fasttext_score float32 0.02 1 | id stringlengths 47 47 | language stringclasses 1 value | language_score float32 0.65 1 | text stringlengths 49 665k | url stringlengths 13 2.09k | nemo_id stringlengths 18 18 | is_filter_target bool 1 class | word_filter bool 2 classes | word_filter_metadata dict | bert_filter bool 2 classes | bert_filter_metadata dict | combined_filter bool 2 classes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.030608 | <urn:uuid:d91eebc4-4265-4169-8237-df31451bf92c> | en | 0.950846 | Review Essay: Museoloy as Cultural Studies
A Companion to Museum Studies . Sharon Macdonald, ed. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing , 2006 . 592 pp.
I read this collection of 33 essays on museum studies with one large question in mind: does anthropology still have anything to contribute to this burgeoning field? I hoped that this collection might supply an answer, in part because several of the contributors are anthropologists, but mainly because its editor, Sharon Macdonald, is one of the best ethnographers of museums there is. Her interest in museums began through studying cultural heritage. In her case, it was fieldwork in the Scottish Highlands—a place whose people are often in the business of representing themselves to others and who are therefore quintessentially reflective about the self-conscious nature of cultural production in a museumified world. Macdonald went on to do a wonderfully nuanced ethnography of a science museum—of how the experts and professionals in the museum decide on what stories to tell and how to tell them, and of how the visitors to such a museum respond to its messages. It is of course, the ethnographic approach to a topic that I would suggest anthropology can and does contribute to this or any field.
But the collection is not primarily a compendium of the work of ethnographers. The group of scholars Macdonald brought together reflects the current makeup of museum studies as an interdisciplinary endeavor. Some of them work in museums. Most teach in museum studies departments or offer courses that cross over from their particular disciplines into museum studies, and while they are from different disciplines, they teach museum studies from the shared perspective that has come to be known as cultural studies.
The central theme of cultural studies is that societies produce representations that have political implications. Representation—making a display, a film, a book—hurts some people and helps others by naturalizing certain visions of the world and by privileging certain voices. It is the goal of cultural studies not only to bring into conscious awareness the extent of misrepresentation that occurs, but also to create representational space for silenced voices to be heard. Cultural studies is self-consciously democratizing. It exposes representation as elitist or exclusionary. As it stresses exaggeration and erasure in dominant cultural discourses and imagery, it encourages or even ventriloquizes the voices of the silenced.
Needless to say, the desire for democratization, plus a queasy reflexivity about elitism via (mis)representation, are guiding concerns in what often is called “the new museology”—as Macdonald outlines in the Introduction. And the new museology is an extension of what those in the education departments of museums pretty much everywhere have been trying to do since they gained a foothold in museums. For a long time now, educators have thought of themselves as populists or reformers—in favor of opening up the museum; in favor of making it more relevant; opposed to closing it to all but the most enlightened, or to using it to protect and store treasure however such treasure is defined. So the agendas of education dovetail with those of cultural studies, but it also happens that cultural studies has also inserted itself into art and art history. There are many converging paths leading to the fact that museum studies itself might even now count as a branch of cultural studies—a site for the practical and reflexive application of cultural theory.
The chapters in the first section of the Companion, “Perspectives, Disciplines, Concepts,” lay out the basic themes. Rhiannon Mason's essay on the basic premises of cultural theory, and how those premises are also basic to museum studies, is among the most succinct and accessible synopses I have encountered. Gordon Fyfe follows with a deft exposition of the relationship between the museum as an object of study and sociological phenomenon and the rise of sociology as a discipline. His is at once a reminder that, while museums were until recently “rarely mentioned by sociologists” (p. 33), they are nevertheless perfect sites for sociological analysis—analysis of the kind that has transformed sociological theory. Donald Preziosi, Anthony Shelton, and Susan Crane each offer reflections on the ways the disciplines of anthropology, art, and heritage have articulated themselves in museums. Museums, whatever their disciplinary origins, are above all collections, so Macdonald contributes an ethnographic survey of collecting. Collectors take for granted the notion that time moves in one direction, and that this means things are lost or destroyed. Thus, whatever else they convey, objects in museums, according to Susan Crane in her chapter on time and memory, objectify common understandings of time in terms of “preservation.” Yet arguments about what should be preserved, and, by extension, whether it is necessary or good to remember or forget the past, mean that museums often as not disrupt easy understanding about the relationship between the past and present.
The second section, “History, Heritage, Identities,” can be read as an extended commentary on those facts about memory. Jeffery Abt, for example, reminds us that museums have a more nuanced history than the simplified but useful story that museums began with modernity. Robert Rydell shows that world fairs do more than merely represent dominant visions because they have “always been the sites of contestation” between representatives of empire and empire's subjects, and among exhibition authorities themselves. Both Flora Edouwaye Kaplan and Elizabeth Crooke review how museums have come to increasingly reflect the aspirations of hitherto disenfranchised or ignored groups in society. Nations make museums that enshrine a national identity, but they also make space for religious and ethnic minorities or local communities to celebrate themselves. Kaplan and Crooke show us that some of the most innovative museums on the world stage—for example the District Six Museum in Cape Town or the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC—are the products of minority or local visions. Rosemarie Beier-de Haan goes a step further, arguing that an emerging trend in museum exhibitions is to emphasize the fluidity and ambiguity of identities rather than to celebrate ethnicity or locality and that such a shift reflects broader changes associated with globalization. Steven Hoeschler suggests the opposite. Heritage is emerging as perhaps the most common of displays around the world. Officials like heritage as do bigots; but so too do artists and activists find heritage a useful tool for critiquing the present. To demonstrate this point, Hoeschler refers to the work of the Guatemalan artist Daniel Hernandez-Salazar who, with the help of fellow activists, mounts public exhibits throughout the capital that remind the viewer of the atrocities the government committed in its dirty war or terror. The images get torn down, or they remain because their significance is not initially apparent, and whether they are torn down or stay up, they generate comment and conversation.
The third section, “Architecture, Space, Media,” begins with the fundamental fact that a museum is a building that contains objects on display. The history of museums is therefore an architectural history, and Michaela Giebelhausen offers an overview of the symbolism of museum architecture at the dawn of modernity to provide a context for evaluating contemporary architectural innovations. Victorio Lampugani focuses more closely on current debates about what this architecture represents as such buildings have emerged as attractions that sometimes overwhelm the collections they contain. Meanwhile, Bill Hillier and Kali Tzortzi focus on the interior spaces of the museum, investigating how exhibits create a largely unconscious syntax that guides how we look at what is on display. Michelle Henning reviews the ways museums are currently deploying computers and other media in a general effort to make the museum more accessible and exciting. Tony Bennett traces the history of such spaces as sites for “civic seeing.” As in his path-breaking work on the museum as a central arena in the “exhibitionary complex” of modernity, Bennett stresses a generally democratizing tendency of museums. Today, for example, even though museums are primarily about looking, serious efforts are being made to accommodate the blind, just as museums in general try to include as many ways of seeing as there are audiences they can accommodate. As a result, museums become reflexive about how to present and display, although reflexivity inevitably clashes with the inherent and often unconscious elitism of the aesthetic of museum vision. In making this point, Bennett offers us an image of one of Duane Hanson's life-like sculptures of fat and fashion-challenged tourists. Those who have the wit to look at this sculpture and recognize it as high art worthy of display in a museum cannot help but look down on the culturally impaired tourists they represent. The project of civic seeing is democratizing; it also makes the usual distinctions, celebrating or disparaging the usual subjects.
Those usual subjects are the focus of the fourth section, “Visitors, Learning, Interacting.” Here we confront the perennial problem for those who work in museums: the visitor is still a troubling and far from transparent agent. Eilean Hooper-Greenhill reviews the growing literature on who visits museums and finds it frustratingly uninformative. Basic questions such as how many people visit museums are still hard to answer with any degree of certainty. She finds hope however in a recent shift in visitor studies towards naturalistic, that is, ethnographic approaches—this shift reflecting a growing concern with what visitors actually do at museums, rather than merely a concern with how many of them enter the door. John Falk, Lynne Dierking, and Marianna Adams try their best to be optimistic about what museums teach these shadowy visitors. In their view, the typical visitor to the museum is the kind of learner the emerging knowledge economy requires. If museums can satisfy them, then museums will have no trouble articulating their mission and thereby ensuring their survival into the future. By contrast, George Hein is more pessimistic about current museum practice, but he also argues for the democratizing potential of the museum as a site of “meaning-making.” Likewise, Andrea Wittcomb offers a distanced and somewhat skeptical summary of the current museological fascination with interactive technology.
The authors in Part Five, “Globalization, Profession, Practice,” remind us that administrative and pedagogical protocols (as Patrick Boylan shows), not to mention laws about property (which Patty Gerstenblith discusses), are becoming increasingly globalized. Globalization invariably has its flip-side—the theoretically intriguing possibility of the local cultural origins of curatorial and display practices in a world where museums are everywhere. Christina Kreps makes a case for such local origins in her discussion of museums in Indonesia. In any event, whether museums around the world are products of local visions or global protocols, visitors to museums are also increasingly international. Of the ten million tourists who go to Paris every year, most visit at least one museum, and the same applies to foreign visitors to New York or Washington, DC or London. Go to, say, any municipal museum in Greece in the summer or Ubud in Bali, or Waitangi in New Zealand, not to mention the District Six Museum in Cape Town and you are as likely to encounter, if not more likely to encounter, foreigners than locals. Add globalizing tourism to globalizing protocols and you have, as Mark Rectanus notes, the rise of the “blockbuster” exhibition, and civic planners all over the world who would like a version of Bilbao's Guggenheim to attract and capture a tourist market. So, globalization above all entails an increasing acceptance of the idea that a museum is a wealth-generating machine. But, as Bruno Fey and Stephen Meier emphasize, how museums are to be measured as machines is not a simple process. Blockbusters, for example, may appear to generate more profit than they actually do. But prestige is also important, if harder, to measure. So with globalization also will come a more sophisticated accounting of the economic costs and benefits of museums and their exhibits.
In the final section, “Culture Wars, Transformations, Futures” we return to what the new museology might entail for museums in the future. If the new museology emerged out of an increasingly powerful populism, it also was an attack on knowledge as a straightforward display of objectified facts. This shift, according to Steven Conn, is especially relevant for how and what science museums will display and discuss. Science museums are newcomers to the new museology, but facts in art museums or history museums are far more obviously politicized than in science museums, making them the places where the conflicts in, what came to be called, “the culture wars” first occurred, as aesthetic rubrics or historical frameworks were questioned and revolutionized. Curators in art museums, for example, routinely mount exhibits that reflect on or critique the aesthetic frames that museums once took for granted. Thus they welcome, as Mieke Bal shows by discussing her own efforts as a curator, innovative ideas from the perspective of cultural critique. Steven Dubin outlines the museum's role in the culture wars by comparing how museums in the United States and South Africa have mounted innovative and challenging exhibits dealing with racial segregation and cultural disenfranchisement. Such exhibits represent and generate conflict, but they might also allow, Dubin suggests, for reconciliation, as opposed groups find themselves compelled to share museumified space. Just as museums have become more politically engaged—and therefore democratizing in that sense—they also have been captured, as Nick Prior details in a more critical essay, by the superficial populism of the mass market. Museums have been “transformed into cultural multiplexes” even while they struggle to be politically and pedagogically relevant (p. 521). Ultimately though, according to Charles Suamarez Smith, who is the director of the National Portrait Gallery in London, museums will never become mere shopping malls or buildings housing the latest in interactive technologies, because they are repositories of valuable objects. Indeed he asserts that to maintain their integrity as institutions they must make what is beautiful, rare, and enlightening available to people in the future, not just the present. And that requires an inevitable conservatism.
This last point seems to square with Macdonald's vision as well. Like many of us who study museums or work in them, she is predisposed toward the populism of the new museology but also well aware of how that populism gets yoked to corporate or bureaucratic agendas that “produce uninspired and quickly dated museums” (p. 9). That is what you usually see so clearly when you study the museum as an outsider. None of us, outsider or insider alike, want that. So, as the new museology becomes increasingly the old museology, we must recognize that museum practice is still an art. As an art, it can never be entirely rationalized, nor can any exhibit worth doing be intelligible or interesting to everyone or anyone.
Eric Gable is a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Mary Washington. He is the author (with Richard Handler) of The New History in an Old Museum: Creating the Past at Colonial Williamsburg (Duke University Press, 1997). In addition to his work in museum studies, he has written extensively on the contemporary experiences of the Manjaco people of Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1548-1379.2009.01022.x/full?wol1URL=/doi/10.1111/j.1548-1379.2009.01022.x/full®ionCode=US-VA&identityKey=d9afd836-ac48-4e47-af5e-ec43d4bbcc64 | dclm-gs1-191180001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.025789 | <urn:uuid:99c54ac0-ab76-4ea7-ac86-3994e27c35c6> | en | 0.971918 | Beginners: What now?
Recently, Pearson/InformIT reached out to its authors and asked us what advice we give to beginning developers. Here's my contribution!
Several times a year, I teach groups of people how to program in Python. These are absolute beginners. Many times, the first time they opened up their terminal or command prompt was that morning.
By the end of the class, they’ve learned enough to make a fairly robust program. They can save data, use files, make calculations, loop, and test for conditions. They know how to read error messages, and they’ve played with imports and libraries. I get one question, every time:
“Now what?”
At first, I told them to think of a cool project. Surely, they must know of one! No, everything neat they could think of had been done already. Or, they had an idea, but it was too big. They’d have to learn 3D animation, or advanced calculus, or a tricky API. Finally, I remembered the first project I had really undertaken on my own. It was a loot tracker for a game. My friends and I wasted a ton of time keeping track of who got what spoils when we played together in an online game. I ended up making a simple app to keep track of possible loot, who could use it, and who had gotten the last cool item.
It didn’t make me millions. No one ever used it outside of our little group. But it taught me more than most classes could. I learned how to use databases and secure them. I learned about linking up forms and organizing my code. I learned how to maintain my server, and I learned how to upgrade my system without breaking my app.
The annoyances in our lives, as much as they make us grit our teeth, are also the best places to start. The fact that they exist means there is a void in the existing technology. Perhaps the bit of code hasn’t been written, or it’s prohibitively expensive. Perhaps it’s too clunky, or terribly behind the times. Whatever the case, it represents a place the student can start their journey, and create something that makes their life, and perhaps the lives of others, better.
Here are the rest of the responses, from all over the various tech communities! They should be adding to the list all month.
Teaching: The OS Divide
I spend much of my time in the OS community teaching. I teach kids, I teach beginners, I introduce experts to new concepts. At nearly every conference, I will at least attempt to teach a class. I love teaching, and I also try to talk others into teaching as well.
There’s one problem I’ve noticed with those that are interested in teaching, and it’s something that’s not really discussed openly. Normally, people make a single snarky comment, then walk away. The topic?
Why is this a problem?
When I’ve taught classes, I’ve almost always taught to a mixed crowd of Macs, Windows laptops, and the odd Linux machine. The more novice the class, the more likely it is that I’m going to be dealing with Windows people.
People in beginner classes expect you, the teacher, to know how to deal with their hardware. Yet, when I bring up the Windows problem, people scoff. The most common answer?
“They should get a better laptop.”
I’ve endured tirades about how they should just install Ubuntu, or how a Mac is really just as cheap as a Windows machine. I get to hear about how many years it’s been since they touched a Windows machine. I’ve heard so many stories about how people moved their loved ones onto Ubuntu or Mint or a Mac and that they loved it and everyone else should just do the same.
It’s a problem because it’s snobbery, and it doesn’t belong in education. Why do people buy Windows? There are many reasons why people might own a Windows machine. Maybe they like gaming. I know that’s why my husband and I keep Windows laptops around. They may not have a choice, since that’s what their work gave them (not all of us can demand MacBook Pros). Maybe the suite they work with only works on Windows. They might be like my parents, and scared to learn a new OS.
Or, maybe the decision is economic.
The cheapest Mac starts at a grand. I can easily find laptops for less than that. Sure, they may not have the screen or build or battery life, but that’s not the deciding factor for a large part of the population.
When money is unstable, it can be hard to save money. Savings are pecked away at by daily life and a host of things that cannot be cut. When you’re in this situation, you tend to get chunks of cash in on an irregular basis. You get a Christmas bonus, someone dies and leaves you a bit of cash, or your tax return clears.
Everyone I know who lives at the lower end of the middle-class spectrum or lower has a death or taxes laptop.
If you only get these bits of income in every now and then, you try to make them count. You get things replaced. You pay off a large debt. You buy big ticket items. A laptop is a common choice, but you want the most for your money. You won’t be upgrading in two years. You may be using this laptop for the next eight. So you go for the most memory, space, and video that you can get for that little pile of cash you have.
And if you want that, you’re going to get a Windows machine.
We can shout all we want about stability, or how you still have a MacBook from 2002 that works fine, or how you know of an indie seller that has cheap Linux laptops. At the end of the day, the Windows line is going to win. They are not the enemy At this point, the people I talk to often get mad at the users. They’re blind! Sheep! Technophobes!
The users are not the enemy.
Sure, we’ve all had our infuriating experiences with Windows. Some of us have watched the political wars, both from afar and in the trenches, and we have bad tastes in our mouths. We’ve been held hostage at parties to an infected install of XP that we’ve been asked to clean up, while everyone else takes in holiday cheer. We’ve realized that our children’s school system has been locked into a contract that only exposes the kids to Windows. I get it. But you’re getting mad at the wrong people.
These people did not buy the OS they did in order to make you mad. Really. They did it because it was the cheapest option, or the one they were the most familiar with, or they had specific needs with regards to their OS, and they weren’t confident enough to research alternatives on MacOS or Linux. So stop being mean to them by being snarky or ignoring them.
But if they would just try…
There’s probably something in your life that you use, but you’re not 100% knowledgeable about. How would you feel if someone ran in and, without explaining themselves or gaining your trust, told you to get something wildly different and foreign? For me, I felt this way the first time I walked into a bike shop. I was interested in getting a bike to tool around town. I had grown up with this sort of bike:
A simple Huffy bike. No fills!
It’s basic. One gear, break by pedaling backwards. The bars were at a certain angle, one you could grab while leaning over or sitting up straight. Sitting up was common, because who doesn’t want to pretend to be Julie Andrews now and then? You got one kind of tire. The one choice you got was color.
Julie Andrews on a bike
Then, I went into a bike shop. None of the bikes looked like that. They pointed me towards something like this thing:
A complex looking bike. Wires, tiny seat, weird angles.
Wait, there’s wires everywhere! And the handlebars are so tiny… And what’s with the seat and handle angle? My arms would need to be four feet long to sit up! Wait, the brakes are where? Why can’t I just pedal backwards? And that seat! That’s not comfortable looking at all. Wait, why are you asking me about tire choices WHY IS THIS EVEN A THING?
