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0.171277 | <urn:uuid:afa9d9ce-0220-42d7-b189-0646fd3d0c6d> | en | 0.971851 | Our TV Shows
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Kristin Chenoweth
American Airlines
Treated Me Like a Dog
2/1/2013 4:40 AM PST BY TMZ STAFF
No Avatar
Thi is not a service dog, please... she's managed to get a starry-eyed celebrity doctor to sign off on her needing one. Hello TMZ - why aren't your folks asking "WHY does she use a service dog? She is not blind, does not apparently suffer from seizures, etc.... It's insulting to those who genuinely need service animals to see her behaving this way. Let me guess - she gets 'panic attacks' without her 'service' dog..
408 days ago
I am so tired of foo-foo dogs being given by (so called veterinarians,) a paper allow those dogs to be called, 'SERVICE DOGS.) It is obvious to those of us who work around service animals in our business to see what is really happening. Veterinarians should face a fine of 1,000 dollars per improper certification to stop this insanity.
408 days ago
Alexander - in that case, she should PAY for her animal to accompany her. Everyone's pets are emotional support for their owners... it's insane she is haggling over $125 that everyone else - making far less money than her - has to pay.She may be nice, i don't know her, but she doesn't deserve special exceptions when flying.
408 days ago
I learned about this "service dog" scam when I saw a physically able woman with her "service dog" in a Home Depot. As I pet the dog, the woman explained the low requirements for service dogs. Her dog provided her comfort through panic attacks, and had been licenced by some "Intstadogschool," or something.
So basically, you say you're scared, get a certificate, and you can drag your pooch everywhere. Legal "aristocratization," brought to you by the same foppish twits who okayed Lexus Lanes.
Apparently, the British invasion never ended. It just went underground. I eagerly await their next Grey Poupon legislative act.
408 days ago
Why does she need a service dog? Just a way for her to get her dog ON the flight instead of having it below with other pets.
408 days ago
why does she need a service dog there is nothing wrong with her she is taking advantage of this because real people blind,hearing impaired need service dogs she just does not want her dog in the carrier in the baggage area oh well then drive or leave ur dog at home these stars are given to many perks.i can not stand her after this
408 days ago
What's missing from this article is an explanation why she needs a service dog. She's definitely not blind. Or does she need it because she's short and is afraid of being trampled?
408 days ago
Why does she need a service dog?
408 days ago
It's a service dog to help her see over the counter .....
408 days ago
Absolutely disgusting! First Aubrey O'Day, now this lady!? I actually have a severely disabled son and even he doesn't bring a service dog on flights...because he is too disabled to even fly!!!! What the hell is wrong with this chic? If you get stressed flying, take a Xanax and call it a day. You don't need a service dog you "holier than thou" celebrats!
408 days ago
There was a major "service dog" scam at an apartment complex I lived in. When I moved in I asked if I could adopt a pug and I was told no dogs allowed. Well I get to the building and I hear barking, I see dogs leaving other peoples apartments, the people next door to me brought home a dog one day ect ect. I call and ask why is it everyone and their uncle seem to have a dog around here yet I was told I couldnt have one. They said well those are "service dogs" for people with emotional problems. I said well I guess I am living in a f*king mental hospital then because everyone seems to have a emotional problem here!
408 days ago
Did she not have the proper paperwork on her person to show to the gate agent? Anyone could try and get on board with their pets. Just because she's a celebrity she shouldn't get a free ride. She still should have had something to show the agent. The agent also should not have yelled. Both are at fault but Kristin moreso.
408 days ago
I would like to state I'm a HUGE fan of Kristen. But there seems to be some major holes in this story. First, Kristin says she has an emotional assist animal. It's different than a traditional assist animal you see used by visually impaired people or those that suffer seizures, etc. etc. etc. So those of you asking why she has it, I'm guessing a panic disorder but that's none of my business. Second, flight attendants don't have supervisors on board. There may have been a more senior flight attendant or a "lead" that dealt with her... But not a supervisor unless it was in fact ground personel and not a flight attendant at all. And third, IF it was an emotional assist animal, she wouldn't have paid a CABIN FEE to bring her dog onboard (and she would have had her assist animal paperwork with her). What this sounds like to me is that the dog is in fact a pet being transported in the cabin and the flight attendant told her to stow her cute doggie while on the airplane. Legally this has to be done (Harvey, you should understand this!) because a non-service animal isn't trained to travel and could react to the masses of people, noises, pressurization, etc. by biting someone. I have had interesting interactions with American flight crews but this sounds like a celebrity who bought a first class ticket and thought she deserved to be treated differently than you and I. I'm sorry she cried, cuz like I said I really appreciate her amazing talent. But she knows the rules, I'm sure. Should the cabin crew have been more tactful, maybe... But were you there to see exactly how she responded to them?
408 days ago
Only a bit.. Wh0uld say n9 to her
408 days ago
Maybe she's afraid to fly and her dog helps to ease the fear. I know it sounds as if she coddles herself, but a lot of celebs do, so that's nothing out of the ordinary.
408 days ago
Around The Web | http://www.tmz.com/2013/02/01/kristin-chenoweth-american-airlines-service-dog-rude-employee/8/ | dclm-gs1-289850000 | false | false | {
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0.023463 | <urn:uuid:dbb2c248-761f-4020-af4a-b0cd65f18ee8> | en | 0.977957 | Expedia.co.uk reviewed by
Andy Coward
United Kingdom
trustpilot stars
trustpilot stars
trustpilot stars
trustpilot stars
trustpilot stars
Watch out for their mistakes!
I went to buy return flights to Vienna through Expedia. Simple you might think? I found the flights (via Munich with Lufthansa) and tried to book...got a message that my credit card had been refused. No booking notice, no tickets...since the credit card had been refused, I used another and booked the flights direct with Swiss. Job done - didn't think any more of it.
Well, didn't think any more until I looked at my credit card statement. Invoice for £305.25 from Lufthansa - what for I thought? Phone Lufthansa and they can't help me becuase I don't have a ticket or booking reference...because Expedia hadn't sent me anything. Call to my credit card company and I have to pay the amount and dispute it unless Expedia refund it...
So, two calls to Expedia. First call reveals that they know about these flights but claim there were no charges and it is isn't them. Having done a full circuit of parties involved, I went back to Expedia armed with the reference from Lufthansa which was the e-ticket number. Suddenly Expedia can match those numbers up. The man on the end of the phone said "I suppose we should refund you"...SUPPOSE?? As I stated, without pointing fingers, they were the party who enabled Lufthansa to take the money, so they have to be the company who will refund it. He found the exact amount, the exact date and then said that he would have to refer this to his manager and another team. Expect results within 48 hrs? So far, at 48 hrs...nothing at all. I hope for the best (refund) but have started the dispute process with credit card company.
UPDATE - 23-5-13
Thanks to Stuart Newman, this issue got escalated and the transaction was identified, reviewed and a refund is now being processed. The refund is split between Lufthansa and Expedia, so the lion's share has been processed - a good start. Thank you to Stuart for picking up the review, and making contact - great service!
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0.077925 | <urn:uuid:a52c7577-65a7-4310-bb35-c1069d0fb4f6> | en | 0.964222 | Mondays 9:00 PM on SyFy
Boys, boys, penises down. You need Josh, ya psycho. You need his blood.
I guess I was meant to die with my head bashed in.
Josh? Oh my gosh! Boy butt! Boy butt!
I'm the ghost of Christmas Suck it!
It's like there's no version of myself that doesn't mess everything up.
Not the only difference is instead of two monsters, there's three. What?!
I'm from the future.
Displaying quotes 1 - 9 of 72 in total | http://www.tvfanatic.com/quotes/characters/sally/ | dclm-gs1-289890000 | false | false | {
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0.181035 | <urn:uuid:364707e8-5840-4235-9bfd-e6e11dce761f> | en | 0.948798 | Tuesdays 9:00 PM on ABC Family
You and me. We're everything.
Ethan [to Emma]
Rebecca: Who else would be so protective of the secret of the twins that they would kill for it?
Sutton: Well, you.
You need to be honest with him and yourself, before somebody gets hurt.
The safest thing you could do right now is stay out of it. This is a murder investigation.
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0.068739 | <urn:uuid:0e0a4d61-e491-4788-9e33-5a0eda080fd4> | en | 0.969755 | Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey
On its face, HBO's True Detective looks like a number of other dark and twisted serial killer murder mysteries. But it becomes clear very early on that the show's creator, novelist Nic Pizzolatto, has much more on his mind.
"I'm not interested in creating disgusting monsters or the most bizarre serial killer ever," Pizzolatto tells TVGuide.com. "My primary concern is always the humanism of the characters. Where the show gains its power for an audience, I think, is in things that aren't investigative at all. It's in two men talking to one another in a car. It's in a man coming over to another man's house for dinner and eating with his family. Those are the things that always interest me."
Winter TV: Check out all the must-see new shows
In this case, the two men riding in a car are Martin Hart (Woody Harrelson) and Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey), two detectives in Louisiana's Criminal Investigation Division who team up for a murder case in 1995. Because the body is staged in a ritualistic manner, Cohle, a relative newcomer to the squad, instantly assumes the detectives have stepped into a much bigger web of darkness. And even though Hart initially tries to tamp down Cohle's suspicions ("You've got to stop saying odd sh--," he says at one point), he eventually is won over by Cohle's crack detective skills.
If this sounds like something you've see on The FollowingHannibal, or The Killing, the latter of which employed Pizzolatto during its first season, Pizzolatto encourages you to look just a bit deeper. "When I wrote the first script, it was July of 2010. So I can at least say there weren't quite so many shows like that on the air at that point," he says with a laugh. "But any genre can do more. With the police procedural, I think there are a couple tropes there that audiences are incredibly familiar with. ... [I wanted] to use those things as sort of anchors of familiarity for the audience. Then you use that familiarity to gain their attention and trust and then subvert those conceits... through the characters themselves."
Winter preview: Get scoop on your favorite returning shows
And these characters have plenty of mysteries to unpack. Cohle has a broken marriage and a checkered past he left in Texas, while Hart struggles with being faithful to his wife Maggie (Michelle Monaghan). And though the season will track the murder investigation in 1995, the story is also told from each man's point of view as they're being interviewed by a new pair of detectives (Tory Kittles and Michael Potts ) in 2012, 10 years after the former partners have severed their relationship for a reason not yet known. And it's that mystery that might actually be the key to unlocking the series.
"What happened in that 17 years and how we're connected is really the fun of the eight episodes," McConaughey told reporters at the Television Critics Association winter previews. "You're going to find out, is what I'm telling the truth? Is what he's telling the truth? Where are our stories the same? Where do they veer from what really happened?"
Check out Matt Roush's review of True Detective
Despite the timeline jumping, the story is pretty easy to follow, if for no other reason than how haggard McConaughey's character looks in present day, where he divides his days into two shifts: working and drinking. "[In 1995, he's] a guy who is coming back on to a case, just barely hanging onto the rails. He needs a case to keep his sh-- together," McConaughey said. "In 2012, he's off the rails. He's cashed in. He's fallen prey to his own beliefs. And every day that he's alive is another day of penance in this indentured servitude he calls life."
Indeed, Cohle has a rather bleak outlook on life, which is what brings those long car rides between the partners to life. The show quickly transforms into a philosophical discussion of life, masculinity and what it is to be good or bad. "I think one of our overlying themes is the damage men do to themselves, to the people around them, to women and children and to the world," Pizzolatto says. "There's this sort of abstract conversation taking place over the whole thing about, are men good or bad and are they good for the world or bad for the world? Cohle and Hart are very much involved in that conversation on a personal level without realizing it."
Who are the scariest TV and movie serial killers?
Given the show's anthology setup — future seasons will feature an all-new cast and story — Pizzolatto promises these eight episodes will bring both the murder mystery and Cohle and Hart's ongoing debate to a conclusive ending. "There's no way to solve a philosophical discussion, but you can bring it to a nice ending point," he says. "I take it as my job to resolve or bring to a point of closure every conflict I introduce. ... This show needs to give the audience back something commensurate with the energy they're putting in. The audience should feel like that was worthwhile. They might be depressed, but I want them to feel like it was really worthwhile."
True Detective premieres Sunday at 9/8c on HBO. | http://www.tvguide.com/News/True-Detective-Nic-Pizzolatto-Matthew-McConaughey-1075552.aspx?rss=breakingnews | dclm-gs1-289910000 | false | false | {
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0.023661 | <urn:uuid:1fd7f554-6ea4-4c1e-8a50-f8f87427c3a2> | en | 0.943929 | Subscribe English
look up any word, like drinking watermelon:
A co-worker or boss who is the combination of a micromanager and a jerk at the same time.
My two bosses just handed me a stack of papers due on his desk by the end of the day and expects hourly updates on my progress. They both are micromanajerks and need to relax!
by Frumpy Frank April 07, 2011
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0.138569 | <urn:uuid:0aff9085-88c5-4517-bae3-29ddf4d49649> | en | 0.845034 | First: Mid: Last: City: State:
Edith Amenta
Gain privileged access to an impressive database of public records when you join USA-People-Search.com. Our efficient tools will return accurate and reliable information on every one named Edith Amenta. Make sure to examine the search results carefully so that you can spot the correct Edith you require. It shouldn't take long!
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1. Amenta, Edith A50 Lynn, MA
Salem, MA
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0.054308 | <urn:uuid:34c5e45b-a799-4052-b638-d30217731eec> | en | 0.916734 | First: Mid: Last: City: State:
Erwin Marcotte
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0.035455 | <urn:uuid:4d6abfc7-765e-4947-b13c-ea312ba4d847> | en | 0.860578 | First: Mid: Last: City: State:
Jackie Xiao
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1. Xiao, Jian Feng
Associated names:
33 New York, NY
Elmhurst, NY
Flushing, NY
XIAO, BAO CHUN (age 36)
XIAO, ZHAO YANG (age 43)
View Details
2. Xiao, Jackie Richmond, CA
XIAO, HARRY H (age 75)
XIAO, HARRY HUI (age 45)
View Details
3. Xiao, Jackie J Elmhurst, NY
XIAO, BAO CHUN (age 36)
XIAO, ZHAO YANG (age 43)
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0.040302 | <urn:uuid:832d7bae-e869-4b73-b7b5-43e4b2bcb2fc> | en | 0.883473 | First: Mid: Last: City: State:
Sharron Quoss
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1. Quoss, Sharron Tulsa, OK | http://www.usa-people-search.com/names/p/Sharron-Quoss | dclm-gs1-290020000 | false | false | {
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0.018885 | <urn:uuid:81c22a4f-d9ec-4394-96c5-eb87c532c9b1> | en | 0.979229 | The former skier and NBC analyst has an MBA and runs a non-profit.
No powder, no problem.
"We get to enjoy the Olympics with none of the pressure," says two-time Olympic mogul skier Jeremy Bloom, 31, now an NBC analyst.
Besides cheering pals Bode Miller and Shaun White, the Games are a good place to network, since Bloom's post-athletic career includes his marketing software company Integrate and a non-profit foundation, Wish of a Lifetime.
How did the accomplished athlete — also a former NFLer and a current football analyst for Pac-12 Networks — transition so seamlessly and successfully?
"It was fear that really drove that motivation," says Bloom, who studied business at the Wharton School while on the Philadelphia Eagles' injured reserve list. "I planted a lot of seeds during my athletic career knowing that at some point in my life, I'm not going to be an athlete anymore. I always tell kids that if you want to play in the NBA or NFL someday that's great, but make sure you focus on your education so you have something to fall back on." | http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/weekend/entertainment/2014/01/31/vip--jeremy-bloom-is-an-olympic-jack-of-all-trades/5054141/ | dclm-gs1-290030000 | false | false | {
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0.269445 | <urn:uuid:ee183455-7913-4f7e-89d7-d0a5b48e74b4> | en | 0.974254 | The Real Reason Republicans Can't Win Latinos and Women
The belief that women don't care about contraception and Latinos don't care about immigration shows how ignorant the GOP is.
In this Aug. 16, 2012 file photo, Missouri Republican Senate cadidate, Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., talks with reporters in Sedalia, Mo. This is the convention prelude of the Republicans' dreams _ their nightmares, that is. Mitt Romney wanted to preside over a made-for TV gathering showcasing his economic credentials and GOP unity. Instead, he's heading to Tampa with the national debate focused on rape and abortion and with the divisions within his party on full display.
The smartest comments on the GOP's looming demographic troubles come from veteran Republican consultant Dan Schnur, who had this to say to the Los Angeles Times about his party's predicament with women and Latinos:
Schnur's blunt comments brilliantly explain the folly of insisting that women don't really care about reproductive freedom or how they're treated as rape victims, and that Hispanics don't care about immigration as much as they care about getting a good job. The issues are all important, and it's not just a matter of practical impact. It's a function of how we are all seen as people.
Women, for example, were widely horrified at Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin's comments about how the "female body" has a way of preventing pregnancy during a "legitimate rape." Yes, many, many Republicans denounced the comments and urged Akin to get out of the race. But some of them have also pushed for legislation referring to "forcible rape," instead of just rape. And some want to fore women to undergo invasive gynecological procedures before they are permitted to have an abortion. This has offended a wide swath of women, and not just women of child-bearing age. That's because it's not an issue of practicality; it's a question of insulting an entire gender. Does any candidate really believe he can say, oh, all you unmarried pregnant ladies are just a bunch of lying hussies, but why do you care if we think that of you, as long as we are giving you a tax cut?
[ See a collection of political cartoons on immigration.]
And yes, a number of Latinos, particularly those whose families have been here for generations, don't like the idea of someone breaking the rules and immigrating illegally. But if lawmakers and candidates press an agenda based on the assumption that someone who looks Hispanic is automatically suspect as an undocumented immigrant, that's a personal insult. Offering minority business loans doesn't make up for it.
This country has undergone a lot of social and demographic change in the last century, and even in the last decade. Insulting entire categories of voters is not only offensive, but it will lose elections. | http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/susan-milligan/2012/08/27/the-real-reason-republicans-cant-win-latinos-and-women- | dclm-gs1-290040000 | false | false | {
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0.127858 | <urn:uuid:b3e45de2-a0f3-42f8-84a9-31e4828727e8> | en | 0.947378 | Advanced Battlegrounds Strategy
100,028pages on
this wiki
Revision as of 02:16, December 15, 2010 by "Weird Hugh" Coates (Talk | contribs)
This is a silly article
Do you want to get a big heap of Honor Points in the Battleground? Then here is the strategic guide that all high level players unconsciously use:
Warsong Gulch
The object of this Battleground is to get the ... Thing. The thing on the stick. With a picture on it. The importance of the thing is that if you get it back to your base, you get points. Points are good. If you are on the Alliance, you should grab the red thing with the black mark that looks like a hoof. If you are Horde, you should target the blue thing with a gold lion's head on it. Once you have the thing, retreat to your home base and "cap" it. This happens automatically so don't worry. If the enemy team has the thing, then KILL THE DUDE WITH THE THING! and subsequently TAKE THE THING BACK TO YOUR BASE AND DEFEND IT BETTER NEXT TIME, YOU FOOL! The People in the Battlegrounds are probably going to help you with the dude-killing, but don't count on it. Remember that dudes without the thing are not as important as the dude with the thing, except for dudes healing the dude with the thing. If you have the thing, RUN FOR YOUR LIFE.
Arathi Basin
The object of this Battleground is to take an area with military force and convert it to your faction. This place then makes you resources and racks up your faction's points. To reiterate, Points. Are. GOOD. Taking a location requires you to fool around with a thing (hooray!). Change the enemy thing to your thing, and DEFEND THE FREAKING THING. If it changes back to the enemy thing, convert it back and defend it better. Note that what has been said about the appeareance of things above should be applied here. Killing other people means that they have to wait for a rez or just run back to their body. The second option can be neutronised by taking their sigil. Not sure why. Remember, Points are good.
Eye of the Storm
In Eye of the Storm, remember this: If the other team goes for the things in the middle, DO NOT TRY TO TAKE THE THINGS. Their strategy only works if you try to h=get the thing as well, so grab some towers. That way, they have wasted their time and now they have a useless thing that they can't do anything to. Always go for the towers, but if the call of the thing is too much, then make sure you have your group, and go get some things. Remember, you must get 1600 points; not 16 or 160, 1600. Remember: POINTS ARE GOOD!!!!! Also resource nodes cannot be mined, skinned, fished or picked. Repeat, CANNOT BE HARVESTED BY ANY METHOD!
Alterac Valley
The goal here, regrettably, does not involve things. It does, however, focus on killing people (double hooray!). Reduce the enemy reinforcement counter to zero. Kill the commander and you win automatically, but remember that the general dude is defended by enemy dudes and enemy NPCs. You can also reduce reinforcements by killing the captain dude, burning the towers and bunkers that enemy dudes hide in, freeing your three Wing Commander dudes, capturing the enemy dude's graveyard, capturing the two enemy mines will give you a reinforcement dude every 45 seconds, although the rate of dude-killing is many times that, collecting supplies to turn into some quest dudes, and killing players. Keep your reinforcements high and keep their reinforcements low, and you will get tonnes of honor points.
Strand of the Ancients
This one is very different from the others. It requires WotLK, and also it has two rounds. You have to break through walls, which awards points. Points do not have to be accrued to win. To win, you must get a thing (Note: this is not the thing that is important for the other BGs, but a different thing. Whole different biscuit.) Depending on how fast you got your thing, you will win or lose. The defensive team must prevent the enemy attacking team from getting the thing, and they can and will kill you. Attacking teams have Siege Engines, and defenders have turrets, so FIGHT! Remember, kids: Don't drink and drive in this BG. It will only make you look like a fool because you will be too unpredictable to be defended. And even massive siege machines need to be defended from enemy players.
Isle of Conquest
Essentially combines Arathi Basin and Alterac Valley into one small lump of off-shore rock. Controlling various places will give new siege weapons to break down gates of places, give you a zeppelin, give you a Glaive Thrower weapon and you also get catapults. Again, killing the general wins you this place, and you also need to reduce their reinforcements down to zero. But capturing sites gives you weapons for blowing up stuff and mutilating dudes. Remember that the general dude is cowering in a citadel, so GET IN THERE AND KICK 'IM INNA NUTS! Also, other players will try to take your stuff. Kill them if they do.
And that ends the Advanced Battlegrounds Strategy guide! Please feel free to add anything that you felt was missing. Please, however, leave the terminology as it is. This will make your lives easier. There other battlegrounds in development, and when we receive more intelligence on them, due to the committed "serious" writers of WoW wiki, you will here more.
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0.066828 | <urn:uuid:9f3a0d64-af99-48d9-9bbe-26118ae61ab1> | en | 0.987868 | Disclaimer/Author's Note – See Chapter One
Chapter Nine – The Long Overdue Conversation
He watched her walk out of sight and his heart sank. He had truly thought that tonight would be the night. That he would finally be able to take the risk he had longed to take. But, as ever, when faced with the prospect of getting everything he had ever wanted, he choked. Why did Sara always have this effect on him? Why, when he had so much he needed to say to her, he could never actually say any of it? And why did he feel the need to sit here and rationalise, instead of going after what he wanted?
Without pausing to think any more about it, Grissom threw some cash on the table for the bill, grabbed his jacket and followed her. Sara had walked quickly and he didn't catch up with her until she was at her car.
'Sara. Wait.'
Sara paused at her car door. 'I don't want to hear it, Grissom. You've disappointed me for the last time.'
Don't think, he told himself. Just spit it out.
'Damn it Sara! You expect too much of me. Why do you feel the need to place me on this pedestal, only to be surprised when I topple off?'
'What? I don't…'
'Come on, Sara. What else can you call it? Why else do you get so upset when I show my human failings? I screw up, just like everyone else at some point or another. I have a tendency to choke up when you confront me about… about our personal relationship. I don't always say what needs to be said. But that doesn't mean that I don't care about you.'
Not trusting herself to turn around, she waited.
Grissom sighed. 'It's never been about you not being worth the risk.'
He paused. When he didn't continue, Sara spoke up.
'So, what is it about, then?'
'There's just so much at stake,' he told her quietly. 'For both of us. And it frightens me. I'm scared of how much I might hurt you,' he took a breath before continuing; 'and of how much you might hurt me.'
Sara turned. Her eyes were bright with emotion. She didn't say a word, afraid that saying something now might break the spell. Grissom opening up to her was something she had never imagined she'd experience. She wanted to see how much more he might reveal.
'Do you know how many people in the lab have suggested that I am unfeeling?' he asked her. She shook her head lightly in response. 'Everyone. More or less. Even Greg has said it at one time or another. But when you say it… that's the only time it actually hurts.'
'I'm sorry,' she whispered.
'No,' he said, 'it's true. Well, the way I act most of the time, you'd be forgiven for thinking it. I have to be like that. I don't know why. I don't know how to be open with my feelings like the rest of you. I… I don't have the vocabulary. But I do feel things.'
'I know, Grissom. We all know that. It's just… sometimes you hide your feelings too well.'
'Have you any idea how many first dates I've been on in my life?' he surprised her by changing the subject so rapidly. 'I worked it out once. At least 10 times more than the number of second dates I've had…'
Sara didn't reply, but continued to watch him, now with a mildly confused expression on her face as he went on.
'Only one in ten becomes a second date. And of those, hardly any become a third. None, in fact, in the last 5 years.' He paused, running a hand through his thick, greying hair. 'I've put it down to a number of factors over the years. The job, mostly. Getting called away half-way through dinner to collect bugs at a murder scene does not impress most ladies. Then there's the fact that I'm not the most social creature in the world.'
'We have that in common,' Sara retorted quietly.
'I'm really bad at this, Sara,' he told her. 'I'm not used to opening up, sharing my feelings. And that's what relationships are, right? Sharing feelings. I don't even share my feelings with myself half the time.'
He moved beside her, leaning his back against the car so they were standing side by side.
'On some level, I've always known there was an attraction between us. If I'm completely honest with myself, it was probably a contributing factor in asking you to come to Las Vegas in the first place. But I never allowed myself to think about it, for the most part. Too many complications. The age difference. The fact that I'm your supervisor. I suppressed everything I felt for you, until the Debbie Marlin case.'
Sara nodded gently. 'You avoided me the whole time were we working on that case,' she said. 'I always wondered why.'
'I had to, Sara,' he replied, a hint of pain in his voice from the memory. 'Every time I looked at her, I saw you. And that made me shrivel up inside. The idea of losing you…' he trailed off, unable to verbalise the pain he felt at that time. 'When I interviewed Dr. Lurie, and figured out why he killed her, I… I think I kind of knew how he felt. In a way.'
He glanced at her. Sara was staring at him intently, taking in his every word. He had to look away before he could continue.
'It was my worst nightmare of how things would go if anything ever happened between us.'
'You thought you would kill me?' Sara asked in a slightly sceptical voice. 'Grissom, uptight you may be, but I don't think you're really the homicidal type.'
He glanced sideways at her again and shot her a chastising look.
'Not the murder, Sara,' he told her, 'the events that led to it. Debbie broke Lurie's heart…'
'By leaving him for a younger man,' Sara finished the statement, finally realising.
Grissom silently assented.
'Gris, do you know how many dates I've been on since I moved here?'
Grissom though about it. He didn't know and told her as much.
'Very few,' Sara told him. 'I've only been involved with one person since I moved here, four plus years ago. Do you know why that is?'
'Is it something to do with the fact that you max out on overtime every month?' Grissom shot her one of his half-smiles.
Sara smiled back. 'That's one reason. But the main reason is there's only one man I'm actually interested in becoming involved with.'
Grissom was silent.
'This is usually the point where you clear your throat, get awkward, I tell you to forget I said anything, and you come up with an excuse to change the subject or leave the room,' she teased him gently.
Grissom reached out and took her hand.
'Don't expect too much of me, Sara,' he told her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. 'I grew up with the expectation that all relationships fail. I'm worried that I won't be able to change that conditioning.'
'Grissom,' Sara took his hand in both of hers. 'Nothing comes with a guarantee. But… unless we want to end up totally alone, we eventually have to let our guards down and take a risk.'
He drew her to him then, wrapping his arms around her in a tender embrace. She buried her face in his neck, taking in the wonderful scent that was Grissom.
'I just need some time,' he muttered into her hair, his voice full of emotion. 'I don't want to mess this up. You're too important to me.'
They lost track of how long they held each other, but it felt like the most natural thing in the world to them both. When they reluctantly drew apart, Grissom tucked a strand of Sara's hair behind her ear and smiled.
'So, this weekend, how about I pick you up, take you out to dinner? Maybe out by Lake Mead? Somewhere special for our first date.'
Sara's brows knit in confusion. 'Uh, Grissom? Wasn't this our first date?'
Grissom smiled and shook his head. 'Oh no. Our first date is going to be perfect.' | https://www.fanfiction.net/s/2296886/9/First-Date-or-Second-Thoughts | dclm-gs1-290340000 | false | false | {
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0.274044 | <urn:uuid:55395285-891a-461f-9051-7e368b1a4034> | en | 0.986644 | Slash, death, violence, drug/alcohol usage.
Nope, don't own any characters, just the plot.
This story is mean to take place after an attack on the Mordhaus
by the government, who, as well know from the show, hates Dethklok.
This one attack spawned millions of others, and soon the world was in shambles.
Keep in mind that because of this there is no running water, electricity, or any
modern conveniences.
Reviews are love.
When did the voices
so diseased and angry
and whose strength do they use
to carry us to such unfamiliar places
They can pull triggers
they can throw us off rooftops
they can split us into uneven halves
whose strength do they use
~~Madness And A Bit Of Hope, by Safiya Henderson-Holmes
It began with a mass of fire and ash. They were violent, merciless assassins that had come in the dead of night to take away everything, and that's just what they had done. Nobody had been ready, nobody had been able to withstand their hatred, and so the Mordhaus fell to the madness of murder. The rest of the world followed, and each country sank down and died slowly and painfully, killed each other off in an insane display of nuclear bombs and bullets. Cities—Rome, London, Tokyo, Washington and all the rest—were reduced to nothing and the world was left to disappear under a blood-red sky. Everyone suffered, but somehow there were a few survivors. Toki was one of them.
Together he and Nathan had managed to pull back what little remained of their old rich lives and salvage their sanity—or what was left of it. Day was nothing but a long, miserable Hell, seeming to last ten lifetimes of misery. The night was terrifying—a gunshot in the dark or a cruel trick of the mind?-but somehow they managed to keep one another alive. Now they sat in what remained of the old living room of the Mordhaus, staring at a dead-asleep Pickles. "Ams he going to wake up today?" Toki asked, a deep frown on his face. "You said he was just sleepings; how long can he sleeps for?"
Nathan turned way from the hopeful Norwegian and said, "I already told you that he might not wake up."
"Oh." he looked down, a discouraged look on his face. "Whys not?"
He let out a slightly annoyed sigh; of course he ended up explaining this to the guitarist every day, but still he took Pickles' hand, sang to him, prayed in Norwegian, and told him stories, hoping that he would wake up again and be the same. The only problem with this was that nothing was the same. "He's in a coma."
"You know damn well why. I've explained it to you a hundred times."
Toki's pale eyes filled with tears as he stared at Pickles' ashen, emotionless face. Where had the life in him gone? "I miss hims."
"I know."
"And I miss Skwisgaar, Murderface, and Ofdensens..."
Nathan nodded. "I know, I do too."
The Norwegian laid his head next to the drummer's and closed his eyes. He remembered the night so many weeks ago when the Mordhaus had been attacked. They had all been sleeping. He had been hugging his deddy bear to him when Skwisgaar had burst into his room and cried, "Tokis, gets up quick!"
"There ammnest peoples with guns shootings everything up!"
He couldn't move, couldn't think. Instead he just asked in a hoarse, fearful voice, "Whats?"
Skwisgaar lead him over to his bedroom window and let him look outside at the devastation; hundreds of Klokateers were shooting and getting shot. Toki's face paled as he was lead out of the room by the Swede...somehow thru it all they'd been separated and Pickles had been shot and now...Toki didn't know. He stood, hovering over the bed where Pickles rested. "I wish he would wakes up, I really dos."
Nathan reached for his hand, but then drew back. "I...maybe we should just leave him alone for a little whi-"
"Leaves him?" The guitarist shook his head and knelt next to where the drummer lay. "Nevers. We should never leaves each other agains, Nathans." he paused before inquiring, "What if he doesn't wakes up again?"
The singer shrugged and answered, "Just...Toki, he's been asleep for a while, and all you do is talk to him and-"
"Because it helps him!"
"No it doesn't!" he said. "It just makes everything harder!"
He shrank back, took the drummer's hand, and watched him breathe. In and out, in and out. A steady heartbeat, no signs of death, only an eternal sleep. Toki bit his lower lip in thought and finally said, "But he looks stills alive."
"He's not." Nathan carefully placed a hand on the guitarist's shoulder. "He might not come back."
"But he ams right here!" Toki said, tears rolling down his face in slow and steady streams. "How can he 'comes back' when he ams stills here?" and he let out a sob and hissed, his voice so full of frustration, "It doesn't makes any sense!"
"Toki, he's-"
"And why can't yous just admit that you cares abouts him?" the Norwegian continued, his breath coming out in short, rasping gasps from his constant crying. "Why ams you still so worried abouts being brutal? We're all each other has and you act like you don'ts care!"
Nathan looked down and murmured, "I do care."
"Then why don't you ever shows it?"
"I...I..." he didn't know what to say, so he just walked towards the door and said in his deep voice, "Keep him company." and left, just like that.
Once he had gone, Toki turned his attention back to Pickles and squeezed his hand. "Nathan doesn't knows anything. You ams going to wakes up; I knows you will, because-" his voice broke as he whispered in the drummer's ear, "-because you can'ts leave me, nots now. I needs you, Pickle. Please comes back, please. Don't gives up, please wakes up."
Burning, coked by smoke and blinded by ash and corpses. The dead littered the ground as he lead Toki and Skwisgaar out of the burning Mordhaus. He was holding Toki's left hand and the Swede was clutching his right, both of them desperately trying to keep the weeping, coughing Norwegian close. "Skwisgaar!" Pickles shouted above the maddening sounds of the fights and fire around them. "We can't stay together no more! They'll catch us!"
"What dos we do?" he asked, hugging Toki to him protectively.
"We gatta let Toki go aff on his own."
"He'll have more of a chance." he insisted. Skwisgaar wiped some soot from his forehead and patted the other guitarist's shoulder in an effort to get his attention.
"Tokis, listens to me—you haves to run nows, okay? Runs as far as you can and don't look back, alright?"
He shook his head, his pale eyes wide and shining in the firelight that the smoldering house gave off. "N-Nos, I can't leaves you."
"It ain't safe no more, dude!" Pickles told him. "It's better for you t'just run ahead without us."
"I cant's!"
"Toki, you haves to. Please," Skwisgaar said, hugging the Norwegian one last time. "dos it for me?"
He glanced from one man to the other and finally nodded. "Fines. I-"
"Go!" Pickles urged, pushing the guitarist away. Toki turned and made a mad dash for the forest that surrounded the Mordhaus, but before he could reach the safety of the treeline, a loud shot rang out. Although gunfire was filling the night air all around them, this shot somehow stood out above the rest. It echoed, was loud and ear-piercing. For one fearful moment Pickles thought that Toki had been shot until he felt something warm and sticky hit his cheek. When he looked over, he saw that Skwisgaar was laying on the ground, a pained and astonished look on his pale face. "P-Pickle..." he blinked and a little blood ran from between his lips. "I thinks I gots shot..."
The drummer wiped the other man's blood from his own cheek then knelt down next to the Swede. He shook his head in denial; this was impossible, a dream. This couldn't be real. What had happened to their old, carefree life? Just yesterday hadn't they been down in the studio, laughing and making fun of each other in between recording songs? "Dude, you're-"
Skwisgaar fully understood the reality of the situation, because in a moment he was holding Pickles' hand, whispering in Swedish, and crying. "I don't wants to die," he whimpered. "Why ammnest this happenings?"
The drummer couldn't answer this, but he knew that he had to, so he responded with, "I...I don't know, dude..."
The Swede closed his eyes and breathed raggedly, "It wasn't supposed to bes this ways...we were all supposed to makes it and be okays..."
"We all are gonna-"
"Toki—takes care of him. Dos that for me, okays?"
He nodded and squeezed Skwisgaar's hand a little tighter. "Of course I will, dude. You know I love that kid."
"He ammnest like my brother."
"I know."
And the Swede smiled, his lips and teeth dyed red with his own blood. "I loves him...makes sure he ams okays. He won't understand..."
"He'll be fine; everything will be-" behind him there was the sound more gunfire and screaming. "-alright."
"H-Hows?" Skwisgaar wondered, casting his dying, deep blue gaze up at at the starry, red night sky above them. A bloody smile came across his face—he closed his eyes and whispered in an oddly peaceful way, "Hows did this happens?"
And the scene melted away as the Swede's body became limp, lifeless, and cold. There was a new voice now, one that was wretched with its whispered pleas of desperation. "Pickle? You haves to wakes up, you haves to! Please, please wakes up now."
Move, move!
He couldn't feel any part of himself, but the sound of that voice almost brought him back, if only for a moment. Toki? Yes, it was him, and Pickles remembered that night again, how he had heard another shot and felt the ripping pain of a searing hot bullet...he remembered the way it had felt to lose his blood, to watch the precious, life-giving liquid freely flowing out of him...had he died? No, but he wasn't alive, so where was he? Teetering on the edge of some unknown place between life and death?
Move, move!
Words were good too, he supposed, but he so longed to move, to rip himself out of this zombie-state of being. Then it came—he opened his eyes for a split second. Yes, he thought, I'm okay! I'm alive, I'm-
Dead again. Still he couldn't move and once again he was asleep. Toki saw this feeble display of life, though, because in a moment he was sobbing and kissing Pickles' cheek, saying prayers in his native tongue. "Han er i live! Gud, vennligst gjør ham våkne opp nå!" Then in English, "Pickle, I saws it, I know you ams alive! Please wakes up now!"
I can't...
God, I wish I could!
It was amazing, but in that split fraction of a second that his eyes had been open, Pickles had seen Toki's face; there was a small, half-healed cut along his cheek now, but other than that he was just as alive and childlike as ever. The dream, it really happened? But that means that they're dead, everyone's dead...and I promised Skwisgaar that I'd keep Toki safe...they're all gone...and nothing is the same.
"Hey, I brought you something to eat." Nathan announced as he entered the room. Toki glanced over at him and arched a brow.
"What ams it?"
"Canned stuff." he answered, throwing him a can. The label had been ripped off, but the guitarist didn't care; he ripped the can open and devoured its contents quickly.
"That ams all we haves left?"
"It's all we can afford to eat right now." he said, taking a seat next to Toki. The Norwegian was sitting cross-legged next to the still sleeping drummer. Nathan stared down into Pickles' face and murmured sadly, "Toki, I've been thinking..."
"Nos." he said immediately.
"No what? I didn't even tell you yet."
"We ams not going to leaves him alone to die."
Nathan shook his head and insisted, "You just don't get it, do you? He's-"
"I saw hims open his eyes today!"
"It was your imagination." he turned away and added warily, "You've been spending too much time crying over him. It's time to move on."
"I ams never going to forget abouts him." Toki stated, glaring at the singer hatefully. "I ams nots like you—I care abouts people!"
"I care!"
"Likes hell you do!"
He sighed in defeat and wrapped an arm around Toki's waist. He pulled him closer, into an awkward hug. "I care about you and I can't watch you waste any more tears over him; I'll lock you out of this room if I have to, I don't care."
"I hates you!" he cried, trying to end the hug. "I hates you, I-"
Both men let their expressions of anger wash away from their faces and turned their attention to Pickles. He was moving now, flexing and unflexing his fingers. As soon as Toki saw this, he let out a joyful cry and went over to him. "Wakes up, Pickle, please! Proves Nathan wrong, ple-"
"T-Toki?" Pickles muttered weakly. The Norwegian fell into his arms and began to laugh.
"Look, Nathans, he ams awake!"
"Y-Yeah." he said, a shocked look on his face.
"I was right, I knews it." and he hugged the drummer tighter and began to weep.
Pickles just tried to adjust his eyes to the new, painful light. He felt Toki's crushing weight against him and loved it. Finally he was home again. Slowly he summoned up what little strength he had in him, loosely put an arm around the guitarist, and pulled him closer. "Hey, dude. You missed me?" he could only nod. Pickles let a grin come across his face as he whispered in Toki's ear, "I missed you so damn much." then he cast his glance over to Nathan. "Doin' good?"
"Could be better."
The drummer let out a weak laugh and nodded. "Yeah, me too." his green eyes looked around the old living room, observed the destruction and the state of disrepair that the room was in, and the smile gradually faded from his face. "I guess we could all be doin' better."
The way I look at it, I could either get fairly good reviews on this story, or horrible ones—probably horrible ones considering the subject matter. Oh well. I've already typed up 5 chapters [this story's going to be an flowerchild-standard 6 parter] so yeah...hope you like it and enjoyed this chapter, cause there's more to come. Yes, in case you really, really can't believe it, Skwisgaar and Ofdensen are both dead; currently Murderface isn't confirmed to be dead, only missing...but still maybe dead. Ah, the suspense and plot twists to come! :P
Peace & Love | https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6668518/1/Out-Of-Fire-Ash | dclm-gs1-290380000 | false | false | {
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0.044195 | <urn:uuid:c1f14e24-db11-40df-b174-ea81f15c6f0c> | en | 0.969263 | I took so long to upload.
I'm really, really, really sorry. I've been really busy with another project lately. I might take some time to upload again. But hopefully not.
Before I forget:
Thank you for the comments.
And thank you to awesomestorydigest for adding this story to their favourite stries list. It means a lot. :D
Anyways, here it is.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, spirits of Mannahatta. Welcome to the very first Mannahatta Beauty Pageant, 'The Mannahatta Beauty!'" A loud, deep voice boomed around the dome-like stadium.
Multicolored lights danced around the stage as the crowds cheered and roared. The huge dome was completely filled with people, some shouting and clapping, and the other much more sane people just staring blatantly at the people beside them, who were screaming their heads off.
The host stood in the middle of a semi-circular stage. He had his back to a big, digital screen that alternated between close-up shots of him and a silver background with the words 'The Mannahatta Beauty' in a metallic purple colored fancy font. In front of him, directly at the edge of the stage, was a slightly curved table where three people sat. They were either looking rather bored and impatient, or smiling in a fake creepy sort of way. A few feet behind and on either side of the table, and all around the stage save for behind the big screen, people were cheering.
The host was a tall, handsome dark-skinned man with a mass of dark brown curls. He smiled as he waited for the cheers to die down.
"I am your host, William Smith, God of Television Hosts." He beamed, and a full minute of screaming girls later, he continued.
"Allow me to introduce you to the panel of judges. From the right, we have Zelda Fitzgerald, part of the Council of Twelve and Goddess of Trends!"
The big screen flashed a close-up of a woman sitting at the judges' table. She had light skin and short, dark wavy hair. Zelda Fitzgerald smiled slightly as the crowd clapped.
"Second is Gianni Versace, God of Fashion Designers!"
The man in the middle gave a little wave as the camera focused on him. Gianni Versace had gray thinning hair that had just a little hint of white in it. He, like the host, wore a black tuxedo. The smile lines around his eyes crinkled as he, too, gave a little smile for the cheers.
"And beside him, our final judge, is Krissy Taylor, Goddess of Models!"
A beautiful woman with long blond hair parted at the left of her head spread her lips in a wide smile. She was wearing a relatively modern sleeveless black evening dress, a far cry from the black puff- sleeved dress that Zelda was wearing.
After more applause from the audience, William Smith smiled again.
"Now that you've met the judges, it's time to meet the contestants!" He paused, letting the audience cheer for a moment before continuing.
"We have twenty seven contestants this evening. Give it up for the ladies!"
With that, the lights dimmed and the big screen parted in the middle and started slowly moving to opposite sides.
Hope you liked it.
Again, I'm sorry. :( Till next time,
~ SkellyVal | https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6940390/3/A-Beauty-Pageant | dclm-gs1-290400000 | false | false | {
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0.135006 | <urn:uuid:e0ef4595-005f-4e3f-83d5-189938dbbd5a> | en | 0.9943 | Take One…
Abby smiled as she hung the mistletoe in her lab. Everyone knew that she hung the holiday kissing plant, but it was never in the same place, and on some days she took it down for a few hours and then put it up later somewhere else. She liked surprising the agents who came into her domain who thought they were smart to memorize where the plant was hanging and try to avoid it.
But this year, she didn't really care about the agents who passed through. She was set on getting two certain people underneath the mistletoe and getting them to kiss.
She giggled. Abby watched as the two stood innocently under the mistletoe, they had no idea as they continued to talk about what they had just discovered for the case. They were standing close as they stood in front of the big screen in her lab, bouncing theories back and forth at each other.
Before they had a chance to separate and move away from the mistletoe, she spoke up. "McGee."
He turned to look at her questionably as the other continued to stare at the screen in silence, waiting for Abby to finish saying what she needed to say. But she didn't have to say anything. Instead, Abby grinned, pointed up above his head, and watched McGee look up before looking at her surprised and with a blush. His mouth opened and closed, trying to think of what to say, but Abby would have none of that. She motioned him to do it and she could see him contemplating if he should do it or face her disappointment.
McGee finally decided and as quick as lightning, leaned close and kissed Gibbs' cheek before pulling back. Gibbs' head whipped around to stare at him like he'd grown a second head. McGee blushed bright red and Gibbs just raised an eyebrow in question for his behavior. And while Abby huffed and grumbled that that wasn't the right way, McGee pointed up.
Gibbs looked up and smirked before he turned his attention back to the screen and continued from where they left. McGee took a deep breath before letting it out and doing the same.
Oh…she was going to get them. Mark her words.
A/N: PLEASE REVIEW! They're appreciated. | https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7611518/1/Finally | dclm-gs1-290420000 | false | false | {
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0.065106 | <urn:uuid:56e03268-b975-4f76-95c1-12d98d10ab7e> | en | 0.985586 | Hello everyone! This is my first fanfic and first time I write something in English (my mother tongue is Spanish) but I hope you understand me and like my story
It's basically based in some songs I think it match them and most of the chapters will be Jane POV.
Disclaimer: The mentalist and the song are not mine!
First chapter is based in the song "If only they knew" by A Rocket to the moon and I totally recommend you listen to it, is an amazing song.
Chapter 1 "If only They knew"
"Talk to me I'm torn I could get lost in a voice like yours. Tell me if I'm wrong or right, tell me I could stay tonight.
[...] cause no one loves you more than I do, they don't see you like I do baby, they'll try to but if only they knew they'll never come close to you.
And you brighten up the world with your eyes and you are so damn lovely when you are on my mind, cause you are the only one" - If only they knew by a rocket to the moon
It's been almost a year since we found Red John, and everything is so different but kind of the same, I help Lisbon and her team closing cases but there's no more serial killer I desperately want to kill, no more Lorelei, no more revenge and thanks god no more nightmares. Now I could sleep more hours.
But I have to admit than recently my dreams are all about one specific person: my boss Teresa Lisbon. And some times in them we are in a "more than friends" aptitude and I kind of like it.
Few months ago, when this dreams started I realized that maybe I truly was a little bit in love with her or probably head over heels in love with her, I honestly don't care about that anymore. But I don't know if she feel the same way about me or not, so I don't know if I want to take that risk right now, telling her my feelings and try to turn my dreams into reality, but I've been waiting too long and maybe it's too late.
And those thoughts makes me feel kind of torn and right now I want to hear her voice so much, so I get up from my couch and walk to her office, where I could tell she is doing some boring paper work and she'll be mad at me cause I interrupted her. But I wanna see her so much and I want to hear at whatever she's going to say.
But I was totally wrong, the new guy working in missing people is talking with her, since the first time he arrived at the CBI, he had a big crush on Lisbon, but how could he not? I can't blame him, she had that effect on people, not just me.
And watching her dealing with her "fans" it's kind of funny, the way she is trying to look friendly with them, and in this case I decided to help her. Or that's what I tell to my self denying to me that the real reason is pure jealously.
-I'm not interrupting something, am I?.- I said as I walk throw the door and stare and them, the guy just move his head right and left and then excused himself telling he had some work. - I guess I'm not.
- What do you want Jane? .- she asked in a demanding voice but all I can't think is the answer, 'cause if I want to be completely honest I'd tell something like "I just want to hear your lovely voice, my love" but of course that confession will freak her out. So I'll lie.
-Well being totally honest I just want to annoy you and your admirer or what ever that guy is.- Ok I don't lied at all. I want to annoy the guy trying to woo the woman of my dreams.
-Peter? He's not my admirer, he is just friendly.- She tells me trying to lie to herself but of course not me. How could she not see the effect she had in people? But specially me, cause I'm totally captivated by her and I could tell she have no idea about that yet.
- Everybody wants to see what they want truth or not.- I smiled with my answer waiting eagerly for her answer.
- Yeah so you should consider the possibility that you just want to see he's flirting with me.- she saids as she rolled her eyes, his beautiful eyes, they are so bright than could light up the world, and so does her smile, I'm totally delighted by her. But I have to answer to that senseless deduction.
- You are wrong in that part my dear, but I'm not worried about men flirting with you cause the only one that knows you it's right in front of you.- I confess trying to sound funny so she can't get the true meaning behind my words.
- And you couldn't be less vain.- Love, you are so, so wrong right now.
-I'm not vain, I'm just telling you the unique truth or am I wrong?
- Not wrong at all.
- But it's funny how you manage to talk to them, trying to look friendly and listening to every word they say so you can manage to answer if they make you a question. - I said trying to return to the original conversation.
- Haha so funny, but for real, what do you want?.- Ok, so she didn't believe me, and of course she don't, it was a lame excuse after all.
- I was kind of hungry and I want to ask if you would like to go and eat something with me. - as I finished, she starts laughing and I just wonder why.- What's so funny Lisbon?
-Nothing important, just something that came to my mind when you asked, but of course I'd like if you pay for it.
- I was expecting that.- I offer her my arm, she just smiled at me as she entwine her arm with mine and I swear I can feel my heart skip a beat, I just realized I'm not just the only one that knows her more than everyone but I'm also the one who loves her more and for me she's the only one, and she is going to know it, but honestly I don't know when I'll have the courage to tell her my feelings, but she, my love, must be prepared cause it'll be soon.- Teresa there's is one thing I want to say.
-what is it Jane?
-I could get lost in a voice like yours.
That's all folks I really hope you liked it.
And I'm open to every thing you want to say about the fic or my poor writing. | https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8668759/1/Silly-Red-Love-songs | dclm-gs1-290450000 | false | false | {
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0.237242 | <urn:uuid:82758e23-30fc-4614-b169-9b4c36ec4ff2> | en | 0.830015 | Flavio De Sousa
Flavio De Sousa
Software Developer (C, C++, C#, Java, Ruby, Python, Perl)
Brasilia, Brazil
What's the difference
Working since the early 80s with many languages, platforms and tools. Very comfortable with lower level applications that need to deal with efficient multitasking and system resource management.
Like working with data intensive applications were smart optimizations and efficient coding practices are most valued.
Recent projects used: C, C++, C# (WPF, WCF), Ruby (Rails) Python (Django), Java (Spring)
Recent target environments: Web, Windows desktop, Linux server, Android Phones
Flavio De Sousa has added 1 portfolio piece. Create an account to review them.
Tests Taken
Name Percentile Score
Programming with C Test
oDesk Readiness Test for Independent Contractors and Staffing Managers | https://www.odesk.com/o/profiles/users/Experienced-Software-Developer_~010a56781ec36e858a/ | dclm-gs1-290500000 | false | false | {
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0.026167 | <urn:uuid:420ef232-e390-4dc4-a448-a7b8935e6179> | en | 0.964616 | What is a good topic of interest and then explain how you would come up with a reliable sample for obtaining people's op?
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Since it's from Target you obviously contact WalMart. Duh!
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If you mean you are submitting your article to this article submission sites..I think there's no problem with that..Just make sure that are putting it on the right category.. | http://aolanswers.com/questions/what_is_a_good_topic_of_interest_and_then_explain_how_you_would_come_up_with_a_reliable_sample_for_obtaining_peoples_op_p186032672731226 | dclm-gs1-290540000 | false | false | {
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0.208367 | <urn:uuid:a92354fa-3c24-4706-83be-2e6a72b8737c> | en | 0.909019 | Take the 2-minute tour ×
RADEON! Driver activated but not in use [Ubuntu 12.04.2 LTS, x64]
notebook: AMD MSI CR650, AMD E-450, HD6320, 4Gb RAM
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Have you rebooted the machine? – Seth Mar 4 '13 at 1:49
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closed as not a real question by Uri Herrera, Eric Carvalho, Seth, qbi, byetoAU Mar 4 '13 at 12:35
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up vote 0 down vote accepted
Hi check my answer to the following thread, maybe it can help you
Ubuntu doesnt use the FGRLX graphics driver?
