open to receive: 2x EXP Coupon (x3): Untradeable, Expires 7 days after obtaining Hyper Teleport Rock : Untradeable, Expires 7 days after obtaining Pendant of the Spirit : Untradeable, Expires 14 days after obtaining Halloween Face Accessory Box: Untradeable, Expires 7 days after obtaining November 1 – Hot Weekend Box. Open to receive: 2x Drop Coupon (x3): Untradeable, Expires 7 days after obtaining Storage Room 8 Slot Coupon : Untradeable, Expires 7 days after obtaining Spell Traces (x200) Halloween Face Accessory Box: Untradeable, Expires 7 days after obtaining Halloween Face Accessory Box – Open to select one of the following face accessories. All accessories are untradeable and expire 14 days after obtaining. 5 O'Clock Shadow (M) Dark Jester Fat Lips Bloody Tears Playful Band Clown Blingin' Red Lipstick No Biting! Frosty Frozen Face THANKSGIVING EVENTS November 4 - December 1 Requirement: Lv. 10 and above Click the star notifier on the left side of the game window to accept the quest 'Thanksgiving!'. Hunt Turkeys for Cassandra around Henesys, Mu Lung, Leafre, and other major towns. Hunt the Turkeys for a chance to obtain the following rewards. Rewards: Maplehontas : Req Level: 0, All Stats: +1, Max HP/MP: +100, Speed: +10, Jump: +10 Pilgrim Hat : Req Level: 0, All Stats: +1, Max HP/MP: +100, Speed: +10, Jump: +10 Chief Axe : Req Level: 0, ATT: +50, Number of Upgrades Available: 7 Roasted Turkey Turkey Leg Cranberry Sauce Stuffing Scoop Mashed Potato Corn Special Bonus Potential Scroll 100% : Untradeable Special Potential Scroll 100%: Untradeable Food Fight! November 4 - December 1 Help Bianca catch the experimental food monsters. Accept the quest from the event quest notifier on the left side of the game window. Enter the Food Fight Hall up to 3 times a day. Rewards will be given based on how many stages have been completed. Stage 1 - 10: No rewards Stage 11-20: One of the following items: 1.5x Drop Coupon : Untradeable, Lasts 60 minutes and expires after 1 day 2x Drop Coupon : Untradeable, Lasts 60 minutes and expires after 1 day 3x Drop Coupon : Untradeable, Lasts 60 minutes and expires after 1 day Food Fighting Spirit : Untradeable, Lasts 30 minutes and expires after 1 day, HP/MP: +200 Food Fighting Spirit : Untradeable, Lasts 30 minutes and expires after 1 day, HP/MP: +600 Stage 21-29: One of the following items: Burning Aroma : Untradeable, Lasts 15 minutes and expires after 1 day, ATT: +80 Super Satisfied : Untradeable, Lasts 15 minutes and expires after 1 day, HP: +5000, DEF: +80 Nice 'n Greasy : Untradeable, Lasts 10 minutes and expires after 1 day, Accuracy: +80, Avoidability: +80 A Light Snack : Untradeable, Lasts 20 minutes and expires after 1 day, Weapon/Magic DEF: +200, HP: +2000 After-Dinner Delight : Untradeable, Lasts 20 minutes and expires after 1 day, Accuracy: +20, Avoidability: +20, Speed: +20, Jump: +20 Late-Night Treat : Untradeable, Lasts 20 minutes and expires after 1 day, ATT/MATT: +20 Stage 30: Dessert Buff: Untradeable, Lasts 40 minutes and expires after 1 day, HP: +4000, DEF: +400, ATT: +40, Accuracy: +40, Avoidability: +40, Speed: +40, Jump : +40 Wish Bone November 4 - December 1 Requirement: Lv. 33 and above Accept the quest '[Wish Bone] Mysterious Package' from the event quest notifier. Collect 100 Left and Right Wish Bone Pendant Pieces from monsters around your level range. Turn in the Wish Bone Pendant Pieces to obtain a Left and Right Pendant. Exchange the Left and Right Pendants to Cassandra to obtain the completed Wish Bone Pendant! The Left and Right Pendants will be removed from your inventory once receiving the completed Wish Bone Pendant. Rewards: Wish Bone Left Pendant : Moveable within the Account, Req Level: 33, All Stats: +2, Speed: +5, Jump: +5 Wish Bone Right Pendant : Moveable within the Account, Req Level: 33, All Stats: +3, Speed: +5, Jump: +5 Wish Bone Pendant: Moveable within the Account, Req Level: 33, All Stats: +5, Speed: +10, Jump: +10 Daily Monster Hunting Once you complete the Wish Bone Pendant, return to Cassandra for Daily Monster Hunting. Accept the quest '[Wish Bone] Once a Day' from the event quest notifier and hunt 100 monsters in your level range. Reward: 1.5x EXP Coupon: Untradeable, Expires after 1 day and lasts 1 hour Cody and the Cyberturkeys November 4 - December 1 Requirement: Lv. 10 and above Bring Cody a Turkey Commando's Eye to be handsomely rewarded. Hunt Turkey Commandos around Maple World and pick up a Turkey Commando's Eye. Turkey Commando monsters will appear in fields all around Maple World. They re-spawn every 30 minutes in maps they are found in. Once you have a Turkey Commando's Eye, the quest will appear in the available events list. Turn in the Turkey Commando's Eye to Cody and receive your reward of 50,000 mesos . This quest can be completed once per character. Pumpkin Pie November 4 - December 1 Requirement: Lv. 15 and above Bring Grandma Benson the necessary materials to make some delicious Pumpkin Pie. Accept the quest from the 'star' notifier on the left-side of the game window, or by talking directly to Grandma Benson in the Event Hall. Hunt various monsters around Maple World in order to obtain ingredients for Grandma Benson's Pumpkin Pie. Ingredients Needed: Pie Crust Pumpkin Flour Powdered Sugar Reward: Pumpkin Pie: Restores 700 HP, 400 MP, DEF +50 for 10 minutes (Tradeable) Turkey Egg Hunt November 4 - December 1 Requirement: Lv. 10 and above Hunt Turkeys to find different colored Turkey Eggs and return them to Cody for special rewards! Turkeys will spawn around the following areas so get hunting! Six Path Crossway Henesys Perion Kerning City Ellinia Orbis Leafre Herb Town Ariant Magatia Fantasy Theme Park Speak to Cody 30 minutes after returning a Turkey Egg to start hunting again. Turkey Eggs come in three different colors, and each color has a different reward set. Rewards: Yellow Eggs are available from Lv. 10-49. You can get one of the following random rewards: Roasted Turkey Corn Mashed Potatoes Gravy Stuffing Scoops Pumpkin Pie Turkey Leg Cranberry Sauce Green Eggs are available from Lv. 50-99. You can get one of the following random rewards: Fat Sausage Mana Pill Stuffing Scoops Pumpkin Pie Mashed Potatoes Gravy Turkey Leg Cranberry Sauce Blue Eggs are available from Lv. 100 and above. You can get one of the following random rewards: Reindeer Milk Sunrise Dew Gold Bonus Potential Stamp: Untradeable Special Potential Scroll: Untradeable Epic Potential Scroll 40%: Moveable within the account Bonus Potential Scroll 60%: Untradeable Special Bonus Potential Scroll: Untradeable Perfect Innocence Scroll 50%: Untradeable Nebulite Box: Expires after 1 day Advanced Health Boost Potion Advanced Mana Boost Potion Advanced Blessing Potion Advanced Strength Boost Potion Advanced Dexterity Boost Potion Advanced Intelligence Boost Potion Advanced Luck Boost Potion MUSTACHE EVENTS Everyone Needs One Good Mustache November 4 - December 1 Requirement: Lv. 13 and above Ever wanted some luscious facial hair of your very own? Click on the event notifier on the left of your screen to talk to Katherine and become a member of the Mustache Elite! Choose from 7 different mustache styles, and log in daily to complete daily challenges for rewards that will really set your mustache apart! Carlton's Fu Manchu Mustache: STR / DEX / INT / LUK +1, MaxHP +25, MaxMP +25, 3 Upgrades (Tradeable until equipped) Carlton's Wolf Beard: STR / DEX / INT / LUK +1, MaxHP +25, MaxMP +25, 3 Upgrades (Tradable until equipped) Carlton's Volume Curl Mustache: STR / DEX / INT / LUK +1, MaxHP +25, MaxMP +25, 3 Upgrades (Tradeable until equipped) Carlton's Ducktail: STR / DEX / INT / LUK +1, MaxHP +25, MaxMP +25, 3 Upgrades (Tradeable until equipped) Carlton's Silver Gentleman Mustache: STR / DEX / INT / LUK +1, MaxHP +25, MaxMP +25, 3 Upgrades (Tradeable until equipped) Carlton's Viking Mustache: STR / DEX / INT / LUK +1, MaxHP +25, MaxMP +25, 3 Upgrades (Tradeable until equipped) Carlton's Bushy Beard: STR / DEX / INT / LUK +1, MaxHP +25, MaxMP +25, 3 Upgrades (Tradeable until equipped) Daily Attendance Challenge: Press the "Challenge" button on the event UI to defeat 200 monsters within your level range to complete the quest. Claim your reward for completing the challenge each day. Attendance Rewards: Day 1 - Choose 1 Mustache from the seven listed above. Day 2 - Scroll for Carlton’s Mustache for HP/MP : (untradeable, expires in 1 week) Day 3 - Boost Scroll for Carlton’s Mustache : (untradeable, expires in 1 week) Day 4 - Scroll for Carlton’s Mustache for ATT/Magic ATT : (untradeable, expires in 1 week) Day 5 - Potential Scroll for Carlton’s Mustache : (untradeable, expires in 1 week) Day 6 - Carlton’s Mustache Awakening Stamp : (untradeable, expires in 1 week) Day 7 - Scroll for Carlton’s Mustache for Upgrade Count Reset : (untradeable, expires in 1 week) Day 8 - Choose 1 Mustache from the seven listed above. Day 9 - Scroll for Carlton’s Mustache for HP/MP : (untradeable, expires in 1 week) Day 10 - Boost Scroll for Carlton’s Mustache : (untradeable, expires in 1 week) Day 11 - Scroll for Carlton’s Mustache for ATT/Magic ATT : (untradeable, expires in 1 week) Day 12 - Potential Scroll for Carlton’s Mustache : (untradeable, expires in 1 week) Day 13 - Carlton’s Mustache Awakening Stamp : (untradeable, expires in 1 week) Day 14 - Kathrine’s Gift : (untradeable, expires in 1 week). Contains: Scroll for Carlton’s Mustache for Upgrade Count Reset : (untradeable expires in 1 week) Mister Mustache Label Ring : (untradeable, expires in 30 days) Day 15 - Choose 1 Mustache from the seven listed above. Day 16 - Scroll for Carlton’s Mustache for HP/MP : (untradeable, expires in 1 week) Day 17 - Boost Scroll for Carlton’s Mustache : (untradeable, expires in 1 week) Day 18 - Scroll for Carlton’s Mustache for ATT/Magic ATT : (untradeable, expires in 1 week) Day 19 - Potential Scroll for Carlton’s Mustache : (untradeable, expires in 1 week) Day 20 - Carlton’s Mustache Awakening Stamp : (untradeable, expires in 1 week) Day 21 - Kathrine’s Gift : (untradeable, expires in 1 week). Contains: Scroll for Carlton’s Mustache for Upgrade Count Reset : (untradeable expires in 1 week) Mister Mustache Chat Ring : (untradeable, expires in 30 days) Mustache Shop November 4 - December 1 Requirement: Lv. 13 and above Collect Mustache Combs and Mustache Scissors from monsters around Maple World and Monster Park and trade them in for great prizes in Carlton's Mustache Laboratory. Mustache Combs can be found by hunting monsters around your level range in Maple World. Mustache Scissors can be found by hunting monsters within Monster Park. Visit Carlton's Mustache Shop by talking to Katherine in the Event Hall and selecting 'Send me to Carlton's Mustache Laboratory.' Exchange Mustache Combs and Mustache Scissors for mustache items. All items in Carlton's Mustache Shop are untradeable and have a 3-day duration. Carlton's Mustache Shop: Carlton's Mustache Box : Contains 3 different mustache styles that are not available through Katherine's missions. All mustaches in the mustache box are permanent and can be traded before equipping. Scroll for Carlton's Mustache for HP/MP : Success Rate: 100%, HP & MP +100, Can only be used with Carlton's Mustaches, Untradeable. Boost Scroll for Carlton's Mustache : Success Rate: 100%, STR / DEX/ INT / LUK +3, Can only be used with Carlton's Mustaches, Untradeable. Scroll for Carlton's Mustache for ATT/Magic ATT : Success Rate: 100%, Weapon/Magic ATT +1, Can only be used with Carlton's Mustaches, Untradeable. Potential Scroll for Carlton's Mustache : Success Rate: 80%, Can only be used with Carlton's Mustaches, Untradeable. Carlton's Mustache Awakening Stamp : Success Rate: 60%, Can only be used with Carlton's Mustaches, Untradeable. Scroll for Carlton's Mustache for Upgrade Count Reset: Success Rate: 100%, Can only be used once per item, Can only be used with Carlton's Mustaches, Untradeable. OTHER NEW EVENTS Maple Leaf High November 4 - November 18 Requirement: Lv. 13 and above Players may enter the school by speaking with Schrodinger, located in the Event Hall. Each day of the event, players Lv. 13 or above may receive one free Maple Leaf High Regular Class Key by speaking to Schrodinger, accepting the quest 'The New Kid', and defeating 300 monsters in their level range. Some monsters do not apply. Additionally, players may also purchase Maple Leaf High Special Class Keys from the Cash Shop. Once inside the school, fight your way through the classrooms until you challenge Captain Finger. Collect Model Student Candy from Schrodinger when you defeat a classroom, which can be used to purchase items from the Model Student Locker or the Four Pillars of Heaven Shop. Complete daily quests from the students and earn EXP and Model Student Candy. Complete Mr. Schrodinger's Special Assignments to earn EXP and Model Student Candy. Mr. Schrodinger's Special Assignments - Bring Back the Lonely Friend Break open desks and other furniture placed in various places of the classroom and find the hiding lonely friends. Bring lonely friends back to Mr. Schrodinger to earn a Model Student Candy for every three friends returned. Mr. Schrodinger's Special Assignments - Recycle Break open desks and other furniture placed in various places of the classroom and find the recyclables. Place 50 of them in the correct recycling container and return to Schrodinger to receive 50 Model Student Candies. Rewards: Schrodinger's Box : Untradeable, 30-day duration. Open to receive a random item: Pom-pom Power 3 : Buff. Untradeable. W. ATT/M. ATT + 40, W. DEF/M. DEF + 400, HP/MP +800. 30-minute duration. Cat Box Chair Schrodinger Chair Captain Finger Chair Cat Soul : 30-day and Permanent Weapon Cover Coupon. Coupon can be traded, but the cover can’t be traded after use. Lost Kitty : 30-day and Permanent Cape Cover Coupon. Coupon can be traded, but the cover can’t be traded after use. Upgrade items (all untradeable except the Epic Potential Scroll 40% which is moveable within the account): Gold Bonus Potential Stamp, Gold Potential Stamp, Special Potential Scroll, Epic Potential Scroll 40%, Bonus Potential Scroll 60%, Special Bonus Potential Scroll, Perfect Innocence Scroll 50% Nebulite Box : 30-day duration. Open to receive a random Nebulite. Superior buff potions Restorative items School Outfit Box: Untradeable, 30-day duration. Open to receive a random school-themed equip item with a 30-day duration. Items from the box can be worn regardless of gender: Test Pen, White Bread, Nerdy Glasses Kitty Parachute, Blue Book Bag, Hot Pink Backpack, Yellow-Green Backpack, Pink Wing Bag, Blue Wing Bag Red Pencil Label Ring, Blue Pencil Label Ring, Green Pencil Label Ring Green Notebook Quote Ring, Red Notebook Quote Ring, Blue Notebook Quote Ring Stack of Books, Orange Mushroom Scholar The Graduation Hat, Graduation Gown Ellinia Magic School Uniform, Henesys Academy Uniform with a skirt, Henesys Academy Uniform with pants, Kerning Engineering School Uniform Petite School Shawl, Preppy Knit Vest Lab Gear (F), Lab Gear (M) Magic Pocket Pouch : Untradeable. Use this to open up a pocket slot. Not useful to anyone who has already opened up their pocket slot. Mathematical! : Medal, Req. Lv. 30, STR/DEX/INT/LUK +4, Max HP/Max MP + 600, W. ATT/M. ATT +2, Speed + 10, Jump + 10. One-of-a-kind item. Movement is only possible within the account. Algebraic! : Medal, Req. Lv. 120, STR/DEX/INT/LUK +7, Max HP/Max MP + 600, W. ATT/M. ATT +6, Speed + 10, Jump + 10. One-of-a-kind item. Movement is only possible within the account. You can also still get the Schrodinger totems and Model Student items from the Model Student Locker, as well as the classic totems and the Captain Finger totems from the Four Pillars of Heaven Shop. All items can be purchased with Model Student Candies, which are earned by completing each stage in Maple Leaf High. You can check the prices of each item by clicking on the shops in the school. Monsters also have a chance to drop Lv. 99 Grand Maple Amethysian weapons and Lv. 79 Maple Amethysian weapons. World Leap Event November 12 - November 25 [Update 11/19] This event has been extended through November 25. [Update 11/17] We are aware that the World Leap event ended early on November 16. We are investigating the issue, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. Requirement: Characters must be Lv. 33 or above before the event period begins. If you have ever wanted to move your character to Bera, Windia, or any other world, the World Leap Event is the perfect time to do so! During the World Leap Event, players can move their characters from one world to another. Each character may only be moved once, and you may move up to 6 characters per world. The World Leap event will begin on November 12, after the scheduled maintenance. World Leap Head to the Event Hall and talk to NPC Mover to select the world you wish to move to. For merged worlds, only the main world is displayed as an option. (Ex: If you wish to move to Broa/Khaini, you can only select Broa). Here are the main worlds: Scania - (included to clarify it’s a “main” world, but it is NOT available to transfer into for this World Leap Event.) Bera Broa - BK Windia Bellocan - MYBCKN Demethos - GRAZED After selecting your desired world, you will be automatically disconnected from the game. Log back in, and you will automatically find yourself in the new world! Rules & Restrictions While we want to make the World Leap Event enjoyable for everyone, there are certain rules and restrictions. Please read these carefully before deciding to move a character to another world: Only 6 characters from each world can be moved. Characters below Lv. 33 at the start of the event cannot move to a new world. Characters cannot move to Scania due to its high population. However, you can move out of Scania! Characters can be moved even if you do not have an empty character slot in the world you wish to move to. However you will not be able to move a character if you have the max number of characters (36) on the desired world. You will need to delete and make room for one before you move. Some quest information may be deleted during the move. If you have items stored in the Delivery Package Storage, you must retrieve them before being able to move. The World Leap request cannot be canceled once it has been made. Please think carefully when making your decision to move to a new world. Character: Your character's look and appearance will be transferred. Face, Hair, and Skin Color Beauty Album General character information will be transferred. Name, Gender, Job Stats, HP/MP, AP/SP, EXP Skills: Character skills will be transferred. Phantom Skill Swipe information will be transferred. Link Skill information will NOT be transferred. Cash Items: Cash Items in your character's inventory will be transferred. Cash Items in your Cash Inventory will be transferred for all classes except for the Explorer classes. If you move your only Explorer character to another world, you will not be able to browse your items from the Cash Inventory in the Cash Locker. You will need to create an Explorer character in the old world to browse your items in the Cash Locker. For Explorer classes, only Cash Items in the character's inventory will be transferred. Items: All items in the character's inventory will be transferred (Equip, Use, Etc, Set-up, Cash, Meso). Inventory Slot Expansions will be transferred. Bags will be transferred. Item Pots will be transferred. Bit-Cases will be transferred. Evolution Cores will be transferred. Androids will be transferred. Monster book information will be transferred. Familiars will be transferred. Items being exchanged will NOT be transferred. Items in the process of being traded through Hired Merchant will NOT be transferred. Be sure to recover all outstanding items before deciding to move your character. Items in your Storage Room will NOT be transferred with the character. Items that have not been received from the gift box icon on the left-side of the screen will NOT be transferred with your character. Be sure to pick-up your items before deciding to move your character. Quests & Achievements: Quests in Progress will be transferred. Completed Quests will be transferred. Account Shared Quest information will NOT be transferred. Medals earned from NPC Dalair's quests will NOT be transferred. Periodically renewed information such as Mu Lung rankings, Donation King, and Tower of Oz information will NOT be transferred. Guilds & Alliances: Players belonging to a guild or alliance must leave the guild or alliance before transferring. Guild leaders must transfer ownership of the guild and leave the guild before transferring. Marriage: Married players can transfer 24 hours after filing the divorce application. Crush Rings and Friendship Rings must be deleted before transferring. Talk to the Mover NPC and select the 'Delete Crush Ring and Friendship Ring' option to delete the items. Additional details that will be transferred: Inner Ability Mini-Games Evolution System NPC Shop Purchase Restriction Honor Explorer Journal Cash items that were received as gifts Commerce Contents Information Potion Pots Additional details that will NOT be transferred: Part-Time Job Information Friends List Guilds & Alliances Delivery Packages Storage Room Items Cash Shop Cart Hall of Honor Record for the character being moved will remain in the old world. Cash Inventory Transfer Event November 12 - November 24 (event starts and ends during a maintenance) [Update 11/19] This event has been extended and will now end in the maintenance on November 24. Your characters can move worlds during the World Leap event. Now your cash items can move around too! Thank you to the Maple Leaf Council for their feedback encouraging us to run these events together. Do you have a cash item you’ve wanted to move to another character on your account? Now you can! We're bringing back the Cash Inventory Transfer Event! For a limited time, you will be able to transfer most cash items between your characters within the same world. Take this opportunity to share a Hyper Teleport Rock, move cash cover items between characters, move a beloved pet to a new character, and more! Transferring cash items between your characters is easy! All you need to do is follow these simple steps: Enter the Cash Shop. Pick an eligible item you would like to transfer to a different character, and move it into your Cash Inventory. Right-click the item. Click the 'TRANSFER' button. Select the recipient of the item from the drop down. Click the 'OK' button. The selected item will now appear in the other character’s Cash Inventory the next time you login to that character. Rules and Restrictions The Cash Inventory Transfer Event will begin on November 12 after the scheduled maintenance and end on November 19 right before the scheduled maintenance. You can only transfer cash items between characters in the same world. This does not include different worlds in the same world alliance. For example, you can transfer items between two characters on Mardia, but you cannot transfer an item from a character on Mardia to a character on Kradia. All jobs are able to transfer cash items between each other, but Explorers will not have the option to transfer to another Explorer because they already share their Cash Inventory. There are a few items that are not able to be transferred: EXP Coupons Potion Pot Shop Permits and Hired Merchants Friendship and Couple items Junk Food November 18 - December 2 Requirement: Lv. 33 and above Forget healthy food! Junk food for the win! Celebrate Junk Food week with MapleStory by helping the Junk Food King, King Burglord von Friesman, save Maple World from the monsters devouring the sacred reserves of junk food. Accept the quest through the 'star' notifier on the left-side of the game window, or talk to Cassandra in the Event Hall to begin. Hunt monsters within your level range (10 levels) and collect Junk Food Coins to trade in for some awesome rewards. Junk Food Coin Shop Jelly Bean Damage Skin - Permanent until another skin is applied (Tradeable within Account) Donut Damage Skin - Permanent until another skin is applied (Tradeable within Account) Soft Server Damage Skin - Permanent until another skin is applied (Tradeable within Account) Junk Food King Medal - Lv. 33, STR / DEX / INT / LUK +7, Speed +5, Jump +5 (Tradeable within Account) Permanent Return of the Time Capsule Event November 18 - December 15 Requirement: Lv. 33 and above. This event is a re-run of the Time Capsule Event from September. Characters who have completed this event in September will not be able to complete this event again. Feathers to the Egg November 18 - December 8 Accept the quest from Silent Crusade Starling from the event notifier. Move to a hunting map and plant your egg using your Time Capsule Teleport Rock. Hunt monsters within your level range to collect feathers and return them to your egg to receive rewards. Travel back and forth between your egg and the monsters you have been hunting every 10 minutes. A total of 100 feathers may be used each day. Rewards are obtained based off of how many feathers are returned. Accept the 1st and 2nd rewards by returning the quest through the event notifier. Accept the 3rd reward by entering the Silent Crusade map and speaking to Starling. Complete the quest 'Hatch, Egg, Hatch!' to receive the rewards from Hot Dog at a later date. Rewards: 500 Feathers returned Pierre's Best Friend Spell Trace (x30) 1000 Feathers returned Crimson Queen's Best Friend Spell Trace (x100) 1,500 Feathers returned Von Bon's Best Friend Von Bon Totem : Untradeable, All Stats: +20, Weapon/Magic ATT: +8 Spell Trace (x400) Hot Dog's Thanks December 9 - December 15 Requirements: Successfully return 1500 feathers to the egg and complete the quest 'Hatch, Egg, Hatch!' Hot Dog wants to say thank you for taking care of his egg. Accept the quest 'Hot Dog's Thanks' from the event notifier. Rewards: Master Craftman's Cube : Expires after 30 days, Untradeable Meister's Cube : Expires after 30 days, Untradeable Spell Trace (x800) Otherworld Cygnus Totem: Untradeable, All Stats: +28, Weapon/Magic ATT: +13 Double Maple Rewards November 19 - December 2 Requirement: Lv. 30 and above Earn double the Maple Reward Points by completing the Boss Maple Reward Quests during our Double Maple Rewards Event! From November 19 - December 2, complete any of the daily Boss Maple Reward Quests and earn twice as many Maple Reward Points as usual. So be sure to stack up reward points and hunt those bosses! Cash Shop purchases made during the event period will also award double the usual Maple Reward Points! This event will begin after the 11/19 scheduled maintenance, and end after the 12/2 scheduled maintenance. Tinkerer's Chest November 4 - December 1 Requirements: Lv. 10 and above. Must have a Tinkerer's Chest in your inventory. The Marvel Machine is coming back! With the Marvel Machine comes the Tinkerer’s Chest. Every time you use the Marvel Machine, you have a chance to receive a Tinkerer’s Chest. Talk to NPC Yulia in the Event Hall to accept quests to exchange your Tinkerer’s Chest for a new shoulder accessory or belt, or to attempt to upgrade your Tinkerer equip. Wearing a matching color shoulder accessory and belt will give you a set bonus. How to Participate Speak to NPC Yulia in the Event Hall and accept the quest ‘[Tinker Time] Tinkerer's Set’ to receive an explanation about how to do the event. Then speak to NPC Yulia again to accept the quest ‘[Tinker Time] Tinker Til you Drop’. Hunt 200 monsters around your level range, and then turn in the quest to Yulia to receive a random shoulder accessory or belt. This will use 1 Tinkerer’s Chest. This quest is repeatable. Upgrading Your Tinkerer's Equips Talk to Yulia to attempt to upgrade your shoulder accessory or belt. An upgrade will also use up a Tinkerer’s Chest. Keep in mind, the upgrade doesn’t always work… it might even lower the color level of your item! From weakest to strongest, the Tinkerer's set colors are Yellow -> Green -> Blue -> Red -> Black. Each piece of the Tinkerer's equipment is untradeable unless used with a Scissors of Karma. When a Scissors of Karma is applied, the item is tradeable one time. Rewards: Tinkerer's Yellow Belt : Untradeable, Req Level: 100, All Stats: +15, ATT/MATT: +5, Weapon/Magic DEF: +30, Number of Upgrades: 1 Tinkerer's Yellow Shoulder Accessory : Untradeable, Req Level: 100, All Stats: +10, ATT/MATT: +4, Weapon/Magic DEF: +30, Number of Upgrades: 1 Tinkerer's Green Belt : Untradeable, Req Level: 100, All Stats: +20, ATT/MATT: +10, Weapon/Magic DEF: +40, Number of Upgrades: 1 Tinkerer's Green Shoulder Accessory : Untradeable, Req Level: 100, All Stats: +15, ATT/MATT: +10, Weapon/Magic DEF: +40, Number of Upgrades: 1 Tinkerer's Blue Belt : Untradeable, Req Level: 100, All Stats: +30, ATT/MATT: +15, Weapon/Magic DEF: +50, Number of Upgrades: 1 Tinkerer's Blue Shoulder Accessory : Untradeable, Req Level: 100, All Stats: +20, ATT/MATT: +6, HP/MP: +100, Number of Upgrades: 1 Tinkerer's Red Belt : Untradeable, Req Level: 100, All Stats: +75, ATT/MATT: +40, Weapon/Magic DEF: +75, Number of Upgrades: 1 Tinkerer's Red Shoulder Accessory : Untradeable, Req Level: 100, All Stats: +25, ATT/MATT: +7, HP/MP: +200, Number of Upgrades: 1 Tinkerer's Black Belt : Untradeable, Req Level: 100, All Stats: +100, ATT/MATT: +50, Weapon/Magic DEF: +100, Number of Upgrades: 1 Tinkerer's Black Shoulder Accessory: Untradeable, Req Level: 100, All Stats: +40, ATT/MATT: +15, Weapon/Magic DEF: +200, Number of Upgrades: 1 Set Bonuses: Yellow : ATT/MATT: +10, Weapon/Magic DEF: +50, All Stats: +10, HP/MP: +100 Green : ATT/MATT: +15, Weapon/Magic DEF: +75, All Stats: +20 Blue : ATT/MATT: +30, Weapon/Magic DEF: +100, All Stats: +20, HP/MP: 5% Red : ATT/MATT: +40, Weapon/Magic DEF: +150, All Stats: +40, HP/MP: 15% Black: ATT/MATT: +50, Weapon/Magic DEF: +200, All Stats: +50, HP/MP: 20% Hot Week November 9 - November 15 Requirement: Lv. 30 and above During the event period, log in and click the gift box icon on the left side of your game window to receive a Gift Box, and then double-click the box in your inventory to open it. The Gift Box can be obtained once every day until midnight, and can be opened until 1:00 AM Pacific (4:00 AM Eastern) of the following day. If you obtain a Gift Box every day from Monday to Saturday, then on Sunday—in addition to Sunday's reward—you can select another gift! You can select one from all of the items that were given out from Monday to Friday. You are not required to have received each day’s Gift Box on the same character in order to be eligible for the extra gift, but it does have to be with characters in the same world (multiple worlds in World Alliances don't count). Reward items for each day's Gift Box are listed below. Gift Box (Untradeable): |
As a companion to the Problem Bank List (unofficial), below is a list of failed banks since Jan 2007. But first a few graphs ... Click on graph for larger image in new window. The graph shows the cumulative estimated losses to the FDIC Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) and the quarterly assets of the DIF (as reported by the FDIC). Note that the FDIC takes reserves against future losses in the DIF, and collects fees and special assessments - so you can't just subtract estimated losses from assets to determine the assets remaining in the DIF. The FDIC closed four more banks on Friday, and that brings the total FDIC bank failures to 81 in 2009. The following graph shows bank failures by week in 2009. Note: Week 1 on graph ends Jan 9th. The FDIC is seizing about 4 to 5 banks per week recently, and with over four months to go in 2009, this suggests close to 150 bank failures this year. At the current pace there will be more failures in 2009 than in the early years of the S&L crisis. From 1982 thorough 1984 there were about 100 failures per year, and then the number of failures really increased as the 2nd graph shows. The 2nd graph covers the entire FDIC period (annually since 1934). For a graph that includes the 1920s and early '30s (before the FDIC was enacted) see the 3rd graph here. Of course the number of banks isn't the only measure. Many banks today have more branches, and far more assets and deposits. Failed Bank List Deposits, assets and estimated losses are all in thousands of dollars. Losses for failed banks in 2009 are the initial FDIC estimates. The percent losses are as a percent of assets. See description below table for Class and Cert (and a link to FDIC ID system). The table is wide - use scroll bars to see all information! NOTE: Columns are sortable - click on column header (Assets, State, Bank Name, Date, etc.) Class: from FDIC The FDIC assigns classification codes indicating an institution's charter type (commercial bank, savings bank, or savings association), its chartering agent (state or federal government), its Federal Reserve membership status (member or nonmember), and its primary federal regulator (state-chartered institutions are subject to both federal and state supervision). These codes are: N National chartered commercial bank supervised by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency SM State charter Fed member commercial bank supervised by the Federal Reserve NM State charter Fed nonmember commercial bank supervised by the FDIC SA State or federal charter savings association supervised by the Office of Thrift Supervision SB State charter savings bank supervised by the FDIC This is the certificate number assigned by the FDIC used to identify institutions and for the issuance of insurance certificates. You can click on the number and see "the last demographic and financial data filed by the selected institution". |
CIDRAP Editor’s Note: Today’s commentary was submitted to CIDRAP by the authors, who are national experts on respiratory protection and infectious disease transmission. In May they published a similar commentary on MERS-CoV. Dr Brosseau is a Professor and Dr Jones an Assistant Professor in the School of Public Health, Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Healthcare workers play a very important role in the successful containment of outbreaks of infectious diseases like Ebola. The correct type and level of personal protective equipment (PPE) ensures that healthcare workers remain healthy throughout an outbreak—and with the current rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak in West Africa, it’s imperative to favor more conservative measures. The precautionary principle—that any action designed to reduce risk should not await scientific certainty—compels the use of respiratory protection for a pathogen like Ebola virus that has: No proven pre- or post-exposure treatment modalities A high case-fatality rate Unclear modes of transmission We believe there is scientific and epidemiologic evidence that Ebola virus has the potential to be transmitted via infectious aerosol particles both near and at a distance from infected patients, which means that healthcare workers should be wearing respirators, not facemasks.1 The minimum level of protection in high-risk settings should be a respirator with an assigned protection factor greater than 10. A powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) with a hood or helmet offers many advantages over an N95 filtering facepiece or similar respirator, being more protective, comfortable, and cost-effective in the long run. We strongly urge the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to seek funds for the purchase and transport of PAPRs to all healthcare workers currently fighting the battle against Ebola throughout Africa—and beyond. There has been a lot of on-line and published controversy about whether Ebola virus can be transmitted via aerosols. Most scientific and medical personnel, along with public health organizations, have been unequivocal in their statements that Ebola can be transmitted only by direct contact with virus-laden fluids2,3 and that the only modes of transmission we should be concerned with are those termed “droplet” and “contact.” These statements are based on two lines of reasoning. The first is that no one located at a distance from an infected individual has contracted the disease, or the converse, every person infected has had (or must have had) “direct” contact with the body fluids of an infected person. This reflects an incorrect and outmoded understanding of infectious aerosols, which has been institutionalized in policies, language, culture, and approaches to infection control. We will address this below. Briefly, however, the important points are that virus-laden bodily fluids may be aerosolized and inhaled while a person is in proximity to an infectious person and that a wide range of particle sizes can be inhaled and deposited throughout the respiratory tract. The second line of reasoning is that respirators or other control measures for infectious aerosols cannot be recommended in developing countries because the resources, time, and/or understanding for such measures are lacking.4 Although there are some important barriers to the use of respirators, especially PAPRs, in developing countries, healthcare workers everywhere deserve and should be afforded the same best-practice types of protection, regardless of costs and resources. Every healthcare worker is a precious commodity whose well-being ensures everyone is protected. If we are willing to offer infected US healthcare workers expensive treatments and experimental drugs free of charge when most of the world has no access to them, we wonder why we are unwilling to find the resources to provide appropriate levels of comparatively less expensive respiratory protection to every healthcare worker around the world. How are infectious diseases transmitted via aerosols? Medical and infection control professionals have relied for years on a paradigm for aerosol transmission of infectious diseases based on very outmoded research and an overly simplistic interpretation of the data. In the 1940s and 50s, William F. Wells and other “aerobiologists” employed now significantly out-of-date sampling methods (eg, settling plates) and very blunt analytic approaches (eg, cell culturing) to understand the movement of bacterial aerosols in healthcare and other settings. Their work, though groundbreaking at the time, provides a very incomplete picture. Early aerobiologists were not able to measure small particles near an infectious person and thus assumed such particles existed only far from the source. They concluded that organisms capable of aerosol transmission (termed “airborne”) can only do so at around 3 feet or more from the source. Because they thought that only larger particles would be present near the source, they believed people would be exposed only via large “droplets” on their face, eyes, or nose. Modern research, using more sensitive instruments and analytic methods, has shown that aerosols emitted from the respiratory tract contain a wide distribution of particle sizes—including many that are small enough to be inhaled.5,6 Thus, both small and large particles will be present near an infectious person. The chance of large droplets reaching the facial mucous membranes is quite small, as the nasal openings are small and shielded by their external and internal structure. Although close contact may permit large-droplet exposure, it also maximizes the possibility of aerosol inhalation. As noted by early aerobiologists, liquid in a spray aerosol, such as that generated during coughing or sneezing, will quickly evaporate,7 which increases the concentration of small particles in the aerosol. Because evaporation occurs in milliseconds, many of these particles are likely to be found near the infectious person. The current paradigm also assumes that only “small” particles (less than 5 micrometers [mcm]) can be inhaled and deposited in the respiratory tract. This is not true. Particles as large as 100 mcm (and perhaps even larger) can be inhaled into the mouth and nose. Larger particles are deposited in the nasal passages, pharynx, and upper regions of the lungs, while smaller particles are more likely to deposit in the lower, alveolar regions. And for many pathogens, infection is possible regardless of the particle size or deposition site. It’s time to abandon the old paradigm of three mutually exclusive transmission routes for a new one that considers the full range of particle sizes both near and far from a source. In addition, we need to factor in other important features of infectivity, such as the ability of a pathogen to remain viable in air at room temperature and humidity and the likelihood that systemic disease can result from deposition of infectious particles in the respiratory system or their transfer to the gastrointestinal tract. We recommend using “aerosol transmissible” rather than the outmoded terms “droplet” or “airborne” to describe pathogens that can transmit disease via infectious particles suspended in air. Is Ebola an aerosol-transmissible disease? We recently published a commentary on the CIDRAP site discussing whether Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) could be an aerosol-transmissible disease, especially in healthcare settings. We drew comparisons with a similar and more well-studied disease, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). For Ebola and other filoviruses, however, there is much less information and research on disease transmission and survival, especially in healthcare settings. Being at first skeptical that Ebola virus could be an aerosol-transmissible disease, we are now persuaded by a review of experimental and epidemiologic data that this might be an important feature of disease transmission, particularly in healthcare settings. What do we know about Ebola transmission? No one knows for certain how Ebola virus is transmitted from one person to the next. The virus has been found in the saliva, stool, breast milk, semen, and blood of infected persons.8,9 Studies of transmission in Ebola virus outbreaks have identified activities like caring for an infected person, sharing a bed, funeral activities, and contact with blood or other body fluids to be key risk factors for transmission.10-12 On the basis of epidemiologic evidence, it has been presumed that Ebola viruses are transmitted by contaminated hands in contact with the mouth or eyes or broken skin or by splashes or sprays of body fluids into these areas. Ebola viruses appear to be capable of initiating infection in a variety of human cell types,13,14 but the primary portal or portals of entry into susceptible hosts have not been identified. Some pathogens are limited in the cell type and location they infect. Influenza, for example, is generally restricted to respiratory epithelial cells, which explains why flu is primarily a respiratory infection and is most likely aerosol transmissible. HIV infects T-helper cells in the lymphoid tissues and is primarily a bloodborne pathogen with low probability for transmission via aerosols. Ebola virus, on the other hand, is a broader-acting and more non-specific pathogen that can impede the proper functioning of macrophages and dendritic cells—immune response cells located throughout the epithelium.15,16 Epithelial tissues are found throughout the body, including in the respiratory tract. Ebola prevents these cells from carrying out their antiviral functions but does not interfere with the initial inflammatory response, which attracts additional cells to the infection site. The latter contribute to further dissemination of the virus and similar adverse consequences far beyond the initial infection site. The potential for transmission via inhalation of aerosols, therefore, cannot be ruled out by the observed risk factors or our knowledge of the infection process. Many body fluids, such as vomit, diarrhea, blood, and saliva, are capable of creating inhalable aerosol particles in the immediate vicinity of an infected person. Cough was identified among some cases in a 1995 outbreak in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo,11 and coughs are known to emit viruses in respirable particles.17The act of vomiting produces an aerosol and has been implicated in airborne transmission of gastrointestinal viruses.18,19 Regarding diarrhea, even when contained by toilets, toilet flushing emits a pathogen-laden aerosol that disperses in the air.20-22 Experimental work has shown that Marburg and Ebola viruses can be isolated from sera and tissue culture medium at room temperature for up to 46 days, but at room temperature no virus was recovered from glass, metal, or plastic surfaces.23 Aerosolized (1-3 mcm) Marburg, Ebola, and Reston viruses, at 50% to 55% relative humidity and 72°F, had biological decay rates of 3.04%, 3.06%. and 1.55% per minute, respectively. These rates indicate that 99% loss in aerosol infectivity would occur in 93, 104, and 162 minutes, respectively.23 In still air, 3-mcm particles can take up to an hour to settle. With air currents, these and smaller particles can be transported considerable distances before they are deposited on a surface. There is also some experimental evidence that Ebola and other filoviruses can be transmitted by the aerosol route. Jaax et al24 reported the unexpected death of two rhesus monkeys housed approximately 3 meters from monkeys infected with Ebola virus, concluding that respiratory or eye exposure to aerosols was the only possible explanation. Zaire Ebola viruses have also been transmitted in the absence of direct contact among pigs25 and from pigs to non-human primates,26 which experienced lung involvement in infection. Persons with no known direct contact with Ebola virus disease patients or their bodily fluids have become infected.12 Direct injection and exposure via a skin break or mucous membranes are the most efficient ways for Ebola to transmit. It may be that inhalation is a less efficient route of transmission for Ebola and other filoviruses, as lung involvement has not been reported in all non-human primate studies of Ebola aerosol infectivity.27 However, the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems are not complete barriers to Ebola virus. Experimental studies have demonstrated that it is possible to infect non-human primates and other mammals with filovirus aerosols.25-27 Altogether, these epidemiologic and experimental data offer enough evidence to suggest that Ebola and other filoviruses may be opportunistic with respect to aerosol transmission.28 That is, other routes of entry may be more important and probable, but, given the right conditions, it is possible that transmission could also occur via aerosols. Guidance from the CDC and WHO recommends the use of facemasks for healthcare workers providing routine care to patients with Ebola virus disease and respirators when aerosol-generating procedures are performed. (Interestingly, the 1998 WHO and CDC infection-control guidance for viral hemorrhagic fevers in Africa, still available on the CDC Web site, recommends the use of respirators.) Facemasks, however, do not offer protection against inhalation of small infectious aerosols, because they lack adequate filters and do not fit tightly against the face.1 Therefore, a higher level of protection is necessary. Which respirator to wear? As described in our earlier CIDRAP commentary, we can use a Canadian control-banding approach to select the most appropriate respirator for exposures to Ebola in healthcare settings.29 (See this document for a detailed description of the Canadian control banding approach and the data used to select respirators in our examples below.) The control banding method involves the following steps: Identify the organism’s risk group (1 to 4). Risk group reflects the toxicity of an organism, including the degree and type of disease and whether treatments are available. Ebola is in risk group 4, the most toxic organisms, because it can cause serious human or animal disease, is easily transmitted, directly or indirectly, and currently has no effective treatments or preventive measures. Identify the generation rate. The rate of aerosol generation reflects the number of particles created per time (eg, particles per second). Some processes, such as coughing, create more aerosols than others, like normal breathing. Some processes, like intubation and toilet flushing, can rapidly generate very large quantities of aerosols. The control banding approach assigns a qualitative rank ranging from low (1) to high (4) (eg, normal breathing without coughing has a rank of 1). Identify the level of control. Removing contaminated air and replacing it with clean air, as accomplished with a ventilation system, is effective for lowering the overall concentration of infectious aerosol particles in a space, although it may not be effective at lowering concentration in the immediate vicinity of a source. The number of air changes per hour (ACH) reflects the rate of air removal and replacement. This is a useful variable, because it is relatively easy to measure and, for hospitals, reflects building code requirements for different types of rooms. Again, a qualitative ranking is used to reflect low (1) versus high (4) ACH. Even if the true ventilation rate is not known, the examples can be used to select an appropriate air exchange rate. Identify the respirator assigned protection factor. Respirators are designated by their “class,” each of which has an assigned protection factor (APF) that reflects the degree of protection. The APF represents the outside, environmental concentration divided by the inside, facepiece concentration. An APF of 10 means that the outside concentration of a particular contaminant will be 10 times greater than that inside the respirator. If the concentration outside the respirator is very high, an assigned protection factor of 10 may not prevent the wearer from inhaling an infective dose of a highly toxic organism. Practical examples Two examples follow. These assume that infectious aerosols are generated only during vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, or similar high-energy emissions such as some medical procedures. It is possible that Ebola virus may be shed as an aerosol in other manners not considered. Caring for a patient in the early stages of disease (no bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, etc). In this case, the generation rate is 1. For any level of control (less than 3 to more than 12 ACH), the control banding wheel indicates a respirator protection level of 1 (APF of 10), which corresponds to an air purifying (negative pressure) half-facepiece respirator such as an N95 filtering facepiece respirator. This type of respirator requires fit testing. Caring for a patient in the later stages of disease (bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea, etc).If we assume the highest generation rate (4) and a standard patient room (control level = 2, 3-6 ACH), a respirator with an APF of at least 50 is needed. In the United States, this would be equivalent to either a full-facepiece air-purifying (negative-pressure) respirator or a half-facepiece PAPR (positive pressure), but standards differ in other countries. Fit testing is required for these types of respirators. The control level (room ventilation) can have a big effect on respirator selection. For the same patient housed in a negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room (6-12 ACH), a respirator with an assigned protection factor of 25 is required. This would correspond in the United States to a PAPR with a loose-fitting facepiece or with a helmet or hood. This type of respirator does not need fit testing. Implications for protecting health workers in Africa Healthcare workers have experienced very high rates of morbidity and mortality in the past and current Ebola virus outbreaks. A facemask, or surgical mask, offers no or very minimal protection from infectious aerosol particles. As our examples illustrate, for a risk group 4 organism like Ebola, the minimum level of protection should be an N95 filtering facepiece respirator. This type of respirator, however, would only be appropriate only when the likelihood of aerosol exposure is very low. For healthcare workers caring for many patients in an epidemic situation, this type of respirator may not provide an adequate level of protection. For a risk group 4 organism, any activity that has the potential for aerosolizing liquid body fluids, such as medical or disinfection procedures, should be avoided, if possible. Our risk assessment indicates that a PAPR with a full facepiece (APF = 50) or a hood or helmet (APF = 25) would be a better choice for patient care during epidemic conditions. We recognize that PAPRs present some logistical and infection-control problems. Batteries require frequent charging (which requires a reliable source of electricity), and the entire ensemble requires careful handling and disinfection between uses. A PAPR is also more expensive to buy and maintain than other types of respirators. On the other hand, a PAPR with a loose-fitting facepiece (hood or helmet) does not require fit testing. Wearing this type of respirator minimizes the need for other types of PPE, such as head coverings and goggles. And, most important, it is much more comfortable to wear than a negative-pressure respirator like an N95, especially in hot environments. A recent report from a Medecins Sans Frontieres healthcare worker in Sierra Leone30 notes that healthcare workers cannot tolerate the required PPE for more than 40 minutes. Exiting the workplace every 40 minutes requires removal and disinfection or disposal (burning) of all PPE. A PAPR would allow much longer work periods, use less PPE, require fewer doffing episodes, generate less infectious waste, and be more protective. In the long run, we suspect this type of protection could also be less expensive. Adequate protection is essential To summarize, for the following reasons we believe that Ebola could be an opportunistic aerosol-transmissible disease requiring adequate respiratory protection: Patients and procedures generate aerosols, and Ebola virus remains viable in aerosols for up to 90 minutes. All sizes of aerosol particles are easily inhaled both near to and far from the patient. Crowding, limited air exchange, and close interactions with patients all contribute to the probability that healthcare workers will be exposed to high concentrations of very toxic infectious aerosols. Ebola targets immune response cells found in all epithelial tissues, including in the respiratory and gastrointestinal system. Experimental data support aerosols as a mode of disease transmission in non-human primates. Risk level and working conditions suggest that a PAPR will be more protective, cost-effective, and comfortable than an N95 filtering facepiece respirator. Acknowledgements We thank Kathleen Harriman, PhD, MPH, RN, Chief, Vaccine Preventable Diseases Epidemiology Section, Immunization Branch, California Department of Public Health, and Nicole Vars McCullough, PhD, CIH, Manager, Global Technical Services, Personal Safety Division, 3M Company, for their input and review. References Oberg L, Brosseau LM. Surgical mask filter and fit performance. Am J Infect Control 2008 May;36(4):276-82 [Abstract] CDC. Ebola hemorrhagic fever: transmission. 