Whenever I feel the desire to rush a Windows person to a new OS, I remember the feeling of being slightly panicked and wondering if this salesperson was just trying to con me into a bike that wouldn’t work for me, and I back off. I earn their trust by showing that I do know how to deal with Windows, and that I can get Python working on their system. Then, once I have their trust, I start to explore whether they might be interested in checking out another OS.
And note that I say might. They might never move over. That’s okay, because that’s their choice.
What do you need to know how to do?
If you haven’t run away at this point, good! Let’s talk about what you need to know in order to work on a Windows machine.
You’ll need to know how to get the command prompt up. In general, all you need to do is hit the Windows key and type ‘CMD’ + Enter.
You need to know how to figure out what version of Windows you’re on. Don’t just ask the student. This is a chance for you to prove that you’re not going to break their machine. Pull up the command prompt and type in ‘ver’ or ‘systeminfo’. At least one of those should work.
You need to know how to install Python on Windows, both two and three. This is not the time to be Ultimate Nerd. Use the installer. You might even want to trust the defaults, though I know you’ll probably look, anyway. If you stick with defaults, the student will have an easier time debugging down the road.
There’s a good chance you’ll need to update the system path. If you pull up the command prompt after installing Python and get an error when you type ‘python’, your path needs help. This is slightly different for each system, so some googling might be in order.
If you’re teaching something other than just Python, you need to make sure that you know how to install THAT package as well. Oh, and while you’re at it? It’s a good idea to get pip and easy_install working as well.
Finally, you should get familiar with some sort of editing program for Windows. I generally show off IDLE first (since it’s great for beginners), but it can fall short when you’re trying to work in a project that has items other than Python files. I like Notepad++. It’s free. It’s updated pretty often. It looks fine. It’s not crazypants like Eclipse.
And that’s it. That’s not a huge list, all told. But just knowing how to do those things can open you up to a much wider community of learners, and give you a chance, after you get friendly, to maybe move them over to your OS of choice.
Flask + git: Easiest workshop ever
The Set-Up
Starting the class
The process was simple.
What will I change for next time?
Future plans
Want to help?
Teaching Python in your PJ's
I love teaching Python. Really, I do. I love developing materials and teaching concepts and answering questions and opening doors for people who may have thought that they’d never be able to write five lines of code in their life.
So, why don’t I teach more? In general, I only teach a class for our PyLadies chapters a few times a year, in spite of the fact that they help so many people and I love to do them.
A pillbox with the image of a smiling woman holding a box that says 'Medicated.' Text: Better living through chemistry.
So, I decided that it was finally time to do a virtual class.
The class set-up
After deciding to do this, I started looking at various technology. Google Hangouts (the regular one) was out due to the limit on how many can attend. The cap, even if I paid for corporate access, was still way too low.
I checked out next. Yes, it’s used for gaming, but the fidelity was really high, and there was a built-in chat. The only problem was that the lag is pretty large (several minutes in some cases).
I went back to Google Hangouts and decided to look into the On Air option. Though I lost chat, the fidelity did stay high, the lag was shorter, and there was a Q+A option that I really liked. Basically, viewers could submit questions and I could answer them. The thing that makes this killer is, in the video later on, later viewers can fast-forward to certain questions by clicking on them. Neat!
We ended up creating a separate chat room. Jackie found a few, and we went with It was a one-click solution that was attractive to boot.
A screenshot of the class, featuring footage from a webcam in one corner.
After doing some poking around, I found that having your face on the screen (rather than just your voice) helps keep engagement high. I’m on Linux, so I installed GTK UVC video viewer (God, don’t we have the slickest names?). That allowed me to show my face and my desktop at the same time.
I did not fart around when it came to sound. On-board mics are for suckers. I used my Logitech Wireless Headset H800 . It works great with Linux and has a long charge time, and the sound was clear and loud.
For those that are curious, my editor was IDLE. I always use IDLE in beginner classes, because I like for everyone to have a screen that looks the same.
A webpage with bold text centered on it. The text reads 'Back at 10:10.'
Finally, I had a silly little Flask app (that I’ll post about later) that I used to post signs to my screen when we were on break.
The class
Sixty-six people signed up for the class, and we ended up having 28 viewers. This may seem like a huge drop, but trust me, that’s some good retention. Many, MANY people sign up for classes and then never show up.
The 28 that did show up stayed engaged (only one loss was reported). They chatted in the chatroom, submitted questions, and even posted their code on dpaste!
Also, Hangouts On Air was a champ. I didn’t have any lag or loss. That was more than likely due to the fact that I wasn’t on wifi. If you’re going to do a class like this, for the love of all that is good and just, get a hard line.
We managed to get all the way to modules in three-hours, which is beyond impressive. The fact that we can get so far so fast is one of the reasons I adore Python.
Thoughts for next time
I think my set-up worked fine, but next time, I do want to spend more time talking about the editor and making sure everyone is comfortable before I move on.
I want to add a video explaining how the Hangout will work, especially since I can’t show them on my screen (my screen looks different). I also plan on adding videos just for installing the things we need to have running before class.
Are we doing it again?
We sure are!
One of my not-so-secret goals is to move many of the classes online so that we can do more workshoppy things in person. I’ve already scheduled the next class (Flask!) and am planning the next few (Django! Databases! PyGame!).
Can I see the class?
The great thing about using Hangouts On Air is that the class is archived on YouTube. So yes! You can see the class!
It’s not a polished presentation because, well, it was a class. I had to stop to answer questions and I didn’t pause recording while we were on break. Consider it an immersive Real Katie class experience.
Addendum: Yes, that is my pillbox. You can get your own here. | http://therealkatie.net/blog/tags/teaching/ | dclm-gs1-191410001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.309851 | <urn:uuid:34a37a3f-6355-461a-a17c-a4ee429b76d2> | en | 0.983137 | Bruce Bartlett
One way that chairmen maintained their power was by insisting that proper procedures be followed in the legislative process. Bills were referred to subcommittees, which held hearings and markups before sending them to the full committee. And then there would be more hearings and markups at the full committee level. Thorough committee reports were prepared and printed for each bill, so that every member had a clear idea of what the legislation would do long before it came up for a vote.
This was very time-consuming. It often took more than one Congress for major proposals to even get through one house, before the process started all over again in the other house. By the time a bill finally became law, it had been through the wringer several times, which helped ensure that everyone knew what was in it and how it would work, and every affected party had been heard from.
This system, which had served the country well for almost 200 years, started to break down in the 1970s, when liberal Democrats destroyed the seniority system in the House. This made it easier for them to move legislation, but also undermined the committee system itself. Also, when members knew they would no longer be rewarded automatically for service, you started to get faster turnover among members and staff, who took with them an enormous amount of institutional memory and commitment to the Congress as an institution.
When the Republicans took control in 1994, they destroyed what was left of the historical system. Most subcommittees were abolished. Major bills were brought up for committee votes without any hearings at all or even a draft bill that could be reviewed ahead of time. After a while, the Republicans even dispensed with committee markups, with the leadership using the Rules Committee to bring bills directly to the floor, often in the dead of night.
This trampling of the committee system helped give rise to the Abramoff scandal. A lobbyist no longer needed to know the substance of a bill or have long experience with the committee of jurisdiction. He just needed to know one guy in the leadership who could stick his proposal into a bill when no one was looking. By the time the bill was even printed, it would already be law.
The Republican leadership plans new restrictions on lobbying to protect themselves from Abramoff fallout. But a real reform would be to empower Congress's committees once again and make it harder for the leadership to act without proper oversight and deliberation.
Bruce Bartlett
©Creators Syndicate | http://townhall.com/columnists/brucebartlett/2006/01/10/changing_the_culture_of_congress/page/2 | dclm-gs1-191420001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.350154 | <urn:uuid:d9a442be-af12-4f2e-b8fc-9ba4f92d12a8> | en | 0.952011 | David Limbaugh
The Old Media are far from contrite about their latest national security betrayal. Instead, they have begun attacking their accusers.
Every time the Old Media are criticized, they trot out the First Amendment, as if they are its exclusive guardians. Heaven help us if that's the case. For it's not the First Amendment they worship, but their self-anointed stewardship of it. Why else would they so adamantly favor suppression of political speech for all but themselves during the 60 days preceding elections? Why else would many of them favor the "Fairness Doctrine" to squelch their successful conservative competitors on radio? Why else would they defend draconian campus speech codes?
The New York Times and Los Angeles Times came under deservedly harsh criticism for reporting -- over the administration's vigorous objections -- the CIA's program of tracking terrorists' financial transactions.
Instead of apologizing, they congratulated themselves for defending the Constitution. Bill Keller of the New York Times and Dean Baquet of the Los Angeles Times co-wrote an op-ed defending their decision. New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof followed up with a supporting editorial.
Keller and Baquet wrote, "But the virulent hatred espoused by terrorists … is also aimed at our values, at our freedoms and at our faith in the self-government of an informed electorate. If the freedom of the press makes some Americans uneasy; it is anathema to the ideologists of terror."
Who says "some Americans" are "uneasy" about the freedom of the press? It is not the "freedom" that makes people uneasy but the reckless abuse of that freedom.
Keller and Baquet approvingly quoted Justice Hugo Black, that "The government's power to censor the press was abolished so that the press would remain forever free to censure the government. The press was protected so that it could bare the secrets of government and inform the people." Yes, but it was not protected to inform our enemies.
Keller and Baquet lamented that they get no credit for deciding not to publish certain stories where they were convinced "the risk of publication outweighed the benefits."
Well, I personally don't believe they are entitled to plaudits for acting in the national interest, as if their occasional conquest of an irresistible impulse to betray an administration for which they have seething contempt makes them Nobel-worthy.
David Limbaugh
©Creators Syndicate | http://townhall.com/columnists/davidlimbaugh/2006/07/11/old_media_unrepentant_on_damaging_disclosures | dclm-gs1-191430001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.258589 | <urn:uuid:c735cad1-9b7d-4189-b729-31e330149c72> | en | 0.85092 | Sign up ×
When do you use it?
share|improve this question
6 Answers 6
up vote 35 down vote accepted
for i in {1..100}
#do something 100 times
share|improve this answer
This is a shame. I just discovered it but do the backup thing on extra-long paths for years without knowing rhis. Thanks. – smonff May 20 '14 at 12:41
@Patrick: That fails because program gets three words: "-f file1" "-f file2" "-f file3", instead of 6: "-f" "file1" "-f" "file2" "-f" "file3". – musiphil May 18 at 18:52
@dogbane: Using expansion for use in a for loop is a bit pointless, since you can write for ((i=1; i<=100; i++)) and it is more efficient. – musiphil May 18 at 18:54
Brace expansion comes very handy when creating large directory structures:
This will give you
find dir1 -type d
share|improve this answer
I use it when I want to reduce typing:
# versus
geany /path/to/file{1,2}
Another example:
wajig install libpam0g-dev libiw-dev libdb-dev
# versus
wajig install lib{pam0g,iw,db}-dev
share|improve this answer
$ diff tests.{out,output}/041
share|improve this answer
Some frequent cases for me are:
For renaming:
mv myText.{txt,tex}
mv myText.tex{,.old}
cp myText.tex{,.backup}
For comparing (already mentioned):
diff path{1,2}/a.txt
share|improve this answer
There are several great answers here, but none of them mention when not to use brace expansion. Like the other answerers, I use brace expansion on the command line quite a bit. I also use it in my aliases and functions since I can expect a smart shell.
I do not use it in my shell scripts (unless there's some other reason the scripts should be bash or zsh, though in those cases, it's best to upgrade to a "real" scripting language like perl or python). Brace expansion is not portable since it is not in the POSIX shell standard. Even if it works in your /bin/sh-shebanged shell scripts, it will not work on systems with more stripped /bin/sh shells (e.g. dash).
In the case of a difference of a single digit, you don't need brace expansion; a character class will suffice:
diff file{1,2}
diff file[12]
share|improve this answer
A difference is that file{1,2} will always expand to file1 file2, while file[12] expands only to existing filenames: i.e. if file1 exists but file2 doesn't, file[12] expands to file1 only. The [] expansion is really a restricted version of ? expansion (and they are called "pathname expansions"). – musiphil May 18 at 18:57
Correct, brace expansion is not shell globbing (a.k.a. pathname expansion). That's a good call-out that hasn't really been mentioned yet: brace expansion is better at noting unexpectedly absent paths. You can also glob inside brace expansion. – Adam Katz May 18 at 21:28
Your Answer
| http://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/6035/when-do-you-use-brace-expansion | dclm-gs1-191540001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.045204 | <urn:uuid:1dcdaeda-1c92-46a9-92da-5c1bd46453db> | en | 0.929957 | Jesus and the fig tree
From Iron Chariots Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
For more information, see the Skeptic's Annotated Bible article:
For more information, see the Skeptic's Annotated Bible article:
There is little agreement as to what Jesus looked like.
The story of Jesus and the fig tree appears in the New Testament of the Bible, in Matthew 21:17-22 Bible-icon.png and Mark 11:12-14, 20-26 Bible-icon.png. In this story, Jesus is hungry and goes up to a fig tree to get something to eat, even though figs are out of season. When he finds that the tree has no fruit, he becomes angry and curses the tree to death. The story sometimes interpreted as a metaphor of the Pharisees "not bearing good fruit".
This is awfully strange behavior for an omnibenevolent god to indulge in. Why blame the tree for not bearing fruit when it is not supposed to bear fruit at that time of year? Behavior like this allows someone to declare that Jesus was mentally unbalanced, which satisfies the second choice of the Liar, Lunatic or Lord trilemma.
Some may draw a parallel between this story and that of original sin, where God blames people for acting in ways that were seemingly designed into them.
The story of the fig tree differs between versions, Matthew 21:19 Bible-icon.png says that "And presently the fig tree withered away." Whereas Mark 11:20 Bible-icon.png has the disciples find the dried up tree the following morning: "And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots." -- Beyond being odd, the story is contradictory.
External link
Personal tools
wiki navigation | http://wiki.ironchariots.org/index.php?title=Jesus_and_the_fig_tree | dclm-gs1-191590001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.025662 | <urn:uuid:8fcd48ba-0ea6-43c0-8647-a6d6a186fc4c> | en | 0.864239 |
The Death of the Flowers
By William Cullen Bryant (1794–1878)
THE MELANCHOLY days are come, the saddest of the year,
Heaped in the hollows of the grove, the withered leaves lie dead:
The robin and the wren are flown, and from the shrubs the jay; 5
And from the wood-top calls the crow, through all the gloomy day.
Where are the flowers, the fair young flowers, that lately sprang and stood,
In brighter light and softer airs, a beauteous sisterhood?
Alas! they all are in their graves: the gentle race of flowers
Are lying in their lowly beds, with the fair and good of ours. 10
Calls not, from out the gloomy earth, the lovely ones again.
The wind-flower and the violet, they perished long ago;
But on the hill the golden-rod, and the aster in the wood, 15
Till fell the frost from the clear, cold heaven, as falls the plague on men,
And the brightness of their smile was gone from upland, glade, and glen.
And now when comes the calm mild day, as still such days will come,
To call the squirrel and the bee from out their winter home; 20
And twinkle in the smoky light the waters of the rill,—
And then I think of one who in her youthful beauty died, 25
The fair, meek blossom that grew up, and faded by my side:
In the cold moist earth we laid her when the forest cast the leaf,
And we wept that one so lovely should have a life so brief;
Yet not unmeet it was, that one, like that young friend of ours,
So gentle and so beautiful, should perish with the flowers. 30
| http://www.bartleby.com/371/41.html | dclm-gs1-191750001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.048529 | <urn:uuid:2465b8e3-c5fd-45d1-a4ee-f31c7aab9449> | en | 0.949592 | Dismiss Notice
Subscribe to BeerAdvocate magazine?
Subscribe now →
Old Milwaukee - Sleeman Breweries Ltd.
Not Rated.
Old MilwaukeeOld Milwaukee
Educational use only; do not reuse.
14 Reviews
no score
(Send Samples)
Reviews: 14
Hads: 68
Avg: 2.38
pDev: 64.29%
Wants: 1
Gots: 10 | FT: 0
Brewed by:
Sleeman Breweries Ltd. visit their website
Ontario, Canada
Style | ABV
American Adjunct Lager | 5.00% ABV
Availability: Year-round
Notes & Commercial Description:
Beer added by: wordemupg on 09-06-2009
View: Beers (25) | Events
Beer: Reviews & Ratings
Sort by: Recent | High | Low | Top Raters
Reviews: 14 | Hads: 68
Photo of Terrible
1.02/5 rDev -57.1%
I have few things to say about this beer.
And what few things I have to say are not positive.
Trust me.
In short:
419 characters
Photo of DaftCaskBC
1.45/5 rDev -39.1%
A: Unappetizing pale straw liquid with minimal head.
S: Lemon, grass and earthy noble hops and metal.
M: Thin viscosity and a low level of carbonation.
338 characters
Photo of Olek4374
1.98/5 rDev -16.8%
2,040 characters
Photo of biboergosum
2.16/5 rDev -9.2%
355ml can, a gift/leftover from a recent hipster party I was dragged to by my uni-adjacent girlfriend.
This beer pours a clear, very pale golden straw colour, with two skinny fingers of weakly bubbly, thin soapy dirty white head, which leaves not a speck of lace in the vicinity of the glass as it quickly melts away.
It smells rather weakly of a gritty rice/corn sweet graininess, hard water, and mildly skunky, dead leafy, herbal, er, 'hops'. The taste is sweet husky rice grain, pithy corn mash, a touch of faintly skunky and herbal bitterness, and well, bumpkis else.
The carbonation is average, as in weakly frothy for a spell, and then more or less absent, the body quite lightweight, and somewhat clammy in its workaday smoothness. It finishes on the sweet side, moderated only by a mildly harsh, drying, nondescript acridity.
As this was exchanged with a fellow party-goer (the beer I gave him was certainly better than this, ah well), in the interest of sharing beer knowledge - I'm duly glad that I got only the one. An average Canadian re-brewed version of average American swill. However, minor extra points are indeed due for the retro-style T & A on the can's label.
1,186 characters
Photo of papat444
2.24/5 rDev -5.9%
Poured from a big bottle.
Very clear pale yellow color. Strong white head that disappears in no time. Sweet corn adjuncts dominate then blandness follows. Nothing truly offensive but it`s a bore and belongs at the low end of the spectrum.
239 characters
Photo of TheTrevor
2.3/5 rDev -3.4%
Hey, looks like they've got this stuff over the border too! I don't want to shock anyone, but it's still yellow and fizzy up there. Very little head without much retention, lots of visible carbonation. The smell is impressively one-note, and that note is some musty grain. The taste follows suit, not much going on besides some pretty characteristic graininess. Not a bad mouthfeel, it's kind of what you hope for in a macrobrew. I guess Canadian rednecks need to drink something too.