I recommend you to install the AMD propietary driver.
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| http://askubuntu.com/questions/263661/radeon-driver-activated-but-not-in-use-ubuntu-12-04-2-lts-x64 | dclm-gs1-290590000 | false | false | {
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0.035655 | <urn:uuid:e689c5d8-9279-462d-ae6d-39adf00aeeef> | en | 0.889039 | Category:Trevitt's Addition Historic District
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English: Trevitt's Addition Historic District, located in The Dalles, Oregon, United States, is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places.
This category has only the following subcategory. | http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Trevitt's_Addition_Historic_District | dclm-gs1-290670000 | false | false | {
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0.037396 | <urn:uuid:2aba46b4-fcd1-41a9-888b-e511d088aa5a> | en | 0.950625 | I have a multipurpose thwate certificate. Can I use it to sign my sis file ?
Or does it necessarily has to be a verisign one?
I talked with the Symbian team, and got different answers from different people there.
One response told me to look at the option of using thwate ACS Id with verisign and phone manufacturer.
Another response said that thwate cannot be used instead of verisgn.
Does Symbian has a thwate root certificate already installed on it?
I talked to the thwate live chat. And they said that a thawte Code-Signing Javasoft certificate would work?
Anyone has used thwate ACS Id before?
-- Vink | http://developer.nokia.com/community/discussion/showthread.php/98166-Thwate-Certificate-Will-it-work?p=270374&mode=threaded | dclm-gs1-290700000 | false | false | {
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0.039298 | <urn:uuid:b45ac97c-8957-41e1-8c01-62d007dcb97c> | en | 0.891977 | Best matches, sorted by the Matches.
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0.024279 | <urn:uuid:4f7fab5e-0dd3-4e15-ad98-21a0717f8262> | en | 0.850495 | Bhojpuri language
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भोजपुरी bhōjapurī
Bhojpuri word in devanagari script.jpg
The word "Bhojpuri" in Devanagari script
Pronunciation /bˈpʊər/[1]
Native to
India, Nepal, Mauritius, Suriname
moribund in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago
Region Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand
Native speakers
40 million (2001 census)[2]
Census results conflate some speakers with Hindi.[3]
Caribbean Hindustani (including Sarnami Hindi)
Northern (Gorakhpuri, Sarawaria, Basti)
Western (Purbi, Benarsi)
Southern (Kharwari)
Tharu Bhojpuri
Devanagari (present) & Kaithi (Historical)[4]
Official status
Official language in
Nepal Madhesh, Nepal
Language codes
ISO 639-2 bho
ISO 639-3 bhoinclusive code
Individual code:
hns – Caribbean Hindustani
Linguasphere 59-AAF-sa
Bhojpuri (Devanagari: भोजपुरी About this sound listen ) is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in Bhojpuri region of North India and Nepal. It is chiefly spoken in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh, in the western part of state of Bihar, and the northwestern part of Jharkhand in India.[5] Bhojpuri is also spoken widely in Guyana, Suriname, Fiji, and Mauritius. It is one of the national languages of Guyana, Fiji, and Suriname. The variant of Bhojpuri of the Indo-Surinamese is also referred to as Sarnami Hindustani, Sarnami Hindi or just Sarnami and has experienced considerable Creole and Dutch lexical influence. More Indians in Suriname know Bhojpuri compared to Guyana and Trinidad where the language is largely forgotten. In Mauritius, a dialect of Bhojpuri continues to be in use in politics and government, and it is locally called Bojpury.[6]
Bhojpuri is a North Indian language, is similar to Awadhi, Braj Bhakha and Hindi. And it is very different from other Bihari languages like Magahi and Maithili.
This region is bounded by Awadhi speaking region in west, Nepal Bhasa and Nepali in north, Magahi and Maithili speaking regions in east and Magahi and Bagheli speaking regions in south.
Writing system[edit]
Bhojpuri story written in Kaithi script, written by Babu Rama Smaran Lal in 1898
Bhojpuri was historically written in Kaithi scripts,[4] But after 1894, Devanagari has served as the primary script.
Kaithi script was used for administrative purposes in the Mughal era for writing Bhojpuri, Awadhi, Maithili, Urdu, Magahi and Hindi from at least 16th century up to the first decade of 20th century. Government gazetteers report that Kaithi was used in a few districts of Bihar through the 1960s. It is script of Bhojpuri used by Kayastha. Bhojpuri residents of India who signed up and moved as indentured labor in Africa and the Caribbean colonies of the British Empire in 19th century and early 20th century, used Kaithi as well Devanagari scripts.[7]
By 1894, official works were carried out in both Kaithi and Devanagari in Bihar. At present almost all the Bhojpuri works are done in Devanagari even in the overseas islands where Bhojpuri is spoken. For example, in Mauritius, both Kaithi and Devanagari scripts have been in use, since the first arrival of Bhojpuri people from India. The Kathi script was considered informal in Mauritius, with the structure of Kaithi similar to Devanagari (spelled Devanagri in Mauritius). In modern Mauritius, Bhojpuri script is Devanagri.[8]
Bhojpuri is, sociolinguistically, one of seven Hindi languages – Awadhi, Bagheli, Bundeli, Bhojpuri, Haryanvi, Kanauji and Hindi.[9] Of these seven, Bhojpuri has the most allophonic variations in vowels.[10]
Robert Trammell has published the phonology of Bhojpuri.[11][12]
Bhojpuri has six vowel phonemes,[12] and ten vocoids. The higher vowels are relatively tense, while lower vowels are relatively lax. The language 31 consonant phonemes, and 34 contoids (6 bilabial, 4 apico-dental, 5 apico-alveolar, 7 retroflex, 6 alveo-palatal, 5 dorso-velar and 1 glottal).[11]
According to Trammell, the syllable system is peak type. Every syllable has the vowel phoneme as the highest point of sonority. Codas may consist of one, two or three consonants. Vowels occur as simple peaks or as peak nuclei in diphthongs. The intonation system involves four pitch levels and three terminal contours.[11][13]
Furthermore the labio-dental approximant /ʋ/ (va) is often realized as [b] (ba), (y) is often merged with (j), while the palatal fricative /ʃ/ (sha) and the retroflex Fricative /ʂ/ (sha) are merged with /s/ by many speakers.[citation needed]
Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Bhojpuri language[edit]
The United Nations has published the universal declaration of human rights in Bhojpuri language, one of 153 languages of the world.[14] Article 1 of the declaration in Bhojpuri, Hindi and English respectively are:
अनुच्छेद १ — सबहि लोकानि आजादे जम्मेला आओर ओखिनियो के बराबर सम्मान आओर अघ्कार प्राप्त हवे । ओखिनियो के पास समझ-बूझ आओर अंत:करण के आवाज होखता आओर हुनको के दोसरा के साथ भाईचारे के बेवहार करे के होखला ।[14]
अनुच्छेद १ — सभी मनुष्यों को गौरव और अधिकारों के मामले में जन्मजात स्वतन्त्रता और समानता प्राप्त हैं । उन्हें बुद्धि और अन्तरात्मा की देन प्राप्त है और परस्पर उन्हें भाईचारे के भाव से बर्ताव करना चाहिये ।[15]
Sample sentences[edit]
English sentence Bhojpuri translation
What is your name? Tohaar naav (/naam) kaa ha?
Come here. Hiyan aava.(yehar aava)
What are you doing? Tu kaa karat hava?
That man is going. Ooh marda jaat haan/ Ooh marda jaat aa.
How are you? Kaa haal-chaal ba?/Kaisan hava?
I'm fine. Hum theek haiin.
I don't know. Hum naikhi jaanat./ Hamke naikhe maalum/Humra Naikhe Maaloom
He is my son. Eeh hamaar chhaura(/laika) ha.
She is my daughter. Eeh hamaar chhauri(/laiki) hiya.
What should i do? Hum kaa kari?/ Hamke kaa kare ke chahi?
He is eating an apple. Ooh ago sev khaat haan/ Ooh ago sev khaat aa.
I saw the film last week. Hum pichhla hafta filim dekhle haiin.
They went to the mosque. Ooh sabhe mahjid gaile haan.
She slept the whole night. Ooh bhar raat suttal rahe.
I go. Hum jaat haiin./ Hum jaat aiin.
He has eaten. Ooh khailas haan./ Ooh khaa lehlas.
He will eat. Ooh khayi.
He will go. Ooh jaayi.
Why did you tell him to go? Tu ohke kaahe jaaye ke kahle hava?
Why is here crowded? Hiyan (yehar) maye aalam kaahe juttal ha?/ Hiyan (yehar) hetna hujum kaahe ha?
I have to leave for Varanasi, next early morning. Humke kaal fajire Banaras khatir nikle la haan.
Which is best Hindi newspaper. Sabse badhiya Hindi akhbar kawan howe la.
Where should i go? Hum kahaan jaai?
It is a book. Ee ago kitab ha.
Will you give me your pen? Tu hamke aapan kalam deba?
Yes, of course./ Why not. Haan, jarur./ Kaahe na.
Which village, you hail from? Tu kawan gaon se talluk rakhe la?/ Tahaar gaon kahaan ha?
Did he call you? Kaa ooh tahraa bulavale haan?
This is our area. Ee sabh apne jageer ha.
What's going on? Kaa chalat haan?/ Kaa chal rahal ba?
Please say that again. Tani phir se kaha.
Pleased to meet you. Tohse mil ke badhiya lagal haan./ Tohse mil ke khusi bhayil haan.
Is everything alright? Sab khairiyat se ha na?
How was your exam? Tahaar itihaan kaisan rahe?
Are you married? Tahaar biyah bhail ha?/ Tu shadishuda hava?
She doesn't understand anything. Ohke jari na samajh me aave./ Oke tanko na bujhaa la.
Please speak more slowly Jari aahista bola/ Tani aahista bola
You are very beautiful. Tu badi suhnar (/khapsoorat) hava. (to male)/ Tu badi suhnar (/khapsoorat) hau. (to female)
He is looking at you. Ooh tohka taakat haan.
My life is full of problems. Hamar jinigi khalsa pareshani se bharal ba.
Come with me. Hamra saathe aava./ Hamra sange aava.
One language is never enough. Ago juban kabho kafi na hove la/ Ek bhakha kab'ho jada na hokhe la.
I'll come after you. Hum taharaa paachhe aaib.
Go there Hunva jaa.
I can do anything for you. Hum tahraa vaaste kuchhu kar sakat haiin./ Hum tahraa khaatir kuchhuwo kar saki na.
Note that the above table is mostly based on talking to a male who is older or of the same age. At other times, "tahaar" tends to be "tohaar" and "tor" (for a younger person). While talking to someone, people often use the word "falan" or "falana" to refer to someone unnamed or unknown, like, "Falana ke babuji hiyan aail rahen" which means, His (which is unnamed or he who can not be named) father has come here.
Bhojpuri syntax and vocabulary reflects a three tired system of politeness. Any verb can be conjugated as par three different tiers of politeness. For example, the verb "to come" in Bhojpuri is "aana" and the verb "to speak" is "bolna". The imperatives "come!" and "speak!"can thus be conjugated five different ways, each marking subtle variation in politeness and propriety. These permutations exclude a host of auxiliary verbs and expressions which can be added to these verbs to add even greater degree of subtle variation. For extremely polite or formal situations, pronoun is generally ignored.
Literary [tu] āō [tu] bōl
Casual and intimate [tu] āō [tu] bōl
Polite and intimate [tu] āv' [tu] bōl'
Formal yet intimate [rau'ā] āīñ [rau'ā] bōlīñ
Polite and formal [āp] āīñ [āp] bōlīñ
Extremely formal āyā jā'e bōlā jā'e
Similarly, adjectives are also marked for politeness and formality. For example, "Your" has several words (or synonym) but with a different tone of politeness- "tōr" (casual and intimate), "tōhār" (polite and intimate), "t'hār" (formal yet intimate), "rā'ur" (polite and formal) and "āp ke" (extremely formal).
The known dialects, per world language classification system, are: Bhojpuri Tharu, Domra, Madhesi, Musahari, Northern Standard Bhojpuri (Basti, Gorakhpuri, Sarawaria), Southern Standard Bhojpuri (Kharwari), and Western Standard Bhojpuri (Benarsi, Purbi).[4]
Bhojpuri has following dialects, the first three being the major child dialects:[17]
1. Southern Standard Bhojpuri,
2. Northern Standard Bhojpuri,
3. Western Standard Bhojpuri,[18]
4. Nagpuria Bhojpuri[19]
Southern Standard Bhojpuri is prevalent the areas of Bhojpur, Rohtas, Saran, Bhabua, Buxar, Siwan, Gopalganj in Bihar, and Ballia and eastern Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh. It is sometimes referred to as ‘Kharwari’. It can be further divided in to 'Shahabadi' and 'Chapariyah'.[20]
Northern Bhojpuri is common in the areas of Deoria, Gorakhpur and Basti in Uttar Pradesh, north Bihar and Nepal.[21] Local names include ‘Gorakhpuri’ for the language in Deoria and eastern Gorakhpur, and ‘Sarwariya’ in western Gorakhpur and Basti. The variety spoken cast of Gandak river between Gorakhpuri Bhojpuri and Maithili in Champaran has a local name Pachhimahwa.[citation needed] Northern Bhojpuri has Maithili influence.
Western Bhojpuri is prevalent the areas of Varanasi, Azamgarh, Ghazipur and Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh ‘Banarasi’ is a local name for the Banaras Bhojpuri. Western Bhojpuri is also referred to as "Purbi" or "Benarsi".[22]
Nagpuria Bhojpuri (not to be confused with Nagpuri) is southern most dialect, found in Chhotanagpur region of Jharkhand, particularly parts of Palamau and of Ranchi.[19][21] It is sometimes referred to as Sadani.[23]
Bhojpuri Academy chairperson Ravikant Dubey, in separate letters addressed to Lok Sabha (LS) Speaker Meira Kumar, leader of Opposition in LS Sushma Swaraj, AICC general secretary and MP Rahul Gandhi, BJP MP Murli Manohar Joshi and several other MPs, seeking their support for inclusion of Bhojpuri language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Ravikant Dubey has petitioned that bhojpuri language be one of the official languages of India.[24] For cultural reasons, it is usually seen as a dialect of Hindi. Due to the persistent demand from Bhojpuri language activists to recognize it as an official language, P Chidambaram, Home Minister, Government of India announced to Lok Sabha speaker a few lines in Bhojpuri : “hum rauwa sabke bhavna samjhatani (I understand your feelings)”, proposing to include Bhojpuri in 8th Schedule of the Constitution and accorded the official status.[25]
Bhojpuri literature[edit]
The Bhojpuri-speaking region, due to its rich tradition of creating leaders for building post-independence India such as first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad followed by many eminent politicians and humanitarians like Dr. Krishna Dev Upadhyaya, was never devoid of intellectual prominence which is evident in its literature.
Bhojpuri became one of the bases of the development of the official language of independent India, Hindi, in the past century. Bhartendu Harishchandra was greatly influenced by the tone and style of Bhojpuri in his native region. Further development of Hindi was taken by Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi and Munshi Premchand. Bisharam wrote a special kind of 'birahaa'. Parichay Das is a poet in Bhojpuri language. and is editor of Parichhan - Maithili-Bhojpuri Magazine. Bhikhari Thakur has written theatre plays including the classics of Bidesiya. Krishna Dev Upadhyaya from Ballia district devoted 60 years to researching and cataloging Bhojpuri folklore. H. S. Upadhyaya wrote the book Relationships of Hindu family as depicted in Bhojpuri folksongs in 1996. Together they have catalogued thousands of Bhojpuri folksongs, riddles and proverbs from the western part of state of Bihar, Purvanchal (U.P), and northwestern part of Jharkhand.
The Bhojpuri literature has always remained contemporary. It was more of a body of folklore with folk music and poems prevailing. Literature in the written form started in the early 20th century.
Bhojpuri media[edit]
Many Bhojpuri magazines and papers are published in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. 'Parichhan' is a contemporary important literary-cultural Maithili-Bhojpuri magazine, published by Maithili-Bhojpuri academy, Delhi Government and edited by eminent writer Parichay Das. The Sunday Indian, Bhojpuri[26] is a regular National News Magazine in Bhojpuri published by Planman Media, owned by Prof. Arindam Chaudhary and Edited by Onkareshwar Pandey. Other media in Bhojpuri include Lok Lucknow,[27] Mahuaa TV and Hamar TV as Bhojpuri language channels, and a weekly paper in Bhojpuri Language published from Birgunj, Parsa of Nepal whose publisher is Dipendra Prasad Kanu.
Bhojpuri outside India[edit]
South Asia[edit]
After separation of Pakistan and India in 1947, many Bhojpuri speaking Muslims migrated to Pakistan and Bangladesh. Some of those who moved to Pakistan, settled in Karachi. The Bhojpuri dialect is currently spoken by elderly while the younger generation now speak standard Urdu and those living in Punjab region of Pakistan have become fluent in Punjabi. The Bhojpuri dialect is also known as Bihari dialect in Pakistan.[28]
In Bangladesh, Bhojpuri speaking Muslims are also found. However, their total number is estimated to be smaller than number of Bhojpuri speakers in Mauritius, African, Caribbean and South American nations. They are considered refugees of Pakistan in Bangladesh, since the 1971 war and separation of Bangladesh and Pakistan.[29]
Bhojpuri is a major language spoken in Nepal with official status.[17]
Outside South Asia[edit]
Bhojpuri language is also found among people who were brought as indentured laborers in the 19th century and early 20th century, for work in sugarcane plantations during British colonial era, to Mauritius, Guyana, Suriname, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago and South Africa.[7][17][30] In Trinidad, Guyanese and South Africa, the language is already moribund or spoken only by members of older generation.[31]
See also[edit]
Notes and references[edit]
1. ^ Pronunciation Oxford Dictionaries, Oxford University Press
2. ^ Bhojpuri reference at Ethnologue (17th ed., 2013)
Caribbean Hindustani reference at Ethnologue (17th ed., 2013)
3. ^ Language Demographics Census, Government of India (2001)
4. ^ a b c Bhojpuri Ethnologue World Languages (2009)
5. ^ Detailed language map of western Nepal, see disjunct enclaves of language #9 in SE
6. ^ William J. Frawley, International Encyclopedia of Linguistics, Volume 1, ISBN 0-19-513977-1, Oxford University Press, Bhojpuri, page 481
7. ^ a b Rajend Mesthrie, Language in indenture: a sociolinguistic history of Bhojpuri-Hindi in South Africa, Routledge, 1992, ISBN 978-0415064040, pages 30-32
8. ^ Sarita Boodho, Bhojpuri traditions in Mauritius, Mauritius Bhojpuri Institute, 1999, ISBN 978-9990390216, pages 47-48 and 85-92
9. ^ Diwakar Mishra and Kalika Bali, A COMPARATIVE PHONOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE DIALECTS OF HINDI, ICPhS XVII, Hong Kong, 17–21 August 2011, pp 1390
11. ^ a b c Robert L. Trammell, The Phonology of the Northern Standard Dialect of Bhojpuri, Anthropological Linguistics, Vol. 13, No. 4 (Apr., 1971), pp. 126-141
12. ^ a b Verma, Manindra K. (2003), Bhojpuri, In Cardona et al. (Editors), The Indo-Aryan Languages, 515-537. London: Routledge
13. ^ Shukla, Shaligram (1981), Bhojpuri Grammar, Washington, D. C., Georgetown University Press
14. ^ a b Universal Declaration of Human Rights Bhojpuri language (United Nations)
15. ^ Universal Declaration of Human Rights Hindi language (United Nations)
16. ^ Universal Declaration of Human Rights English language (United Nations)
17. ^ a b c Bhojpuri Language Materials Project, University of California - Los Angeles, United States
18. ^ Parable of the prodigal son in Benares Bhojpuri, A Recording in May, 1920 by Rajaji Gupta, Linguistic Survey of India, Digital South Asia Library, University of Chicago, USA
19. ^ a b Parable of the prodigal son in Nagpuria Bhojpuri, A Recording in 1920 by Shiva Sahay Lal, Linguistic Survey of India, Digital South Asia Library, University of Chicago, USA
20. ^ Map of Southern Standard Bhojpuri Digital Library of Language Relationships (2012)
21. ^ a b Shaligram Shukla (1981), Bhojpuri Grammar, Georgetown University School of Language, ISBN 978-0878401895
22. ^ Western Standard Bhojpuri Digital Library of Language Relationships (2012)
23. ^ Monika Horstmann (1969), Sadani, Indologia Berolinensis, Otto Harrassowitz - Weisbaden, Germany, pp 176-180
24. ^ "'Recognition' of Bhojpuri sought". Jan 23, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
25. ^ "Chidambaram speaks a surprise". The Hindu. May 17, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
26. ^ Bhojpuri - The Sunday Indian Newspaper
27. ^
28. ^ "Bhojpuri singer popular in Pakistan". 2011-06-16. Retrieved 2013-04-22.
29. ^ Iftekharul Bashar, Unresolved Statelessness: The Case of Biharis in Bangladesh, Journal of International Affairs: A Quarterly Publication of the Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs, Volume 10, 2006, pages 89-98
31. ^ Richard Keith Barz and Jeff Siegel (Editors), Language Transplanted: The Development of Overseas Hindi, Harrassowitz Verlag, ISBN 978-3447028721, page 198
External links[edit] | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhojpuri_language | dclm-gs1-290770000 | false | false | {
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0.128353 | <urn:uuid:6cb86da9-0d84-4a99-8e89-03cf56f9d792> | en | 0.881444 | AnimeSuki Forums
Go Back AnimeSuki Forum > Chaos2Frozen
Conversation Between Chaos2Frozen and Ridwan
Showing Visitor Messages 231 to 240 of 432
1. Chaos2Frozen
2013-01-20 23:45
Who is it written by?
2. Ridwan
2013-01-20 23:44
Have you watched "My Grandfather Fought Vampires and Now I Have to Defeat Super Vampires with My Breathing!" ? It's a sequel of "My Childhood Friend Turned Into a Vampire With This Stone Mask and Now I Have to Defeat Him with My Breathing!". I heard it's suffocatingly moe.
3. Ridwan
2013-01-12 22:22
There are times when I'm grateful to have undergone precocious puberty.
4. Chaos2Frozen
2013-01-12 21:17
So it seems... Tamako Market is a deceptively dangerous series...
5. Ridwan
2013-01-12 21:15
I'm less confident then even you to throw myself into any den of over-excited debaters.
Anyway your rival seems to have been banned again.
6. Chaos2Frozen
2013-01-12 16:54
If you're confident go ahead
7. Ridwan
2013-01-12 14:28
Oh right, the two last volumes of the manga haven't been translated either...
Spoiler for What I'd have done as a character in Jormungand:
But saying that would mean jumping into a fruity whirlpool of serious business.
8. Chaos2Frozen
2013-01-12 09:20
Not exactly sure, I haven't seen the last two episodes yet.
9. Ridwan
10. Ridwan
2013-01-09 02:08
Apparently Ridwan is going to murder me, so can I stay with you tonight?
I've just booked a ticket to Singapore and will arrive there in 2 hours.
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0.133054 | <urn:uuid:5aefd9a5-312e-464c-a238-b57e7cd88762> | en | 0.966514 | A Facebook Phone?
According to TechCrunch's Michael Arrington's sources, Facebook is creating its own cellphone. As the story goes, they're building the OS, and have tasked a hardware manufacturer to build everything else. Anyone else think this sounds like a Facebook-flavored Peek?
Scared by Google's impending Nexus One (which was announced back in January of this year), Facebook supposedly began planning their phone. Something that would integrate Facebook contacts more deeply than anything Android or any other platforms had done before.
Arrington scribed on a blog post this morning that two Facebook employees, Joe Hewitt and Matthew Papakipos are leading the charge on the OS, using their previous careers as Firefox browser creator and Chrome OS builder (respectively) to launch something Facebook can be proud of. Whether the rest of the world would be proud carrying a Facebook phone is another matter entirely—though I don't have any doubts that this would be a very affordable phone aimed at the young 'uns, if it does amount to something other than speculation. [TechCrunch] | http://gizmodo.com/5641977/a-facebook-phone?tag=leaks | dclm-gs1-290970000 | false | false | {
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0.043049 | <urn:uuid:66466dd5-c86d-436c-98cd-359e1a3b8afd> | en | 0.962328 | Which Comes First: Depression or Weight Gain?
Don't address your weight before your mental health
For many people, weight is depressing. Whether consequent to society's hateful weight biases, which expose individuals with obesity to mood-killing bullying, scorn and discrimination, or to personally held beliefs and attitudes, there's little doubt that weight is often a huge psychological burden.
[See When Science Met The Biggest Loser.]
There's little doubt, too, that those who struggle with both weight and depression often feel a tight relationship between them, that their depression would lift were they to lose weight. And for some it does.
A recent meta-analysis of the impact of intentional non-pharmacologic weight-loss programs on depression revealed that indeed weight loss is associated with an improvement in mood. But that's not the whole story. And so, before you rush out and join a weight-loss program, you need to know that the mood benefits shown occurred in folks enrolled in behavioral weight-loss programs, regardless of whether or not they lost weight. In other words, it wasn't the losing that was helping mood, it was something else.
The researchers believe that most likely mood was shown to improve due to either exercise or the social support offered by the programs themselves.
[See Are You Exercising for the Right Reasons?]
There's another proviso to the aforementioned results. The folks whose moods improved weren't clinically depressed to begin with. For those who are mired in the throes of a full-blown clinical depression, intentional weight loss is likely not a wise first step and, in fact, it's a first step that's usually aggressively discouraged.
[See How to Handle Extreme Stress.]
That's not to say that a person's weight might not be fueling their lowered mood, just that successful weight management necessitates the ability to plan, organize and concentrate. And for people dealing with a true clinical depression, those are challenging, if not impossible, traits to maintain.
To help illustrate what I'm getting at, let's use a marathon analogy. Successful weight loss is no doubt a marathon – perhaps even the world's most difficult marathon. Unlike a typical marathon, the effort involved in maintaining a weight loss is ongoing and lifelong, whereas a typical marathon actually has a finish line. So if your plan were to run a marathon, would you start your race if you had a sprained ankle? Probably not, as the likelihood of you completing a typical marathon (let alone a never-ending one) that you began with a sprained ankle is virtually zero.
[See The Most Important Skill for Weight Management.]
The analogy here is clear. Starting an intentional weight-loss effort in the midst of a poorly managed clinical depression is like starting a marathon with a badly sprained ankle. My advice is straightforward. If you're suffering with depression, before you consider a weight-loss effort, and even if your weight is playing into your low mood, you're better off treating your mood before your weight. You feeling like a failure because you couldn't finish the never-ending marathon you started with a sprained ankle sure isn't likely to help with anything.
Yoni Freedhoff, MD, is an assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Ottawa, where he's the founder and medical director of the Bariatric Medical Institute—dedicated to non-surgical weight management since 2004. Dr. Freedhoff sounds off daily on his award-winning blog, Weighty Matters, and you can follow him on Twitter @YoniFreedhoff. Dr. Freedhoff's latest book, The Diet Fix: Why Everything You've Been Taught About Dieting is Wrong and the 10-Day Plan to Fix It, will be published by Random House's Crown/Harmony in 2014. | http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2013/05/29/which-comes-first-depression-or-weight-gain?s_cid=related-links:TOP | dclm-gs1-291010000 | false | false | {
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0.437066 | <urn:uuid:0dbe49c7-3b15-406a-96db-426863e9bd2d> | en | 0.949167 | The Science Behind Giant Robot GortS
The Science Behind Giant Robot GortS
One of the ways that Gort fights when he goes into offensive mode is that his entire huge body breaks down into a swarm of self-replicating microbots that look like metal insects. These microbots are tiny, but visible to the naked eye, and they fly in a giant formation, breaking down all organic substances in their path (buildings, trucks, humans). Basically they seem like a flying gray goo, or a nanotech disaster that eats everything. But they aren't. They are actually more like swarming microbots, a technology that's being developed in several labs across the world right now.
The Science Behind Giant Robot GortS
Most microbots look something like this one, a model used in the i-Swarm project where many tiny robots move in tandem and communicate with each other. Bots like this are the size of an insect, and are intended to behave like them too. They contain a microchip and can walk or fly, communicate via radio with each other or a home base, and may contain sensors that measure everything from the visual field to movement and sound. Right now, these kinds of swarming bots could be used as surveillance devices - scatter them over a wide area of enemy territory, and they can sense the movements of tanks or troops. Or they could be used in a disaster area to climb inside hard-to-reach areas to find out if there are any survivors.
Other types of swarming microbots, such as the magnetic swarming bots being developed at Carnegie Mellon, could easily become the tiny components of a giant robot like Gort. These bots, which you can see in the video from New Scientist below, can bond together to form any shape using magnets along their edges that they can turn on and off at will. So sometimes thousands of them might bond together into a giant robot shape. Then they could turn off their magnets and break into a million tiny pieces that eat through hardened military bases the way Gort does. Or that fly through Central Park in a massive, self-replicating swarm.
Gort is also based on the theoretical idea of a bot swarm that produces what's called a "utility fog," proposed by molecular manufacturing researcher J Storrs Hall and others. Basically a utility fog is a highly-advanced version of the magnetic swarming bots. But instead of magnets, they are covered in tiny robotic arms that can link many individual bots (called foglets) together in a lattice structure. The bots are small enough that when they link together they would create what appears to be a smooth surface - just like Gort's smooth, silvery body.
The Science Behind Giant Robot GortS
When they break apart, they form a "fog," just like the flowing, oozing shape that Gort takes when he breaks down into the microbots and they fly back to New York City. Explains Hall:
Right now, the utility fog is just theoretical, but the i-Swarm bots and the magntic microbots are being perfected in the lab. The ultimate goal is to create something like Gort, capable of taking many forms to get a job done. Hopefully, though, our swarm bots will never have the job of scouring humans from the Earth.
Shape-Shifting Robot Forms from Magnetic Swarms [via New Scientist]
Utility Fog [via Nanotech Now]
i-swarm [via i-swarm] | http://io9.com/5106166/the-science-behind-giant-robot-gort?skyline=true&s=i | dclm-gs1-291040000 | false | false | {
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0.112879 | <urn:uuid:ae86d3df-558f-4905-83a2-ccbc6c13f677> | en | 0.96542 | Adapted from
Christian Phallism The Cross
Symbols and Meanings
Cross Symbolism
shepardIn pagan times, crosses were associated with sun gods and the heavens. As such, they have been used for many centuries predating Christianity as powerful wards against evil spirits. There are a number of different types of crosses.
The cross was not considered a typically Christian symbol until the seventh century. (Early images of Jesus depicted him either as a lamb or carrying one - an echo of views of Hermes and Osiris as a "Good Shepherd".) To Christians, the cross has become a symbol of the redemption of the world's sins through the death of Jesus.
Where energy, in the form of contemplation, prayers and meditation, has been consistently focused on a particular symbol, it is thought that the symbol itself develops a powerful energy field. Many believe that nothing evil can withstand the power of the Christian cross. Victims of demonic possession and vampires were supposed to be repelled by its image and the Inquisitors wore crosses when interrogating alleged witches during the Burning Times.
Ankh The ankh was the Egyptian cross of life, representing the union of male and female sexual symbols: a female oval surmounting a male cross. Its other name was Key Of The Nile, because the sacred marriage between God and Goddess was supposed to take place at the source of the Nile each year before the flood. Egyptians regarded the ankh as a universal life-charm. In hieroglyphics, the ankh stood simply for the word "life".
This extraordinary golden Phallic Cross depicts four phalli with a circle of female pudenda around the four testicles in the centre. It was designed to be suspended from the neck and is thought to have been intended for someone of high rank. Found at San Agata di Goti, Naples, Italy, during the early 19th century.
latin cross
The Latin, or Passion Cross was originally rejected by Christians because it was a pagan symbol. Some earlier uses of this symbol was as a scepter of Apollo; with the phrase "Ptolemy the Savior"; and a sign of life to come in the Egyptian religon of Sarapis.
The cross was not adopted until long after the departure of Jesus, because he who dies on the cross is considered cursed by God. [Deut. 21:23, Galatians 3:13]
The New Testament sometimes refers to Jesus as being hanged on a tree, not a cross (Acts 5:30; 1 Peter 2:24), linking this imagery to tree-slain savior figures of Krishna, Marsyas, Odin, and Dodonian Zeus.
This version of the cross is not an inappropriate symbol for a church with a male-oriented structure, for in early societies it was a phallic symbol.
cross fourchee
A similar symbol in appearance is the Cross Fourchee. This design reflects Christian piety and was popular as a decorative cross in medieval heraldry. The design ties to the age-old trust in the pagan magic of the forked stick.
celtic cross
The Celtic Cross was originally a Hindu symbol of sexual union, kiakra. The cross as a phallic symbol within the circle as yoni. This cross was adopted by the Gypsies. This cross, as used by Christians, is often used as a grave marker.
Other symbolism of this cross relates to the four directions. East is rebirth, youth, Spring, and growth. West is knowledge, experience, Autumn, and guidance. South is vitality, vigor, Summer, and strength. North is wisdom, silence, winter, and death. The circle connects them in the cycle of life.
wotan cross
Wotan's Cross reflects similar symbolism, with the cross and circle as a symbol of cosmic union. The circle also stood for the earth horizon, with the four directions meeting at the center. It was also called the Sun Cross for the sun (cross) embraced by heaven (circle). The often repeated symbolism is that of a diety in the middle of a four-way heaven.
coptic cross
Another cross with sun imagery is the Coptic Cross. This was originally a sun symbol, with the heaven in the center supported by four pillars in each direction to uphold the sky. Coptic Christians later added the four nails to identify Christ with the heavenly diety, and to suggest the blood on the nails had spread to the four corners of the world.
cross potent
Crosses are often associated with sky or sun gods. The Cross Potent was a symbol of this in ancient Mesapotamia. The cross potent with a circle (similar to the Coptic Cross, below) was the sign of the Assyrian heaven-god Anu. This cross is also called the Windlass, a term linked with it in the Middle Ages.
cross pommee
Similar in appearance is the Cross Pommee. This cross represented the Assyrian god Asshur, who ruled time/seasons. He was pictured with the faces of a man, lion, eagle, and bull, his four totems. The cross with circles was later used on Jewish amulets.
greek cross
The Greek Cross was one of the original forms used by Christians. (The Latin cross was not in popular usage until the eighth and ninth centuries.) Before Christianity, the Greek cross was an emblem of Hecate as the Goddess of Crossroads. The vertical was male, the horizontal was female - making it a plus sign of one-plus-the-other.
cross patee
Cross Patee was popular in medieval heraldry. It was a combination of the Christian (Greek) cross and Wotan's. This cross, also known as Cross Formee, was often shown as the insignia of the god Frey.
maltese cross
A similar appearing cross is the Maltese Cross, originallly from the island of Malta, home of one of the world's oldest Goddess temples. This design directs attention to the center, possibly to indicate earth's geographical center, omphalos, and site of the Goddess's chief temple. | http://kspark.kaist.ac.kr/Jesus/Cross%20Symbolism.htm | dclm-gs1-291120000 | false | false | {
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0.029053 | <urn:uuid:581d56f7-3d0b-46ff-b9d2-267df0bdea93> | en | 0.97421 | More than 200 years ago, Edward Jenner performed an experiment that laid the foundation for the eradication of smallpox and transformed humankind's fight against disease. Smallpox afflicted humankind as no other disease had done; its persistence and diffusion were without parallel. The disease brought down at least three empires. Generations watched helplessly as their children succumbed to the disease or were disfigured or blinded by it. Attempts were made to contain smallpox by isolating its sufferers and, later, by using variolation with varying degrees of success. However, the definitive solution was not found until Jenner's work was done at the end of the 18th century. Milkmaids who had developed cowpox from contact with cow udders informed Jenner that they were protected from the human form of the disease; he listened to their folk wisdom and raised it to the status of scientific fact. Jenner did not discover vaccination, but he was the first to demonstrate that this technique offered a reliable defense against smallpox. It was also a reliable defense against other illnesses, such as poliomyelitis, measles, and neonatal tetanus, although this was not known in Jenner's lifetime.
Smallpox has been one of humankind's greatest scourges since time immemorial. Even illnesses as terrible as the plague, cholera, and yellow fever have not had such a universal and persistent impact. Smallpox is believed to have appeared at the time of the first agricultural settlements in northeastern Africa, around 10 000 BC. It probably spread from Africa to India by means of Egyptian merchants in the last millennium BC. The earliest evidence of skin lesions resembling those of smallpox is found on the faces of mummies from the time of the 18th and 20th Egyptian Dynasties (1570 to 1085 BC) and in the well-preserved mummy of Ramses V, who died as a young man in 1157 BC.
The first recorded smallpox epidemic occurred in 1350 BC during the Egyptian-Hittite war. The illness was passed to the Hittite population by Egyptian prisoners and affected soldiers and civilians alike. The Hittite King Suppiluliumas I and his heir, Arnuwandas, were victims; their civilization fell into sharp decline.
During the epidemic in Athens in 430 BC, Thucydides noted that those who survived the disease were later immune to it. These observations were reiterated by Rhazes (Abu Bakr Muhammad Ibn Zakariya al-Razi), to whom we owe the first medical description of smallpox, De variolis et morbillis commentarius, which was written in about AD 910. Rhazes also noted that the illness was transmitted from person to person. His explanation of why survivors of smallpox do not develop the disease a second time is the first theory of acquired immunity.
The symptoms of smallpox&emdash;or the speckled monster, as it was known in 18th-century England&emdash;appeared suddenly and included high fever, chills or rigors, cephalalgia, characteristic dorsal-lumbar pain, myalgias, and prostration. Nausea and vomiting were also common. After 2 to 4 days, the fever relented and a rash appeared on the face and inside the eyes; the rash would subsequently cover the whole body. These maculopapular skin lesions evolved into vesicles and pustules and finally dried into scabs that fell off after 3 or 4 weeks. This sequence of events was characteristic for variola major.
Other clinical forms of the disease existed. Persons with fulminating smallpox (purpura variolosa) had mucocutaneous hemorrhages that preceded the appearance of the characteristic skin lesions. In malignant smallpox, the rash had a slow evolution characterized by pseudocropping, subconjunctival hemorrhages, and death when lesions on the face and limbs were confluent. In benign smallpox, the evolution of the rash differed from that of the malignant variety; this form was also less extensive (19, 20). Modified smallpox (varioloid) occurred in persons who were partially protected by vaccination and was usually benign. Variola sine eruptione was smallpox without a rash and occurred predominantly in vaccinated persons. Variola minor (alastrim, Kaffir-pox) was a mild form of smallpox caused by a less virulent strain of the virus and was endemic in Africa and South America.
The case-fatality rate associated with smallpox varied between 20% and 60% and left most survivors with disfiguring scars. Many persons went blind as a result of corneal infection. The case-fatality rate in the infant population was even higher; among children younger than 5 years of age in the 18th century, 80% of those in London and 98% of those in Berlin who developed the disease died. The case-fatality rate also varied according to the nature of the attack-it ranged from almost 100% in fulminating smallpox to 0.5% to 2% in variola minor. The ravages of smallpox were apparent in 18th-century Europe, with case-fatality rates ranging from 20 to 400 per 100 000 per year, and it is said that smallpox was responsible for 10% of deaths in Europe during that century. The incidence rate varied greatly, but during epidemics it was as high as 37.5% in Boston in 1752, 43.1% in Hastings in 1730 and 1731, and 92.7% in Chester in 1775. In Copenhagen between 1750 and 1800, the annual incidence rate ranged from 875 to 1750 per 100 000; in London between 1685 and 1801, it ranged from 313 to 2355 per 100 000; and in Sweden between 1774 and 1798, it ranged from 341 to 1024 per 100 000. The incidence rate was so high that the disease was regarded as universal or almost universal, and many authorities believed that everyone would eventually develop it. As recently as 30 years ago, smallpox was endemic in 31 countries, between 10 and 15 million persons developed smallpox yearly, and more than 2 million persons died of smallpox each year.
The Era of Vaccination
Vaccination done by using pustule fluid spread rapidly. By 1800, it had reached most European countries and about 100 000 persons had been vaccinated worldwide. In July of that year, only 2 years after the publication of Jenner's "Inquiry," Benjamin Waterhouse, professor of the "Theory and Practice of Physic" at Harvard Medical School, vaccinated his 5-year-old son and six servants with vaccine from England. These were the first vaccinations done in the United States. The practice soon spread from Boston to Philadelphia, New York, and Baltimore.
President Thomas Jefferson had 18 members of his family, some of their neighbors, and the last Mohican vaccinated. In December 1801, Chief Little Turtle and several of his warriors were vaccinated while on a visit to Washington, D.C., after Jefferson explained that "the Great Spirit had made a gift to the white men in showing them how to preserve themselves from the smallpox". The President himself vaccinated many persons. Waterhouse received great support from Jefferson, who appointed him Vaccine Agent in the National Vaccine Institute, an organization set up to establish vaccination in the United States.
King Charles IV of Spain sent vaccine from Spain to his dominions in North and South America and Asia through the Expedición de la Vacuna (the Balmis-Salvany Expedition) in 1803 through 1806; this was the first official program of mass vaccination overseas. The vaccine was maintained during the voyage by sequentially vaccinating, arm-to-arm, 22 susceptible orphan children brought along specifically to constitute a living chain. Before the expedition left Spain, a report by one of the king's physicians declared smallpox to be the "first and principal cause of the depopulation of America." The governor of the Council of the Indies noted that depopulation would mean a decrease in income from taxes that the Spanish received from the colonies and in commerce and farming. The economic benefits of such a mission would, in his view, justify paying for it from the royal treasury.
The impact of Jenner's work was so great that, in 1805, Napoleon himself insisted that all his troops who had not had smallpox should be vaccinated with the "Jennerian vaccine." He ordered the vaccination of French civilians 1 year later. The first smallpox vaccination law was passed in the Grand Duchy of Hesse in 1807; vaccination was declared obligatory in Bavaria in the same year and in Denmark in 1810.
The extraordinary value of vaccination was also acknowledged in England. In 1802, the British Parliament granted Jenner the sum of P10 000, which was worth $44 150 in 1802 and more than half a million dollars in today's currency. Five years later, parliament awarded him P20 000 more. Jenner received honors from the universities of Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge, and numerous scientific societies made him an honorary member. However, he was never knighted. In 1803, the Royal Jennerian Institute was founded to provide lymph for vaccination; Jenner was its first president. Jenner's prestige was so great that Napoleon released English prisoners after his mediation. In 1813, Napoleon was reluctant to pardon Captain Millman, a relative of Jenner's who had fallen captive. When told who had made the request for the soldier's release, Napoleon exclaimed, "Ah, c'est Jenner, je ne puis rien refuser à Jenner!" [Ah, it is Jenner, I cannot refuse Jenner anything!]. The Emperor of Austria and the King of Spain also freed English prisoners after Jenner intervened.
Jenner's work represented the first scientific attempt to control an infectious illness by the deliberate use of vaccination. Strictly speaking, he did not discover vaccination but was the first person to confer scientific status on the procedure and was the instigator of its popularization. Jenner had been trained in the scientific method by Hunter and, in his studies on vaccination, was able to confirm his hypotheses by means of experimentation and observation. Jenner's experiments on the transmission of cowpox from human to human (not from cows to humans) were extraordinarily important because they meant that prophylaxis could be given even in the absence of the natural illness. His great merit, indeed his genius, lay in the fact that he performed exceptional experimental work on the basis of popular beliefs in the England of his times. Jenner demonstrated that the folk medicine tradition could be scientifically verified. Jenner's work established the practice of vaccination, although the term would not become widely accepted until it was adopted by Pasteur 80 years later.
Jenner himself showed that he was aware of the far-reaching consequences of his work when he stated that the universal application of the vaccine would lead to the eradication of smallpox. In 1802, he wrote " it now becomes too manifest to admit of controversy, that the annihilation of the small pox, the most dreadful scourge of the human species, must be the final result of his practice". In 1806, Thomas Jefferson congratulated Jenner: "Future generations," he wrote, "will know by history only that the loathsome smallpox existed and by you has been extirpated". Both of Jefferson's predictions proved to be true; less than 200 years after the vaccination of James Phipps, the penultimate act of the smallpox drama was played out in a small Somali village called Merka. Ali Maow Maalin, a cook, developed the characteristic smallpox rash on 26 October 1977 and was the last person to acquire the illness as a result of direct contact with another human being. The final act was the official declaration that the illness had been wiped off the face of the earth. This occurred on 8 May 1980, when the 33rd Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) accepted the Final Report of the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication.
The Deadline
In 1978, injudicious manipulation of the smallpox virus in the Medical School of the University of Birmingham led to the death of Janet Parker, a medical photographer, and the subsequent suicide of Professor Henry S. Bedson, head of the Department of Medical Microbiology. This episode emphasized the need for close supervision of smallpox virus stocks in laboratories.
The epilogue in the history of smallpox will be the destruction of all strains of smallpox virus presently stored in the high-security facilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, and at the Institute for Viral Preparations in Moscow. The virus has thus far gained two reprieves; its sentence was initially postponed to 31 December 1993 and later to 30 June 1995. In both instances, its destruction was delayed because of lack of consensus among the members of the WHO's executive board. The two main arguments against destruction of the virus are that it will eliminate the possibility of future studies on the virus and that destruction of the virus in the two known repositories may not guarantee complete eradication. The main arguments for destruction are that escape of the virus from the laboratories would be a serious risk because an increasing proportion of the global population lacks immunity to the disease and that the sequence information and the availability of cloned DNA fragments of the full genome of several strains of the virus will allow most scientific questions about the properties of the viral genes and proteins to be resolved. Finally, the decision to eradicate smallpox was a collective decision of the world community made on the basis of public health considerations; all possible measures should be taken to ensure that smallpox does not again afflict mankind.
The 97th session of the WHO's executive board that met in Geneva in January 1996 recommended to the 49th World Health Assembly that the last stocks of smallpox virus be destroyed. There have also been proposals to retain 500 000 doses of smallpox vaccine and to keep the Lister Elstree strain of vaccinia virus as seed virus stock of the smallpox vaccine. The destruction would affect all stocks of smallpox virus, including variola minor, clinical specimens, and other material containing infectious smallpox virus or viral genomic DNA. Genomic DNA of the smallpox virus should be destroyed in all laboratories holding such material. The current deadline for variola virus is 31 June 1999. This would represent the first deliberate elimination of a biological species from this planet but also the extinction of an old enemy that humankind will not miss. | http://library.thinkquest.org/26215/smallpox.html | dclm-gs1-291130000 | false | true | {
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0.045301 | <urn:uuid:2a6cc963-1589-461f-b0f1-044fe05942ac> | en | 0.943996 | Switch to Desktop Site
Casinos in New York?
(Read article summary)
Jessica Hill/AP/File
(Read caption) This file photo shows the Casino of the Wind at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. New Yorkers are in favor of introducing casinos like this one in the hopes of boosting the state's economy.
About these ads
There's a new poll of New Yorkers out from Quinnipiac University that indicates New Yorkers overwhelmingly support the introduction of Vegas-style casinos to the state. The same poll also found a willingness to consider nat gas drilling (via the controversial fracking technique) in NY's section of the Marcellus shale.
Here's the New York Post:
Poll respondents supported the creation of Las Vegas-style casinos by nearly 20 percentage points, 56-37 percent, but only narrowly favored upstate natural gas drilling known as hydrofracking, 45-41.
Support for casinos was virtually identical in all regions of the state, though union households were nearly 2-1 in favor, 61-32 percent. By a slightly wider 64-31 percent margin, respondents said casinos would be good for the economy.
Respondents narrowly favored drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale because they think economic benefits outweigh environmental concerns. But upstate, where the drilling would occur, voters oppose injecting a high-pressure mix of water, sand and chemicals to fracture the shale and release vast stores of natural gas by 47-43 percent.
New York City voters were evenly split on drilling, 41-41 percent, with the strongest support coming from suburban voters, 56-31 percent.
By the way, if they get the casino thing done you can basically say "good night" to AC and Foxwoods...
For the record, I'm for both. As long as I don't live in the part of New York where the gas deposits are (I don't) and so long as the dreck that tends to set up shop in the surrounding area of a casino strip is nowhere near me (it won't be).
The reason I'm not a passionate advocate for these two items that could boost the state's economy is that there's no trade-off or sacrifice for me; in fairness it simply isn't my battle as I live a the disconnected enclave of Long island that would be environmentally unaffected by both initiatives.
But my fellow New Yorkers are speaking loudly. | http://m.csmonitor.com/Business/The-Reformed-Broker/2011/0921/Casinos-in-New-York | dclm-gs1-291180000 | false | false | {
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0.02194 | <urn:uuid:0453aea3-486f-48db-8777-834c5a5eb9f3> | en | 0.938441 | iRobot Rebuilds Its Scooba Robot Mop With 3x the Power
LAS VEGAS -- iRobot’s line of robotic home cleaning assistants continues to grow, and the latest addition is an update to its Scooba Floor Mop called the Scooba 450. This new intelligent mop is slightly heavier and larger than its previous incarnation, the Scooba 390. According to iRobot, it's also three times more effective at clearing dirty floors than the last model; Scooba's internal components, including the motors, brushes and fans, have all been replaced.
Why iRobot's CEO Welcomes Our New Google Robot Overlords
Roomba 880 Has More Sucking Power, Trouble With Obstacles
The Roomba, the automated robot vacuum, is more than just a great idea -- it's an inevitable one. As technology progresses, it just makes too much sense to relegate simple, menial tasks to automatons. I have no doubt that one day, most homes will have robot cleaners of various shapes and sizes performing all the thankless tasks that go hand-in-hand with maintaining a home.
Military Robots Will Patrol World Cup
Even non-soccer fans know how hooliganism can quickly turn a harmless match into a veritable war zone, full of riots, stabbings, even death. To help keep the peace at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, FIFA has decided to go high-tech by enlisting military robots for security.
iRobot Mirra Tackles Pool Muck
Unless you're a five-year-old kid, there's nothing fun about dirt. It builds up everywhere and nobody really wants to clean it up. iRobot knows this. That's why it keeps spitting out fresh new robots to do all the dirt-ridden jobs we struggle to avoid. The Massachusetts-based company started with robot vacuums for our dirty floors and moved onto robotic mops and even a tiny Scooba that will roll behind the toilet so you don't have to.
Robot Hand Picks Up Nyan Cat, What Else is Possible?
Humans take their hands for granted. We’re just as quick to make an obscene gesture with them as we are to paint the next Mona Lisa. For those building robots, however, dexterous hands are a never--ending conundrum. Building them is tough and expensive. Roomba manufacturer iRobot is working on innovating its way around at least a few of these major obstacles to build effective, affordable, and maybe even intuitive digits.
This Is How a Throwable Robot Sees My Office
iRobot Gobbles up Evolution Robotics for $74M
Guess what Roomba got for its 10th birthday? A nice, shiny new company to play with. iRobot, the company that makes the Roomba robotic vacuum will acquire competitor Evolution Robotics for $74 million in cash, according to a joint announcement. Though iRobot went public in 2005 and Evolution Robotics remains a privately-held company, the two companies have otherwise followed a somewhat similar trajectory for the last decade.
Roomba Celebrates 10 Years of Cleaning Up After You
Roomba, the world’s first multi-million unit-selling home-helper robot, turns 10 today. iRobot has cooked up a self-congratulatory infographic filled with a collection of interesting and, occasionally bizarre facts to mark the occasion. A decade ago, I tested and wrote about the first Roomba robotic home vacuum. Back then, I described it as looking like “an oversized CD-player” (remember those?).
This iRobot Has its Mind in the Gutter
Best known for its Roomba vacuum cleaner robot, iRobot has reportedly sold 8 million consumer robots over the last 10 years, but not all of them are Roombas. Along with the vacuum cleaners, garage clearing Dirt Dogs and intelligent floor mops is the gutter-cleaning Looj. If that sounds like a joke, it’s not. Sure gutter cleaners get no respect, but this robot is about to get a major upgrade with the Looj 330.
iRobot Releases Smartest Roomba Yet
iRobot announced on Tuesday the latest vacuum cleaning robot in its Roomba lineup, boasting a wireless command center that schedules cleanings and allows users to control the device from anywhere in the house. The new Roomba 790 -- available now for $699.99 -- gives users more flexibility in cleaning. By using the Wireless Command Center remote control, it's possible to steer the Roomba to any spot in the house and schedule it to routinely clean during certain hours, even when no one is home.