2014 Aug 13 [ Ebola hemorrhagic fever: transmission. 2014 Aug 13 [ Full text ECDC. Outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa: third update, 1 August 2014. Stockholm: ECDC 2014 Aug 1 [ Outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa: third update, 1 August 2014. Stockholm: ECDC 2014 Aug 1 [ Full text Martin-Moreno JM, Llinas G, Hernandez JM. Is respiratory protection appropriate in the Ebola response? Lancet 2014 Sep 6;384(9946):856 [ Is respiratory protection appropriate in the Ebola response? Lancet 2014 Sep 6;384(9946):856 [ Full text Papineni RS, Rosenthal FS. The size distribution of droplets in the exhaled breath of healthy human subjects. J Aerosol Med 1997;10(2):105-16 [ The size distribution of droplets in the exhaled breath of healthy human subjects. J Aerosol Med 1997;10(2):105-16 [ Abstract Chao CYH, Wan MP, Morawska L, et al. Characterization of expiration air jets and droplet size distributions immediately at the mouth opening. J Aerosol Sci 2009 Feb;40(2):122-33 [ Characterization of expiration air jets and droplet size distributions immediately at the mouth opening. J Aerosol Sci 2009 Feb;40(2):122-33 [ Abstract Nicas M, Nazaroff WW, Hubbard A. Toward understanding the risk of secondary airborne infection: emission of respirable pathogens. J Occup Environ Hyg 2005 Mar;2(3):143-54 [ Toward understanding the risk of secondary airborne infection: emission of respirable pathogens. 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On Page 155 of Conservative Victory, Sean Hannity claims that conservatives "have the best weapon at hand to combat [liberals'] efforts: the truth." According to a Media Matters for America review, Hannity appeared to leave that "weapon" at home, as his new book is riddled with numerous falsehoods, smears, and distortions. Below are more than 20 of them: 1. Hannity trots out "socialized," nationalized health care falsehoods 2. Hannity pals around with falsehood that Obama and Ayers are "close" 3. Hannity: Dunn, Bloom are "entranced" by Mao 4. "XXX-rated reading list": Hannity continues smear campaign against Jennings 5. Hannity repeats "Lie of the Year" nominee: Holdren supports "compulsory sterilization and even sometimes abortion" 6. Hannity pushes dubious claim that Koh might apply "sharia law in American courts" 7. Hannity distortion: Johnsen believes "that pregnancy can be comparable to involuntary servitude" 8. Hannity falsely claims Democrats are "allocating monies" to ACORN to "ensure their own reelection" 9. Hannity falsely claims Reid pushed provision for "unrepealable" Medicare board 10. Hannity falsely claims Independent Medicare Advisory Board is a "death panel" 11. Hannity falsely suggests Obama is alone in using saved jobs metric 12. Hannity falsely claims health care legislation funds abortion 13. Hannity accuses Obama of slander for true statements about Afghanistan 14. Hannity criticizes Obama for referring to the "Islamic Republic of Iran" -- just as Hannity and Fox have 15. Falsehood: Obama opposed protecting "babies that survived late-term abortions" 16. Hannity distortion: DOJ "dismissed" Black Panther voter intimidation case 17. Hannity baselessly claims Obama is sending "SEIU thugs" to "physically attack" tea partiers 18. Hannity claims tea party messages are "positive" -- then cites tea party leader who used n-word 19. Does Hannity believe Nancy Reagan stands for a "culture of death" because she supports stem cell research? 20. Hannity forwards false claim that Obama has never said "Islamic extremism" 21. More Hannity smears: Marxist, Manchurian candidate, attacks on Michelle Obama 1. Hannity trots out "socialized," nationalized health care falsehoods Hannity repeatedly claims that Obama pushed "socialized" and "nationalize[d]" health care. For instance: Only months into his presidency, he had so infuriated average Americans that a series of Tea Party protests emerged across the nation, attended by everyday people who were outraged and horrified by Obama's every decision: his reckless federal spending, his seizure of control of private industry, his cap-and-trade legislation, and his obsessive quest to nationalize one-sixth of the American economy through socialized health care. [Page 4] [...] Rather than responding to the real fear that his debt explosion struck in the heart of most Americans, he brazenly turned a deaf ear and pressed forward with his hugely unpopular question to nationalize our health care, proving he was anything but a president of the people. [Page 6] [...] As a leftist to his core, Barack Obama has been salivating over socialized medicine for years. It's the perfect policy vehicle for socialists who want to ensure that government's tentacles will spread into all aspects of our society. [Page 94] Democrats' health care reform isn't socialized health care. The Urban Institute wrote in an April 2008 analysis that "socialized medicine involves government financing and direct provision of health care services" and explained that Democratic health care reform proposals do not "fit this description. While these policies would provide additional public resources to help the uninsured pay for coverage and would increase the pooling of risks in insurance markets, none would overturn the dominant role of private insurance and private providers in America's health care system." The analysis also noted, "Similar rhetoric was used to defeat national health care reform proposals in the 1990s and, with less success, to argue against the creation of Medicare in the 1960s." Obama has not proposed socialized medicine, single payer, or nationalized health care. As PolitiFact.com noted in a March 5, 2009, post, "Obama's plan leaves in place the private health care system, but seeks to expand it to the uninsured," and "the plan is very different from some European-style health systems where the government owns health clinics and employs doctors." And during a March 26, 2009, online town hall, Obama explicitly rejected the notion of implementing a health care system "the way European countries do or Canada does," explaining that what "we should do is to build on the [employer-based] system that we have." 2. Hannity pals around with falsehood that Obama and Ayers are "close" From Page 36 of Conservative Victory: Obama laughably downplays William Ayers -- a close associate with whom he served on the board of the Woods Fund of Chicago and who hosted an event at his home launching Obama's state senate run -- as just a guy in the neighborhood, a harmless Chicago college professor. NY Times: Obama and Ayers "do not appear to have been close." The New York Times reported on October 4, 2008, that Obama and Ayers "do not appear to have been close. Nor has Mr. Obama ever expressed sympathy for the radical views and actions of Mr. Ayers, whom he has called 'somebody who engaged in detestable acts 40 years ago, when I was 8.' " FactCheck.org: Obama and Ayers were "never very close." In an October 10, 2008, article, FactCheck.org wrote of the 2008 presidential campaign: "What we object to are the McCain-Palin campaign's attempts to sway voters -- in ads and on the stump -- with false and misleading statements about the relationship [between Obama and Ayers], which was never very close. McClatchy: "There is no evidence that Ayers is a close friend or an adviser to [Obama's] campaign." McClatchy reported on October 9, 2008, that "Obama has condemned the violent 1960s activities of the Weather Underground. There is no evidence that Ayers is a close friend or an adviser to his campaign." [accessed via Nexis] AP: "[T]here is no evidence that they ever palled around." Reporting on then-vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's claim that Obama sees America as so imperfect "that he's palling around with terrorists who would target their own country," the Associated Press reported on October 5, 2008, that "there is no evidence they [Obama and Ayers] have palled around," and "it's simply wrong to suggest that they were associated while Ayers was committing terrorist acts." 3. Hannity: Dunn, Bloom are "entranced" by Mao From Page 50 of Conservative Victory: [Senior counselor for manufacturing policy Ron] Bloom said that he and his colleagues recognize that "this is largely about power" -- and, shockingly, that "we kind of agree with Mao [Zedong] that political power comes largely from the barrel of a gun." That's right, Obama's manufacturing czar kind-of agrees with Red China's Chairman Mao, the tyrant responsible for murdering tens of millions of his own people during peacetime for not toeing the party line. How comforting is that? ANITA DUNN And the same wonderful Chinese dictator has entranced another of Obama's radical darlings -- Obama's short-lived White House communications director Anita Dunn, who regards Mao as among her favorite philosophers. Obama is nothing if not consistent. But numerous conservatives have similarly approvingly cited Mao and other brutal communists' tactics, rhetoric. Hannity is referencing a video in which Dunn cited two of her "favorite political philosophers," Mao Zedong and Mother Teresa, during a speech to high school graduates. However, Dunn offered no endorsement of Mao's ideology or actions -- rather, she spoke of Mao and Mother Teresa as two of her favorite "political philosophers," and based on short quotes from them, she offered the advice that "you don't have to follow other people's choices and paths" or "let external definition define how good you are internally." Numerous conservatives, including Newt Gingrich (who is approvingly cited in Hannity's book), Ralph Reed, Barry Goldwater's "alter ego" Stephen C. Shadegg and John McCain, have approvingly cited the tactics of Mao, Vladimir Lenin, and the Viet Cong, stated that they had used those tactics in their political work, or have otherwise highlighted their philosophies. 4. "XXX-rated reading list": Hannity continues smear campaign against Jennings Hannity continues his smear campaign against Department of Education official Kevin Jennings by claiming that an organization he founded pushed an "XXX-rated reading list" for "children." From Page 53 of Conservative Victory: To give you an idea of the mentality of GLSEN [Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network], which Jennings founded, one report on the Gateway Pundit blog offers a detailed account of the XXX-rated reading list the organization recommends for children -- complete with extensive, sexually explicit quotations from many of the books. The site quotes a report from Breitbart.tv that "book after book after book contained stories and anecdotes that weren't merely X-rated and pornographic, but which featured explicit descriptions of sex acts between preschoolers; stories that seemed to promote and recommend child-adult sexual relationships; stories of public masturbation, anal sex in restrooms, affairs between students and teachers, five-year-olds playing sex games, semen flying through the air." GLSEN: "We recommend that adults selecting books for youth review content for suitability." In describing its BookLink section, GLSEN states in red type: "All BookLink items are reviewed by GLSEN staff for quality and appropriateness of content. However, some titles for adolescent readers contain mature themes. We recommend that adults selecting books for youth review content for suitability. The editorial and customer reviews listed at Amazon.com often provide information on mature content." Attacks on Jennings over book list are frequently marked by distortions. As Media Matters has documented, conservative attacks on Jennings over GLSEN's book list are repeatedly marked by distortions. Schools regularly teach books that contain sexually explicit material. Many classic novels include sexually explicit material. The American Library Association notes on its website that many of the top 100 novels of the 20th century have been the subject of objections over issues such as "sexual references," "sexually explicit passages," "rape," "masturbation," "bestiality," "explicit sex scenes," and "trashy sex." These titles include books regularly taught in schools, such as Catcher in the Rye, The Color Purple, Beloved, Lord of the Flies, 1984, Of Mice and Men, Brave New World, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and Rabbit, Run. In a December 11, 2009, statement, Martin Garnar, chair of the American Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Committee, said: "Though Jennings' and GLSEN's critics claim to be upholding American morals and values by condemning the GLSEN book list, they are actually undermining the values of tolerance, free inquiry, and self-determination that inform and sustain our democratic way of life in the United States." 5. Hannity repeats "Lie of the Year" nominee: Holdren supports "compulsory sterilization and even sometimes abortion" From Page 56 of Conservative Victory: Obama's director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), or "science czar," is John Holdren, another leftist with beliefs outside the American mainstream. In his writings, Holdren seems to approve of and recommend compulsory sterilization and even sometimes abortion, in furtherance of a government population control program. PolitiFact: Holdren does not support compulsory sterilization or forced abortion. After Glenn Beck offered a similar allegation based on an environmental sciences book Holdren co-authored more than 30 years ago, PolitiFact concluded that "the text of the book clearly does not support that. We think a thorough reading shows that these were ideas presented as approaches that had been discussed. They were not posed as suggestions or proposals. In fact, the authors make clear that they did not support coercive means of population control. Certainly, nowhere in the book do the authors advocate for forced abortions." PolitiFact nominated the smear, which Hannity has repeated on his Fox News show, as one of its "Lies of the Year." 6. Hannity pushes dubious claim that Koh might apply "sharia law in American courts" From Page 60 of Conservative Victory: Equally troubling is [State Department legal adviser Harold] Koh's attitude toward the application of Muslim sharia law in American courts. In a 2007 speech to the Yale Club of Greenwich, Connecticut, he said that "in an appropriate case, he didn't see any reason why sharia law would not be applied to govern a case in the United States." Hannity has repeatedly advanced the dubious claim on his Fox News show. The claim originated in March 2007, when National Review Online blogger Carol Innone posted a letter from New York lawyer Steven J. Stein, who claimed to have heard Koh suggest that Sharia law could be applied in the United States during a Yale University alumni event Stein attended. Koh and event organizer have refuted claim. The claim has been denied by Koh himself during Senate testimony, Koh's spokesman, and Robin Reeves Zorthian, the organizer of the Yale University alumni event at which Koh supposedly made the Sharia law remarks. Zorthian said that claims about Koh are "totally fictitious and inaccurate" and "never did Koh state or suggest that other forms of law should govern ... the American legal system." Koh has denounced Iran for imposing strict Sharia law. University of California-Davis law professor Anupam Chander wrote in an April 2, 2009, blog post that "[i]n the 71 articles penned by Harold Koh that appear in the Westlaw law review database, there is but one article that mentions Sharia," and in that article, Koh "denounces the government of Iran for 'impos[ing] a strict form of Sharia law that denies basic rights to women and minorities.' " Slate senior editor and legal reporter Dahlia Lithwick similarly wrote that "Koh in all his academic articles and many public statements has never said anything to suggest some dogged fealty to Sharia." 7. Hannity distortion: Johnsen believes "that pregnancy can be comparable to involuntary servitude" From Page 60 of Conservative Victory: Obama appointed Dawn Johnsen to head the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel despite her radical views -- including that pregnancy can be comparable to involuntary servitude. PolitiFact: Johnsen compared "forced pregnancy" to involuntary servitude. From a March 24, 2009, PolitiFact article: The Republicans are referring to a 1989 brief in Webster vs. Reproductive Health Services, a case that tested whether states could prohibit abortions in public health institutions. Johnsen was then legal director of the National Abortion Rights Action League, one of 77 organizations to sign the brief. Footnote 23, part of the brief that Johnsen said in a Senate hearing that she wrote, said the following: "While a woman might choose to bear children gladly and voluntarily, statutes that curtail her abortion choice are disturbingly suggestive of involuntary servitude, prohibited by the Thirteenth Amendment, in that forced pregnancy requires a woman to provide continuous physical service to the fetus in order to further the state's asserted interest. Indeed, the actual process of delivery demands work of the most intense and physical kind: labor of 12 or more grueling hours of contractions is not uncommon." So Johnsen compared "forced pregnancy" -- not motherhood -- to involuntary servitude. After we asked the Republican Conference about the claim, staffer Ericka Andersen acknowledged it was wrong. "You are correct that the post was written inaccurately," she told us in an e-mail. She corrected the post to say Johnsen "equated forced pregnancy with 'involuntary servitude.'" Kudos to the conference for acknowledging the error. But we still find the original claim False. 8. Hannity falsely claims Democrats are "allocating monies" to ACORN to "ensure their own reelection" From Page 65 of Conservative Victory: Congress, under Obama's Democrats, is not just passively ceding its powers to the executive branch in areas it shouldn't. In concert with Obama, it too is stealing power from the people. Congressmen are deliberately ignoring their own rules (such as Al Franken cutting off Republican senators speaking in opposition to Obama's agenda); they're voting on legislation when not only have they not read it, but it hasn't even been written; they're spending trillions of dollars we don't have and can't possibly acquire; they're allocating monies to corrupt groups like ACORN to ensure their own reelection rather than for any legitimate legislative purpose; and they're doing all this in defiance of the will of the people. Obama and Democrats have not been "allocating monies" to ACORN. Hannity offers no evidence or footnote to support his claim about ACORN. However, Hannity falsely claimed on his February 19 Fox News show that Obama's budget "is going to give [ACORN] $3 billion." In fact, Obama's budget contains no language specific to ACORN. In previous years, Republicans have repeatedly claimed that Democrats were going to "give" ACORN millions or billions of dollars when, in fact, the various legislations they reference don't contain any language mentioning ACORN. In September 2009, Hannity falsely claimed that ACORN is "on schedule to get eight and a half trillion dollars of stimulus money." 9. Hannity falsely claims Reid pushed provision for "unrepealable" Medicare board Hannity: Reid "aims to make the bill's proposed Independent Medicare Advisory Board (IMAB) unrepealable." From Page 65 of Conservative Victory: But among the Democrats' many shameless attempts to seize power away from the people, the granddaddy of them all is contained in the Senate health-care bill. Unbeknownst to many, that bill contains an amendment, inserted by Majority Leader Harry Reid, that aims to make the bill's proposed Independent Medicare Advisory Board (IMAB) unrepealable. The amendment would change certain Senate rules to prohibit future Congresses from repealing the IMAB (which some refer to as a death panel). But current Senate rules require sixty-seven votes for a rule change. The Democrats, who had already changed the rule with their sixty-vote (not sixty-seven-vote) majority, claimed they weren't changing the rule, just changing a "procedure." But their intentions were clear: Obama's Senate was not only trying to make their provision for death panels unrepealable -- violating our first principles of popular sovereignty at their core -- but in the process they were also violating their own rules through semantic deception. FactCheck.org: IMAB is repealable. In a January 15 article, when asked if the IMAB "can't be repealed" if enacted into law, FactCheck.org replied: "No ... that could be repealed by a vote of three-fifths of the Senate." 10. Hannity falsely claims Independent Medicare Advisory Board is a "death panel" From Page 65 of Conservative Victory: But among the Democrats' many shameless attempts to seize power away from the people, the granddaddy of them all is contained in the Senate health-care bill. Unbeknownst to many, that bill contains an amendment, inserted by Majority Leader Harry Reid, that aims to make the bill's proposed Independent Medicare Advisory Board (IMAB) unrepealable. The amendment would change certain Senate rules to prohibit future Congresses from repealing the IMAB (which some refer to as a death panel). But current Senate rules require sixty-seven votes for a rule change. The Democrats, who had already changed the rule with their sixty-vote (not sixty-seven-vote) majority, claimed they weren't changing the rule, just changing a "procedure." But their intentions were clear: Obama's Senate was not only trying to make their provision for death panels unrepealable -- violating our first principles of popular sovereignty at their core -- but in the process they were also violating their own rules through semantic deception. Independent Medicare Advisory Board is specifically prohibited from rationing health care or modifying benefits. According to the legislation, when the "projected per capita growth rate under Medicare" exceeds "the target growth rate for that year," the board is required to "develop and submit" to Congress a "proposal containing recommendations to reduce the Medicare per capita growth rate to the extent required by this section." But the legislation explicitly states that the board may not include recommendations to "ration health care," "restrict benefits," or "modify eligibility criteria." From Section 3403 of the Senate health care bill: (ii) The proposal shall not include any recommendation to ration health care, raise revenues or Medicare beneficiary premiums under section 1818, 1818A, or 1839, increase Medicare beneficiary cost sharing (including deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments), or otherwise restrict benefits or modify eligibility criteria. The Congressional Budget Office found that the advisory board provision "would place a number of limitations on the actions available to the board, including a prohibition against modifying eligibility or benefits." FactCheck.org: The "Medicare Board is no 'death panel.' " From FactCheck.org's January 15 article: Footnote: Despite a few lingering claims to the contrary, the Medicare Board is no "death panel." The bill explicitly states that its cost-saving proposals: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Dec 24 2009: ...shall not include any recommendation to ration heatlh care, raise revenues or Medicare beneficiary premiums...increase Medicare beneficiary cost-sharing (including deductibles, coinsurance and co-payments), or otherwise restrict benefits or modify eligibility criteria. 