484 characters
Photo of thehyperduck
2.41/5 rDev +1.3%
473 mL can from the LCBO; packaged July 5 2012. #1 in my new series, "Cataloging the cheap pale lagers I wouldn't bother with if I weren't a broke-ass student living in a town of 3,000 people with terrible beer selection." Yeah, yeah; I'll come up with a better title later. This is one I've never bothered trying for various reasons - but hey, Sleeman's version of PBR isn't all that bad, so maybe they can do another American classic some justice?
Pours a pale straw yellow colour, topped with about 1.5 fingers of frothy, white head that fizzles away completely over the next minute or so. It leaves behind a thin, soapy cap on the surface and foamy collar - no lacing, though. Looks decent for what it is. The aroma is weak and uninspiring; mostly corny and sweet, with some pale grain malts. A lame odour, even given the style.
Unfortunately, the flavour doesn't stray far from that theme. The taste is highly one-dimensional and rather diluted; if I didn't know better I'd have guessed this was a light beer. The only flavour that I can confidently identify is adjunct sweetness - whether it's corn, rice or both, I can't be entirely sure, but the point to take home here is that there is very little barley malt to be found. There are essentially no hop traits either, besides perhaps a passing hint of grass toward the finish.. Light-bodied and watery, with heavy carbonation. Definitely makes me feel more bloated than the average AAL, which really hurts the drinkability.
This is not a clean-tasting lager - it is an annoyingly sweet, bland, adjunct-laden brew that would be very unpalatable if it weren't so watery. Yes, it seems strange to say it, but the diluted nature of this stuff is probably what saves it from being grade-F swill. I consider myself quite lenient when it comes to reviewing this style, but there are really no positive traits to speak of here, besides the price.
Final Grade: 2.43, a D+. Old Milwaukee demonstrates perfectly the accuracy of the old adage "you get what you pay for". This is drinkable (in that it isn't completely disgusting), but even within this price bracket there are several choices that would be more preferable. PBR, for instance, is basically the same price, and far less terrible. This stuff falls more along the lines of Lucky Lager, or a bad knockoff of Carling - cheap, fizzy, yellow swill that just isn't worth drinking, because there are other cheap, fizzy yellow beers that best it in every category. Sadly, the best part of this can of beer is probably the pin-up girl on the label.
2,553 characters
Photo of ChrisCage
2.43/5 rDev +2.1%
A- Well this isn't anything special to look at....very typical at best. It is amongst the clearest of beers that I have ever looked at, and has a very light grainy yellowish tone to it. The head is white, but is not dense at all, fizzling out rather quickly into a patchy layer over the brew. There looks to be lots of big pop like bubbles rising to the top.
S- Dry, musty and grainy is the best I can come up with here. It isn't a dominant aroma....just bland, with some soft sweet malts and full of adjuncts. There is some very muted hop presence on the finish as well.
T- Overall, this is a bland, grainy and adjunct-ish flavored beer. It reminds me of overcooked rice and dust. There isn't much else to say....no hop bitterness on the finish....just a sweet aftertaste that lingers on.
M- Thin and watery best describe this beer. The carbonation levels are high and it does a good job of cleaning out the palate.
D- Highest marks go to this category because like usual, this macro style lager is easy to drink. I'd put this a slight notch above the typical BMC type beers and its' nothing that I'd pay my money for again. If I want a macro, there's several options that I'd prefer to get before this.
1,210 characters
Photo of wordemupg
2.63/5 rDev +10.5%
473ml can poured into pint glass sept5 2009
A clear straw yellow with little head and no lace
S sweet grain, some grass, very mild floral hops and very little else
T As it smells,very bland, i really don't taste much of anything.
M like water with carbonation
D its like drinking water enough said?
Not finding this already listed is a bit of a surprise, far as I could tell this was different from the others. I understand why now, I feel I wasted my time drinking this one. It's not that its offensive there's just nothing too it
538 characters
Photo of mintjellie
2.85/5 rDev +19.7%
Straw gold body with lots of apparent carbonation. It's large white head is tightly formed and surprisingly retentive. It even leaves large patches of lace on the walls of my glass. Old Milwaukee is actually an appealing beer to look at. Nondescript cereal-like aroma. The best descriptor I can find for it is "beery." Even for an AAL, it's pretty weak. I'm going to call it slightly below average for it's sheer insipidness, but insipid isn't foul. It has a gently sweet taste with notes of corn flakes cereal and wonderbread. Light bitterness and green apple in the short finish. Light-bodied and highly carbonated. Feels thin and fizzy in the mouth, like carbonated water. Overall, this isn't a terrible beer. It's also not a good one either, and that's a shame because if it didn't have that quite noticeable acetaldehyde fault it would be. Within the context of the style, of course.
888 characters
Photo of marty21
2.88/5 rDev +21%
A: Pours a clear yellow with 1 finger worth of white head. Settles to a cap and left a decent amount of lace.
S: The usually grainy aroma you'd get for this style.
T: Sweet grainy tastes. Not much else for this beer.
M: Medium carbonation with a light to medium body.
D: I would drink this one before some other macro beers but then again there are others I'd prefer to this one too.
391 characters
Photo of woodychandler
2.92/5 rDev +22.7%
This came to me courtesy of BigBry and mine is the photo that accompanies the entry on the site. The CANQuest (TM) just CANtinues in its search for new and different beers in a CAN. CANadian beer is a CAN is the penultimate!
The Crack & Glug produced two foamy fingers of bone-white head with limited retention. Color was a VERY pale golden-yellow, really washed out, especially for a non-Light Lager. CAN't our neighbors to the north do better than this? It seemed kind of sad. Nose was about what I have come to expect from the style - lightly lager sweet and overlain with adjuncts. Forgive me as I stifle a yawn. Mouthfeel was medium at best, not really thin, but not much past it, either. It had a light sweetness accompanied by a corn-like overtone on the tongue. Finish was kind of on the bland side, slightly watery. It wasn't one to be outright avoided, as the previous scores would indicate, but it would not be cooler-worthy or something I would even bother looking for, unless it were for the limited-edition CAN. It was simply another run-of-the-mill example of the style. Onward!
1,095 characters
Photo of BigBry
2.97/5 rDev +24.8%
Red 473ml can, celebrating the 71st Anniversary. Limited edition can set with 4 different 'pin up' girl pictures. I bought it for the cans, not the beer. "Brewed in Canada, by Stroh Canada, Guelph, Ontario".
Very typical Macro Lager, pours yellowy/golden color, white head that is here one minute, gone the next. Smells like beer, tastes like beer. Nothing out of the ordinary, but nothing bad either. Thin, but not watered down. Doesn't have that sour finish like some other macros. Easy to drink on a hot day, and it is priced right. Average.
$10.99 / 6 x 473ml cans
570 characters
Photo of atr2605
3/5 rDev +26.1%
A-pours a clear pale yellow with a white head with very little retention
S-Very little aroma, the only thing that really comes through is corn
T-Again more corn, not an overwhelming amount of flavor, no hop flavor at all.
M-light bodied and high carbonation
O-pretty standard macro lager. It doesn't taste very good but it has all the features a macro lager should. It's fizzy, almost tasteless, and can most likely be found at every gas station in Canada.
457 characters
Old Milwaukee from Sleeman Breweries Ltd.
68 out of 100 based on 14 ratings. | http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/415/52401/?sort=low&start=0 | dclm-gs1-191770001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.026489 | <urn:uuid:c5bd4619-fae1-4361-9168-6ea5f9113a6e> | en | 0.80757 | Channels ▼
Developers Urged To Ready Apps for iOS 4.3 Beta
Apple has released the iOS 4.3 beta and SDK beta 3 for its iOS mobile device operating system. Available through the company's iOS Dev Center, this release sits alongside Apple's developer resources on this programming portal, which also includes getting-started videos, coding how-to's, and sample code. Each release of iOS typically brings with it a hint of features soon to be found in Apple's upcoming product releases. The new OS itself promises the ability to stream live video to Apple TV using AirPlay, as well as iAd full-screen banners and HTTP Live Streaming statistics.
Initial reports have suggested that iOS 4.3 will brings four and five finger gesture recognition to the iPad, but early video demos appear to show that this will mean more of a "swipe of the complete hand" rather than anything more complex and multiuser based — although a new "pinch to select Home Screen" option will no doubt be appealing for many users.
While Apple's AirPlay exists to stream video from an app to a widescreen TV using new Media Player APIs, latest developments with AirPlay are said to now embrace video streaming from third party applications for iOS 4.3. There is also a personal hotspot feature for attention grabbing full screen iAd banners on the iPad. Apple wants to give developers the option to provide what it calls an "immersive and interactive iAd experience," with developers themselves creaming 60% of the advertising revenue collected.
Related Reading
More Insights
Currently we allow the following HTML tags in comments:
Single tags
<br> Defines a single line break
<hr> Defines a horizontal line
Matching tags
<a> Defines an anchor
<b> Defines bold text
<big> Defines big text
<blockquote> Defines a long quotation
<caption> Defines a table caption
<cite> Defines a citation
<code> Defines computer code text
<em> Defines emphasized text
<fieldset> Defines a border around elements in a form
<h1> This is heading 1
<h2> This is heading 2
<h3> This is heading 3
<h4> This is heading 4
<h5> This is heading 5
<h6> This is heading 6
<i> Defines italic text
<p> Defines a paragraph
<pre> Defines preformatted text
<q> Defines a short quotation
<samp> Defines sample computer code text
<small> Defines small text
<span> Defines a section in a document
<s> Defines strikethrough text
<strike> Defines strikethrough text
<strong> Defines strong text
<sub> Defines subscripted text
<sup> Defines superscripted text
<u> Defines underlined text
| http://www.drdobbs.com/mobile/developers-urged-to-ready-apps-for-ios-4/229201129 | dclm-gs1-192100001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.076499 | <urn:uuid:c62aa7fc-f179-4c01-950f-d603c062af0d> | en | 0.984419 | Lighter Side
January 10th, 2000
The Calendar Dog
by Al Campbell
Have you ever noticed those outdoor calendars that feature sportsmen and their trusty dogs engaged in their favorite sports together? It melts your heart, doesn't it? I'm rather fond of sporting dogs and I own a camera, so I decided to try to get a picture fit for a calendar with my dog, (Buford), as the main entry.
Life can be pretty unfair at times. Although Buford is usually willing to go along with my hair-brained schemes, some sports proved to be too much for him. You see, Buford is a basset hound with a heart as big as a horse, but short legs that put him closer to the ground than most dogs care to stand.
My first try for a calendar dog picture involved Buford retrieving a duck from a local pond. It didn't take long to discover why good retrievers have long legs. It took Buford nearly half an hour to swim to the duck. When he did get there, he was too tired to drag the duck and himself back to shore. Have you ever noticed how cold the water is when it goes over your waders while you're retrieving your dog?
Maybe pheasant hunting would be easier. We practiced with a pheasant wing until Buford got used to finding the wing and standing on point until I got there. The reality of a field full of pheasants is a lot different than a mowed lawn and a pheasant wing. It took less than thirty seconds for Buford to disappear into the tall grass. After enlisting the help of several other hunters, we found Buford and the pheasant he was pointing to, or, in this case, the pheasant that was pointing to him. It seems the taller of the two won the stare down. It was a pretty rough experience for Buford. I never got him to follow a pheasant wing again.
Rabbit hunting turned out just as bad for my trusty hound. He has a good nose and was able to sniff up rabbits real easy. The problem came when the rabbit started to run. I can usually run faster than Buford, so it wasn't any problem for the rabbit to run him to exhaustion. I believe the rabbit took particular delight in watching his pursuer trip over his own ears as he tried to catch up.
You've seen the calendars with dogs accompanying their fly fishing masters, haven't you? I thought this would be my great chance to get a good picture of Buford in a sporting situation. It seems that any water that is deep enough to support the life styles of fish is also deep enough to sweep my basset hound off his feet. It took a half mile run and some serious dog paddling from Buford before I was able to grab his collar and pull him to shore. Have you ever carried a wet basset hound, camera and fly rod for half a mile? It's not a pleasant task.
I think Buford has figured out my intentions. He used to get excited if I grabbed a fly rod or shotgun. Now he runs to the other room and takes a nap every time I grab one of those dreaded items. You'd think he didn't want to be a calendar dog. Maybe it's better this way, he'd probably let the fame go to his head anyway. ~ Al Campbell
LighterSide Archive
[ HOME ]
| http://www.flyanglersonline.com/lighterside/part69.php | dclm-gs1-192300001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.060042 | <urn:uuid:cf894ca3-b003-47e2-86a9-8e893bace02d> | en | 0.927179 | Psycho Soccer Hooligans
Added On: 08 Aug 12
At BrutalTops soccer hooligans Derek and Toby are in their element. Marching a rival supporter back to the Tops lair, hand gagged and in an arm lock, this dirty cunt is under their complete control. Tied to chair, the Masters first use it's mouth for some *****-spitting target practice before moving on to getting their sweaty armpits and dirty arse cracks cleaned by it's slutty mouth and tongue. Given a boner by his Master it's now ben's turn to get them hard. Even with some encouragement he does a shit job and receives a good caning. Derek puts the useless cunt's tiny flaccid penis into a chastity cage as punishment.
bdsm and fetish
Wrong categories? Vote for the right one Recategorize
Sign Up or Login now to post a comment!
Ads By Traffic Junky
| http://www.gaytube.com/media/249711/psycho_soccer_hooligans/ | dclm-gs1-192370001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.032408 | <urn:uuid:79afa6b3-e518-431c-8b1e-5fdf8f7999e0> | en | 0.89955 | amp turn-on wire
1. TrailFiend
TrailFiend Rockstar
i just took the alpine cd deck out of my other car and put it in my 99' tahoe...but, the only wire that i couldnt find was the amp turn-on wire(blue/white). so, i connected the power antenna wire(blue) to my alpine. does anyone know what i can use as the amp turn-on wire once i connect an amp? thanks for the help.
2. Rumpamuro
Rumpamuro Rockstar 100 Posts
Do you actually have a power antenna? just checking im pretty sure you dont, but either way, i read your post a couple times and dont understand why your connecting any amp/antenna turn on wire to the deck if you dont have an amp yet?, if it came with a factory amp, and thats what your talking about when you say hooked up the power antenna to my alpine, then thats perfectly fine, when you do hook up an amp in this situation, its best to eliminate the factory amp as it may blow, but some say otherwise, either way if your hooking up both, try hooking up both to the power antenna, try to see if it works, on cd, and fm (some recievers turn the antenna off when not in use, anywas it may be to much juice for one wire, if so, hook up one to the RED (IGN/ACC) wire and thats the end of it.
Share This Page
Newest Gallery Photos | http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/threads/amp-turn-on-wire.9440/ | dclm-gs1-192400001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.330995 | <urn:uuid:ebbe6423-7dc0-48eb-88b7-5033678f9bcb> | en | 0.879763 | iOS app Android app
Rushdie Affair
The Satanic Verses 25 Years Later: Why the Rushdie Affair Still Matters
Todd Green, Ph.D. | Posted 11.26.2013 | Religion
Todd Green, Ph.D.
It is an illusion, albeit a powerful one, to believe that a free exchange of ideas exists in any pure form in the West. Racial, ethnic, and religious minorities rarely have possessed the same opportunities to shape public opinion as those with political power or cultural capital. | http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/rushdie-affair/ | dclm-gs1-192460001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.395749 | <urn:uuid:6acb8c5f-9bad-42d1-9a99-9a9ca34b59f4> | en | 0.941187 | Peak Debt
DEFINITION of 'Peak Debt'
The point at which a household or economy's interest payments become so high compared to income that a halt in spending must occur. This is followed by a period of debt reduction.
The term "peak debt" is said to have been coined by Jaswant Jain, Ph.D., in 2006. Jain concluded that the debt taken on by an economy such as the U.S. economy is important to increase consumption. Debt will eventually rise to a certain exhaustion point. At this point consumption must be cut to pay the interest and debt services.
This action requires a reduction in future spending as well, which has a depressionary effect and leads to a reduction in borrowing.
1. Debt-To-GDP Ratio
The ratio of a country's national debt to its gross domestic ...
2. Doubtful Loan
A loan where full repayment is questionable and uncertain. Degree ...
3. Debt Load
The amount of debt or leverage that a company is carrying on ...
4. Standard Of Living Bubble
The concept of consumers living beyond their means for an extended ...
5. Debt Deflation
6. Debt Fatigue
When a debtor stops making payments on his or her debts and starts ...
Related Articles
1. Bonds & Fixed Income
A Look At National Debt And Government Bonds
2. Taxes
Do Tax Cuts Stimulate The Economy?
3. Budgeting
Current Account Deficits: Government Investment Or Irresponsibility?
4. Personal Finance
The Fuel That Fed The Subprime Meltdown
5. Options & Futures
Top 7 Most Common Financial Mistakes
Choose fortune over disaster by avoiding these money traps.
6. Retirement
Why Are Annuities Important for Retirement?
7. Savings
Become Your Own Financial Advisor
8. Professionals
How to Create a Retirement Co-Op in Your Community
9. Insurance
The 4 Best Alternatives to Long-Term Care Insurance
10. Investing Basics
What Does In Specie Mean?
2. Are Cafeteria plans exempt from Social Security?
3. What are the biggest disadvantages of annuities?
4. What are the risks of annuities in a recession?
6. Can your life insurance company sue you?
You May Also Like
Hot Definitions
1. Zero-Sum Game
2. Capitalization Rate
3. Gross Profit
4. Revenue
5. Normal Profit
6. Operating Cost
Trading Center
You are using adblocking software
so you'll never miss a feature! | http://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/peak-debt.asp | dclm-gs1-192550001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.500248 | <urn:uuid:995645d9-b9ba-48db-b795-7c7eb5b3cc63> | en | 0.906945 | Statement Of Retained Earnings
DEFINITION of 'Statement Of Retained Earnings'
A financial statement outlining the changes in retained earnings for a specified period. The statement of retained earnings is prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The statement of retained earnings reconciles the beginning and ending retained earnings for the period, using information such as net income from the other financial statements.
BREAKING DOWN 'Statement Of Retained Earnings'
This statement can appear as a separate statement or as an inclusion on either a balance sheet or an income statement. Also, the statement of retained earnings can be known as a statement of owner's equity, equity statement or statement of shareholders' equity.
1. Balance Sheet
2. Shareholder
3. Appropriated Retained Earnings
Any unappropriated retained earnings that are specifically not ...
4. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ...
5. Retained Earnings
Retained earnings is the percentage of net earnings not paid ...
6. Income Statement
A financial statement that measures a company's financial performance ...
Related Articles
1. Investing Basics
12 Things You Need To Know About Financial Statements
2. Investing Basics
Reading The Balance Sheet
3. Fundamental Analysis
Evaluating Retained Earnings: What Gets Kept Counts
4. Options & Futures
Find Investment Quality In The Income Statement
Use these key attributes to uncover top-level investments.