YouTube Sensation Does the Robot in $10 Million Roomba Campaign [VIDEO]
Dubstep master and YouTube sensation Marquese Scott is back with another jaw-dropping routine. His 2011 YouTube dance video gained more than 43 million views. This time, he is promoting the Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner. iRobot Corporation -- behind the Roomba and Scooba automated cleaners -- is making moves with a robust $10 million ad campaign, appealing to fans on T.V. and online. Scott appears in the T.V.
Who is ultimately responsible for the behavior of autonomous robots? That's the central question that a new conference on robots aims to tackle. Why ask the question? Well, imagine that today's robot vacuums and floor washers (like the recently upgraded Scooba) eventually spawn cousins who mow lawns and trim hedges. Now imagine that robot hedge trimmer chopping off your neighbor's arm.
Scooba Robot Floor Scrubber Gets an Upgrade, Still Not Quite Skynet
The Roomba robot vacuum is world-famous, but it's cousin, the Scooba floor washer, not as much. Will the new Scooba 390 change that? iRobot, the company behind both, hopes so. If you found the old Scooba difficult to use, iRobot says the 390 has been upgraded for better performance and 30% longer battery life over its predecessor, the 380.
iRobot's Roomba Revenge Attacks Virtual Dust Bunnies
Ever since iRobot launched Roomba, the disc-shaped robotic floor vacuum, it's been hard to ignore the sometimes comic possibilities. SNL once famously parodied the product, which has sold millions of units since 2002, in a memorable fake commercial for the "Woomba" feminine hygiene robot. iRobot, laughed quietly in the background, but was never really in on any of the jokes. Until now.
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0.062119 | <urn:uuid:9d463741-5b58-4f06-911a-49ca92b3ad88> | en | 0.96482 | Submitted by gulevski 420d ago | opinion piece
How the PS3 Excelled and Failed at Delivering the Goods
"It is a new year, which is also a new year in gaming and a new era rapidly approaches. Nintendo has already taken that first big step with the Wii U’s release in November of 2012, but both Microsoft and Sony have yet to pull the trigger when it comes to even announcing their next generation consoles to the public." (PS3, Sony)
Shanks + 420d ago
i almost clicked.
#1 (Edited 420d ago ) | Agree(17) | Disagree(6) | Report | Reply
iamnsuperman + 420d ago
I am confused why you didn't click. They posted their 360 one not that long ago and like that one this one is fair.
There is a mistake with the Playstation 4 used as a heading but I mostly agree. The hack was bad but the reasoning of why it happened is because Sony made themselves the big target not because of lack of keeping things secure (as they did abide my industry standards). It isn't as if its competitors have had it plain sailing (Live had that hotmail exploit). Online services are never secure and it will take anyone committed enough to break it (a.k.a annoymous). They way they handled the PR side was atrocious
Also "Why the hell did they remove backward compatibility from the PS3? I get that they wanted to sell more PS2s, but it has been a long time, release a firmware update and just allow it already, it is ridiculous" is not the reason they got rid of it
It isn't a simple emulator but a god dam PS2 inside the fat PS3. It was too costly to keep doing this so the slim models have it removed (note fat still has). They have also found a more profitable way to keep users buying PS2 games (HD collections) which have seemed to (for better or worse) taken off.
#1.1 (Edited 420d ago ) | Agree(11) | Disagree(13) | Report | Reply
Silly gameAr + 420d ago
After reading your post iamnsuperman, I think Shanks is right. Seen to many articles like that. Need some more original stuff to read then the same ol' same ol'.
Banned 420d ago | Spam
ImpliedDeception + 420d ago
my second-gen 40 gig phatty has no b/c, sorry to say...
Agree on all else, though.
Banned 420d ago | Spam
neoMAXMLC + 420d ago
@Banned, the Emotion Engine processor was emulated in the fat 80GB. The graphics synthesizer wasn't and still needed the hardware. Could be due to the fact that it is very hard to emulate the eDRAM which had faster bandwidth than the PS3's RSX. Still wondering how those PS2 classics work.
ShinMaster + 420d ago
Nintendo removed GameCube compatibility from the Wii and no one bitched.
In comparison, Sony always gets more heat for the same sh*t others have done similarly.
kupomogli + 420d ago
The software emulated PS3 still used hardware components, just not as much as the full hardware bc PS3.
In a 60GB PS3, there are two chips. The emotion engine and the graphics synthesizer. In the first released 80GB model(the bc version,) the emotion engine is emulated and they only have the graphics synthesizer. It's called software emulation, but it still requires some hardware.
*edit* I didn't read all the comments. neoMAXMLC answered this before me.
It takes awhile for the PS2 classics to show up. So maybe the developers have to port them to work on the PS3s without emulation?
#1.1.7 (Edited 420d ago ) | Agree(0) | Disagree(0) | Report
t0mmyb0y + 419d ago
Well said. Exactly what I was going to say about the BC of PS2.
Ezz2013 + 420d ago
guys it's just his opinion
i agree with some of his points and disagree with the others
that's all
#2 (Edited 420d ago ) | Agree(1) | Disagree(3) | Report | Reply
darkride66 + 420d ago
Yeah, I'm in the same boat. Some of his points were valid but I think he missed the boat on others. The PSN hack I think was handled well. System's get hacked all the time and what's funny to me is while PSN was hacked at the exact same time, Citigroup was hacked and millions in fraudulent transactions went through, something Citigroup took months to admit.
Sony and Citi were both called before a gov committee but despite the fact that the data stolen by hackers from Sony was encrypted and no fraudulent activity was reported, which story did the media make more of a big deal out of? It was ridiculous. I think once Sony ascertained the nature of the crime dealt with it well, from reporting what happened, offering fraud insurance to their customers and with the free game give away.
As for the launch price criticism, it was still one of the more modestly priced Blu-ray players for the time. I don't think the pricing was unreasonable.
Even removing PS2 support, while I didn't like it nor approve of this move, you can hardly criticize them for it. Consumers spoke and they wanted a cheaper system. Sony did what they needed to do and delivered a price cut. It's not like people didn't have the chance to buy a BC PS3, and it's not as if you couldn't just go out and buy a PS2 if you still wanted.
If you want to criticize the PS3, the more obvious choices would be lying about the removal of vibration from the controllers at the start and issues with the ease of development. Not only that, but Sony's advertising has been terrible for the most part. I think those were far bigger blunders when you look at the overall system's history than Sony pricing the PS3 way cheaper than it even cost to make the thing, or that one time criminals targeted the console.
#2.1 (Edited 420d ago ) | Agree(6) | Disagree(2) | Report | Reply
Gaming_Guru + 420d ago
The thing about the price too it was only $100.00 more than the XBOX 360's price point. With all the stuff you buy to get it going like batteries, Xbox live membership, and any thing else I'm forgetting would be more than $100.00. So to me the playstation 3 was a steal for what the market was then, but you'll see $899.99 phones selling like hot cakes, lol.
Clarence + 420d ago
This is how you know the PS3 is doing well.
Rageanitus + 420d ago
There are 2 things it failed from a consumer perspective. It did not have much games when it launched and it was direct comparison to the library of the Xbox at launch.... but the tables have turned.
The multiplatform games are still better "quality" on the xbox but the differences are sooo minor now.
In the end the PS3 has delivered IMO as a better entertainment device in the living room and even though the price has always been higher, it still offered much more value
LOGICWINS + 420d ago
The lack of games at launch isn't a practical complaint. After spending 600 bucks on a console, how many people would be in the market for MULTIPLE $60 games? Call it a blanket statement if ud like, but a good chunk(maybe the majority) of people who buy consoles at launch do so with the intention of flipping them for a profit IMO.
Rageanitus + 420d ago
Yah but you have to remember PS3 was a cheap alternative to Blu-ray
Blu-ray was the ONLY item and still today that will take advantage of your sound system and 1080p TV at a reasonable price. Unless you wanted to plug your PC to the TV but even back then blu-ray drives on PC's were NON existant.
As a consumer it really mattered to me and blu-ray was just simply amazing when it first came out... only the haters like hard core xbox fanboys said they cannot tell the different between blu-ray and DVD
LOGICWINS + 420d ago
Well yeah. I agree, but I don't see what that has to do with my comment. I thought we were talking about backwards compatibility..not Blu-Ray.
EDIT: Oh ur referring to the second part of my statement. I bet there were some people who bought a PS3 because it was a cheap Blu-Ray player, but for all we know, many of those people did so with the intention of making a profit later on. In the end, buying a console at launch is illogical unless you intend on flipping it. Your buying a console at its highest price with its fewest games.
Otherwise, if your a techie and you enjoy always having the latest tech, thats perfectly fine, even though your purchasing tech from an emotional point of view as opposed to a logical one.
#4.1.2 (Edited 420d ago ) | Agree(0) | Disagree(2) | Report
violents + 420d ago
rageanitus is right. at launch blu ray players were like 1000 bucks and a ps3 was 600. So if you wanted a cheap blu ray player you could get in on the new hd craze a lot cheaper.
However I do agree with your original comment to an extent. A lot of people buy up new hot items to extort people on ebay when the stores sell out.
Godmars290 + 420d ago
At this point it makes better sense - for them - to sell PS2 games on PSN, not that lack of BC is sort of an F-U to old PS2 owners.
Not that plenty of "who needs BC" complaints from supposed fans didn't help anything.
Also real surprise that Sony's media efforts were so behind MS's initially.
SyluxPT + 420d ago
Don't click guys!
PS3 is doing very well!! :)
Godmars290 + 420d ago
What does that even mean? The PS3 has its issues just like the 360.
Granted, they're more in line with its online service, temporary things like the outage and hack which some people neither forget or forgive, but its still had its issues.
Nevermind that the 360's problems were more about hardware and paying for XBL as it made less and less sense to do so.
LOGICWINS + 420d ago
If your being serious, then I sincerely pity you. U remind me of those religious fanatics that get defensive when anyone questions/criticizes their beliefs.
RogueStatus28 + 420d ago
We're on N4G... Just like IGN, GiantBomb, etc the places that are riddled and littered with sony fans, they didn't fail at delivering the goods.
AngelicIceDiamond + 420d ago
Nothing in the article is really new. Just rehashed opinions on why he thinks the PS3 "failed" in areas. Articles lame overall.
dvewlsh + 416d ago
Also how it delivered.
At times mine gets way more use than anything else in my home.
WayneKerr + 420d ago
It never delivered
Back compat
Lost half of the console market share
second largest security fail of all time
The most over hyped underachieving console of ALL TIME
ZBlacktt + 420d ago
I know you are trolling, lol. Because you should look up the % of consoles that had the YLOD. Then come back and post about the RROD. Owners were trolled right out the gate for YEARS.
Other points you try and make are just straight up crap. You think MS live hasn't been hacked?
No need for backwards compatible when the PS2 is the best selling console of all time.
Best AA exclusive games on the market period and Game of the Year games. Otherwise it was a multi platform game that won...i.e. Red Dead Redemption, etc.
Still using a DVD? Hello last gen PS2 and PS1 days.
ShaunCameron + 420d ago
I wouldn't say it never delivered completely. I say the PS3 failed more with the split RAM which was the real reason why it got the inferior multiplatform games, and a Blu-ray media that was barely put to use for anything besides long cutscenes (MGS4, anyone?). And that's not to say Blu-ray is bad.
You're right about 1080p. It's 2013 and to date no PS3 game is a native 1080p. It's yet another one of Sony's broken promises like Pixar graphics on the PS2.
And the PSMove? Let me sum it up in one word: pointless.
#9.2 (Edited 420d ago ) | Agree(3) | Disagree(14) | Report | Reply
Morpheuzpr + 420d ago
And my ignore list keeps growing by the minute.
MrDead + 420d ago
Ah N4G's new number one story, the sort of article that has been posted by other sites numerous times.
Lets just keep going in circles with the same people saying the same things..... me included.
Tonester925 + 420d ago
The only thing that I didn't like that the PS3 wasn't able to do was voice message, I hate typing with the DS3 and the no multiple account logging in at the same time earning trophies on separate accounts.
Other than that, I'm content
oakshin + 420d ago
ding ding we have a winner but u know a keyboard with a usb plug works with ur ps3
violents + 420d ago
This article is rediculous and very unresearched. He mentions playstation 4 as a reason why ps3 is a sucess? I don't see the correlation. As a failure he brings up the legendary PSN hack, like the crap happens everyday, get over it people hack the microsoft network just as much as they try to hack the PSN, One group of hackers got through once, stop acting like it happens all the time. Sony has reinforced its security measures and made good on thier downfall. To my knowledge there werent even many reports on anyone losing money over the situation. And they took backwards compatibilty out because they were trying to reduce the price like everyone wanted. To play ps2 software on a ps3 processor is impossible without completely rewriting the game. The structure of how the two work is too different. The original launch models basically had a ps2 built into the existing ps3 hardware and that is why the first two or three remakes could use backwards compatibilty and the newer ones will not and can not. Hopefully the addition of Gakai could fix that but that's speculation. But basically what im trying to say is BC isnt really a fail on PS's part its a comprimise because the consumer, you, wanted a cheaper console. Sorry guys if you want it to do every thing its going to be expensive.
#12 (Edited 420d ago ) | Agree(5) | Disagree(4) | Report | Reply
DivineAssault + 420d ago
Having PS3 as my primary & preferred console, ill be the 1st to admit that it has many problems & they were too cocky about building that cell processor.. They thought 3rd party would invest more time & effort just to make it work while skimping on ram that really hurt em... If PS3 had more ram, it would be KILLER but they were cocky & didnt expect the whole media revolution MS had prepared for.. PS3 still gets all the multiplats and they arent even close to as bad performance wise as before... This time, they learned their lesson & for that, i thank MS.. Taught them a lesson & to not under estimate the competition.. I still love it for media & gaming more than the others but the mandatory installs for some games & the slow UI, slow disc read speed, etc really hurt em.. Games are whats most important & PS exclusives are fantastic so i will continue using PS for all things gaming
kevnb + 420d ago
It never delivered what sony promised, but at the end of the day its the only console I can actually say is worth getting right now.
Hicken + 420d ago
What promises did Sony fail to deliver on, besides the ones that were outrageous in the first place?
kevnb + 420d ago
that's the thing, they were outrageous... but people believed in it. Then people were fired. The 360 had much better pr, so much so that it is going head to head with a superior product.
#14.1.1 (Edited 420d ago ) | Agree(1) | Disagree(2) | Report
Belking + 420d ago
lol...sound like you just answered your own question. They promised plenty of 3rd party support for PS move and vita and it isn't happening.
kenshiro100 + 419d ago
Belking, maybe you should see the games coming up for the Vita before you make an ill informed statement like that.
InTheLab + 420d ago
. The hack happened 6 years into the gen and was pure retaliation by a group of petty hackers. Psn was fine for years up untill that point.
Add that to the end result of no identity theft or fraud plus Sony shutting down psn for 2 weeks and the store for a month. It was more of an embarrassment to Sony than anything else.
iweiooisdhf 420d ago | Spam
Belking + 420d ago
I knew this was coming soon after the 360 one....lol
Outside_ofthe_Box + 420d ago
What's even more funny is reading the difference between your comment here and the one on there.
Outside_ofthe_Box + 420d ago
***"Quit your ***ing dude. There is life outside of sony and MS."***
Don't get mad cuz I called you out on your B.S.
Picnic + 419d ago
I won't be buying any more non-HD PS1 games on the PS3 as they are. On a HDTV at least, Crash Team Racing looks confused - nostalgia aside, much worse than I remember it on the PS1.
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0.078815 | <urn:uuid:466aa603-d5a1-4976-bfe9-4c2dd4848d70> | en | 0.90275 | 101 reputation
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0 down 0 answer | http://programmers.stackexchange.com/users/39204/drstevens | dclm-gs1-291540000 | false | false | {
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0.654377 | <urn:uuid:402713bd-cb93-4adb-9ada-58a28842a13b> | en | 0.823825 | Assine Portuguese
Procure por qualquer palavra, como business slutty:
2 definitions by Mamakind
Someone who doesn't just smoke a bong, but gets physically aroused by seeing or using one.
Did you read Mamakind's latest RoachPlay column? She was pussytokin' in it-- what a hardcore BongSlut!
por Mamakind 15 de Setembro de 2006
8 14
1. Verb meaning to fuck.
2. Noun, refering to your fucking partner.
por Mamakind 15 de Setembro de 2006
12 33 | http://pt.urbandictionary.com/author.php?author=Mamakind | dclm-gs1-291560000 | false | false | {
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0.146507 | <urn:uuid:eadc0892-5fe8-4966-a074-8674e664b0e2> | en | 0.789515 | Tom Wyant > Astro-App-Satpass2-0.012_01 > Astro::App::Satpass2::Format::Template::Provider
Annotate this POD
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Module Version: 0.012_01 Source Latest Release: Astro-App-Satpass2-0.017
Astro::App::Satpass2::Format::Template::Provider - Template provider.
No user serviceable parts inside.
This class is private to the Astro::App::Satpass2 package. The interface may change, or the whole package be revoked, without notice. The following documentation is for the benefit of the author.
This class is a subclass of Template::Provider, designed to provide template storage for Astro::App::Satpass2::Format::Template and double as a template source for Template-Toolkit.
Caveat: The Template::Provider documentation says that subclasses should provide a modification time of the template, to drive the cache mechanism. This subclass does not actually provide a time, but instead provides a positive integer that is incremented each time the template is changed. This prevents problems if a template is changed twice in the same second, but may have other consequences.
This class supports no public methods. It does support the following methods which are private to Astro::App::Satpass2:
my ( $data, $status ) = $obj->load( $name );
This is really an override of the Template::Provider method of the same name. But though it is named like a public method, this method is not documented there, so it is documented here to keep Test::Pod::Coverage from complaining.
According to the in-code comments, it loads a template but does not compile it, and returns (if successful) the template source.
foreach ( sort $obj->__satpass2_defined_templates() ) {
This method returns an unordered list of the names of all defined templates.
$obj->__satpass2_template( foo => 'bar' );
my ( $tplt, $mtime ) = $obj->__stapass2_template( 'foo' );
print "Template foo: $tplt, modified ", scalar localtime $mtime;
If called with a single argument, this method returns the named template. In list context it returns not only the template but its modification time. If the template does not exist, it simply returns, yielding undef in scalar context, and an empty list in list context.
If called with two arguments, this method sets the named template to the given text, recording its modification time as the current time.
There is no mechanism to delete a template once defined, because I know of no mechanism to delete it from the Template-Toolkit cache.
Thomas R. Wyant, III wyant at cpan dot org
Copyright (C) 2011-2013 by Thomas R. Wyant, III
syntax highlighting: | http://search.cpan.org/~wyant/Astro-App-Satpass2-0.012_01/lib/Astro/App/Satpass2/Format/Template/Provider.pm | dclm-gs1-291590000 | false | false | {
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0.096611 | <urn:uuid:f17de5a3-c9d8-40ba-9cff-2f76d69cb7e6> | en | 0.957901 | Gemini: Career & Finance
Provided by
5/21 - 6/21
Monthly Career
Agendas can be good. Agendas can be necessary. But hidden agendas, especially at work, can be kind of negative, especially if they affect you. So on the 1st, go for a jog and do some thinking. Who wants what from whom, and why, at work? How do you fit into all of this? What's your agenda, anyway? You don't need to come to any conclusions, right now. Just do a little pondering, and it might pay off later. By the 5th and 6th, you are in an amazingly creative space. Your cubicle will never look the same again! A lucky break leaves you in a pretty terrific position on the 12th and 13th. Be sure to be generous towards others who didn't get such a lucky break. Go for a really nice jog or swim or lunch-break walk on the 17th and 18th. After all, if you don't keep your brain cells full of fresh air, it will be harder for you to think straight! Communication can be super hard, particularly at work, but that's no reason not to do it on the 19th, 20th and 21st. Make a move on the 26th and 27th. You need to know where you stand in order to move forward efficiently on the 30th or 31st. So find out!
See career horoscope for another sign
It's one of those days you can just sail through, all flags flying. Follow through on a friend's advice, as it's very sound. But when it comes to your first mate, you'll have to send up a flare. Make your intentions known.
It's hard to cut through the chatter and get to the heart of what's most important. You may just want to give in and let the day take you where it wants to go, but there's more to life than that.
Finish up your hectic month by finishing up all those routine errands you've been putting off. Punctuate the day with a late-afternoon picnic in the park with your sweetie. A little cheese, a little wine and a labored day put to bed!
Deciphering fashion terms can take some effort. 'Eco chic,' 'cocktail length' -- it's enough to make you want to stay home and wear sweats. A smart shopper like you can decode the puzzle with a little effort, though. | http://shine.yahoo.com/horoscope/gemini/career-monthly-january.html?.tsrc=yahoo | dclm-gs1-291630000 | false | false | {
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0.189979 | <urn:uuid:8d2547ba-a772-4592-9e66-cdb2ae8689c0> | en | 0.957102 | Forgot your password?
Comment: Re:And... (Score 1) 669
by rjstanford (#46477277) Attached to: 70% of U.S. Government Spending Is Writing Checks To Individuals
Not quite true, since you're paying payroll taxes regardless and just not anything for "federal income tax withholding". However, since payroll taxes are a 16% proportional tax on your income, its a little unfair to characterize them as escaping all income taxes, especially in the context of social security and medical benefits, which are taxed regardless even in the "0%" bracket.
Comment: Re:Bit coin is highly misunderstood by many (Score 1) 191
by rjstanford (#46436061) Attached to: The Tangled Tale of Mt. Gox's Missing Millions
Doesn't this story of MtGox completely invalidate the idea of Bitcoin? It was made to appear safe due to an algorithm, but obviously it can disappear without a trace and then what? There was never any sovereign authority behind that currency. Thus no international muscle to go track down the bad guys or figure out what happened. If anything, the international banking community will simply say "told you so..."
Exactly the opposite. Mtgox's failure stresses the need for the original purpose of Bitcoin; removing the need for counter-party trust. Storing your assets in any third party or hot wallet goes against the intention of the Bitcoin protocol and is foolhardy. Bitcoin is just as susceptible to being stolen by con artists, governments, and corporations as greenbacks are. Some users learned the hard way that Bitcoin is as safe or dangerous as you choose to make it.
Worse. Let's say that you accept Bitcoin payment years from now and it turns out that that money was part of the MtGox heist. Congratulations, you've now received stolen property, which in many jurisdictions means that it may be taken away from you at any moment, all quite legally.
Comment: Re:Get your popcorn ready! (Score 1) 191
by rjstanford (#46436049) Attached to: The Tangled Tale of Mt. Gox's Missing Millions
The value of a currency is often predicated on having enough of a market in which to spend it.
The US government backs the USD in two important ways; the first, though FDIC et al, by ensuring that there are safe places to store your USD while you're not using them. As we can see, that's not an insignificant benefit.
The second is by guaranteeing that you'll be able to use those USD to pay all of your public debts - taxes, fees, permits, &c. That automatically grants a critical mass as far as having places to spend USD, which means that other people will accept the currency, which then snowballs until you have an effectively universal acceptance rate.
Currently, no Bitcoin backers offer anything close to either of those two benefits.
Comment: FOSS? Who cares? (Score 2) 205
by rjstanford (#46431095) Attached to: Firefox OS Will Become the Mobile OS To Beat
If this really can work for ~3.5 billion people who currently don't have a decent mobile OS (a claim about which I remain skeptical), I guarantee you that at least 3.49 billion of them won't give a damn whether its FOSS or not. Of the remainder, most surely won't care whether its GPL, BSD, or PirateBay licensed.
Comment: Re:Why not badging of the doors ? (Score 1) 130
Comment: Re:One thing that gets overlooked (Score 1) 318
by rjstanford (#46345315) Attached to: Consumer Reports Says Tesla Model S Is Best Overall Vehicle
Unfortunately, it is already wired for 200 amp service for a reason. Many American homes with dryer, range, electric AC/heat, and electric hot water cannot take another 50 amp load without the real possibility of exceeding 200 amps. Having a 200 amp service is no guarantee your ready to add Tesla charging.
So set your charger to run between midnight and 6am - easy. Or some other time when you're unlikely to be running the dryer, cooking, cooling your house, and heating lots of water all at the same time.
Comment: Re:Stock Bump too (Score 1) 318
by rjstanford (#46345301) Attached to: Consumer Reports Says Tesla Model S Is Best Overall Vehicle
The stock was up as high as 17%, and closed up just under 14% (+$30 on the day to $248). With Morgan Stanley estimating a $320 price there is probably significant growth left, It seems they will have no problem funding that 5 to 7 Billion dollar battery plant.
You realize that unless they do another offering, are are buying another company with stock, the rise of fall of the price in the secondary market has absolutely no affect whatsoever on Tesla's ability to build a plant?
Comment: Re:Another Tesla story? (Score 1) 318
by rjstanford (#46345143) Attached to: Consumer Reports Says Tesla Model S Is Best Overall Vehicle
Still only barely competitive with a carpool, which is a shame - though again, to be fair roads are also subsidized somewhat.
Urban roads cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $15 million per lane mile (and up from there). Also remember that most roads have at least two lanes. Even adding a lane to an existing road can cost ~$5 million per mile. Commuter rail is usually dirt cheap in comparison to road expansion, but since maintenance and construction costs are so much less they have far fewer voices during bond elections than the concrete guys do.
| http://slashdot.org/~Muerte23/firehose | dclm-gs1-291660000 | false | false | {
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0.039731 | <urn:uuid:229959d4-45a9-464d-a850-eda0b03f4465> | en | 0.93139 | Forgot your password?
+ - Microsoft pays companies to use LiveSearch
Submitted by
tsa writes "On John Battelle's Searchblog there is a piece about how Microsoft pays companies to not only have them use MS's Live Search engine, but also get information about the amount of users and PC's in the company. Companies get paid a fee per PC. The height of the fee depends on the usage of the MS LiveSearch engine. The use of IE7 is mandatory for this, because MS wants the companies to use a plugin for this browser to be able to keep track of the user's searching habits. If you ask me, this is bribery."
+ - High School Student Builds Fusion Reactor
Submitted by
deblau writes "In 2006 Thiago Olson joined the extremely sparse ranks of amateurs worldwide who have achieved nuclear fusion with a home apparatus. In other words, he built the business end of a hydrogen bomb in his basement. A bright plasma "star in a jar" demonstrated his success. "The temperature of the plasma is around 200 million degrees," Olson says modestly, "several times hotter than the core of the sun.""
| http://slashdot.org/~citizenc | dclm-gs1-291680000 | false | false | {
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0.036149 | <urn:uuid:4c652508-e386-40ed-a888-530f85432a26> | en | 0.955474 | Forgot your password?
User Journal
Journal: God, I'm old and cranky today 4
Journal by rk
So, there's this article here, and some of the comments by, shall we say, users of higher than normal userid value are really grating today. Between the one dipshit who won't use Google to figure out what a CRT is and has to ask (I know they're quickly headed towards obsolescence, and good riddance, but you've got no excuse for not knowing the term if you're 15 or older) and the other dipshit who is ignorant of historical truth and assumes Google's dictionary is the all-knowing, all-seeing Oracle I just kind of lost it and went on a mod-bombing campaign with them. I'm not proud of it, but it sure felt good.
There's a new breed of "techie" who comes here now, and they've got their profiles linked up with their Facebook, G+, and Twitter. I'm not anti these services, I have accounts with all three, but they ain't linked here because my "online presence" isn't about "marketing my unified digital voice" or whatever sewage the tech-hipsters are shoveling out today. They slam together two websites with a javascript library and confer themselves the titles of "wizard", "savant", or "genius". Maybe I come from a different time, but calling yourself that was the mark of a complete prat where I come from. Even self-referring as a "hacker" was a mark of hubris. These titles could only be conferred by others, and when they were, they were terms of respect and perhaps some awe, heartfelt and honest when given and touching and glorious when received.
Rant off, now get off my lawn you damn know-nothing kids, or hang out and have a picnic... say something. It's all good. :-)
User Journal
Journal: Annual check in 15
Journal by Some Woman
User Journal
Journal: When Did 'Beta' Become A Dirty Word On /. ? 5
Journal by MonTemplar
Just spotted that people are stuffing comments into various stories here for the sole purpose of complaining about the /. Beta.
Maybe it's because I only occasionally visit here, but are people really that hung up on the current design?
Hell, I can remember when /. didn't even bother with any testing, period, just shoved changes straight onto the production servers. Fun times. (Not)
Having looked at the Beta, it seems to me a damn sight cleaner that some news sites I can think of*. Ok, the comment view controls could use some refining, but that's the whole point of beta-testing, right?
(*I still have nightmares about pre-2000s ZDNet. Makes the current design look almost pleasant by comparison.)
User Journal
Journal: From the archives: or, LOL John Dvorak 3
Journal by rk
This article made me laugh 6 years ago, and just shows why nobody who knows anything takes John Dvorak seriously, with the possible exception of sticking an inverter gate in front of his output first. Granted, I'm keeping him in business by linking to him because he makes his living as a professional troll: say outrageously stupid things and get the money from ad impressions.
The Gphone is DOOMED!
User Journal
Journal: I am a masochist 5
Journal by gmhowell
And yet I come back.
User Journal
Journal: Does anything work anymore? 3
Journal by gmhowell
Apache/2.2.3 (CentOS) Server at slashdot.org Port 80
User Journal
Journal: Saturday Night is for Fighting 1
Journal by DaytonCIM
New job.
User Journal
Journal: Get off my Lawn! 6
Journal by KshGoddess
Lord of the Rings
Journal: [Beloved] A Pretty Song (redux) 2
Journal by johndiii
From the complications of loving you
I think there is no end or return.
No answer, no coming out of it.
Which is the only way to love, isn't it?
This isn't a playground, this is
earth, our heaven, for a while.
Therefore I have given precedence
to all my sudden, sullen, dark moods
that hold you in the center of my world.
And I say to my body: grow thinner still.
And I say to my heart: rave on.
-- Mary Oliver
| http://slashdot.org/~leviramsey/journal/friends | dclm-gs1-291690000 | false | false | {
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0.024501 | <urn:uuid:4bcfc72d-4552-4b93-9b8f-23502ee76fb4> | en | 0.950162 | SI Vault
All the Rage
Bill Syken
October 31, 2005
Once widely banned, Ultimate Fighting Championship has cleaned up its act and is more popular than ever
Decrease font Decrease font
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October 31, 2005
All The Rage
View CoverRead All Articles
ANDREI (Pit Bull) ARLOVSKI, 26 6'4" 240 lbs. Heavyweight
From Belarus, Arlovski (above) got his start in kickboxing and sambo, a Russian martial art, at the police academy.
CHUCK (the Iceman) LIDDELL, 35 6'2" 204 lbs. Light heavyweight
The former national kickboxing champion and wrestler at Cal Poly-- San Luis Obispo is one of UFC's signature stars.
RICH (Ace) FRANKLIN, 31 5'11" 185 lbs. Middleweight
The former math teacher is part of a new breed who trained from the beginning for mixed-martial-arts competitions like UFC.
MATT HUGHES, 32 5'9" 169 lbs. Welterweight
The six-year UFC vet was an All-America wrestler at Eastern Illinois University and Lincoln College.
Andrei Arlovski entered the caged octagon inside Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., to the Hatebreed song Onward to Victory, which is about as catchy as it sounds. He smiled at the fans, his black mouthpiece adorned with white, painted-on fangs, eliciting wild cheers from the crowd of 8,500. After the opening bell sounded for the Ultimate Fighting Championship's heavyweight title fight, the 6'4", 240-pound Belarussian briefly circled challenger Paul Buentello before knocking the American to the mat with one overhand right punch to the jaw. With the crowd on its feet screaming for more, Arlovski moved in to oblige--in ultimate fighting, combat can continue even if a fighter has been knocked to the ground--but the referee abruptly stopped the fight after only 15 seconds, touching off a cascade of boos from the audience. Buentello was conscious but no longer able to defend himself.
Welcome to the kinder, gentler Ultimate Fighting Championship, where, despite the malevolent trappings, violence only goes so far. The mixed-martial-arts sport, a combination of punching, kicking and wrestling that was once denounced by Sen. John McCain as "brutal and repugnant," is more popular than ever and making inroads into the mainstream, thanks in part to a greater emphasis on safety. It's now sanctioned by 19 state athletic commissions and featured on a Spike TV reality series, The Ultimate Fighter. According to Kagan Research, UFC pay-per-view events gross up to $3 million--less than a 10th of what a major boxing or WWE pay-per-view event takes in but still impressive considering that UFC president Dana White and his partners, Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, paid only six figures when they bought the company four years ago.
UFC had its genesis in a 1993 showdown in Denver featuring martial artists from various disciplines and at its outset had famously few rules. In the mid-'90s McCain lobbied state officials to ban the sport's matches and persuaded major cable companies not to carry UFC's pay-per-view events. White says that the push for reform, while crippling at the time, was essential to the sport's long-term health. "If it wasn't for Senator McCain, we wouldn't be where we are today," he says.
After taking over the organization in February 2001, White and his partners approached sanctioning bodies and asked what rules changes were needed to get their approval. The most savage fighting techniques--including head-butting, fish-hooking and hair-pulling--were banned. That summer the Nevada commission voted 5-0 to allow UFC fights.
But ultimate fighting can still get bloody. The bouts often resemble a bar brawl, with two guys tussling in a boxing stance one minute and grappling on the mat the next. Choking is allowed, but fighters in a choke hold tap out quickly, and as the Arlovski fight showed, refs are quick to halt a beating.
What UFC needs now is a true crossover star. Former Olympic wrestling gold medalist Rulon Gardner fought and won a mixed-martial-arts fight last New Year's Eve in Japan, where the sport has an avid following, but he has shown no interest in repeating the experience. UFC's most likely source for new stars is its reality show, which allows fans to get to know the sport's up-and-coming personalities. Case in point: Forrest Griffin, a light heavyweight whose final match on Ultimate Fighter drew 3.3 million viewers. He also fought on the Arlovski undercard at Mohegan Sun and received louder cheers than the champ. Griffin won that night too: He notched a first-round TKO of Elvis Sinosic. Afterward White leaped into the ring to congratulate Griffin, an honor he did not extend to the winners of the night's other bouts. Griffin is boyishly handsome, upbeat and full of smiles--without fangs. You can see why White would think he's the perfect face for a UFC trying to act civilized.
Fight Club
Ultimate Fighting Championship rules allow competitors skilled in different disciplines--including boxing, wrestling and Brazilian jujitsu--to compete against each other. Here's the skinny on the current champs in each of UFC's weight classes. | http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1108908/index.htm | dclm-gs1-291730000 | false | false | {
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0.888154 | <urn:uuid:7d299674-2f84-4c6f-9e16-5b726ed4fd65> | en | 0.897358 | Take the 2-minute tour ×
Is there any way to run Ninject + NLog under an Azure Website without using the less performant Reflection based Injection?
var options = new NinjectSettings() { UseReflectionBasedInjection = true };
Is the problem stemming from a partial trust issue?
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1 Answer
up vote 1 down vote accepted
If Partial Trust is all you've got, Dynamic compilation is not possible so there simply is no other way. (Obviously if you were using Azure PaaS mode, you could switch to Full Trust but I guess that's not where you are)
Remember the overhead of DI is something that you should measure in the context of your whole solution - e.g. if you're doing 2 database roundtrips per request, that'll dwarf any impact of the reflection.
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Your Answer
| http://stackoverflow.com/questions/12103926/asp-net-mvc4-ninject-nlog-in-azure-website-problems/12105255 | dclm-gs1-291740000 | false | false | {
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0.708358 | <urn:uuid:6dbd0d18-41f1-445a-8e35-498aeddc4f47> | en | 0.918754 | Take the 2-minute tour ×
Possible Duplicates:
Do you recommend using semicolons after every statement in JavaScript?
Why use semicolon?
What are the ups and downs of using semicolons to end commands in JavaSript? What are the arguments for and against doing so?
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marked as duplicate by YOU, Dean Harding, Sarfraz, Andy E, Greg Hewgill Jun 6 '10 at 9:51
1 Answer
up vote 1 down vote accepted
You definitely need use semicolons to end commands in js. It is considered as a good programming habit. Statements without semicolons would be difficult to read and sometimes behavior wired.
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| http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2983753/should-i-use-semicolon-at-end-of-line-when-coding-javascript | dclm-gs1-291750000 | false | false | {
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0.039689 | <urn:uuid:f514b7cf-269b-4e43-a0fd-0ea9d737bb44> | en | 0.945089 | Take the 2-minute tour ×
Just curious to hear people's take on it.
share|improve this question
I think it's possible to give objective answers to this question naming actual(objective) or perceived(subjective) benefits, but you should rephrase your question to get these. In it's current form it's too subjective and argumentative. – dtb Aug 6 '10 at 12:33
I updated the question slightly. But I have to say, I'm looking for pro's and con's, and I'll take whatever response I'll get, as I'm looking at an overall level but would like to hear about technical details too, so I don't see a problem with the way I stated it... – Brian Mains Aug 6 '10 at 15:48
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closed as not constructive by casperOne May 2 '13 at 3:40
4 Answers
up vote 36 down vote accepted
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example? or link? – rball Aug 6 '10 at 15:54
Added a link for supporting evidence :) I haven't used Razor myself yet, so I don't have code to share right now. Give it a few months and maybe I'll have time to play with the beta! – Simon Steele Aug 6 '10 at 16:46
We haven't put out any guidance on testing Razor views but I blogged about hosting the Razor engine outside of ASP.Net: blog.andrewnurse.net/2010/07/22/… – Andrew Nurse Aug 14 '10 at 15:43
You should definitely have a look at the great Razor Templating Engine hosted on CodePlex: razorengine.codeplex.com – Marius Schulz Nov 16 '10 at 9:32
Wow, i never new razor view's were testable. I figured testing the output of the controllers (e.g passing correct/valid model) was enough. Anything outside of that is testing HTML output - which seems a bit silly. – RPM1984 Dec 19 '10 at 23:55
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To give background of opinion: I'm an ex Microsoft developer that worked on a core team for the MSDN website. Now, I use c# razor for ecommerce sites with my programming team and we focus heavy on jQuery front end with back end c# razor pages and LINQ-Entity memory database so the pages are 1-2 millisecond response times even on nested for loops with queries and no page caching. We don't use MVC, just plain ASP.NET with razor pages being mapped with URL Rewrite module for IIS 7, no ASPX pages or ViewState or server-side event programming at all. It doesn't have the extra (unnecessary) layers MVC puts in code constructs for the regex challenged. Less is more for us. Its all lean and mean but I give props to MVC for its testability but that's all.
Razor pages have no event life cycle like ASPX pages. Its just rendering as one requested page. C# is such a great language and Razor gets out of its way nicely to let it do its job. The anonymous typing with generics and linq make life so easy with c# and razor pages. Using Razor pages will help you think and code lighter.
One of the drawback of Razor and MVC is there is no ViewState-like persistence. I needed to implement a solution for that so I ended up writing a jQuery plugin for that here -> http://www.jasonsebring.com/dumbFormState which is an HTML 5 offline storage supported plugin for form state that is working in all major browsers now. It is just for form state currently but you can use window.sessionStorage or window.localStorage very simply to store any kind of state across postbacks or even page requests, I just bothered to make it autosave and namespace it based on URL and form index so you don't have to think about it.
** EDIT **
I actually am moving away from Microsoft tech altogether now and moved into Linux and node.js. I know I could have tried to continue Windows + node.js but there were too many gotchas. I still have many clients on .NET but am focusing on node.js heavily for all new endeavors. The performance, ease of code and cost is really the driving factor. Basically, its just better.
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Most impressive performance numbers - I dislike ASP.NET for its valiant attempt to make Web programming like VB6. Make testability a bitch. For that reason I also like MVC. Do you have an example you may share of the architecture you are using. – mozillanerd Aug 16 '11 at 17:21
To "mozillanerd", in terms of architecture, if you want to test out what I described, literally do a anonymous c# object with new such as var myobj = new { /* place data structure like similar to json */ } and have that cached in memory and see how fast LINQ is against it. Imagine this is a catalog of products and try LINQ against it. Its super fast but has its place in terms of right fit of scale as its best on one box unless you have azure caching going on and you are running it on windows azure. – Jason Sebring Dec 4 '11 at 4:32
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1. Everything is encoded by default!!! This is pretty huge.
2. Declarative helpers can be compiled so you don't need to do anything special to share them. I think they will replace .ascx controls to some extent. You have to jump through some hoops to use an .ascx control in another project.
3. You can make a section required which is nice.
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The biggest benefit is that the code is more succinct. The VS editor will also have the itellesense support that some of the other view engines don't have.
Declarative HTML Helpers also look pretty cool as doing HTML helpers within C# code reminds me of custom controls in ASP.NET. I think they took a page from partials but with the inline code.
So some definite benefits over the asp.net view engine.
With contrast to a view engine like spark though:
Spark is still more succinct, you can keep the if's and loops within a html tag itself. The markup still just feels more natural to me.
You can code partials exactly how you would do a declarative helper, you'd just pass along the variables to the partial and you have the same thing. This has been around with spark for quite awhile.
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| http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3423732/razor-cshtml-any-benefit-over-what-we-have | dclm-gs1-291770000 | false | false | {
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0.706659 | <urn:uuid:349d8762-9ebb-40b0-b1b0-117dabd2e2eb> | en | 0.89341 | Take the 2-minute tour ×
I wrote a code:
let rec compareVs v1 v2 =
if List.length v1 == 0 then
((match v1 with [] -> 0. | h::l -> h) == (match v2 with [] -> 0. | h::l -> h)) &&
(compareVs(match v1 with [] -> [] | h::l -> l) (match v2 with [] -> [] | h::l -> l))
And ran it:
# compareVs [0.1;0.1] [0.1;0.1];;
- : bool = false
Can't seem to find the problem. Please help.
The problem seams to be with float comparisons:
# 0.1 == 0.1;;
- : bool = false
# 1.0 == 1.0;;
- : bool = false
How else can we compare floats in ocaml?
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2 Answers
up vote 8 down vote accepted
Use =, not ==.
Floats are reference types in ocaml and == checks reference equality. So 0.1 == 0.1 is false.
Generally, you almost always want to use =, not == to compare two values.
Note that aside from that, your function will return true for two lists of different size. Assuming that's not intended you should only return true when both lists are empty and false when one of them is empty and the other is not.
As a style note, using List.length to check whether a list is empty is usually a bad idea (for one thing it's O(n) even though it can be done in O(1) with pattern matching). Using pattern matching right at the beginning will also clean your code up a bit.
Like this:
let rec compareVs v1 v2 = match v1, v2 with
| [], [] -> true
| [], _
| _, [] -> false
| x::xs, y::ys -> x = y && compareVs xs ys
Oh and if this isn't just an exercise, note that you can just do v1 = v2 and don't actually need to write a function for this.
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I didn't know we could use , with match. Could you suggest any site where I can find all kinds of usages or examples of match or pattern-matching in general with OCAML? – lalli Oct 22 '10 at 15:32
@lalli: v1, v2 is a tuple and you can pattern match on tuples like on any other object. Also see this page for information about pattern matching. – sepp2k Oct 22 '10 at 15:36
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Sepp2k is correct, but as an additional discussion about comparing floats (which is often dangerous), the following functions have helped me:
This compares two floats with tolerance of epsilon and the syntax would be similar to other float functions. clearly extending >. and others is obvious.
let epsilon = 1.0e-10
let (=.) a b = (abs_float (a-.b)) < epsilon
If you are dealing with many extreme values of floats, you should look at the classify_float function in the pervasives module. I don't recall off the top of my head how NAN values are compared in the = function. You can independently experiment with this if you need to.
I had used this for awhile, but its tolerance was actually way to low for my usage (as in, a very small value for epsilon as above). This does not take into account what, NAN - NAN does. So, this might not be useful.
let (=.) a b = match classify_float ( a -. b ) with
| FP_infinite | FP_nan | FP_normal -> false
| FP_subnormal | FP_zero -> true
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good point, I forgot how I ran into trouble in c++ and java when comparing floats. – lalli Oct 22 '10 at 15:34
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| http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3997895/comparing-list-of-floats | dclm-gs1-291780000 | false | false | {
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0.275634 | <urn:uuid:c281c832-c406-40fe-b6dd-81113f5343e6> | en | 0.896459 | Take the 2-minute tour ×
I want to pass in an array of parameters to SQLBindParameters, and have this array held in a char array(since I don't know the type beforehand) (I want all the elements in the 'array' to be the same).
I'll have a pointer to a sample parameter type, and the size of the parameter.
void *buffer = getBuffer();
int bufferLength = getBufferLength();
const int numElements = 200; //for example
char *array = new char[bufferLength * numElements];
memcpy(array + (i * bufferLength), buffer, bufferLength)
// now use array in SQLBindParameter call
will this work as expected, without any alignment issues? (i.e., the same as if I had just declared an array of the right type to start with)
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Are you asking the same thing as Are std::vector elements guaranteed to be contiguous?? – Troubadour Jun 17 '11 at 17:38
actually, I shouldn't even have mentioned the vector, my question is more if it would work, even if vectorBuffer was declared as char *VectorBuffer = new char[] – Bwmat Jun 17 '11 at 17:42
@Troubadour: No, he isn't. He is asking whether the memory used by a std::vector is suitably aligned for any data to put into. – sbi Jun 17 '11 at 17:47
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3 Answers
up vote 1 down vote accepted
Assuming that you're using vector with an allocator that uses operator new under the hood, then the C++ standard guarantees that an array of char allocated with new will be aligned suitably for use with any data type.
EDIT: Yes, new char[] is guaranteed to be aligned for use with any type.
EDIT2: Do note that a local (stack) array char foo[] has no such alignment guarantees.
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You mean, an array with automatic storage duration. (And/or static storage duration?) It may not be on the actual stack, and it may not be "local" (for some value of "local"). Be precise, please! – Lightness Races in Orbit Jun 17 '11 at 17:55
Not that it matters now the question has changed, but does the standard guarantee that vector locates the elements of the vector starting from the beginning of the array that it allocates? You'd hope so, since by design a vector is supposed to replace a dynamically-allocated array, so it would be a shame if it was missing a useful property of those. But I don't recall seeing such a guarantee. For other containers it doesn't necessarily locate the element at the start of an allocated block, due to the whole rebind thing going on. – Steve Jessop Jun 17 '11 at 18:33
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A vector is just a wrapper around a contiguous block of dynamically allocated memory, in other words, an array. So, if this program would work with an array allocated with malloc or new, it should continue to work with a vector.
(Unless it only worked "accidentally" with an array, of course, but the vector is unlikely to introduce extra problems.)
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The C++ standard in 23.2.4 guarantees that each element of a vector<> is stored contiguously:
The elements of a vector are stored contiguously, meaning that if v is a vector where T is some type other than bool, then it obeys the identity &v[n] == &v[0] + n for all 0 <= n < v.size().
It's important to notice what it says about vector < bool > , vector < bool > is a specialized vector<> that happens to try to "optimize space allocation", in some implementations it does so by storing each boolean value in a bit which pretty much renders pointer arithmetic useless.
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| http://stackoverflow.com/questions/6389521/using-a-char-array-to-hold-an-array-of-arbitrarily-sized-objects-alignment-issu | dclm-gs1-291800000 | false | false | {
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0.102609 | <urn:uuid:53a640bb-4c72-418b-8d16-25473fc27e24> | en | 0.889463 | Take the 2-minute tour ×
I am now looking for a piece of source code which treats about kernel preemption in FreeBSD.
In Linux kernel, there is a c-source file called "sched.c" in which set_current_state() macro is used to set the state of process (TASK_RUNNING, TASK_INTERRUPTIBLE or whatever). Those macros are defined in "sched.h". Could you tell me the corresponding source file(s) (which has the definition of those macros if they exist in FreeBSD) in FreeBSD kernel source tree?
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1 Answer
Relevant files are src/sys/kern/sched_4bsd.c (4BSD scheduler) and src/sys/kern/sched_ule.c (ULE scheduler). But there are no TASK_* defines or set_current_state() macro, since FreeBSD and Linux use different schedulers.
You may need to read one of them (i recommend 4bsd, since it's simpler) to find what you are interested in.
BTW, there was a project to port Linux' BFS scheduler, the code is there http://rudot.blog.com/. You might find it useful.
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Hi, thank you for your info and sorry for late reply. BFS project is also very interesting to me. – akry Jan 23 '12 at 9:49
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| http://stackoverflow.com/questions/8820882/preemption-in-freebsd/8836389 | dclm-gs1-291820000 | false | false | {
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Dogs from Afghanistan fly to reunite with soldiers
U.S. soldiers have been reunited with the dogs that helped them through difficult times in Afghanistan thanks to a new program created by the British charity Nowzad Dogs in Partnership with American Dog Rescue, the Daily Mail reports.
During Specialist Sheila Schaffer's deployment, a dog that she and fellow Army National Guard soldiers dubbed Delta, wandered underneath a medic station and gave birth to a litter of puppies. The canine family was soon befriended by Schaffer and the other members of the 2nd Brigade of Iowa. Schaffer bonded with one pup that she named Charlie.
The reunion, organized by American Airlines, took place at JFK Airport in New York. Soldiers flew from their hometowns across the nation to meet up with their companions.
"I didn't know whether to cry or laugh when I saw Charlie," Schaffer told the news source. "To hold him again thousands of miles away and so many months later is an amazing thing."
The dog will move back to Iowa with his master and will be reunited with his mother, Delta, who is already living with Schaffer's family.
Other dogs that are deployed alongside American troops, called military working dogs (MWDs), are also available for adoption when they retire from service, according to the Military Working Dog Adoption's official website.
Why this ad? Why this ad? Why this ad? Cute Commute Sale
Share this page and help fund food & care: | http://theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/ars/article/Dogs-from-Afghanistan-fly-to-reunite-with-soldiers097 | dclm-gs1-291870000 | false | false | {
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0.229659 | <urn:uuid:91137721-211b-47ae-ae7f-a6f9bca35d34> | en | 0.934726 |
* '''TabletopGame/{{Battleship}}''', a guessing game originally created for scrap paper "boards" (akin to Tic Tac Toe), but successfully adapted into a commercial form by Milton Bradley. If characters are seen playing this, it usually indicates they've had ''way'' too much idle time to kill. Due to the deeply embedded memories of MB's marketing campaigns, nobody ''ever'' is depicted destroying a cruiser or carrier, but within 3 turns one player ''will'' finally announce "You sank my battleship!" (Particularly suspect, considering a battleship must be hit 4 times before it will sink.) This is more often than not done ironically, or with a {{lampshade|hanging}} on it, at least recently.
* '''TabletopGame/{{Chess}}''', [[SmartPeoplePlayChess the supreme Western test of intellect]]. Expect to see two characters staring at the board for long periods, looking like ''The Thinker'' statue. TheSpock, TheProfessor, the [[Main/{{CriminalMindGames}} riddling villain]], and ([[CaptainObvious of course]]) TheChessmaster will all play this superbly. Show them a game in progress, and they will confidently announce, "Mate in three/five/seventeen." In practice, even the world's best professional chess players would not be able to consistently do this well. Spock, of course, has the excuse that he's an alien. Sometimes, as in ''Series/{{House}}'' and Robert Heinlein's ''Sixth Column'', it's just a bluff.
** '''Three-Dimensional Chess.''' Several varieties of this exist, including one based on the complicated boards seen in ''Franchise/StarTrek''.
** And of course, sometimes a character plays ChessWithDeath.
* '''{{Go}}''', the supreme ''Eastern'' test of intellect. Several orders of magnitude more complex than chess (which is not quite the same as "more complicated than chess"). Knowing how to play well typically signals a character has likewise intellectually surpassed "mere chess". The aura of inscrutable Asian wisdom doesn't hurt either, though in reality playing either game at world championship level is equally difficult. And then, in the other direction, there's...
* '''{{Shogi}}''', finally, lies somewhere in between: a Japanese variant of chess, it is typically used in anime as an excuse for old men to sit on porches of rice-paper houses, above the stone lanterns and TheThingThatGoesDoink, and discuss in slow grunts the vagaries of life.
* '''TabletopGame/{{Monopoly}}''', a game for the whole family (so long as the whole family understands real estate, mortgages, land development, and math at at least the fifth grade level). Expect lots of squabbling, convenient luck and complicated trades, often [[{{Metagame}} extending outside the game]].
* '''{{Scrabble}}''', a game for people with big vocabularies. TheMagicPokerEquation applies here. The winner always has just the right letters for a long, high-scoring, but recognisable word, and there's somewhere on the board that it'll fit. They rarely resort to kind of obscure words common in professional Scrabble: ''aa'', ''cwm'', ''etui''. (Although one can occasionally expect ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes''-esque arguments over the [[ScrabbleBabble legitimacy of such words as]] "zarf", "[[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons kwyjibo]]," "jozxyqk" or "zqfmgb.")