11. Hannity falsely suggests Obama is alone in using saved jobs metric From Page 82 of Conservative Victory: When Obama was unveiling his economic plans, he assured us that, because of his intervention, unemployment would not rise above 8 percent, and that it should "save or create at least 3 million jobs by the end of 2010" -- as if "saving" jobs were a measurable statistic. (It's revealing that the mainstream media, as in-the-tank for Obama as they are, still allow him to get away with such a bogus ruse.) Bush administration also made claims about jobs "saved or created." During the Bush administration, the Department of Agriculture repeatedly stated that its economic initiatives had "saved or created" a specific number of jobs, or would in the future. CBO also uses saved metric. As Media Matters has noted, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has also used the saved jobs metric when discussing the impact of the stimulus bill. 12. Hannity falsely claims health care legislation funds abortion Hannity: Democrats are "enabling the federal funding of abortion in the health-care bills." From Pages 100 and 153 of Conservative Victory: As for Obama's claim that federal funds wouldn't be used for abortion, the truth is that every attempt by congressmen to add language prohibiting the practice was defeated by Obama's Democrats. The bill the Senate passed on Christmas Eve included major taxpayer funding of abortion and, some said, opened the door for the administration to force insurance companies to pay for abortion. [...] But he is doing everything he can to advance the cause of abortion -- not choice, but unqualified abortion on demand -- including deceitfully supporting and enabling the federal funding of abortion in the health-care bills that have circulated through Congress in the past year. Senate bill forbids use of federal subsidies for abortion services except in cases allowed by the Hyde amendment. The health care reform bill passed by the Senate states that if a "qualified health plan" offered under the health insurance exchange provides coverage of abortion services for which public funding is banned, "the issuer of the plan shall not use any amount attributable" to the federal subsidies created under the bill "for purposes of paying for such services." Public funding is currently banned by the Hyde amendment for all abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or if the life of the pregnant woman is in danger. Fox's Cavuto: No provisions for federal funding of abortions. While Fox News has repeatedly forwarded the false abortion claims, host Neil Cavuto admitted on March 27 that "we don't see any provision there where federal monies go directly to fund abortions." PolitiFact: No federal funding. PolitiFact wrote that the "Senate bill states very clearly that public funding through tax credits and government subsidies for elective abortion services offered in the exchange is prohibited. But more than that, the bill sets up a mechanism to ensure that abortion services offered in the exchange are paid entirely from patient premiums, premiums paid by people who have chosen a private plan that covers abortion." 13. Hannity accuses Obama of slander for true statements about Afghanistan From Page 109 of Conservative Victory: Obama appeared obsessed with the slanderous notion that the only thing the American military was doing under George W. Bush was murdering innocent people in Afghanistan. "We've got to get the job done there and that requires us to have enough troops so that we're not just air-raiding villages and killing civilians, which is causing enormous pressure over there." Hannity is referencing a remark from Obama from August 13, 2007, which he and other conservatives repeatedly distorted during the 2008 presidential campaign. Then-Bush Defense Secretary Gates apologized for civilian deaths from airstrikes. Defense Secretary Robert Gates apologized for deaths resulting from coalition airstrikes, saying in a September 17, 2008, statement: "I offer all Afghans my sincere condolences and personal regrets for the recent loss of innocent life as a result of coalition airstrikes. While no military has ever done more to prevent civilian casualties, it is clear that we have to work even harder. I have asked for a detailed briefing this afternoon about our close air support as well as our intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations." Media reports confirm that airstrikes have resulted in "killing civilians." Despite Hannity's assertion that it is "slanderous" to discuss civilian casualties in Afghanistan, accounts of resulting civilian casualties from U.S. airstrikes in the country have been widely reported in the media and have reportedly provoked criticism from Afghan President Hamid Karzai and a British commander stationed there. Additionally, the Associated Press reported in a "Fact Check" the day after Obama's remark: "Western forces have been killing [Afghan] civilians at a faster rate than the insurgents." 14. Hannity criticizes Obama for referring to the "Islamic Republic of Iran" -- just as Hannity and Fox have From Page 121 of Conservative Victory: Obama has shown his true foreign policy colors in his dealings with Iran. In his "Nowruz" (New Year's) greeting to the leaders of Iran, he referred to the country several times as "the Islamic Republic of Iran," which validated the standing of the theocratic leaders while offering a kick in the gut to the majority of Iranian people, who oppose them. Hannity: "Islamic Republic of Iran." From an August 30, 2006, segment (retrieved from Nexis) on Hannity & Colmes: [emphasis added] HANNITY: In the midst of the western world's nuclear standoff with the Islamic Republic of Iran, the U.S. State Department has granted former Iranian president, Mohammad Khatami, a visa to come to this country next week. Now, Khatami is planning to attend the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations meetings as well as other speaking events in the United States, and at taxpayer expense, his security will be overseen by the State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security. And tonight, there are even reports that former President Carter is interested in meeting with Khatami during his visit. In a contact to the State Department, they told us, quote, "We are an open society, tolerant of diverse viewpoints. And after careful deliberation, we've determined that issuing Mr. Khatami a limited visa, and allowing Mr. Khatami to present his views directly to the American people will demonstrate to Iran that the United States upholds its commitment to freedom and democracy." Fox reporters refer to the "Islamic Republic of Iran." For instance (emphasis added): Reporter Lauren Green on February 12: "In the Islamic Republic of Iran, politics and religion are one. But experts are warning that the Islamic apocalyptic figure called 'The Twelfth Imam' maybe fueling Iran's obsession for nuclear weapons." Reporter Amy Kellogg on August 5, 2009 (retrieved from Nexis): "Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was sworn in for a second term as president of the Islamic Republic of Iran before the parliament, but it was not a packed house. Dozens of members chose to stay away. The security presence on the streets was as heavy as it's been since the June election, according to an eyewitness." Kellogg's biography states: "In recent years, Kellogg has had extraordinary access to the Islamic Republic of Iran." 15. Falsehood: Obama opposed protecting "babies that survived late-term abortions" From Page 152-153 of Conservative Victory: They are adamantly, militantly pro-abortion, to the point where even the very leader of their party, Barack Obama, as an Illinois senator in 2002, spoke out and voted against the Induced Infant Liability Act, which would have protected babies that survived late-term abortions. As Obama and other opponents noted, criminal code already prevented killing of children. In attacking Obama, Hannity joined other conservatives in misleadingly referencing Obama's opposition in the Illinois legislature to legislation that amended the Illinois Abortion Law of 1975. Opponents of the bill noted that the legislation was unnecessary, as the Illinois criminal code unequivocally prohibits killing children, and said that the bill posed a threat to abortion rights. When tasked by the Illinois attorney general's office with investigating allegations that fetuses born alive at an Illinois hospital were abandoned without treatment -- the alleged incident that inspired the "Born Alive Act" -- the Illinois Department of Public Health reportedly said that it was unable to substantiate the allegations but said that if the allegations had proved true, the conduct alleged would have been a violation of existing Illinois law. The Obama presidential campaign subsequently cited specific provisions of the Illinois Compiled Statutes in stating that the "born alive principle was already the law in Illinois." Media figures declare this attack against Obama to be "misleading" and "unfair." The legislation became an issue during the 2008 presidential campaign when Palin attacked Obama by claiming that Obama believes a "child being born alive" should "not receive medical help to save that child's life." Time's Michael Scherer said Palin's attacks were "misleading" while The Washington Post "fact checker" Michael Dobbs wrote that it was "unfair to accuse Obama of supporting the withdrawal of medical treatment from babies." 16. Hannity distortion: DOJ "dismissed" Black Panther voter intimidation case From Page 184 of Conservative Victory: They [Democrats] control a corrupt Justice Department whose attorney general has racialized the poll-watching process, and who dismissed a voter intimidation case against his Black Panther friends. DOJ actually "sought and obtained" "maximum penalty" against one of the individuals. The Bush administration made the decision to file a civil complaint instead of criminal charges against Black Panther members who were accused of "brandish[ing] a deadly weapon" outside of a polling station in Philadelphia, and the Obama administration did not drop the civil case. Rather, the Justice Department "sought and obtained" the "maximum penalty" against one of the two individuals. On December 3, 2009, Department of Justice assistant attorney general Tom Perez testified that "[t]he case was not dismissed" and that the attorneys who reviewed the case "made the determination that, based on the law of the Third Circuit, that the case against the person who wielded the stick, that we should indeed seek the maximum penalty, and that maximum penalty was sought and obtained, and the case against the other defendant should be dismissed, and the case against the national party should also be dismissed." 17. Hannity baselessly claims Obama is sending "SEIU thugs" to "physically attack" tea partiers From Page 193 of Conservative Victory: [The Tea Party movement] is truly a grassroots movement, not the artificially contrived, conspiratorial "Astroturf movement" the administration has painted. The only thing artificial anywhere near the Tea Party protests were the counterprotests Obama staged, sending in his SEIU thugs to shout down, bully, intimidate, and physically attack the Tea Party patriots. Hannity offers no evidence for claim. Hannity offered no evidence that Obama was "sending in" people to "physically attack" members of the tea party movement. Hannity's accusation echoes an August 2009 distortion Andrew Breitbart made in which he claimed that "union thugs were directed by the White House to go to" town hall meetings "and 'punch back twice as hard.' " In fact, White House deputy chief of staff Jim Messina reportedly used the expressions to which Breitbart referred while speaking to Senate Democrats -- not to any union groups -- and there is no indication it was anything other than a metaphorical explanation of how the White House plans to respond to political attacks against Senate Democrats. Glenn Beck has similarly called SEIU "thugs" in smearing the union for purported violence. 18. Hannity claims tea party messages are "positive" -- then cites tea party leader who used n-word Hannity: Lion's share of tea party ideas is "positive." While discussing the tea party movement, Hannity writes that the "lion's share of the ideas coming out of the Tea Party protests are indeed positive, but they lack any kind of organizational unity." In the next paragraph, Hannity positively cites Dale Robertson for challenging "Republicans in name only": The lion's share of the ideas coming out of the Tea Party protests are indeed positive, but they lack any kind of organization unity -- which is inevitable in such a decentralized, grassroots movement. We also see, within the movement, a good amount of single-issue advocacy -- the kind of passionate activism that can have the power to ignite a movement, but cannot on its own sustain a new "revolution" unless it's consolidated into a unified vision. The Tea Party protests will continue, as I believe they should. They have been an indispensable catalyst to energize our troops to fight back. They have done more than that as well, supporting, for example, constitutionally conservative candidates against RINOs -- Republicans in name only -- such as helping to oust Florida's Republican Party chairman. "We are turning our guns on anyone who doesn't support constitutionally conservative candidates," said Dale Robertson, who helped start the Tea Party movement two years ago. [Pages 193-194] Hannity's tea party leader was reportedly kicked out of tea party event for carrying sign with racial slur. The Washington Independent's David Weigel reported on January 4 that "Dale Robertson, a Tea Party activist who operates TeaParty.org, is getting stung for an old photo -- taken at the Feb. 27, 2009 Tea Party in Houston -- in which he holds a sign reading 'Congress = Slaveowner, Taxpayer = Niggar.' " Weigel also reported that "Josh Parker of the Houston Tea Party Society tells me that Robertson was booted out of the event for this sign." Weigel included the following picture: 19. Does Hannity believe Nancy Reagan stands for a "culture of death" because she supports stem cell research? Hannity: Democrats stand for a "culture of death" because they support embryonic stem cell research. From Page 195 of Conservative Victory: Obama and his party stand for America's economic bankruptcy, virtual surrender in the war on terror, and a culture of death, from abortion to embryonic stem cell research to health-care rationing tantamount to death panels. Nancy Reagan supports embryonic stem cell research. From a March 2009 statement: I'm very grateful that President Obama has lifted the restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. These new rules will now make it possible for scientists to move forward. I urge researchers to make use of the opportunities that are available to them, and to do all they can to fulfill the promise that stem cell research offers. Countless people, suffering from many different diseases, stand to benefit from the answers stem cell research can provide. We owe it to ourselves and to our children to do everything in our power to find cures for these diseases -- and soon. As I've said before, time is short, and life is precious. Hannity's fifth chapter is titled, "Why I'm a Reagan Conservative." Dozens of Republicans voted for embryonic stem cell research under Bush. In January 2007, 37 House Republicans joined Democrats in voting for legislation -- later vetoed by President Bush -- that would have expanded federal funding for embryonic stem cells. In the Senate, 17 Republicans joined the Democrats. 20. Hannity forwards false claim that Obama has never said "Islamic extremism" From Page 208 of Conservative Victory: On my radio show, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani told me and my audience that he was troubled by Obama's refusal to identify the enemy as broader than Al Qaeda, which Rudy says is only one component of the Islamic extremist enemy we face. "He has yet to use the term 'Islamic extremism,' " Rudy pointed out, which brings into serious question his competence and fitness as a leader. Obama discusses "Islamic extremism" on CNN. From the July 13, 2008, edition of CNN's Fareed Zakaria: GPS: ZAKARIA: Do you believe, when looking at the world today, that Islamic extremism is the transcendent challenge of the 21st century? OBAMA: I think the problems of terrorism and groups that are resisting modernity, whether because of their ethnic identities or religious identities, and the fact that they can be driven into extremist ideologies, is one of the severe threats that we face. I don't think it's the only threat that we face. ZAKARIA: But how do you view the problem within Islam? As somebody who saw it in Indonesia ... the largest Muslim country in the world? OBAMA: Well, it was interesting. When I lived in Indonesia -- this would be '67, '68, late '60s, early '70s -- Indonesia was never the same culture as the Arab Middle East. The brand of Islam was always different. But around the world, there was no -- there was not the sense that Islam was inherently opposed to the West, or inherently opposed to modern life, or inherently opposed to universal traditions, like rule of law. And now in Indonesia, you see some of those extremist elements. And what's interesting is, you can see some correlation between the economic crash during the Asian financial crisis, where about a third of Indonesia's GDP was wiped out, and the acceleration of these Islamic extremist forces. It isn't to say that there is a direct correlation, but what is absolutely true is that there has been a shift in Islam that I believe is connected to the failures of governments and the failures of the West to work with many of these countries, in order to make sure that opportunities are there, that there's bottom-up economic growth. You know, the way we have to approach, I think, this problem of Islamic extremism ... is we have to hunt down those who would resort to violence to move their agenda, their ideology forward. We should be going after al Qaeda and those networks fiercely and effectively. But what we also want to do is to shrink the pool of potential recruits. And that involves engaging the Islamic world rather than vilifying it, and making sure that we understand that not only are those in Islam who would resort to violence a tiny fraction of the Islamic world, but that also, the Islamic world itself is diverse. And that lumping together Shia extremists with Sunni extremists, assuming that Persian culture is the same as Arab culture, that those kinds of errors in lumping Islam together result in us not only being less effective in hunting down and isolating terrorists, but also in alienating what need to be our long-term allies on a whole host of issues. Gibbs discusses "Islamic extremism." From the September 10, 2009, White House press briefing: Q Well, let me ask it this way. President Bush used to say repeatedly, "America is a nation at war." He did so on 9/11, but other occasions during the year. My impression is that since taking office, President Obama has purposely tried to turn down the heat on the rhetoric. MR. GIBBS: Well, look, I think we've certainly cut down on the use of the phrase, but, again, our focus is on getting the policy right. I don't -- I think the President spends part of each of his day in meetings about and thinking about the men and women that we have in Iraq and Afghanistan and that are through -- stationed throughout the world to protect our freedom and to address Islamic extremism. And that takes up part of his day and is something that -- the sacrifice which he's thankful for and I think all of us are thankful for each and every day. Regardless of how it's phrased, he's mindful of the effort of so many on our behalf. 21. More Hannity smears: Marxist, Manchurian candidate, attacks on Michelle Obama In addition to regularly botching facts, Hannity makes outlandish statements about President Obama, Michelle Obama, and liberals: Obama may be a "red diaper baby." From the section, "A Red Diaper Baby" on Page 33: If Obama's socialist ideas seem alien to those of us who were raised on American capitalist values, it may come as no surprise that they have deep roots in his upbringing. Unlike nearly any other American politician, Barack Obama spent his formative years in a land where communism was no abstract principle, but a cause that had recently led to a bloody civil war: Indonesia. The media has devoted little effort to inquiring into the impact these formative years had on his political education. But what we know about his background raises troubling, unresolved questions. Some have speculated that Obama may have been a "red diaper baby," the child of communist-leaning parents. Certainly his mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, was an iconoclast and a radical thinker; one classmate called her a "fellow traveler." Hannity smears Michelle Obama. From Pages 38-39: But it's been suggested that one of Obama's voluntary relationships is more revealing of his radicalism, anti-Americanism, and anti-capitalism than all of the others: his choice of marital partner. The columnist known as Spengler, writing for the Asia Times, quoted Alexandre Dumas: "When you want to uncover an unspecified secret, look for the woman." In Obama's case, wrote Spengler, there have been two principal women in his life: his late mother and "his rancorous wife Michelle. Obama's women reveal his secret: he hates America." "Marxist" Obama "couldn't be more of a Manchurian candidate." From Page 40: In addition to media cover, Obama has another thing going for him: The truth about him and his inner circle is stranger than fiction. He couldn't be more of a Manchurian candidate if he were auditioning for the role in the movie. This stuff is just too bizarre for most Americans to process: an actual Marxist in the White House who has surrounded himself with like-minded miscreants. Obama dreams of America as a "full-blown socialist state." From Page 71: Nor would his economic plan bring about the types of change he promised: "change that will grow the economy, expand our middle-class, and keep the American dream alive for all those men and women who have believed in this journey from the day it began." What could have been more Orwellian? Obama had no intention of keeping the American dream alive -- unless by "American dream" you mean the dream of American leftist radicals to turn this national into a full-blown socialist state. Liberalism "may be even worse" than terrorism. From Page 198: The American people have been jolted into realizing that our precious freedom is not guaranteed. There will always be forces committed to taking it away. Today we face a new array of such forces, both externally and internally. I contend that the internal threat of liberalism may be even worse than the external threat of terrorism -- for the terrorists have no prayer against us unless the liberals pave their way. Obama will leave our children "in poverty and slavery." From Page 208: |
Yes, slowly but surely it is happening. In a federal notice filed earlier, the DOL and Treasury are soliciting a response on what has been on many investors' mind, namely the process of converting 401(k)s into annuity-like products. To wit: The Department of Labor and the Department of the Treasury (the "Agencies") are currently reviewing the rules under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the plan qualification rules under the Internal Revenue Code (Code) to determine whether, and, if so, how, the Agencies could or should enhance, by regulation or otherwise, the retirement security of participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans and in individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) by facilitating access to, and use of, lifetime income or other arrangements designed to provide a lifetime stream of income after retirement. The purpose of this request for information is to solicit views, suggestions and comments from plan participants, employers and other plan sponsors, plan service providers, and members of the financial community, as well as the general public, on this important issue. A cursory read of the document does not seem to ask about a flat out regulatory requirement for annuitization. We point your attention to item 13: 13. Should some form of lifetime income distribution option be required for defined contribution plans (in addition to money purchase pension plans)? If so, should that option be the default distribution option, and should it apply to the entire account balance? To what extent would such a requirement encourage or discourage plan sponsorship? For readers who feel compelled to respond to this increasignly socialistic and ludicrous development, we suggest you voice your anger at the following address: e-ORI@dol.gov. Include RIN 1210-AB33 in the subject line of the message Full notice: |