5. Fundamental Analysis
The Financial Characteristics Of A Successful Company
6. Forex Education
Understanding The Income Statement
7. Investing
Off-Balance-Sheet Entities: An Introduction
8. Professionals
Career Advice: Accountant Vs. Financial Planner
9. Economics
Calculating Days Working Capital
10. Professionals
Career Advice: Accountant Vs. Controller
1. Which transactions affect the retained earnings statement?
Retained earnings are the portion of a company's income that management retains for internal operations instead of paying ... Read Full Answer >>
2. Does working capital include salaries?
4. How do dividends affect the balance sheet?
5. Who actually declares a dividend?
6. Are dividends considered an expense?
You May Also Like
Hot Definitions
1. Zero-Sum Game
2. Capitalization Rate
3. Gross Profit
4. Revenue
5. Normal Profit
6. Operating Cost
Trading Center
You are using adblocking software
so you'll never miss a feature! | http://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/statement-of-retained-earnings.asp | dclm-gs1-192560001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.052428 | <urn:uuid:863166a9-c882-448a-9de3-b42bdd76f179> | en | 0.976854 | • Kindling public action
Peaceful protest focuses on officer-involved deaths
• STOCKTON - Protesters and activists rallying against police brutality and ongoing bloodshed in the community convened on the county courthouse's steps for a rally Tuesday afternoon.
• email print
Friends and relatives of James Cooke, 54; James Rivera Jr., 16; and Luther Brown, 32, spent the bulk of the two-hour demonstration demanding justice for the three who died after confrontations with law enforcement. Additionally, speakers urged members of the audience to register to vote in the upcoming city elections to spur change in the community. The peaceful rally also focused on individuals taking responsibility for their own lives to improve the city they live in.
"People are set in their ways, but we need to make a change," said Dionne Smith-Downs, Rivera's mother. "Our children's lives depend on it."
Much of the rally focused on the deaths of Rivera, Cooke and Brown. Rivera was shot and killed by police and San Joaquin County sheriff's deputies in 2010 after a pursuit involving a van authorities say had been stolen at gunpoint. Brown was fatally shot April 6 by Stockton police after they said he ran away during a traffic stop from a car containing narcotics and grabbing a cop's baton during the confrontation. Cooke died while in police custody on his way to a hospital for observation after being combative with police April 12, authorities said.
All three deaths are under investigation, and many protesters complained the process is taking too long. They also contend the lives of the three have been devalued because the officers involved in each event returned to duty after a brief administrative leave.
"If someone shoots a cop, they go to prison for life. If someone shoots another person, they get locked up," Stockton resident Danny Hatler said. "Cops shoot someone and get paid leave before coming back to work."
Protesters argued authorities overstepped their bounds by using lethal force in the shooting deaths of Brown and Rivera.
Wearing a shirt reading "Where is Justice?" on the front and "Stunguns and pepperspray, not bullets" on the back, Charmaine Gonzales said her friend Brown didn't deserve to die from police gunfire.
"He didn't have a gun on him," she said.
Despite the undercurrent of anger at the justice system, Tuesday's rally focused on using the right to free speech and nonviolent protests to achieve a desired result.
When a brief scuffle broke out between two young men halfway through, speakers and members of the audience admonished the pair and sent them away.
"We've come too far to connect fighting with what we are doing here today," Smith-Downs said.
Although Tuesday's rally included protesters from Occupy Oakland, the scene was unlike an April 10 gathering that was declared an unlawful assembly at one point and saw people blocking traffic and committing scattered acts of vandalism.
No arrests were reported at Tuesday's protest.
Police officers patrolled the blocks around the rally, and San Joaquin County sheriff's deputies stood on the steps of the courthouse to watch over the crowd.
"We were having a high-visible presence around the rally, and we're there making sure it's peaceful, which it was," said Officer Joe Silva, a Stockton Police Department spokesman.
The crowd at Tuesday's rally wants justice for the lives lost, said Lester Aaron Hawthorne Jr., a friend of Brown's.
Justice comes in the form of people knowing their rights and standing up for what they believe in, he said. He quoted the preamble to the United States' Constitution as his reason for attending.
"We're trying to form a more perfect union," he said. "That's what we're trying to do."
Reader Reaction
Events Calendar | http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20120509%2FA_NEWS%2F205090318%2F-1%2Frss02 | dclm-gs1-193090001 | false | false | {
"keywords": "assembly"
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.018948 | <urn:uuid:9ddba70d-5dfb-4ec5-80ac-e42c146ea83c> | en | 0.837973 | Rugby World Cup 2015
Craig Joubert refers a decision to the TMO in the France v Italy game
Referees chief keen to cut down on TMO delays
World Rugby’s match official committee are looking at ways to cut down on time spent referring decisions to the Television Match Official (TMO), but it’s chairman insists the technology is…
Joe Launchbury
Launchbury wary of Wales threat despite injury problems
England‘s Joe Launchbury expects Wales to put in a strong performance when the two sides meet at Twickenham on Saturday, despite their well documented injury problems. Wales lost influential players…
Stunning score: Jubilant Japan celebrate Karne Hesketh's winning try against South Africa
Analysis: Ten minutes that sealed a magical Japan win
If the endgame of these global tournaments is to catapult the sport into the wider consciousness and inspire fresh fans, Rugby World Cup 2015 may have already reached a zenith. A 34-32 victory for…
World Cup Highlights: New Zealand 26-16 Argentina
| http://www.rugbyworld.com/tournaments/world-cup/page/10 | dclm-gs1-193150001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.026274 | <urn:uuid:d0b6996e-dbe3-4bad-8738-0c8d71b36c2a> | en | 0.978272 | Friday, September 18, 2015
Milan Lucic - 1st day of training camp
Lucic on playing with Kopitar and Gaborik....
Two of the best players in the league and I get a chance to play with them. I am excited for the opportunity. They've already had success playing together and I just want to do what I can to contribute.
On his first training camp with the Kings?
I am still getting used to everything. it's been a good transition so far. Everybody has been very welcoming. Just taking it day by day. Kind of feel like a rookie again. I am just going to try and bring my game.
On his style and fit for the Kings......
I think my game fits really well. Watching this team from the outside I hope and think its a perfect fit. I hope it works out the way I think it should. I am just going to bring my big body and physical play to the team and add to what this team already has. i feel like i fit right into the system they already have in place. it's not like they need me to change my style to fit the way they play. i played a top 6 role in Boston i am just excited to get things going.
Doughty Day 1 of Training Camp Quotes
Doughty of first practice....
Coaches made sure to make it a hard practice. There was a lot of battling out there and that's something you don't get to do in the summer when you are skating.
On the slimmer Drew Doughty
All the guys have been laughing at me. They haven't seen me look like this, or this good. I feel really good. Worked really hard this off-season. Had a lot of time to workout this off-season. It's been beneficial for me.
The last time you had 6-pack abs.......
I've had it before. It just kind of gets lost as the season goes on.
On many of the players coming into camp in better shape......
The boys made a real emphasis on coming into camp in amazing shape. Everyone looks great. Now its a matter of getting back to where we were and making the playoffs.
On playing less minutes....
I'm sure there will be times when I will push the 30 minute barrier but for the most part I think the minutes will come down. i will probably be around the 24-25 minute range which the team thinks will be better for me just because I will have more energy. Whatever the coaches think is best for the team.
Longer summers mean less success from the past season. What is the mindset as you start training camp?
The mindset is that we have to learn from last season. We can't leave it to the last minute, the last few games of the regular season and try to get into the playoffs. We learned alot. We were embarrassed that we didn't make the playoffs last year pissed off, I haven't seen our team come into a training camp more determined to start a season.
Doughty on being one-upped by Stamkos who took BP and fielding practice with the Blue Jays....
I have taken batting practice with the Jays before and it didn't go very well
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Jon Cooper Stanley Cup Game 4 Post Game Reaction
2015 Stanley Cup Final Post-Game 4 Transcript - (TBL - Coach Cooper)
Contact Information:
Chicago - 2
Tampa Bay - 1
An interview with:
THE MODERATOR: Questions for coach.
Q. Coach, at what point did you know that Ben was not able to go tonight?
COACH COOPER: I don't know. I don't know whether when I knew really mattered. It was the fact I just knew he couldn't go.
I'm sorry, I don't even know who asked that question. That's the end result, so...
We knew today that he probably wasn't going to be able to go. Got here tonight and we just confirmed it.
Q. Before we get into the entire game, just your thoughts on Vasilevskiy's performance tonight?
COACH COOPER: If you tell me we're going to come in and he's going to give up two goals, that's a hell of a job in my book.
We've had a lot of success when we've only given up two. We win more of those games than we don't. We did everything we asked that kid. That kid gave us a chance to win the hockey game. We just scored one. We got to score more than that.
But I thought he was great. And as I've said, I've said this during the series, it doesn't matter which guy we put in there, we've got full confidence in both guys.
He showed the pinnacle of the sport, that he can play. That's a pretty big achievement for a 20?year?old.
Q. Do you worry about any level of frustration for Steven specifically, a couple tremendous looks at the end? Any concern about that on his level?
COACH COOPER: Not at all. I've watched him play. Had the best seat in the house to watch him play for two years. You don't keep him down forever. He's gone through this before. He went through this a little bit in the Detroit series, then bounced back for us.
I'll be honest. I don't know how one of those didn't go in. I'm sure there was 22,000 nervous people in the stands when we were zipping it around there.
What I like to see from Stammer is he got his looks, they just didn't go in for him.
Hopefully in Game 5 you sit here saying, Stammer has a couple under his belt. I just like the fact he's getting himself in the position to score. They just didn't go in tonight.
Q. The power play has been struggling in this series. After doing so well against Montréal and New York, why has that fallen back in this series?
COACH COOPER: I think we have to understand we didn't really have ?? the last game was a five?on?three. We didn't have a five?on?four. You're going back how many games before we've had a power play. We haven't really practiced. Sometimes you can get a little bit out of sync.
Did we have a couple looks on some of them? We did. We created some shots. Had some scrambles in there. I don't know if we shot enough. As the power plays went on a little bit, we tried to make the perfect play.
But sometimes you score on them, sometimes you don't. When you lose by a goal, your power play goes 0?4, all of a sudden an alarm goes off.
The special teams weren't the difference. They went 0?3. It came down to, you know, five?on?five. They got one more break than we did.
Q. With the extra day of rest, do you anticipate there's a chance that Bishop could play on Saturday or is this now Vasilevskiy's net?
COACH COOPER: Gosh, I wish I could give you an answer to that. Bish is going to play again in this series, there's no question. I just don't know which game.
Q. Drastic difference in the shot totals tonight in the first period. What was the key to that?
COACH COOPER: I think we were on them. I know the series is tied 2?2, but we've had a chance to win every single game. You can't ask for more than that from your team.
I thought we were defending really well. We weren't letting them hold on to the puck and dance around the offensive zone which they have a tendency to do when they're rolling. We took the puck out of their hands early, then we possessed.
A little bit of that, too, is we had power plays. That's going to go in our favor a little bit. I thought we defended really well. Like I said, they got a couple breaks around the net.
Both goals, they got some bounces. Toews gets a bounce right to him, and Saad loses control of the puck, but it stays on his skate, drags to him. So they worked hard. They capitalized on their breaks. We had some unbelievable open looks that hit a stick, hit something, didn't go in.
That's what you got to love about this sport, you never know what's going to happen.
Q. Have you placed any extra emphasis on coming out strong right after the Hawks have scored on you?
COACH COOPER: I wouldn't say we've done this just because we're playing Chicago. We don't really look at it that way. As a team we feel it's extremely important, regardless if you score or whether the other team scores, how you're going to answer that next shift. I thought we did really well.
When they scored, we answered pretty well. We came back and had some pretty good looks ourselves. We don't sit here and say, Well, Chicago's given up a few. We don't look at it this way. As a team we're worried about ourselves. I just feel that's a really extremely important shift after goals, and we've handled it pretty well.
Q. You have talked confidently about Vasilevskiy all year, certainly all playoffs. On this stage when he performs the way he did, can you learn something else about a guy or does it simply validate what you knew?
COACH COOPER: I would sit here and say it validates what we've known all along. You put the kid on the stage, he's going to perform. Pretty comforting for a coach knowing that you got those two guys back there in net for you.
THE MODERATOR: Thank you.
COACH COOPER: Thank you.
Blackhawks Game 4 Post Game
2015 Stanley Cup Final Post-Game 4 Transcripts (CHI - Coach Quenneville, Toews, Saad)
Contact Information:
Chicago - 2
Tampa Bay - 1
An interview with:
THE MODERATOR: Questions for coach.
Q. Team always talks about trying to find a way and everything. Considering not a whole lot there in the first 40 minutes, how much was it really that in the third tonight?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: I thought we had a good second. We had some good quality stuff at their net that we were better than we were in the first period, generated some flow in our game.
Third period we got the lead. They came at us. They're a dangerous team. If we're not aware by now, that's a good hockey team. That's where we're at.
Q. In that first period, what wasn't clicking maybe? Was it difficult for the guys to stay patient?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: I think half the period was special teams. That was part of it. Then we picked up some momentum in the second, got going, started skating.
I don't think we were quick enough to begin the game. Spent too much time basically not generating in our end.
Q. You talk about Brandon Saad's playoffs, his Finals. Seems like every game he finds a way to bring it up another level.
COACH QUENNEVILLE: I loved his game tonight. Great power move to the net. Gives us speed. Use him in all situations. He's fast, he's big, he's strong, he's dangerous. Very good performance.
Q. The gamesmanship at the lines, the players said they knew ahead of time, running the different ones in the warmups. In a series this close, are you just looking for any edge you can possibly get, the element of surprise?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: Whether it's an element of surprise... I mean, we expected their other goalie in the net tonight, too. I guess it's 50/50 tonight (laughter).
Q. You have a core group of Toews and Kane and Hossa who have been here for two championships and a third run here, Shaw and Saad came in after, Teuvo this year. How do you bring guys into the fold the way the team has done?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: Every guy's got a different file to him. Saader and Shawsy spent some time in the lockout season playing in the American League. Teuvo did that this year as well. I think that's a good foundation for these young players. Nothing's given to them. They’ve got to earn it.
When they come into their team, they’ve got to earn it as well. They're certainly high-end players that certainly contribute in their ways. They get to watch some top players and learn the right way how to prepare, how to compete, how to play.
Eventually they grab a little bit more responsibility, in all their cases. It's an organization, there's some upside for these younger guys. I think that's good for the future of the team, as well.
Q. Do you ever think that Duncan Keith might be able to play an entire 60-minute game? It doesn't seem like there's ever too much for him.
COACH QUENNEVILLE: Yeah, you know, we got asked that a lot in the last two rounds, how he handles it. It's almost like the more he plays, the better he gets. The more he enjoys it.
So it's a great spot to be in as a team, knowing that as play picks up, the more he gets. The bigger the games you're getting, the more he's getting, too.
He prepares well. Took the morning off this morning. He was ready to go all night. He's a great player and fun to coach.
Q. Could you explain what you were hoping to achieve or the motivation behind the shuffle up front?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: We were looking for balance in our lineup. I don't think we had enough offense from our group. I just thought last game Johnny's line has been generating most of our offense. We're trying to get some secondary scoring or secondary balance, get a more complete team game.
I thought we had some better stretches. Even though we didn't have any production for the first part of the game, the five-on-five game really wasn't giving up anything. That's usually how I measure our performance.
Q. Corey talked about being displeased with his performance the last two games. Did you feel he needed to play better to give you a chance to win?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: We know the importance of goaltending game in, game out. I thought he was outstanding tonight. Call it a 'goalie win.' Loved how he battled. He's a battler. Great illustration how he stayed with it, how they swarmed us at the end. His movement, he was following the puck. He was big. Nice response.
Q. How impressed are you by his resiliency that he's shown through the playoffs and over the years with all the criticism that he gets?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: Yeah, you know, I think probably a little bit more than a lot of top players. Goaltenders obviously get a lot more scrutiny. They measure a lot of times the ones that go in, not the ones you save. He always looks to push through, stop the next puck.
We saw in 2013 what he's capable of doing. This season, regular season-wise, he was outstanding. So we're happy to have him. We know the way he prepares and likes the battle.
Q. What did you think of Timonen's game? Did he earn the right to play again in the series?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: I liked him. He's safe, simple, smart, hard in the puck area. He knows how to play in his own end. I like that predictability in his game. The crossbar in the end of the third, would have been a nice treat. We didn't mind his game.
Q. What is it about your high-end players that allows them to come through in this type of situation? Is it mental make-up, skill?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: We got a lot of guys that are top-end guys. We don't just really look for one or two guys. I think they get some help along the way.
When you make lines, there's a lot more options out there. Sometimes we look for balance. Sometimes we look for match-ups. At the end of the day, I think that getting the other team more concerned about different guys makes us a deeper team.
That's why we say it a lot. I don't care who scores goals. Some nights it's the least-expected guys. But most of the time the charge is led by our top guys.
THE MODERATOR: Thank you, coach.
THE MODERATOR: Questions for Brandon and Jonathan.
Q. Jonathan, a couple years ago when Brandon first came up, you called him fearless even then. What has it been like for you to see how he's evolved to become here the last couple years?
JONATHAN TOEWS: Well, I've always said, to me the best characteristic to his game is not necessarily his flat-out skill, his skating, all the tangible parts of his game that you can see firsthand. I think when he came into the league, he was always pushing himself every night. He was assuming more responsibility, whether it was scoring goals or playing two-way hockey.
I think he just keeps showing that. I think he just assumes that responsibility and he wants to be one of the best players, he wants to contribute in games like tonight. We saw that again.
Q. Jonathan, how much did it mean to get the first goal this evening?
JONATHAN TOEWS: For myself or for our team?
Q. For you.
JONATHAN TOEWS: I think we've definitely been talking, everyone has been talking about our team starting the game with the lead. Tonight it took us about a period and a bit. We found a way to get that first one.
I think we've seen in this series, the brief times we've had the lead, they bounce back really hard. We always have to kind of survive an onslaught.
I think tonight we did a better job of responding after we scored goals, especially in the third period. You can definitely expect their team to come out as hard and press late in the game when they're down a goal. It's going to get crazy in some moments.
I think we did a pretty good job of handling it.
Q. After the team lost a few guys after 2010, you had some younger guys come up like Brandon and Andrew. They were brought into the fold seemingly very easily. Brandon, you have another crop with Teuvo, TVR. Do you take lessons that you learned from Jonathan and Patrick and pass those along?
BRANDON SAAD: Yeah. I think those two guys, especially with the amount of skill they have, it's an easier transition for sure. I don't know if they look up to me. It's mostly the captain here. You watch and learn the way he plays and competes. His passion out there is bar none.
He's a special player to learn from. I know me personally, that's who I looked up to. I'm sure those young guys are doing the same.
Q. When you noticed that Bishop was not out on the ice for the pregame warmup, did you have to make any mental adjustments, switch the scouting reports in your head?
JONATHAN TOEWS: I don't think it changes the way we wanted to play the game too much at the end. To a certain degree you could see Bishop fighting something throughout the series. But obviously he's played through it. He's played well, just like any other player.