* '''TrivialPursuit''', a combination of luck and knowledge. Entire books have detailed not only strategies for both asking and answering questions, but also the game's inaccuracies and ambiguities.
* '''[[DungeonsAndDragons Dungeons & Dragons]]''' While technically a roleplaying game, it is always portrayed using maps and minis. Shorthand for [[RevengeOfTheNerds NERRRRRRRRRRDS!!!]]
There are many more board games, but these are [[SmallReferencePools the only ones commonly played]].
Often, the trademarked ones will have an in-world BrandX equivalent.
Note: In Hollywood Board Games, it is important to let the [[Franchise/StarWars Wookiee]] win. | http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/folderizer.php?target=Main.HollywoodBoardGames | dclm-gs1-291900000 | false | false | {
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0.02056 | <urn:uuid:6e554f95-53bd-4938-9b73-bdc81a0f58ab> | en | 0.920106 | main index
Topical Tropes
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TV Tropes Org
Videogame: Mario Golf
A series of Sports Games by Nintendo and Camelot Software starring Mario, Luigi and the rest of the Mushroom Kingdom gang.
Games in the series:
Game series provides examples of:
• All or Nothing: The "Risky" clubs in Advance Tour either give you a crazy drive distance, or make you go off course horribly, depending on if you get the swing meter perfectly or not.
• Boisterous Bruiser: Tiny in the GBA version.
• Butt Monkey: Wario and Waluigi in the opening of Toadstool Tour.
• Canon Discontinuity: The Japan only Mobile Golf is not referenced in Advance Tour.
• Defeat Means Playable: The Get Character Mode in the N64 version. Also how you unlock the champ characters in the handheld versions.
• Dump Stat: Spin in the GBA handheld version. If you are planning to transfer your characters to the GameCube version however, it is preferable to put at least some points in Spin, but it is still the stat that decays the least out of all the stats in the game, meaning that you can ignore it to an extent and still end up with a decent spin if you level up correctly.
• Game-Favored Gender: Toadstool Tour and Advance Tour favors a different gender each when it comes to character customizing, between Neil (male) and Ella (female). Ella in Advance Tour has a drive that naturally decays into a low height while Neil's "decays" into a high one. As the latter stages have very high wind, and obstacles never really get taller (Very much so if the characters are not transferred to Toadstool Tour), Neil is at a heavy disadvantage despite his slight power advantage. You can work around the wind, but it's still more effort than Ella has to make. However, Ella's low shot, while great in the GBA version, becomes a liability when imported into the Gamecube version with its 3D environments. With a very low shot, it is sometimes impossible to hit the ball up cliffs onto fairways above. This means that Neil gets the advantage in Toadstool Tour with his naturally high shot and powerful distance as he can take some really good shortcuts on top of it. Extra points if your Drive and Impact/Control are high enough to turn him into a Lightning Bruiser. You can work around the terrain sometimes, but it's still more effort than Neil has to make.
• Go Karting with Bowser
• Green Hill Zone: Lakitu Valley in Toadstool Tour.
• Hostile Show Takeover: Wario mutters this in the opening to the N64 title.
• Idiot Hair: Neil.
• Insufferable Genius: Gene. Putts is a very mild version.
• Ironic Nickname: Assuming "Tiny" is a nickname, he counts as this. "Putts" to a lesser extent, since those who have played the game know that his putting skills range from so-so to pitiful.
• Jack-of-All-Stats: Mario is not this for once, being a high power low control instead. In fact, the only Jack-of-All-Stats to be found is Yoshi, who has average stats all around. Diddy and Birdo however, can also fit the trope, except that Diddy leans a bit more towards Weak, but Skilled and Birdo towards Unskilled, but Strong. Maple leans towards this due to her super straight drive but the fact that her shots are pretty long and divot fairways are the bane of Maple's existance may disqualify her from this.
• Kleptomaniac Hero Found Underwear: Checking Ella's locker when playing as Neil in Advance Tour will result in this.
• Lightning Bruiser: You have enough level up points (and distance boosting drinks) to make your character into one of these, completely overshadowing the other golfers, including Bowser, Metal Mario, and Petey.
• Mirror Match: 64 only.
• Somewhat possible in the sequel, if multiple Advance Tour saves are loaded to Toadstool Tour, and stats are similar.
• Mundane Made Awesome: As a result of letting Motoi Sakuraba (best known for battle themes making heavy use of electric guitar) compose for a golf game, the music is very peppy for a golf game. Combined with the standard casual ignorance of the laws of physics of a Mario title and the announcer, golf has never been so epic.
• No Stat Atrophy: Averted in the GBC and GBA games, where not leveling a stats will make it fall.
• One Game for the Price of Two: Both the GBC and the GBA versions allows you to transfer your Story Mode characters to the N64 and GC versions respectively. The GC version also get the GBA version's stat boosting clubs while the GBA version nets you more Star Courses and 4 Secret Characters: Luigi, Waluigi, Wario, and Bowser.
• One Stat to Rule Them All: Impact/Control. Impact improves your chances of not duffing the ball when it lands in the bunker or heavy rough and gives more room for error (and even allows aiming through not hitting perfectly if you're familiar with how hitting the ball outside of the sweet-spot works), while Control makes the ball not veer off it's path too much, giving better aim. Maxing out both and getting decent distance allows you to treat the rest of the game as a joke! And because both are raised if you decide to spend your level up point on it...
• Original Generation: The N64, GBC, and GBA versions have this type of characters to serve as opponents, helpful advisors, playable Story Mode characters, and to provide a larger selection of awailable golfers in the N64 version. Some of the N64 golfers actually went on to become minor Ensemble Darkhorses which made their abscence from the GC version a little sad for some N64 Mario Golf veterans.
• Palette Swap: Neil and Ella if multiple Advance Tour saves are loaded onto a Toadstool Tour game.
• Palmtree Panic: Blooper Bay in Toadstool Tour.
• Panty Shot: Peach and Ella in Toadstool Tour.
• Pass Through the Rings: Ring Attack mode.
• Rare Candy: Hunting these down is one of the main purposes in the overworld for the portable games.
• Red Oni, Blue Oni: Features in the playing styles of the Fade and the Draw hitters in the N64 version. Fade players (prominent ones include Luigi, Wario, and Donkey Kong) had low height, making them more unaffected by wind, but hitting the ball over trees and other obstacles would become a problem, meaning far less risky shots, and encouraging a safer more laid-back style of golfing. The Draw players (prominent ones include Harry, Mario, Bowser, and Metal Mario) hit the ball higher, allowing them to hit it over trees and other obstacles, and made it more affected by wind, resulting in the ball sometimes going way off target, encouraging a more risky, exciting, gambling playstyle. Straight hitting players had different types of height for each character allowing for a more versatile style between the two, depending on the character you choose. The GC version toned this down by making Mario into a straight shooter and Bowser into a mid-height hitter, and introducing more low Draw and high Fade characters, so that the style used were wholly dependent on the height of the character in question.
• You saw a little of this with straight shooters as well. For example, Plum and Yoshi had low straight shots while Peach and Maple had higher straight shots.
• RPG Elements: The two handheld games.
• Rubber Band A.I.: Very blatant in the doubles tournaments in Advance Tour. Your partner is insanely gifted if you are in a sandtrap, but an idiot if you are looking to come out well above par.
• Secret Character: The N64 version was notable for having semi-secret characters (including, among others, Luigi and Mario) not be awailable in the 1-P Mode unless you defeated them in Get Character Mode. It also had true Secret Characters in Maple, Donkey Kong, Bowser, and Metal Mario. The handheld versions included the champion characters and some prominent Mario series characters (Luigi in the GBA version, Waluigi in the GBA version, Wario in both handhelds, and Bowser in the GBA version).
• Connecting the GBC or GBA versions of Mario Golf to the N64 version for the former and the GBA version for the latter also adds four human characters to the N64 version, and the two human characters (male and female) to the GBA version: the characters that you go through the respective games' Story Mode with. As there is no current way of replacing the Transfer Pack method, you cannot unlock those characters in the VC version of the N64 game. Partially justified in that these characters stats depended on how you had leveled them up in the GBC versions. The GC version lets you add up to four versions of both the male and female character though, they will be differentiated through Palette Swaps.
• Spotlight-Stealing Squad: Wario and Waluigi's antics(and failures) are what's most focused on in the opening of Toadstool Tour.
• Stealth Pun / Shout-Out: The icon for the "Links" Club in the portable games is a Triforce.
• Taunt Button
• Third-Person Person: Gene.
• Unskilled, but Strong: Notable ones in the N64 version include Harry, Mario, Donkey Kong, Wario, Bowser and Metal Mario. In the GC version, the notable ones were Daisy, Shadow Mario, Mario, Donkey Kong, Bowser, and Petey Piranha. They tend to have long drives but a more extreme shot path, and low impact and control. Spin was usually on the high end though. Also, Star Characters in the GC/GBA versions are Unskilled, but Strong versions of Normal Characters that could be unlocked, trading impact for drive. They have the advantage on long Par 4 holes and Par 5 holes. The AI versions kind of subverted it a bit, despite their hard to control drives with pronounced draws and fades, they know how to work with them, get out of trouble areas, and seem to have gotten putting lessons from Phil Mickelson.
• Weak, but Skilled: Notable ones in the N64 version include Plum, Charlie, Peach, Baby Mario, and Luigi. The GC version ones were Koopa, Peach, and Luigi. They have a short drive, but a not-so-extreme shot path, and they have good impact and control. Spin were usually on the weak side though. Also, Normal Characters in the GC/GBA versions is this when compared to their starred versions, trading drive for impact. They have the advantage on short Par 4 holes and Par 3 holes.
• The Unfought: Many characters will show up in tournament results lists that will never be seen otherwise. Your "rivals" in Advance Tour are a prominent example.
• Most of the names in the lists are an Easter Egg to other Nintendo franchises, such as Link and Fox.
• Voice Grunting: Advance Tour as a result of the overworld engine being shared with a more famous Camelot game.
Marble MadnessGame Boy ColorMario Tennis
Mario PartyNintendo Game CubeMario Kart: Double Dash!!
Dr. MarioCreator/NintendoMario Kart
Mario PartyNintendo 64 Mario Tennis
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic GamesNintendo 3 DSMario Kart
Mario PartyUsefulNotes/The Eighth Generation of Console Video GamesYoshi's Island
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic GamesSports GameMario Strikers
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0.040531 | <urn:uuid:1bfd2231-5610-4ade-bbed-e1d701b6fb3a> | en | 0.985744 | Bobsleigh - Rush takes World Cup title as Hefti wins again in Sochi
Lyndon Rush became the first Canadian for seven years to win the two-man bobsleigh World Cup title after an equal fourth place and a Beat Hefti win helped him get there in Sochi.
The 32-year-old headed into the ninth and final round of the season, which acted as the Olympic test event, leading the overall standings by 62 points ahead of Latvian Oskars Melbardis.
Rush was far from in the form that saw him win in La Plagne and Koenigssee earlier in the season but a finish of equal fourth, just 0.65seconds off first, was enough for him to hold onto first place overall.
Hefti took his third victory of the season and second in a row on just his fifth appearance with his late start on the World Cup circuit and following successes aiding Rush’s course.
He beat Germany's Thomas Florschuetz into second by 0.30 while all Melbardis could manage was third a further 0.10 adrift as he ultimately fell 54 points shy of overthrowing Rush.
Rush finished with 1656 points to become the first Canadian since Pierre Lueders in 2006 to win the two-man title and the second this season after Kaillie Humphries' two-woman success on Friday.
Hefti was untouchable in the Olympic host city in Sochi as he clocked the fastest time of both runs, 56.73 and 57.03 with Florschuetz the man behind him on both to place second.
Melbardis clocked the same first-run time as Florschuetz, 56.89, but was slower than him and Hefti with his second run and had to make do with third and second in the overall World Cup standings.
Rush was fourth quickest first time out and then sixth second time out to tie for fourth with Alexander Zubkov while Britain's John Jackson was 16th for his best finish in three rounds.
Pushed by Bruce Tasker in Sochi, Jackson was once again joined by fellow Brit Lamin Deen in the two-man event, who with the help of his previous brakeman Craig Pickering, placed 28th. | http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/bobsleigh-rush-takes-world-cup-title-hefti-wins-121610403.html | dclm-gs1-291930000 | false | false | {
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0.018925 | <urn:uuid:aa46a207-ecf5-48ff-abd9-a81e216ea556> | en | 0.813546 | +1 (888) 674-2299
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0.037625 | <urn:uuid:6f7483cb-caab-4454-bcfa-5033da5fdb3a> | en | 0.981217 | Little Horse on His Own
Betsy Byars, illustrated by David McPhail
Henry Holt and Co.
Chapter 1: "Dream"
Little Horse slept on a bed of soft straw. He dreamed.
In the dream, he was back in the Valley of the Little Horses. He ran in the meadow with the colts.
They frisked. They leaped into the air. Their hind legs kicked out behind them. They neighed with joy.
Suddenly the dream was scary. He heard his mother's long, high whinny. That meant danger. He ran for the cave. In the cave he would be safe.
Little Horse awoke before he got there. He stood up at once. His legs wobbled.
He heard the long, high whinny again. Then he knew the danger was not in his dream. It was real.
He moved shakily to the door of his stable. He looked out. The night was dark. There were no stars, no moon.
The high whinny had come from the stable of the big horses. One of the big horses whinnied, then another.
Little Horse's heart beat faster.
Big horse, little horse, that high whinny meant the same thing.
Copyright © 2004 by Betsy Byars
This text is from an uncorrected proof. | http://us.macmillan.com/BookCustomPage_New.aspx?isbn=9780805073522 | dclm-gs1-291970000 | false | false | {
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0.05164 | <urn:uuid:45e5af31-fbf9-4dc2-8949-03ccbc149867> | en | 0.901089 | Find Your Next Favorite Book
Susan Watkins
Susan Watkins writes and lectures regularly on English social history in the United States, Britain, and Australia. Mark Fiennes was an internationally renowned photographer.
| http://www.alibris.com/search/books/author/Susan-Watkins?aid=6533581 | dclm-gs1-292090000 | false | false | {
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0.033232 | <urn:uuid:ed60ead3-d15e-4cf7-9bf6-006983c3642b> | en | 0.977353 | Is Wiz Khalifa a Crip?
Wiz Khalifa is a rapper who was born on September 8, 1987. There have been many rumors regarding him being a Crip. Khalifa denies these reports and says that he has no affiliation with any gangs.
Q&A Related to "Is Wiz Khalifa a Crip?"
Wiz Khalifa is not in any gang, most of the people he hangs with however are affiliated with the East Side Long Beach Rollin 20's Crips. SIDE NOTE: Crips don't have a 'type' they
6'4'' seems to be the more common estimate, based on an interview found here: Embed
Cameron Jibril Thomaz, born September 8, 1987 is the Pittsburg rapper better known as
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Cameron Jibril Thomaz known as his stage name Wiz Khalifa, is a famous rapper born September 8, 1987. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He released his ...
Wiz Khalifa is best known for his hit song 'Roll Up'. Wiz Khalifa was born on September 8, 1987 and is 24 years old. ...
Wiz Khalifa has written over 400 songs, both published and unpublished. There is a list of Top 10 Best Wiz Khalifa party songs, but together by bloggers of Wiz ... | http://www.ask.com/question/is-wiz-khalifa-a-crip | dclm-gs1-292140000 | false | false | {
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0.314139 | <urn:uuid:0c7db05c-5528-4cd0-84b5-3d56e68c0cb6> | en | 0.93297 | post #1 of 1
Thread Starter
I have my Xbox One connected to my AVR and an Elgato GameCapture HD, I use a simple HDMI splitter to split the signal. I want to be able to play the game with 5.1 surround sound, but my GameCapture only accepts 2CH audio. If I run Dolby and DTS to the GameCapture it will give me an error saying it is not supported, if I run uncompressed 5.1 audio to it will read it, but it will only strip out the left and right channel. The problem with this is that it drops the center channel, something that is usually used in cutscenes; for instances, ALL dialogue during cutscenes is eliminated in Assassin's Creed 4.
My question is: Is there a device I can get that will actually convert the 5.1 audio to a full 2CH mix (including the center channel)? I have purchased a device that I thought would work, but in reality it only extracts the left and right channel dropping the center channel. Device:
Any suggestions would be appreciated! | http://www.avsforum.com/t/1502787/playing-with-5-1-but-recording-stereo | dclm-gs1-292160000 | false | false | {
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0.169438 | <urn:uuid:af34e50c-e62d-4c63-b61c-25b5c3eb5c9b> | en | 0.950064 | Can the custodial parent have the non custodial parent ordered to drug and alcohol testing before each visit?
Asked about 4 years ago - Hyattsville, MD
I have full custody of my daughter and visitation is upon mutual agreement between both parties. Is there a petition that I can file to have him drug and alcohol tested before any visit?
Attorney answers (2)
1. Carlos Mariano Lastra
Contributor Level 9
Answered . If there is sufficient proof to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that conducting such tests before each visit are in your child's best interests the Court may order that done. You would have to file a Petition with the Court making that request, meet the necessary burden of proof, and argue to the Court why its in your child best interests. If there is already an Order in place, you would have to modify it upon the showing of a material change of circumstances.
2. Okiemute C Whiteru
Contributor Level 10
Answered . You can file a motion with the appropriate court asking for drug testing. The motion would have to thoroughly explain why you feel the testing is necessary. Further, you would have to explain why requiring the father to have testing done is in your child's best interest.
You can also seek supervised visitation if you feel the father will be a threat to the child's safety or feel that the child will not be comfortable if left alone with the father.
Legal Disclaimer: The response herein is not legal advice and does not create an attorney/client relationship. Mr. Whiteru advises the questioner to contact an attorney in his or her state and obtain more detailed counseling regarding their legal issue.
Okie C. Whiteru
P: 202 558 6196
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Browse our legal dictionary | http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/can-the-custodial-parent-have-the-non-custodial-pa-176621.html | dclm-gs1-292170000 | false | false | {
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0.030542 | <urn:uuid:c7b42cf8-2147-4b52-8aa6-8594a85b858f> | en | 0.904188 | A Roman marble head of a man, possibly the Emperor Trajan
Lot 161*
A Roman marble portrait head of the Emperor Trajan
£50,000 - 70,000
US$ 83,000 - 120,000
Auction Details
Lot Details
A Roman marble portrait head of the Emperor Trajan
Early 2nd Century A.D.
Depicted turning to the left, his stern face drawn into a frown, his thin lips pressed together, his hair characteristically combed forward over his forehead, 11in (27.8cm) high, mounted
• Provenance:
French private collection.
François de Ricqlès, Drouot-Montaigne, Paris, 11 November 2001, lot 335. Accompanied by a copy of the French export licence.
Royal Athena Galleries, Art of the Ancient World, vol. XIV, 2003, no.20.
American private collection.
The Emperor Trajan (Marcus Ulpius Traianus) acceded to the Imperial throne when he was forty-five years and ruled from A.D.98 to 117. Under his rule, the Empire saw its greatest expansion through military conquests, conquering Nabataea, Dacia, Armenia and Mesopotamia.
Carved from marble from the Greek island of Thasos, this bust can be seen as one of Kleiner's 'postdecennial' types: D. Kleiner, Roman Sculpture, Yale, 1994, p.208, which includes those on the Trajan's Column in Rome and other posthumous portraits produced after Trajan's death in A.D.117. For a similar head of Trajan in the Uffizi, cf. G. Mansuelli, Galleria degli Uffizi. Le Sculture, Rome, 1961, no.83.
Lot symbols | http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/17855/lot/161/ | dclm-gs1-292240000 | false | false | {
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0.991622 | <urn:uuid:19fed694-a612-4f8c-8ab0-9978e15ffa0f> | en | 0.928199 | Forgot your password?
Seven against Thebes Quiz
Directions: Click on the correct answer.
Questions 1-5 of 25:
What type of violation is used to describe women being treated like treasures? (from Part 1)
Who does Eteocles accuse of bringing down the city's morale? (from Part 2)
What term does Eteocles and the Chorus use to describe the city of Thebes? (from Part 2)
According to the Chorus, what are the Gods a source of? (from Part 2)
Who does Eteocles express his disgust with in Part 2 of the play? (from Part 2)
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Characters Left: 200 | http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-sevenagainstthebes/free-quiz.html | dclm-gs1-292250000 | false | false | {
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0.031589 | <urn:uuid:da8fa8cd-de65-4df8-9e0e-7dbb9fe78d33> | en | 0.98111 |
‘‘We need to interview all the parties involved, and (Britt) has refused to come in, so the statements that he’s putting out that he’s cooperated with the investigation are false. We’re trying to ascertain his location,’’ Martinez said, adding that authorities are discussing their next steps with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s office.
‘‘There was a stabbing and a shooting in the same incident — and we need to speak to everyone who was there,’’ Martinez said. ‘‘(Britt) drove the guy to the hospital. (Britt) was at a dinner, the party, with his pregnant girlfriend.’’
| http://www.boston.com/sports/football/2013/01/15/police-want-interview-titans-kenny-britt/FoIyFEeAgWQzTDJlJTYvaP/story.html | dclm-gs1-292260000 | false | false | {
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0.068639 | <urn:uuid:e4140c1b-89d3-485f-b7e5-43ca1ca08452> | en | 0.948034 | Grand Canal dAlsace
Grand Canal d’Alsace, English Great Alsace CanalGrand Canal d’Alsace at Breisach, Ger.Norbert Blauwaterway along the Rhine River, in eastern France, designed in 1922. The first section, at Kembs, opened in 1932, and three more pairs of locks were built between 1952 and 1959. The canal is now 50 km (30 miles) long and runs between Basel, Switz., and Breisach, Ger. It was built to improve navigation of the Rhine (hindered by shallows and a rapid current) and thus to increase traffic upstream from Strasbourg. Electricity is generated at the locks, the largest of each pair being 185 by 23 metres (600 by 75 feet). | http://www.britannica.com/print/topic/241171 | dclm-gs1-292270000 | false | false | {
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0.058467 | <urn:uuid:1f0dc301-4655-49dc-a25c-2021b6d22591> | en | 0.964097 | Bush’s Iran Argument Lacks Sense, Credibility
In a speech to the national convention of the American Legion last Tuesday, President Bush warned that U.S. failure in Iraq would lead to an increased Iranian threat to the region and beyond. It’s a strange and inaccurate argument. To the extent that Iran poses such a threat, it is largely a creation of the Bush administration’s policies.
It is not at all clear why a defeat of the Sunni-dominated insurgency in Iraq would be bad for Shiite Iran. Indeed, one could make a better case that further weakening the Sunnis would actually strengthen Tehran’s hand. The big loser would more likely be Saudi Arabia, which has provided funding and military hardware for various Sunni factions in Iraq.
Iran’s principal avenue of influence in Iraq is the forces backing the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, whom Washington strongly supported when the Iraqi parliament chose him. These forces include the militias affiliated with the Dawa Party and the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council. Tehran’s ties with those factions are far stronger than they are with the more notorious Moqtada al-Sadr’s Mahdi Army.
The brutal truth is that it was almost certain from the day U.S. forces overthrew Saddam Hussein that Iran would be the main beneficiary of that action. Saddam had been the nemesis of the clerical regime in Tehran for nearly a quarter century. The two countries had waged an extremely bloody war throughout the 1980s, and Iraq’s Sunni political elite remained Iran’s mortal adversary. Iraq under Sunni rule was the principal strategic counterweight to an assertive Iran.
The United States did Tehran a huge favor by removing that political elite and paving the way for the Shiite-Kurdish alliance that now dominates Iraq’s political affairs. Having taken that step, it does little good now for President Bush to whine about Tehran’s expanded influence. It was predictable, and predicted by critics of the war, that Iraqi Shiites would embark on a close working relationship with their co-religionists across the border. That was a danger that administration officials should have considered far more seriously than they did before launching the invasion of Iraq.
The other problem Iran poses — its pursuit of a nuclear capability — is also not likely to be affected by the outcome of the insurgency in Iraq. Iran’s nuclear program long predates the onset of the current struggle to its west. Indeed, Iran’s nuclear ambitions date back the late 1960s, when the Shah, Washington’s close ally, was in power.
Tehran’s quest for nuclear weapons is an extremely thorny issue, and there are no easy solutions. But one thing is clear: A defeat of the insurgency in Iraq will not have a meaningful impact on it.
President Bush is ever more frantically grasping at straws to justify his faltering policy in Iraq. His argument that a victory in that country — even in the unlikely event one can be achieved — will check Iran’s strengthened position in the region is perhaps the least credible argument he has made to date.
Ted Galen Carpenter is vice president for defense and foreign policy studies and author of seven books on international affairs. He is also the author of the study, “Iran’s Nuclear Program: America’s Policy Options.” | http://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/bushs-iran-argument-lacks-sense-credibility | dclm-gs1-292340000 | false | false | {
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0.031021 | <urn:uuid:dc18625c-4676-4d1d-b2dc-27932b3f1538> | en | 0.947075 |
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The Supreme Court eventually reversed in Fortnightly, holding that a CATV operator does not perform television broadcasts; instead, its “basic function the equipment serves is little different from that served by the equipment generally furnished by a television viewer.”5 So we know that the idea of a distinction between a service performing a work publicly and a service allowing an individual to perform a work privately was on Congress’s radar during the revision process. But it declined to insert any language that could potentially mediate that distinction. Rather, the public performance provisions would include all third parties, and ”cover every transmission, retransmission, or other communication of a performance which reaches ”the public,” no matter how closely they resemble a mere provider of equipment for a user.6
Congress heard the argument that CATV equipment was “not owned by the CATV system but by the system’s individual subscribers.”7 Congress heard CATV operators argue that “Because CATV systems are functionally identical to rooftop antennas on private homes, broadcasters deserve no greater exclusivity than they would obtain if everyone chose to install a private rooftop antenna adequate to receive the available signals.”8 Congress heard that “CATV is not a passive rooftop or ‘rabbit-ear’ antenna.”9 CATV proponents argued to Congress that CATV is simply an “aid in reception of television broadcast signals”.10
So the Supreme Court’s job is clear. Assuming that Aereo is the performer, since that issue is not in front of the Court,12 it plainly is performing “to the public” because it is transmitting works using any device or process to individual subscribers that it has a public relationship with.
Thanks to Devlin Hartline for valuable feedback during the drafting process!
2. Id. []
3. 255 F. Supp. 177 (SDNY 1966). []
5. Fortnightly Corp. v. United Artists Television, Inc., 392 US 390 (1968). []
6. Supplementary Report, supra. []
8. Id. at 1298. []
10. Fn. 7 at 1330. []
11. Id. at 103. []
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Welcome to Googletown — This week’s feel good read.
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Cross-posted on the Law Theories blog.
With Aereo’s upcoming oral argument before the Supreme Court, I’ve got tens of thousands of tiny antennae on the mind. The novelty—and, of course, the absurdity—of Aereo’s service makes it one of the more interesting copyright puzzles. Most of the issues with Aereo are repetitive of the issues with Cablevision, and debate abounds over whether the number of source copies matters and whether multiple transmissions should be aggregated. I’ve come to view these issues as red herrings. But there’s another red herring that I’d rather discuss here, and that’s whether a decision against Aereo would be the death knell to the cloud. After all, performances are transmitted from Aereo’s service to members of the public just like they are from some cloud computing services. So why shouldn’t we worry?
In my last post about Aereo, I unconcernedly claimed: “This case isn’t about the future of cloud computing companies—those services are protected by the DMCA.” Why we shouldn’t worry about the cloud is certainly in large part answered by the DMCA, but I want to take it a step deeper and show that, even without the DMCA, some cloud computing companies would not incur liability when content is transmitted from their services to members of the public. The key to understanding why such cloud computing companies are not infringers is the key to understanding why Aereo is an infringer, and this turns on application of the volitional conduct test—a test codified in DMCA, but which is applicable in any context where the Transmit Clause is implicated. The volitional conduct test provides us with a way to separate the Aereo-like goats from the cloud computing sheep.
Under the Transmit Clause, it is a public performance to (1) transmit a performance of a work (2) to the public.1 There is no doubt that a performance of a work is being transmitted with Aereo’s service, so (1) is not at issue. The issue is whether this transmission is “to the public,” which is a term of art. Whether a transmission is “to the public” does not depend on the place to which it is sent, and a transmission to a private place can be “to the public” nonetheless. What makes it “to the public” is the relationship between the sender and the receiver, and this relationship, naturally, depends on the identity of each party. When the relationship between the sender and the receiver is a public one, the transmission is a public performance. And when the relationship between the sender and the receiver is a private one, the transmission is a private performance.
In Aereo,2 the Second Circuit focused on the receiver for each transmission, concluding that when there is a one-to-one relationship between the source copy and the receiver, the performance is private—even if we presume that Aereo is the sender. I think this makes no sense. If Aereo is the sender and the subscriber is the receiver, then that relationship is a public one and the transmission is a public performance. The Second Circuit’s reliance on there being a unique source copy for each receiver was misplaced, for the Transmit Clause cares only about who is transmitting to whom. It says nothing about a source copy—and in fact no source copy is even needed to publicly perform via transmission.3 The issue is simply who is directly causing the transmission to occur. Until we know who is transmitting to the receiver, that is, until we identify the sender, we can’t know whether the relationship between the sender and the receiver is a public one such that it’s “to the public.”
Without fair use or the DMCA to fall back on, the Aereo appeal squarely presents the issue of who is directly causing the transmission when a performance of a work is transmitted from Aereo’s service to the subscriber. In other words, the case boils down to who is the direct performer in this scenario. If the subscriber is the direct performer, then the performance is private since the sender and the receiver are the same party and the transmission therefore is not “to the public.” If Aereo is the direct performer, then the performance is public since the relationship between the sender and the receiver is a public one and the transmission therefore is “to the public.” And whether Aereo is the direct performer turns on the volitional conduct test: Is Aereo’s volitional conduct sufficient such that it directly causes the transmission? I think the answer is clearly “yes,” and how I get there is by utilizing the only bright-line rule under the volitional conduct test.
The genesis of the volitional conduct test is the famous Netcom decision,4 penned in 1995 by District Judge Ronald M. Whyte of the Northern District of California. Pre-DMCA, Judge Whyte was faced with deciding the liability of Netcom, an internet service provider, for infringement taking place utilizing its system. Critically, “Netcom was not itself the source of any of the infringing materials on its system,”5 and the issue was whether it could be a direct infringer of the reproduction right nonetheless. Judge Whyte held that it could not: “Although copyright is a strict liability statute, there should still be some element of volition or causation which is lacking where a defendant’s system is merely used to create a copy by a third party.”6 Since “such copies are uploaded by an infringing user,” Judge Whyte continued, Netcom’s actions were not a direct infringement of the reproduction right.7
Judge Whyte acknowledged that copyright infringement is a strict liability tort, meaning that neither knowledge nor intent to infringe need be shown. However, strictly applying that strict liability to reproductions occurring in cyberspace “would hold the entire Internet liable for activities that cannot reasonably be deterred.”8 Grounded in the policy argument that “it does not make sense to adopt a rule that could lead to the liability of countless parties whose role in the infringement is nothing more than setting up and operating a system that is necessary for the functioning of the Internet,” Judge Whyte proposed a dichotomy between a passive conduit, which provides only dumb pipes used by others to copy, and an active participant, which takes affirmative steps to bring about the copying.9 And central to Judge Whyte’s holding that Netcom was a passive conduit was the fact that it was the users who uploaded the content to Netcom’s service in the first place.
The key to understanding Netcom and its progeny is to recognize that the volitional conduct test is not used to determine whether a service provider should be held directly liable in the first place. Instead, a service provider seeks Netcom immunity because, without it, it would otherwise be a direct infringer. The volitional conduct test is perhaps best understood in terms of causation: Even though, because of strict liability, every service provider that is the cause-in-fact of the copying is thereby a direct infringer, certain service providers are nevertheless not directly liable for the copying because their actions are sufficiently remote. Perhaps the leading iteration of the volitional conduct test comes from the Fourth Circuit in CoStar:
The volitional conduct test has also been adopted by the Second and Ninth Circuits,11 as well as by several district courts.12 In fact, Congress baked Netcom immunity under the volitional conduct test right into the DMCA.13 For example, Section 512(c) grants a qualifying service provider immunity “for infringement of copyright by reason of the storage at the direction of a user of material that resides on a system or network controlled or operated by or for the service provider.”14 The Second Circuit in YouTube and the Ninth Circuit in Shelter Capital read this language very broadly, finding that even transcoding and indexing user-submitted content to facilitate its public playback was protected by the safe harbor.15 While Section 512(c) protects a service provider for many automated acts that occur after a user uploads content to the service, the one thing it doesn’t provide immunity for is content supplied by the service provider itself.
How the volitional conduct test operates in the cloud is demonstrated in the Hotfile case, where the district court stated:
Thus, the law is clear that Hotfile and [the owner] are not liable for direct copyright infringement because they own and manage internet facilities that allow others to upload and download copyrighted material. . . . [T]he website merely allows users to upload and download copyrighted material without volitional conduct from Hotfile or [the owner]. . . . [N]othing in the complaint alleges that Hotfile or [the owner] took direct, volitional steps to violate the plaintiffs’ infringement. There are no allegations, say, that Hotfile uploaded copyrighted material. Therefore, under the great weight of authority, the plaintiffs have failed to allege direct copyright infringement.16
Because neither Hotfile nor the owner had engaged in sufficient volitional conduct, by, for example, uploading the infringing content at issue, the district court found that they could not be held directly liable for the infringement that occurred. Contrasted with Hotfile is Tasini,17 where the Supreme Court held that a database provider was directly liable for violating the public distribution right for content that it had supplied and made available as part of its publicly-accessible database. Because the database provider had supplied the infringing content at issue, this was a sufficient condition for finding that it was a direct infringer.
The import of all this is that where the service provider itself supplies the infringing content that is publicly distributed, displayed, or performed, that service provider can claim neither Netcom immunity nor DMCA immunity. Supplying the infringing content is sufficient for finding that the service provider has directly caused the infringement to occur—but it’s not necessary for such a finding. In other words, if the service provider itself supplies the infringing content, then it is a direct infringer. But sometimes the service provider can also be a direct infringer even if it did not supply the infringing content. This happens when the service provider engages in other volitional conduct “with a nexus sufficiently close and causal to the illegal copying,” to borrow the Fourth Circuit’s phrase, such that it is not only the factual cause of the copying, but the legal cause as well.
For example, in Megaupload, the district court found that the plaintiff had alleged that Kim Dotcom’s infamous website “serves as more than a passive conduit, and more than a mere ‘file storage’ company.”18 Several facts, including Megaupload’s reward program where it paid users to upload content, meant that Megaupload had possibly crossed the line from being a passive conduit to being an active participant in the infringement. Similarly, in Usenet, the district court found that the bulletin board service was “not merely a ‘passive conduit’ that facilitates the exchange of content between users who upload infringing content and users who download such content.”19 The “active measures” and “active steps” engaged in by the defendants “transformed [them] from passive providers of a space in which infringing activities happened to occur to active participants in the process of copyright infringement.”20
Like all proximate causation analysis, the volitional conduct test involves both art and science, and courts engaging in it typically juggle somewhat-vague concepts of foreseeability and temporality with normative decisions about social justice.21 As Dean William Prosser, author of Prosser on Torts and Reporter for the Restatement (Second) of Torts, put it, proximate causation is “our more or less inadequately expressed ideas of what justice demands.”22 Exactly how much volitional conduct it takes for a service provider to cross the line from passive conduit to active participant, no one can say. The analysis is, necessarily, somewhat arbitrary. The only bright-line criteria that exists under the volitional conduct test is that of who supplies the infringing content. When it’s the service provider itself, the volitional conduct on the part of the service provider is sufficient to find it directly liable.
This past week, District Judge Dale A. Kimball of the District of Utah found that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on the merits against Aereo because it “provid[es] paying customers with retransmission of copyrighted works.” And this gets to the heart of why Aereo should lose before the Supreme Court. Aereo has crossed the line from being a passive conduit to being an active participant because it supplies the very content that is available using its service. Presumably, this is at least part of the reason why Aereo does not argue that Section 512(c) gives it DMCA immunity. Aereo cannot maintain that the content residing on its service is “by reason of the storage at the direction of a user” because the content comes from Aereo itself. The subscriber doesn’t go to Aereo to upload the content he already has to the cloud; the subscriber goes to Aereo to get the content he wants but doesn’t yet have—content which Aereo itself supplies.
The reason why Aereo, and not the subscriber, is the direct performer is simple. Because of copyright’s strict liability nature, every party that is the cause-in-fact of the copying is a direct infringer unless some other doctrine absolves that party from direct liability. The volitional conduct test uses a proximate causation analysis to determine whether a party’s actions are sufficiently remote such that it should not be held directly liable for the infringement. While the metes and bounds of the volitional conduct test are imprecise, to say the least, there is one bright-line rule: When the service provider itself supplies the very content at issue, that service provider’s actions can never be sufficiently remote to absolve it of direct liability. Because Aereo itself supplies the very content at issue—by implementing and making available its system of tens of thousands of tiny antennae that receive and retransmit performances—Aereo is the identity of the sender. And since the relationship between the sender (Aereo) and the receiver (the subscriber) is a public one, the transmission is a public performance.
The argument that it is Aereo’s subscriber, and not Aereo itself, who is the sender is untenable. The Transmit Clause was enacted to capture any service doing exactly what Aereo does, namely, retransmitting a broadcast to the public by any means possible. The petitioners in Aereo do a great job of traversing the history of the Transmit Clause in their opening brief before the Supreme Court, but the short version is this: The Supreme Court had held in a pair of cases that a community antenna television system or a cable system that captured an over-the-air broadcast and retransmitted it to the public was not engaged in a public performance.23 Congress enacted the Transmit Clause to legislatively overrule these two cases, and the words Congress chose, namely, “any device or process” used to transmit a performance, leave no doubt that its concern was with the function of the device or process utilized to make the transmission—not the underlying technical details of the device or process itself.24
Aereo’s argument boils down to it claiming that, even though the Transmit Clause on its face applies to “any device or process” that transmits a performance to the public, its particular device or process is somehow so special under-the-hood that the Transmit Clause doesn’t reach it. The problem with this argument is that the Transmit Clause means what it says, and it’s no answer to say that Aereo is simply doing for a subscriber what he could do for himself. This was the Supreme Court’s reasoning in the two cases the Transmit Clause was enacted to overrule. And even if we accept the argument that Aereo’s subscribers are really lessees of its equipment, the outcome is the same. The test is volitional conduct, and the conduct that matters is the conduct that Aereo itself has actually engaged in. If Aereo’s own actions are sufficient to find it directly liable absent any lease relationship, then its own actions are necessarily sufficient to find it directly liable even with the lease relationship. Because unless there is also some agency relationship between Aereo and its subscriber—for example, if Aereo were the subscriber’s employee—then Aereo’s own actions are only attributable to itself.
Cloud computing companies need not be worried about the outcome of the Aereo appeal because these service providers will continue to be protected by Netcom immunity under the volitional conduct test or by DMCA immunity. Assuming such service providers are protected by the DMCA, there’s an expansive amount of volitional conduct they can engage in without losing their safe harbor. How much volitional conduct they can engage in without losing Netcom immunity is less clear, but what is clear is that when a service provider itself supplies the very content at issue, there is no immunity under either the volitional conduct test or the DMCA. If Aereo loses before the Supreme Court, as I believe they should, it won’t negatively affect cloud computing companies because there is no reason for the Court to look any further than the fact that Aereo supplies the very content at issue. If anything, the Court’s decision will further cement into place the one bright-line rule that there is with the volitional conduct test, and this clarity in the law will redound to the cloud.
Special thanks to Terry Hart and Jonathan Greenfield for their valuable feedback in drafting this post.
Follow me on Twitter: @devlinhartline
1. See 17 U.S.C.A. § 101 (West 2014) (“To perform or display a work ‘publicly’ means– (1) to perform or display it at a place open to the public or at any place where a substantial number of persons outside of a normal circle of a family and its social acquaintances is gathered; or (2) to transmit or otherwise communicate a performance or display of the work to a place specified by clause (1) or to the public, by means of any device or process, whether the members of the public capable of receiving the performance or display receive it in the same place or in separate places and at the same time or at different times. *** To ‘transmit’ a performance or display is to communicate it by any device or process whereby images or sounds are received beyond the place from which they are sent.”). []
2. See WNET, Thirteen v. Aereo, Inc., 712 F.3d 676 (2d Cir. 2013). []
3. For example, live performances and television broadcasts can be captured and transmitted to the public even though the sender possesses no source copy. []
4. See Religious Tech. Ctr. v. Netcom On-Line Commc’n Servs., Inc., 907 F.Supp. 1361 (N.D. Cal. 1995). []
5. Id. at 1367. []
6. Id. at 1370. []
7. Id. at 1371. []
8. Id. at 1372. []
9. Id. []
11. See Cartoon Network LP, LLLP v. CSC Holdings, Inc., 536 F.3d 121 (2d Cir. 2008); Fox Broad. Co., Inc. v. Dish Network L.L.C., Case No. 12-cv-57048, 2014 WL 260572 (9th Cir. Jan. 24, 2014). []
12. See, e.g., Field v. Google Inc., 412 F.Supp.2d 1106 (D. Nev. 2006); Playboy Enterprises, Inc. v. Webbworld, Inc., 991 F.Supp. 543 (N.D. Tex. 1997); Playboy Enterprises, Inc. v. Russ Hardenburgh, Inc., 982 F.Supp. 503 (N.D. Ohio 1997); Disney Enterprises, Inc. v. Hotfile Corp., 798 F.Supp.2d 1303 (S.D. Fla. 2011). []
13. See, e.g., H.R. Rep. 105-551(I), at *11 (“As to direct infringement, liability is ruled out for passive, automatic acts engaged in through a technological process initiated by another. Thus, the bill essentially codifies the result in the leading and most thoughtful judicial decision to date: Religious Technology Center v. Netcom On-line Communications Services, Inc., 907 F. Supp. 1361 (N.D. Cal. 1995).”); ALS Scan, Inc. v. RemarQ Communities, Inc., 239 F.3d 619, 622 (4th Cir. 2001) (“[T]he ultimate conclusion on this point is controlled by Congress’ codification of the Netcom principles in Title II of the DMCA.”). []
14. 17 U.S.C.A. § 512(c) (West 2014). []
15. See Viacom Int’l, Inc. v. YouTube, Inc., 676 F.3d 19, 39 (2d Cir. 2012); UMG Recordings, Inc. v. Shelter Capital Partners LLC, 718 F.3d 1006, 1016 (9th Cir. 2013). []
16. Disney Enterprises, Inc. v. Hotfile Corp., 798 F.Supp.2d 1303, 1308 (S.D. Fla. 2011) (internal citations and paragraph break omitted). []
17. New York Times Co., Inc. v. Tasini, 533 U.S. 483 (2001). []
18. Perfect 10, Inc. v. Megaupload Ltd., Case No. 11-cv-0191, 2011 WL 3203117, at *4 (S.D. Cal. July 27, 2011). vacated pursuant to settlement, 2011 WL 10618723 (S.D. Cal. Oct. 11, 2011). []
19. Arista Records LLC v., Inc., 633 F.Supp.2d 124, 149 (S.D.N.Y. 2009). []
20. Id. (internal quotations, citations, and brackets omitted). []
21. See Mark Bartholomew & Patrick F. McArdle, Causing Infringement, 64 Vand. L. Rev. 675, 703 (2011). []
22. Id. (internal quotations and footnote omitted). []
23. See Fortnightly Corp. v. United Artists Television, Inc., 392 U.S. 390 (1968); Teleprompter Corp. v. Columbia Broad. Sys., Inc., 415 U.S. 394 (1974). []
24. See, e.g., H.R. Rep. No. 94-1476, at *63 (1976) (A performance occurs “either directly or by means of any device or process, including . . . any sort of transmitting apparatus, any type of electronic retrieval system, and any other techniques and systems not yet in use or even invented.”); id. at *64 (“The definition of ‘transmit’ . . . is broad enough to include all conceivable forms and combinations of wires and wireless communications media, including but by no means limited to radio and television broadcasting as we know them. Each and every method by which the images or sounds comprising a performance . . . are picked up and conveyed is a ‘transmission,’ and if the transmission reaches the public in [an]y form, the case comes within the scope of clause[] (4) . . . of section 106.”). []
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The political conflicts and ambitions of [Shakespeare's] England are known to the scholar and the specialist. But his plays will forever move men in every corner of the world. The leaders that he wrote about live far more vividly in his worlds than in the forgotten facts of their own rule.
Our civilization, too, will survive largely in the works of our creation. There is a quality in art which speaks across the gulf dividing man from man, nation from nation and century from century. …
[I]t is important to know that the opportunity we give to the arts is a measure of the quality of our civilization. It is important to be aware that artistic activity can enrich the life of our people; which is the central object of government. It is important that our material prosperity liberate and not confine the creative spirit.
—President Johnson, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts on December 2, 1964.1
National Endowment for the Arts, Sunil Iyengar, on “Why The Arts Really Do Mean Business” — Check out this podcast with Copyright Alliance’s Sandra Aistars and National Endowment for the Arts Sunil Iyengar on the NEA’s recent report showing the arts and culture sectors contribute over half a trillion dollars to U.S. GDP and create nearly 2 million jobs.
‘Grindhouse’ to ‘John Carter’ – 18 ‘dream projects’ that turned into nightmares — An interesting article in its own right, though I was struck in particular by the author’s remarks that, “The best art comes from dealing with the limitations under which something is produced, and when all of those limitations are taken away, you can end up with something that is wall-to-wall indulgence.” and “The lesson to take away is that when you want to pay tribute to the guys who came before you, do it in a way like Lucas and Spielberg did with Indiana Jones. Take that energy and channel it into something of your own”
New report says how much advertising is going to piracy sites — $227 million in 2013. And, according to the report, a significant chunk of that is coming from dozens of “blue-chip advertisers”, major brands like “AT&T, Lego, and Toyota.”
‘House of Cards’ Searches on Google Turn Up Pirate Links as Top Results — Variety reports, “In a Google search for “Watch House of Cards” on Wednesday, the top two results were links to apparent pirate sites, and” That reminds me of the story about Charlie Chaplin entering a Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest and coming in third.
Utah Judge Gives TV Broadcasters an Injunction Against Aereo — Although the Supreme Court has already agreed to determine the liability of the internet streaming TV service, the Utah court heard and granted a motion to enjoin Aereo in a parallel proceeding. Said the judge, “Aereo’s retransmission of Plaintiffs’ copyrighted programs is indistinguishable from a cable company.”
Kim Dotcom raid warrants legal, Court of Appeals rules — Despite continual proclamations of innocence, Dotcom has done nothing but delay having his day in court. Here, a New Zealand court strikes down one such attempt.
Wikipedia: as accurate as Britannica? — A 2005 study has given rise to the gospel that Wikipedia is as accurate as Encyclopedia Britannica. Here, Andreas Kolbe points out the sharp limitations of that study. “Nicholas Carr put it this way: in limiting itself to topics like the ‘kinetic isotope effect’ or ‘Meliaceae’, which no one without some specialized understanding of the subject matter would even be aware of, the Nature survey played to Wikipedia’s strengths. Carr also established that the Nature ‘study’ was not actually an expert-written research article of the type that built the reputation of Nature, but a non-peer-reviewed piece of news journalism (a fact he confirmed with the piece’s author, Jim Giles).”
1. As quoted in Copyright Law Revision Pt. 6, Supplementary Report of the Register of Copyrights on the General Revision of the U.S. Copyright Law: 1965 Revision Bill, xiv (1965). []
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1. Australian Law Reform Commission Annual Report 2011-12, pg. 30. []
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On January 24th, the Ninth Circuit denied a petition for rehearing en banc in Fox Broadcasting v. Dish Networks. The decision was, however, amended slightly from the original opinion, released last July.
Fox Broadcasting v. Dish Network involved satellite television provider Dish’s Hopper, a set-top device with digital video recording (DVR) and video on demand (VOD) capabilities. Relevant to this discussion, Dish began providing its Hopper customers with a service called “PrimeTime Anytime” (PTAT). PTAT, when enabled, automatically recorded all primetime (8 p.m.-11 p.m.) programming from the four broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox). The recordings are saved locally on a customer’s Hopper for a predetermined amount of time (typically 8 days), after which they are automatically deleted.
Fox sued for copyright infringement, alleging, in part, that Dish directly infringed its reproduction right when it made PTAT copies of Fox television programs. Fox sought a preliminary injunction
The District Court in Dish concluded that “at this stage of the proceedings, the Court is not satisfied that PTAT has crossed over the line that leads to direct liability. Despite Dish’s involvement in the copying process, the fact remains that the user, not Dish, must take the initial step of enabling PTAT after deciding that he or she wants to initiate the recording. The user, then, and not Dish, is the ‘most significant and important cause’ of the copy.” This, despite the fact that Dish designed, houses, and maintains the system that creates the copies. The court also did not consider the following facts indicative of causation:
• “Dish decides which networks are available on PTAT and has defaulted the PTAT settings to record all four networks.”
• “Dish also decides the length of time each copy is available for viewing: PTAT recordings are automatically deleted after expiration of a certain number of days, and a user may neither delete nor preserve the original PTAT copy before that time.”
• “Dish decides when primetime recordings start and end each night, and it maintains the authority to modify those times according to the particular programs airing that night. Additionally, the user cannot stop a copy from being made during the copying process, but must wait until the recording ends before disabling the link.”
The Ninth Circuit affirmed this result, saying “the district court did not err in holding that Fox did not establish a likelihood of success on its direct infringement claim.”
The “volitional conduct” test relied upon by both courts is idiosyncratic within the larger contours of tort law, and neither court explains why it decided to extend the test so far beyond previous applications. I’ve detailed some criticisms of the opinion when the original decision was released last summer. But today I want to head overseas and look at a recent case where a court got it right.
TV Now
In 2012, an Australian court considered a very similar question. Telecom service provider Optus created “TV Now”, a service that enables customers to watch and record television broadcasts through a mobile device or personal computer. It was sued by a group of sports leagues for infringing its copyright in broadcast football games. The trial court judge held that Optus was not liable for infringement, relying in part on the US court decision in Cablevision and analogizing the service to a VCR or DVR. The decision was appealed.
The primary issue on appeal was “who ‘does’ the act of copying.” The appellate court said “the rival contenders are Optus, the subscriber, or Optus and the subscriber jointly.”
The court first considers the case that the copies were made solely by the subscriber. This approach is based on the premise that “Optus makes available to a subscriber a facility (a service) which enables the subscriber as and when he or she is so minded to use that facility to record broadcasts and later to view them. The copies that are made are the result of the subscriber’s use of the facility though the actual making of them requires Optus’ technology to function as it was designed to.” This is the position taken by the trial court judge, which said that to “make” a copy means “’to create’ by selecting what is to be recorded and by initiating a process utilising technology or equipment that records the broadcast”, a conception the court here said “robs the entirely automated copying process of any significance beyond that of being the vehicle which does the making of copies.”
Besides the analogy of Optus as a DVR operated by a subscriber, the trial court judge also saw the subscriber choosing to copy as “the last ‘volitional act’ in the sequence of acts leading to a copy being made and, for that reason, is significant in determining the identity of the maker.” The appellate court found these arguments less than compelling.
It noted too the trial court’s citation to Cablevision and the “volitional conduct concept.” However, the court viewed this concept as relevant only when there is a need to distinguish between direct and contributory liability—which is the case in U.S. jurisprudence but not under Australian law. The court added, referring to the academic criticism of the Cablevision decision, “It equally is not apparent to us why a person who designs and operates a wholly automated copying system ought as of course not be treated as a ‘maker’ of an infringing copy where the system itself is configured designedly so as to respond to a third party command to make that copy.”
The court concluded:
[W]e consider that Optus’ role in the making of a copy – ie in capturing the broadcast and then in embodying its images and sounds in the hard disk – is so pervasive that, even though entirely automated, it cannot be disregarded when the “person” who does the act of copying is to be identified. The system performs the very functions for which it was created by Optus. Even if one were to require volitional conduct proximate to the copying, Optus’ creating and keeping in constant readiness the TV Now system would satisfy that requirement. It should also be emphasised that the recording is made by reason of Optus’ system remaining “up” and available to implement the subscriber’s request at the time when its recording controllers poll the user database and receive a response indicating that a recording has been requested. What Optus actually does has –
a nexus sufficiently close and causal to the illegal copying that one could conclude that the machine owner … trespassed on the exclusive domain of the copyright owners: CoStar Group Inc v LoopNet Inc, 373 F3d 544 at 550 (4th Circ. 2004).