The secretive oil billionaires the Koch brothers are close to launching a nationwide database connecting millions of Americans who share their anti-government and libertarian views, a move that will further enhance the tycoons' political influence and that could prove significant in next year's presidential election. The database will give concrete form to the vast network of alliances that David and Charles Koch have cultivated over the past 20 years on the right of US politics. The brothers, whose personal wealth has been put at $25bn each, were a major force behind the creation of the tea party movement and enjoy close ties to leading conservative politicians, financiers, business people, media figures and US supreme court judges. The voter file was set up by the Kochs 18 months ago with $2.5m of their seed money, and is being developed by a hand-picked team of the brothers' advisers. It has been given the name Themis, after the Greek goddess who imposes divine order on human affairs. In classic Koch style, the project is being conducted in great secrecy. Karl Crow, a Washington-based lawyer and Koch adviser who is leading the development, did not respond to requests for comment. Nor did media representatives for Koch Industries, the brothers' global energy company based in Wichita, Kansas. But a member of a Koch affiliate organisation who is a specialist in the political uses of new technology and who is familiar with Themis said the project was in the final preparatory stages. Asking not to be named, he said: "They are doing a lot of analysis and testing. Finally they're getting Themis off the ground." The database will bring together information from a plethora of right-wing groups, tea party organisations and conservative-leaning thinktanks. Each one has valuable data on their membership – including personal email addresses and phone numbers, as well as more general information useful to political campaign strategists such as occupation, income bracket and so on. By pooling the information, the hope is to create a data resource that is far more potent than the sum of its parts. Themis will in effect become an electoral roll of right-wing America, allowing the Koch brothers to further enhance their power base in a way that is sympathetic to, but wholly independent of, the Republican party. "This will take time to fully realise, but it has the potential to become a very powerful tool in 2012 and beyond," said the new technology specialist. Themis has been modelled in part on the scheme created by the left after the defeat of John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election. Catalyst, a voter list that shared data on supporters of progressive groups and campaigns, was an important part of the process that saw the Democratic party pick itself off the floor and refocus its electoral energies, helping to propel Barack Obama to the White House in 2008. Josh Hendler, who until earlier this year was the Democratic National Committee's director of technology in charge of the party's voter files, believes Themis could do for the Kochs what Catalyst helped do for the Democrats. "This increases the Koch brothers' reach. It will allow them to become even greater co-ordinators than they are already – with this resource they become a natural centre of gravity for conservatives," Hendler said. Though Charles, 75, and his younger brother David, 71, are very rarely seen or heard in public, their political importance in the US is hard to exaggerate. They have been steadily investing their wealth in projects designed to drive the country ever more to the right – they have backed the tea parties, funded incubators of radical conservative ideology such as the Mercatus Center at the George Mason University and hosted twice-yearly gatherings of some of the richest and most powerful figures in the country. "What makes them unique is that they are not just campaign contributors; they are a vast political network in their own right," said Mary Boyle of the watchdog group, Common Cause. They are estimated so far to have given more than $100m to right-wing causes. Kert Davies of Greenpeace estimates that the sum includes $55m since 1997 funding climate change deniers. Many of the causes backed by the brothers clearly chime with their own self-interests. To encourage the denial of global warming science is obviously advantageous to businessmen who have made their fortunes in drilling and piping of oil; low taxation suits billionaires wanting to cut their own tax contributions; a bonfire of state regulations over business and the environment would be beneficial to a multinational corporation like Koch Industries, which is the second largest private company in the US. But the two men are also anti-government ideologues who believe in what they preach, an inheritance from their fiercely anti-communist father Fred, who was a founder of the radical right-wing John Birch Society. David Koch stood as vice-presidential candidate for the Libertarian party in 1980 on a platform of doing away with a host of public bodies including the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the FBI, the CIA, social security, welfare, taxation and public schools. Though the Kochs have already stamped their influence on the American right, their impact to date looks like small beer compared with their ambitious plans for 2012. According to Kenneth Vogel of Politico, the brothers intend to use their leverage among billionaire conservatives to pump more than $200m into the proceedings, focusing in particular on the presidential race. Their potential to sway the electorate through the sheer scale of their spending has been greatly enhanced by Citizens United, last year's controversial ruling by the US supreme court that opened the floodgates to corporate donations in political campaigns. The ruling allows companies to throw unlimited sums to back their chosen candidates, without having to disclose their spending. That makes 2012 the first Citizens United presidential election, and in turn offers rich pickings to the Koch brothers. They have already made clear their intentions. At their most recent billionaires' gathering in Vail, Colorado in June, Charles Koch described next year's presidential contest as "the mother of all wars". A tape of his private speech obtained by Mother Jones said the fight for the White House would be a battle "for the life or death of this country". Exhorting the 300 guests in attendance to open their sizeable wallets and donate to the Koch election coffers, he went on: "It isn't just your money we need. We need you bringing in new partners, new people. We can't do it alone. We have to multiply ourselves." Which is where Themis comes in. Karl Crow, the spearhead of the new database, was one of the speakers at the June 2010 Koch gathering in Aspen, Colorado, where he described his mission under the heading "Mobilising Citizens". "Is there a chance to elect leaders who are more strongly committed to liberty and prosperity," he said, adding that he wanted to put forward a "strategic plan to educate voters on the importance of economic freedom". At the same gathering, the kernel of the idea for Themis was unveiled as a "micro-targeting" initiative that would allow a more thorough understanding of the electorate. "How can we take advantage of this advanced technology?" the agenda asked. By dint of the secrecy surrounding the project, it is not known which bodies have signed up for the database. But it is a reasonable guess that groups that are highly influential within the tea party movement such as Americans for Prosperity and Freedomworks, as well as right-wing think tanks like the Heritage Foundation, will be among the participants. Between them, they have tentacles that extend to millions of voters. Lee Fang, a blogger at the Center for American Progress, thinks the combination of the Kochs' capital and their new voter files could have an immense impact in 2012. "This will be the first major election where most of the data and the organising will be done outside the party nexus. The Kochs have the potential to outspend and out-perform the Republican party and even the successful Republican candidate." |
Available Greys Hootie(W. Ma) Hootie is a 3 year old lively, bouncy red brindle female who is enjoying every minute of her retirement. She would love company in her new home along with some canine companions to play with. She is very affectionate and easy-going and does not seem to be cat workable. Mojo(W. Ma) MoJo is a 2 1/2 y.o. black tuxedo male who came to us in November. He is bouncy and full of life, affectionate and interestd in everything. Mojo does not seem to be cat workable. Richie(E. MA) Richie is a 4-year-old white/black male who came to GO in January. He is a bouncy, fun-loving boy who loves playing with toys. Rickie walks well on the leash and seems to be cat workable. Torque(E. MA) Torque is a 3 year old brindle male who came to GO in November. He has a touch of arthritis in his back leg due to a previous injury but walks and runs with no problem. He is gentle and sweet with an easy-going personality. Torque seems to be cat workable. Lexington(Conn) Lexington is a 6 year old black tuxedo male who came to GO in February. He is used to home life and is interested in everything around him. He is confident and smart and does not seem to be cat workable. Zang(W. Ma) Zang is a 7 year old former brood mom who came to GO in February. She is very easy-going and quiet, likes her toys and gets along with all the other dogs in her foster home. She does not seem to be cat workable. Melody(C. Ma) Melody is a 3 year old red female who came to GO in February. She is small and sweet, a big smiler and someone who enjoys having people around. She seems to be cat workable. top of page |
We'll warn you in advance, this is only for those who dig the weird, all things Stephen Hawking or clock-making in general. This £1 million ($1.83 million) timepiece took seven years to completely construct, and the initiative was led by inventor John Taylor who designed it in tribute to John Harrison (only the world's greatest clockmaker, it's said). The bizarre Corpus Clock visually explains that it relies on grasshopper escapement to function, and to let you know that time can never be regained once lost, that beast on top actually gobbles down time every 60th second. Oh, and every hour, on the hour, the sound of a "chain dropping into a wooden coffin" is played to really pound home the "time is a destroyer" concept. Thanks for the reminder, Dr. Grim.[Via Switched |
Best of Steven Universe’s Season 1 Score There is a long list of things to love about Steven Universe. A lot of praise gets heaped onto the characters’ songs, and with beautiful lyrics and stellar singers, it’s not hard to see why. We wanted to take a step away from showstoppers like “Stronger Than You,” and focus on the the “electro-cute” score by composers Aivi and Surasshu. Specifically, we’ll be looking at the non-diegetic score; that is, songs with no-universe source (sorry, “Meat Beat Mania” theme). Here is our list of the top 10 songs from the season 1 score of Steven Universe. Feel free to listen along: 10. Decisive Path – The Test Steven is a sweet, good humored character, and most of his songs reflect that— as such, it’s pretty refreshing to get one which highlights another side of him. “Decisive Path” oozes with his justified rage, resentment and determination after he discovered the Crystal Gems tricked him to soothe his feelings. It’s an excellent use of musical storytelling, matching Steven’s movements as he stomps through the obstacle course’s fake dangers, even incorporating the notes of Pearl’s musical portion. The chiptune elements of the show’s score come right to the forefront, which is perfectly fitting considering Steven is basically inside a giant VR video game. I find the technological, industrial beat particularly reminiscent of the Portal games’ soundtrack at times. At the very end, however, the song swings up into a heartwarming reprise of “We Are The Crystal Gems”, as Steven pushes aside his own insecurities to console and reassure the family he loves so much. 9. Malachite – Jail Break Any discussion of the season one finale, musical or otherwise, understandably tends to gravitate towards “Stronger Than You,” which is makes it easy to forget how strong everything else in this two-parter also was. Malachite— both the song and the character— is dangerous and discordant, ugly and unpleasant. When watching the episode for the first time, it’s wonderful at building tension and fear. It works perfectly as a misdirect; if anything, this song is all about Lapis, Jasper and the inherent unhealthy, abusive nature of their relationship. Strings, piano, bass and static clash together into something heavy and oppressive. 8. Dad Museum – Laser Light Cannon It’s no secret that the first half of season 1 of Steven Universe goes through some growing pains–but the music was fabulous right from the start. “Dad Museum” is a great sample of the masterful way the Crewniverse weaves lore, foreshadowing, and characterization into every aspect of their medium. On one hand, it’s a great exploration of the show’s theme of finding the majesty in the mundane, whether it be hot dogs or storage sheds. Yet there are also hints of futuristic elements, a nice nod to the Gems’ true origins. Here’s a fun exercise for rabid theorists: pay close attention to the end of “Dad Museum” (at 1:33) and compare it to Blue Diamond’s theme. 7. Rose’s Fountain – An Indirect Kiss We are currently halfway through season 2 of Steven Universe, and Rose Quartz is still shrouded in mystery. We know she was beautiful, we know she was compassionate, and we know she was complicated–all things shared in common with “Rose’s Fountain.” It comes during the falling action of an intense episode, and soothes the audience’s frantic fear for Amethyst’s well being just as Rose’s lachrymal essence healed her Gem. 6. Dance of Swords – Steven the Sword Fighter Fight scenes are usually chaotic, wild things, but Steven Universe often takes a different approach, looking at them as dangerous, but beautifully choreographed dances. Each of the Gem’s combat styles is based on a different form of dance, and few battles show off Pearl’s ballet-inspired technique better than her fight against Holo-Pearl. This song weaves the piano of Pearl’s leitmotifs to create a flowing melody that matches her graceful movements on-screen, as she elegantly twirls around her opponent. Beneath its classical structure, however, there is also jagged jazz edge. While Pearl may be a pristine perfectionist, she’s also the “terrifying rebel,” sharp as the swords she wields. 5. Lion’s Ocean – Lion 2: The Movie If one were to ask for a sample of music that encapsulates the spirit of Steven Universe, “Lion’s Ocean” might be a good option to send them. It is gorgeous, full of whimsy and fun, underscored by epicness, and the last notes leave you with an impending sense that something larger is coming (new friends, new villains, lots of feelings? Probably!) Plus, some of the sounds in the song are sampled from Aivi’s cat toys— how great is that? 4. I Am Lapis Lazuli – Mirror Gem Lapis is a character who, with her graceful water wings and pretty blue color scheme, looks serene and peaceful… but as befits our ocean Gem, there’s an awful lot of danger lurking beneath the surface. “I Am Lapis Lazuli” captures this duality perfectly. It begins with a slow build, growing louder and louder, until it hits you like a sudden wave, Lapis’s usual piano and strings becoming lost beneath the discordant crash of drums and cymbals. It conveys Lapis’s fear, rage, and power as she announces her personhood to the people who kept her prisoner for so long. Something else worth noticing is how this song shares musical motifs from the piece “Water Damage”… which appeared all the way back in episode three, Cheeseburger Backpack. Are the similarities purely thematic, or is this a subtle piece of foreshadowing hinting towards the Water Witch’s mysterious history? 3. Opal – Giant Woman I can tell you the exact moment I fell for Steven Universe: when Opal’s arms busted through the bird in Giant Woman, and she slides down the Heaven Beetle’s abode while her theme plays. Amethyst’s drums and Pearl’s piano go together marvelously, and we could not have asked for a better overall introduction to Fusion than Opal. This moment of harmony between Crystal Gems is a sad rarity in the first part of season 1– coming to a head with “Defective” in On the Run, a song which borrows from “Opal,” but makes the meshing of motifs discordant and offputting. Amethyst and Pearl worked out their differences and their relationship has been getting stronger ever since, as Opal’s brief cameo in season 2 episode Log Date 7 15 2 exemplifies. I’m confident we haven’t seen the last of the giant woman or her theme. 2. I’m Still Here – Rose’s Scabbard This episode is one of the strongest, most poignant ones in the show’s repertoire, and this piece is one of the main reasons for it. After Steven comforts an emotionally distraught, grief-stricken Pearl, thee writers allowed for the final minute of the episode to play out without a single word, with the music and visuals instead speaking entirely for themselves. This piece is quiet and melodic, with an undeniable undercurrent of sadness. A particularly clever touch by Aivi and Surasshu is how they gently weave in motifs from “Do It For Her”, a season two song which also explores Pearl’s deep devotion to Rose Quartz and the unhealthy fallout of their relationship. But “I’m Still Here” is not a sad song, though it is bittersweet– ultimately, its tone is both reminiscent and hopeful, matching what we see as Pearl and Steven bond over stories of battles long past. 1. Twilight Run– Alone Together Alone Together is a masterpiece, full stop. It is the reason we decided to make our list non-diegetic music only, because “Alone Together” and “Be Cool at the Club” could both be on a similar list without those restrictions. But there is something especially magical about “Twilight Run” — in an episode that is about the stressors that can come with puberty, this song is about the joy of that stage of life. With the Gems’ approval and a new, thrilling physical form, Stevonnie sprints down the beach, jumps off a cliff, laughs with themself just because of the feeling of the ocean in their hair. This song follows that joy with gorgeous, flowing tones that mellow into feelings of warm contentment. Steven and Connie will remember all the lessons of Alone Together, and these happy moments before the warehouse dance all but ensure we will be seeing Stevonnie deliberately formed one day (hopefully in battle at some point!) We considered putting an honorable mentions here… but to be quite frank, that would be a long list indeed. So many of the songs from this soundtrack are just so good, often in very different ways. That’s a testament indeed, to Aivi and Surasshu, to the writing team’s communication with them, and to the entire crew’s attention to detail. So let’s leave it at this; if we missed one of your favorites, why don’t you share it in the comments, so we can all have the chance to enjoy? Author: KK Bracken & Laura B Read our before commenting. Please do not copy our content in whole to other websites. Linkbacks are encouraged. Like this: Like Loading... |
Video Pakistanis have a seemingly insatiable appetite for political news. Since the news media was liberalized under former President Pervez Musharraf, that hunger is being fed like never before. Eight years ago Pakistan had one television news channel. Now there are 26 news channels, half of which broadcast 24 hours a day. But most of what is on offer hardly qualifies as rigorous, fact-based news. Rather, shows follow a familiar formula of a roundtable discussion by middle-aged men hashing out political conspiracies. If that problem sounds familiar to an American audience, consider that in Pakistan it has taken on daunting proportions. That media phenomenon is what today’s video report, “Losing the Media War in Pakistan,” attempts to capture. Media critics here say the problem lies with a lack of experienced reporters, and a lack of investment in investigative journalism, which has created a troubling tilt toward right-wing, highly opinionated talk shows. After all, talk shows are cheaper to produce, and easier to make. sabirnazar.blogspot.com Granted, hard-hitting journalism in this country can often be dangerous, but another problem is sourcing. The same relative handful of personalities make rounds on the talk show circuit. Same people. Different day. Different channel. Most are more opinionated than informed, and as a result, talk shows are giving prominence to incredible sources. For example, one of the more hard-hitting hosts is questioning a politician from an Islamic party who is convinced that the United States staged the Times Square bombing. His political résumé centers on education and religious affairs, not security, international affairs or terrorism. At one point, he even forgets the name of the bomber. The host does not press him to back up his claims. Why is a national television program asking a politician without credentials in international security about a closed investigation taking part in another country? In some respects, the blame can be shared among conspiratorial guests, the ratings-obsessed producers who book them, and pandering hosts who play to their audience’s worst instincts. Article: U.S. Heads a Cast of Villains in Pakistan’s Conspiracy Talk |
Not all unethical psychological experiments wreak havoc on humans, you rotten speciesist. Other animals -- that's right, you're an animal too, like it or not -- bear the brunt of human tinkering, in fact. Our primate cousins get to have the tops of their heads removed to induce strokes and are taught to self-inject cocaine and morphine until they're junkies. Mice are forced to bully each other until they're despondent enough to serve as subjects in clinical trials for antidepressants. You get the idea. Bad as most lab animals have it, one group of rhesus macaque monkeys (the kind that serve as helper monkeys for the disabled) got it as bad as any ever have at the hands of one Harry Harlow, a Stanford-educated psychologist. In the 60s and 70s Harlow wanted to get to the bottom of love and its role in forming societies, by examining what happens to monkeys that are kept from their mothers. To make sure his process wasn't flawed, Harlow waited until the baby monkeys he used were good and attached to their mothers, then separated them. Instead they got a shiny wire version of their real moms, replete with a bottle for milk, and -- oh yeah -- spikes and cold air jets to simulate abuse. Ready for the heartbreak? Harlow found the baby monkeys still grew to love what he called "Iron Maidens" in the absence of their real mothers. Oh, it gets worse. He also wanted to see what happened to young monkeys that lived in isolation. To find out, he removed them from their social groups and kept them in cages he called "Wells of Despair." After spending six weeks in solitary, many of the monkeys he used had gone too crazy to rejoin their social group. At least a few lived another 15 years in isolation, having been broken by the experiment. But, hey, they're monkeys, right? Who cares if they're stripped of their mothers and driven crazy? Or, as Harlow once put it, "How could you love monkeys?" Boo-ya! moment: Harlow's maltreatment of his subjects is generally credited with inadvertently creating the animal rights movement. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLrBrk9DXVk&w=610] |
Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma has told ANC supporters at a rally in Johannesburg that his party will root out all forms of corruption at the wards it wins in the August 3 elections. Zuma was speaking at the party’s final rally at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, saying the ANC will only appoint those who are “qualified”. “Good governance is the cornerstone of a well-run city or town,” Zuma said. “The ANC wants an end to all forms of corruption and will diligently pursue all those who are corrupt. Zuma said the ANC would insist that councils employ appropriately qualified or experienced senior personnel. “We discourage municipalities from outsourcing the basic services they are able to render themselves. “We will also ensure that services are procured whenever possible from a local community and where municipal services remain the core function of municipalities.” - Read more: Let's win Cape Town back - Zuma Zuma also said the ANC will prioritise citizen care, and will treat people with “respect, dignity and courtesy” when they visit municipal offices for assistance. The current ANC president was received with song by the thousands of supporters that initially packed the stadium. Hundreds of people started leaving the stadium as Zuma’s speech progressed, especially those sitting in the shade as a chilly breeze swept through the venue. The party risks not winning a majority in the Tshwane metro, according to polls, and the vote in Johannesburg could be close too. He sang his trademark song, Mshini Wami, after finishing his speech. - Find everything you need to know about the 2016 Local Government Elections at our News24 Elections site, including the latest news and detailed, interactive maps for how South Africa has voted over the past 3 elections, or download the app for iOS and Android. |
Well, that didn’t take too long. For those who might not be familiar with the key issue in the breakdown of prior six-party talks (China, Russia, DPRK, S-Korea, Japan and U.S.), the issue was “denuclearization”. Both China and Russia have just announced a shift in their public policy. Together Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin agree the goal for the Korean Peninsular should be denuclearization: BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed Sunday to “appropriately deal with” the latest nuclear test by North Korea, state news agency Xinhua said. “The two leaders agreed to stick to the goal of denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula and keep close communication and coordination to deal with the new situation,” Xinhua said in a brief dispatch. The two were meeting on the sidelines of a summit of the BRICS group of nations in the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen. (link) The objective of “denuclearization” sets the stage for five members of the group to have a common objective for “six party talks”. As we have outlined numerous times when China actually calls for the six party talks to begin – it is essentially the geopolitical indicator they are conceding to the economics of the U.S. position. Everything between now and that moment is chaff and countermeasures. President Xi Jinping and President Putin are making these remarks today at the BRICS Summit. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are the BRICS group: President Trump’s ever increasingly warm relationship with Prime Minister Modi of India is both leverage for Trump and a risk for Xi Jinping and Putin. Our president has made it publicly obvious the Trump administration views India as a replacement ally for retracted economic engagement with China. We are also supporting India’s objectives and investments in Afghanistan. Things are going swimmingly. Advertisements |