It's been a long season for both teams. Obviously everyone is sucking it up and finding ways to perform.
Regardless of who was starting the game, I think they got two big goaltenders who can make big stops for them. We want to do all those little things we've been talking about, the usual things as far as traffic and getting those shots through.
Again, we didn't quite do that early and often enough in this game. But I think we had some chances again where pucks were just missing empty nets, redirection. We were there around the net, we just maybe got to put pucks on net a little more often, test them, make them make those stops.
Q. Brandon, Joel really likes to move you guys around on lines quite a bit during the regular season. He did that again today with you especially. Does that help you in situations like this when you're moved around so much during the regular season, does it make it more comfortable?
BRANDON SAAD: Yeah. We have a deep team, a lot of talented players that are fun to play with. When you get that experience throughout the season, you learn how each other move and how they play, that chemistry definitely helps you out there on the ice.
Whether it's with Johnny or Hossa or down the line, Kaner. Pretty comfortable with anyone. Q does his job well and fits and finds the right combinations.
Q. How impressed were you tonight with Crawford, his performance, especially at the end of the game, his ability to absorb the criticism that he's taken?
JONATHAN TOEWS: All those things you just mentioned are really nothing new for him. We know it's a big game. We're impressed. But we're definitely not surprised that Crow shows up and plays the way he did.
We obviously need him that way this time of year, with the guns, the ability, the offensive talent that they have, to make the stops that he made tonight. Obviously we need him to win games like this.
He's been a huge part of our success. Every time things maybe don't quite go our way for a couple games, for some reason he's the one who takes the majority of the responsibility. I don't know why. I mean, at the end of the day he's a selfless player and a great teammate. He's ready for whatever.
Tonight was another great performance for him. We want to continue to help him as much as we can.
Q. Jonathan, when the coach announces sort of wholesale changes up front, what is the message a player usually receives from that kind of a move?
JONATHAN TOEWS: Well, I think for the most part we got guys going from our first line to second or third, fourth line on up. I think at the end of the day we feel all four lines can contribute. All four lines need to bring everything to the table, offensively and defensively.
I think everyone responded. Doesn't matter where you are. I think guys know that this is the time of year to bring everything you got, take advantage of every opportunity you get on the ice, whether it's 20 minutes or five minutes or whatever it is.
I think we got a great bunch of guys that understand that and are ready for whatever the look our coaches are trying to give our lineup. We'll be ready for those changes and those opportunities.
Q. Brandon, what did you see on your goal? How would you describe how you finished it?
Really it was trying to get to the net, create some chaos, it found a way in.
Q. Brandon, who are the guys when you grew up that you were fans of, some playoff moments you're trying to emulate yourself now?
BRANDON SAAD: Growing up in Pittsburgh it was Lemieux and Jagr a lot. Even when Crosby and Malkin were drafted to Pittsburgh and played, I was still a teenager and young, so I looked up to them as well.
Being a fan of hockey, even before being drafted, I remember 16, 17 years old watching teams have success like the Hawks, making their runs deep into the playoffs with how they compete, the amount of talent they had.
There's a lot of special players around the league. Just being a fan of the game, tend to be more playoff hockey being watched, see players have success. That's pretty much it.
Q. Jonathan, there was some question coming into the game how much Johnny Oduya might be able to do tonight with an injury issue he's battling through. He played 26 minutes, blocked five shots, plus-one. How big was that tonight?
JONATHAN TOEWS: He's been huge. Everyone liked to talk about the four D men who were absorbing most of the minutes and responsibility in the previous series. So I don't think that's changed. I think those guys are ready for whatever, whether it's playing through a few bumps and bruises.
Johnny is one of those guys, it's going to take a lot more to stop him. Huge for him to bounce back. Made a big difference for us on the blueline tonight.
Q. Jonathan, what did those final two or three minutes there feel like?
JONATHAN TOEWS: Well, I guess when you're protecting a lead, especially against a team like this, they're always a lot longer than you'd think. That's the way it is. You got to know the time on the clock. At the end of the day you don't want to be clock watching too much. You just got to be smart, try to win draws, win those little battles in tight in your zone.
They got a couple big chances there. In some way we worked for those bounces. We feel good about the way we closed out the game. I think we're happy about the confidence, coming out of this game knowing we're raising our game as the series goes along.
We're excited to rest, recover, get ready for the next one
Sunday, June 7, 2015
BLACKHAWKS Players meet with the media on off-day before Game 3
2015 Stanley Cup Final Off-Day Transcript (Chicago - Toews, Kane, Seabrook, Teravainen, Cumiskey, Coach Quenneville)
Contact Information:
An interview with:
THE MODERATOR: Questions for Jonathan, Patrick and Teuvo.
Q. Patrick, two games does not make a scoring slump normally. Do you feel more heat to score, the pressure to score, in the playoffs?
PATRICK KANE: Yeah, I mean, as an offensive guy, you want to be helping produce, especially at this time of year.
But, you know, we said all along with our team, we don't really care where the goals come from, as long as they're coming from our team.
You know, I think I can help in that area obviously. I think that's one of the reasons I'm on the team. That's one of my jobs here, is to try to produce offense. Hopefully start that up next game.
Q. Jonathan, I know you guys care about winning and nothing else. Can you take a step back the next day and take notice of the aesthetic value of a game like last night?
JONATHAN TOEWS: Yeah, I mean, there's no doubt. I think if I can think back to previous Game 1s of the Stanley Cup Final that we've been part of, it's similar in a way where both teams kind of took their time to try to test the waters, get to know each other a little bit.
I think they came out flying. Maybe we did a little bit more of that for both teams. I think last night you saw it go both ways, especially in the second period, a lot of scoring. Probably some entertaining hockey to watch.
Obviously we want to smarten up and not let them get away with their play?making skills as much as we did yesterday. I think that's something we can expect. It's going to get better and better as the series goes along.
Q. Much is made about you and Patrick playing together, not playing together. It always seems to find a way. Why is it so easy to move in and out with him?
JONATHAN TOEWS: Over the years we've had a lot of experience playing together. Whether it's the two of us or any other combination you want to throw around with some of our forwards, there's a lot of talent, a lot of ability there.
I think you're always open to new possibilities because you know you can go out there and create some offense. There's a lot of upside regardless of who you're playing with.
When they throw Hossa back on my line with Saader and myself, we feel comfortable, especially when we know we have to play smart two?way hockey, the three of us.
Regardless of what Joel decides to do, we'll be ready for the opportunity of trying to mix things up a little bit.
Q. Patrick or Jonathan, what sets Duncan Keith apart from other defensemen in the league?
PATRICK KANE: We said it all along with Dunks, he's a workhorse back there. He not only logs a lot of minutes, but does so much for us offensively, defensively, power play, penalty kill, plays in all those situations, plays the important minutes.
It seems like he is as prepared as anyone to play. He loves playing the game. He's always ready to try to be at his best. He's never satisfied with what he's accomplished. He's a special player, for sure.
Q. Jonathan, Brent Seabrook keeps giving you big goal after big goal. I believe he's got the franchise mark for goals post?season. What does that mean for you to have him out there firing shots?
JONATHAN TOEWS: I mean, he's great in the regular season, too. He always has a knack for scoring overtime winners or goals like we scored last night. Obviously we couldn't capitalize and score the next big one after that.
I feel like you give him the puck in a great situation where he might have a good shot through traffic, he doesn't miss a whole lot of them.
I knew I gave him that puck yesterday, I just had a great feeling he was going to score. Sure enough, he did.
He's been playing great hockey all around, but when he gets the opportunities, makes sure he gets his shots through. He has his head up. At the end of the day we're going to get something off of the offense he's getting. He's been dangerous in a lot of ways for us.
Q. Jonathan and Patrick, the skill set Teuvo has to score, that's important for you when other guys are not scoring. Talk about what you see in him as a young player.
JONATHAN TOEWS: He just keeps getting better and better as he gets more responsibility. Hasn't been easy, I don't imagine, given the fact that he knows what he can do at this level. He has to come in and play behind a lot of guys who have a track record and are going to get the offensive opportunities more often than not.
Every chance he's getting, he's making big plays. He's already doing it in the Stanley Cup Final, so it's pretty amazing to watch. A moment for me yesterday when these two guys were on the ice, you saw their similarities. I think they were in our defensive zone, for some reason they were skating circles, passing the puck to each other. You could see the skill and patience. They were in no hurry.
There's definitely a lot of skill there. Teuvo just keeps getting better and better.
Q. Patrick and Jonathan, you now enjoy home ice for the next couple games. Talk about the effect of having that.
PATRICK KANE: Yeah, it's nice. It's definitely comforting coming back home now. We feel great in this building. We've had some big games here in this playoffs. There's nothing like coming back home to play in front of your own fans.
We'll try to use that to our advantage. I'm sure if there's a game to be ready for, it's definitely tomorrow. I'm sure our crowd will help us get ready for that.
JONATHAN TOEWS: Same way. I think we were in a great situation, not having played our best game in Game 1. We wanted to find a way to steal 2. It didn't happen. I think we did a lot of good things yesterday that we can build upon. We can be excited about going into our own building.
Like Kaner said, I think our fans will be excited to get back. This is where they've wanted to be all year. You see those signs, Bring back the Cup. Everyone has been waiting for this moment. I'm sure everyone will be excited to be back in that building at this stage tomorrow.
Q. Teuvo and Patrick, tomorrow the top prospects will be coming to see the game. Someone like you, who is a young guy, what advice would you give them? And, Patrick, curious about your memory of your day. You had a bit of a celebrity sighting back then.
TEUVO TERAVAINEN: Of course, for them, come see the best hockey in the world right now, Stanley Cup Final. Just for them maybe keep dreaming, keep working hard to getting better, and someday you might be here as well.
PATRICK KANE: I remember I was in Anaheim when the Ducks were playing the Senators, 2007. We actually sat right in front of Snoop Dog. He had a couple kids with him. One was 'Lil Snoop with the LIL apostrophe of course, and the other was Spanky or something (laughter).
They were into the game. It was fun to sit in front of them. They had the George Parros moustaches on and jerseys. They were cheering loud. It was a fun experience.
Q. You say hopefully it starts for you next game. What different things do you feel you need to do in order to jump?start yourself in a series like this?
PATRICK KANE: I think throughout these first couple games, they're a good hockey team. They play pretty stingy defensively. I think coming into the series, a lot of people would think it was run?and?gun, a lot of goals. There's chances there. There's opportunities.
At the same time I think you got to stay positive, stay patient, try not to get too ahead of yourself and start thinking offense all the time.
Maybe make a good defensive play, and that helps translate something going into offense. Try not to think about just scoring goals too much. Just, you know, play your game and try to be confident with the puck, make plays. Hopefully something opens up.
Q. You're all offensive players. In the event you might have to face Vasilevskiy again, what have you been able to glean from the limited exposure to him?
TEUVO TERAVAINEN: Yeah, I guess it's my turn because these guys are talking all the time (laughter).
Yeah, I don't know. I don't really care who's going to be in the net. I know they're good goalies both. Especially I've played against Vasilevskiy twice with the international team, so I know him a little bit. I think I've scored on him before, too.
We'll see who is in there. I don't really care.
Q. Jonathan, your team has a history of measuring your opponent, turning it up when you need to at the end of a series. Is there any indication you've gotten from the first two games that the Lightning are a little bit different animal, you'll have to dig deeper?
JONATHAN TOEWS: Of course. This is the Stanley Cup Final at the end of the day. I don't think it matters what team makes it. It could be 1 through 8, at the end of the day they made it this far for a reason. We like to think that we're going to step up our game beyond where we played in previous series. They're doing the same.
It's going to be a tough test for both teams either way. So we like to think that, yeah, we've been getting better. It's maybe a trend that we like that we get better and better as the games get bigger and bigger. We want to continue that.
But I don't think there's any surprise. We knew they were a good team and they were going to raise their level of play coming into the series. It's not going to get any easier going forward.
Q. Teuvo, when you heard Jonathan earlier talk about you the way he did, how does that make you feel? Do you think you're ready for a bigger role with the Hawks?
TEUVO TERAVAINEN: Yeah, of course. Actually, I didn't listen, too many great words (laughter).
It's just great, of course, being part of this kind of group here. A lot of experience in our group. I just try to learn from those guys. They're helping me, as well.
Q. Jonathan, if tomorrow Trevor Van Riemsdyk gets in the game, he hasn't played in November, coming off injuries, as a captain, will you say anything to him at all about it being the Stanley Cup Final, calm him down a little bit?
JONATHAN TOEWS: I think as a group we just try to make sure that everyone feels comfortable, whether it's anyone who doesn't play a lot of minutes, like Trevor might be getting the first opportunity in a while. Just go out there and keep it simple, do your best to phase everything out, play hockey. You're out there with five other guys. If you make a mistake, it's not the end of the world. We can help each other out.
If it comes to that, we know he'll be ready. We'll be ready to help him out, ease the pressure a little bit.
Q. Jonathan, after last night, Corey said he can't let that happen again. Is he the type of guy that when he demands more from himself, you can expect a good performance the next night?
JONATHAN TOEWS: Yeah, we've seen it early in the playoffs. We've seen it throughout the playoffs up until this point. A lot of people can say he won us the game, he stole us the game in Game 1. Maybe let in a few goals he wasn't happy with yesterday.
But at the end of the day he's always shown that he's ready to absorb that responsibility. Maybe his unfair share of the losses that our team goes through, but he bounces back.
I think more often than not the offense that we give up has a lot to do with sometimes our team getting away from our game and letting a team like Tampa play their rush game, their skill game a little bit too much. It ends up in the back of our net.
But Corey is there trying to back us up. Always takes more than his fair share of the blame.
Like you said, I don't doubt that he's going to be wanting to bounce back if he's talking that way.
Q. Jonathan, you play against a lot of good shutdown players throughout the course of the season. Unknown in Cedric Paquette. How would you describe the type of player that you're playing against and how you think the matchup has gone?
JONATHAN TOEWS: Well, he scored a big goal for them yesterday. Like I've been saying, regardless of who I find myself up against, I know that part of playing smart defensively is trying to make someone worry about the offense you're creating against them.
Obviously his line did that yesterday. So, yeah, I mean, I think regardless of whether Kaner, Hossa are on our line, we need to be smart in our own zone because they're still going to go out there and try to make plays, make us play in our own zone. When we've have the puck, they've been doing a great job of skating on us and not giving us a lot of time. We've just got to keep working, keep that puck down low in their zone as much as we can.
At times we had some good shifts but gave up a little possession too easy.
Q. Patrick, I don't think you had a shot last night. How often has that happened? What do you think was the cause of that?
PATRICK KANE: Yeah, I mean, it's one of those stats that it happens every now and then. At the same time I can't just go out on the ice and worry about shooting the puck. I got to worry about making the right play. If that play is making a pass, and you know, I'll make that play.
It's not a stat you like to see, for sure. At the same time going into the next game, I'm not going to go in saying, I need to get a shot here or there. I just go out and try to make the right play and worry about the results from there.
THE MODERATOR: Thank you, guys.
Q. Brent, I believe you're tied for career playoff goals by a defenseman in franchise history. I think you have the most in one post?season by a defenseman. Do you look for your shot more in the post?season as opposed to the regular season or is it about the same? How do you explain all the big goals?
BRENT SEABROOK: I don't think so. I think I'm just out there trying to shoot the puck. It was a great pass last night by Toews. Hossa going to the net hard created a spot there. I didn't know where I was shooting it. I was trying to shoot it as hard as I could, as quick as I could. I didn't know if anybody was behind me. I just let it rip.
Q. We're watching Teuvo Teravainen grow with his play. What do you see not just on the ice, but even off it as far as how much confidence, even his humor come out more these last couple months?
KYLE CUMISKEY: He's a good kid. He's a little quiet at first. He's starting to open up a bit. I played with him down at Rockford, too. He's a really skilled player with a bright future ahead of him, I think.
BRENT SEABROOK: He's been great. He's been a big part of this team for the last four, five months. Being able to see what he can do in the playoffs, he's fearless out there. He has the ability to make plays. Like Cummer said, he's opening up a little bit more and having some fun. It's good to see.
Q. Kyle, coming in you knew it was going to be an interesting role. What sort of challenges have you had when you just get a few shifts or the minutes are down?
KYLE CUMISKEY: It's a little tough when you're not getting out there too often. I think it's something you have to adjust to, make sure you're staying focused, being mentally prepared for every shift. Once you get out there, take your chance, do your job.
Q. Brent, do you even pay attention to your own career stats and marks, where they're going?
BRENT SEABROOK: No.
Q. You don't like that stuff at all?
BRENT SEABROOK: No. I'm not here to make personal gains. We're here to win a Stanley Cup. That's what our team's focused on.
We're in a great spot. It's the best time of the year. We're looking forward to coming out and playing a good game tomorrow night.
Q. Brent, we've talked a lot about the triplets line for Tampa Bay. What makes that line unique in the way they have been sort of a dynamic trio? What makes them difficult to defend against?
BRENT SEABROOK: I think their familiarity with each other. They all seem to know where each other are. They're all highly skilled. They can all skate. They're not afraid to mix it up and get in the dirty areas, go to the net and whatnot.
Yeah, they're three great players that have that ability to find each other in tight areas and make plays, be it a shot, a tip, making a pass backdoor. You got to be aware of them.
Q. Brent, you've been here a while before the Hawks were such a hot ticket. Did you find it humorous, about not letting Hawks fans wear their sweaters in the arena down there?
BRENT SEABROOK: I didn't pay much attention to it. I didn't really know what was going on with how that was going.
We had a good turnout in Chicago. We always travel very well. In Tampa Bay, sorry. It's fun to see Chicago jerseys in the crowd, being able to get cheers when we score goals, things like that. It's definitely fun.
Q. Brent, what sets Duncan Keith apart from other defensemen you've been around, either played with or against?
BRENT SEABROOK: I think a lot of things. But I think, you know, his compete level, his battle level. He's obviously got the skills and the qualities that everybody sees night in, night out. Nobody wants to win more than that guy. He's going to do whatever it takes.
He's one of those special, special athletes that, you know, won't give up. He's fun to have been around and watched him progress into this player that he is. I think, like I said, he's got so many great qualities that set him apart from different players in the league that make him great.
Q. Brent, how does it affect your game or how you feel about your game when you do get on the score sheet and are productive?
BRENT SEABROOK: It's nice to contribute. I think you're always trying to contribute whatever way you can, whether it's block a shot, make a big hit to try to change momentum, score a goal, make a nice play.
We're out there trying to make plays every game, every night, just trying to help our team win. That's the biggest thing. It's nice to contribute with a goal, but there are a lot of other things that go into the game.
Q. You played with Corey Crawford a lot. He was tough on himself last night. How do you think he'll rebound?
BRENT SEABROOK: I think Corey is great. He's a great goaltender. He's shown throughout his career that he can bounce back and become the guy that we need and everybody expects him to be.