… Put shortly Optus is not merely making available its system to another who uses it to copy a broadcast. Rather it captures, copies, stores and makes available for reward, a programme for later viewing by another.
The real question for the court was whether Optus alone is liable or whether Optus and the subscriber are jointly liable. And here, the court indicated that the latter was most likely (since only Optus was named as a defendant, it was not strictly necessary for the court to resolve the question of the subscriber’s liability.) Said the court:
If one focussed not only upon the automated service which is held out as able to produce, and which actually produces, the copies but also on the causative agency that is responsible for the copies being made at all, the need for a more complex characterisation is suggested. The subscriber, by selecting the programme to be copied and by confirming that it is to be copied, can properly be said to be the person who instigates the copying. Yet it is Optus which effects it. Without the concerted actions of both there would be no copy made of a football match for the subscriber. Without the subscriber’s involvement, nothing would be created; without Optus’ involvement nothing would be copied. They have needed to act in concert to produce – they each have contributed to – a commonly desired outcome. The subscriber’s contributing acts were envisaged by the contractual terms and conditions. How they were to be done were indicated by the prompts given on the Optus TV Now TV guide page. The common design – the production of the selected programme for transmission to the subscriber – informed the solicitation and the taking of a subscription by the subscriber; it was immanent in the service to be provided.
The Australian court’s conclusion seems to hew more closely to general principles of tort law. Though the issue is settled, for now, in the Ninth Circuit, the Second Circuit is set to take up the issue soon in a parallel case involving the same Dish services and the other three major broadcast networks. Last October, the Southern District Court of New York denied a preliminary injunction against Dish in part because it agreed that the customer, not Dish, made the PTAT copies. That decision has been appealed, and oral arguments are set for next week.
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Previously, I began looking at the legal questions involved in American Broadcasting Companies v. Aereo, currently in front of the Supreme Court. The issue is whether Aereo, by providing a service that allows paying subscribers to watch broadcast television online, is publicly performing the copyrighted programming. The Second Circuit said it is not, based on its 2008 decision in Cablevision, which held that a transmission from a unique copy of a work is merely a private performance. Aereo, relying on the Cablevision decision, designed its service to purportedly assign a unique antenna to each individual subscriber.
The Copyright Act states that to perform a work publicly means, in relevant part, “to transmit or otherwise communicate a performance … of the work … to the public, by means of any device or process, whether the members of the public capable of receiving the performance … receive it in the same place or in separate places and at the same time or at different times.”
The seemingly straightforward language belies some of the complexities that result, as evidenced by the Supreme Court’s agreement to hear Aereo. The approach I began in my previous post was to break the definition up into its separate components to understand it better: we have an actor (otherwise unnamed in the Act, we can refer to this as a “performer”), the action (“to transmit or otherwise communicate”), the object (“a performance of the work”), and a prepositional phrase (“to the public”).
To the public redux
I first took a look at what “to the public” means. Having had the opportunity to consider some of the feedback I’ve received on the article, I do want to make a slight modification to my definition.1
Originally, I wrote, “Any transmission from one person to another person who is not a family member or a close social acquaintance is a public performance.” The mention of family members and social acquaintances invites a level of specificity that I did not intend and distracts from the original purpose, which is to focus on the relationship between performer and audience. The legislative history of the Copyright Act says that under the second clause of the definition of “publicly”, performances during “routine meetings of business and governmental personnel” would be exempt “because they do not represent the gathering of a ‘substantial number of persons.’” I think the definition of “to the public” should similarly exempt such performances. It seems it would be more accurate to step back one level of abstraction; rather than referring to family members and social acquaintances, we should refer to “public” and “private” relationships. ”Public” relationships are those that tend to be described as commercial, arms-length, or impersonal, and are strongly unidirectional, while “private” relationships tend to be described as familial, social, or collegial, and are much more reciprocal in nature.
What is a performance?
With that out of the way, we can turn to the next question in the analysis: what is a performance?
As with “to the public”, “performance” is not directly defined in the Copyright Act. But the Act does define the act of performing:
A performance right for dramatic compositions first appeared in US copyright law in 1856.3 Nondramatic musical works gained a performance right in 1897,4 and the 1909 Copyright Act, the last general revision before the current Copyright Act, provided performance rights for dramatic works, nondramatic literary works, and musical compositions. However, the current Copyright Act is the first to actually define “perform.”
Though the current Copyright Act did not become law until 1978, the language of the definition for performance is substantially the same as the definition included in the 1965 version of the bill.5 Following the introduction of that bill, the US Copyright Office released a report explaining the bill in detail. The Supplementary Report explained:
Under clause (1) of section 106(b), to ”perform” a work means ”to recite, render, play, dance, or act it.” This includes, for example, the reading aloud of a literary work, the singing or playing of music, the dancing of a choreographic work, and the acting out of a dramatic work or pantomime. A work may be performed ”either directly or by means of any device or process,” and these devices or processes would encompass sound or visual reproduction equipment of all kinds, amplifying systems, radio and television transmitting and receiving apparatus, electronic retrieval devices, and a host of other techniques, undoubtedly including some not invented yet. In the case of a motion picture, performance would mean ”to show its images or to make the sounds accompanying it audible.” It would be clear under this language that the purely aural performance of a motion picture sound track would constitute a performance of the motion picture; but, if the sounds on the soundtrack are reproduced on an authorized phonorecord, performance of the phonorecord would not be a performance of the motion picture.
The definition is relatively clear, and there are very few cases that have have been confronted with issues relating to its interpretation. One of the most relevant and thorough is US v. ASCAP.6 There, the court was tasked with considering whether a download of a music file was a performance. It looked at the “ordinary sense” of the words used in the Copyright Act’s definition of performance and concluded that performance requires “contemporaneous perceptibility.” Said the Second Circuit:
In other words, “Transmittal without a performance,” said the Second Circuit, “is not a ‘public performance.’”
Transmission without performance
As support for this proposition, the court cited to Columbia Pictures Indus. v. Prof’l Real Estate Investors.7 In Columbia, the operators of a hotel resort offered guests the ability to rent movies on videocassette at the front desk, which they could watch on hotel-provided equipment in their own rooms. Plaintiffs sued, relying on the Third Circuit’s line of cases holding video store operators liable for public performance for operating private viewing booths on their premises.8 The Ninth Circuit, however, rejected this argument, holding that hotel rooms, though offered to the general public, become private spaces once they are rented.9 Thus, the operation of the equipment is not a performance in a public place.
Plaintiffs, however, also argued that the act of providing videocassettes to hotel guests implicated the Transmit Clause because the hotel was “otherwise communicat[ing]” the films. The Ninth Circuit rejected this argument as well.
A plain reading of the transmit clause indicates that its purpose is to prohibit transmissions and other forms of broadcasting from one place to another without the copyright owner’s permission. The Act provides a definition of “transmit.” “To `transmit’ a performance or display is to communicate it by any device or process whereby images and sounds are received beyond the place from which they are sent.” According to the rule of ejusdem generis, the term “otherwise communicate” should be construed consistently with the term “transmit.” Consequently, the “otherwise communicate” phrase must relate to a “process whereby images or sounds are received beyond the place from which they are sent.”
This reading is reinforced by the rest of the transmit clause which refers to the use of transmission devices or processes and the reception by the public of the performance. Devices must refer to transmission or communication devices, such as, perhaps, wires, radio towers, communication satellites, and coaxial cable, while reception of the performance by the public describes acts, such as listening to a radio, or watching — network, cable, or closed-circuit — television “beyond the place” of origination.
In sum, when one adds up the various segments of clause (2), one must conclude that under the transmit clause a public performance at least involves sending out some sort of signal via a device or process to be received by the public at a place beyond the place from which it is sent.
Nothing that La Mancha has done has violated this common sense construction of the transmit clause. While La Mancha has indeed provided the videodisc player, television screens, guest rooms, and makes videodiscs available in the lobby, we are not persuaded that any transmission of the kind contemplated by the statute occurs. If any transmission and reception occurs, it does so entirely within the guest room; it is certainly not received beyond the place from which it is sent. We are not persuaded that the term “otherwise communicate” can be read so broadly as to include the videodisc arrangements at La Mancha.
The reasoning of the Ninth Circuit here and the Second Circuit in ASCAP seems sound.10
To perform a work includes the transmission of a contemporaneously perceptible rendition of the work and is distinguished from the delivery of a work, including electronic delivery via transmission.11
The nature of a performance
A “performance of a work”, then, follows from this definition. If “performing” means rendering a work so that it is contemporaneously perceptible, a “performance of a work” is something that is contemporaneously perceptible. It is intangible—the Copyright Act refers to the tangible objects that embody works as copies. It is conceptual, an act rather than a thing.12 A performance is not the actor on stage, nor the sound waves emanating from a speaker, nor the photons transmitted across fiber optic data lines.13
It is also, perhaps, worth pointing out that it is not a performance that is embodied in a copy but a work.14 A performance is, by definition, incapable of embodiment; indeed, one does not even need a copy to perform a work, as is the case of a singer singing from memory.
And it is a conceptual unity. Consider two members in an audience. Neither will be perceiving the exact same thing, both because they are in different locations and because they themselves have variations in their eyes and ears that shape their personal perception. But conceptually there is only one performance of the work, and it is exactly the same for each audience member for copyright purposes.
The same holds true if a performance reaches its audience via transmission rather than via sound and light waves through the air. The Central District Court of California explains why in its decision enjoining FilmOnX (then “BarryDriller”):
The definition section sets forth what constitutes a public performance of a copyrighted work, and says that transmitting a performance to the public is a public performance. It does not require a “performance” of a performance. The Second Circuit buttressed its definition with a “cf.” to Buck v. Jewell-La Salle Realty Co., 283 U.S. 191, 196 (1931), which interpreted the 1909 Copyright Act’s provision of an exclusive right to publicly perform a musical composition and held that “the reception of a radio broadcast and its translation into audible sound” is a performance. But Buck, like Cablevision and this case, was concerned with a copyright in the work that was broadcast. The Supreme Court was not concerned about the “performance of the performance” – instead, it held that using a radio to perform the copyrighted song infringed the exclusive right to perform the song (not to perform the performance of the song).
The Transmit Clause explicitly recognizes this conceptual unity, saying a work is performed publicly when it is transmitted even if “the members of the public capable of receiving the performance … receive it in the same place or in separate places and at the same time or at different times.” There could be thousands of separate transmissions, but there is still only the performance.
These may seem like inconsequential distinctions, but I think they undermine even more the Second Circuit’s notion that we can conceptually sever performances of the same work made by the same actor but from distinct copies. If the Transmit Clause spoke about the audience capable of receiving the physical transmission, as the Second Circuit says it does, then it would be possible to have multiple private performances since physical transmissions are discrete and separable. But it doesn’t—the Transmit Clause speaks about the audience capable of receiving the “performance of a work”, which remains a conceptual unity no matter how scattered the audience is.15
This interpretation of performance is, in my opinion, far more consonant with the statutory language and the ordinary use of the terms than the Second Circuit’s “unique copies” interpretation. It also means, as we’ll see in the next installment of this series, that most of the heavy lifting (at least for issues arising in the cloud computing context) occurs in the causation inquiry, i.e., “who is the performer”?
1. I also flubbed when I referred to the three situations as being “mutually exclusive”. What I meant instead is that each situation excludes the previous. For example, a “place where a substantial number of persons outside of a normal circle of a family and its social acquaintances is gathered” could include a place open to the public, but that would make the previous clause redundant. Similarly, the last clause, transmission to the public, could include transmission to the public in a public place, or transmission to a place where a substantial number of persons is gathered, but that would make the previous two clauses redundant.
I think it still follows that each situation is analyzed by exclusive means. We can presume (from the case law) that a “place open to the public” turns on the nature of the place. The “place where a substantial number of persons…” situation doesn’t turn on the nature of the place: if such a place were public, then the first situation covers it, while being a private place is insufficient to tell us if there are a substantial number of persons there. The same holds true for the last situation. The nature of the place is irrelevant (otherwise the first clause would be redundant), the size and relationship of the audience to each other is irrelevant (otherwise the second clause would be redundant). So what is there left to consider? The only thing I can come up with is the relationship between the performer and the audience. There could be others I am not aware of, but the relationship between performer and audience seems to provide a workable rule consistent with the Copyright Act’s structure and purpose. []
2. 17 U.S.C. § 101. []
3. Act of August 18, 1856, 34th Cong., 1st Sess., 11 Stat. 138. []
4. Act of January 6, 1897, 44th Cong., 2d Sess., 29 Stat. 694. []
5. H.R. 4347 and S. 1006, 89th Cong. []
6. 627 F. 3d 64 (2nd Circuit 2010). []
7. 866 F.2d 278, 282 (9th Cir. 1989). []
8. Columbia Pictures Industries v. Redd Horne, 749 F.2d 154 (3d Cir.1984); Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. v. Aveco, Inc., 800 F.2d 59 (3d Cir.1986). []
9. In support of this conclusion, the court relied on Fourth Amendment case law holding that hotel guests have constitutional protection from unreasonable searches and seizures in hotel rooms. []
10. And indeed, the Copyright Office’s 1965 Supplementary Report adds support.
In general the concept of ”performance” must be distinguished sharply from the reproduction of copies on the one hand and the exhibition of copies on the other. It has been suggested that some of the internal operations of a computer, such as the scanning of a work to determine whether it contains material the user is seeking, is closely analogous to a ”performance.” We cannot agree, and for this reason we deleted from the definition of ”perform” the ambiguous term ”represent” which appeared in the 1964 bill. A computer may well ”perform” a work by running off a motion picture or playing a sound recording as part of its output, but its internal operations do not appear to us to fall within this concept. []
11. Thus, uploading of a work to a web site, like downloading, is not a performance. []
12. performance“, Merriam-Webster Online, “an activity (such as singing a song or acting in a play) that a person or group does to entertain an audience”. []
13. “Very few people gather around their oscilloscopes to admire the sinusoidal waves of a television broadcast transmission. People are interested in watching the performance of the work.” Fox Television Stations v. BarryDriller, at 5 (C.D. Cali December 27, 2013). []
14. Congress separately and outside the Copyright Office has made it a criminal offense to fix, without authorization, a live musical performance in a copy, thus underscoring this distinction. See 18 U.S.C. § 2319A. []
15. Likewise, the Transmit Clause does not speak about “the potential audience of a particular ‘work’,” an alternative interpretation that the Second Circuit raises and dismisses. []
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0.999025 | <urn:uuid:1f14868d-b946-40a0-9819-a7f0d7ade26b> | en | 0.96399 | Comment: .
(See in situ)
does anyone mind taking the time to explain to me what MEGA would be used for and how it is used, for what purpose?
and what was the other (bit-torrent??) used for and how did the gvt shut it down? are there others like it or was this the only one used for its purpose?
Rand Paul 2016 | http://www.dailypaul.com/comment/2919795 | dclm-gs1-292460000 | false | false | {
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0.021944 | <urn:uuid:4ead7f11-1107-415b-9128-c1e9af52cb63> | en | 0.948266 |
Vision is AMD's attempt to simplify PC marketing for consumers
Comments Threshold
Marketing from R&D money
By fzkl on 9/10/2009 1:20:29 PM , Rating: 2
At what seems like a time when AMD needs every penny to invest in R&D and come out with products that make up for its shortcomings against Intel, they choose to spend money on marketing.
Sounds pathetic. Is the end near and consequently a desperate measure to sell something from their inventory (this is probably why I am not running a company, maybe the management has some secret weapon) ?
RE: Marketing from R&D money
By crimson117 on 9/10/2009 1:43:00 PM , Rating: 3
That's kind of what they're doing here, I think.
Their immediate shortcoming is that AMD's CPUs can't compete with anything Intel has above $200. Below $200 where they do compete reasonably well, profit margins get pretty tight.
So they need to distinguish themselves, and they're taking a page from Centrino (which was a hugely successful consumer platform campaign). Intel's marketing then boiled down to: Centrino means it's a wireless laptop that works out of the box. They timed it perfectly and executed it perfectly.
So AMD wants that too - they want people who bought a laptop with crappy Intel graphics a few years ago to tell the salesperson their old laptop stutters when they watch HD movies on it, or try to edit their own HD camcorder movies. And the salesperson says, oh, you want guaranteed multimedia capabilities? Then you want this PC powered by AMD Vision.
Intel has gotten away with keeping prices down by using cheap graphics. AMD wants to turn decent graphics into the norm (leveraging their ATI brand), so Intel will have to catch up and raise prices by buying third party GPUs.
What I'm wondering is whether AMD can make any money off of this before Intel comes out with Larrabee. . If they can make Larrabee look like it's Intel playing catch-up, AMD wins and their ATI investment really pays off. Otherwise, AMD will need a new plan.
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0.033602 | <urn:uuid:93334ab5-f558-4f57-9baa-3661c8c4293d> | en | 0.968007 | 01/31/2014 - 3:30pm
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I feel like, more than having a through-line, this episode consisted of a lot of scenes that offered one or two new details or characters or relationships, but ultimately there was not a good flow. That makes this episode particularly difficult to recap. Luckily for the most part, a correct timeline makes no difference. | http://www.fearnet.com/news/tv-recaps/dracula | dclm-gs1-292720000 | false | false | {
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0.069478 | <urn:uuid:22044583-60c2-46f0-a251-6a7355c17aab> | en | 0.79731 | Newer Older
codebeta, patrickjoust, Matías.M, and 113 other people added this photo to their favorites.
1. gone girl [negativenowhere / negative1] 35 months ago | reply
a beautiful winding road....and fog, too - doesn't get much better than that :)
2. cth825 35 months ago | reply
this curve is a real beauty...
3. Eila Ray 35 months ago | reply
this is so gorgeous!
4. The Gentleman Amateur 35 months ago | reply
That's a super photograph!
5. Dead Slow 35 months ago | reply
Wonderful atmosphere, beautiful shot.
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0.156927 | <urn:uuid:6520a10e-d89c-44fc-b985-548f55ea8a66> | en | 0.939834 | Berkshire Hathaway
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Insurance subsidiaries tend to represent the largest pieces of Berkshire Hathaway, but the company manages hundreds of diverse businesses all over the world.
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Investopedia explains 'Berkshire Hathaway'
Because of Berkshire Hathaway's long history of operating success and keen stock market investments, the company has grown to be one of the largest in the world in terms of market capitalization. Berkshire stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange in two classes, A shares and B shares. The A shares are noted for their very high prices - in excess of $100,000 per share in 2007.
Early in his career Buffett came across the novel idea to use the "float" from his insurance subsidiaries to invest elsewhere, mainly into focused stock picks that would be held for the long term. Buffett has long eschewed a diversified stock portfolio in favor of a handful of trusted investments that would be overweighted in order to leverage the anticipated return. Over time, his investing prowess became so noted that Berkshire's annual shareholder meetings became a mecca for value investing proponents and the focus of intense media scrutiny.
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0.651647 | <urn:uuid:0b58743d-a824-4205-b573-6526107f2b70> | en | 0.912475 | Cluster Headaches Related Diseases & Conditions
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Generally favorable reviews- based on 359 Ratings
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1. Nov 1, 2013
2. Nov 1, 2013
3. Nov 1, 2013
4. Nov 3, 2013
Overall, Ender's Game is too reliant on special effects to fill the gaps left by mediocre acting and plot holes. It is simply too unconvincing to be a memorable achievement in film.
5. Nov 1, 2013
Lifeless, lacking in heart, direction and character. Weak and pointless exposition. Not a good Sci-Fi film, falls into all the standard pitfalls. Falls into severe navel gazing and thoroughly unenjoyable.
6. Nov 1, 2013
Ender’s Game vacillates between grand, sweeping space vistas and tight, penetrating close ups, mostly on Butterfield’s steely gaze. If you’re into meticulously rendered computer generated space, well then, a good 60% of Ender’s Game is for you. And if you’re by chance also into moral grey areas concerning the mental manipulation of children in war, then a minute percentage of screen time will work for you as well. But in the end, the film struggles to condense too much material into a two-hour run time. The book spanned six years, while the film packs all that into just about one year. With that much emotional ground to cover and a plot punctuated by long, computer-generated battle sequences, the story suffers from a lack of a sense of urgency and some seemingly forced character growth. Not even Sir Ben Kingsley as the legendary General Mazer Rackham could lend enough gravity to a story that very nearly gets lost in space. Expand
7. Nov 2, 2013
I've read the book and was deeply disappointed on what the movie decided to focus on. Ender was a complete badass and that wasn't captured at all in the film. He was so ridiculously good that the rules were changed constantly to be at his disadvantage, but he still won every game (there were hundreds of games, but the movie didn't mention this either). I realize that the movie had to leave some stuff out, but if you don't have an intriguing protagonist, you have nothing. Asa Butterfield just didn't seem like Ender. He was feared by everyone in the book, but again the movie did not give that vibe. Some other things that bothered me were Locke and Demosthenes being completely left out (that's half of the entire plot in the book), the extremely boring dialogue, and just the lack of heart in the entire film. It took itself WAY too seriously and it was really hard for me to care about any of the characters. The only positive I could take away from it was how it looked, now complaints there. Expand
8. Nov 2, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. First of all, let me say that I think this movie is OK as a stand-alone film. The acting is done decently well by most of the cast, and I liked what they did with the limited material that they had. Asa Butterfield does a decent enough job portraying Ender's emotion and his genius. I like Hailee Steinfeld, who plays Petra, but there isn't much conflict surrounding the character. Harrison Ford is good as Colonel Graff, but that's like saying that this chocolate tastes good, of course he's good, it's Harrison Ford. The Battle Room scenes are cool effects, which helped me out, as those scenes were difficult for me to imagine while reading. The way that it deals with the morality of warfare, manipulation, genocide, and repopulation do make it smarter than your average blockbuster.
Unfortunately, the film can never be a stand alone piece as it is an adaptation of an incredibly smart sci-fi novel, and is thus held to a higher standard. This is where the movie has its many, many failures. Now I understand that a movie has to be different from a book, as it needs to tell a 300+ page story in around two hours. However, when these changes serve to undermine the meaning or the themes of the source material, I start to get angry.
First and foremost, the characters are aged up to be into their adolescence, and the time period of the movie is squashed into the span of a year. I am perfectly aware of why they did this. Child actors make it incredibly difficult to make a good movie (ask Jake Lloyd), and to go through the course of the story, at least two actors would've had to play Ender and the other characters that age over the course of a six-year story. However, the absence of the longer timeframe takes away much of the impact, as in the book Ender lives literally half of his life under the thumb of Graff and the military. This largely undermines the impact of the child soldiering conversation raised by the novel. The relationship between Ender and Bean is broken, as Bean is the same age as Ender in the film version, removing the key dynamic of the characters.
One of the key forces that defines Ender in the book is his continuing isolation, first from Valentine, then from the Launchies, then from the friends he made at Battle School. Graff says his line directly from the book about this, and successfully does this on the shuttle. However, after Ender wins his battle with Bernard (in a far less clever way, mind you), he is accepted by the battle school. After Ender is named commander, however, he never has the estrangement from his soldiers that he does in the book. They simply enjoy having Ender (who they all like and respect), as their commanding officer, without any change in his relationships. Ender never faces Petra or Alai in battle, forcing him to destroy, humiliate, and therefore alienate them. They simply both end up in Dragon Army, something Colonel Graff would never have allowed in the book. Nonetheless, Ender, Petra, Alai, and Bean are all portrayed well, which is more than can be said about one of the characters.
Bonzo de Madrid is completely miscast in this movie, which ruins almost all of the scenes in which he's involved.
The thing that I hated the most, though about this film is their stripping of the roles of Peter and Valentine. Valentine and Peter, and Demosthenes and Locke, have one of the ongoing storylines in the book. They manipulate world politics and involve themselves in an impeding war with Russian Empire. This storyline serves as a complex development to both Valentine and Peter's characters, a change in the separated siblings character as opposed to their perception of one another, a commentary on becoming who you pretend to be, a political argument about the nature of the mob, an example of bad motivation leading to a positive result, an analysis of child prodigy, a view of parental and sibling relationships and how they develop over the years, and my favorite part of the book. Naturally, the filmmakers chose that NONE of this had ANY place in a Hollywood blockbuster, and cut ALL OF IT. It also robbed us of the drama of Ender's fear of becoming Peter, as Peter is on screen for all of FIVE MINUTES, so we don't know him as the audience.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Hollywood took something that was thought-provoking and clever, and made it into a marketable Hollywood blockbuster. All in all, I think it has some merit (Harrison Ford!), but fails to reach anywhere remotely near the novel's impact.
9. Nov 1, 2013
114 minutes felt like 1140 minutes. So Boring and so dull. A nearly bad popcorn flick that should have been released alongside After Earth. I really don't wanna say anything more about this movie, but Metacritic asks for at least 150 characters.
10. Nov 11, 2013
Painfully slow, predictable and boring. Like watching a screen-saver or someone else playing wing-commander for two hours. Not recommended. Haven't read the book, but if it is anything like the movie it can't be very good.
11. Nov 1, 2013
It is always very difficult to cram a book into a movie, but luckily they chose to cut the correct bits for the most part here. I was happy to find that a vast amount of the dialogue was pulled directly from the book. With that said, if you haven't read the book, you'll probably misunderstand the tone of the movie.
This isn't another 120 minute 'save the cat' by the numbers film, like
so much is these days. It actually tries to live up to the book, and succeeds in some surprising ways. If you don't go into this thing expecting perfection, you'll have a good time. Expand
12. Nov 1, 2013
Weak attempt to be Sci-Fi Harry Potter... The book has a loyal following but the film fails to really engage. Trying to cram everything into 120 minutes and make you care just doesn't work.
13. Nov 1, 2013
I have never seen a bigger disgrace to any book in my life, and by far one of the most boring movies ive seen in years. How can you destroy a book, AND the chance at making a good movie, in one go? Enders game can. If they just would have at least followed the story for 10% of the movie, i would have been happy.
-Signed, just an angry fan.
14. Nov 1, 2013
15. Nov 1, 2013
This generic looking jumpsuit sci-fi is about gifted kids who are taken to fascist military school where they are manipulated into perfect war criminals and learn to solve their personal problems with violence. The visual effects are expensive looking but watching Ender play video games quickly gets old. The acting, at least by the adults, is woody and uninspiring. It is like Starship Troopers for kids but without the sarcasm, I'm not sure that is the kind of movie I wanted my children to see. Expand
16. Nov 4, 2013
Ugh. Lots of pretty trinkets and flashes. For those who haven't read the books the movie lacks depth, character or substance. For those who have read the book the just seems to be a series of disconnected pull quotes with nothing connecting them. My thoughts as the final credits began to flash were I would be embarrassed for my name to be shown along side this piece of trash.
17. Nov 4, 2013
As a fan of Enders Game the series I went in with low expectations expecting stuff to change slightly and things to be cut out. But this film cut out the wrong parts leaves you feeling like someone shoved a novel down your throat by force. The film fails to explain crucial information the friends I went to see the movie with said they were confused and it left me to explain. Why does he keep talking to his sister? Why did that kid just say salam alaikum? Why didn't he kiss that girl? They tried too much if they left out a bunch it would have been better.
That being said I liked the visuals the character choices were fine with me it's just I feel you miss the point of Enders Game. Hopefully this makes people pick up the books and read them.
Biggest pet peeve bugger hug? SERIOUSLY!?
18. Nov 9, 2013
This movie is a failure on nearly every level. If you haven't read the book, you'll have no idea what's happening as it skips along the plot and crashes into scenes like a bumper car on an ice rink. If you have read the book, you'll know what's going on and hate it for what the movie's doing with the plot.
Isolating it from the book still leaves it as a failure of a movie. There is no
character development, even Ender's is minor at best. The rest of the characters are basically stock foils with names and have barely any interaction with other "characters" in order to create any sort of connection with the audience. Expand
19. Nov 3, 2013
How can such an empty and flat film for children be PG13?! Who, who is not a child, can enjoy such bad film?! Although thinking twice, children can be quite smart and discerning who can then enjoy this?!
20. Nov 10, 2013
Worst book to movie adaptation I've ever seen. I guess if you haven't read the book you have a much better time of enjoying it, but they thoroughly butchered it that's for sure. Easily should have been a 3+ hour movie so much is rushed through terribly. And what is with all the random alterations to some scenes that added zero to the storyline? So dumb.
21. Nov 4, 2013
How sad to see Harrison Ford reduced to playing in this sci-fi "game" that's obviously aimed at 10 year-olds or people who have stopped development at 10 years of age. Will be a big hit with game players who see the world as a place where video rules and reality, characters, interaction, mentality, and yes, even creativity, aren't essential. The sad thing is that the popularity of films like this is proof positive that the human race is really on track to destory itself (no outsiders needed!) Expand
22. Nov 10, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. All i have to say is PLOT HOLES, PLOT HOLES, PLOT HOLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are so many lazy short cuts taken in this movie, like throwing random voice overs in to deliver story.
I knew they were going to change some things from the book but damn, they destroyed this story. First off, they made Ender a whiney little made Anderson a woman, completely changed the beginning of the story, they turned Peter into a whiney about how he wasn't chosen, they just throw in random ass dialogue trying to explain the giant plot holes they kinda skipped Holy this is terrible who's idea was it to say "lets put Bean on the same shuttle as Ender and skip like 3 years of the story", Dap is a complete apparently instead of the "mom" he was supposed to be in the novel, apparently they are studying Mazer, oh the battle room guns apparently freeze you even outside the battleroom, dont even get me started on the battle room and the stars, LMFAO apparently the enemies gate is down?!! when they dont even know about the game or what the damn guns do! Apparently Bernard and Alia aren't friends, Shen doesn't exist in the movie, neither does Locke or Demosthenes, Ender is apparently some wise ass who talks back to the commanders.... ok so i just turned the movie off at the Giants Drink part... this movie is just to terrible to watch anymore
23. Nov 7, 2013
So cheesy. The acting is like throw up. I could not stay interested. Fell asleep after 40 minutes. It might have gotten good after that. But for that first hour minutes the dialogue/ script, the acting, were of the lowest quality. People don't talk like all. To me, good sci-fi is like Minority Report, Back to the Future, Alien & Prometheus, Even Horizon, Safety Not Guaranteed, District 9, Empire Strikes Back, AI, even Tron Legacy. I know the book was legendary, so I'm pretty disappointed they squandered the brilliance of the source material. If you liked the movies I listed, we have similar taste...Avoid wasting your time with this non-entertaining movie. Expand
24. Nov 9, 2013
Really bad. Plot filled with glaring holes, pointless and completely unjustified twists, and no character arcs to speak of. Action is at best slightly enjoyable, at worst absolutely ridiculous looking. Acting is universally bland and disappointing. Characters do things for seemingly no reason, and then stop acting a certain way with no explanation. Over all, a waste of your time.
25. Nov 10, 2013
Disappointing after reading the splendid written book! Watching the movie, I've felt like they've just gone from one milestone to the other, while adding some trendy 'mushy feeling'. And the end... oh, they've altered it! No spoilers, but the book is so much better, it was frustrating watching the movie.
26. Nov 1, 2013
27. Dec 10, 2013
I just watched the movie and I just have to vent for a minute.
First off this movie barely follows the book at all, it only had 1 or 2 scenes that where directly similar to the book, and believe me Ive read the book twice in the past 6 months, I have a list here of some of the changes, and while they might seem like little changes they were actually quite large.
1 Ender was 6 at the
begging of the book not 15
2 Enders school was just like normal school
it wasnt a military academy as portrayed
3 Enders sister was like 8 in the book not 16
4 Enders brother Peter was 12 not 23
5 Enders father was American Born in America
Not Russian born in Russia (Really why would you change that its stupid and only takes away from following the book)
6 Major Anderson was a MALE
7 There was only one girl in Battleschool
and her name was Petra
8 Bean came to Battleschool 2 years after Ender
9 Ender was never friends with Bernard and he
wasnt in Enders army and he didnt participate in
the final battle in fact Bernard wanted Ender dead
after Ender broke his arm
10 for some reason Bernard had 0 conflicts with
Enders and Shen just doesnt exist even though
he was Enders first friend and a Major importance
to the beginning plot (Another REALLY WHY THE HELL IS HE A PROTAGONIST)
11 Dink Meeker was a white Jew not Black he was
never in Salamander army he met Ender in rat army
12 Bonzo Madrid was 4 years older than Ender and
much much larger and stronger…. The fight scene
between them seemed like a joke compared to the
book scene where Ender kneed Bonzos nose into his brain
blood started gushing from it. He didnt even see him after that in the book but in the movie Enders personality is so distorted to that of a rebelious teenager whereas in the book he was a Very quite un rebellious boy. (AGAIN BONZA WAS 4 YEARS OLDER you already wanted to use older actors so why not use one for him, why dont you switch the actor that you used for Enders brothers for him)
13 seriously they made battle school only like 3 months long, Ender was in battleschool for like 6 years
14 Ender never emailed his sister nor did he want to, in fact he didnt actually want to see her again what a stupid change, it changed Enders entire character this is Fing rediculous at this point.
15 Petra was not Girly she was VERY AGRESSIVE, she did not have a love interest in Ender
17 Really the MD device is a lazer, and of course only one ship has it, and of course those ships are just drones, Fing rediculous, it almost makes the end battle seem like a joke because no one died whereas in the book all of those pilots had just sacrificed themselfs burning up in the atmosphere and actually detonated the MD device inside of their own ship THAT WAS A REALLY GOOD PART OF THE BOOK and it could have translated so well to the movie…
Really they just cut out 90% of the story and changed 99% of the rest, it is very loosly based on the book and if they had made a book based on the movie it probably wouldnt have even been published it was that bad.
I could go on for days but I cant it was just that bad, it was bad in the same areas as the Dragonball Evolution movie…
28. Nov 3, 2013
I thought the movie was Good, not great.
Asa Butterfield was surprisingly disappointing. I felt that there were times where he over acted. Haille Steinfeld and Abigail Breslin were both wasted. Not much character development.
But if you like the books, you'll like the movie. I just wish it was a little tighter as a story.
29. Nov 1, 2013
Never read the book, but I liked the movie. Not a classic by any means but I found it very watchable. Harrison Ford tries to dominate the screen time and almost breaks out into one of his snarly temper tantrums several times in this film. Ben Kingsley shows a melodramatic side in his zen master real guy routine. In a movie about military training it seemed like some of the reveals in this movie should of been led by captain obvious. I like the parallels to today's society issues though well hidden in this story at just the right level where it is not pounding them down on you like some other recent sci dramas in recent years. I could certainly see this being a launch pad for some of the youngsters careers just don't expect any Oscar nominations for this one. Overall good cinema and its great to see old Han Solo get even older. Expand
30. Nov 10, 2013
Movie tries to be as close as possible to the book, and fails. Book is about psychology, character development, and tactics, which does not translate well to an action movie, especially if there's a lot of it. And without reading the book first, I doubt you'd understand half of what's going on there.
31. Nov 20, 2013
I tried to view this movie in a neutral way, attempting to see it as a story independent from its author, but I couldn't. It was impossible to take the movie's moralizing on the nature of humanity, when the author is an evil, disgusting bigot who openly hates people and advocated for their legal oppression. The author says that people who do not hate gays are like Hitler ( a bigot, or you're acting like the biggest bigot in World History?). when I view the movie, all I can think is...these are the heroes of an evil man, from the mind of a hateful, vile person. It ruined the movie for me. I may not even be able to look at Harrison Ford the same way ever again. Sad, that Sci-fi had to be corrupted this way. Expand
32. Nov 1, 2013
As a fan of book, I knew I would come out of this movie a little disappointed. And I was right. Movie adaptions are never as good as the book. Period. The issue is always with the cutting out of material to make the movie more appealing to the average viewer. As I can understand most of the changes, I was not pleased with how the battle school was handled in the film. By the time Ender reached command school, I didn't feel like he was commander material. Too little time was spent developing his skills and demonstrating how his mind worked. Besides that, I thought the movie fared well, especially the ending which was handled fantastically. If I had not read the book, I would have enjoyed the movie more. But, like everyone always says, the book is always better than the movie. Expand
33. Nov 9, 2013
Initially, I set the bar pretty low assuming this was adapted as children's film and I'm glad I was surprised. The film had a a great VFX Supervisor but not a great director. Despite the fact that most will watch this film because Harrison Ford's in it (and this role really suits him great), the lead actor had no screen presence nor any charisma whatsoever. Rule #1 in casting: the audience must always be engaged and captivated by your lead actor. Asa Butterfield was nowhere close to that, although he acted well enough...Director Gavin Wood and the producers' team should be the ones to blame here since they repeated the same one-dimensional plot with most sci-fi films and lacked an original presentation and connection. Overall though, this is an amazing spectacle to watch, but nothing more... Expand
34. Nov 14, 2013
35. Nov 2, 2013
36. Nov 5, 2013
The earth is threatened by an alien race and it's determined that young Earthlings are the best trainees for combat. Enter Ender, a unflinchingly serious boy, who rises thru the ranks. This movie takes place during the military training with much of the time spent as Ender endures bullies, outsmarts everyone and questions authority (especially a stern Harrison Ford). The futuristic look is stainless-steel shiny and the effects are decent if unoriginal. Ironically, the fight sequences look like video games, but it's much more about drama than action. There are some non-traditional aspects that make it interesting, but it's not an exciting alien adventure. Expand
37. Nov 1, 2013
Very solid movie, and fears about casting were allayed, even Harrison Ford was very good. First hour was great, tight, good story telling. 2nd hour seemed more monotonous and left a few gaps in the character development, but overall very enjoyable movie.
38. Nov 10, 2013
39. Nov 1, 2013
While Ender's Game is a fantastic visual interpretation for fans of the book, new viewers may struggle to follow the plot and connect with the characters. That being said, this HAD to have been a difficult book to adapt and I don't know how it could have been improved in this medium without sacrificing the soul of the book. Hopefully we will get a sequel which can improve upon this movies weaknesses and expand upon its strengths. Expand
40. Nov 11, 2013
Enders Game was by no stretch a terrible film. However, it could have been made much better. All of the characters in the tim seemed a bit lifeless, including Asa Butterfield (who plays Ender), who did not seem fit for the protagonist role. Along with the poor casting decisions, the plot that made the original book so critically acclaimed was completely changed, including the entire ending of the film! That did not make me happy at all.
While there are many things wrong with this film, the one thing that they got right were the SFX, which were bright and engaging.
In the end, this movie could have been made much better if it were not for the poor casting choices and different plot.
41. Nov 3, 2013
42. Nov 2, 2013
The rough concept explanation (very rough) is "Harry Potter in space" gifted kids leaded by the most gifted one dealing with very serious adult problems. The movie has some breathtaking visual effects. Great actors like Ford and Kingsley, also Asa Butterfield aka Ender himself made a really decent job, bravo! As for the rest the movie seems to go forward too quick and I had a feeling that it would be better to divide it into 2 parts at least to tell the whole story in a proper way. The other thing is the story is full of sci-fi cliches in story and characters, most of the story turns are very predictable. And I forgot to mention that the movie raises a couple of moral/ethic problems, but I won't spoil it to you. Overall, the movie is decent, not awesome, but still worth watching for everyone who loves Sci-Fi. Expand
43. Nov 7, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I loved the book and of course knew the movie would be drastically different. However, in my humble opinion, they missed a lot of what made the book great. Character development for Peter and Valentine and their relationship with Ender was very light and those characters are crucial to understanding why Ender is perfect. The personas that Peter and Valentine take on in the online world were not even touched on. The plot felt rushed. The dynamics of the world were not well established... I feel like if you didn't read the book, you would be COMPLETELY lost.
Which takes me to my next point... it seemed like they were trying to please both a core and mass audience and in doing so, achieved neither.
With my griping out of the way, the movie did have its merits. Absolutely visually stunning space looks beautiful. Ender and Graff were well portrayed. The action scenes were great. And the battles at Battle School, which were tough for me to visualize while reading, were executed very well.
All that together makes for a pretty average movie. Nothing to look twice at, but maybe worth seeing if you read the book.
44. Nov 4, 2013
45. Nov 14, 2013
this movie adaptation is to awkward to watch really lead actor has no charisma to be a leader The weird shower scene is reminiscent of prison rape. the aliens though not the main focus of the story could have been focused on more. Ender's brother and sister have no story and in the book they were main characters to.
46. Nov 10, 2013
For any film fanatic that also happens to be an Orson Scott Card fan, Ender’s Game was the type of film that warranted the hanging of a calendar on the wall and blacking out the days until the film's November 1st release date. I was this excited for months about the film, and yes, I saw it opening night. But after having seen it, I say with dismay that although the admission may not have been a total waste of money, it may have been better spent on a few drinks at a bar, or on a Shake Shack dinner (for the non- drinkers). I was just so unexpectedly un-enthralled that I’m still in shock.
The film opens with Ender Wiggin as his parent’s third child in a world where thirds are not highly regarded, yet a prestigious military school’s administrators monitor Ender’s life via hidden cameras, and through this observation witness the potential genius within Ender. But whatever they notice, it is not shown to the audience.
Nonetheless Ender leaves his family behind to study at this elite training school where plans are secretly being made; Ender will train to become the next great commander of the Earth fleet. While at battle school Ender meets the legendary Mazer Rackham, a famous Maori warrior whom singlehandedly defeated the aliens previously, when they attacked Earth. Rackham’s job now is to mentor Ender, to prepare him for the greatest battle of his life.
Director Hood’s rendition of Ender’s Game does just adequate justice to the original plot of the book. I pined for a grittier, R-rated Prometheus or District 9-ish kind of rendition, and instead I got something related more to Will Smith’s Independence Day.
There were no gaps left in the timeline of the film, gaps necessary to explain how Ender could possibly have become a fleet commander at all. As Director Hood portrays it, the audience sees Ender go from cadet to commander overnight, almost literally. No human past, present, or future, (not even Ender) could pull that off.
Blasé scenes are followed by descriptions of grandeur that made me wonder if I had just watched the same scene as the military commanders. In front of a group of new recruits Ender is praised by Officer Graff (Harrison Ford) for his intelligence, a set-up for later peer torment? But the intelligence Ender shows here is hardly praiseworthy. It’s just a smart-alecky remark about zero gravity. Later, when Ender is confronted by a gang of boys, whom he ends up defeating, the fight is not convincing, yet again, administrators swoon. This type of device, apathetic scene followed by glorious praise occurs over and over throughout the film. Descriptions of awe are purveyed when no actual awe has taken place.
Asa Butterfield's unmoving performance is largely responsible for the film’s failure. He is not a convincing Ender, and so all his examples of greatness seem staged. Every time Ender does something “miraculous” and is praised for it, it’s reminiscent of the medieval age; a king’s steward dolloping out praise at every instance to keep his majesty satisfied. Harrison Ford is also pretty terrible. Come to think of it, pretty much all the acting, except Ben Kinglsey’s is bad.
Errata: Ender spends significant amounts of time whining about the administration blocking his email account. What does this have to do with the plot? Nothing. Since when do starships send and receive email? They don’t. There’s ansible technology in this world people! (machines capable of instantaneous or superluminal communication) Starships are way past “email.”
Overall, I’d say Ender’s Game was only kind of bad, but it so totally not awesome.
PS- I love that some people have rated this film as a zero. That is awesome!
47. Nov 24, 2013
I has excited to see this movie, and I got to say it did come close to my expectations. The only thing though is that the movie missed out on lots of important things that made the book good. Other than that, I loved it.
48. Nov 3, 2013
Love love loved it.
like to call it that frequents movies with action these days.
49. Nov 4, 2013
Highly recommended.
50. Nov 12, 2013
I did not read the book, so I cannot comment on the comparison. I went into the film not knowing anything about the story. I thought the movie was compelling visually, but was unoriginal in the story which was too predictable. I'm also looking forward to the day that Hollywood stops creating alien beings that look like gigantic bugs. I also found the soundtrack annoying with the music that is constantly going on at all times. The acting was fine across the board, but the script needed beefing up so that I cared more about the characters. Expand
51. Dec 26, 2013
Great adaptation, very loyal to the original material.
movie and it was awesome!
I agree entirely.
52. Nov 3, 2013
53. Nov 26, 2013
I think Ender's Game should've been releasing next year, but since the movie already released it misses the target. I felt that the story is far short (although I love Harrison Ford and Asa Butterfield's performance) and just like any YA-wannabe novels like Eragon or The Golden Compass, they don't have a single amount of audience that you want in a entertaining but flawed sci-fi movie. I don't know why Ender's Game was going to be released November because The Hunger Games: Catching Fire just released on the same month and by the way, Catching Fire breaks box office records, Ender's, however, not so much. I'm afraid there's no other choice than to cancel a sequel to some thought that Ender's Game could be a bigger hit. But then again, I think they must think about their mistakes in the first film. There's no future in Ender's Game and it's another big disappointment of 2013. Expand
54. Nov 1, 2013
I really enjoyed the movie. Casting was very good, as was the acting. Special effects were great. Pretty true to the book Directing and editing were good. I think this is a good movie for age 10+. The little ones might not catch on to the deeper philosophical meaning, but might still be entertained. It's not gory, and there's no sex or profanity. Most fight scenes are in the context of games, albeit war games, and they do get intense. That said, my husband thought the movie was just OK, but he doesn't like science fiction much. Too bad. I still recommend it. Expand
55. Dec 10, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. As someone who went into the film with an open mind, not knowing what the film was about or having read the book I thought the film was not good. This film is basic a big pile of nothing due to the lack of depth, the presence of plot holes and other annoyances, this overrated adaptation is entirely forgettable. With bad dialogue, poorly written characters as well as a lack of development from then, I didn't care for the characters at all, and sadly, even a good cast couldn't save the film; Harrison Ford giving a wooden and stiff performance, surprisingly mediocre acting from Asa Butterfield, laughable acting from Ben Kingsley and other forgettable performances in the end, the only performance that is at least decent is Abigail Breslin, who is entirely underused in this film. The film is incredibly tedious and rather messy and filled with plot holes, and the make it worse there is plenty of unintentional hilarity as well as goofy and somewhat campy sci-fi elements. On the plus side of things, the visuals are certainly impressive and they work well with the film. In the end, Ender's Game is nothing but style over substance.*NOTE: Prepare for some spoilers* Due to the poorly written nature of the film, some of the more thought-provoking elements of the narrative as well as the "plot twists" remained ineffective and highly obvious throughout the entire film, especially when in the film Ender is shocked by his act of genocide when it was completely obvious for the characters and the audience the realise this prior. *NOTE: end of spoilers*. Expand
56. Feb 2, 2014
A tame adaptation of the classic novel, and instead lowering its impact to get the teenage crowd. However, Ender's Game has always been geared towards adults and hence the problem. Some great performances by the leads but until the last 10 minutes or so, Ender's Game lost a lot of its punch. Too bad.
57. Nov 1, 2013
This review contains spoilers. I will start by saying that Ender's Game was a really good movie, maybe even great. The acting, especially by Asa Butterfield and Harrison Ford, was flawless and the supporting cast, however underutilized, were phenomenal as well. The special effects were incredible and the story, supported by a fantastic score, was very well told. Honestly, this is truly one of those rare stories that both children and adults alike could really appreciate. There were some things I thought could've been improved on. There were some areas where time passed very quickly and if I hadn't read the book, I think I wouldn't been a bit confused. I think using some cinematic tricks for time lapsing quickly could've been used to create a better flow and make certain elements seem more genuine. To be honest though, as a stand alone film, that's all I really feel was flawed. Obviously it wasn't exactly like the book, nor did I expect it to be. It's just about impossible to condense an 8+ hour novel into a 2 hour movie. However, there were also some things that they altered from the source material that I didn't care for, I'll explain here:
***SPOILERS*** As I said, they had to cut some things out and most of it was fine. They eliminated some of the minor characters (like Shen and Crazy Tom and a few others) and also some of the development of the Battle School dynamic. Those cuts came across perfectly fine. They also skipped some of his progress in said school and to do so they altered the way he developed the Dragon Army. Again, this was done really well and stayed true to the spirit of the source material. This trend continued throughout the story arc. However, there were a few changes that I didn't like. The biggest thing (in terms of creating a void from the book) was the entire Valentine and Peter dynamic with Demosthenes and Locke. While I didn't expect that to have been included in detail, I would've liked some sort of mention of the goings on. Maybe she could've mentioned it briefly during their conversation at the lake. It didn't have to be explained much but it was a very critical element, not to the book necessarily but to the story later on. I think they could've found a way to touch on it. While on Valentine, the most glaring of the changes was the ending (again, this is a SPOILER). In the end, Ender sends Val a message saying he's left to explore the universe. There are a few issues with this. For one, Val is supposed to be with him. She is an integral part in the entire saga so if they plan on making this into a franchise, which supposedly they do, how are they going to get them back together? Also, his abrupt departure creates somewhat of a plot hole. Where is Ender going? In the book, he doesn't leave for over a decade, which allows for other colonies to begin on other planets. In the movie, however, no other planet is colonized, so again, where is he going? What they should've done was develop his relationship with Petra a bit less in order to include more development of his love for his sister, Val. Then he could've written her a letter stating that he planned on leaving at some point but still had some things to take care of where he was at, you know, politics. This would give time for her to write back telling him she's going to meet him there and they could then leave together whenever he was ready. It wouldn't have taken almost any additional time and it would've fixed two glaring issues. The others problems I had weren't as major but still bugged me a bit. The second to last battle at Command School was a failed mission in the movie, however, Ender NEVER loses in the book. He comes close during that mission but he does NOT lose. His genius feels somewhat affected by them making him lose that mission. Lastly, they changed Graff's character quite a bit. In the book, he is stern with Ender and at times a jerk but he truly loves the kid and would do anything for him. In the movie, they almost made Anderson the kind one and Graff a horrible person. I didn't care for that change at all.
Nonetheless, the movie was still great and I highly suggest anyone who enjoys science fiction, or just great movies in general, to check it out. In my opinion, it's definitely worth the price of entry.
58. Nov 17, 2013
59. Feb 9, 2014
Solid acting but over-reliance on special effects and uneven pacing definitely take away from it. Things were going rather quickly in the first hour and came to a complete stop during the second, To the point where it was from rather interesting and entertaining to dreadfully boring. They easily could have cut the film down to an hour and a half and it would have been a far better film.
Would I recommend it? Well, I wouldn't go out of my way to watch it but if someone already has it and wants to, Why not take a chance on it.
60. Nov 29, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ender's Game, the novel, was thought provoking, philosophically deep, and psychologically amazing. Orson Scott Card brought characters to a level of connection between each other and the reader that few other authors can or will. He also has a wonderful insight to a future that could possibly take place and the minds of people living there.
Ender's Game, the movie brought all this to a 2 hour blockbuster hit that, quite frankly, didn't have anything blockbusting about it. Amazing ship design and man do I wish I could step into the command simulator, but other than that, it was a hollow shell of what it could have possibly been.
Ender didn't have anything special about him. In the novel he was a brilliant 6 year old boy who was a mix of Peter and Valentine, basically a critical and amazingly brutal tactical mind with the loving knowledge and understanding of the enemy. I can give them credit for attempting the bridge through dialogue but little else. In the movie, he was a 15 year old too susceptible to his emotions and nothing stunning about his thought processes.
Bean, while having a mind more brilliant yet less compassionate than Ender, so much so that they had an entire novel about him, was reduced to just another lackey. They might as well left him out for how much they changed him.
Graff, in the novel was a puppeteer mastermind pulling EVERY string behind battle school. In the movie, he's an overly militarized ****
Dap was the bridge between home and battle school, instead he was a drill instructor.
The story was compressed from a 6 year epic to a 1 year laughable story.
So much character development that was left out and changed that it's just another space thriller. The screen writers understood nothing about the book and characters to make this movie. I would rather seen this as a trilogy, including all the character development, thought processes, and reasons for why the characters do what they do than watched what I watched in the theater.
61. Nov 9, 2013
62. Feb 9, 2014
This is movie is wrongly classified as it actually family sci-fi movie, that way it would be 8 points or so, I'm sure many kids love it. But since it pretend to be a real sci-fi, I would say the story is very weak and worth 4 at the very best.
63. Nov 3, 2013
Swa this in IMAX. Good, but not great. Character development and more time/opportunity for audience investment as well as overall pacing could have been better. Visual effects were great, though most major films are nowadays. Acting was fairly good and for the most part convincing. Stays mostly true to the book. I wouldn't see it again but if you haven't seen it then I'd say go ahead and do so.