Emily Chan, CTVNews.ca As Canada prepares to pull its CF-18s out of the air mission against the Islamic State group and triple its efforts on the ground, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says the military's new role will carry greater risks, but that it is "what the coalition needs." Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced last week that his government plans to halt Canadian airstrikes against ISIS militants by Feb. 22. Instead of continued airstrikes, the government says it will triple the size of its "train, advise and assist effort" on the ground. Canada will also keep one refuelling plane and two surveillance aircraft in the region. "The plan that we have put into place by adding more, tripling the trainers, is what the coalition needs," Sajjan told CTV's Question Period. "Training the local security forces is absolutely necessary for retaking the ground that Daesh (the Islamic State group) has taken, and for the eventual destruction of the enemy." Canada already has 69 special forces trainers working in Iraq, and some critics have voiced fears that increasing that number will also raise the risk of Canadian casualties. Sajjan said the new approach will be riskier, but that it is part of Canada's duty to support the international coalition fighting ISIS. "Yes, it is more risky, just for the simple fact of having more troops on the ground," he said. "But we've always been a responsible coalition partner, and we look at the needs of the coalition and this plan fills those gaps." And if Canadian troops do come under attack, Sajjan said they will have the right to fire back. "It is a conflict zone in a high-threat environment," he said. "If unfortunately they've been put in a situation, they will defend themselves. We have robust rules of engagement to help them protect themselves." In addition to committing more troops to the "train, advise and assist" effort, the Canadian government has committed $840 million in humanitarian aid to the region over the next three years. It has also pledged $270 million to help countries that have absorbed Syrian refugees. Back from a recent trip to the Middle East, International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said Canadian aid is helping to provide food and health services to refugees in Jordan. "I witnessed that our money was very well utilized," she said. 'Extremely disappointed': Opposition critics express concern Both the CF-18 pull-out and plan for increased presence on the ground have drawn criticism from opposition parties. Conservative Defence Critic James Bezan said his party is "extremely disappointed" that the Liberals are abandoning the airstrikes. "They never gave a reason why Canada had to stop bombing," Bezan told CTV's Question Period. "Because Canada's withdrawing, that responsibility has shifted to other allies and it's hurting our reputation internationally." Meanwhile, NDP Foreign Affairs Critic Helene Laverdiere challenged the Liberal claim that the new role is a "non-combat" mission. While Sajjan insisted that Canadians will not be the "principle combatants," Laverdiere raised safety concerns. "We've already lost military personnel, Sgt. (Andrew) Doiron, on the front line and now we're going to have even more boots on the ground," she said. "It does look like a combat mission." Green Party Leader Elizabeth May also said Canada's new military role will mean troops are more likely to find themselves in combat roles. "The reality of boots on the ground is, yes, that the Canadian troops who are going to be working with the Kurdish Peshmerga are clearly going to find themselves in combat situations," she said. With files from The Canadian Press |
Joel van Houdt for The Washington Post) Dorothy A. Brown is a professor of tax law at Emory University School of Law. “March madness” holds a different meaning in the legal world. While most of the country looks forward to fast breaks and Cinderella upsets, law schools are bracing themselves for another type of madness: the annual carnage left by the U.S. News & World Report rankings. This year’s rankings drop on March 10, to be followed by the usual chaos. Deans at highly placed law schools will issue news releases; deans with less fortunate rankings will have their already hectic lives turned upside down. The lucky ones will get fired. The unlucky ones will have to deal with the fallout. A flood of e-mails. Emergency faculty meetings. Ad Hoc Committees on Law School Progress in U.S. News Rankings. (That is an actual committee.) Adding to the insanity is that all law schools will be the same the day after the ranking as they were the day before. Law schools are in trouble, but not in a way that the U.S. News rankings can signal. No law school has figured out how to handle the new normal of legal education: the lowest number of applicants in four decades; fewer legal jobs for graduates, and, according to Moody’s, “no relief in sight.” While some argue that going to law school is still a safe bet, little evidence exists to support this position. The most elite law schools — the top 1 percent — will thrive. The other 99 percent: not so much. Law schools are currently in a bidding war for the students with the highest LSATs and GPAs because U.S. News heavily emphasizes those factors in its rankings. Students with higher LSATs tend to have a higher socioeconomic status; poorer law students lose out on scholarships and end up paying full tuition, financed through student loans, subsidizing their richer classmates. And law schools are still struggling to break even. Most JD programs are hoping their central administrators will remember a not-too-distant past when law schools subsidized the greater university. At the same time, the legal profession has had a seismic shift in the way it does business. Employers have downsized and outsourced work, and used technology to cut salary costs — computer programs can search through volumes of documents, eliminating the need to pay a lawyer to do it. Partner profits at elite law firms are at record highs; firms are getting by with less, and they’ve figured out how to make a lot more money doing so. Newly minted graduates face dwindling job prospects. While law firms can fire lawyers, law schools cannot cut their largest expense: faculty. Most faculty have tenure, which equals lifetime job protection — as long as the school remains open. While faculty could be part of the solution to legal education’s woes, we are actually the problem. Legal scholarship is in a terrible state, with counter-intuitive incentives for faculty. Status comes with publishing, but more publishing means less teaching and interacting with fewer students. In the legal academy, second- and third-year law students select which law professors’ articles to publish; while my second and third years are brilliant, they cannot select for quality the same way experts would. But even if you think the student-run system is fine, the value of legal scholarship, which is rarely read, has its skeptics, among them Chief Justice John Roberts. Scholars at the University of Florida argue in a recent study that very few articles are cited for their ideas. This broken system is also subsidized disproportionately by the tuition dollars of poorer law students. Questioning the value of legal scholarship is heresy inside the legal academy – which is why I am grateful that I have tenure. Law schools are run by the faculty for the faculty. A former colleague once put it like this: “If we could run this law school without students, this place would be perfect.” He happened to be the dean. Such a system is unlikely to be changed from within. But while faculty cannot be terminated, their summer research stipends can be. Other disciplines require faculty to obtain external funding to support their work. Law schools should take a similar approach. For all who argue that legal scholarship has merit, let the market decide. This won’t solve all of a law school’s financial woes, but it could be a place to start right now. My 20 years as a legal academic causes me to predict that no serious change will occur until a cataclysmic event occurs. My prediction: In three years, a top law school will close. Then watch how quickly things change. |
Soldiers with mental illness criticised by comrades, former soldiers say Posted A derogatory term to denounce soldiers with mental illness is still being used in the Australian Army, former soldiers have said. The word "malinger", which means to pretend injury to get out of work, is used by soldiers to denigrate comrades struggling with depression. "If people were depressed they certainly didn't talk about it," said one former soldier of the Royal Australian Regiment's 5th battalion (5RAR), who wants to remain anonymous. "A lot of people choose not to [talk] because it can bring on derogatory terms like 'linger' which is short for malingerer, which basically means you're trying to get out of doing your work." Mental health expert Professor Patrick McGorry said the term had been around for a long time in Australia. "The term 'malingering' has a long history in the military, it goes back to the First World War and beforehand, where any kind of mental decompensation or problems were seen almost as a form of cowardice," he said. The former Australian of the Year said the term put "tremendous judgement and stigma" on people who needed help. "It can be very damaging because it stops people reaching out to their mates for help, that's what Australians pride themselves on, being able to rely on your mates to help you when you're in trouble," Professor McGorry said. Soldiers told to 'suck it up' The former 5RAR soldier left the Army after completing his four-year initial service and says comrades were anxious about speaking up. "They'd be afraid that they'd get punished or told you need to just 'suck it up, you're trying to get out of field', so people are pretty hesitant if they're feeling down to go and talk about it, " he said. The ABC has contacted Defence seeking a response about the use of the word in the Army. The former soldier said morale at 5RAR was "average to poor most of time" and there were at least three suicides during his time in Darwin. "It was a good workplace but a lot of the times it was a lot shitter than it probably needed to be, just due to morale," he said. Private Bryce Muscat from 5RAR's Bravo company was found dead inside his unit in Palmerston on May 4. Mr Muscat's friend, who also wishes to remain anonymous, said the 23-year-old was upset about the treatment of a fellow comrade at 5RAR Bravo, who tried to self-harm last month. "He had particular concerns about some within the unit or the company, he just felt that there may have been some incompetence," he said. In the days following Private Muscat's death, soldiers from 5RAR travelled to Mount Bundey near Darwin for live-fire training. It was during that training on May 10 that Private Jason Challis was accidentally shot and killed. Common for soldiers to be ridiculed Another former soldier at 5RAR has told the ABC it was common for soldiers to be ridiculed if they were underperforming, especially during fitness tests. "Just derogatory terms like piece of shit, you're a shit c***. Just a lot of derogatory stuff," he said. "Things like (at) fitness assessments, people you could see were physically overweight, they underperformed in physical assessments and a lot of time that brought on a lot of shaming, name-calling, even from people from a higher rank." In a statement responding to bullying claims within ranks, Defence said it encouraged its members to report any instance of unacceptable behaviour. It said it reviewed all incidents of bullying and harassment between January 1, 2016, and May 16 this year, and said there were about 300 recorded incidents of unacceptable behaviour nationally. In Darwin's 5RAR, there were three incidents of bullying and harassment, with one member separated from the Army, one member disciplined, and one incident still subject to an inquiry. Topics: depression, diseases-and-disorders, mental-health, defence-forces, nt, darwin-0800 |
24 Days of GHC Extensions: Thanks! Wow, another year out! After 24 days of frantic blogging, Christmas is finally upon us, and I’d like to take a moment to send a huge thank you to this years guest posters. To recap, the following authors submitted their work to this year’s series: I feel the guest posts have added a lot of variety to the series, and this year each post has consistently gone above and beyond my expectations, delivering incredibly high quality content. Once again, thank you all for your hard work - 24 DOGE wouldn’t be the same without you! Over the course of the month, we’ve looked at just over 20 extensions - but as I mentioned in the opening post, the story certainly doesn’t stop there. GHC is full of many more interesting extensions - I was hoping to get on to looking at GADTs and data kinds, but alas - there are only so many days in the month. For an example of how these extensions all interact when we write “real-world” software, readers may be interested in viewing my recent Skills Matter talk - strongly typed publish/subscribe over websockets via singleton types. I’ve been really happy to see comments this year from people who have learnt about new extensions, seen previous extensions in a different light, or simply formed a deeper understanding of extensions they were already using. While I was a little nervous about the series at the start, I’m now confident it’s been a great success. A huge thank you to everyone who participated in the discussions - as with 24 Days of Hackage in previous years, I feel the discussion around these posts is just as important. Finally, a thank you to everyone who donated during the series - these tokens of appreciate are greatly appreciated. To close 24 DOGE, well… a picture speaks a thousand words. Thanks! You can contact me via email at ollie@ocharles.org.uk or tweet to me @acid2. I share almost all of my work at GitHub. This post is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. |
Drag and Drop a beautifull landscape [cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Create your Low-Poly mountain environment![/cs_text][x_image type=”rounded” src=”http://www.kawetofe.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/mainMarketingImg.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][x_creative_cta padding=”25px 25px 25px 25px” text=”Click Here To Buy!” font_size=”36px” icon=”shopping-cart” icon_size=”48px” animation=”slide-right” link=”https://www.assetstore.unity3d.com/#!/content/74698?aid=1101lKWs” color=”” bg_color=”” bg_color_hover=””][x_line style=”border-top-width: 10px;”][x_video_embed no_container=”false” type=”16:9″][/x_video_embed][cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text][/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text] This package contains over 100 low poly models, already packed to unity game prefabs. All colors are changeable by special substance materials Perfect for campsite, or cabin themed environments details 15 low-poly rocks 26 plants 20 terrain ground props 32 man-made prefabs 2 fire particle prefabs 2 cloud models 3 changeable substance materials demo scene [/cs_text][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”none” src=”http://www.kawetofe.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/LowPolyWood-scene3-Main-Camera-2016-10-24-21-18-48-1920x1080x1.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][x_image type=”none” src=”http://www.kawetofe.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/LowPolyWood-scene3-Main-Camera-2016-10-24-21-03-43-1920x1080x1.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”none” src=”http://www.kawetofe.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/LowPolyWood-scene3-Main-Camera-2016-10-24-21-15-38-1920x1080x1.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][x_image type=”none” src=”http://www.kawetofe.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/LowPolyWood-scene3-Main-Camera-2016-10-24-21-13-06-1920x1080x1.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”none” src=”http://www.kawetofe.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/LowPolyWood-scene3-Main-Camera-2016-10-24-21-01-39-1920x1080x1.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][x_image type=”none” src=”http://www.kawetofe.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/LowPolyWood-scene3-Main-Camera-2016-10-24-21-58-31-1920x1080x1.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_callout title=”Build your World!” message=”Download now and start building your mountain environment!” type=”left” button_text=”Download now!” circle=”false” button_icon=”arrow-down” href=”https://www.assetstore.unity3d.com/#!/content/74698?aid=1101lKWs” href_title=”” target=””][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_responsive_text selector=”.h-responsive” compression=”1.0″][/cs_content] |
Exterior of the shuttle cars, with passenger cars queuing to board (2010). Eurotunnel Le Shuttle[1] (sometimes shortened to Le Shuttle or The Shuttle) is a railway shuttle service between Coquelles (near Calais) in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France and Cheriton (near Folkestone) in Kent, United Kingdom. It conveys road vehicles (including bicycles by appointment) and passengers (including some animals) by rail through the Channel Tunnel. Passenger and freight vehicles are carried in separate shuttle trains hauled by the same locomotives. The service is owned and operated by Getlink, the Channel Tunnel owners. Operation [ edit ] Both the terminals are provided with passport and vehicle check in booths, a large convenience outlet, long loading platforms and a loop of track. Upon arrival, having booked beforehand or not, vehicles can check in (in separate freight/passenger booths), make their way to the outlet (except freight) and go through various passport checks once the train has arrived and boarding has commenced. The train is unloaded and loaded again in just over half an hour. Various safety announcements are played and the train departs once the loading wagons are stowed. After a train comes out of the tunnel (after 22 minutes), it travels around the loop and stops at the terminal platform. It is then unloaded, and re-loaded with a new set of vehicles to go through the tunnel again. Once at the other end, vehicles can simply drive off of the train onto the French Autoroute or the British Motorway. The complete journey takes at least one and a half hours between the motorways, with the crossing being 35 minutes. The rail loop at Folkestone is clockwise and is in a cut and cover tunnel, while the loop at Coquelles is anti-clockwise. This evens the wear on the wheels of the shuttle locomotives and vehicles, as each set (left or right) spends only half the time at the outer edge of the line traversing the corners. Because of the land space available, the French loading platforms are designed so that they can be entered and exited in two directions and by both freight and passengers. Carriages [ edit ] Interior A Eurotunnel Shuttle is on average 775 metres in length and is made from constructive stainless steel.[2] The carriages used for the shuttle have a larger loading gauge than either British or French railways, so that they can accommodate vehicles and the stabilisation equipment used when loading. Consequently they cannot travel outside the tunnel and the two terminals onto the national railways. The carriages are open all the way down when loading but are closed off individually when the train sets off. Passenger vehicles [ edit ] Passenger vehicles are carried in a car shuttle train, made up of closed wagons. The rear half of the train carries cars and other low vehicles in double-deck wagons, with the first and last two carriages of the section containing the access ramps. Coaches, buses and other high vehicles travel in the single-deck rake at the front of the train. In busy times, cars can also use this section. Eurotunnel occasionally run the double deck carriages at "half full", closing the top deck to reduce costs. Driver and passengers may leave their vehicles and walk along the train to use the toilets, but there are no other services on board. Passengers have to stay in their cars or beside them, as the gradients in the tunnel mean that there are chances when vehicles could roll back and forth and strike someone. The toilets are provided in every third carriage in the double-deck section, and in the first and last carriages in the single-deck section. Freight vehicles [ edit ] Trucks are carried on semi-open wagons with a lattice shell, with a separate passenger carriage at the front of the train for the drivers of the HGVs to relax. After drivers board the train in their truck, with the cab being enclosed in a metal frame and chocked in place, they are taken to the "club car" at the front of the train by bus. After the journey, they are taken back to their trucks by bus again and are allowed to drive off. Safety [ edit ] Safety regulations require two locomotives for all shuttle trains through the tunnel, one at the front and one at the back, and both must be staffed so that the train can be reversed out in case of a blockage. On shuttle trains, two Class 9 locomotives handle a single shuttle train. Each locomotive is capable of hauling the train on its own in the event that its partner fails. In the event that both locomotives fail, the next scheduled train and its two fully functioning locomotives has sufficient power to move both its own load and the disabled train through the tunnel. Diesel locomotives are also on hand at both terminals in case they are needed to help a train out. There are also attendants in shuttle trains that manage the vehicles, loading and interior functions. On freight vehicle shuttles, the attendants ride in the passenger carriage at the front of the train with the truck drivers; in the passenger vehicle shuttles, they patrol the train. The trains are also long enough so that no matter where in the tunnel, the length of the train spans two evacuation doors into the service tunnel adjacent to the rail tunnels. Passenger vehicle carriages are sealed off with fireproof doors and are pressurised. These doors are closed once all vehicles are loaded. They include smaller pedestrian doors that may be opened when the train is in motion to move from one carriage to the next but then close automatically. Eurotunnel has been criticised for failing to implement measures to prevent or extinguish fires in the open-framed large-goods-vehicle-carrying wagons; recommendations made by the Fire Brigade Union in 1996 following a fire in the Channel Tunnel - that closed wagons should be used to prevent the spread of fire - were not acted upon.[3][4] Newer safety regulations have been tightened and relaxed. For one, trains are no longer required to have a locomotive at each end, just a driving cab at each end, as a rescue locomotive could assist a stricken train and the train does not need to split into sections. The new Eurostar e320 has no power cars and instead has power supplied throughout the train. On the other hand, to stop the spread of fires, the formerly full lattice steel freight shuttle wagons now only cover the cab, and checks are carried out at each end of the tunnel to stop the risk of another fire happening in the future. References [ edit ] Official website |
Incandescent tungsten-filament light bulbs face a global switch-off as governments push for energy efficient fluorescent lamps to become the standard. But the light could soon go out on those lamps too, now that UK materials scientists have discovered a cheaper way to produce LED bulbs, which are three times as efficient as fluorescent lamps. Although the ultimate dominance of LED lights has long been predicted, the expense of the super-efficient technology has made the timescale uncertain. The researchers now say LED bulbs based on their new process could be commercially available within five years. Gallium nitride (GaN) LEDs have many advantages over compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and incandescent bulbs. They switch on instantly, with no gradual warm-up, and can burn for an average of 100,000 hours before they need replacing – 10 times as long as fluorescent lamps and some 130 times as long as an incandescent bulb. CFLs also contain small levels of mercury, which makes environmentally-friendly disposal of spent bulbs difficult. Cracking up The cost of production has kept the LEDs far from homes and offices, however. Gallium nitride cannot be grown on silicon like other solid-state electronic components because it shrinks at twice the rate of silicon as it cools. Crystals of GaN must be grown at 1000°C, so by the time a new LED made on silicon has cooled, it has already cracked, rendering the devices unusable. Advertisement One solution is to grow the LEDs on sapphire, which shrinks and cools at much the same rate as GaN. But the expense is too great to be commercially competitive. Now Colin Humphreys‘s team at the University of Cambridge has discovered a simple solution to the shrinkage problem. They included layers of aluminium gallium nitride in their LED design. These layers shrink at a much slower rate during cooling and help to counteract the fast-shrinkage of pure gallium nitride. These LEDs can be grown on silicon as so many other electronics components are. “They still work well as LEDs even with those extra layers inside,” says Humphreys. Early switch-over A 15-centimetre silicon wafer costs just $15 and can accommodate 150,000 LEDs making the cost per unit tiny. That levels the playing field with CFLs, which many people only ever saw as a stopgap solution to the lighting problem. Humphreys reckons that the UK government encouraged consumers to drop tungsten bulbs too soon. “We should have stayed with tungsten for another five years and then switched to LEDs,” he says. Humphreys’s team was funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. The UK government’s Technology Strategy Board will now provide the funding to turn the new technology into a commercial process. |