I think last night we could have helped him out a lot more than we did. He did make some big saves at big points throughout last night's game, and especially in Game 1.
We got to be better as a group and be better in front of him, too.
Q. Brent, all teams enjoy home ice advantage when they have it. What is it like for you guys playing in this building?
BRENT SEABROOK: We're excited to get back here in front of our fans. We got great fans. It's going to be loud tomorrow night. We're looking forward to getting out and getting on the ice tomorrow night.
We have fun in this building. The fans do a great job of getting us pumped up and ready to go.
Q. Kyle, do you look at the talent on both sides and sort of analyze it in terms of could you have imagined a matchup that would provide as much offensive talent in the league in this Cup Final?
KYLE CUMISKEY: It's pretty impressive when you take a look at both teams. The amount of skill and speed on both sides. It's really fast hockey out there, really skilled. It's definitely fun to be out there playing. I'm sure it's making for a great series to watch so far.
Q. Brent, there's a lot of discussion through a couple of games about how fast this series is. Jonathan talked about maybe you guys having to adjust a little bit to that in the first game. Is this some of the fastest hockey you've ever played? Do you think it took you guys a little bit to adjust?
BRENT SEABROOK: I don't know about the adjustment period. I mean, the first period of Game 1, looked like we were standing still and they were flying.
But, you know, it's a fast series. They're a fast team. We're a fast team. I think both teams move the puck extremely well. The defense jump up and create, you know, odd?man rushes, four or five guys skating up the ice.
It's a fast series. It's fast when you're out there. I don't know what it looks like on TV. It's been a fast series so far. I'm sure, you know, it's not going to stop.
Q. Obviously Tampa had a goalie change yesterday. Your team in the past has had a couple goalie changes here and there. Does that change the way you play at all when that happens or are you trying to avoid it changing the way you play?
KYLE CUMISKEY: I think when something like that happens, you just take advantage of a cold netminder coming in, try to get as many shots on net from any angle, just test him, take advantage of the opportunity if he's not in the game yet.
Q. Brent, if Trevor Van Riemsdyk were to get into the series at some point, what kind of advice would you give him before he goes out there?
BRENT SEABROOK: Just to enjoy it. It's hockey. It's a game. They're big games, but it's just another hockey game. You want to try to take as much nervousness out of him as you can.
I don't know what else you'd say. I think you'd just sort of try to keep him calm, let him play his game. He's a great player. If he plays his game, he'll be fine, so...
Q. In the event you would have to face Vasilevskiy, because there is a limited body of work there, you haven't gotten to see him much, how do you approach that?
BRENT SEABROOK: I think you approach any goalie the same way. He's played great for them the last, I don't know, five or six minutes the last game. You want to try to continue to get pucks and bodies at the net, make it tough for him to see. Get traffic. That's pretty much what you want to try to do.
I'm sure if that's the case, the coaches will look into it more than what we know about him. But, you know, it's just sort of along the same lines as playing either goalies. They're both big, both great goaltenders. We just got to try to find ways to put the puck in the net.
THE MODERATOR: Thanks, guys.
Questions for coach.
Q. Is there a possibility if Trevor is playing tomorrow?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: Could play.
Q. Joel, Patrick Kane's game, two games does not make a scoring slump, but what have you seen from him? Can you assess his game so far in this series? What more does he need to do?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: I think that line's had some decent looks. They didn't have the production they did in the last couple games of the Anaheim series. Certainly they've had some zone time, they've had some rush chances. They've made them defend. We split them up a little bit in the third, saw how that worked out.
But, you know, their team defense is aggressive. There's not a lot of room and time. I think that maybe changing those two guys on different lines will get us a little bit more depth and a little bit more balance, see how they can defend it.
Q. With Teuvo yesterday you talked about him getting on the power play, not playing much before he scores a goal. Is that showing his overall comfort level or part of what a skilled player does?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: He can see plays, makes plays. You like his patience level when he does have the puck. I think he did settle down in a couple tight situations. Nice give?and?go feed.
I think he's starting to think shot, which is really going to enhance his game and his scoring as well. Very timely goal for us. It didn't work out in our favor at the end. I think offensively he's getting a little bit more comfortable with the puck. I think off of that, it should enhance his game.
Q. What is Bickell's status?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: Could play.
Q. Whatever he had is gone?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: I think he's healthy.
Q. In regard to Brent Seabrook, we do a lot of talking about Duncan Keith, rightfully so. How impressed have you been with Brent, especially in these playoffs? How big has he been playing the minutes he's played?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: I think he's had an outstanding playoff. Each series, each round I think there's progression. He really seems to rise to the big moments in these games. I think he's a real presence. Scored a huge goal for us last night. Scored some huge goals for us throughout the playoffs.
I think defensively he's defending with a real physical presence to him. I think he's getting up in the play. He's been very noticeable as the playoffs and this series has gone on in a short time. He's a big factor, having a real good playoff.
Q. Joel, normally coaches are the last guys that care about this. Can you sit back at all and look at last night's entertainment value, the pace of the game, respect that?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: It kind of reminds me of our last series with Anaheim. The games, how competitive, how close, how fast, up and down. I thought Game 1 was a little bit similar to that.
But the games are on the line from start to finish. I think there's a lot of respect from our team what Tampa Bay is able to do, the quality of their team. They got some depth. We got to know going forward we got to be better than we were in the first two games. We have to progress in our team game because we haven't played our best yet. But certainly we have to be better if we want to win.
Q. In the first two games, there hasn't been a lot of room to breathe, especially for Patrick Kane. If Bickell can play, is that one area that could maybe help out there if he's on the same line with Kane?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: We'll see on that. Certainly I think splitting those two up gives you a little bit more freedom as far as whether it's room or something for them to be concerned with. I think a little bit more balance to our offense is why we usually keep them apart. We'll see how that progresses.
But they do like playing with one another. It certainly enhances the offense when they are together. But certainly the balance is something we'll look at.
Q. In past playoffs when Patrick has gone through a mini scoring slump, I stress 'mini', he says he needs to demand the puck more. Do you think he needs to demand the puck more?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: Maybe playing with those two guys the puck is shared, whether it's equally or not. I think Kaner is most effective when he has the puck. He wants the puck. He can do a lot of good things with it. That's why a lot of times they're not together.
But I find he plays his best hockey the more he gets the puck. He does a good job himself of finding a way to get the puck. His linemates are part of that, too. He's a much better player with the puck.
Q. Patrick I don't think had a shot on goal last night. Is that an alarming stat to you? Long time since he's done that. Is that part of the problem last night?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: He didn't show up on the score sheet. Whether it's his shots or a threat to score. I thought that line did some good things. He was down with the two?on?one with Saader that looked like almost a breakaway, some other things that were materializing that were dangerous.
Obviously certain games, your top guys aren't going to appear on the score sheet or look like they're shut down. I still think they consume a lot of the other team's priorities as far as being aware defensively.
So in two games he's been fine. I haven't minded his game. I think he's been a threat. But obviously we would like to see some production across the board. I don't care what line steps up. I think certainly our team could be more effective in the offensive zone.
Q. Aside from the crazy atmosphere tomorrow, how are you looking forward to being at home?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: We'll see. We haven't been here for a while seems like. We've been away. It's great to be back. I'm sure everybody will be excited we'll be playing at home. The matchups, we'll see how it all plays out.
In the first two games, I thought everybody saw one another at some point in the first two games.
Q. How much is their goalie situation on your radar?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: We can't be concerned about their goalie. I think it's what we have to do to make it tough on their goalies, is what we talk about. I think getting to the net and being as disruptive as we can, we need more traffic, we need more shots. Whoever is in net, let's get to them.
Q. I know you're concentrating on hockey. Midnight Hawk, who is trained by Bob Baffert, have you talked with Bob or thought about the Triple Crown?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: I'm very happy for him. Watched the race. Great race. I texted him. Great for the sport. Quite an achievement.
THE MODERATOR: Thank you.
COACH QUENNEVILLE: Thank you.
Coach Cooper, Jason Garrison and Tyler Joihnson Game 2 Post
2015 Stanley Cup Final Post-Game 2 Transcript (TBL - Johnson, Garrison, Coach Cooper)
Contact Information:
An interview with:
COACH COOPER: Before we get going, I hate to be that guy, I know I talk way too much when I get up here, but I won't answer a question about the goaltending and what happened tonight. I apologize for that.
Q. How about a question about yourself then, what were you thinking when you had to make that change, when Ben came to the bench?
COACH COOPER: The one thing about Vasilevskiy -- I know we have two unbelievably capable goaltenders. When Bish had to leave, there wasn't an ounce of stress on anybody on our bench, including myself. I mean, the kid proved it when he went in. He was great.
Q. What does that say about this team then? A lot of ups and downs tonight. A lot of things happening out there. When your starting goaltender goes in and out, in and out, what does it say about the team that it didn't have any ripple effect all on them?
COACH COOPER: I've said this many times, this team, we're learning the Stanley Cup Playoffs on the job. I think what happened to us the other night was a lesson learned. It's the first time that it happened to us in the playoffs. So what are we going to do about that? Put in that position again, what do you do?
That position happened midway through the game when we had the 1-0 lead. There go the two quick goals, it's 2-1. Our guys wouldn't be denied.
There was a fire on that bench when that happened. There wasn't panic, it was pissed. You got to love that in your team, that in 72 short hours, we're coming back. They did. You got to give those guys a ton of credit.
Q. What did you think of Jo's game tonight? Trailed off in the second.
COACH COOPER: I thought Jo was great. He did everything we wanted him to. He took some short shifts, which cut his ice time down a little bit. But he came into that game, and he's been prepared to play during our run here. We've had some success prior to this, so we've kept our lineup together.
But I always knew Jo was going to get in. I think he came out flying. The adrenaline, all that stuff, he was really fired up. But he was fine. Like I thought he played really well.
As the game went on, you know, everybody comes back to earth a little bit, but he got pucks in, he got them out, he was flying around the ice. He had command of the puck when he had it. I thought that line did very well in the first period. Then special teams and things took over. It was harder to get guys out.
I thought he did a heck of a job.
Q. The series is tied 1-1. In personal matchups, it seemed like it's 2-0, Cedric Paquette over Jonathan Toews in terms of the way the games have gone so far. Talk about having a guy who is hardly known to most hockey fans playing against what seems to be an all-time great and defeating him so far.
COACH COOPER: Well, this is a team sport. Cedric has been given an assignment to do something for the team. Not looking at, Oh, somebody has been defeated in this.
Ceddy is going out there and doing his job for the betterment of the team. It's been fantastic to watch.
There was a big thing last year when we brought him up in the playoffs last year, he played all four games. There's a reason for that. The kid's a gamer.
You talk about you get this far in the playoffs, you need guys that sacrifice themselves. That's all that kid's done. He may not have huge point totals, but he's done so many good things for us. It's part of the reason, piece of the puzzle why we're here.
He's been given an assignment and he's been doing one heck of a job. I was thrilled when he scored tonight. You could just tell how excited he was. It was just a weight off his shoulders that we were going to get some secondary scoring from some of these guys, then help out on the defensive end. It's phenomenal what he did.
Q. Johnny said before the game he felt his line needed to step up. Obviously they delivered tonight. What is it about those guys that seem to rise in these big occasions?
COACH COOPER: I don't know. I would say Johnny is wrong in that. They've been outstanding from start to finish. I don't think that everybody should be judged on your point totals.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but Johnny's leading the league or darn close in scoring in the playoffs. You can't score every single night. It's really hard, unless your name's Gretzky.
The way the game's played today, I mean, what, did only one guy have 50 goals this year in the regular season. Guys play defense. That's turned up a notch in the playoffs. You have to contribute in other areas. That line has been really good for us, including Johnny.
But they've carried a lot of the load for us. For them to get going, it's usually a good sign for our team.
Q. What specifically, knowing all the storylines of Game 1, got your team over the hill tonight? I know about the tempo. Was there anything specifically that you saw behind the bench that you said, This is a little different from Game 1?
COACH COOPER: To be honest, I thought we started the game much like we did Game 1. The difference for me, as I answered earlier, was when we fell behind this time, there was no sitting back, we got to defend the lead. Now that we gave up the lead, we don't have any push-back. We had push-back tonight.
Again, I think we learned from that. We've played pretty well in these two games. It's 1-1. It could easily I guess be 2-0 both ways. I guess 1-1 is probably fair. But we thought we played pretty well in Game 1.
We had a tough two-minute stretch that cost us in the end. You have to be in those situations sometimes to grow from them. We did tonight.
It's one of the things about this team, I don't know, you challenge them and they seem to fight back pretty well. It was great.
Q. Did this ever happen to you with the goaltending tonight, did this ever happen to you in your career?
COACH COOPER: That's a really good question that I would need a little bit more time to answer (smiling).
On this stage, at this time, this was new for me.
COACH COOPER: Thank you.
THE MODERATOR: Questions for Tyler and Jason.
Q. Tyler, you talked the last couple days about wanting to be better and felt your line needed to be better. What was it about tonight that led to your success?
TYLER JOHNSON: Well, I thought we were a lot more aggressive today than we were in Game 1. I thought Game 1 we were a little bit hesitant making plays. That kind of added on not being able to execute. So I thought tonight's game was a lot better from the line.
Q. What was going through your mind when you saw the goalie carrousel in the third period, Bish going out?
JASON GARRISON: I guess it's kind of rare you see that, but it does happen. When it happens, you got to make sure you go out there and support the goalie coming in.
He made some big saves for us. Goalies are usually very mentally focused, even if they're on the bench. So, you know, it seemed the same way. He came in there and, you know, did his thing.
TYLER JOHNSON: Yeah, it's always tough to have a goalie come in cold like that. But we have a lot of confidence in Vasi. He's been great all season for us. We see him in practice. He's a competitor. He works hard.
We have the confidence when he gets in. He made some big saves like Garry just said.
Q. Tyler, take us through your goal.
TYLER JOHNSON: Yeah, just Kuch got it down low to me. I was taking it to the net. I wanted to get in the air, actually find a corner. I couldn't quite do that.
I got lucky enough that it kind of trickled in. It's one of those ones that I guess it just goes to the net and good things happen.
Q. Jason, two goals in the second period, you didn't panic. How much difference was there than Game 1 in terms of how you responded?
JASON GARRISON: A big difference. Obviously we didn't sit back. They came in waves of pressure. I think the speed of the game tonight was much quicker than the first game.
You know, they're going to get their chances. They're most likely going to score goals. It's how you respond after you get scored on or after you score a goal. Big moments in the game.
Q. Jason, if indeed Andrei has to start on the next game, Game 3, how will you feel about a new guy in goal?
JASON GARRISON: We feel confident. I mean, you know, they're both here for a reason. We just got to make sure that we communicate with Vasi if that's the case, support him as much as possible.
He's going to go in there, if he is, he's going to do a job for us. We're not worried about it.
Q. Jason, coach talked about how you guys are learning the Stanley Cup on the job. Two games in, does the stage feel that much bigger?
JASON GARRISON: Yeah, I mean, you can tell walking through the rink, obviously doing press conferences like this.
The game hasn't changed. That's the biggest thing for us, is to play our way. Even though there's a lot of stuff going on outside of the game, we got to make sure we focus in on what we're doing each and every night, not try to change anything just for the sake that there's a lot going on outside of the rink.
Q. Up and down, back and forth all night long. We've seen Chicago do this repeatedly in the last couple years. How comfortable will you be playing this style, this tempo?
JASON GARRISON: I think, you know, we're comfortable. We have a lot of speed, a lot of guys can skate. It's our style of hockey, I think. We just add on some defensive structure when we don't have the puck.
But I think moving the puck up as quick as we can, transitioning as quick as we can is definitely a strength for us.
Q. Tyler, you had a good look in the first period. One off the post. Were you starting to get a little frustrated at that point, not having anything go in?
TYLER JOHNSON: No, not quite. You know, obviously not scoring goals is a tough thing. At the same time there's a lot more to the game. If you're getting chances, if you're working hard, that's all that really matters. As long as the team wins.
It's tough when you hit the post when you get that close. At the same time it's bound to go eventually. We just had to keep working.
Q. Jason, five-on-five, your defensemen were involved in the offense tonight. How do you think that adjustment troubled Chicago?
JASON GARRISON: You know, I mean, for us it's been all year. As defensemen, we've been told to get up the ice, try to be a second wave. There was an emphasis on that tonight going into the game, making sure we were moving our feet, supporting the play as much as possible. We were able to contribute tonight, which was big for us.
I think last game we only were able to have four shots as a defensive corps. We wanted to make sure we contributed more defensively tonight.
Q. What do we expect now for Game 3? Is it kind of the same thing we saw in 5 and 7 against the Rangers where you're going now to Chicago, the momentum and everything, can we expect the same thing we saw in your play, aggressive or not, in Game 5 and 7 when you won on the road against the Rangers?
TYLER JOHNSON: I don't think we like to change our game. I don't think we like to say that we have a bunch of different game plans regardless of how the series went before.
As long as we stick to our structure, stick to the things that work, it's going to be a lot like tonight. It's going to be a lot like Game 5 and Game 7. Those are the games we played good in.
We don't have to change our structure, change what we do, and just go from there. | http://www.westcoasthky.com/ | dclm-gs1-193470001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.1473 | <urn:uuid:2e85be74-4ba3-4735-8311-858d28634173> | en | 0.976227 | 10 Ways to Subtly Want to Puke All Over Askmen.com
As a woman, I don't spend too much time hanging out over at askmen.com. Maybe I should start, though, because people who frequent the site are getting valuable life lessons hand over fist in the form of the askmen Top 10. Today's topic? Subtle Ways to Tell Her She's Getting Fat.
According to askmen.com, one way to subtly tell your female partner she's packed on a few too many lbs (you know, besides having a conversation with her about it) is to "sabotage her chair" by removing some of the slats or screws. That way, when she sits down on the chair and it breaks, you can shame her into thinking it was because she's too fat! It's a win-win! (I am kidding.)
Some of the other tips in the Top 10? Buy your girlfriend clothes that you know are too small for her, serve her unsatisfactory portions (but go back for seconds yourself when she isn't looking), and trick her into going places where she will need to put on a bathing suit. All of these suggestions are to be followed up with some good ol' fashioned shaming, just to make sure you get your point across. (You can read the full list of suggestions here, if you think your blood pressure can handle it.) I have included a few images from the list, just to spice things up. At least askmen.com is consistently misogynistic in their words and their images, right?
This one is from, "Ask her to wear an old dress." Oh no!
Of course, not every suggestion on the list is as abhorrent as the chair advice. Some, like changing your own eating habits, or encouraging your partner to go to the gym with you, seem perfectly reasonable. However, askmen just couldn't resist adding snarky little comments at the end about how she might "see through your ploy" or how you need to take action by "separating her from fatty foods." And that snarky advice is kicked up a few notches when the suggestions get more outrageous. (Hey askmen, leave the snarkiness where it belongs: right here at Bitch.) When the list suggests you serve your gal "unsatisfactory portions," the author explains, "By making her ask for more food, you might succeed in shaming her into an acknowledgment of her recent weight gain." Ah, sooo productive.