64. Nov 6, 2013
65. Feb 12, 2014
This is a film that looks good has solid performances, but takes itself way to serious. There is basically no humor or even a smile also the plot gets a little ridiculous. Overall it's highly forgettable. C
66. Nov 2, 2013
67. Nov 3, 2013
Interesting and refreshing sci fi picture with some great twists! Unfortunately there some missteps in the main plot as well as in presentation of the enemy! But overall it's engaging movie, with original concept
68. Nov 5, 2013
69. Dec 5, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A cruel experience.
I've only seen a few minutes of it, and knew that this is a lousy movie. He is also rated with a total of only 51%. As far as my rating is pretty close.
Although he looks good and has Stars to offer but this story is no good. In dozens of films, this principle is applied. A geek is a hero. More you did not have to offer?
Too bad that the stars can not really show off their skills. I would have preferred more of Ford and Co as of this untalented children.
70. Nov 2, 2013
71. Nov 3, 2013
W.C. Fields quote "“Never work with children or animals" is on point in this movie, though it did not ruin the entertainment value. The story of alien vs humanity is revisited somewhat reborn, this movie may interest you enough to pick up a book and read the series.
72. Nov 5, 2013
Great special effects. Decent, Unfortunately story filled with lack of the book. Has some good moments but too many nonsensical as well....
73. Nov 8, 2013
74. Nov 9, 2013
It is important for anyone that has read the book to understand that a lot of things have obviously been changed. As I was watching the movie I was flustered by how fast the storyline moved, spending a maximum of fifteen minutes on a section of the book that took 4 or 5 chapters normally. Certain major aspects of the book were changed such as the Demosthenes and Locke saga, and completely disregarding Beans brilliance.
For anyone who has not read the book, you might as well not see it unless you are a huge fan of sci-fi and would appreciate the fictional scientific developments that have previously not been seen in a sci-fi movie to this date. The acting was mediocre at best. The special effects were amazing. The cast was... Interesting. Overall, if your looking for a GOOD sci-fi movie to watch I recommend, Star Trek 1 or 2 or even renting an old Starwars movie!
75. Nov 12, 2013
76. Nov 13, 2013
77. Dec 6, 2013
78. Dec 6, 2013
79. Dec 7, 2013
80. Dec 9, 2013
81. Feb 15, 2014
I am a huge fan of the book. This movie by itself might get an alright score from me but since this is based on a good and deep book this movie must be judged more harshly. This movie rushes through key points in the books and skips most important moments. The movie fails completely to show the audience the emotions and thoughts of characters that make the book so amazing. The movie also ignores Enders slow descent into madness and doesn't show the hardships endured by nearly every character. They would've been better off just calling this an entirely different movie. This movie is horrible when put beside the book, I've never wrote a review but this movie was so bad and disgraced the book so much i had to immediately write this review. Expand
82. Feb 18, 2014
This movie has little to no emotion. the complex emotional ties between Ender and his colleagues were so glossed over it fails to draw you in. There were so few battle room battle and explanations for the genius that runs in his family as well. Glaring plot holes and a complete lack of emotion is why I gave such a negative review. The effects were amazing though and that is the only reason worth watching this dumbed down movie adaption. Expand
83. Nov 17, 2013
According to Orson Scott Card's "Ender's Game," the story is about a young boy enters a big tournament in outer space. In this version, Gavin Hood (Tsotsi and X-Men Origins: Wolverine) have created his latest film about a brave young boy who enters a space military academy to defeat the alien colony in the galaxy. Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield) is the chosen one who uses his game techniques to defeat the aliens known as "The Buggers" and he was lead by Colonel Graff (Harrison Ford) who wants Ender to join the space military, so he can defeat the alien warship. In the space military, Ender is training at the huge battle room with his young crew and I would say that how spectacular where the boy was learned in space military in the 3D experience. Ender uses his skills to face those aliens in a big arena of space war and the movie takes a journey where we can see a boy can fight those aliens with his brave ability with emotions, flashbacks, and strong story. Ender's Game is a decent science fiction movie with big entertainment for young teens and children who have read by Mr. Scott Card's novel. The movie has some good acting including Butterfield and Ford, it has some spectacular effects where you can see on 3D, and clever story about a gifted boy can defeat those space invaders in outer space. It reminds me of playing a video game of Wing Commander III by 3DO in 90's. Expand
84. Mar 15, 2014
Ender’s Game is one of those movies that is going to divide people and that division is going to be primarily based on whether or not you have read the book. People who have not read the book will either like the movie or just think its ok because a lot of the issues I have with the film come from reading the book. If you have read the book you will not be too keen on the film and in some cases hate it. A lot of my issues with the film are issues I have with all film adaptations of books. You cannot have everything from the book in the film and as a result a lot of moments are skipped through that give the story a depth creating a rather shallow film. While that stuff does bothers me it is a necessary annoyance of film adaptations of books or else the film will go on too long and be boring. The main issue I have with the film is that there a couple of characters that aren’t represented well, such as Ender and Graff and their relationship, and various points from the book aren’t emphasized well enough, such as Ender’s miserable life, and the ending. While this is isn’t the worst adaptation of a book I’ve ever seen its not the best either. Issues always come when transitioning books to film so no matter what it will let me down but a couple of changes really got to me and those who read the book. The film is alright but nothing spectacular as a lot of the changes make the film feel shallow and rushed. If you haven’t read the book do that is it has a lot more depth. Check the film out of if you want as it is somewhat entertaining although fans of the book should lower their expectations or they’ll be a tad disappointed. Expand
85. Nov 15, 2013
Enders Game offers quite a bit within the confines of its runtime. What really sells it is the performances given and the level of quality from the CGI team involved with the film, who create believable settings of the future. I hadn't read the book beforehand, so my enjoyment may be more than other experiences. So, on its own merits, Enders Game ends up being one of the best Sci-Fi action films of the year and is worthy of more praise than some critics would care to offer. Expand
86. Nov 18, 2013
87. Nov 11, 2013
88. Mar 11, 2014
The Ender franchise has turned into such a global phenomena that now, most kids are required to read it in High School. I was one of those kids and I absolutely loved the story. In fact I continued on with the books and they became unbearably strange. How they got almost 20 novels out of it is beyond me. While I was really excited to finally see Ender's Game on the big screen, I knew the chances of it continuing past one film would be slim at best. It all has to do with the ending, which is bizarre and really shouldn't have been continued. For those who don't know the story, in the future, Earth is at war with an alien species known as the Formics. The Humans have taken heavy losses and in desperation have started a recruitment program, that focuses on children. Knowing that kids think in a different way than adults do, they are hoping to find that one genius who has the key to defeating the Formics. That child turns out to be Ender Wiggin, a child who under Earth's new Government, shouldn't have even been born. Seeing the story I read so many years ago, come to life on the big screen, was magical for me. Finally I was able to understand the parts that were just too confusing to see in my head and get the complete picture. Ender is played by Asa Butterfield, who somewhat miraculously, at the age of 15, has had the starring role in every film he's been in. After watching Ender's game it's not hard to see why, he was to this film, what Ender was to the Human's in the story. The producers surrounded him and his young crew with a cast of Academy Award winners including Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, and Viola Davis, which ultimately strengthen the movie and must of really inspired this kid to give the performance he gave. While the film simply broken even at the box office, (killing any chance of a franchise developing out of it) it was very well done and closely mirrored the book. They did a near perfect job of deciding what parts should stay and what should be eliminated, giving us a film that was just as good as the book, if not better. Expand
89. Nov 8, 2013
Movie seemed a little rushed, trying to cram the whole story in under 2hrs, could have spent more time creating some character development. That being said it was a good movie and worth the price of admission.
90. Mar 8, 2014
If you enjoy sci-fi's, you are bound to enjoy this film. For me, the ultimate disappointment was probably some of the emotional scenes. Not to spoil anything, the funny thing about this film is that you're actually watching the cliffhanger but not knowing you're watching the cliffhanger.
91. Nov 11, 2013
I don't understand the people slagging this off. It's a really good film. Not quite as good as the book but when are they ever? If you haven't read the book, stay away from any annoying trailers that give it all away and go and see it expecting a powerful story that will slowly unfold into one of the great plot finales of any sci fi story. If you have read the book, be pleasantly surprised how this film might twist and turn with some of the elements but under all that, the basic feeling remains the same.
If you can't leave your mobile phone alone for more than two minutes and drink red bull all day and never read a book, this movie isn't for you. But... for those of us who relish quiet time to reflect on life and are secretly a bit nerdy, this film is really worth it.
92. Feb 8, 2014
The CGI
effects are great, providing amazing battle scenes.
93. Dec 21, 2013
94. Nov 3, 2013
"Ender's Game" may have some strange characterization issues sprinkled throughout, but thanks to some effective special effects and some morally complex ideas planted within its core, the film succeeds as a worthy piece of science-fiction entertainment.
95. Jan 3, 2014
Can I start off by saying that this movie is not homophobic or anti-gay and that that is only the writer of the book Orson Scott Card (dick).
The director of that badly written CGI fest X-Men Origins Wolverine sets out to make the movie of the complex book which predicted things such as the internet, gaming and e-mail, he does it surprisingly well.
Asa Butterfield is perfectly cast as
Ender and really makes the role his own, Harrison Ford is awesome (need I say more) and all of the supporting cast who make up Enders dragon army are brilliant also. Something which took me by surprise was the quality of the CGI in the space scenes. It was really good. I have not yet seen Gravity, so I won't say it's the best of the year. But it's definitely near the top of the list. However the best thing about the movie by far is the twist within the last 20 minutes (WHICH I WILL NOT REVEAL), but really took me by surprise. I am assuming that the twist was in the book and if I had read that first maybe it would not have been so effective. But I didn't read the book first, so the twist was totally unexpected and very very clever.
The first thing which started to ruin the movie was the ending which is not satisfying, and while I understand it now, it was difficult to interpret while the credits were rolling. The last shot is stolen from Avatar too. Also in contrast to many other movies, where he has been absolutely amazing, Ben Kingsley's performance is not all that good. He fits his character, but changes personality and even worse changes accent, which is one of the biggest sins possible for an actor to commit. Although the main problem with Enders Game, is too many unintentionally funny scenes (the same problem Gavin Hood had in X-Men Origins Wolverine). The clichéd bully gets embarrassed scenes, grin inspiring voice breaks from Asa Butterfield and laugh out loud hilarious first appearance of Ben Kingsley are just some of the unforgettable comedy moments in the movie.
Overall Enders Game failed to be the science fiction epic that Orson Scott Card's (dick) novel was, but does succeed at being an intelligent science fiction fantasy for kids and I found that movie perfectly enjoyable.
96. Nov 3, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. AWESOME MOVIE, if you've never read the book. If you want to know the movie/book differences, keep reading.
They had to make a lot of changes since it's a two hour movie. There's only two or three major changes I didn't like, but some are understandable, as Ender's Game takes place over years and years, a movie just can't do that. So, the movie takes place over a month or so. The age differences were known for a long time, I wish it would be possible to have younger actors, but it's just not realistic.
Another change is that Bean and Ender are the same age. I heard that they were combining Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow, and that's really NOT TRUE. In the movie, Ender and Bean are introduced right away. If you read Ender's Shadow, Bean is younger and he keeps getting compared to Ender. In fact, Bean thinks he's smarter than Ender. So I feel as if the relationship between Bean and Ender was not developed enough, In general, the character and relationship development isn't that good. There are tons and tons of battles in the book, and maybe 2 or 3 in the movie. A couple minor things here and there that weren't 100% true, but those can be ignored. For example, Ender was never told if Bonzo died, he never waited by his bedside, he only was told that Bonzo was iced in the book. Another one is that they had headsets and communicated by that instead of all sitting in the same room talking to each other when they were at command school.
If you haven't read the book, you'll see Bean as a minor character. But in reality, he's a more important character, and a strange one too. They didn't show it, but Bean was the one who actually made the Dragon Army roster. The practice sessions Ender holds for launchies and other struggling people aren't shown in the movie, which is a shame because I really liked those.
Overall, most of the stuff they missed is not important. I only wished for the characters and relationships to be developed more. Those being Ender and Alai, Ender and Bean, Ender and Bernard and maybe a couple more I'm missing. They might be making more movies, if they do, I would love to see a movie on Bean's past; it's extremely interesting.
97. Jan 15, 2014
Knowing nothing about this book I was lead to believe this film was going to be action orientated. It is not but that's not a bad thing because it's a character and story focused film. It doesn't go for too long, you aren't bored, and want to see how it ends. I was satisfied.
The visuals of this film are great. I particularly enjoyed the zero G room used for the launchies' training
exercises. In the future I suggest this be made available for recreation as it looks like a lot of fun. Also worth praising is how battles are shown from the holographic screens which zoom, tilt and pan to give ender the best view possible. It's almost like a video game except I asked 'how can he view battles like this'. Because surely in the heat of battle any drone cameras would be destroyed. But this is a minor grievance of how realistic viewing battles this way would be.
All the cast suited their roles except for Ben Kingsley. The could've chosen Temuera Morrison who is a Maori and looks like a soldier for example. But he was in the new star wars trilogy which is why I think he was overlooked. Furthermore his character claims to be ender's enemy during training however he is actually another mentor of Ender's. A mismatch in dialogue and execution I think.
At the end I had questions and got locked into discussion all the way home. I thought about events and occurrences not making sense or weren't explained properly. I thought about what I would do in Ender's situation. I thought about what was real and what wasn't. I lastly thought about the last scene and saying 'that isn't believable'. I thought and talking about a lot, but my friends and I agreed; this is a good but not great film yet entertaining nonetheless.
I went we read the book and the second book Speaker for the Dead. If Ender's Game was not filmable then Speaker of the Dead is as likely as pigs flying. I also read the author does not want it made into a film.
98. Nov 4, 2013
From the director of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" comes a movie that's actually really good. Look, I've never read the book, so I went into this movie completely blank. In the end, while some of the story seems a little goofy, the solid acting and surprisingly interesting script really helps set the tone of a cool sci-fi. I really dug into this world director Gavin Hood has created and I got to say, it was really good. I give the movie a B+. Expand
99. Nov 1, 2013
100. Nov 3, 2013
Not being a huge sci-fi fan of books or movies, which is quite contradictory when one considers I love astronomy and the wonders of the universe, although it's a strict layman's understanding, with no real math capabilities to study in depth the cosmos like real astronomers do. I just love to wonder about the infinite space and universe, or universes, and revel in its beauty and mystery. That said, "Ender's Game" is one of the better sci-fi movies I've seen in a while. Not a mind blower, but much better than "Gravity", which isn't saying a whole lot.
I had begun to read this book years ago and lost interest because I found Orson Scott Card's prose boring. The movie is not of that. Capably acted by all the cast, including Harrison Ford and Ben Kingsley, while this is not exactly Star Wars material, I found the story line interesting and the special effects were very impressive.
Special effects doth not a great movie make for most of us, but they do spark the imagination when done properly, allowing us to overlook the currently scientifically and physically impossible tasks of traveling at light or warp speed, much less barely tolerate the speed it takes to escape Earth's gravitational pull at over 17,000 mph, which is a snail's pace cosmically speaking.
However, they laughed at Jules Verne, who predicted men on the moon and correctly calculated the speed needed to leave Earth, and H.G. Wells and Ray Bradbury imagined fictional worlds and situations that are closer than ever to realization. I am a firm believer that if we can imagine it, one day we'll do it.
But getting down to brass tacks, "Ender's Game" is a movie that allows a certain amount of humanity in, some good, some terrible. The end is somewhat similar to "District 12", and we are reminded once again of our tendency to attack rather than understand or tolerate. It is that lesson I left the theater with. Fans of the book and genre will be more impressed, but a 7 from myself is quite the compliment.
Mixed or average reviews - based on 39 Critics
Critic score distribution:
1. Positive: 14 out of 39
2. Negative: 5 out of 39
1. Reviewed by: Dana Stevens
Nov 2, 2013
2. Reviewed by: Joe Williams
Nov 2, 2013
Ender’s Game is a blandly sanitized spectacle.
3. Reviewed by: Andrew O'Hehir
Nov 2, 2013 | http://www.metacritic.com/movie/enders-game/user-reviews?user_review_id=3686763 | dclm-gs1-293050000 | false | false | {
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doula's at homebirths?
post #1 of 3
Thread Starter
Do any of you doula's attend homebirth? Are you able to do it exclusively, or do you have to go to the hospital often?
I really want to be a doula, but the hospital scenario just stresses me out so much. Do I have to get used to the hospital, or might there be enough demand for my services at homebirths?
post #2 of 3
I've done both hospital, military hospital and homebirth situations. It depends on the mom for me. If she is striving for a natural birth in a hospital setting and the medical staff pressures her to do things that she doesn't want to, it can be difficult. If though, she is wanting meds. or an epidural, I am there to support her decision and her. Its tough though. I really have to remove myself and just be present for her and try not to let the medical interventions or staff get the best of me.
Good Luck~
post #3 of 3
Out of 65 births only 3 were homebirth - the rest have been hospital and birth center. In my are the demand for doulas at homebirths is extremely low - for all the obvious reasons. I think mainly it's because most women do not need a doula to do the regular 'doula stuff' at a homebirth and they invite thier sisters, friends, and mothers to provide that support. The midwives in my area are very warm, careing and (for the most part) patient so the mothers who choose homebirths here have very little to worry about.
I do feel though, that doulas need to attend homebirths - for thier own sake. It helps them to see/remember what normal is.
With love,
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0.082475 | <urn:uuid:321d8cb5-0123-4b43-bafa-ee51fe02283a> | en | 0.955317 | Kevin Drum - May 2009
Windfall Profits
| Fri May. 22, 2009 9:56 AM GMT
I've written before about the virtue of auctioning off 100% of the emission permits in any cap-and-trade program. The problem with allocating permits to electric utilities for free is that energy prices will go up anyway and the utilities will reap a windfall profit. The explanation for how this happens is a little convoluted, but it's very real: utilities in Europe profited handsomely from the first botched phase of their cap-and-trade system.
Several readers, however, have emailed to say that since most utilities in the U.S. are regulated entities, they wouldn't be allowed to raise their prices unfairly. And that's a good point. In fact, at one time I had the idea of writing a piece about how a broad emissions program like cap-and-trade (or a carbon tax) would intersect with the fantastically complex, interlocking set of state, local, and federal regulations that govern most power utilities in the United States, but I gave up pretty quickly. It didn't take long to figure out that I'd probably have to study the subject for years to have any real understanding of how it works.
Luckily, however, Peter Fox-Penner and Marc Chupka, who already have the expertise, have a guest post over at ClimateProgress on exactly this subject. Their conclusion is that Waxman-Markey does a pretty good job of ensuring that no one is going to get a windfall profit from free emission permits:
The key to W-M’s success in this area is that it is careful to give the overwhelming majority of free utility allowances to the electric or gas retail distribution company, not the generator or the entity that sells wholesale gas or power itself....State regulators, city managers, or coop management boards — who have full access to the accounts of distributors — set distribution charges so as to manage the profits earned by the distributor. This is a key point. Unlike some other parts of the utility industry, distributor profits are strictly controlled.
....Each state regulator or manager of a coop or municipal utility must conduct a proceeding to determine how the value of allowances will be treated — for example some of the proceeds might help fund energy efficiency if the regulators decide that represented benefits to retail customers. But, W-M does not allow the size of individual customer rebates to reflect that customer’s metered energy consumption.
With these provisions, it will be awfully hard for any utility to harvest a windfall from the free allocations — especially a shareholder-owned utility. Yes, the free allowances given to the distribution utility will be worth a lot. But the law is pretty clear that the benefits of receiving the free allowance go to the utility’s customers, not their shareholders.
....The important takeaway is that material windfalls are about as likely as the Washington Nationals winning the pennant this year.
There's much more at the link, including a Q&A, if you want to dive into this more deeply. And I'll confess to some lingering skepticism, since this depends largely on local regulatory authorities keeping things on the straight and narrow. Still, this is one of those complex areas that I'm just flatly unqualified to judge, so I'm outsourcing my brain a bit. Basically, if Joe Romm vouches for these guys and their analysis, then I'm ready to believe them unless some contrary evidence comes along. I'm still not happy with the vast number of permits being allocated under Waxman-Markey, but (a) I understand the political realities that forced this to happen and (b) it sounds like it's not quite as bad as I thought.
Advertise on
The Guantanamo Quandary
| Fri May. 22, 2009 9:12 AM GMT
Here is Barack Obama yesterday on what he plans to do with enemy combatants currently held at the military prison in Guantanamo:
First, whenever feasible, we will try those who have violated American criminal laws in federal courts....The second category of cases involves detainees who violate the laws of war and are therefore best tried through military commissions....The third category of detainees includes those who have been ordered released by the courts....The fourth category of cases involves detainees who we have determined can be transferred safely to another country.
....Now, finally, there remains the question of detainees at Guantanamo who cannot be prosecuted yet who pose a clear danger to the American people....Examples of that threat include people who've received extensive explosives training at al Qaeda training camps, or commanded Taliban troops in battle, or expressed their allegiance to Osama bin Laden, or otherwise made it clear that they want to kill Americans. These are people who, in effect, remain at war with the United States.
Hilzoy is not pleased:
No. Wrong answer.
The power to detain people without filing criminal charges against them is a dictatorial power. It is inherently arbitrary. What is it that they are supposed to have done? If it is not a crime, why on earth not make it one? If it is a crime, and we have evidence that this person committed it, but that evidence was extracted under torture, then perhaps we need to remind ourselves of the fact that torture is unreliable. If we just don't have enough evidence, that's a problem, but it's also a problem with detaining them in the first place.
I appreciate the outrage, but this is a genuinely knotty problem. It was knotty under Bush and it remains knotty under Obama. For various reasons, some defensible and some not, Obama is right: there are almost certainly a small number of Guantanamo detainees who are (a) unquestionably terrorists and unquestionably still dedicated to fighting the United States, but (b) impossible to convict in any kind of normal proceeding.
At the same time, they aren't American citizens. They were captured on a foreign battlefield, not U.S. soil. They are, essentially if not legally, prisoners of war in a war with no end. So what do we do?
There is no president of the United States who has ever lived who would release such people. There's no president who would survive doing so even if he did. It's an impossible situation.
So what do we do? This is a case where, unfortunately, I think outrage is too cheap and too easy. We're still left with the question: what do we do?
UPDATE: Glenn Greenwald makes the argument against Obama's proposal here. Big Tent Democrat responds here.
Free Speech in Korea
| Fri May. 22, 2009 8:46 AM GMT
The South Korean government has filed fraud charges against some bloggers who inflated visitor counts for the websites:
In a statement released Thursday, Seoul police said the phony clicks could "lead to a distortion of public opinion on the Internet."
....The government has sought to outlaw what it calls Internet rumor-mongering and may seek legislation that would require online posters to use their real names.
Last month, the South Korean Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that fined a man $2,300 for manipulating the number of clicks on a company's website. The move was allegedly a scheme to lift its popularity ranking among domestic Internet portals.
Some of the bloggers allegedly used "sophisticated viral programs" to boost their traffic rating, which I suppose is at least colorably illegal. At least one, though, is accused of the nefarious crime of placing a coin on the refresh key so it continued to repeat hits on his posting. Off with his head!
Oh — and one more thing: all four of the arrested bloggers were anti-government activists "who had criticized the South Korean government and advocated protests after demonstrations last May against U.S.-imported beef." Is anyone surprised?
Quote of the Day
| Fri May. 22, 2009 8:22 AM GMT
From radio host Mark Levin, screaming at a caller who pointed out that Barack Obama had recently transferred a prisoner from Guantanamo to U.S. soil:
Believe it or not, it gets worse from there. And this is a man who conservatives have propelled to the top of the bestseller list.
BankUnited Collapses
| Thu May. 21, 2009 2:47 PM GMT
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that BankUnited in Florida has finally been taken into receivership. No surprise there, but the price tag might be: apparently the FDIC estimates the takeover will ultimately cost taxpayers a cool $4.9 billion — and that's for a bank with less than $15 billion in assets. I don't think even IndyMac was quite that bad.
Quote of the Day
| Thu May. 21, 2009 2:19 PM GMT
From Conor Clarke, writing about taxes on booze and soda:
That was all of nine days ago! What would we call a suggestion made in the dark ages of April?
And speaking of old (smooth segue, no?), I tried out the WolframAlpha search engine today for the first time. It's been getting generally panned, but it sure did an impressively good job on my test drive query. Check it out:
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Obama and Cheney
| Thu May. 21, 2009 12:46 PM GMT
The media framing of today's national security speeches by Barack Obama and Dick Cheney as a sort of "showdown at noon" has struck me as pretty bizarre. And yet....I just read both speeches and I have to admit that it's really not so bizarre after all: they could hardly form a starker contrast if they tried. Obama's speech is all about the rule of law, honoring American values, creating policies that look beyond just today and tomorrow, and trying to figure out how to gain genuine security in a dangerous and complicated world. Conservatives are going to absolutely howl over it.
And then there's Cheney: no regrets, no second thoughts, not even an admission that any kind of balance should be entertained ("In the fight against terrorism...half-measures keep you half exposed"). It's a pure, white hot defense of an absolutist military approach to every aspect of national security. Among liberals, Cheney's reputation as a panic-stricken Buck Turgidson will be confirmed beyond doubt.
I want to read both of the speeches before I say any more. But really, the contrast is truly spectacular. It's worth your time to read them if you haven't already.
UPDATE: David Corn has a good summary here. Jacob Heilbrunn has a good take here.
The Credit Economy
| Thu May. 21, 2009 10:27 AM GMT
Megan McArdle shares a horror story of her own about a mistaken tax lien that attached itself to her credit report for years like a barnacle from hell, but then adds a comment:
It is terrifying the power that these bureaus have assumed over us — when my bank made an error on my car loan, my first worry wasn't that they'd upped my payment by $60, but that the subsequent late charge for an undersized loan payment might show up on my credit report. This was only slightly less panic-inducing than thinking that it might show up as a shadow on a chest x-ray. The bank fixed its error immediately and cheerfully. (And may I commend the Navy Federal Credit Union to all who are eligible for membership). I doubt Experian would have been so accomodating.
But maybe it's worth remembering that the tyranny that credit scores exercise over our imagination have everything to do with the fact that we've built a society so utterly dependent on credit. If you didn't need a credit card, an auto loan, and probably a mortgage to be considered middle class in this society, these opaque and unresponsive bureaus wouldn't be the most important source of information about us.
It is terrifying that these bureaus have such fantastic power to go around saying anything they want about us with virtually no oversight. But I'd take issue with the closing paragraph here. I don't know quite how Megan intended it, but I'd argue that there's nothing per se wrong with the fact that modern economies are so dependent on credit. Widespread use of credit really does make life more convenient, really does make banking more efficient, really does enable useful advances like online shopping, and really does allow easier access to goods and services that would otherwise be difficult to get hold of. Used in moderation, it's good stuff. I sure don't want to return to the days of hauling around travelers checks whenever I fly off to Europe.
Speaking for myself, my jeremiads against the credit-industrial complex have never been meant as an attack on widespread access to credit itself. Used reasonably, credit cards are a boon and credit reporting is a necessary part of providing credit responsibly in a big, complex world. That said, credit is critically important to everyday living now, and that means that it needs to handled fairly and transparently. And that's all I want from these folks: if you make a mistake, you clean it up. If you can gather negative information automatically, you can also gather positive information automatically. If you offer a loan at a given rate, then that's the rate. If you charge fees and penalties, they should be at least vaguely related to the actual cost of the service, not made into a profit center designed to squeeze an endless income stream from the very customers most vulnerable to fine print and slick marketing.
That's all I want. It's not so much, is it?
Google PowerMeter
| Thu May. 21, 2009 9:18 AM GMT
Felix Salmon updates us on Google's PowerMeter project:
San Diego Gas & Electric [] has recently started installing what it calls “smart meters” in 1.4 million homes in southern California. It’s up to 10,000 now, hopes to get more than 200,000 by the end of the year, and have everybody installed by 2011.
Any of SDG&E’s customers can get their electricity-usage information from the utility’s own website, but now they’ll have the option of getting it straight from Google instead, embedding it on their iGoogle home page, that kind of thing. And the more they see how much energy they’re using, the less they’ll use — a 5%-10% reduction up-front, with more down the road when they start replacing appliances and light bulbs and the like.
SDG&E's smart meters are indeed smarter, but they're still outside, and they're still basically just a fancy replacement for your current power meter. What's important is having something inside that shows you in real time how much electricity you're using. Someday that will probably be a physical device, but for now Google is providing this information to SDG&E customers via its PowerMeter app, which can be embedded on your iGoogle home page. Open it up and you can see exactly how much power you're using every time you turn an appliance on or off. Neat.
The simple act of making people aware of their electricity usage can probably generate a surprising amount of conservation. And relatively speaking, it's cheap. This kind of thing could help in other areas too. Here's a cheap and simple idea, for example: place the estimated 5-year cost of gasoline on the sticker of every new car. EPA could easily come up with a formula based on average car use and recent gasoline prices, and it would almost certainly make fuel-efficient cars more attractive if people saw the savings of buying one right in front of their faces when they were comparing cars. More like this, please.
Forbidden Topics
| Thu May. 21, 2009 8:47 AM GMT
I'm having a little bit of a slow start this morning, so in the meantime here's your idiot news of the day:
Honestly, I don't even know if I blame the principal for this cretinism. He probably has long experience with mobs of angry parents making his life miserable over trivia. Not exactly a profile in courage either way, though. | http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2009/05?page=4 | dclm-gs1-293100000 | false | false | {
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0.843913 | <urn:uuid:9e00a4f1-67d7-49ec-88e7-31144d0e221e> | en | 0.949807 |
Permalink for comment 389899
Member since:
Can Amiga get back in the game? They could become a niche player, but there's so much work to be done:
1) port to x86 (how about a 128 bit OS as Windows 9 is supposed to be?)
2) utilize GPUs to complement CPU processing (I'm a bit out of my league here, but I think supporting Nvidia's CUDA, ATI's Stream, or something similar is essential). Build it right into the OS for maximum speed
3) find a niche that's not yet saturated (AmigaOS, in it's day, was a leader in desktop video). Maybe the Amiga could be the manager of integrated audio and video throughout the home (organizing video, getting movies from the cloud, etc)
4) keep it lean and mean (both the OS and the company)
5) Hyperion needs to decide whether it's a hardware company (like Apple) or a software company (like Microsoft). A hardware company would mean higher risk (design expense)/higher reward (profit on both hardware and software. They cannot waste precious working capital wavering between the two (see Be, Inc.)
6) Do something unique (I don't know, maybe design computers that have no spinning drives, do everything in SSD or the cloud)
7) Court developers. Design an app store. Give developers free hardware/software.
8) Forge partnerships with content providers
9) A thousand different ideas I'm not smart enough to think of
Reply Parent Score: 3 | http://www.osnews.com/permalink?389899 | dclm-gs1-293210000 | false | false | {
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0.951764 | <urn:uuid:bcaa1a68-494f-45b7-a819-beb2d55eed39> | en | 0.967388 | Why Did Prophet Muhammad Go To War?
Since 9/11, there has been a lot of discussion about whether Islam requires Muslims to use military force to spread Islamic rule, and whether Islam therefore poses a threat to America and the West. Many people point to the fact that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a military leader who was involved in several wars, and that Islamic rule spread throughout the Arabian peninsula during the Prophet’s lifetime. They also note that later Muslim rulers, claiming to follow the example of … [Read more...] | http://www.patheos.com/blogs/muslimsforasafeamerica/2013/01/ | dclm-gs1-293250000 | false | false | {
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0.021774 | <urn:uuid:696239fc-2436-4ae3-a8b4-86e8e0d836b6> | en | 0.950849 |
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ICO punishes British Council for data loss
Personal details on CD were not encrypted
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is forcing the British Council to improve its data security measures after the organisation lost a CD containing personal details in January this year.
The British Council, which promotes cultural and educational ties abroad, said the CD was lost by courier firm TNT, contained the bank details, national insurance number and names and addresses of over 2,000 employees. At the time, the British Council said the data was encrypted, by an investigation by the ICO has shown this was not the case.
"The British Council proactively reported the breach to the ICO and took immediate remedial action which demonstrates its understanding of the seriousness of this data loss," said Mick Gorrill, assistant Information Commissioner.
As a result of the investigation, the ICO has asked the British Council sign an agreement confirming that from now on all data stored on portable devices will be encrypted.
"The organisation also agrees to ensure that its policies on the transfer and sharing of personal information on portable devices are clear and compliant with government standards," added Gorrill.
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How MPC created Three's singing cat | http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/security/114587/ico-punishes-british-council-for-data-loss/ | dclm-gs1-293270000 | false | false | {
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0.021828 | <urn:uuid:772089ae-2f2a-4c40-a192-f38a2a174786> | en | 0.789475 | People with Last Name of Eikner
PeopleFinders > People Directory > E > Eikner
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Don't ask to ask, just ask
Re: Is this code secure, can I test it on my machine?
by Krambambuli (Deacon)
on May 24, 2010 at 07:20 UTC ( #841332=note: print w/ replies, xml ) Need Help??
in reply to Is this code secure, can I test it on my machine?
I'm afraid I'll frighten you with this, although it's rather obvious:
some code is "really secure", translates to "that code does nothing else than what it is supposed to do, ever, in any circumstances".
Which is the same as telling "that code has no known or unknown bug, present or future".
errr... You got my point :)
On the other hand, if you just wish to check that the code doesn't pro-actively spy out it's environment and send out passwords or the like, running it for a while on a virtual machine or in a chrooted environment and setting a Net filter around it to see if there is any suspect network activity is not hard to do.
Also, on the test machine, you could set up a file checksum app (Tripwire, AIDE, integrit, yafic, ...) that might help in making sure that none of the files in the working environment haven't been altered during the tests.
Even so, you'll catch just a tiny fraction of the possible gotchas.
It's like in real life: the better you're looking, the more dangers you'll see.
(Who would ever drink from the "clean" water at which she'd had a look through a good microscope before that...? :) ).
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99% - The Occupy Wall Street Collaborative Film
99% - The Occupy Wall Street Collaborative Film
The independent documentary film about the Occupy Movement, made collaboratively by 90+ award-winning filmmakers & others across North America. Check us out on Facebook!
Review: In '99%,' the Occupy movement states its case "a captivating melange... this gripping, innovatively constructed flashback commands attention"
Possibly the best protest sign ever. :: without a doubt!
Is that not considered welfare fraud?
2012 Federal Discretionary Spending Budget.
Rather than Republican fighting to close loopholes so the US has more revenue, they would rather cut social security, cut benefits for the poor, cut education, and wreck the economy with the Sequester which will cost over 2 million jobs.---Two dozen Fortune 500 companies paid no corporate income taxes in 2011 AND received Gov. Subsidies (welfare) in the Millions.--- | http://www.pinterest.com/99percentfilm/pins/ | dclm-gs1-293310000 | false | false | {
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0.0526 | <urn:uuid:ce78c5ba-6049-450c-a63f-511109c15524> | en | 0.956177 | (The Mitten)
What do you think this poem is about?
Mold on my Think Stick
A woman once told me the most romantic sound she'd ever heard was that of a train in the night, in the far-off distance. She likened it to a powerful yet sexy force, reliable but dangerous, pounding away into the unknown.
I began to wonder... What is the most romatic sound I've ever heard? Could it be the early birds of a new dawn, welcoming the sun, teasing a lover and I after we've spent the night talking and laughing, all the while engulfed whithin each other's arms and our own autobiographies? Or, maybe it is that of an angry honeybee passing over two naive kids as they roll naked and shameless in a field of tall grass, hidden from their parent's watchful eyes? Could it be the ringing of my phone the next day to tell me she is at least interested in another date? Or her voice whispering in my ear, reassuring me that she likes the cut of my jib?
Maybe it's more vulgar than that; the sound of a woman, whom I know little of, moaning with surprise as I touch the areas that her lover has neglected. Or, the clammer of my headboard, as it triumphantly slams into my bedroom wall.
Suppose for a moment, that I appreciate the the sound of my flabby thighs smacking against the derriere of a woman from my dreams, or the woman of my last call.
Could these be the sounds I find to be most romantic? Or, am I simply too shallow for Shakespeare and too old for honeybees? Leaving only the sounds of the lust in my head and the rust in my ambition to imitate what true romance should sound like and be.
Submitted: Sunday, May 13, 2012
Edited: Sunday, October 27, 2013
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Old 01-16-2013, 04:23 PM
BaggagePatrol BaggagePatrol is offline
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There will definitely be a few shifts when it comes to privacy, and I know that Elemental is less crazy about this idea than I am. We definitely have some factors working in our favour mind you; our house is kind of gigantic, and her bedroom is on a different floor. This means that she has her own bathroom, office space, and has already been using the home gym down there. It looks like we might eat together, hang out in the livingroom a bit having tea or wine, and then go do our own thing in our own parts of the house. We have a full set of furniture waiting to go into our vacation property once it's renovated, and have asked if she'd like us to move the workout equipment into the garage so she can have a livingroom downstairs as well - she might be into that - we'll see how it unfolds. The other big factor that made a roomie seem like a good plan is that she has a long term partner that lives out of town and is only here on weekdays. Teaching jobs are scarce in our general area, so she jumped at the chance to take a position out here (one of 9 people hired out of almost 600 applicants!). She's hoping to gain some seniority, and is continually applying for positions closer to home as they surface in the meantime. This means that she'll be here for the work week, and then will head home for the weekend. Sa-weet! So, we get the benefit of a little extra cash for renos/fun, a feeling of less waste by actually having someone use the space downstairs, plus we get the privacy of the house to ourselves on weekends. We've done this exact same thing twice before with part-time room mates and it has worked well, so I'm hopeful that it's going to be a positive experience. Her and her partner move up North where he is a fishing guide in the summer, so she'll "hold the room" for the fall, or, if it's not working we can head our separate ways without it being a big deal. So far Elemental likes her, which is good, as he doesn't like everyone!
My walk with Mahogany last night was interesting. I can't say that I'm much of a nightwalker, and I just about died when Elemental dragged out a big orange vest with a hot yellow reflective X on it that he sometimes wears on the jobsite for flagging, etc. It reminded me of the time that my mom tried to talk me into putting a huge florescent orange flag on my bicycle when I was 14. Me and my lame-sauce (but practical, and sweet of Elemental to insist on it) reflective vest headed over to Mahogany's lovely home, and we parked in her driveway and met up with her. She got a kick out of my vest - I think she enjoys seeing me outside of my comfort zone, and is such a little powerwalker that this has happened a couple of times now. I know the drill now though - sports bra, sneakers, ready to fucking WALK. The first time we went for a walk I thought it was going to be a leisurely stroll with coffees. Oh no. I was sweaty and got some hella blisters the first time we went out "strolling" for 5km at a mind-boggling clip, and now I know better. I digress....
Our feet pounding the pavement, a flashlight throwing chaotic beams at our feet as it swung from her delicate lady wrist to alert oncoming traffic of our presence (as if they could have missed my fucking vest - sorry, last time I'll rant about it). She starts to tell me about her date, and I am instantly disappointed for her, and in the guy that she has been seeing.
Mahogany has been living an extremely sheltered, and very boring reality when it comes to sex. Her husband is very attached to the missionary position, and there is not a whole lot of variety or mind blowing passion going on in their bedroom. She has been really fascinated and titillated by the idea of having a lover for months now, and the Big Day was finally upon her - four dates with B that were filled with mental and emotional chemistry had culminated into a hotel date. Nice room, lots of nervousness on her part, they went for a walk, she had some wine and tried to relax, and they watched a short film that he had brought (this is his field of work, I think?) Things began to unfold, and here's where I get a bit pissed.
B. jumps into sex like a man coming upon water in the desert. No easing into things. No testing the waters. This guy is competing in the sexual Olympics, and Going for the Gold, so to speak. He has COMPLETELY missed out on one key point though - his judge has never even SEEN the moves that he's pulling out, let alone knows how to score them. Nor does she have the experience to say, "No, thank you, I don't want XYZ to happen on our first date." They haven't even made a safeword, for Christ sakes. From what I can tell, he had a tacky/porntastic mental checklist of what he was going to do with.... or should I say TO her, and just worked his way through it point-by-point. I seriously think that he traumatized her, and I'm fucking PISSED about it. When I told Elemental about it, he got all manly about wanting to "punch the guy in the face." Clearly bringing out his evolved side, but I understand his sentiment. (He isn't a mook, btw, he is a civilized artist with a very masculine, powerful body that he knows how to use.... I digress... back to the hotel room). Here she is, this vulnerable and delicate woman getting tossed around in a porn she didn't know that she was going to be a part of. Talk about unconnected sex! Gah! Yes, yes... she could have spoken up for herself, but I feel like he was just so completely out of tune with what kind of pacing was appropriate, or where she was at mentally. I'm disappointed for her, and more than a little angry that she was treated like that. Even if his intentions were good, it's just so unconscious!
She is, naturally, fairly sure she doesn't want to see him again, and ACK if she even likes sex! I talked to her for a long time about it - our walk was over an hour, and we stayed on topic. I talked about how pacing things, and finding someone that moved at her speed was important. That this experience wasn't the only experience available, and that she could chalk it up to a bad first go that might make a funny story down the line, and move forward with a greater insight as to what she really wanted. She's stepping back from men for awhile; she isn't sure that she wants that kind of sexual pressure in general, or the intensity of emotion that she's been feeling/getting with her MF connections so far. I did a lot of encouraging to separate this experience out, and see it as an isolated experience that came with naivety, and that she'll be in a much more educated place for her next lover, should she choose to have one.
We talked about our upcoming date on Saturday, and I assured her that I'd be taking things DAMN slow with her. That if she wanted to, we could snuggle, and maybe kiss a little if that was something that she felt ready for. I definitely will tamp down my desires for her and just move very, very slowly so as not to add to her trauma. Just kinda sad for her, and angry at that male mentality that can turn a woman into a sexual fuckbag like that with so little connection to what is actually happening for her. Also upset that we live in a culture where women feel strange speaking up for themselves and saying "You are moving too fast!" I am grateful for the lovers that I had during my sexually formative years. The time, care, patience and genuine curiousity that they brought to my body as they got to know what I liked and didn't like. Christ, I remember my first serious lover D and I playing "Do you like this?" for DAYS when we started sleeping together.
I realize that I've been blessed sexually more than ever. The fact that I've had one really lousy lover with poor moral fortitude out of the dozen or so men that I've partnered with makes me grateful. And it makes me more grateful than ever that Elemental and I found each other, with our insatiable desire for respectful and loving kink and passionate sex.
Where you go... there you are.
Me: 35. TD, 43, my monogamous beau. Lily: 31, my lady/lover, in two other relationships. Mahogany: 38, my girlfriend, in one other relationship. Elemental: 44, my ex husband.
Last edited by nycindie; 01-18-2014 at 08:43 PM. Reason: per blogger's request.
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0.062705 | <urn:uuid:5711fa52-fa38-47e6-bfd7-a6bc9757c329> | en | 0.957832 | Sponsored content by Skybox: HoT GC sale
Egypt explosion kills 14, wounds dozens
Last updated 03:18 25/12/2013
Residents say the attack in the city of Mansoura that killed at least a dozen and wounded at least 130 people will not stand.
Egypt explosion
A damaged area is seen after an explosion at a security building in Mansoura city, the capital of Dakahlyia Governorate.
Deadly blast at Egypt security site
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A suicide bomber detonated a car packed with explosives at a police compound in Egypt's Nile Delta on Tuesday, killing 15 people, the interior ministry said, in one of the deadliest attacks since the army deposed President Mohamed Morsi in July.
At least 12 policemen were among those killed in the overnight blast in the city of Mansoura, north of Cairo, and about 140 people were wounded, security officials said.
The army-backed government vowed to fight "black terrorism", saying the attack would not upset a political transition plan whose next step is a January referendum on a new constitution.
"We heard a loud noise and I found blood all over my body," one wounded man told state television, speaking from a hospital bed with his head wrapped in bandages. "We all ran downstairs to find our colleagues on the ground in blood."
The attack prompted a cabinet statement declaring Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation, though officials did not directly accuse the group of staging the attack.
The Brotherhood, which is already outlawed, condemned the bombing as "an attack on the unity of the Egyptian people".
Later in the day, hundreds of angry people in Mansoura stormed and torched buildings and shops they suspected to be owned by Brotherhood members, witnesses and state media said.
Others attacked and torched an empty bus after earlier seeing one of its passengers flashing the four finger hand sign symbolising the killing of hundreds of Morsi supporters at a protest camp broken up by the police in August.
The blast underlined the risk of militancy moving to the densely populated Nile Valley from the Sinai Peninsula, where attacks have killed some 200 soldiers and police since July.
The interior ministry said the car bomb attack was carried out by a suicide bomber, citing evidence gathered at the scene.
The presidency said such attacks "only increase the state's determination to uproot terrorism". Police "combat units" would deploy across the country with orders to use live ammunition, state TV reported.
Egypt has endured the bloodiest internal strife in its modern history since the army removed Morsi, the nation's first freely elected leader, on July 3 after big protests against him.
The security forces have killed hundreds of his supporters as part of a campaign to repress his Muslim Brotherhood, until then Egypt's most powerful political and religious organisation, while lethal attacks on the security forces have proliferated.
Some analysts say Egypt could face a sustained Islamist insurrection, a risk compounded by a flood of weapons smuggled out of neighbouring Libya since the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi began there almost three years ago.
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There have also been lethal attacks on security forces in the Nile Delta, though nothing on the scale of the blast.
Ibrahim described the car bombing as an attempt to terrorise citizens before the mid-January vote, which is to be followed by presidential and parliamentary elections next year. He said the security forces would fully secure the referendum.
The bomb shattered the police building's windows and badly damaged neighbouring buildings, bringing down the wall of at least one in Mansoura's town centre, state TV footage showed.
The Brotherhood described those charges as risible.
- Reuters
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0.074852 | <urn:uuid:6dd69050-d62a-4510-9c7f-cb53e9d99200> | en | 0.985574 | Third Watch
Anywhere But Here
Episode Report Card
Nicole: C+ | Grade It Now!
Anywhere But Here
Cut to Yokas at home, making sandwiches for her kids for school, and if her husband was home all night, why didn't he get off his lazy ass and make the sandwiches? She's out all night making the streets safe for everyone, so maybe he could put a little more effort into raising his kids by slapping some cold cuts on some bread for them. Maybe I expect too much. So anyway, Yokas tells him what happened that night, and he hints that the A&P needs a night stock guy, and she is all, "No stock job at the A&P is going to pay you $30,000 a year," and they bicker for a bit about her job and him wanting her to stay home, yadda yadda yadda. They hug and make up. You know, I would hope that Mayor Giuliani would pay his police force more than $30,000 a year -- I don't know how anyone could live in the city with a family on that amount. Or maybe the writers just didn't bother researching the pay rates of NYC policemen and just threw out a number. Yeah, I'd believe that.
Cut to Carlos sitting around at the station and talking to Bobby about how he froze during the shooting and couldn't help, and Bobby is all, "Do you need a ride home?" Hey Bobby -- way to talk to the new guy and make him feel better. You always know exactly what to say. Not. I guess the writers couldn't find a "feel better" speech to crib from, so they gave Bobby almost no lines.
Cut to Kim walking home, and she sees Jimmy waiting for her outside her building to see if she was okay, and he gives her a belated birthday gift. A bulletproof vest. Aw -- how romantic. How random. Gee, I wonder if, at some time in the future, Kim will get shot at.
Cut to Doc at the hospital with Jerry's wife, and Jerry's wife is still holding that kid. She must have arms of steel or something. The surgeon comes into the waiting room and tells them that Jerry made it through the surgery and he is in extremely critical condition, and that immediate family can see him. Jerry's wife finally gives the kid to someone else to hold, and amazingly all this time the kid never wakes up. So she asks Doc to go with her, saying that he is family, but he doesn't think he should go. So as she walks away, you can see what she's wearing, and her jeans look just like the jeans Yokas had on when she was making sandwiches. You would think that the costume designers would have some originality, since the only time they can cut loose with the costumes is when people don't have to wear uniforms. But I guess I'm asking too much.
Cut to the precinct, and the captain talking about Jerry getting shot and who might have done it. Michael Daniels is a schizophrenic who has gone off his meds, and his mother told the officers that he believes agents of the government are out to get him, and Bosco is all, "They sure are now." And I'm all, "Gee, Bosco, you sure are observant. How come you haven't been promoted to detective yet?" And they are all told to stay away from his apartment, and if they get a call from that neighborhood, they should get a plain-clothes officer to take care of it. So then they all go to get their radios, and Ty is in line with Bosco, and Bosco starts making fun of Sullivan and Ty starts laughing. Um, Ty, it's your second day on the force -- maybe you should show a little respect to the man who you have known all your life and is showing you the ropes? What would your beloved mother think? So Bosco gets his radio and he is all pissed off because he gets one that never works right (that one must not be an Ericsson radio) and he bitches that "I had this radio three days last week!" and the guy who issued the radio says, "Only because I get two days off!" What a fan club Bosco has. And then Bosco goes to Ty, "If you want to be a real cop, get the hell away from Sullivan as fast as you can." And if Ty is willing to take advice from Bosco, I've got a few acres of oceanfront property in Arizona I'd like to sell him.
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Nick's Mom Issues a Statement
8/27/2007 2:42 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF
TMZ has obtained a statement from the Linda Hogan, wife of Hulk and mother of Nick. Her son was involved in a serious car accident in Florida on Sunday:
The Hogan family
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Johnny SoCal
Mama/Daughter Sandwich!
That's all I got to say about that!
2393 days ago
I would screw those two ladies(Linda and Brooke) till there blue in the face
2393 days ago
All of you saying he should go to jail are way out of line. He was not in the right for speeding but accidents do happen and if all of you judging him can honestly say you never went over the speed limit in your life, I think your full of crap. Accidents like this happen everyday and we are only hearing about it because of who his father is. I wish his friend well and hope he recovers well from is injuries. The son is at least showing he has some moral character if he is at the bedside of his friend with his family.
2393 days ago
Hogans Fan in LA
First of all I would like to say that I am so relieved that Nick is ok. I LOVE YOU Nick! I think you are so cute!
For his friend John my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.
And last I would like to say, Don't you people have a heart! What if this was your loved one going through this?? Yes he is young and I'm pretty sure he learned something positive out of all this and I can't even imagine how he feels right now knowing he's out of the hospital and his friend is still their. I know you people wouldn't be too happy if people were saying this about your loved one!! Grow up people and put yourself in the other persons shoes before you say something rude.
Let's just thank god that their both alive.
2393 days ago
To the Hogans and to John & his family, I hope that everyone will be fine after this type of accident. My brother died in a car accident and I hope that this slows Nick down a bit. Nick you are soooo young sweetheart! If you do everything before your legal age what are you going to have to look forward to as you grow up? Thought & Prayers to everyone involved!
2393 days ago
cee cee
I live near Clearwater and the road Nick was driving on is NOTORIOUS for drag racing. Our local radio show (, 93.3flz) had some callers who stated that Nick is known in the area for trying to get people to race with him too. You know the kind of guys I'm talking about...the ones who pull up next to you at a light and look over, revving their engines.
I think it's time for Linda and Terry to stop focusing so much on Brooke, after all, she's an adult...and focus more on their son who is running wild. I'm sure Brooke is capable of making good decisions. It's apparent that Nick cannot. No more super sports cars (who the hell buys their kid one at 17 anyway??!??).
How unfortunate that it took something like this to open their eyes to what's going on. I hope the passenger pulls through and receives handsome compensation. If not to cover his pain and suffering, then to teach Nick and his parents a lesson.
I'm not a "Hogan basher". From watching their show, they seem like a great family...but they're just oblivious to whats going on with their son.
2393 days ago
Some of you that are posting your thoughts are quite simply spoken...IGNORANT and obviously have nothing upstairs but air, if that11 Anyway.... My thoughts and prayers go out to both family's involved in this horrific accident. we will continue to pray for a complete recovery for both young men involved.
2393 days ago
Dear Hogan Family, I'm from the Netherlands and i've seen the news on tv. I hope Nick is ok and i say a prayer for him and his friend! Lots of love and best wishes from Europe!
2393 days ago
cee cee the state of Florida, travelling 20 miles an hr or more than the speed limit will land you in jail. So no, they are not out of line. He broke the law. You break the law, you go to jail.
2393 days ago
#33 you summed it up poifectly!!!
2393 days ago
I keep seeing he is a kid. Sorry but that is no excuse for driving like an idiot. We tend to use the excuse to understand and in away condone the actions of teens. Truth is that is just plain BS. Especially when it comes to something like this. I don't feel he needs to threw in jail but his old man needs to take that boy out to the wood shed and knock some sense into him and the Florida D.O.T. needs to pull his drivers lic. Till he is 19 yrs old.