Image copyright CNH Industrial Image caption Driverless autonomous tractors can work equally well at night In the not-too-distant future, our fields could be tilled, sown, tended and harvested entirely by fleets of co-operating autonomous machines by land and air. And they'll be working both day and night. Driverless tractors that can follow pre-programmed routes are already being deployed at large farms around the world. Drones are buzzing over fields assessing crop health and soil conditions. Ground sensors are monitoring the amount of water and nutrients in the soil, triggering irrigation and fertiliser applications. And in Japan, the world's first entirely automated lettuce farm is due for launch next year. The future of farming is automated. Food shortages, big business The World Bank says we'll need to produce 50% more food by 2050 if the global population continues to rise at its current pace. But the effects of climate change could see crop yields falling by more than a quarter. So autonomous tractors, ground-based sensors, flying drones and enclosed hydroponic farms could all help farmers produce more food, more sustainably at lower cost. No wonder the agricultural robotics sector is growing so fast. Image copyright CNH Industrial Image caption Autonomous tractors may become a common sight in our fields One report, by US firm WinterGreen Research, forecasts that the market will grow from $817m (£655m) in 2013 to $16.3bn (£13bn) by 2020. But investment bank Goldman Sachs is far more bullish, predicting a $240bn market over the next five years. Manufacturers including John Deere, CNH Industrial and AGCO are all fighting to corner the market in driverless tractors. As well as big kit, small kit is giving farmers up-to-the-second data on the state of their fields and produce - what Dr Roland Leidenfrost of Deepfield Robotics calls the "internet of plants and fields". Bosch start-up Deepfield, based in Germany, is working to automate the growing and testing of seed crops, tracking the susceptibility to weeds and drought of different genetic varieties. Meanwhile, engineers in Shropshire, England, are trying to show it is now possible to farm a field without a human setting foot in it at all. The Hands Free Hectare project will use flying drones and automated tractors in the coming year to grow and harvest a cereal crop. Image copyright Harper Adams University Image caption The Hands Free Hectare project aims to cultivate a field without humans setting foot on it Engineers from Harper Adams University - together with a North Yorkshire farming technology company called Precision Decisions - are testing prototype machines now, and aim to plant their crop in March for harvest in September. Precision pruning It's hard to imagine the most traditional of agricultural sectors - wine making - as needing more than natural sunshine and soil. But even here automation is encroaching. Wine makers have used drones to inspect their vineyards for several years, with high-definition cameras and sensors assessing crop and soil health. But in France's Burgundy region, a shortage of farm labour has led inventor Christophe Millot to develop a vine-pruning robot called Wall-Ye. Image copyright Wall-Ye Image caption This automated vine pruner can make a cut every five seconds The latest generation of this trundling four-wheeled robot can make a cut every five seconds. It has six cameras - some with infrared sensors - and two arms, and is controlled by a tablet computer inside. The machine learns as it goes and can trim the grass around each vine. An onboard solar-powered battery gives 10-12 hours of charge, so with a change of battery, it can work day and night. Visual recognition is the biggest challenge, says Mr Millot - knowing where to make the cut. This is actually easier at night, because the robot's lights can illuminate the plant, but not its background. Next year, he plans to go to California - another major wine-producing area - to market his range of winery robots there. Robo lettuce But some people think farming land is old hat. Japanese firm Spread's automated vegetable factory in Kyoto, due to launch next year, could produce 30,000 lettuces a day, the company says. It stretches up, instead of across undulating fields, because "in countries like Japan, where land is actually a very scarce resource, it makes more sense to stack your production, just like a skyscraper," says JJ Price, Spread's global marketing manager. Everything after seeding will be done by machines - watering, trimming, harvesting - on shelves stacked from floor to ceiling. It's a bit like the solitary drone farmers in the 1972 film Silent Running. Image copyright Spread Image caption Spread's fully automated lettuce factory is due to open next year Automation has reduced labour costs by 50%, says Mr Price. And LED lighting developed specifically for plant cultivation reduces energy costs by 30%. "It doesn't matter what the weather or climate is outside," he says. And growing vegetables in vertical farms means you can recycle 98% of the water, says Mr Price, and produce food much closer to where people consume it, cutting down on transport costs and emissions. Drone monitors Back outside, drones are monitoring crop growth rates, spotting disease, and even spraying crops with pesticides and herbicides. Now researchers are also trying to make them co-operate and work in swarms. If they are mapping weeds in a field, say, "the drones will recruit each other to converge on those areas where the weed presence is higher," says Dr Vito Trianni of the Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies in Rome. Image copyright HSE Image caption Drones are being used for precision crop spraying Although GPS signals are generally strong in agricultural areas, one challenge for drones and other farmland robots is coping with patchy internet and mobile connectivity. So Dr Trianni's team is using ultra-wideband radio for his drones to communicate without relying on rural 3G or 4G mobile connections. Of course, automation might promise more efficient food production, but it also threatens agricultural jobs. From 1950 to 2010, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO), agricultural labourers as a percentage of the workforce declined from 81% to 48.2% in developing countries, and from 35% to 4.2% in developed ones. Robots will surely accelerate this decline. Follow Technology of Business editor Matthew Wall on Twitter Click here for more Technology of Business features |
Release Date: Summary: /proc/[pid]/stat This advisory was originally released on May 30, 2017. A revised version, released on June 2, 2017, describes the possibility of running a command attached to an arbitrary terminal.On Linux systems, sudo parses thefile to determine the device number of the process's tty (field 7). The fields in the file are space-delimited, but it is possible for the command name (field 2) to include white space (including newline), which sudo does not account for. A user with sudo privileges can cause sudo to use a device number of the user's choosing by creating a symbolic link from the sudo binary to a name that contains white space followed by a number. If SELinux is enabled on the system and sudo was built with SELinux support, this can be exploited in one of two ways: A user with sudo privileges may be able to run a command with the standard input, output and error connected to a terminal device of their choosing. A user with sudo privileges may be able to overwrite an arbitrary file. This can be escalated to full root access by rewriting a trusted file such as /etc/shadow or even /etc/sudoers . Sudo versions affected: CVE ID: Sudo 1.7.10 through 1.7.10p9 inclusive and Sudo 1.8.5 through 1.8.20p1 inclusive.The fix present in sudo 1.8.20p1 was incomplete.This vulnerability was initially assigned CVE-2017-1000367 in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures database. It was later discovered that the fix present in sudo 1.8.20p1 was incomplete as it did not address the problem of a command with a newline in the name. CVE-2017-1000368 was assigned for this additional issue. Details: Exploiting the bug requires that the user already have sudo privileges. SELinux must also be enabled on the system and sudo must have been built with SELinux support. There are two ways to exploit the bug: The user can choose a device number that corresponds to a terminal currently in use by another user. This allows an attacker to run any command allowed by sudo with read and write access to an arbitrary terminal device. Depending on the command, it may be possible to read sensitive data (such as a password) from another user's terminal. Alternately, the user can choose a device number that does not currently exist under /dev . If sudo does not find the terminal under the /dev/pts directory, it performs a breadth-first search of /dev . It is possible to allocate a pseudo-terminal after sudo has checked /dev/pts but before sudo performs its breadth-first search of /dev . The attacker may then create a symbolic link to the newly-created device in a world-writable directory under /dev , such as /dev/shm . This file will be used as the command's standard input, output and error when an SELinux role is specified on the sudo command line. If the symbolic link under /dev/shm is replaced with a link to an another file before it is opened by sudo, it is possible to overwrite an arbitrary file by writing to the standard output or standard error. This can be escalated to full root access by rewriting a trusted file such as /etc/shadow or even /etc/sudoers . For more details on exploitation, please see the Qualys Security Advisory. Fix: The bug is fixed in sudo 1.8.20p2. Sudo 1.8.20p1 included a fix for overwriting an arbitrary file but it is still possible to write to another user's terminal. Credit: This bug was discovered and analyzed by Qualys, Inc who also provided helpful advice and feedback on the fix. Thanks are also due to Stephane Chazelas, who pointed out that the original patch did not address command names that include a newline, and Solar Designer, who noticed that the bug could also be used to hijack another user's terminal. |
A 13-year-old girl from a Russian-speaking community in Berlin was not kidnapped and sexually assaulted by immigrant men as previously reported, but simply spent the night with an acquaintance, a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office in Berlin said on Friday. © AFP 2018 / TOBIAS SCHWARZ Russia Verifying Info on Alleged Rape of 13-Year-Old in Berlin by Immigrants MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The prosecutor's office has reconstructed data from a cell phone and obtained admissions made by the 19-year-old acquaintance of the girl, with whom she says she stayed on the night of January 12, according to DPA. The investigation has also found that the girl's acquaintance was in possession of her belongings. No evidence of a sexual offense or any sexual contact with the girl has been found, the spokesperson said. The girl went missing for 30 hours, with reports suggesting she had been kidnapped and raped by a group of migrant men. Almost immediately following news of the incident being circulated in Russian-language media, Berlin police said there was no evidence of sexual assault. With tensions high after the reports of hundreds of assaults on women in Cologne at New Year's Eve, hundreds of Russian-speaking Germans protested last week over what they believed to be a police cover-up of the case. |
A recent poll of registered voters found that CNN’s Anderson Cooper and Fox News’ Megyn Kelly are the favorites to moderate the 2016 presidential debates. When asked by Morning Consult to name their top three choices to moderate the debate from a slate of 22 candidates, 34% selected Cooper and 25% selected Kelly. Rounding out the top six were Fox’s Chris Wallace (22%), CBS’ Bob Schieffer (17%), and NBC’s Lester Holt tied with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer (both 16%). They results often broke down along partisan lines. Wallace was the top choice for Republicans and Trump voters, while Democratic voters were twice as likely to support Cooper. Perhaps due to the widespread criticism of their October Republican primary debate, CNBC hosts scored the lowest. Only 2% thought John Harwood should moderate a debate and only 3% said the same of Becky Quick and Carl Quintanilla. [Image via screengrab] —— >>Follow Alex Griswold (@HashtagGriswold) on Twitter Have a tip we should know? tips@mediaite.com |
The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of authors/contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cointelegraph.com. Every investment and trading move involves risk; you should conduct your own research when making a decision. The possibility of a war between the US and North Korea is threatening to derail the risk-on trade across asset classes. As a result, traders have been piling on safe havens like gold. Bitcoin and the other cryptocurrencies were also benefitting from this until China decided to crackdown on the “initial coin offerings” (ICOs). So, will cryptocurrencies buckle after the Chinese clampdown or will the fear of a war support the currencies in the short-term? Let’s study the charts to forecast the next move on the top five digital currencies. BTC/USD In our analysis on Aug. 29, we had predicted a rally to about $5,000 levels and had recommended to trail stop losses higher to lock in the gains, as we expected strong resistance there. Hopefully, our readers were not surprised when price corrected from the psychological barrier of $5,000. So, what should be the next course of action? Bitcoin continues to trade within the ascending channel. The correction from the highs of $4,980 broke below the trendline support intraday. However, the closing was well above it. Therefore, the uptrend in Bitcoin is intact. We shall change our bullish view only when the cryptocurrency breaks below the trendline and the 20-day exponential moving average (EMA). At the current levels, we expect a retest of the $5,000 levels. However, we are not sure whether the digital currency will breakout in a hurry. We, therefore, expect a range bound action for a few days. Aggressive traders can go long at the current levels with a stop loss below $4,400 and a target of $4,980. However, please keep the allocation size small, as we are seeing signs of a negative divergence on the RSI. ETH/USD Our analysis of Ethereum also played out according to our expectations. $381 acted as a strong resistance and price retreated from there. Comparatively, Ethereum is weaker than Bitcoin because it broke below the 20-day EMA and fell to the 50-day simple moving average (SMA). However, it is also attempting to resume its rally following the sharp correction. As the price has broken out of the 20-day EMA, traders can buy at the current levels and keep a close stop loss at $318. A retest of $380 levels is likely. However, traders should keep a close watch at $354 levels, which is the 61.8 percent Fibonacci retracement level of the fall from $396.88 to $285. If price struggles to breakout at this level, consider closing the position and waiting for another setup to form. Please try to keep the allocation size small. Our bullish view will be invalidated if price breaks and closes below the ascending channel. BCH/USD Bitcoin Cash is presently trading in a descending channel. Both the moving averages have flattened out, which shows the possibility of range bound trading. If the digital currency breaks out of the channel, it can rally towards $736 levels. However, we don’t find any reliable buy setups. Therefore, we are not recommending a trade on it. XRP/USD Ripple never rallied the way we had expected it to. It has been volatile and direction less since breaking out of the descending triangle pattern. Nevertheless, it has not become completely bearish either, as it has not fallen below the 50-day SMA. We don’t see any reliable buy setups, therefore we are not recommending any trade on it for swing traders. However, the digital currency can rally to $0.3000 levels if it breaks out and closes above the downtrend line. Traders who attempt this trade should keep a stop loss below $0.1900. This is a risky trade, therefore, please think about keeping the allocation size only 25 percent of normal. LTC/USD Litecoin surpassed our target of $70 by a huge margin. $100 proved to be a strong barrier and price corrected to about 61.8 percent Fibonacci retracement levels of the rise from $41.65 to $98.28. Since then, the price has been in a pullback. However, we expect to see some kind of a consolidation for a few days before the digital currency again attempts to breakout of the $100 levels. Litecoin is likely to be volatile for the next few days. Therefore, we are not recommending a trade on it. The current situation is filled with uncertainty. Therefore, traders should reduce their allocation size considerably and adhere to their stop losses, as the digital currencies are likely to remain volatile for the next few days. |
Capcom has recently reaffirmed the will to support Nintendo Switch with not only original and exclusive productions (like Ultra Street Fighters II The Final Challengers) but also bringing major AAA titles of its catalog on the new console of Nintendo. So far it is not very well understood the position of Capcom on the possibility of bringing Resident Evil 7 on Nintendo Switch, but the last consideration by the Osaka house seem to favor the possibility of this version that had emerged some time ago. In fact, the house of Osaka wants to support Switch and plans to take over a series of triple A titles belonging to its catalog. Among these we can not miss a mention of Resident Evil 7 Biohazard game that is proving to be a great commercial success even in these times. No specific game has been revealed but according to some rumors Resident Evil VII would be one of the “suspected” titles to get on Switch, along with Dead Rising 4 (as soon as the temporary exclusive time expires with Microsoft) and Monster Hunter XX. Recently Masaru Mitsuyoshi of Nintendo and Masaru Ijuin of Capcom met to discuss possible collaborations between the two companies, with Capcom that would be very interested in Switch, although other projects have not been announced in addition to the new version of Street Fighter 2. The publisher wants to bring its major titles on Switch and among them there would be also Resident Evil 7, considering that the nVidia hardware capabilities within the console can be used properly. |
Politicians love to talk about supporting small businesses. It doesn’t matter whether they’re on the left or the right; every single serious candidate in Monday’s election promised to keep taxes low for small business and provide other forms of support, things like direct government funding. Our soon-to-be new prime minister is no different. Given the importance of jobs and the economy in the recent campaign, this focus on small business makes sense, after all, almost 70 per cent of Canadians who work in the private sector are employed by small businesses. But there’s something missing. In all this talk about small business, there’s been almost no mention of startups. Startups often get lumped-in with small business. It’s easy to see why; most startups are, by definition, small businesses. Startups tend not to have a lot of employees and they usually don’t have much revenue. But there’s a key difference between startups and other small businesses. Startups are small businesses by circumstance, not by design. Startups aren’t looking to remain small—they’re looking to grow. They just happen to be in the process of figuring out how to accomplish that growth. Put another way, the average small business owner wants to create a sustainable company; the average startup founder want to create a scalable company. It’s an important distinction. While startups might qualify or the lower taxes and the research and development support programs aimed at small businesses many of these programs are designed for businesses looking to grow rapidly. In fact, for some businesses, these programs might even hold back their growth. Some economists have argued that the difference between the small business tax rate and the higher regular business tax rate has created a “tax wall,” wheres one small businesses intentionally stay small, in order to avoid paying the higher rate. For venture-backed startups, there’s an additional concern, raising more than $15 million in funding, could push a startup into the “big business” tax rate. The tax system is also geared towards privately-held companies. “As soon as companies become public, they lose many of the tax benefits they have been entitled to including the small business tax deduction and lifetime capital gains exemption,” Duanjie Chen and Jack Mintz, two researchers at the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy wrote in a 2011 research paper about the effect of taxation on small business growth. “In other words, incentives create a barrier to growth when firms become public.” This could help explain why so few Canadian startups go public. The federal government’s Scientific Research and Experimental Development Program (SR&ED) credit system, which provides support to companies developing new technologies and has been described as one of the most generous business support programs in the world. But while it makes it easier to set-up a tech company in Canada, it doesn’t help with growth. It’s only available to smaller privately held businesses. Prime Minster-designate Justin Trudeau has promised to spend $200 million a year over the next three years to support “a new innovation agenda.” It’s a vague plan, one that calls for “direct support to incubators and accelerators, research facilities, financing, and other support for successful small companies wanting to grow and export.” That plan has been criticized by some members of the startup community who say that just giving money to accelerators is probably not the best way to go. There’s a big reason that politicians, like Trudeau, should be thinking about startups when they talk about growing business in Canada. It’s not just because the tech sector is continuing to grow even as many other industries falter. It’s also because of jobs. As a whole, small businesses create a lot of jobs in Canada, they account for 70 per cent of private sector employment. But taken individually, the average small business doesn’t create a lot of jobs. In fact, an Industry Canada study found that seven per cent of businesses, which it calls “hyper and strong growth firms” were responsible for “approximately half of the net jobs create” between 1993 and 2003. It also found that the “bulk of net job creation comes from very young firms.” While the world for startups is different now than it was 13 years ago, those conclusions seem likely to hold true—if we want our country to create a lot of jobs, we need to think about startups, not just small businesses. |
UPDATE: We surpassed our goal of 200 bricks! But, if you would still like to place an order, it is not too late. So, order your brick now. The Nintendo 3DS comes with Terms of Service (TOS) that should not be accepted. In fact, the TOS are so unbelievable that we have included a more detailed summary of them on a separate page. To enforce these TOS, Nintendo uses Digital Restrictions Management. This combination of legal and technological restrictions make the Nintendo 3DS dubious, devious, and defective. One particularly nasty part of the TOS makes a threat that Nintendo will brick your device if you use your 3DS in a way that they do not approve. First, they state that Nintendo "may update or change the Nintendo 3DS System or the Nintendo 3DS Service in whole or in part, without notice to you; and then later they state that after the 3DS has been updated… […] any existing or future unauthorized technical modification of the hardware or software of your Nintendo 3DS System, or the use of an unauthorized device in connection with your system, will render the system permanently unplayable. Take Action Brick Nintendo before they brick you. Help get the point across to Nintendo by sending them a ton of bricks! Our goal is to order 200 bricks for Nintendo by May 18th. There are two ways to do this: Go to http://defectivebydesign.org/brick-nintendo to donate to the campaign and we will send a brick — or a whole bundle of bricks — on your behalf along with a letter (below). Please order by Monday, May 18th, so we can send them all at once and have the biggest impact! Or, order the bricks yourself, assemble, and then send them to Nintendo along with a custom letter. Share this story on social networks and by email. Letter to Reggie Fils-Aime This is the letter we will be sending along with the bricks. Reginald Fils-Aime President and COO Nintendo of America 4820 150th Ave. Northeast Redmond, WA 98052 Dear Reggie Fils-Aime, The Terms of Service on the Nintendo 3DS are insulting and I will not accept them. The Digital Restrictions Management technology that you use to enforce these terms allows you to dictate how, when, and even IF, I am able to use the device in my own home. The Nintendo 3DS is Defective by Design and your Terms of Service are dubious, devious, and defective for the following reasons. Dubious: Nintendo tracks all of the activity on the device and all of the data created by a user. Further, the TOS grants Nintendo a license to all "user content" created on the 3DS, which includes "comments, messages, images, photos, movies, information," and more. Note that the 3DS comes with a camera, so you are making a claim on photos or movies that I create! Devious: Whenever the wifi is turned on, the 3DS will constantly try to connect to the Nintendo servers and upload all of the tracked data and information. This is particulary devious when the users are children. And what is your solution to making sure children's personal information doesn't get tracked? You tell parents to make sure their children don't use the device in a way where personal information will be stored. This means kids shouldn't use the camera; they shouldn't create nicknames; they shouldn't chat about themselves; they shouldn't browse the web; and they shouldn't do a host of other things the 3DS was explicitly made to do. If children shouldn't use the device for what it is made for, then why are you marketing it toward children? Defective: You say that at any time, Nintendo can update a device without notice. Further, you state that if you do not like how a person is using the device, then through this update of the system you "will render the system permanently unplayable." Put another way, if you do not like what I am doing with my 3DS, you will brick my device! The attached bundle of bricks is my way of saying that I would rather Brick Nintendo before Nintendo has a chance to brick my device. If you want to regain the trust and respect of myself and the rest of your potential customers, please respond: Drop DRM from the Nintendo 3DS and all future Nintendo products. Change your terms of service. Tracking a user's activity; claiming a copyright license on a user's data and their creative works; and bricking a user's device if she chooses to modify or use it an in "unapproved" way are intrusive and completely unacceptable, to say the least. Make a formal statement apologizing to your customers and responding to these requests. Sincerely, your name and The DRM Elimination Crew Italian translation (of initial email) |