Here is the image from, "Playfully grab her love handles." The text predicts that when you grab a woman's "unwanted flab" she "recoils and feels embarrassment." Mission accomplished!
Another problem here, of course, is that this list targets women only, as if there are no askmen.com readers who are in relationships with men that they'd like to see slim down a little. Would the advice be the same if it were directed toward men? Would askmen.com be telling those of us who date men that we should start tricking our fellas into sitting on broken chairs? Should we shame them into wearing swimsuits and then mock them once they do? Does this advice go both ways?
I think this advice should go nowhere except into the misogynistic, immature, garbage heap. (And yes, in my mind, that exists.) The people over at askmen.com should start asking themselves why they are such assholes, instead of encouraging their readers to disrespect women even more than they do already. To get your blood boiling and your comments flowing, here are a few choice comments from the askmen.com article:
NyteHawx says:Just be blunt: "B!tch you fat. Lose weight." DONE. Women tells us bluntly to lose weight when we get pudgy; we should do the same to them.
Stephen says:My number 1? Yell "Man the harpoons!" when she walks into the room.
So what do you think?
by Kelsey Wallace
View profile »
Still Reading? Sign up for our Weekly Reader!
111 Comments Have Been Posted
Excuse my language, but I
Excuse my language, but I think that Askmen.com article is fucking bullshit and immature as hell. Those are not men, those are infantile boys. The name of the website should be changed to Askboys.com.
I have experience with this, I've recently gained a lot of weight, and so has my boyfriend. And lo and behold, we had an adult conversation about it, and decided together, as adults, that we would start exercising together and eating less and hold each other accountable.
I don't think they realize how much those suggestions can backfire. Some women get depressed and eat (which is what happened to me), so these "suggestions" can make them more depressed and eat more. By being a fucking adult about it and being honest about it, both of you are more likely to succeed in your relationship.
dont be so fat and depressed
Whitney I think it is very disrespectful of you to call people immature and to use offensive language like you did. did you ever think that the reason you don't like the article is because you are fat now? Also I dont think it is going to help your depression reading about how men dont like fat people. perhaps you should spend less time in front of your computer and more time exercising or your boyfriend wont have to sabotage the chair in order for you to break it when you sit on it. If you spend all your time ranting on feminist websites then you are going to spend your entire life fat and depressed.
give me a fucking break.
give me a fucking break.
Get your finger out of your throat of other people's lives. And stop acting like the internet is some big bad place people go to when they can't actually know or get what they want. What's wrong with being critical of social practices in a public forum? How will we ever communicate what needs to be modernized. The obvious standardization of the female figure is surely one of them. It is not that we are fatter, it is that visual culture has changed and therefore transformed the type of women available within the spectrum of public eye. Instead of the old school of thought where men and women excepted what they expected, the "others" feeling largely out of place with pop culture, there has been a sound backlash. This critique of a traditional train of thought emerging in a male webzine is appearing in such a public forum because it is now a popular train of thought; a train of thought partially popularized by the internet, which is the machine behind new visual culture. In this culture, practices once dominated and standardized by a largely controlled media network and a small in-group of icons has branched out along with the accessibility of free-media and do-it-yourself entertainment (youtube as tv, podcasts as radio, blogs as columnists and political/social watchdogs) and we have been exposed to the true breadth of society. Well, as true a visual image as our mental facilities may allow. We have suddenly become aware of ourselves in relation to a vast number of groups-- mass globalization. The necessary push to fit in as defined by one society is now simply a mass of miss-matched pressure pushing from different societies. As for sexual identity as connected to weight, as women we have learned atleast the extreme of the obsession. Men, too, are aware there is a need to 'define' their position on the matter, concerning their weight and also that of their female counterparts. They are not unaware of feminist critique because it is now very easy for anyone, including men, to become a part of it.
you're wrong.
I cannot tell you how angry your comment made me. Even if you are opposed to the language used, there's no need to resort to petty comments like "did you ever think that the reason you don't like the article is because you are fat now?"
If you'd bothered to read her comment you'd actually realise that she's already in a relationship and has had an adult conversation with her partner about the problem, something you seem unable to do.
The comment wasn't a rant it was simply a response, rather like this one, which was caused by an immature sexist post written, i assume, by someone like you who has no respect whatsoever for anyone other than yourself.
Obvious troll is obvious.
I'd beg for everyone not to feed him, but I am a bit late finding this article. I'm almost tempted to wonder if it's an AskMen contributor. This seems to resonate with the maturity level they exhibit.
Infantile assholes they are! Have you ever went on their message boards? Dam!!! Even the women on there are misogynists! I used to have a screen name on there, called "freakalicious" and I'm proud to say that I have been banned due to my cheeky mannerisms.
Renegade Bitch!
AKA - Wicked Bitch of the Best!
Don't men know by now that women are less likely to want to have sex if they feel unconfident?
and how did the stereotype that *women* are the manipulative sex come about again?
OMFG this is so awful...At
OMFG this is so awful...At first I was really upset by this but after I started reading the comments I couldn't stop laughing, it is so completely stupid! This is not only incredibly cruel it would NEVER work unless you were dating someone with no brains. I don't know why, but after a while I just started to laugh so much I almost cried...Anyway these comments really showcase the unrealistic pressures that women must face. I dare say that heterosexual women have the hardest time--I've personally found lesbians to be more size-positive than straight men (I know that is a generalization). Anyway, here is another comment that stopped my laughing and got my blood boiling again:
"Relax ladies, the chair sabotage is the last resort. But women love giving out subtle hints and subliminal messages, so whoever says "why not talk about it like an adult" is being a hypocrite as well as missing the point. I once told my ex that she was being to bossy. We ended up having it out in Sainsburys and in the end she wouldn't talk to me for an entire day! They can't handle the truth." YIKES. I hope anyone who tries these things gets dumped.
I also wanted to make a point that most people probably will not consider when reading this article... Being in a relationship with someone who is into extra weight can be just as horrible as dating someone who tries to convince you to be super skinny. I'm sure most people could guess that...but I just want to say that this issue is really important to me and I hope that this critique just makes people realize that respecting peoples' bodies and not shaming anyone is very important in a relationship! I just wish everyone could be more accepting in general an not pressure people they are dating to change...
I was talking about this article elsewhere and a woman described how she'd had food issues for years after a boyfriend did several of the things on this list to her.
She's not stupid.
sounds like she is stupid,
sounds like she is stupid, though. really. if only for having a boyfriend that dumb. (not to mention falling/feeling for his manipulations.)
Anyone in a relationship
Anyone in a relationship with one of these tools is bound to gain a couple of pounds. How about losing 165 lbs by dumping the loser who reads askmen.com for advice.
says the "woman" reading
says the "woman" reading bitchmagazine.com?? psssht...
pot, kettle
You are reading it. Are you a "man"?
nah. child maybe. go back to your homework.
Amen Baby!
Renegade Bitch!
AKA Wicked Bitch of the Best!
that... is... awesome.
How about we realize that people's bodies change and stop placing moral import on body size? "If you are with someone who has gained weight, you have every right to mention it in a respectful way." Do you? Why does it matter if one partner gains weight? Would you politely mention if your partner loses weight? We live in a time when body size is linked to moral failing, and appearance is more important than what kind of people we are. There is more than a little evidence that counters the current "zomg obesity crisis!!!1111!!1!" and shows that extra body weight does not equal any increased health problems. Even if it did, your partner's body IS NOT YOURS. Period.
I agree absolutely with your
I agree absolutely with your point, Lilah, that your body belongs to you and no one else. However, your assertion that there is "more than a little evidence that ... extra body weight does not equal any increased health problems" surprised me. I have never run across this evidence myself, and have always trusted the mainstream studies regarding obesity and increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, etc. However, if this evidence does exist, I would be very interested to read it.....can you point me in the right direction?
I agree that we don't own
I agree that we don't own our partners. And that the body is nothing to do with the person's personality.
That's all fine and dandy, but there is an "elephant in the room" you seem to have failed to notice: people select friends based on personality, while selecting a partner usually entails more. By more I mean at least some degree of compatibility between the person's concept of attractive body, and the prospects' physique.
Your comment seems to leave no room for negotiation at all, and seems to paint anyone who is not okay with a person's change in physique as a total monster. Relationships are a two-way street.
Thank you!
Thank you for writing that, Ilia.
Relationships are voluntary and reciprocal.
"I'm with you because I want to be with you. Presumably, the same can be said for you and I. If something changes that threatens my desire to be with you, it's my duty to let you know directly but it should be understood just how hard that can be for someone sensitive enough to not want to harm peoples' feelings for so-called selfish reasons."
Looks and chemistry matter. If something drastic changes, even as "minor" as a hair cut or colour change, it could affect the attraction your partner has for you. Whether or not your partner accepts you as a person isn't what's in question here, it's whether your partner is attracted to you that's in question.
If my girlfriend bleached her hair blonde and radically changed her appearance, I would likely find myself less attracted to her -- maybe even <i>not</i> attracted to her. Yes, it's her right to change her appearance as she sees fit, but it's also my right to tell her that I don't find it attractive and that it may affect our relationship as a result.
Does that make me a bad person? I'd like to think not, but if having strong preferences in romantic relationships is something others define as "bad" or "wrong" then so be it.
The people I'm not attracted to are still people. I'll still treat them as equals, but that doesn't mean I am morally obligated to go any farther than being polite, honest and friendly.
Communication, honesty and trust are all important. Sometimes, people are just very frightened by the consequences of their opinions and preferences. It's strange and complicated at times, but I'm fairly certain we're all aware of instances where we shut out mouths to avoid pain and conflict.
Exactly. If my partner
Exactly. If my partner gained a ton of weight, I'd be less attracted to him. I agree that that comment left no room for negotiation- I'm not a sociopath, so I'm not going to break his chair and do all kinds of degrading things to him, but I can't even have a tactful conversation about it? Should I just dump him without talking about it? Or should I change my sexual preferences or just lay back and thing of England?
I'd absolutely talk about it, and, since I've gained a few pounds since college, I'd suggest working out together. It's completely acceptable to bring it up, as long as it's done with honesty and consideration.
*think of England, that is
*think of England, that is
Because i would expect that
Because i would expect that amount of respect and honesty from my partner. Plus, what if the weight-gain becomes very unhealthy? If you want your partner to be healthy and not get diseases like diabetes (I'm talking about both men and women and all partners).
I don't agree with this at
I don't agree with this at all, if my partner started to become unattracted to me bacause of a change in my appearance, I'd surely want to know about it. No-one is obliged to go out with anyone, if I became unattracted to my boyfriend due to changes in his appearance I'd hardly be the best girlfriend for him. It's in everyone's interests to be honest about these things. I can't help what I'm attracted to, and I shouldn't have to feel bad about that. I happen to like thin guys, other girls like cuddly guys. That's just how it is.
Thin guys can be cuddly too!
Thin guys can be cuddly too! You might need some blankets to tone down the angularity, but still. Plus, long limbs make for great ways to entangle yourself. :)
What truly bothers me about all of the suggestions on that list is their manipulativeness. I was particularly struck by the quotation:
"Keep in mind, if she confronts you about trying to shame her into losing weight, the key approach here is denial, as you reply: 'Do you actually think I would be that manipulative?' Of course you would, but she doesn’t need to know that."
In my mind, if a man thinks this sort of behavior is acceptable in a relationship (or anyone for that matter) it's time for some serious introspection about one's own influence. I can't think of anything that would dishearten me more than being in a relationship where dissatisfaction and underhandedness is masked by love and sincerity...not that I imagine myself staying in such a situation for very long. Furthermore, why in the world would a woman "not need to know" that she is being deceived, and is in fact dating an asshole?
bodily autonomy
I agree with Lilah - I don't necessarily accept that we have a right to comment on our partner's weight and expect them to change it; I categorically reject the idea that one person should feel obliged to change their body for another. (Not to mention the fact that weight loss isn't an 'action' people can perform directly - people can exercise and eat a balanced diet, or not, but gaining and losing weight are impacted by a whole host of other issues.)
That said, appearance is an issue in lots of people's relationships, and if something has changed one person's attraction to their partner, it does need to be addressed in some way. However, that's still quite different from the presumption that people can easily change their body weight and the assumption that it's an ok thing to ask someone to do. A truly open dialogue, where each person's autonomy is respected, will probably never be easy around a topic like this, since no one ever wants to hear "I'm not obligated to change so you find me attractive" / "I'm not obligated to find you attractive after you've changed." It's infinitely better, though, than the passive aggressive (or just aggressive) alternatives askmen list out.
Oh, Kelsey...
You rock.
Chair Absurdity
That a chair breaks under you is not evidence that you need to lose weight, except in cartoons. You'd have to gain a lot of weight to break a chair which supported your weight before, unless it was rickety chair to begin with, in which case you might just suppose that it fell apart of its own accord. If you have gained enough weight to break an otherwise stable chair, then certainly you've noticed it and don't "need" to be manipulated into awareness by your boyfriend. All of which is just common sense...which the folks at Askmen seem to assume women lack.
I completely agree and
I completely agree and there's also the possibility that the woman might get hurt when the chair broke. If the slats were weakened then she might fall through and injure her tail bone or some other part of her body. It's just a really terrible thing to do in a number of ways.
Men serving
If the men are serving the women (unsatisfactory) portions, does that mean they cooked the meal and will be cleaning up as well? :-)
Pssshhh if that is the case then I would be willing to eat less!! Bring on the men-maids! lol
Ask boys inspires vomiting indeed
Damn--this is awful but as past experience has taught me, don't expect anything of value from Askboys.
As I said in my comment to them: Note to self: never date a dude who visits their site!
In fact, I am considering giving up on living a hetero lifestyle more and more. As a woman in a relationship with a man, it seems we can't win. We will age. We will get heavier and love is suppose to keep you together--not looks...but do they know that? If most men can't handle this, why invest in a relationship with a shallow one. *Sigh* I haven't given up completely but I'm damn close. Perhaps there is an enlightened male out there somewhere but they seem to be hiding.Lol
I recently had misfortune of watching (half) of 'Watchmen' and if anything would make a woman reconsider dating men, it's this movie. It was brutal, ugly and violent towards its women characters and audience (A good item for a Bitch critique!). I was especially appalled by one of the main characters claiming that he lied to the woman he loved when he once said he would always want her...but that he couldn't lie to her when she asked if he was leaving her because she was getting old and he could see her 'visibly aging each day'. *sob* :( Seriously...is this where men stand? Women often are more likely to love them and stay with them despite extra pounds, wrinkles, a beer belly and bald patches...if I don't get the same human decency I would rather just move in with my girlfriends or happily live out the rest of my days single and not feeling crappy about my body, thanks.
That said, love yourselves both thick and thin ladies--you are beautiful and perfect as you were created and anyone who can't see that deserves a boot in the ass on their way out your door. :)
Who says women are more
Who says women are more likely to stay with someone who becomes old and disgusting? Women are just as shallow as men, or, to put it more appropriately, certain individuals are shallow, others are not.
I for one don't date guys who are chubby or bald or old. I am a woman. I am shallow when it comes to relationships (the sex factor is a huge deal to me, if I don't find you attractive, I can't sleep with you).
10 not so subtle ways to tell him he's a sociopath.
1. Suggest you have a movie night every Friday. Starting Friday, whip up some (light) popcorn and play "Silence of the Lambs" and cuddle with your sweetie. Next week? " Raising Jeffrey Dahmer". When he gets a boner, react however you want - they don't have feelings, after all.
2. Leave a copy (or 5) oh Dr. Hare's revised PCL (Psychopathy diagnostic checklist) lying around where he is sure to find it. The hint may go over his head, as he is likely too absorbed in his own narcissistic little universe to notice what an unfortunate individual he is.
3. Use lots of 'emotion' words in your day to day language. Talk about feelings a lot. This is how one ' trolls' the morally flexible boyfriend.
4. Next time Conrad Black or Bernie Madoff is on the news, tell him how much they remind you of him (in a good way of course).
5. Trick him into going to a funeral or some place where everyone is expecting empathy. Just keep him away from that body, the last thing you want is a cheating boyfriend!
6....I really gross myself out sometimes. Ask men should hire me.
Controlling through shame... I wish I'd thought of that!
The question I am often forced to ask myself (when faced with Martian-Venusian Cold War propaganda) is: why the hell would anyone want to sign up for this? This being a manipulative and hateful interaction between those dick-driven bastions of reason and the air-headed goddesses on the pedestal who need a good kick every now and then to remind them of their precarious place. However non-fulfilling and contrary to human happiness this arrangement seems, people keep clinging to it for dear life. Ugh ugh ugh!
Two things I feel compelled to point out:
1. I doubt this advice cuts both ways. Women who might bring up a point like "hey babe, the PBR and hot dog diet is not doing a body any favors" are likely to be considered, by men like the AskMen at any rate, to be shallow and controlling... bitches. Bitches that need to loosen up, have a good time, and learn to love men for their complex, wonderful, misogynist selves.
2. Several of my girlfriends have mentioned how they tend to eat like rabbits when left to their own devices (please note, I'm not necessarily saying I applaud this) and put on weight when they have PBR-swilling, hot dog-chowing boyfriends. Hmmmm.
Askmen, Maxim, and the lot
Askmen, Maxim, and the lot never cease to amaze me- nor does their devoted flock of men performing sharply at a ninth-grade reading level. It would be nice if women could agree to boycott any men reading these kinds of magazines, but sadly they are just as accepted as Cosmopolitan and other "women's mags" which teach women how to objectify themselves, not to mention their TV equivalents.
I am baffled by the continuing stream of bad advice these magazines give, from seemingly inexperienced sex-desperate men. Take this article, for example, on role-playing:
For the record, I don't know what I would do if my boyfriend tried to spray my nether regions with a water pistol, but getting turned on would probably not be it...
That said, there are better reasons to hate these magazines. Namely poor selection of content. For example, here's an adbusters review of Maxim's Women of the Israeli Defense Forces (no shit):
Pretty grim stuff.
What really makes me sick is that the owners of these mags are bloody rich, while the (wo)man power behind magazines like Bitch is certainly more deserving of all that cold, hard cash. I'm not sure what the solution here is, however. How do we go about getting people to think critically about what they read? Aside from free college tuition?
OK... I am unsure about the
OK... I am unsure about the anonymouses but it appears that no (or maybe a couple) of men have replied to this.
I found this link via my liberal cousins blog. I love her to pieces and this was linked from her blog. I was intrigued... why puke all over something??
So, the top 10... is this supposed to be serious?? I mean, even as a joke, it is fairly pathetic, juvenile and not funny.
If it is actually meant to be a helpful guide, well, holy crap. I really hope is supposed to be satirical or humorous and just failed.