I hope the other kid's parents sue Hogan for all they can get. Seems a lot of time the only to hurt the rich is trough their pocket book.
Someone said that young Hogan was pro race car driver he is not a pro. He has very long way to go to be a pro. Plus a real pro race car driver knows the difference between a public street and a race track which by his actions young Hogan has no idea of the difference. He may someday become one if he lives long enough. Won't hold my breath on it.
People are talking what a close family they are. Yet they don't even know them. They say it because they watch them on TV. They may be close but remember your seeing them on TV and TV shows like Hogan's is 90% act and 10% real. Your not going to see little Hogan get smacked on TV. Not going to happen. Just like big Hogan the wrestler majority is fake and just BS.
2393 days ago
The truth is, even when your parents mean well by helping you to get a cool, fast car... it is very dangerous. When you are 17 yrs old, you have NO idea how easily something could go wrong and that you could die or kill other people. I had a nice car when I was young and I did some pretty stupid things. Looking back, I don't think it was a good idea. I once went so fast that I was no longer able to control the car. Nothing really bad happened, but it was scary. Luckily I was able to learn from that one experience and I never did it again.
2393 days ago
#38 Just asking
How many chances do you think this family should get? How many cars has Nick wrecked while speeding, how many times was he stopped for speeding? If you think he is such a sweet boy with good parents let him race up and down your street! My prayers will be with you in the game of Russian roulette that you and yours won't be hit and killed by this boy that makes a habit of serious mistakes and dad rewards him with another fast car.
2393 days ago
So that's where the bleach went!
2393 days ago
Desease control
I think Linda could look so much beeter if she would just tone down that eye Make-up.
She doesnt give Hulk the attion, and love he deserves she is cleraly bored silly with him.
Mybe nick wrecked the car trying to make the show less dull.
Its a shame to see thier family torn apart by trying too hard to be famous .
Now mybe they realise there IS more inportant things in life.
Than money and fame and getting a tan.
2393 days ago
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0.018551 | <urn:uuid:fd9eaa8f-9147-4127-936b-87ec3560142b> | en | 0.945523 | Maggie Stiefvater
Maggie Stiefvater Keynotes - The Maggie Stiefvater keynotes examine the concept and consequences of labels of individuals in a... Need Inspiration?
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The 'How Bad Teens Become Famous People' keynote by Maggie Stiefvater tells the truth about labelling teens in the American system. Maggie reveals that the only thing that has changed from her past as a 'bad teen' to her current success as an author is perception.
To some, her success may have appeared inevitable, but not at the time. Maggie reflects back to an alternate high school she delivered a speech at, and saw her teen self in these individuals that were labelled as being different. People have a problem with thinking one cannot think outside of the box until one is already out.
The 'How Bad Teens Become Famous People' keynote stresses that there is a fine line between brilliance and deviance. Weird people are what comes next, and sometimes the only difference between "successful people" and "bad teens" is one's point of view. Be careful when labelling teens because these are the people that come next, and the label given to them may stick with them their whole lives. | http://www.trendhunter.com/keynote/how-bad-teens-become-famous-people | dclm-gs1-293670000 | false | false | {
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The lawsuit said the pat-down "exposed him to humiliation and degradation through unwanted touching, gripping and rubbing of the intimate areas of his body."
Ventura, who was Minnesota governor from 1999 through 2002 and is now the host of the television program "Conspiracy Theory," did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.
Napolitano said in December that the new technology and the pat-downs were "objectively safer for our traveling public."
The U.S. attorney's office did not immediately return an e-mail message seeking comment Monday.
The TSA's website says there are nearly 500 full-body scanners in use at 78 airports. The scanners show a traveler's physical contours on a computer screen that's viewed in a private room. Faces aren't shown, and the person's identity is supposedly not known to the screener reviewing the images.
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Bob Ultsch
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Hugo Alvorez
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0.019196 | <urn:uuid:cd04afde-3c56-48ee-8691-2829c2d0ba8f> | en | 0.891496 | First: Mid: Last: City: State:
Larry Rumley Sr in Leon, IA
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0.059284 | <urn:uuid:f19ae1b1-6dc2-41a1-b89d-ee64d2a6e5d8> | en | 0.958752 | Huckabee Gets Michelle Obama on Fox
Fat fighter and 2012 GOP hopeful Mike Huckabee gets Michelle Obama to talk obesity on his Fox News show.
By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers
Huckabee, who famously lost over 100 pounds and wrote about it in Quit Digging Your Grave With a Knife and Fork: A 12-Step Program to End Bad Habits and Begin a Healthy Lifestyle, tells our Suzi Parker that he agrees with the first lady that childhood obesity is a major threat to kids.
Huck says he "commends" Michelle Obama for taking on the problem and recognizing that it is not a "crisis of the month."
Obama this month announced her new program to curb childhood obesity: the Let's Move Campaign.
Huckabee suggested that hosting Obama is a sign that the issue isn't one that should attract partisanship. "The tragedy would be for conservatives to sit it out and not ensure that the approach is indeed vertical and focused on the cultural and generational changes that are needed."
Still, he said, it's not a problem "that government can fix and shouldn't attempt to regulate people's behavior, but rather to follow the same framework that has marked other significant cultural shifts in health behavior."
Huckabee says pushing kids to watch what they eat can be a subtle thing. "Kids respond to peer pressure and influences that surround them," he says. "There is no simple solution because the issue is far more complex than that. It involves parents, kids, the medical community, the food industry, communities, and education. The role for government is far more limited than many will realize, but government does have a role, not to regulate personal behavior and private business but to regulate itself and its institutions."
Huckabee hosts Huckabee with Mike Huckabee weekends on Fox. It's a newsy and folksy show where the former Arkansas governor talks about whatever he wants.
• See photos of Michelle Obama.
• See photos of the Obamas behind the scenes. | http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2010/02/17/huckabee-gets-michelle-obama-on-fox | dclm-gs1-293770000 | false | false | {
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1 dead, 77 hurt in La. plant explosion
Friday - 6/14/2013, 3:56am ET
A chemical plant is hosed down after a fire in this aerial photo about twenty miles southeast of Baton Rouge, in Geismer, La., Thursday, June 13, 2013. The plant makes highly flammable gases that are basic building blocks in the petrochemical industry. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Associated Press
"There was fire in excess of 100 to 200 feet in the air," said state Sen. Troy Brown, who felt the blast at his house, less than five miles away. "It was scary to see."
A contract worker, Daniel Cuthbertson, 34, described a scene of "mass hysteria" immediately after the explosion, with workers scrambling over gates to get out of the plant.
"God was with me today because I know when I looked back, I barely made it. I know somebody was hurt. There's no way everybody escaped that," Cuthbertson said while at an emergency staging area about 2 miles from the plant.
At nearby Dutchtown High School, football players were doing conditioning exercises outdoors when they heard the boom. Students were rushed inside and the school went into emergency lock-down.
"My biggest concern is that I'm hoping none of our players or students had parents who worked in that plant and were injured. That's my main thing," Benny Saia, the school's athletic director and head football coach, said in an interview later.
Residents several miles from the plant described feeling the ground shaking.
"It felt like a three-second earthquake. It was a massive explosion," said Brown. Unsure what it was, he drove to a gas station down the street from his house and saw flames shooting up 100 to 200 feet into the air.
Officials at area hospitals said a handful of patients were in critical or serious condition, though most seemed to have minor injuries. The plant makes ethylene and propylene -- highly flammable gases that are the basic building blocks in the petrochemical industry.
Cain said the fire was out, but gas was being flared -- burned at the top of high chimneys -- in other parts of the plant. "There is still some controlled flaring going on, so people in the area are going to see smoke," he said.
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Stephen Harper and the Future of Canada
William Johnson was the first to write a book about Stephen Harper, and he has become the authority on Harper.
Who is this man? Everyone knows that he became leader of the Alliance Party and, against all odds, gathered in the old Conservative Party to create a force designed to win power. Yet what are his core beliefs? Where will he takes us now that he has gained power?
William Johnson has researched the Harper family background and the historical context that shaped Harper's political career. He paints a fascinating picture of a man who, like Pierre Trudeau, trained mentally for political power like an athlete training for the Olympics, yet is not a natural politician and never really wanted the political leader's life. By studying Harper's approach to the main issues in Canadian politics, he shows that Harper is a sophisticated political operative, far more complex and intellectual than the right-wing Republican image that has been created for him.
For the paperback edition, Johnson has updated this serious, objective biography with several new chapters taking us right up through Harper's early days in power.
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Douglas Gibson Books
• Publish Date
September 18, 2006
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Excerpt from Stephen Harper and the Future of Canada by Richard Lischer
Chapter 4
POLITICS WAS NOT FOR him. He did not want to be part of the politics he'd seen practised in Ottawa. But was there any other kind? He would find out.
Stephen Harper's year in Ottawa had not been wasted. Before his involvement in the 1984 elections, he had no interest in a career centred on Canada and Canadian issues. He was attracted to the world. He'd wanted to be a diplomat, representing Canada abroad. But now that he had seen Parliament in action, he had observed how the politicians failed to deal with the country's most pressing problems. He wanted to understand those problems and find their solution. The career path to fit his obsessions was the academic life. So, in June 1986, he was back in Calgary to work on a master's degree and then a Ph.D. in economics. Eventually, from a position in a university, he would develop and disseminate his own proposals on public policy.
The last thing on his mind was to become a member of Parliament. So says Jim Hawkes: "At that age I think he would have said very clearly he �wouldn't ever want to be an elected member. I think he saw up close the kind of lifestyle that it was, the kinds of things that you had to do -- sit for hours, sometimes months at a time, for people to reach consensus. It was a much clearer path, something he knew more about, being a university academic. It was something that he could do and do well, and you could still have influence from that kind of a platform. That's really what he came back to Calgary to do."
Cynthia Williams is equally certain. "I �don't think he ever wanted to be on camera. I'm sure of it. He liked being behind the scenes. I think he always believed that he could find the candidate that he could get behind, and work for that person. I think he saw himself as an economist. There's a problem, now here's an answer, nothing to whine about, and let's just get it done. And you �can't do that in Ottawa. All kinds of people have to be talked to, and feelings worked out -- he would have just wanted to get it done."
Harper was at heart a political economist, as Cynthia Williams con�firms. "His interests were economics. He's always believed that if you have strong financial management, then you can do all those other things that you want to do. With a good economy, you have more money for the arts, more money for social programs. I think he has always believed in the individual, too. He's always believed, get out of the way of the individual, �don't take so much off their cheques with taxes, and let society make the right choices."
So, at the age of twenty-�seven, Stephen began the life of a graduate student. But he would not wait until the end of his studies to develop his own views. He'd worked in the real world for three years after high school before returning to university for his first degree. He had then seen real politics from the inside. He was a mature student in every sense, and a quick study. He could not be content to absorb what his professors told him, read what they recommended, write papers, and get good marks, then get a good job in a good university. He was beyond that. Compulsively analytical, his character made him unable simply to play the game by the rules set by others. He had to know why and why not.
And so he now set off on a personal pursuit that was parallel to his studies. He began a vision quest that would soon lead him far from where he began. He deliberately entered into the labyrinth of human thought, down through the ages, on the human and political condition. He enrolled in a course on the history of philosophy and began systematically reading his way through the works of the great philosophers. Then, in one economics course, he asked his professor to recommend the great classical works in the field, the ones he should read to form a solid foundation. He was shocked when he was told, with a wink: "Steve, no one really reads the classic texts any more. We may talk about them, but we �don't actually read them." In fact, Stephen set about reading Adam Smith, the exponent of the "invisible hand" that guides the marketplace. He read David Ricardo's Principles of Economics and Taxation, in which the economist argued that international free trade was the best policy because all would be best served when each specialized in the products where each enjoyed a comparative advantage. He read the classical economists, but also the social and political philosophers David Hume, Edmund Burke, and Jeremy Bentham.
He was on his own journey. | https://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/richard-lischer/stephen-harper-and-the-future-of-canada/_/R-400000000000000205405 | dclm-gs1-293930000 | false | false | {
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0.021757 | <urn:uuid:f4400884-6a60-4e47-bbc7-000657f51946> | en | 0.922154 | Fedora 20 Mass Rebuild
From FedoraProject
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The goal is to rebuild every single Fedora package, regardless of content, before the Fedora 20 Alpha Change Deadline.
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While not 100% necessary its nice to have the rebuild for
Given the changes required for the above features and the given schedules, Release Engineering will be ready to start scripted rebuilds on Friday, August 2nd. All automated rebuilds should be finished prior to the Feature Freeze. Any clean-up manual rebuilds should be finished prior to the Alpha Change Deadline.
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The rebuild script works in the following way:
Generate a list of all packages in f20
Loop through each package:
If so, move to next package
If not, check out git
Check for a noautobuild file
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Once the rebuild script has finished, another script will run to tag the builds into f20. This script will check that a newer build hasn't been done or started in f20 since the scripted rebuild was submitted. This will protect against the scripted rebuild overriding an even newer build done while the scripted rebuild was waiting in the background.
Status Query
Release Engineering has developed a script to query f20 and report on packages that have yet to be rebuilt. Results of these queries will be delivered to various places, yet to be determined, broken down by maintainer for easier discovery of work needed.
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How do I opt out of the scripted rebuild?
See the Opting Out section.
When will my own build "count" for the rebuild?
After the last piece needed for thee mass rebuild a gcc build was put into place, a build done by a maintainer will "count" toward the rebuild. 2013-07-25 00:00:00 is the UTC time that builds count from
Will the rebuilds be ordered?
Currently there is no plan to logically order the rebuilds based on deps. The ordering will be alphanumerical based on package name. There are no planned ABI/soname changes that would require logical build ordering. Further, all the builds will be kept in a special tag (f20-rebuild) until the whole run is done, and then they will be tagged into f20 in one shot to minimize the shuffle of buildroot contents during the rebuilds.
Questions/comments/concerns should be directed to [1], or #fedora-releng on freenode IRC. | https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Fedora_20_Mass_Rebuild | dclm-gs1-293970000 | false | false | {
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0.032159 | <urn:uuid:243f72f2-4e2d-493b-954d-a7e4c4654f22> | en | 0.822302 | Skip to content
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Removed a mention of `Form._errors` from the documentation.
Also removed a sentence that was incorrect: raising a
`ValidationError` inside `Form.clean` doesn't clear the
`cleaned_data` attribute.
Thanks to loic84 and timograham for the review.
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commit 9aa6d4bdb6618ba4f17acc7b7c0d1462d6cbc718 1 parent 8ed9646
Baptiste Mispelon authored
Showing 1 changed file with 6 additions and 10 deletions. Show Diff Stats Hide Diff Stats
1. 16 docs/ref/forms/validation.txt
16 docs/ref/forms/validation.txt
@@ -78,6 +78,10 @@ overridden:
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like. This method can return a completely different dictionary if it wishes,
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which will be used as the ``cleaned_data``.
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+ Since the field validation method have been run by the time ``clean()`` is
+ called, you also have access to the form's ``errors`` attribute which
+ contains all the errors raised by previous steps.
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@@ -95,7 +99,8 @@ These methods are run in the order given above, one field at a time. That is,
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+field, the ``Form.clean()`` method, or its override, is executed, no matter if
+the previous methods have raised errors or not.
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Examples of each of these methods are provided below.
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@@ -104,15 +109,6 @@ field, if the ``Field.clean()`` method raises a ``ValidationError``, any
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for all remaining fields are still executed.
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-should iterate through ``self.cleaned_data.items()``, possibly considering the
-already know which fields have passed their individual validation requirements.
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.. _raising-validation-error:
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Raising ``ValidationError``
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• Nina Tkachuk Dimas
From: announce@list.stnicholasdc.org ... Apostrophe on the word fast. ... [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Message 1 of 1 , Apr 4, 2013
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From: announce@...
>Date: April 4, 2013, 8:30:24 AM EDT
>To: <announce@...>
>Subject: Fast
Apostrophe on the word fast.
>Fastis a Germanic word. Primarily it means abstaining from food; secondarily it means eating sparingly or abstaining from some foods. It comes into the Slavic languages as post. The Greek word is nesteía and it means the same thing: not eating, and, secondarily, not eating some foods.
>Everyone knows the basic meaning of the word fast. The doctor tells you he wants you to come in for a blood test fasting, you know he means that you should eat nothing when you get up on the morning and that you will have nothing to eat until after the test. Fasting is not eating. And, fasting is from the morning.
>From antiquity Christians would keep a fast by not eating all day and then taking a meal in the evening. It's the original idea behind the Wednesday/Friday fast. This is biblical stuff.
>One can imagine that whatever spiritual benefits derive from fasting would come to a person regardless of how he broke his fast, in other words, regardless of what he ate.
>One can fast for a day. One can fast for a period of time. The Great Forty Days for example.
>One may fast—not eat all day, then eat—Monday through Friday. One may not fast—not eat all day, then eat—on the Sabbath and the Lord's Day. The Church nixes Saturdays and Sundays. Not at first, but very early in her history. It's why the Liturgy is served Sunday mornings—to minimize and confine the Eucharistic fast.
>The first ecumenical council (Nikaia, 325 A.D.) makes an exception for the Holy and Great Sabbath which, a thousand years ago, was a day of fasting that concluded in the evening with Vespers with the Divine Liturgy during which neophytes were baptized and the Resurrection celebrated—everyone took holy Communion. (One can appreciate that the fast on this Saturday—like the eves of the Nativity and Theophany—was a Eucharistic fast leading into the feast.)
>So. One fasts—one does not eat all day, then eats—Monday through Friday. Additionally, at the same time, one abstains from certain foods—e.g., meat, dairy, etc.
>This is the only aspect of a fast period that continues over Saturday and Sunday. To use more precise language for our situation today: one fasts—one does not eat, then eats—and one abstains—one does not eat certain foods. Together they make up the Orthodox Christian notion of keeping a fast. Interestingly enough, these terms turn up in the hymnography we sing during the time of the Great Fast.
>For most of us today what “fasting” we do is better termed abstinence. Abstaining from meat. Abstaining from dairy. Unfortunately this has led to label reading as an exercise in seasonal piety. Furgedaboudit.
>Fr. Meyendorff came down heavily on label reading. He called label reading hariseeism. “Do what you can,” he would say. Want to do more? Do more of what the Church's tradition urges us to do. Enter more deeply into what the Church around the world is doing. Prayer. Fasting. Almsgiving. Eschew silly notions. Like “Giving up Coke.” Or “Giving up chocolate.” Or some such. Pious solipsism. What value can there be in that? Better, think of fasting as training for the race, for the Christian life. Think of it as the nourishment for a sovereign spirit (remember? Psalm 50?): for self-control, for prudence, and perseverance.
>We are a community of dependent creatures. No food and we're done for. Fasting and abstinence have worthwhile spiritual and moral goals. …..
>One last word. Illness brings its own asceticism.
>Announce mailing list
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] | https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/OrthodoxNews/conversations/topics/17721 | dclm-gs1-293990000 | false | false | {
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• Isler, Bernhard
One of the goals of revising alarming was to get algorithmic and intrinsic reporting consistent. This is why we add FAULT_STATE, so that the Event Enrollment
Message 1 of 4 , Jun 1, 2010
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One of the goals of revising alarming was to get algorithmic and intrinsic reporting consistent. This is why we add FAULT_STATE, so that the Event Enrollment gets to MULTI_STATE_FAULT. Along this line, I believe we need the FAULT_STATUS_FLAGS algorithm, so that the EE object can go to MEMBER_FAULT.
To make this complete, we need to adapt the text for MEMBER_FAULT in addendum p clause 12 preamble changes. It is now very dedicated to the Global Group object. Also, it appears that the GGO's Reliability property language needs to get changed similar to e.g. the Multi-state Input Reliability property.
This brings up another point: Currently (in RK-005-10), the order of reliability evaluation in the EE is:
1) EE object internal
2) Monitored object Fault Flag
3) Fault algorithm
So the FAULT_STATUS_FLAGS would never be in effect in the EE if the GGO sets its Reliability to MEMBER_FAULT and sets its Fault flag. The EE would always go to MONITORED_OBJECT_FAULT. This is also the case for Multi-state, if the monitored object goes to MULTI_STATE_FAULT. The monitoring EE would go to MONITORED_OBJECT_FAULT, not MULTI_STATE_FAULT.
Changing the order of reliability evaluation would have other side effects. E.g. if the fault algorithm would have precedence over the monitored object's fault flag, then the EE would go e.g. to MULTI_STATE_FAULT, but the monitored object would be really unreliable, e.g. indicating OPEN_LOOP.
Given this, I can buy that the order of evaluation is as in RK-005-10, and the EE goes to MONITORED_OBJECT_FAULT.
Bernhard Isler
Siemens Switzerland Ltd
Building Technologies Division
From: bacnet-oswg@yahoogroups.com [mailto:bacnet-oswg@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Carl Neilson
Sent: Friday, May 28, 2010 6:57 PM
To: bacnet-oswg@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [bacnet-oswg] RE: RK-005 Issues
3) I added in FAULT_STATUS_ FLAGS for the Global Group. Is this really
required. The global group describes how the Member_Status_ Flags impact
the GG's Reliability / Status_Flags which is similar to how Fault_Values
impact the Life Safety object's Reliability / Status_Flags. But on the
other hand, the Event Enrollment object won't need the fault algorithm
as it will just monitor the GG's Status_Flags.
- It doesn’t make sense to have the FAULT_STATUS_ FLAGS when CHANGE_OF_STATUS_ FLAGS is the event algorithm.
Note that the CHANGE_OF_STATUS_ FLAGS event algorithm does not handle the TO_FAULT transition. So in addition to the CHANGE_OF_STATUS_ FLAGS there is the monitoring of the fault bit in the target StatusFlags and the generation of a fault transition when it is set occurs. For the Global Group, this would work regardless as the Global Group monitors the fault bit of the Member_Status_ Flags and sets is Reliability if the Fault bit is set. For other objects types, if the Fault bit is set and it is being monitored by an Event Enrollment, the Event Enrollment will notice the fault bit and set its Reliability to MONITORED_OBJECT_ FAULT.
But in the case where there is some other object type that has a property, X, of type BACnetStatusFlags which is not the Status_Flags property, and for which the object's Status_Flags property does not track the Fault bit, then when the Fault bit in X is set, and Event Enrollment would not generate a Fault transition.
And this is the reason for the dilemma.
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0.288639 | <urn:uuid:9707b3fa-83db-46d1-be26-59a28e1192b7> | en | 0.962318 | Hacker Newsnew | comments | ask | jobs | submitlogin
alan_cx 726 days ago | link | parent
Bloomberg, a pro business publication, writes an article defending the cheapest place business can get its products made. Is that any sort of surprise? Lets face it, it must be annoying for businesses who want to make competitive products at the cheapest place to get that done, that Foxconn is derided as some sort of slave labour camp. So is it any surprise that we now get a "campaign" to reposition Foxconn to make it more acceptable to use?
Now, fair enough that Bloomberg champions the needs of big business, and fair enough that big business wants and need to use these places to build their products. But that does not mean that there is no agenda here. There might not be, but there is certainly a sniff of re-branding going on here.
All Im saying is there is good grounds to be sceptical at the motivation here.
ig1 725 days ago | link
Actually Bloomberg is notable that it's reporting division has uncovered a number of major labour abuse stories:
Most significantly it's 2006 cover story on the use of South American slave labour by car companies:
And more recently on Victoria Secret's use of child labour:
Only last month they ran this story about slavery in the pipeline of American seafood:
modeless 726 days ago | link
Nice ad hominem, but you're ignoring that the other side has just as much motivation to stretch the truth. As this article points out, sensational "sweatshop" smear stories sell, and if anyone thought that the media was above lying about this in their quest for eyeballs, Daisey proved them wrong.
kiloaper 726 days ago | link
That's a bit of a false dichotomy isn't it? Just because he criticises this particular view doesn't mean he condones or defends the other side or their apparent 'truth stretching'. It's also derailing. 'We can't criticise this article unless we address X, Y and Z as well'.
rbarooah 725 days ago | link
It's not a valid criticism, it's pure ad hominem.
nikcub 726 days ago | link
The BusinessWeek feature on Foxconn was written before Bloomberg bought the magazine.
brown9-2 726 days ago | link
the cheapest place business can get its products made
ttt_ 726 days ago | link
Cost of labor per hour: $1.27
Nature of outsourcing: general manufacturing, electronic assembly and parts manufacturing, apparel (shoes, socks and clothing)
peteretep 726 days ago | link
Just ignoring for a moment that you've linked to a four year old article whose lack of a tabulated summary of its data borders sociopathic...
The same article says the cost of labour in Bangladesh is: $0.23... I suspect there's lower to be found for those willing to keep the clicking.
ttt_ 726 days ago | link
From the Bangladesh slide:
Nature of outsourcing: significant college graduate pool, beginning IT services
peteretep 725 days ago | link
stevenpworrel 726 days ago | link
There's more than enough ground to be skeptical. Most of it reads like a job interviewer's contrived response to "What are your 3 biggest weaknesses?"
"The biggest gripe, which surprised us somewhat, is that they don’t get enough overtime. They wanted to work more, to get more money." This, the biggest gripe, at a place that had to deploy suicide nets around the building perimeters. I can't think of a more patronizing way to write this article.
I, personally, don't know what goes on at Foxconn. But the chance at holding accountable those who enable injustice was lost the day the US bank representative stood proudly in front of Congress and announced "We're too big to fail."; knowing that any backlash would be brief and easily defeated. At that moment it became clear to me that propaganda, which many thought the internet would disable, is more powerful than ever.
Disinformation has far greater utility than information.
Natsu 726 days ago | link
It's not actually unreasonable to think that there are factory workers who want more OT. I can find you plenty such to talk to here in the US (I'm the computer guy, but I know plenty of actual factory workers). Just don't ask them during a 60-hour week how they feel about it.
The suicide thing is probably bogus, though it would depend on who is collecting the stats on that and how. It seems too good and that's what gives me pause. If they're being graded on that now, they have incentive to under-report it. I'm not sure if we'll ever know the truth, though.
For example, I'm reminded of one incident I saw where they gave out awards for a "perfect" day. In truth, that shift was new. They didn't know how to reject defective products, so they didn't. Oops.
They found out, but they never bothered to take the award plaque off of the trophy wall. It sits there to this day, unbeaten.
DanBC 726 days ago | link
Suicide rates at Foxconn are about what you'd expect for a place with that population; the rate is less than the US. (Although that's not saying much.)
There's some caution needed though. Most workers are female which is traditionally higher for attempted but lower for completed suicide, and they don't have as many readily accessible means. (EG, American young men have access to guns.)
The reporters say they spoke to people, freely, and Foxconn didn't know who they spoke to. The reporters seem remarkably ignorant about the fears people have about speaking out when living in an oppressive regime. (China probably executes more people than any other country; there are over 50 crimes that carry the death penalty; some criminals are interviewed for tv programmes before they are executed).
There are a lot of problems at Chinese factories. The fact that poor peasants consider factory work to be better than their regular life just shows how bad life in China is for poor people.
Sumaso 726 days ago | link
My history might be a bit shaky, but people moving into cities to work in factories sounds quite similar to Britain during their industrial revolution. Though they had a whole other set of problems (mainly dealing with sanitation AFAIK).
China still has growing pains that it needs to work through.
DanBC 726 days ago | link
Yes. Poor people migrate to where they think the work is. They're often exploited. Sometimes they're exploited by criminal gangs. Sometimes, if they're lucky, they'll get a low-paid job with excessive hours and poor conditions.
Note that Apple is demanding that Foxconn complies with Apple's policy for overtime - that workers earning about $18 per day must not work more than 60 hours a week. Unless it's an emergency. Or an unusual situation.
It's unfortunate that the concentration is almost entirely on Foxconn, because there are worse factories in China.
psykotic 726 days ago | link
I recently finished Peter Hessler's book Country Driving (all of his three China books are excellent, by the way). Workers wanting more OT (and more guaranteed hours in general) is a common refrain in the third of the book which deals with the emerging factory towns in Wenzhou province. Working at the smaller factories entails unsteady, unpredictable hours. Another major concern for workers is not working under too dangerous conditions, represented in the book by fake leather factories, which use chemicals with foul, dangerous fumes in their manufacturing process. Taking everything into account, I imagine a place like Foxconn must look attractive compared to most of the ready alternatives.
philwelch 725 days ago | link
There's a suicide barrier on the Aurora Bridge in Seattle. I guess that means Seattleites are all mistreated by their employers as well? Don't buy anything from Amazon or drink Starbucks!
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0.028201 | <urn:uuid:d2c897f9-929f-4d76-98ad-6532b14339c0> | en | 0.968663 | Reviews for Tales from An Ice Cube
KraZiiePyrozHavemoreFun chapter 6 . 2/19
Very interesting
CatonissForever20 chapter 4 . 2/21/2013
Yea Zutara!
shelby chapter 2 . 7/24/2012
:'3 DAWWW!
jmac1220 chapter 2 . 11/25/2011
You expressed Zuko's loss of Mai so very eloquently! Makes me wonder if you know or have experiences that type of loss. I've always liked Mai just not with Zuko but you gave her dimentions and showed how well they worked together.
It was a pleasure to read.
Serenity's Ghost chapter 6 . 5/2/2011
Astounding work as always.
Serenity's Ghost chapter 4 . 5/2/2011
Seriously, I am dying of laughter. I'm in an office building and restraining my usually somewhat scandalous laughter is hard since this room echoes and it's not as fun that way.
Serenity's Ghost chapter 3 . 5/2/2011
Dang it, how do you do that? Lu Zuo is just so darn cute! Everything about your portrayal of him warms my heart (something that's hard to do when it comes to kids). You are fantastic at this; brilliant how you given them monosyllabic titles because he's a baby, something that wouldn't be common sense to most people. Urg, you suck in how awesome you are at this...okay, so you don't suck but you're still awesome at this.
cuzimaw3som317 chapter 4 . 11/11/2010
Sometimes Sokka's just an idiot. A stupid, lovable idiot, but an idiot nonetheless.
tomboy 26 chapter 6 . 10/25/2010
I loved these .. an in-depth look at these amazing characters.
noname00 chapter 6 . 9/22/2010
I loved Lu Zuo's chap the mostxD While Azulas had me thinking about the sequel. I guess overall I liked them all
xxZutaraFanxx chapter 6 . 8/21/2010
Dreaming 11 chapter 6 . 11/26/2009
You are one really good writer. Your scenes are entirely believable and realistic, and I love the chinese translation of each chapter title. How did you come up with the translations for their names?
Cantare chapter 6 . 5/13/2009
Nice character study. You make Azula seem more human...the fact that she actually feels sad over the thought that she wants to kill Zuko is kind of out of character. I always figured she was completely ruthless and just power-hungry, not really loyal to her nation but just intoxicated by power. The Azula you've written is more believable in the sense that she's more like a real human being, but she doesn't seem true to the show.
Sparks of Jetzula here? Is that going to continue in the Gray/Black story? I can't wait to see.
Cantare chapter 5 . 5/13/2009
Girl talk! Haha, how I've missed it. The dialogue in this chapter was great. It was fun how Toph made Katara squirm and then Katara caught on to Toph's unnatural interest in her love life, and turned it back on her. Again I just really like how you bring the characters alive with their complicated thought patterns and hidden emotions.
Great contrast to the last chapter; I enjoyed the fight, and Sokka's loyalty and stubbornness were very in-character.
Cantare chapter 2 . 5/13/2009
Ah I missed this collection the first time I visited your profile page. I'm so glad I started reading these, because I was kind of confused as to why Aang suddenly showed up in Somewhere in Between and then didn't show up again later. This really fills in a lot of blanks.
You write an adult Aang very well. He's more mature but still idealistic and peace-loving, still in love with Katara, and fiercely protective. He's more perceptive now though and it was good that he could read what was going on between Katara and Zuko. The dialogue between him and Katara was believable and I feel a little sad that he couldn't have the woman he loved.
Now this Zuko chapter is great, filling in even more blanks that I had meant to ask about in my other review. In the main two stories, Zuko hardly mentions Mai at all, but here you give a sufficient explanation of his feelings. I guess it's not really canon that he didn't love her to begin with, since in the show he and she are all over each other as teens. But I like how you rewrote their history and contrasted her with Katara; Mai as a cool, refined court lady who could teach Zuko how to be a ruler. It fit well with the image I had of her already. I'm also glad that you dealt with Zuko's feelings about 'moving on' from Mai just two years after her death, and how he is changing toward Katara. The slow pace and very human aspect of dealing with grief, falling in love again, and facing deep insecurities are a big part of what makes your writing so good.
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0.176115 | <urn:uuid:8c13ad97-4a13-4ba7-983a-c4eb8d4d332e> | en | 0.993508 | The Accused by kellyA
Copyright @Sep1999 []
It was mid morning, the refreshing Spring air invigorating the entire town of Four Corners awakening it from its long winter hibernation. Chris, Vin and Josiah having just returned from their appointed duties were now enjoying a breakfast of steak and eggs in the saloon. Buck and JD entered in the midst of one of their frequent verbal tug-o-wars. Nathan followed behind shaking his head, wanting nothing more than to get into an intelligent conversation with Josiah or even Ezra, after having to listen to JD and Buck's petty bickering all morning. Ezra walked down the staircase, straightening out his jacket, having just woke up after spending half the night playing poker and the other half completing his prescribed duties. Buck snatched a biscuit off of Chris' plate as he passed by and sat down at an adjoining table.
Everyone's attention was suddenly diverted as Judge Travis entered, followed closely by a tall, wide shoulder man with black hair which was graying at the temples. The hair was cut short and neat accentuating his strong, square jaw. His eyes were dark and intelligent, but carried a glint that didn't quite match the wide grin on his face. An aura of confidence surrounded him, trying to be believed. A younger man ensued behind him. He was a slightly leaner version of the older man, but lacked the rigid demeanor. The Judge flashed a huge grin on his weathered face as he stopped in front of the table where Chris, Vin and Josiah sat. From another table, Buck, JD, Nathan and Ezra turned their attention to the three men. The Judge placed his hand on the big man's shoulder as he stepped up to his right. The Judge's cheerful disposition was forcing smiles to appear on everyone's face. Chris had never seen the Judge looking so happy. There was a lighthearted glint in the elder man's eyes as he looked at the young man to his left, something Chris couldn't remember ever seeing in the austere magistrate.
"Gentlemen," the Judge's voice boomed good naturedly getting the seven lawmen's attention. "I'd like to introduce Major Jacob Quist and his son Orrin. The Major has only just retired from the army even though I believe he is far to young," the Judge chuckled.
"Ah, Orrin you think anyone younger than you should still be at their mother's tit," Jacob laughed, slapping the older man on the back. Then he noticed the amused looks from the seven men. "Oh, they didn't know your first name did they, Orrin?" A mischievous grin appeared on Jacob Quist's clean-shaven face. Judge Travis shook his head, knowing his old friend was about to embarrass him in front of his new friends. Jacob turned his huge smile towards the men. "Yep, my son is named after the esteemed Judge here, he's his god-father." The young man bowed his head sheepishly. His matching clean-shaven face becoming slightly flushed at the attention now directed towards him.
"Don't any of you get any ideas, it's still Judge to you," Judge Travis pleasantly reminded the seven men.
"Boys! do I have some stories to tell you," Jacob teased, causing the Judge to groan. Buck grinned in anticipation of any stories, especially about the Judge. He knew the man couldn't have always been so stuffy.
Jacob Quist placed a fatherly hand on his son's shoulder, which stood even with his own. "And in two weeks my son will follow in his old man's footstep and join the Army."
The Judge decided to introduce the seven men, before Jacob started revealing any embarrassing family secrets. "Well, Jacob, Orrin, I'd like to introduce Chris Larabee the unofficial leader of this motley crew."
Chris nodded his blond head almost imperceptibly. "Chris, I've told the Major about you and your men and the outstanding job you all have done here and he's very impressed." The Judge continued his introductions. "Vin Tanner is the team's sharpshooter and tracker, Josiah Sanchez is their spiritual leader and a crack shot, Nathan Jackson is a superb Healer and very adept with knives in both the medical sense as well as defense." Nathan felt his face flush at the compliment directed towards him. "Mr. Dunne is the Sheriff, Buck Wilmington is, ah..well, he's a good shot."
"Hey Judge he's got animal magnetism too," JD yelled out. Buck swatted at the young gunslinger, who dodged the friendly swiped with practiced ease.
The Judge's grin grew wider and he continued, bringing his gaze to bear on the fancy dressed gentleman sitting next to Buck. "Ezra Standish is also a crack shot and con man."
Ezra nodded his head noticing the slight disgust in the Major's eyes. "Why Judge, you almost sounded proud," Ezra drawled, a faintly amused smile coming to his handsome face. "Also the resident smart-mouth," the Judge added with a grin, taking Standish's remarks in the spirit they were given.
"And don't forget snazzy dresser," Buck cut in, receiving a deadly scowl from the put upon gambler.
The Major was very impressed with the unique individuals who made up the law in the fast growing town, except for Ezra Standish. He had no love for con men, remembering how his own parents were swindled out of their home by a fast talking, self-indulgent swindler. He pushed the thoughts aside, if his long time friend trusted the conman enough to hire him that was good enough for him, at least for now.
Josiah stood up first and extended his hand. "It is an honor to meet you Major Quist." Jacob took hold of Josiah's huge hand.
"Just call me Major, everyone does."
The rest of the men in turn extended their hands to the two men.
Jacob turned his attention to his son. "Well boy, what do you think of the west? This is Orrin's first time out west. He was raised by his mother back east," Orrin's father explained.
"It's wonderful father."
Everyone smiled at the familiar excitement in the young man's voice. Several pairs of eyes glanced over to JD who still held much of that same enthusiasm.
"So what besides our esteemed Judge brings you to our quaint little backwater town?" Ezra asked, his green eyes coming up to meet the Major's.
The Major's son answered, "Well, father wanted to spend some quality time together before I went into the service and I hadn't seen Uncle Travis since I was ten." Judge Travis gave his godson a warm smile and squeezed his shoulders. Since his own son was killed he relished the time with the young man. "I just wanted to get a taste of civilian life in the west before my hitch started."
"I commend you on your militant endeavor, young man," Ezra toasted, holding up a shot of whiskey then tossing it back. The rest of the men followed suit.
"Hey Judge how long you and the Major known each other?" Buck asked wiping the beer from his mustache.
"We've know each other for over thirty years, served together in the Army," Judge Travis replied then turned towards Jacob. "But it's been what? over five years since we've seen each other last, we have a lot of catching up to do, Jacob."
"Well, I hope we can get caught up over some lunch Judge, me and Orrin here are starved," Jacob Quist said.
"We have a pretty fine restaurant, so if you gentlemen will excuse us we have a lot to talk about," Judge Travis cheerfully remarked as he ushered the two men out. Chris leaned back in his chair, it was good to see the Judge happy, reunited with family. Chris wondered if he would ever have that feeling again in his life. He looked over at the six men he worked with and smiled.
Over the next couple days Josiah, JD and Buck showed the Major and his son around town while the others continued with their law enforcement duties. JD and Orrin hit it right off, since they both had been schooled in the east. They constantly tried to impress each other with their many adolescent escapades, but were both outdone when Buck regaled them with his many sultry tales, some of which ended with him escaping out a window as an angry father or husband shot at him.
One pleasant mid afternoon the Major entered the small, jailhouse seeking out Chris Larabee. He found the tall, dark-clad gunslinger leaning back in a chair watching over the only prisoner at the moment. Jacob had been thinking about his future. He was no longer in the Army; his son was leaving soon. He found himself at a crossroads wondering what was he going to do with himself. He was use to action and a certain amount of regiment and control. He could never get use to a sedentary life that the Judge was pushing. The Judge had told him all about the work that the seven gunslingers had done and how they continued to protect the town and surrounding areas. He also told Jacob that the people of Four Corners were only willing to pay for seven men and no more.
"Mind if I have a cup of coffee?" Major Quist asked.
"Help yourself," Chris answered coming forward in his chair.
The Major stepped over to the coffeepot pouring himself a cup. He took a sip, wincing at the bitter taste.
"Oh, should've warned you, JD made it." Chris smiled.
The Major grinned then grabbed a nearby chair and pulled it up to the desk.
"Mr. Larabee, I have to tell you I'm very impressed with your men." He paused. "Now don't get offended with what I'm about to say. I'm sure they all have proved themselves immeasurably, but a couple things I'm curious about. Like, why Mr. Standish? Why hire a conman?" The Major took another sip of the awful coffee then put the cup down and pushed it aside.
"Ezra's a good man," Chris stated matter-of-factly. Most people didn't like the conman at first. He made a lousy first impression and his smart mouth usually got him in all kinds of trouble. Chris' eyes narrowed not liking the path this conversation was taking.
"I understand that Vin Tanner is a wanted man?" Jacob added.
"Misunderstanding," Chris replied, this was the only thing he was willing to say about his friend.
"And isn't JD a little young to be sheriff?" Jacob continued.
Chris didn't answer and only glared at the inquiring Major. He was starting to get annoyed, friend or no friend, where did this guy get off poking his nose into their business. Chris decided he'd better have a talk with the Judge later.
The Major could tell that Larabee was getting slightly irked by his questions. "Listen, I didn't mean to offend. You have to understand I'm ex-military and not use to such a mix bag of men. In the army we're all cut from the same cloth, you know." The Major laughed trying to lighten the mood. A small forced smile creased Larabee's mouth. "Well, I just want you to know that if you all need any help I'm your man." The Major smiled and quickly left leaving a slightly bewildered gunslinger in his wake.
During the rest of the week the Major continued to regale the men with his heroic campaigns. Nathan, Vin and Josiah listened out of respect to the Judge. Chris occasionally listened to the Major's stories in the saloon, but was not one to favor boasting. At times it seemed like the Major demanded to be believed or needed to be. Buck and JD were genuinely enthralled, and Ezra as always could care less. Chris was just grateful the sometimes-audacious gunslinger saw fit to keep his mouth shut.
Ezra sat at his usual table in the saloon having just finished educating several young men in the finer points of poker and losing. Vin plopped down in the chair across from him removing his hat and running his hand through his now tangled mass of long brown hair.
"Mr. Tanner, how are we this fine day and why aren't you reveling in Major Quist's many valorous accounts."
Vin gave the educated man a quizzical look until he figured out what he had said. "What's that polite word you use when callin' someone an A**hole?"
Ezra arched a sandy brown eyebrow and smiled. "Pompous?"
"That's the one." Vin stretched out his long lean legs under the table. It was still early and the saloon was quiet except for the sound of clanking glasses behind the bar as the bartender readied for the night's business.
"I gather you are not impressed with our gallant Major?" Ezra placed his cards on the table and picked up the shot of whiskey he had been nursing all afternoon.
"Hell Ezra, he's impressed enough with himself he don't need anyone else." This garnered a smile from both men. Vin leaned farther back in the chair. "I don't know? I know he's the Judge's friend and all, but they haven't seen each other in quite a few years, a lot can change. There's just somethin' about him, can't quite put my finger on it," Vin tried to explain without much success. He shrugged and poured himself a drink.
***** Part 2
Judge Travis, Major Quist and his son approached Chris who they found leaning back in a chair outside the saloon enjoying the early morning peace and quiet. He had seen the three coming towards him after leaving the telegraph office. Chris remembered he hadn't talked to the Judge yet about Jacob. He wasn't sure, but he had felt that Major Quist was trying to probe him for information.
"Chris, we just got word that the Morales' gang is holed up just south of here," the Judge stated waving a telegram. "The territorial governor wants them brought in."
"Could you use some extra guns, Mr. Larabee?" Major Quist eagerly inquired.
Chris looked over at the Major and Orrin, he knew the Major was experienced and he thought Orrin was quite capable. But he really didn't want them along. He had enough to worry about with his own men.
"Jacob, I don't think it would be a good idea," the Judge answered.
"Now Orrin, it will be good experience for young Orrin," Jacob countered. "I promise we'll do exactly as Mr. Larabee orders and we won't put ourselves in any unnecessary danger. Anyway it's been awhile since I've seen any action."
"C'mon Uncle Travis this is the reason I joined the Army," young Orrin pleaded.
Chris could see the Judge's resolve wan then break.
"Okay, but just remember Jacob, Larabee's in charge," Judge Travis reiterated, trying to force a smile for his old friend and godson.
Chris' eyes narrowed, no he didn't like this one bit. He got the feeling that the Major wanted or needed to prove something to himself, to others, or to his son? He kept the thought to himself, something he'd later regret.
It didn't take long to get everyone together. It had been quiet for too long and everyone was itching for some excitement, even Ezra, who hadn't had any challenging poker chumps in over two weeks, was anxious for some diversion from the norm.
Vin tracked the gang to a small rocky outcropping the sun was already dropping from its zenith. They knew the outlaws had dug themselves in, hiding amongst the cracks and crevices which covered the mountainside. Scrub trees and bushes dotted the mountainside and surrounding area.
"Alright, JD, Josiah, Ezra, you take the right, we'll take the left and meet on the other side. Hopefully squeeze them between us," Chris explained as they all dismounted securing their horses to the low scrub trees. Major Quist grabbed Chris' arm. Buck drew in an audible breath when he saw this. He saw the look in Chris' eyes that caused the Major to quickly release his hold, but he didn't back down.
"What about me and my son, Mr. Larabee?" Jacob asked.
"I would prefer if you and your son stay behind. Me and my men can handle this alone, Major," Chris coldly answered.
"Now, I know I told the Judge I'd follow your orders, but I will not be left behind like some green horn." The Major's dark eyes seemed to grow a shade darker with his growing anger.
"Father," Orrin quietly murmured. He didn't want to cause any trouble even though he didn't want to be left behind either.
"Quiet, boy," Jacob continued, his eyes remained locked on Larabee's cold stare. Josiah smiled faintly. It looked like Chris had met someone as stubborn and determined as himself, well outside of the six men he already worked with.
Chris relented, figuring the Major would do whatever he wanted with or without his permission. It would be better to keep him close so they could keep an eye on him. "Okay go with Ezra."
The Major smiled in triumphant, but it was a smile that sent a chill down Chris' spine and wiped the smile from Josiah's face.
Ezra, Major Quist, JD, Orrin and Josiah crept along in single file several feet from the base of the outcropping, trying to move in closer. Suddenly gun fire caused them to grab cover.
"I believe we have discovered some of the miscreants," Ezra stated as he returned fire unable to get a clear shot.
Josiah crawled over next to Ezra. "Ezra, if you give JD and me some cover fire we'll try and come up behind them," Josiah suggested.
Ezra nodded agreement, he only hoped the Major was as good a shot as he bragged.. Ezra reloaded his guns then nodded for the two men to go. Ezra, Orrin and Jacob released a barrage of bullets enabling JD and Josiah to reach the safety of the nearby rocks and disappear. Ezra let out a breath when his two friends reached safety and now concentrated on protecting the Major, his son and his own neck. Ezra looked towards the Major who was on his right and noticed his hands shaking as he tried to reload his gun. A line of sweat had formed on Jacob's upper lip and his left eye twitched. He didn't seem to notice Ezra scrutinizing him. Before Ezra could address this behavior the gunfire intensified and the three found themselves pinned down in a crossfire. Bullets ricocheted about them, chipping at the rocks they had taken cover behind. Ezra swore, unable to do much more than keep his head down and get off an occasionally shot. He took a moment to look over to his left glad that Orrin was also keeping his head down. He glanced back over to his right to see the Major sitting with his back against the rock trying to make himself as small as possible. He was holding his gun loosely and shaking, his eyes looking off to some distant spot, that Ezra could not discern.
"Major, are you injured?" Ezra asked, his brow furrowed in bewilderment at the way the Major was now acting.
Major Quist didn't acknowledge hearing the southerner. Ezra grabbed his shoulder breaking him from his self-induced trance. The Major looked up at Ezra, his eyes causing the gambler to back up slightly. What he saw was cold hard, unreasoning fear in those dark eyes. Ezra ducked down as a bullet whizzed by his head.
"We have to get out of here! We're outnumbered this is suicide," Major Quist suddenly yelled out. Ezra could hear the fear, which was riding on panic in the Major's voice.
Ezra's attention was diverted by another shot that caused rock shreds to strike his face bringing a line of blood across his forehead. No one, including the Major, would ever understand why he chose that moment to run. Ezra tried to stop him, but was forced to take cover as the gunfire once again intensified. Orrin didn't know what was going on. He turned to see his father running away. He yelled fearing for his father's life and broke cover. Ezra leaped at his legs trying to stop the young man, he watched helplessly as Orrin was gunned down in front of him. Ezra screamed out and began firing with a vengeance trying to find a target to accept his anger. He didn't feel the bullet that glanced off his skull or feel himself hit the ground.
The gunfire finally ceased, as Chris and the others had finally caused the outlaws to retreat.
The Major came out of his hiding place, having wedged himself into a nearby crevice covering his ears and closing his eyes, trying to ignore what was happening around him. His whole body shook. His gun hung limply in his hand he felt so detached, numb. Then reality came crashing down upon him as he looked at his son and Standish laying motionless in the dirt. He stumbled to his son and slowly turned him over. He was still alive, but he saw that the bullet had found its mark, piercing close to the boy's heart.
Jacob lifted his son into his arms, tears streaking paths through his dirt covered face.
"Orrin?" He said in a low voice choking back the sob. The young man's eyes fluttered open and he looked up at his father with the same dark brown eyes, his brow furrowed.
"Why, father? why did you run?" The statement was like a slap in the face to the Major, he couldn't reply, and his son wouldn't of heard if he had. Tears ran down his face as he cradled his son close rocking back and forth. The words circling around in his brain. 'why did you run?'
Major Quist took a deep breath trying to calm his trembling body. He gently lowered his son to the ground placing his hand over his unseeing eyes forcing them closed. Determination now clouded the Major's once panic-stricken visage. His jaw clenched as he looked over at Ezra, who hadn't moved, the only man who now knew his secret shame. He couldn't control what was happening to him and he wouldn't accept it. But he was determined to let no one discover the truth. Insanity flashed in the Major's eyes, 'I can't have you tellin' people I'm a coward,' he quietly voiced to the unhearing gambler.
The Major grabbed Ezra's feet and dragged his limp body away hiding it in the same crevice he had taken refuge in. He then placed brush over it and wiped out the tracks. He picked up his son's body and went to find the others.
Nathan was attending to Buck who had been shot in the shoulder and was giving the healer as hard a time as Ezra usually did. Everyone turned, drawing their weapons, as the Major appeared carrying his son. Josiah moved forward to help him, Nathan rushed over, but slowed when he saw there was nothing he could do.
"I'm sorry Jacob," Josiah tried to soothe. The Major appeared to be in shock. His jaw clenched his eyes staring straight ahead.
"Major, have you seen Ezra?" Chris asked, suddenly very worried for the knavish conman, something wasn't right.
The Major's face darkened. "That son of a bitch got my son killed."
"What are you sayin'?" Josiah asked thinking that the Major was just overly distraught over his son's death and wasn't thinking straight.
"He ran! We were caught in a crossfire and he ran. My son and I were over run. I barely escaped with my life, but Orrin..." he choked backed the tears as he looked down at the lifeless body he held.
The six lawmen stood dumbfounded. Josiah came over carefully taking the body from Jacob's grasp.
"I don't believe it," JD was the first to voice, but it came out attached to a certain amount of doubt.
"You callin' me a liar, boy!" Jacob yelled stepping towards the young Sheriff his dark eyes causing JD to step back.
"Easy, Major," Chris warned. His head was spinning at the accusation. He knew he still didn't have Ezra figured out completely, but he had felt confident the man would not run. Chris didn't think he had any doubt left about that, but with the Major's allegation, doubt seemed to creep back into his thoughts, no matter how hard he tried to stop it. Josiah also tried to keep his mind from stirring up those thoughts, and so did everyone else, but it was a losing battle.
"We need to find him," Chris stated, breaking everyone out of their personal speculations. Josiah had laid Orrin down and thrown a blanket over him saying a silent prayer for the brave young man.
JD, Vin, Chris, and Josiah searched for an hour finding no trace of their missing friend, strengthening the Major's accusation. They finally decided to return to Four Corners. Buck needed more medical attention and Orrin had to be taken care of proper. As they mounted their horses JD took hold of Ezra's horse.
"Leave him," Chris voiced dryly. JD dropped the reins.
It was a quiet ride back everyone lost in their own thoughts and torments. One simultaneous thought ran through the six gunslinger's minds. "Would he run?" Everyone felt the gut-wrenching twist of betrayal, the only way they could survive was to trust one another. Had Ezra violated that trust? And did it lead to the death of an innocent? These were questions everyone was afraid to answer.