That first highly optimistic supporters club meeting. The news of signing a new player. By any club. Every club’s pre-season friendly fixture list with the hopes of catching them all live. The first report on a pre-season friendly. Any friendly at all. I have been longing to experience of all the above since the FAI Cup was presented to Stephen O’Donnell of Dundalk back in November when the Louth side completed the domestic double with their tenth cup title at the Aviva Stadium. Just over a month ago I wrote from Dublin Airport about how I dearly missed the League of Ireland and all that comes with it. I felt like I was in the height of a sporting winter hibernation at the time. Thankfully, the sun has started to shine and the frozen ground is thawing out. I can crawl from the warm place I was hiding in, which was far and distant from the League of Ireland and hang my match day scarf by the front door once again. The League of Ireland is back and with it I feel a massive part of myself has returned too. When the League of Ireland stalls for those months every winter there is not much that can replace the lost buzz of a Friday night match under the lights. (Young and old gather to catch the show. Picture: Ian Clancy) Watching a movie at home with my significant other is always a pleasure which I enjoy but the comfort of my couch, scented candles, a bowl of popcorn and a star studded Hollywood cast just does not compare to the live theatrics on the field. Absorbing the action from a seat in the stand at a League Ireland match with a match day programme in your hand ready to source an interesting snippet that might be of value to a conversation on the night. There are similarities between a movie and a League of Ireland match though. Drama, characters, action, passion, massive suprises, unexpected plots, good guys, bad guys, poor performances and disappointments. Plenty of similarties. Plenty of differences too which combine on a weekly basis to create a ‘movie’ like no other out on the pitch. We have actors in play. Players in the starring roles. The crew are on the sidelines with the director. The ‘cast‘ on the field of play might put in a stunning performance or have an off day which leaves much to be desired and feeds the critics wth food for thought. On other ocassions there are examples of quality players who just seem lost out on the pitch due to the perfect script being re-written around them and going so badly wrong. Much like Samuel L. Jackson in the movie Snakes on a Plane. He is a fantastic actor in my book but with that particular movie being so poorly scripted, he too appeared to be lowered to a level which is far from that of his abilities and previous high standards. At a League of Ireland match you never get to pause the action as you can do at home onthe couch. If you run off for a snack at a game you risk missing the most important part of the ‘movie‘. That is out of your control. There is an art to judging the break in play when the ref blows his whistle. You have to time any instance in which you might turn away from the action perfectly because if you don’t you might miss that crucial moment in play which may become the night’s hot topic put up for serious debate. This ‘scene‘ might be key to the outcome of the game. At home with a movie you can pause and rewind so you don’t miss a thing. It is not the same at a game. (Showgrounds, Sligo. Picture: Peter Clancy) What I love too about attending a live League of Ireland match is that you get to see what is happening on the other side of the camera. The ‘director‘ and his full ‘crew‘ are on view for all to see. They are exposed and are not just name which scrolls on screen at the end or be found in the programme. You can watch every indication to the cast as to how the director wants their roles played out. Whistles. Hand signals. The frustration at ‘fluffed lines‘ as player wanders offside yet again or misses a sitter. There is also the added drama of seeing the director shuffling some of his cast around on set. I have yet to see an actor in a movie just abandon their character and swap with another one of the cast members and start playing their role. How would the movie The Sixth Sense have been received if Bruce Willis has given the role of playing young Cole’s mother halfway through the movie and Toni Collete, who played the mother, being asked to play the part Willis had departed? It would not work. In football the roles can be shuffled and this adds extra drama to the plot. I’ve never seen an actor whipped off the set and swapped for a new, fresh, face at a critical point in the film. It does not happen. You know who have from the start in a movie. Characters may drift in and out of a movie but players out on the pitch do that too! Once you have a couple of strong lead roles out on the field with a one or two solid supporting actors behind them the end result should be worth the wait. There are times too when a player is told to leave the pitch. He is sent off. Given their marching orders. No return. You don’t get that in a movie. Just imagine if you were watching Pirates of the Caribbean and suddenly the main man, Johnny Depp, left and was not replaced leaving a massive void in the movie. You don’t usually see key characters in movies killed off which is a similar scenario but if they do meet their untimely death mid-movie it has been scripted and planned. With football, there is no written script with a pre-determined ending. We all take a script with us to the match but what plays out ‘on screen‘ may be very very different indeed. The guy playing the lead role on the pitch during a match can be ordered off it at any moment. This element of unpredictability is always there. That is something that far too many movies lack. These sudden and overwhelmingly surprising twists are addictive. At times devastating but still addictive. (The set at the RSC in Waterford. Pic: Peter Clancy) The good guys and bad guys exist too at a football match. Your team is always made up of the good guys. Batman and Robin. The opposition are the Joker and Gang. The Cowboys and Indians. The Cops and Robbers. You develop and emotional attachment to one side of the cast. They lure you in and you support their cause from start to finish. In a movie there is usually only one ‘good‘ side. They are the heroes. In football the ‘bad guys‘ are the heroes to another group viewers in the stand who see your men as the villians. It all adds to the drama. Sometimes, like in a movie, one of your ‘good guys‘ can very quickly become a villian with a late tackle in the which leads to a penalty being awarded. It works the other way too. A villianous man can become the ultimate hero in an instant with a late winner hitting the back of the next following a well directed thump from his boot or a flick of his head. A very important part of any movie are the extras. They are essential. Without them there would never have been a film industry. They are the silent players. Silent but vital. The extras on the football field are the referee and their assistants. The best of these never stand out. They blend in and play their part without much drama. However, there are times when the ‘extra‘ has desires to become a star themselves and assumes the role of lead actor. This is when the drama can really unfold and as frustrating as it can be, an ocassion like this can also be so enjoyable. You get an added bonus member to the cast who plays a surprise stormer. That or they ruin the whole thing for you with a string of dodgy decisions. It is always best when they just walk past the camera or sip their coffee in the background when needed and get on with their important but upstage position on set. Movies and football are quite similar. Football gets the nod from me though in deciding which gives me more enjoyment. The unscripted drama you expereince on and off the field of play throughout the season gives it the edge. My significant other may not be there with me when I am watching it but I am always surrounded by friends who I have connected with through football. You go to the movies with a friend and you leave with that friend. When you regularly follow a League of Ireland team you become part of a huge group of friends which can extend between fans of all clubs. There are awards too. At the end of the season, like at the annual Oscar and Bafta parties, there are awards handed out to those who have performed their roles to the best of their abilities. Sometimes the favourite does not win but there is always something beautiful about the underdog coming out on top. To me, football is patched with drama which can’t be matched by a watching a movie at home. It does not always involve a massive budget with the world’s biggest stars on show. A great story can unfold and develop on the smallest of sets with unknown names playing the key roles and be encapsulating from start to finish. These unknown names can progress to become the stars who entertain on the biggest stage and you can follow them from a distance when this happens but there is something special in knowing that you watched them developing and preparing for their more celebrated role. You knew them before they were famous. This is Irish football to me. It is pure drama. The League of Ireland. It may not be Hollywood. It may not have the glamour and glitz. It may not be celebrated globally. It is my movie though. It lasts all season long and I am guaranteed plenty of twists in the plot along the way. The best part is that by following your team is knowing you are part of the cast too and play a starring role. Love Your League #loveyourleague Advertisements |
We’re feeling very thankful this mid-week morning, as our latest Tuesday Without shoot has arrived – and it’s an absolute scorcher with Sierra Skye. Sierra Skye isn’t just a great name with soothing alliteration – we love a little alliteration – she also happens to be a mega-babe with a strong selfie game, culminating in her absolutely stellar Instagram account. Seriously, this is 209 posts of absolute glory. Quality over quantity is the motto, and that’s something that Sierra seems to abide by. We took to the favoured Bronson Canyon in Los Angeles with Sierra, some swimwear and not much else. She doesn’t leave much to the imagination, and the results are absolutely magical. Peach emojis for days, see the shoot above and a short video edit of the fun below: https://vimeo.com/187621376 Model – Sierra Skye Location – Bronson Canyon, CA, USA Photographer – Mitchell Tomlinson |
The Longest Night — Game of Thrones: ‘What is Dead May Never Die (2x03)’ The Longest Night Blocked Unblock Follow Following Dec 26, 2017 “We do not sow.” Theon Greyjoy is baptised as he chooses his biological family over his adoptive one. Writer(s): Bryan Cogman Director: Alik Sakharov Events: After returning home to Pyke, Theon finds that his Greyjoy family aren’t so forgiving of his Stark upbringing, and reject his proposal to ally with Robb; at Craster’s Keep, Jon discovers that Lord Commander Mormont was already fully aware of Craster’s arrangement with the White Walkers; Bran dreams of his direwolves once again, but Maester Luwin remains sceptical; Catelyn arrives in the Stormlands to seek an alliance with Renly Baratheon, who’s having problems providing his queen, Margaery Tyrell, with a baby; in King’s Landing, Tyrion learns which of the people surrounding him can be trusted, as he puts Varys, Baelish and Pycelle to the test; in the Riverlands, the group heading to Castle Black are set upon by Lannister men, and Yoren is killed. THREE-EYED-RAVEN’S WARNING: DON’T GO ANY FURTHER IF YOU’RE NOT CAUGHT UP WITH HBO’S GAME OF THRONES. To listen and read along, just press play: As a member of his father’s war council, Theon Greyjoy is reminded by Balon that Greyjoys “do not sow”. They’re the house words, representing the Greyjoys’ solidarity, and he will not betray them. In the context of the scene, it’s in response to Theon’s perfectly reasonable suggestion that they ally with the Starks, wait for them to win the war against the Lannisters, and claim Casterly Rock as their prize. Balon rejects this proposal and reveals his plan to invade the North himself. In the context of the episode, “We do not sow” doubles as a statement that’s unfortunately representative of the status of many relationships and personal partnerships in the show, as their bonds are struggling under the weight of the world they’re part of. Before ‘What is Dead May Never Die’, we dared to think that the good folks in this world would find each other. But now they’re either suffering from immense strain, not quite having the success we were expecting, or being broken apart altogether. Whilst ‘Fire and Blood’, ‘The North Remembers’, and ‘The Night Lands’ gave us three hours of our early favourites forming crucial ties, with their idealistic futures peering slightly over the horizon, ‘What is Dead May Never Die’ delivers something of a blow to our hopes and reminds us that it’s foolish to enter Game of Thrones feeling even slightly reassured that good will out. Returning to Pyke has opened a serious can of worms for Theon, as his respect and loyalty to the Starks are about to face their greatest test thus far. It was his father who gave him away to Ned all those years ago, and that fact is held against Theon for some indeterminable reason, but he still feels obligated to prove himself a worthy heir to his father. During ‘What is Dead May Never Die’, Theon must show enough courage, willing, and strength to be acknowledged by his father, and remind himself of his relationship with Robb Stark while his father plans to attack him. In the end, he does neither. His ties to his family remain frayed, despite his efforts, with Balon storming out on Theon as he (justifiably) rants and raves that he was “given away”. And his friendship and brotherhood with Robb literally goes up in flames. Theon writes a letter to Robb, warning him of the imminent Greyjoy attack on the North, but never sends it. Instead he burns the letter and his himself baptised. He might have only been given “the Sea Bitch” to attack the Stoney Shore and its vulnerable fishermen, and I’ll cover his journey in increasing detail as the seasons progress, but this is the beginning of perhaps the second-best redemption arc in the show — second only to Jaime Lannister’s, of course. In the south, there’s a heart-breaking climax to the episode, as Yoren — a character I’ve appreciated immensely for the first time during this re-watch — is murdered by Amory Lorch while Lorch is on the hunt for Gendry. Moments before his death, however, Yoren does ignite a fire inside Arya that’s still burning strong as we look ahead to season eight. He does it by recounting the tale of how his brother was murdered by a handsome thief named Willem, of how he obsessed over Willem until he repeated Willem’s name every night before he slept, of how he exacted revenge on Willem by “burying an axe so deep into Willem’s skull” that Willem had to be buried with it. It’s the moment Arya is told, in no uncertain terms, that this world doesn’t catch up with thieves and murderers, and that the only way to stop them is to wipe them out yourself. At Craster’s Keep, there’s a significant moment between Jon Snow and Lord Commander Mormont. Following his beating by Craster in between the climax of ‘The Night Lands’ and the opening seconds of ‘What is Dead May Never Die’, Jon is returned to the Keep and reveals to Mormont that Craster is handing his sons over to the White Walkers. Mormont stands in silence, but there’s a meaningful absence of words: Mormont already knows. In this moment, Jon’s childhood dreams of the Watch take their first serious knock, and his relationship with his Lord Commander is strained. He’s spent years idolising the notion of the Watch: serving the realm by protecting them from the horrors that lie beyond, glorious. Only, in this moment, Jon discovers what the Watch really are, and that they’re serving those same horrors by allowing Craster’s arrangement to continue. Finding out that Mormont isn’t ignorant of Craster’s plan shakes Jon awake to an ugly reality: that trading infants with White Walkers isn’t necessarily “compromise”, but a sordid, dangerous, and disloyal practise. 8.5 Lost ravens: — In the south-eastern corner of Westeros, two couples encounter problems for several reasons. Tyrion squabbles with Shae in King’s Landing as she begins to find solitary confinement something of a bore, but Tyrion implores her to remain patient, silent and hidden. His next idea introduces Shae to Sansa as her handmaiden — their relationship is frosty right now, but in an episode where bonds struggle to stay together, the foundation of a new one is formed here. — In the Stormlands, we’re introduced to Margaery Tyrell, queen to Renly Baratheon. Renly is engaged in a relationship with Margaery’s brother, Loras, and his sexuality means that any attempts to conceive an heir are a source of immense conflict for him. In Westeros, being king isn’t just about sitting on the Iron Throne, it’s about heritage and legacy too, and the lack of an heir will unfortunately create problems for Renly further down the line. Margaery is open-minded about Renly and Loras’ relationship, even suggesting that Loras join in to “get [Renly] started”, but she leans over his shoulder and pressures him to give her a child all the same. She wants to be the queen, no matter what it takes. — Back at Winterfell, Bran is once again dreaming through the eyes of his direwolf Summer. He informs Maester Luwin of these dreams, but Luwin is sceptical and reminds Bran that while magic was once a force in the world, such things (warging, dragons, demons, etc.) are long gone. — She was briefly mentioned before, but it’s worth giving Margaery Tyrell a proper introduction. She’s the queen of our hearts, and over the next fifty-or-so episodes we’ll watch her play the game of thrones, and play it well. She becomes the queen, tames Joffrey and works her claws into him, and for a while we think she’s overcome Cersei too, effectively ending the Lannisters’ grip on the throne — at least until the brilliant season six finale, but we’ll get to that later in this series. — Tyrion still has his tribesmen, and he’s at his cunning best in this episode. In a wonderful scene, he gives false stories to Pycelle, Baelish and Varys, and all to find out who he can trust. The story is that Myrcella will be shipped off somewhere to marry a lord, and whichever specifics Cersei angrily repeats back to him will lead him to the mole. The mole is revealed to be Pycelle, who’s told her that Myrcella is to be shipped off to Dorne. He’s hoisted from his bed, has his beard “trimmed”, and is escorted out of his chambers, presumably to a cell. It doesn’t necessarily prove that Tyrion can trust Littlefinger or Varys, but it means he knows not to repeat anything other than the party line in front of Pycelle. Ned Stark made the mistake of trusting these people when he was Hand, Tyrion won’t. — Arya will get Polliver back one day. She’ll reclaim Needle from him in season four. Maybe she’ll pick her teeth with it. — Sansa is still stuck with the Lannisters, with Cersei, Tommen and Myrcella now joining her for awkward dinners. Cersei begins to take Sansa under her wing in this episode — or rather, manipulate her, now that she can no longer doctor Joffrey. It’s the first time we hear Sansa referred to as Cersei’s “little dove”, actually. Elsewhere in the episode, Sansa and Shae are introduced to one another, and now that Shae is her handmaiden, there’s at least somebody on her side during her torrid time in King’s Landing. — Varys and Tyrion have the best conversation of the entire episode: “Power resides where men believe it resides.” |
CTV Vancouver Police are warning the public about a cougar that attacked a small dog in Port Moody this week. The wildcat was prowling the area of Chevalier Court and Flavelle Drive early Monday morning when it picked up Riley, a 15-year-old terrier, and tried to carry the dog away. “I didn’t hear it. I didn’t see it. It just happened that quick,” Matt Smith, Riley’s owner, told CTV News. “I heard (Riley) yelp. I looked over. I saw the eyes and I could see the white from the cougar’s mouth and then Riley as well.” The cougar dropped the dog when Smith yelled, the Port Moody Police Department said in a news release. Riley has since had surgery and is expected to make a full recovery. Warning signs have already been posted in the neighbourhood, and anyone who spots a cougar in the area is asked to call the B.C. Conservation Officer Service. Cougar sightings in the Tri-Cities are becoming more common. In April, two of the big cats were spotted walking on the SkyTrain tracks in Port Moody. Just a few weeks earlier, a cougar was filmed in a backyard in Coquitlam. Smith said the wildcats pose a unique threat to residents, who are used to wildlife sightings. “The bears, the coyotes the raccoons—we can live with those,” he said. “The cougars are a bit of a different story.” Authorities said residents can reduce their risk of cougar encounters by storing garbage in cans with tight-fitting lids, and by not leaving uneaten pet food outdoors. People who find themselves face-to-face with a cougar are advised to try to look as large as possible, make loud noises and back away slowly, always leaving a clear exit for the wild animal. "Pick up children and small pets immediately. Never run or turn your back – sudden movements may provoke an attack," police said. If a cougar should attack, authorities recommend fighting back, focusing strikes on the cat's face and eyes. With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Sarah MacDonald |
In the history of the Obama campaign’s storied analytics operation, the effort to model the results live on Election Day, before the votes were tallied, was undoubtedly a low point. “That was the worst 12 hours of my life,” said David Shor, a senior data scientist at Civis Analytics who was in the “Cave” — the Obama analytics boiler room — on Election Day of 2012. By late morning, some in the Obama team concluded that President Obama was losing Ohio. This year, Election Day could be the worst 12 hours for all of us. In a first, rather than wait for election results to be tallied at county courthouses and to be announced by The Associated Press or the TV networks, a company called VoteCastr will project the results in real time. The results will be published on Slate and Vice. It might make you want to throw up. A lot can go wrong, as it did for the Obama team. In 2012, the Obama campaign brought in top talent from Google and Catalist, a Democratic data firm, to estimate the results of the election in real time. The early results did not look good for Mr. Obama. At first, the Obama team had dismissed the data pointing toward a low turnout among young, nonwhite and Democratic-leaning voters. |
Publisher NIS America is bringing another game in the Danganronpa series stateside: Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls. The PlayStation Vita game is coming to North America this fall, NIS announced at an event in San Francisco today. Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls plays differently from the other Danganronpa games, which are visual novel adventures. In Ultra Despair Girls, a third-person horror adventure game, players take control of Komaru Naegi from Trigger Happy Havoc as she fights to survive in a city overrun with Monokuma robots. Narratively, the game takes place between Trigger Happy Havoc and Goodbye Despair. The Japanese version of Ultra Despair Girls was release for PlayStation Vita overseas in September. Read Polygon's review of Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc and Goodbye Despair for more on the Spike Chunsoft-developed games. |
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