*****Part 3
Ezra woke to find himself cramped and cold. He lifted a wary gaze to the surrounding darkness. He tried to stretch, but rock, sand and bits of stone rained down on his head as he shifted in the cramp space. He had no idea where he was or how he got here. He brought his hand up and hissed as he touched the wound on his head. His face and hair was covered in dried blood. He looked around, but couldn't remember what had happened. How had he ended up in this abominable condition? He slowly worked his way out of the crevice. He heard a horse snicker and made his way over to it. He had to rest every couple steps as waves of dizziness washed over him. He recognized the chestnut stallion as his own and smiled, stroking the soft nose. He wondered where the others were? Why would they leave him in such a state? Fear gripped him at the thought that the others were dead or badly hurt, but he noticed that all the other horses were gone. He pulled the canteen off his saddle and took a long hard drawl.
Judge Travis watched from outside the Clarion News office as the slow moving procession of men rode down the street. Their shadows long in the waning sunlight. He saw the covered body draped over the last horse and knew. His heart broke again, the same feeling as when his own son was killed enveloped him. He went up to the horse placing his hand on the cooling body, tears ran freely down his suddenly aged face. He looked up into the dejected countenance of Chris Larabee. This man had trusted him to protect his godson and he had failed him, Chris thought to himself. All the men looked tired and beaten. Mary came up next to her father, he heard her intake of breath as she realized who it was. Judge Travis placed an arm around her convulsing shoulders as sobs shook her and gently led her away.
Ezra rode into town early that morning still totally bewildered. His head swam and he felt as if he would black out. He was barely able to stay in the saddle. He heard shouts, but didn't pay much attention until he felt hands pull him from his horse. "That's the coward that got the Major's son killed!" 'What? what was that about the Major's son?' He thought only half coherently, but these thoughts were painfully interrupted by a kick to his ribs. Ezra curled up as punches and kicks landed on his already aching body.
A booted foot struck his head sending an enormous bolt of pain through his skull, which sent him into blissful oblivion.
Chris, Josiah and Vin raced over pulling the enraged mob off the now unconscious gambler. Josiah picked up the battered and bleeding man.
"Take him to the jail," Chris directed. Josiah and Vin both looked up at Chris.
"He'll be safer there," Chris quietly explained. Josiah carried his unconscious friend to the jail as Chris went to find Nathan. Now the question, why did he come back? Did he think Chris would give him another chance?
Nathan stood up from the cot after bandaging the southerner's head and ribs. He didn't want to believe that Ezra ran, but he kept seeing young Orrin's body and the anguish on the Major's face. "How is he Nate?" Chris asked as Nathan exited the cell where Ezra now slept. Chris closed the door locking it.
"He was grazed by a bullet across the temple and has a concussion, that kick to the head didn't help any," Nathan explained. Chris listened with a deepening frown.
Everyone turned to the groan from the cell. Ezra brought his hands up to his head feeling the bandage. He slowly opened his eyes taking a moment to focus. His vision cleared, but what he saw made little sense to his muttered brain. He was lying in the town jail, for what ever reason, he couldn't fathom at the moment. He slowly sat up putting his head into his hands, he hissed as a sharp pain lanced through his skull almost bringing tears to his eyes. Ezra looked up seeing Nathan and Chris at the bars the rest of the men behind them, refusing to look at him. He furrowed his brow and frowned, what the hell was going on?
"Ezra, how you feelin'?" Nathan finally asked. Ezra didn't hear the usual concern in the dark-healer's voice.
He glanced apprehensively at everyone, lowering his head, before answering. "Like my head is about to split in two. I don't suppose I could impose on you Mr. Jackson for something to relieve my headache." This was the first time that Ezra ever had to ask for pain relief; usually he had to fight off Mr. Jackson's attempts to shove it down his throat.
Chris caught the look of disgust on Nathan's dark face before he walked out, not saying a word.
Chris continued to stand in front of the bars regarding the dazed conman intently. Ezra brought his jade-green eyes up to meet Chris' icy blue stare. The others continued to stay in the background, wearing very disturbing expressions. He noticed that Buck was missing and his gut twisted into a knot. What was going on? Why couldn't he remember?
"Ah, Mr. Larabee, why was I left out in the desert and why am I in jail?" Ezra finally decided to ask, since it didn't appear that anyone else was going to enlighten him.
Chris looked sternly at the rumpled looking con man trying to decide if he really was as confused as he appeared. Lord, he didn't want to believe this man ran. Him and Ezra had their differences, but things were getting better. Maybe Chris had been expecting too much, how could someone change a lifetime of habits in a few months?
"We couldn't find you, Buck was injured..." Chris began.
"Is he okay?" Ezra's asked, quickly standing up and just as quickly regretting the activity as pain shot out from behind his eyes. He grabbed hold of the bars to steady himself.
"Yeah, he's fine," Chris worriedly assured him.
Ezra leaned back against the wall letting out a slow breath. "So why am I in this cell?"
"It's for your own protection," Chris told him.
Damn, this could take all day. Larabee was not one to give information freely, but then neither was he. Ezra smiled at this, but cut it short as his head throbbed. Then he remembered the mob that had attacked him.
"Why was I so brutally attacked?"
Chris' eyes broke away from Ezra's questioning glare. "Orrin Quist is dead!" Chris bluntly stated. Josiah and Vin approached the cell going on either side of Chris. Josiah's face showed the torment he was going through. Vin's remained Impassive, still trying to decide where he stood with all of this.
Ezra kept his eyes on Chris not sure what he just said. Something flashed through his mind and he closed his eyes as if trying to remember something, but it slipped away before he could grab it. By the looks on Vin and Josiah's face he knew there was more.
"And," Ezra prompted the stoic leader.
"The Major says you ran during a gun fight causing the death of his son," Chris added his voice remaining low. Ezra cocked his head to the side and stared at the harden gunslinger with a skeptical glance. He slowly sat back down on the cot and stared down at his hands.
"What do you remember, Ezra?" Josiah's baritone voice broke the deathly silence.
Ezra kept his head down; he couldn't believe what was happening. Did everyone believe he ran? Did he run? Ezra's head throbbed and he realized that Mr. Jackson had not returned with his herbal concoction. Ezra's gut twisted, it felt like his heart was being torn to pieces. His southern drawl was strained as he replied, "I remember covering Mr. Dunne and you, a lot of gunfire, then waking up with a splitting headache." Ezra frowned and brought his hand up to rub his burning eyes, his vision kept blurring and it was making him dizzy.
"Did you run, Ezra?" Chris asked, making solid the words that ran though Ezra's own head.
Again the long silence, Ezra's heart beat hard in his chest. He could feel the blood rushing to his head. He tried to take a deep breath to calm it down, but it stuck in his chest. He brought his head up slowly. "I don't know, I don't remember," he answered, a tremulous note in his voice. Josiah hung his head.
Chris ran his hand over his face rubbing at his tired eyes. He didn't know what to do. Major Quist was the Judge's best friend a decorated war hero, why would he lie? Ezra was a conman and sometimes a cheat, but he was also a good friend, who had proved himself numerous times. Chris looked upon the distraught features of the gambler wondering if it was all an act.
Chris' musings were interrupted by the Judge's heavy footfalls behind him. The Judge believed that Ezra Standish was responsible for the death of his godson, he had no reason to doubt his long time friend. The Judge glared at Ezra, the disgust not hidden on his aged face, he blamed himself for hiring a man who only looked after number one.
"Mr. Standish, there will be a hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence to hold a trial," he simply announced, but all detected the undertone of rage.
Ezra looked at Chris who didn't meet his eyes, then turned to the Judge. "What's the charge?"
"The Major is accusing you of dereliction of duty leading to the death of his son," Judge Travis explained, regarding him through narrow eyes.
Ezra could see the Judge believed his long time friend. He had to get his wits about him. Ezra took a deep breath and started to get control of his rampaging emotions. "Judge, don't take this the wrong way, but could I request a different arbitrator, seeing that you are a close friend of my accuser."
"Don't worry Mr. Standish I'll be fair and this is only a hearing." The Judge turned and walked out.
Chris turned away to follow then stopped when Ezra quietly exclaimed, "You believe I ran, don't you Mr. Larabee?" Chris slowly turned his icy blue eyes back towards the gambler. His lips held in a firm straight line. He tried to loosen his clenched fists.
"I don't know what to think, Ezra. What am I suppose to think? you can't even remember what happened." Chris hadn't intended to sound so angry. He turned and again started to walk out, upon reaching the door he heard the sarcastic remark Ezra spoke.
"I guess this puts us back at square one."
Chris bowed his head and continued out the door. Josiah's heart broke as he saw the familiar mask of apathy fall over Ezra's face as he stared at the remaining men, men he had considered friends, even family. Josiah and JD left leaving Vin to guard him. Ezra stretched out on the cot placing his hat over his face. Months of trust destroyed in a single moment, but could he really blame them when he himself had doubts.
He watched from a distant knoll. He watched as JD and Josiah again reached the safety of the rocks then the gunfire increased, his heart beat faster as he watched himself run. He called out to stop, racing down the hill to stop himself. Ezra bolted upright, choking back the yell, his eyes darted back and forth stopping when they swept over the worried tracker who stood outside the cell.
"Are you alright?" Vin asked. He had heard the gambler tossing and turning, caught in the throes of a nightmare and was preparing to wake him. He hated seeing Ezra going through this, he still wasn't sure what to believe, but Ezra was a friend and he cared about him. He knew they all were having trouble dealing with the situation. Vin noticed Ezra's sweat soaked hair and his face appeared flushed.
"I am fine, Mr. Tanner," he replied in a shaky voice still reliving the nightmare in his mind. The night was warm, but Ezra couldn't shake the chill that had settled into him. He slowly laid back down, but he wouldn't go back to sleep, he may never sleep again. Ezra stared at the wooden ceiling, he continued to bury his feelings, deep where no one would ever find them and hurt him again. He had trusted six unique individuals, it had taken awhile, but he had started to open up to them. Now he knew, they still couldn't see past the outer covering, still couldn't believe that he could change. He'd thought he'd found a home, a family, he was wrong. The fever continued to rage through him stoking his growing anger. He hadn't run, he hadn't run, he kept saying to himself. Was he trying to convince himself? A single tear slid down his cheek the last one that he would allow to fall.
**** Part 4
The courtroom was packed with spectators, they overflowed out into the street. It looked like the whole town was in attendance. Some were genuinely concerned about justice, others only wanted to witness the downfall of one of the Seven. Josiah and Ezra sat at one of the front tables. Josiah wanted to represent Ezra he had allowed the demon of doubt into his heart and he needed to purge it. The other five gunslingers sat behind them, hoping to show the support they had a hard time feeling.
Major Jacob Quist sat alone at another table choosing to be his own console. He wore his military dress uniform. His face still held the grief he felt over the death of his son. They had held Orrin's funeral that morning. Everyone attended, except Ezra, who had to remain in jail and Vin who guarded him.
Judge Travis entered and sat down behind an elevated desk. He removed a gavel from his robes and struck it on the corner of the desk, ending the flurry of activity and noise. His own grief laid bare for all to see. He had thought that maybe they should of delayed the hearing for a few days, wait for everyone's emotions, especially his, to calm down. But Major Quist had been adamant and convinced him to go ahead.
"This court is now in session," the Judge's voice boomed across the room. "This is only a hearing to decide if there is sufficient evidence to hold a trial. Mr. Sanchez is representing Mr. Standish." The Judge took a deep breath staring out over the room. He saw Mary and many of the other women dressed in dark clothing to show respect. He also noticed that Mr. Standish had seen fit to wear something a little less flamboyant than his usual fare. He wore a plain shirt and dark blue jacket, which made him look even paler.
Ezra sat quietly his eyes glued to his steepled fingers in front of his face. He heard the murmurings of coward and traitor in the background, these words cut a path through his soul, hurting more than any bullet could. No one had visited him in jail, they only came to guard him, knowing his talent for locks. They believed he'd ran, the wall was slowly being built up again. Why had he even tried?
"Major Jacob Quist will you please take the stand and state your case for the court," the Judge asked, his voice emotionless, trying to bury his grief for the time being.
The Major stood, holding his chin up he walked up to the wooden chair that sat next to the Judge's desk and sat down, he glared at Ezra, who ignored him.
"That man," he pointed an accusing finger towards Ezra. "Is responsible for my son's death." Ezra closed his eyes, his headache had not got any better and his vision blurred at times. He felt a chill go through him and tried to suppress a shiver. He barely heard the murmurs that came with the Major's accusation it sounded more like a low atonal hum surrounding him.
Nathan noticed that Ezra looked very pale and he saw the shiver that went through his body. Guilt struck him as he remembered he'd forgotten to give him any pain or fever medicine yesterday. It wasn't intentional, Buck had broken some of his stitches and Nathan had to sew him up again, by the time he was finished he had just forgot. 'It wasn't intentional', he said to himself. Was it?
"Please Major Quist, just state the facts," Judge Travis reprimanded. He was trying to keep his own emotions from interfering with the proceedings.
The Major bowed his head and took a deep breath then released it. The room had become deathly silent. "Mr. Larabee sent me, Orrin, Mr. Dunne, Mr. Sanchez and Mr. Standish around to the west side to see if we couldn't trap the Morales' gang between us." Major Quist took another deep quivering breath and continued, "We came under fire by a couple of the outlaws so we gave cover fire to Mr. Dunne and Mr. Sanchez so they could make their way to some nearby rocks and try and get behind them. Next thing I know we started receiving gunfire from two sides and found ourselves in a crossfire." The Major's eyes began to mist and he stopped for a moment, bowing his head until he composed himself. "We, me, Orrin and Mr. Standish hunched down and tried to return fire. I turned to see Mr. Standish just sitting there with this strange look on his face. He said, 'tell Larabee I'm sorry, I can't do this anymore' and took off." Ezra's eyes narrowed at this statement, but he remained silent. "I yelled for him to stop worried for his safety, but then the gunfire intensified and it took everything Orrin and I had to protect ourselves, but it wasn't enough. I watched as Orrin took a bullet and fell." Tears streamed down Major Quist's cheeks. "I'd be dead too, but the others must of got the outlaws to retreat."
Ezra's face remained impassive as he listened to the Major's account of what had happened. He could feel the eyes behind him glaring accusingly.
Chris and the others wanted to believe Ezra, but one question kept returning, why would the Major lie? What reason would he have? Chris couldn't come up with a good enough answer, and then that one little thought crept in, like an annoying itch you just can't scratch. He ran once before. No matter how hard they tried the six men couldn't keep this thought from slipping into the forefront of their minds.
Chris looked from behind to see Ezra's hands clenched so tight they shook. Josiah placed a comforting hand on the con man's shoulder, which he promptly shrugged off. Josiah feared that Ezra was rebuilding the wall that had taken them all so long to break down. They were a family now, each one made whole by the others. What would happen if they lost one of their own? Josiah turned sad blue eyes back towards the others.
"Thank you Major that will be all," Judge Travis curtly dismissed the distraught man. His own gray-green eyes misting as he held back the tears.
"Mr. Standish, will you please take the stand," the Judge ordered, his voice cracking slightly.
Ezra rose slowly his head felt like it was trapped in a vise. His body ached and he had to steady himself a moment. He straightened his jacket and took the seat the Major just vacated.
"Now Mr. Standish, I understand you sustained a head wound and don't remember much of what happened, but please tell us what you do remember?" Judge Travis asked, honestly trying to keep his feelings from interfering, but he had a hard time looking at the man he believed was responsible for his god-son's death.
Ezra looked over the crowd, noticing Buck with his arm in a sling, grateful that he was okay. These people wanted to see remorse that wasn't something he was willing to give them. His southern drawl was steady, his words lucid. "I remember giving Mr. Dunne and Mr. Sanchez cover fire and then being caught in a crossfire." Ezra paused bringing his hands up to rub his temples; his brows came together in frustration. He had tried all night to remember. "Then I woke up in a crevice and came back to town."
Ezra could hear the rumbles of discontent throughout the courtroom. He looked over to his friends, seeing the sadness in their faces, the disappointment. It tore at his gut, his heart, at his very soul. Lord how it hurt.
"Major Quist do you wish to ask any questions?" Ezra vaguely heard the Judge's muffled voice.
"Yes, your honor." Major Quist stood, his hands behind his back as he approached the stand.
Ezra's face remained impassive under the Major's scrutiny, which unnerved him slightly.
"Well since you insist you don't remember running out on us, I won't waste the courts time in re-hashing that." Ezra glared at the Major noticing that the Judge had allowed the maligning statement.
"You ran once before though, didn't you, Mr. Standish?" Major Jacob asked, the malice dripping from every word.
Ezra refused to be intimidated by this man. He was sorry about Orrin's death, but he felt he had nothing to do with it. "Yes," he stated emphatically.
"Your friends were almost killed because you left your post to search for gold, is this correct?" This stunned the others, the Judge had apparently told the Major every detail.
"Yes," Ezra answered, chagrin flickered across his face, but was quickly brought under control.
"Why did you run out on them, Mr. Standish?" Jacob asked, bending closer to the stoic conman.
Ezra didn't even flinch as he replied, "To save my own skin, Major." Josiah bowed his head, why did Ezra have to choose now to be completely honest. The courtroom broke into an uproar. Chris, Buck, JD, Vin and Nathan stood up placing their hands on their guns warning the angered crowd back.
Major Quist straighten, a triumphant grin on his face as he turned to Judge Travis. "No further questions, your honor." Jacob knew he had won. Ezra would be found guilty and sent away, his secret would be safe and he'd have the added bonus of being able to join up with the Seven.
Josiah stepped up to Ezra hoping to put a better light on things.
"Mr. Standish, you did come back didn't you?" Josiah calmly asked.
"Yes," Ezra replied quietly. The room had started to spin and he turned his eyes down to the floor.
"You saved them, they would of been killed if you hadn't returned," Josiah remarked, more as a statement then a question.
"They wouldn't of been in that position if he hadn't of ran!" Major Quist yelled out. Judge Travis struck his gavel on the table.
Josiah ignored the Major's outburst and continued, "The truth is, you've saved them a number of times at risk to your own life, isn't that true Mr. Standish?"
Ezra brought his green gaze up looking over at the men he considered more than just associates, he would give his life for these men. "Yes."
"That's all Judge," Josiah said.
"Thank you Mr. Standish, that'll be all," the Judge wearily said.
Ezra slowly walked back over to his seat. Nathan could see the flush of fever and his gut tore with guilt.
"Mr. Sanchez is there anyone you'd like to call up?" The Judge asked the ex-preacher who stood in front of his desk
"Yes, I'd like Nathan Jackson to take the stand," Josiah requested, turning to face his friend and seeing his stunned expression. Nathan hadn't expected to be called to testify.
"Mr. Jackson can the type of head wound that Mr. Standish received cause memory loss?" Josiah asked the fidgety healer.
Nathan looked over at Ezra who refused to meet his dark eyes. "Yes, definitely."
"Could his memory come back?"
"Maybe, not enough is known about how the mind works to make even an educated guess," Nathan explained, hoping this somehow helped Ezra.
"Do you trust Mr. Standish?" Josiah suddenly threw out the question towards the dark healer.
Nathan had to think about it for a moment. He thought about how Ezra had taken the children under his wing at the Seminole village and how he had helped Li Pong and even saved JD's life at risk to his own. "Yes, I do trust him."
"Thank you Mr. Jackson, no further questions."
Nathan was preparing to leave when Major Quist stood. "I have a few questions for Mr. Jackson, if you don't mind." Nathan sunk back into the chair.
"Mr. Jackson, have you ever seen Mr. Standish con or cheat anyone?"
"Well, ah not really, I mean it wasn't malicious or anything, it's just somethin' he's been taught to do since birth. It's survival for him," Nathan stammered.
"So he has?"
Nathan didn't answer so the Major continued, "Could you tell if he was conning us now to save his own hide?"
Nathan bowed his head when he spoke. "No."
"Thank you, Mr. Jackson."
Nathan left the chair looking down at Ezra as he passed by noticing how pale he was becoming. Buck patted Nathan's back with his good hand as he sat down trying to reassure him, but Nathan didn't feel he had done Ezra any good.
"Major Quist do you wish to call up any more witnesses?" The Judge asked.
"Yes, I wish to call Chris Larabee."
Chris removed his hat as he took the seat next to the Judge.
"Mr. Larabee, you didn't trust Mr. Standish at first did you?"
"No," Chris replied.
"Why did you hire him?" Jacob asked.
"I thought he would come in handy."
"You thought a liar and a cheat would come in handy?" The Major repeated.
"And has he?" The Major asked.
"Yep," Chris repeated looking straight up at the Major's dark eyes.
"What did you say to him after he came back and saved you all at the Indian Village?"
Chris took a deep breath. "I told him never run out on me again."
"And his reply?"
Chris clenched his jaw before answering. "He didn't give one."
"Do you think he would run?"
Chris paused a moment which brought Ezra's green eyes upon him, he stared back with the same intensity and answered, "I don't know." The courtroom went into another uproar. Vin, JD, Buck and Nathan again stood placing their hands on their guns. Several people made threatening moves, but backed off when they looked into the fierce eyes of the four gunslingers. Ezra was still one of them and they would protect him no matter what.
It took a moment to regain order in the courtroom. Chris and Ezra's menacing stares remained locked on each other, neither one willing to back down.
"No more questions," Jacob smugly announced returning to his own chair.
Josiah came up to the dark-clad gunslinger putting his body between the two men effectively ending their line of sight battle.
"Mr. Larabee, has Mr. Standish proved himself a valuable member of this town?"
Josiah turned to the side allowing Chris to see his friend as he replied, "Yes, he has."
"No more questions." Josiah wanted to end this he didn't like the way Ezra was looking.
"Any more remarks or questions?" The Judge asked.
The Major stood up. "I know what I saw and I saw that man run. He ran to save his own skin just like before. He might not of pulled the trigger, but he's just as responsible for my son's death."
Ezra stood up placing his hands on the table to steady himself, Chris noticed this and looked past to Nathan who also watched with worried eyes. Chris slowly stepped down from the chair and moved closer to the unsteady man. Ezra's green eyes locked on to the Major's dark ones. "I don't remember what happened I wish I did. I'm sorry for your son's death, but I didn't run!" Ezra said this with conviction even though it was the first time he felt it was true. Everyone started talking and yelling at once. The Judge's gavel came down once then twice causing Ezra to flinch. His arms shook and his breathing quickened. The room started to heave then waver and Ezra felt his legs buckle; he never touched the floor. Chris was ready, he leapt forward catching the collapsing man and gently lowered him to the floor. The other gunslingers quickly came to their side.
Nathan jumped over the railing and rushed to his side feeling for a pulse. He felt the heat coming off his body and swore, which immediately got Josiah's attention.
Josiah placed a forgiving hand the guilt-ridden healer's shoulder.
***** Part 5
Ezra awoke a couple hours later back in a jail cell. He was on his side facing the wall and could hear the low murmurings of a conversation in the background. He strained to listen.
"How do you all know he's not lying or conning us right now?" Judge Travis' gruff voice rose slightly. "That man was taught to lie since the day he was born, Mr. Jackson said so himself. I'm sorry gentlemen I have no choice."
"It wouldn't have anything to do with the Major being a friend now, would it Judge?" Buck asked, trying to keep the underlining contempt he now felt for the Judge and the Major.
"Mr. Wilmington, I admit my bias. I've known Jacob for thirty years, hell, he's a decorated war hero why would he lie? Someone tell me that." Everyone was silent.
Ezra slowly rolled over in his bunk. "And I'm just a two-bit gambler," his voice dripped with sarcasm.
"Vin, go get Nathan," Chris said as he stepped up to the cell.
"So, what's the verdict?" Ezra asked as he slowly sat up bringing the palms of his hands up to his eyes, trying to push back the pain. The Judge approached the cell the hate still evident on his face, even though he was trying to hide it. Buck and JD stood slightly behind him.
"I've called for a circuit judge he should be here in a few days. I'm sorry Mr. Standish, but you leave me no other choice. You have that time to get your memory back before we hold the trial," Judge Travis explained to the weary looking con man.
"And if I don't get my memory back?" Ezra asked the Judge, an icy edge to his voice.
"The trial will start in four days," The Judge answered with the same icy tone. He looked over at Chris who returned his gaze and watched him walk out.
"What am I looking at Mr. Larabee?" Ezra asked in an even voice. He couldn't stop the shiver, which shook him all the way up to his shoulders. He wasn't sure if it was from the fever he had or the fear that gripped his heart. He felt his life, a life he had come to love, being ripped from his grasp and there was nothing he could do about it.
"If you're found guilty you could possibly get a year at Yuma prison, more an likely you'll be sent to Tucson jail for a month and asked not to return," Chris regretfully replied.
"Chris, they can't do that, they can't break us up," Buck uttered as the implication finally dawned on him. It was a long time before he trusted the suave gambler, but he considered him a very good friend and he didn't think he would run.
Buck looked over his shoulder as Vin and Nathan entered the jail coming to stand on either side of Chris. "Ezra, how you feelin?" Nathan asked.
"Just dandy Mr. Jackson, go away!" Ezra spat out, no longer hiding his growing anger.
"Here Ezra drink this." Nathan held out the tin cup of water and herbs. Ezra looked up at it then slowly stood taking the cup. He stared at the dark healer and let his eyes sweep over the others behind him. He wondered where Josiah was? He noticed how JD couldn't even look at him, how Chris glared suspiciously. He could no longer keep his anger away and he welcomed it. It was a feeling he was familiar with and could deal with. It would fill the empty hole, which was slowly growing in his gut. Ezra slowly tipped the cup over dumping the pain-relieving contents onto the jail floor. Ezra's face was flushed with fever and a growing rage that made his emerald eyes blaze with a demon-like fire. He actually looked more dangerous than all six of the other gunslingers combined. Nathan bit his lip seeing that anger burning in Ezra's green eyes.
"Ezra you needed to drink that," Chris said flatly, trying to keep control of his own anger. He understood that Ezra was angry, but this wasn't helping any.
"Leave me alone, all of you! I was better off when I only relied on myself, because that's the way I always end up anyway. My mother was right!" He yelled, his voice rising with his anger. Anger felt better then the betrayal and disappointment he had been feeling, anger swallowed all that up, even the fear.
"Ezra you know that's not true," Vin voiced.
Ezra turned his back on them laying his hands palms down against the other wall. "If you could just remember what happened?" Chris angrily asked, he was frustrated at Ezra, himself, the whole damn situation.
Ezra snapped back around. "Why don't you try and beat me into remembering, come on Larabee, I won't even fight back," he replied in a menacing tone his hands held to his side palms out. "You all think I'm lying, conning you, well don't you?" Ezra's fever was stoking his anger, which was melting his fear. He watched as JD left the jail. Buck flashed a regretful expression and followed after the distraught young sheriff. Ezra returned to his cot and laid down throwing his arm across his eyes. He was tired and wished he had drunk some of Nathan's concoction.
Buck found JD outside sitting on the boardwalk. He sat down next to the young gunslinger, wincing as the movement caused his arm some discomfort. JD continued staring straight ahead holding back the tears that threatened to fall.
"Gawd Buck, what's happening? I don't want to believe that Ezra ran, I really don't, but..." JD wiped at a single tear that traveled down his cheek.
Buck put a brotherly arm across his shoulders, "I know JD, I know. None of us do. We're just going to have to hope that the truth will eventually come out."
JD turned his head to look at his best friend, who was like a brother. "What if Ezra never remembers?"
Buck closed his eyes; sometimes the kid asked the hardest questions.
The next morning Mary came into the jail with a tray of food. The Major was like an Uncle to her and she had cared deeply about Orrin, like a younger brother. She nodded towards Vin and Buck, who were sitting around the desk playing cards. Ezra was sitting up leaning against the wall his eyes closed. She hadn't trusted Ezra in the beginning. Like a lot of people, she believed he only watched out for number one, but over the months he had proved himself. Mary had caught a glimpse beneath that arrogant armor he hid behind. She even developed feelings for the frightened, insecure man that she discovered there, which had complicated her feelings for Chris Larabee. She never told anyone how she felt, she always thought or hoped it was just girlish infatuation or lust, Ezra Standish was an extremely handsome man. Now, she couldn't even force herself to look at the man she believed responsible for Orrin's death.
"I have some breakfast for Mr. Standish," she said to Buck.
Ezra cringed when he heard Mary call him by his last name. Buck opened the door allowing Mary to place the tray on the small table.
"Thank you, Miss Travis," Ezra quietly murmured opening his green eyes to meet Mary's soft cornflower, blue ones. She quickly turned and left. Ezra watched her go. He saw the hurt and betrayal in her eyes. Where once he believed they had held something more than just friendship, the hole in his gut grew bigger.
"Ezra?" Buck's low voice tried to break into his thoughts. Buck wanted desperately to talk to his friend to tell him everything would be okay, but he couldn't. The fact was he didn't know what to say to him.
Ezra refused to acknowledge him and Buck quietly closed the cell door and returned to Vin.
A couple hours later JD entered the jail. "I'm going to talk to Ezra," he told Buck and Vin.
"Have at it, maybe you'll have better luck than us," Vin replied. Buck gave JD an encouraging smile. He knew the young gunslinger cared very much for everyone, maybe too much. Buck feared the young man was going to get hurt.
Ezra hadn't spoke to anyone since yesterday, and JD noticed the untouched tray of food in his cell.
"Ezra, I'm sorry," JD quietly remarked not knowing what else to say. He removed his bowler allowing strands of his dark hair to fall across his distraught face.
Ezra sat up from his bed. He saw that JD was truly concerned. His anger had abated slightly as his health seemed to be improving. "There is nothing to be sorry for Mr. Dunne," Ezra replied apathetically. He was tired, he'd stayed up all night thinking, knowing he'd have to get himself out of this. No one else was going to help.
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Only if you're willing to aid in my emancipation so I can try and clear my tarnished reputation."
"Ezra, I can't," JD replied looking over his shoulder at Buck and Vin who were concentrating on a card game. "This is the Judge's orders, you're to remain locked up until the trial."
Ezra chuckled. "I understand Mr. Dunne, they believe I would run out, depriving them of the pleasure of watching me leave in chains." JD grimaced at this. Ezra hated putting JD in this position or trying to use his friendship, but he was desperate. "You haven't seen Josiah around lately, have you?" The thought that Josiah also believed he was guilty was almost more than he could bear. He hadn't seen the giant man since the hearing.
"No, Ezra I haven't," JD sadly replied. He knew how close Ezra and Josiah had become, it was almost a father/son relationship. Ezra's faint smile left his face taking away the dimples in his cheeks. JD put his bowler back on his head. His lips pressed in a firm straight line as he walked past Vin and Buck without even a good-bye.
Vin stretched his lean form trying to remove some of the kinks in his tired muscles. None of the gunslingers were getting much in the way of sleep. "Buck I'm going to stretch my legs some, you want me to get you anything?" Buck only shook his head, examining the cards he had and wondering how he had lost almost every game him and Vin had played. He started suspecting Vin of cheating. Vin glanced over at Ezra who hadn't moved since JD left, his food still untouched.
Vin walked out squinting against the late afternoon sunshine, be breathed in the cool clear air trying to clear his own head. He spotted Chris leaned over the railing a cheroot between his teeth and walked over to him.
"Has he remembered anything?" Chris asked, without looking up, knowing who it was.
"He won't say a word. There's got to be somethin' we can do, Chris?" Vin replied. Chris turned his head at the anguish plea from the usually taciturn man. "I don't believe he ran. Don't ask me why, it's just a feelin'," Vin added. He rubbed his thumb over his upper lip looking out towards the distant overlapping hills.
"I know, I have that same feelin," Chris replied dropping the cheroot to the ground and grinding it out under his heel. They were as close to brothers as one could get without being blood, at times they shared the same thought and didn't even have to talk to hold a conversation. Both men knew they would not allow Ezra to go to jail, but they didn't know how to save their broken friendship, which lay shattered in pieces at their feet.
***** Part 6
The next morning JD entered the jail to find Buck still on duty. He was ashamed of himself, for awhile he believed that Ezra had run. He had stayed up most of the night, finally forcing himself to believe that Ezra didn't run. "Why don't you go get some breakfast Buck, I'll take over for awhile."
"Don't mind if I do. I'll bring you and Ezra back something." Buck looked over at Ezra who was beginning to look gaunt; he'd barely eaten anything in two days.
After Buck left, JD went up to the cell. "Ezra."
Ezra removed the hat from his face and looked up at the young sheriff. His headache had finally gone, but he still couldn't remember anything. For the past two days he had done nothing but replay in his mind what he could remember, hoping the missing pieces would finally come.
"Your horse is out back," JD simply stated. He removed his badge from his vest pocket and placed it on the desk. He walked out the door knowing Ezra could probably open his cell door faster than he could unlock it using the key.
Ezra watched as JD walked out renewing some of his lost hope. He pushed open the cell door; he had already unlocked it while Buck was on duty. He couldn't help it. He had become bored. Ezra found his horse fully saddled and ready, JD had even packed some food in the saddlebags and his flask. Ezra took up the reins and led the horse out from the alley. He checked the street before mounting and rode off.
From the hotel doorway the Major watched as Ezra left the jail. He sipped his coffee, a satisfying smile coming slowly to his face. He had hoped for this chance. He knew of the gambler's penchant for breaking out of jails. The Major tossed the last of his coffee into the street and headed towards the stables.
Vin was returning from rounds when he spotted Ezra racing by and decided to follow. He hoped his friend wasn't running away. He didn't know what he'd do if that were the case. He didn't want to see Ezra go to jail and thought maybe this would be the best for everyone. He pushed the dismal thought aside realizing some part of him believed the Major.
Ezra didn't even notice the buckskin tracker so intent on discovering the truth.
Vin kept his distance, and was relieved when he knew where the enigmatic conman was heading. He followed Ezra back to the rocky outcropping and watched from the cover of several trees as Ezra dismounted. It looked like the gambler was searching for something. Vin continued to watch as Ezra knelt down placing his hand on the spot where Orrin Quist had died, the blood now dried into the ground. He stood and looked at the spot where him and the Major took cover. An imagine flashed in his head causing him to bring his hand up to his face, but stopping halfway. It all came rushing back and Ezra closed his eyes and hung his head. How was he going to convince the Judge and the others about what really happened? He thought about just leaving, he didn't want to go to jail, but something inside him wouldn't allow this thought to unfold. Ezra leaned up against a boulder trying to sort things out. He was still angry, the others had believed that he had run.
The Major climbed up the other side of the rocky outcropping. He laid himself flat upon a sloping rock and brought his rifle to his shoulder. He knew the gambling man was trying to remember by coming back here. Jacob carefully took aim at Ezra who was deep in thought. Jacob couldn't risk the fancy dressed lawman remembering, and this would be easier than going through a trial. Vin caught the glint of a rifle up in the rocks, but was too late to warn Ezra. Jacob squeezed the trigger, the bullet tearing into Ezra's side spinning him to the ground.
Vin drew his gun and rushed out scanning the above rocks. He raced to Ezra's side praying he wasn't dead. He checked for a pulse relieved to find one. Ezra moaned and Vin carefully turned the injured man over still searching the above rocks for his assailant. Ezra's eyes fluttered open and he grabbed the longhaired tracker by his shirt pulling himself up. "I remember, Vin, I didn't run." Vin couldn't help but hear the relief in Ezra's voice. His eyes slowly closed and he slumped back into the tracker's arms.
Chris had just finished reading JD the riot act after allowing Ezra to escape. His heart really wasn't in it though, he didn't blame the young gunslinger. He had even hoped once or twice that Ezra would escape. He had told the Judge who demanded they go after him, but Chris talked him into waiting until morning. JD believed that Ezra would return and that was good enough for him. He was glad someone still had faith in the ambiguous southerner. Chris was sitting in the saloon contemplating the bottle of Whiskey in front of him when Vin quietly appeared sitting in a chair next to him. He furtively glanced around the saloon.
"Chris," Vin uttered to Chris' bewildered expression. "I got Ezra."
Chris' visage remained stoic, he wasn't sure if he was relieved or disappointed.
"He's been shot," Vin added.
"What!" Chris' voice rose slightly grabbing the attention of several other patrons.
"I saw him leaving the jail so I followed him. He went back to where it all happened. He seemed to be looking for somethin', then someone shot him. I didn't get a look at who, maybe one of the Morales' gang was still hidden up there. He's up at Nathan's, he won't let Nathan take the bullet out until he speaks to you and the Judge."
Chris, Vin and Judge Travis entered Nathan's room to find Ezra laid out on the bed a blood-soaked bandage wrapped around his waist. Sweat covered his muscular body and the three men could see the pain in his emerald eyes. He shook as his hands gripped the bed sheets.
Nathan stepped up to the three men. "Thank goodness, he won't take any pain medicine and he won't let me take out the bullet, says he needs to tell you something."
Chris knelt down beside the bed placing his hand on Ezra's fevered brow to get his attention. Ezra turned his head to the side his glassy green eyes trying to focus on the dark-clad leader.
"I didn't run," he rasped. Chris nodded in agreement not wanting to upset him at this time.
"I remember," he breathed out, wincing in pain. Nathan handed Chris a cool damp rag to place on his head.
"Ezra, let Nathan take care of you, we'll talk later," Chris quietly said.
"No, can't wait." Fear came to Ezra's eyes. "In case I don't make it."
Chris turned to Nathan as if to verify this, Nathan could only shrug, unsure.
Ezra had a driving desire for this man to know the truth he didn't want to die with Chris and the others thinking he was a coward.
Chris' heart broke at the pleading in the gambler's voice.
"The Major ran," Ezra gasped out. Vin and the Judge moved in closer at this admission.
Ezra licked his lips and Chris lifted his head, bringing a cup of water to his mouth. Ezra took a couple sips then continued, "We were pinned down. I thought the Major had been injured. He was just sitting there shaking, not doing anything." Ezra swallowed and fought the darkness that was threatening to fall upon him. "His eyes were wild and he kept saying we're outnumbered there's no chance then he ran off. Orrin ran after him. I tried to stop him, but I..." Ezra closed his eyes at the memory of the young man being gunned down in front of him. "...I tried to stop him."
Chris' eyes burned with hate, hate for the man who had caused all this. He believed what Ezra said; there was no demon of doubt in his mind this time. Chris placed his hand on Ezra's shoulder.
Ezra clenched his jaw as a searing pain ripped through him his eyes closed and his head lolled to the side. Nathan pushed Chris aside and quickly went to work removing the bullet from Ezra's side. Ezra didn't move or make a sound as Nathan sliced open the wound and started probing for the bullet. Chris and Vin stayed close incase they were needed. The bullet was deep and Nathan started worrying about shock. He finally found it and pulled it out. He applied pressure to the wound until it stopped bleeding then placed herbs on it to prevent infection. Chris helped Nathan raise the still unconscious man so he could wrap a clean bandage around him. They gently laid him back down. Chris brought the blanket up to his chest. Nathan checked his pulse and breathing and went to his table to prepare some pain medicine. He had heard what Ezra had said and guilt tore at him again. He wasn't sure he'd ever be able to forgive himself. Why'd had he not believed him?
"Will he be alright, Nat?" Vin asked, not taking his eyes off of Ezra's slow rising chest.
"I don't know, he's lost a lot of blood and was already weak from the fever he had and not eating," Nathan snapped, he slammed his fist against the dresser knocking over several vials.
Chris came over placing a hand on the black man's shoulder. "It's not your fault, Nathan."
Nathan turned angrily on Chris. "It isn't? I didn't give him medicine because I thought he ran. I thought he was responsible for that young man's death." This was the first time that Nathan had admitted this out loud. Tears glistened in his caring dark eyes. He lowered his voice. "What kind of healer am I who couldn't put his personal feelings aside to help someone?"
"A human one," Chris answered. Nathan wasn't the only one shouldering a lot of guilt.
Chris, Vin and Judge Travis stepped out of the room. The Judge hadn't said a word the entire time and he now just stood and stared at the two men before him.
"It doesn't prove a thing, Chris," the Judge finally stated. He thought that Ezra was just making it up to save himself. "It's his word against Jacob's."
Vin shook his head and asked, "Why would he wait till now to remember?"
Before the Judge could answer Josiah came running up the stairs. Fear gripped him when he saw the three men outside Nathan's room. He had just come from the jail. "What happened?"
"Ezra was shot," Vin replied.
Josiah closed his eyes and fell against the wall. "Oh, no, will he be okay?"
"Nathan doesn't know yet," Vin answered.
"Where have you been?" Chris asked, the anger he was feeling now directed at Josiah, remembering that the ex-preacher was no where to be found after the trial.
"I just returned from Ft Kinney," Josiah stated ignoring Chris' wrath. He looked towards the Judge.
"And why Mr. Sanchez, did you feel the need to go there," Judge Travis asked.
"I wanted a little more information on Major Jacob Quist, now I wish I'd gone sooner." Josiah answered. After what he was about to say, if Ezra died no one would be able to forgive themselves, including him.
"So what did you find out, Josiah," Chris impatiently asked.
"It appears the Major didn't retire. He is under suspension, pending investigation." Josiah noticed even Chris' eyes grew wide. "His superiors wouldn't tell me the reason, but a young corporal did. Apparently, a month ago the Major was in charge of a small unit of about seventeen men. They ran into a band of comanches and were severely outnumbered. The Major's second in command recommended that they pull back and call for reinforcement, but Major Quist wouldn't here of it. He told the men to attack. When it became apparent that they were about to be overrun the Major froze and ran, fifteen men died. They say he lost his nerve, but was too proud to admit it. He always wanted to prove that he could still command."
"Holy sh*t," Vin gasped out as him and Chris regarded each other sharing the anger and blame between them.
Judge Travis bowed his head. He didn't want to believe it, but doubt was slowly ebbing its way into his soul. He lowered his body down onto the bench outside Nathan's door. The three gunslingers saw the despair on their aged friend's face. He had trusted Jacob and that trust led to the persecution of an innocent man and friend. The Judge didn't know how Standish could ever forgive any of them, he wasn't sure he could forgive himself. The frustration and despair that Chris had been feeling over the past few days was now replaced with anger.
"Vin get JD, I have a plan," Chris stated, a venomous smile coming to his hardened face. He realized that it was still Ezra's word against the Major's, but he was not about to put Ezra through a trial.
***** Part 7
"So Mr. Larabee, I hear one of your men captured Mr. Standish, that is good news," Major Quist said to the dark-clad gunslinger who was sitting by himself in the quiet bar room. Major Quist looked around, surprised none of the other gunslingers were about. In fact, he hadn't seen any of them all day.
"Yeah, but someone shot him." Chris tossed back the shot he was holding trying to wash down the bile that was rising in his throat from being in the same room with this man.
"Well, you'll forgive me if I'm not sorry," Major Quist sneered. "Will he be able to stand trial?"
Chris slowly raised his head to look up at the Major who stood on the other side of the table. "Nathan says he's in some kinda coma, but Vin told us before he passed out he remembered what happened. So all we have to do is wait until he wakes up." The Major appeared to get slightly flustered then quickly composed himself, but not before bringing a slight smile to Larabee's face. He wanted nothing more than to put his hands around the smug Major's throat.
"If you'll excuse me, Mr. Larabee I just remembered somethin' I need to attend to." The Major quickly exited the saloon.
It was after midnight when a large form slipped into Nathan's darkened room. There wasn't even a lantern on and the windows were covered. Jacob Quist could just barely make out the dark shape, which laid unmoving on the bed under a quilt. The only sound the Major could detect was his own nervous breathing. He picked up a pillow which laid at the foot of the bed and moved up to the head. His mind wandered through the past few days, the death of his son still fresh in his heart. He still had a hard time believing he was gone. It was easier to believe that Orrin was in the military now or back east. After him and his mother separated he would go years without seeing the boy, so it wasn't hard to convince himself that Orrin was still alive. He knew the deception wouldn't last, but for now it was the only way he could remain sane. He hadn't planned on any of this happening. He was even a little sorry about what he had put the gambler, turned lawman through, but he couldn't change the past. He could only make sure no one ever discovered the truth. And honestly who would really miss a conniving conman, oh everyone will be a little sad for awhile, but then life will go on. He'll slowly work his way into the tight group of men and everything will be status quo. He'll help clean up this town and become famous, maybe even become the next sheriff. A faint grin came to the Major's stubbled face, yes, all he had to do was take care of this little problem and everything would be fine.
"Just your bad luck, Mr. Standish. I can't have you tellin' people I'm the one who ran. I should of made sure you were dead when I shot you, would of saved us all a lot of grief. I'll say a couple nice words at your funeral," Jacob whispered to the person on the bed. He brought the pillow down over the person's face his own heart racing. He heard the door creak open and quickly straightened, dropping the pillow to the floor. He brought his hand up to shield his eyes from the sudden light now invading the room from the hallway. He made out the dark lean silhouette of Larabee and the more stout form of Judge Travis. The Major's breath caught somewhere between his lungs and throat, but he forced it back down.
"Ah, Mr. Larabee, Judge, I thought I heard Mr. Standish cry out so I'd thought I'd better check," Major Quist volunteered, his voice somewhat shaky. The two men remained silent, staring at the military man causing him to shift nervously. Major Quist winced when he felt the barrel of a gun jab into his stomach and heard the slow pull back of the hammer. Major Quist looked down into the face of young Mr. Dunne and closed his eyes.
"Well, JD?" Chris prompted.
"He's the one who ran alright," JD announced with disgust. "He also shot him." This surprised everyone in the room and only furthered Chris' hatred towards this man and his own sense of guilt. JD wanted nothing more than to pull the trigger, but he realized he was also guilty, for he had believed the Major.
Jacob stepped towards the door. "Orrin, you have to understand I was desperate," he pleaded. "Everything I lived by was falling away. I couldn't let that happen. I couldn't have people thinking I was a coward."
Judge Travis didn't know what to say to his long time friend who had caused him to almost destroy another man's life. He looked at him like he didn't know him and realized he didn't.
"Orrin, does thirty years of friendship mean nothing to you?" Jacob Quist implored.
Judge Travis' eyes narrowed with anger. "It obviously meant nothing to you!" His voice rose. "You turned me and everyone else against a good man. You almost killed him, maybe ruined his life, all because you couldn't admit to your own shortcomings." Judge Travis' face was turning red with rage as his anger came tumbling out. "Your son and fifteen men paid the price for your damnable pride, Jacob. Don't talk to me about friendship you threw it away just like you threw away my god-son's life!"
Judge Travis turned sharply away. He couldn't stand the sight of the man he once called friend. Jacob hung his head. Chris' own infamous rage had been stoked by the Judge's tirade and was slowly coming to a boil. It had taken a long time to build the fragile friendship between him and the others and the stoic gambler. Was it now destroyed? Chris' anger erupted as he looked at the Major and thought about everything Ezra had been put through. Chris wasn't sure Ezra would be able to forgive them, much less the whole town. This man had taken the precious gift of friendship between seven men and stomped it into the ground. As Major Quist neared the staircase Chris couldn't hold it back any longer and lashed out. The two tumbled to the bottom of the stairs. Chris stood up, pulling the stunned Major up by the collar and landing two solid punches to his stomach causing him to double over. Vin and Buck leaned up against the bar, smug smiles on their faces as they watched Chris' rage do what they themselves wanted to. JD stared down from the balcony grinning. Judge Travis turned away. Chris held the unsteady man up and looked him in the eye. "This is for Ezra." He put all his anger and guilt behind his fist, which connected with Jacob's jaw, Josiah grabbed his beer as the Major came flying, only to crash upon his table turning it into so much kindling. Josiah raised his beer to Chris who was bent over gasping for breath his anger having been spent.
JD came down the stairs followed by the Judge who looked at Chris then down at the Major who was trying to pick himself up off the floor. Josiah's foot came down on his back forcing him back down.
"Mr. Dunne, please arrest Major Quist, until we find out if Mr. Standish wishes to press charges," Judge Travis coolly advised.
Buck and Vin moved in to help JD pick the Major up off the floor and carry him to jail. Judge Travis looked over at Chris and Josiah both wearing the same look of guilt as his own; he turned and walked out the saloon doors.
It was a couple days before Ezra regained consciousness and the six gunslingers barely left his side. The whole town had been made aware about what had transpired and for a few days people could not look one another in the eyes. Many came by asking about Mr. Standish's health and sent their thoughts and prayers. Mary brought food to all of them every day trying to relieve her own burden of distrust.
When Ezra finally opened his eyes it was to the relieved faces of six men who wanted nothing more than to beg his forgiveness.
"How you feelin', Ezra?" Nathan asked placing a dark hand on his much cooler forehead. Ezra heard the concern and furrowed his brow. He thought the last several days had been a dream, but then he looked around and realized he was no longer in the jail. He let out the breath he had been holding since it all began.
"Tired," Ezra softly replied and let his eyes close. He wasn't as tired as he made out, but he didn't want to talk with anyone right now. He had too much still to sort out.
"You rest, we're here for ya, pard," Buck said, with this Ezra drifted slowly off.
The next day JD filled Ezra in on all that had transpired, seeing the relief flood through him, but no smile came to the chiseled face. The six gunslingers slowly made their way in, one at a time, apologizing the best they could. Buck even brought him a new deck of cards. Chris thought Ezra forgave them all a little to quickly.
Judge Travis was the last to appear and Ezra actually took a certain amount of pleasure seeing the esteemed Magistrate remorseful. "I doubt there is anything I can do to make it up to you, Mr. Standish. I can only hope you someday can forgive a stubborn, short sighted old man." Ezra didn't blame him; the Major had been his friend for thirty years. He had only done what any friend would of done, what six gunslingers should of done for him.
"Would you like to press charges against Major Quist," the Judge asked.
"No, let him go, the loss of a son is enough punishment," Ezra replied. He just wanted the whole sorted mess to go away.
The Judge complied with Ezra's wishes, but to ease his own guilt he felt he had to do more. He wanted to make sure this would never happen again. The Judge found Josiah hard at work outside the church trying to ease the burden of his own remorse.
"Mr. Sanchez, would you care to accompany me to Fort Kinney to meet with Colonel Phillips of the Military disciplinary board?"
A mischievous grin came to Josiah long, beard stubbled face and he put down the ax he was using and followed the Judge.
"Chris! Chris!" JD came racing into the saloon trying to catch his breath.
"Whoa, there JD, what's all the excitement?" Buck asked. Things had finally quieted down and were trying to get back to normal. Ezra was still recovering, but Nathan was worried, the usually contentious conman had not tried to leave the confines of the clinic, hadn't fought him in any way.
"It's Ezra. He's leaving," JD gasped out, his eyes wide the fear on his face almost palpable.
"What!" All five of the men replied in unison.
"His bags are packed and he's saddlin' his horse now."
The five men rose as one and followed JD out the doors all thinking the same thing.
Ezra continued saddling his horse as the six men entered the stable. He had expected them sooner or later. He patted his horse's neck as he bent over and stepped underneath, placing the horse between himself and the six gunslingers.
"What do you think you're doing?" Buck was the first to ask.
Ezra threw his arms over the saddle, his face impassive. Chris got a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach when he saw that famous poker face look back at them.
"I know you're not blind, Mr. Wilmington, I'm leaving," he stated matter-of-factly.
"Ezra, you're not well enough to ride," Nathan added.
"I'm fine Mr. Jackson," Ezra quietly remarked to the concerned healer checking the cinch on his saddle. Emotions churned inside his gut, numbing the pain of his wound.
"Why," Chris asked. Ezra laid his head upon his saddle for a moment then raised it to face the six most important people in his life.
"Doubt is a dangerous entity in our business, Mr. Larabee. I couldn't live with myself if I became responsible for one of your deaths." Ezra took the reins of his horse and led him out past the six astonished faces.
"Ezra, we know you wouldn't run, we trust you," Chris tried to assure him, following him out. The six gunslingers were still dealing with their own culpability over what had happened. They had let one of their own down, it was hard to deal with.
Ezra smiled at the sedate gunslinger, the only man he had ever truly respected in his life.
Ezra locked eyes on each one of the brave men that stood before him. He tried to keep his voice from cracking as he replied, "Maybe it was only a moment, or just for a second, but each and every one of you believed I had run." This was stated not as an accusation, but as a simple statement of fact.
Everyone was quiet for a moment knowing the intuitive conman was right.
Ezra mounted his horse and looked down at the six men, who he almost considered brothers. He swallowed hard trying to keep the emotions that threatened to gush forth, bottled up inside. "I don't blame any of you. The fact is." Ezra's voice caught. He released a trembling breath and closed his eyes to stop the tears from falling before he continued, "For awhile, I believed it myself."
Ezra gently spurred his horse and trotted away, then broke into a gallop. The six men stood silent, watching him go.
"He'll be back won't he, Chris?" JD asked.
"No JD, I don't think so." | https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5672/1/The-Accused | dclm-gs1-294160000 | false | false | {
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