BTW they have a guide to 'sexually 'come on' to a woman' and the hints come straight from a Jr. High playbook. So sad.
This makes me so sad. Thanks
This makes me so sad. Thanks for pointing out this ridiculous B.S.
i don't know...that role playing stuff seemed pretty sexy to me ;o)
"A good idea would be to
"A good idea would be to make a belt with bananas hiding your crotch area. Slowly remove a banana at a time and peel it, dip it into some pudding and make her take a bite of it. When you get to the last banana, peel it and hold it against your crotch, mimicking your penis. Make her suck on your banana like she wants it. She will definitely want to rip you apart by this time."
How are we supposed to lose weight when they're shoving dozens of pudding-coated bananas down our throats?!
Everyone knows that women like honesty. Thats why i just tell women straight up that they are fat.
And that's when I tell my
And that's when I tell my boyfriend straight up that he won't be getting any for a long time.
"NyteHawx says:Just be
Hey, this is the only thing that DOESN'T get my blood boiling. This person's comment, while ignorant, at least advocates honesty which is more than can be said for the article.
I actually went to read the original article - wow, it was surprisingly sickening. What's worse is that it reinforces the fact that women who are overweight are unlovable and disgusting, and that men could only want to stay with a woman who was thin. One of the worst parts? The fact that at several points the article reveals that women might see through the "ploy" but go along - because she accepts the criticism. Can you imagine an article titled "How to subtly tell him he's needs to lose weight" and how men would respond?
This reads the same way a
This reads the same way a lot of the hatemail found on sites like maddox.xmission.com does. Primarily in that your taking the site way to seriously. Askmen is not CNN nore the BBC, what your reading is not news, fact or in many cases even particularly/remotely serious.
You're on the Internet, the difference between satire and reality isn't necessarily always going to be spelled out, so take what you read which a pinch of salt and it will probably start to make a little more sense.
Oh it's a boy from
Oh it's a boy from askboyz.com eh?
It's not just the internet that's saying these kinds of things, it's everywhere, and it's getting really old.
God, it's like, if you're not skinny then you can't be happy or loved. It's rediculous. I don't understand why everyone's so obsessed with weight. Aren't there far more important things in the world?
If yer not skinny and having lots of sex with strangers while drunk then you can't be happy.
Oh and I hope I never go out with any guys like that! Hopefully they get a pyshco bitch as their girlfriend.
Two way street
way to turn a debate into petty name calling, go you!
you deplore being judged by your sex but are more than happy to judge someone by their age? horray for hypocrisy!
I've often noticed in femminist debates that everyone gets really angry (rightly so) about words such as 'girl' and 'women' when used in a negative way but that it's fine to slur someone by refering to them as 'boy'. Apparently young men are incapable of rational thought? In the mine field of political correctness that these debates are, this one seems to have slipped through.
It's hard to take you
It's hard to take you seriously when you don't know the difference between 'your' and 'you're', and use 'to' instead of 'too'. Thanks for the great hints about satire, though...
And I mean the article. What pisses me off the most is that the women in the images look fine--beautiful, even--and it really sickens me that they're being displayed as "disgusting" overweight women. The sad thing is they probably consented to being photographed like this.
I hate that website so much. I don't think I've seen as many articles filled with such misogynistic bullshit. One of the writers pretty much does nothing but complain about how hard it is to be a man these days, and how women only care about men's money and so you have to bargain with them to get sex. He clearly sees all women as his enemies.
Now all the women I love are fat and know it. all our communications about that and other things are direct and honest. Oh yes I cary some extra lard too.
for Shame
It's true that people partially choose potential mates based on physical indicators of not only "attractiveness" (symmetry, averageness) but specifically signs of "fertility" (fit, not fat free, bodies), however many times people say what they're attracted to and these things do not change with weight gain-- eyes, lips, smile, style, personality. A relationship completely based on looks is called superficial. Or Lust. While being overweight can put you at risk of something bad happening, there needs to be an existing genetic predisposition to that bad something for it to actually occur. While letting somebody you love know that they are changing physically such that your attraction isn't the same is ok, being unnecessarily condescending will only make a person feel unworthy and lead to a body dismorphic disorder. Are any decent guys really doing these things? HAHA, no; They don't need to find excuses for rude and oppressive behavior, because real men aren't so immature and ignorant. But obviously Askmen is. yay.
Shame, shame, shame, I know your name...
That is so sad, to try to control and change other people through shame, or fake concern.
I used to be thin, now I have a big ol belly. I grew over the years, and have dealt with various stages of self loathing and acceptance. I have had many friends and relatives try to shame me and advise me and "inspire" me into being thin again, I have had formerly obese people share their stories, still I don't over eat, I'm not lazy by any means, I'm even a vegetarian juicer, and very healthy, I just have a bear like build. I have a partner of ten years who is totally supportive of my form and still attracted to me. The idea that people would operate from such a shallow place shocks me. when any of these tricks are pulled on me (most of them have) I confront the attacker right then and there and try to make them see how absurd their prejudice is.
I wish all women did.
We should measure our bodies not by whether they conform to the current standard of beauty but by what they allow us to do.
Thank you: "We should
Thank you: "We should measure our bodies not by whether they conform to the current standard of beauty but by what they allow us to do."
People easily forget in a quest to look perfect what our bodies are meant to do. I am a moderately active person who carries a some extra weight, but I've never been tiny, even when competing on a team that required (easily) 20+ hours a week of intense exercise. The female standard of beauty is thin (but has breasts) willowy (but not too tall), whereas I've always been a solid 5'10".
I've gone through the process of wishing I were thin, tiny, "perfect"... but every time I go through that it feels as though I'm taking my healthy body for granted. I'm strong, able, have no health problems. Still, I'm going to hate this body that allows me to walk, run, play, laugh and experience the world around me because it doesn't conform to another person's made-up standard?
After a period when I basically loathed my body, I woke up one day and realized I couldn't hate myself. I apologized to my body, this physical manifestation of ME that allowed me to overcome several injuries with relative ease. I try to take care of myself, but if I have a chocolate bar, so what? If there are days when my clothes fit tighter, who cares? As long as I feel good about myself and keep my health in mind anyone who wants to tell me otherwise can kiss my dimpled, white butt.
Good for you, MJ
I mean, really, now. When you consider that "normal" adult females range in height from, what? 5'2" ish to 5'10" or so? And you have ladies with thin bone structure and ladies with heavier bone structure mixed in there, as well as those with differing muscular development - How ridiculous is it to expect them ALL to be the same weight? Let alone to expect them all to conform to the LOWER end of that weight spectrum? It's astonishingly stupid, imo.
Good for you, MJ, and on all the other women who realized that healthy, capable, and happy is just fine.
As for ask'boy'.com, well, I think 'men' who actually behave that way are doomed to end up either alone, or with a female that fits their juvenile criteria - which will be ample punishment, I'm sure, considering what kind of creature that would have to be.
I find this completely
I find this completely outrageous. And I completely agree 100% with the statement about how infantilizing some of these suggestions are. As unfortunate as it may be, a very large number of women are already extremely self-conscious about their body and weight. Therefore, we will notice before anyone else if we have packed on a few extra pounds, and we will more than likely already feel pretty shitty about it. The fact that askmen.com even makes the suggestion that they need to REMIND us when we're getting heavier makes us out to sound like ten-year-olds that need to be told how to live our lives and make healthy choices. Unless your partner is consistently becoming more unhealthy over time, or has gained an extreme amount of weight and seems to be doing nothing about it, there is no need to even bring it up, I say. We're grown women and are perfectly capable of stepping on a scale. Also, these suggestions put forth the assumption that she is gaining weight because she is sneaking second helpings and shoving twinkies down her throat when he's not looking! Weight gain can also be a manifestation of several health problems, such as a horomone imbalance, thyroid malfunctions, pregnancy (not necessarily a problem), excess water weight, etc. Exactly how sensitive would it be to cut the legs of a chair when your girlfriend has no idea why she's gained weight?
The fact that askmen.com
Yeah, it's kind of like a ten-year-old telling an adult how to live because the ten-year-old assumes that adults think the same way they do.
The review I wrote of askmen.com on stumbleupon.com
19 months ago I said "We've all seen those women's magazines in the checkout line in the store... Cosmo, Glamour, etc.
Meet those magazines' male counterpart: AskMen.com."
WHO KNEW I was giving them TOO MUCH CREDIT!
Askmen.com is a fucking joke. I'd think it were satire if it were even remotely funny. FUCK THEM.
Somewhat off-topic
When I saw AskMen come up on Bitch I said to myself, "why does that name sound familiar?" And I realized it's because there's a sort of sad rush of fans to the website to write letters to celebrities they like, such as <a href="http://gumbaby.com/?p=16">Tyra Banks.</a> (That's the relevant post on my blog, with a link to AskMen -- I keep track of sites where commenters are deeply confused about the topic of the post, as data for my dissertation.) Many of these comments are from young girls who idolize the celebs in question. Fortunately (?) if my research on sites like these gives any indication, the young girls leaving comments aren't actually *reading* what's written on AskMen...
I sort of wonder, how much traffic does a site like AskMen actually get? It seems like another pathetic knockoff of something like IMDB, to me. That's the thing about new media -- they're not mass media, like the old media. So the effect they have on shaping culture is generally not as strong, I think.
All it comes down to is that
All it comes down to is that men don't want to screw women they aren't attracted to because they are, presumably, superficial. And why wouldn't they be attracted to someone with extra weight, you ask? Well some men are attracted to women with a few extra pounds. But not, apparently, the ones who read askmen.com. Those guys in reality do not have girlfriends. Trust me on this one.
note to askmen.com
I was so disgusted I left a comment, but I also took the time to send them feedback directly to their site managers. I'll let you know if, and what kind, of response I get back.
More fun than expressing our
More fun than expressing our unhappiness at askmen would be to come up with how the female victim should retaliate.
Just joking
They're prolly just joking for their readership. However, all it does is reinforce a stereotyping of men. They are caricatures of themselves. Maybe I'm being naive, but most men simply don't act that way, in that mean spirit. However, if a man was unable to talk about the issue maturely (and I can't imagine a mature man subscribing to that website if every article is like that) then it no longer remains pointless humor. It is helpless and mean.
I think its both hilarious and pathetic that men have such problems with strong emotions, points of view, or even talking about feelings, that they immediately jump to the same bullshit routine that they have for years, "too emotional, hypersensitive, overreacting" etc. I mean really, you can't even sit down and tell your wife/girl in a nice, RESPECTFULway how you feel about something? Even if it is her weight? Yes her feelings might get hurt a little bit, but I think most women would really just appreciate an honest, open, respectful discussion about ANYTHING. I mean my god, grow up, and quit being such a freaking pig about everything! And just because you freak out whenever your girlfriend/wife expresses any strong emotion does not mean there is something wrong with her or that she is "overreacting". It simply means that she feels strongly about something, and you are too much of a dipshit to handle hearing it.
Thank you! I wish men could understand that just because we get upset about something they say, dosn't mean they shouldn't have said it. They think because we get sad or pissed about something, it means we can't handel it, maybe we just handel things differently (ie. not sitting there silently with a blank look on our faces, a look I'm sure ALL striaght women have seen many times before). All of this is why I've recently gone from considering myself 'gay leaning bisexual', to LESBIAN. I can't take all the blank stares, stupid assumptions, and hipocracy anymore, women may be tough sometimes, but that's nothing compared to the hell I've endured attemting top be in hetero relationships. I like men, they are just as good/bad as women, but honestly, they just seem stupid to me, totally vacant when it really comes down to it, I KNOW this can't be true though, so I suppose society is to blame for making them act this way/seem this dumb. EMOTION IS NOT GOING TO KILL YOU! Infact, holding everything in is FARRRR more unhealthy.
(and did anyone read that roleplaying post on askmen that someone linked to? WOW, most of those sounded like rape, molestation, or at least horrible exploitation... if that's what staright women enjoy, I'm DEFINATLY not striaght... paint her up like a whore/doll then make her parade around the room untill you've seen enough, and fuck the shit out of her...hmmm, sounds like a GRRRREAT time, where do I sign up!?!)
Your comment is so demeaning
Your comment is so demeaning to women in general, I am appalled.
I confess I actually laughed
I confess I actually laughed at this article because it was so bad.
Here's a small sample my reaction:
"Buy her clothes that are too small “Oh,” you might say, “I thought you were a size 8. Isn’t that what you were last summer?” The onus is now on her to do something about it".
- No, actually, the onus is on you to return the fucking shirt and stop trying to control her wardrobe. The only onus on her is to kick you out of her fucking house.
"Set out on your own weight loss plan
By referencing yourself in any plans to lose weight, you’re also subtly telling her that you’re not the only one who might benefit from a diet"
- way to be passive aggressive, baby. Wait. Lemme just get comfy on the couch with my popcorn while I watch your manly man bits straining and sweating and grunting. Ooooo, that's nice. Now lemme see ya eat those carrots. Awww, you're so cute!
"Serve her unsatisfactory portions
If you feel as though you’re starving yourself in the process, remember you can always go back for more when she’s not looking".
- Because you're an asshole with double standards, and you certainly don't want to feel her pain, just give her some
"Ask her to wear an old dress
Follow it up by telling her how good she looked in those days, and maybe she’ll make it her mission to get back to that size"
- Or maybe she'll make it her mission to shut you up by getting rid of you, since you clearly don't care about her.
Sabotage her chair
Sometimes as men we have to get downright nefarious to get what we want.
- Of course when women do that, we call the cops or sue them, because they're dangerously manipulative bitches, but in our case, we're not assholes, we're just exercising creative morality
I stumbled upon this story
I stumbled upon this story and after reading it I had... to visit Askmen.com to know what you are talking about. After having visited it for 10 minutes I've come to the next conclusion.
Now that I still have control over my mind it's my wish to shoot me when I start behaving like that...
If those really are men I must be alien and most people I know as men must be aliens too.
And yes... I know guys that behave like the ones we're discussing.
It's funny to see the looks once I've asked 'm whether they still would be able to walk forwards when they would be born with their genitals on their back.
By looking at the amount and type of ads on askmen.com I guess the main target group is one that is insecure and fantasizes a lot.
I sent the list to my
I sent the list to my boyfriend, who I know will get a laugh out of it too. Fortunately, the men worth having around are the ones who don't read askmen.com, and who are responsible and mature enough to have a frank conversation when there's a need.
Oh, and didja see this one too? http://www.askmen.com/top_10/dating/top-10-big-budget-porns.html In my opinion, it destroys askmen's credibility even further. All we can do is laugh at them.
It gets better
Oh oh! And this one too! It's even better. Get this-- askmen.com is CELEBRATING Women's History Month! And guess how. A top 10 list of hottest historical women.
"During Women’s History Month, we’d like to celebrate an aspect of historical females often overlooked by historians: their hotness. Powerful women throughout history have used their beauty as well as their intelligence to get ahead. It’s something successful modern women continue to do today."
.... Because we all know to be a successful modern women in today's post-feminist society, you gotta be a hottie.
After reading this article,
After reading this article, clicking over to askmen.com, and skimming through the comments, one theme that keeps popping up is the issue of 'adult' communication: some commenters say that's what should happen; some fling right back that it doesn't work because women are equally manipulative and deceptive, not to mention emotionally irrational.
To me, this highlights the fundamental problem of many relationships today--an utter dearth of honest, frank communication. If a couple isn't used to candor in their relationship, when one person blatantly says, "Honey, I'd like it if you lost some weight," it likely will backfire. If, however, the precedent of ingenuous conversation exists, then blunt (but kind) statements can lead to creativity, collaboration, and goal setting ("Okay, let's eat vegan one night a week and take walks together after dinner"). Instead, though, we are left to work with the model that pop culture and askmen.com gives us: your partner should be able to either intuit your wants/needs/whims or should understand (and not be offended by) your obtuse hints.
Now I know I am wandering in the land of unicorns and mermaids here, but wouldn't it have been amazing if askmen.com had put out an article about creating the fundamental trust in a relationship so that honest, open communication can ensue. Somehow, I think that would have been infinitely more useful, maybe even subliminally encouraging men to loosen their death-grip on 'masculinity' as they see the positive results of a mutually respectful and open relationship. I know--too Xanadu, but a girl can dream...
After reading the comments
Gender is a social construct much like beauty. In my mind the question becomes not what do we do with men who may actually try this but how to we get both men and women into a position of mutual respect based on the individual? That is how do we value the individual and the individuals talents above some structure (gender) based on a genetic difference (sex); the impact of which we do not understand because it is so immersed in culture.
Unfortunately as a graduate student I am not sure that the college system as it stands with its dominance of male faculty particularly in the more senor positions can be considered as the solution, if there is a single solution
"Now I am all for people
... example please? I was sent this article from a friend but to be honest it seems nothing more then a rant, with no practical information for either side on how to approach this topic. All you gave is a general common sense answer that any man or woman could regurgitate.
I'm all for equality, but I don't understand the point of singling out an article in a men's magazine and writing about it. Aren't there more important issue's to discuss?
Don't venture too far into that site...
If you think that was bad, you should check out more "articles" on that shitty excuse for a website.
I have a lot of people tell me that the site is "satire" but I find that hard to believe.
From my standpoint, they are a bunch of woman hating, beasts. Honestly, I have no idea why they even bother with women, they obviously hate them. Any woman that would have anything to do with them is a fucking idiot to say the least.
Go find the article about "putting a woman in her place" or something to that nature. You think this is sick? You haven't seen anything, yet.
The problem with
The problem with writing this article off as satire is that there are men (perhaps women too) out there who take it seriously, maybe not to the point of loosening the screws on their girlfriend's chair, but enough to try one or two of the suggestions. This article practically gives tips on how to psychologically abuse their significant other.
It's the same as it is with verbal abuse - it may not be as cut and dry as actual physical abuse but damage is being done.
It's not right.
The comments posted here are as interesting to me as the article. Obviously not everyone reading and posting to this site is a feminist. I guess we have our share of "haters" too.
The flip side of this is a positive: Even people who do not agree are reading BITCH and thinking about it. Good for them. Maybe one day they can accept themselves and their partners with love.
banal bull
go back to preschool, buy your own crayons(since the govt is too cheap), get on the yellow brick road, flip off all the wizard of oz freaking weird characters,whoever wrote that crap was on acid anyway) and furthermore who gives a damn anyway. americans are 80 PERCENT OBSESE, so put on some hot stripping music, no pole or friends needed, just you and ditch the freaking do-nuts.
quit bitching over stupid banal bullshitpoint being we aren't in the land of freakin oz, iys a freakin damn stupid ass fantasy.get real.
How about you go back to
How about you go back to school and learn English. Regardless of the content of your comment, the way you wrote it (OBSESE? what?) makes you come off uneducated and not worth taking seriously.
On the bright side
Hey ladies,
On the bright side, look at how few "diggs" and votes that article over at askmen.com got. :) Clearly it's only a very small number of people would consider doing any of these things! If your man does however, he may not be worth your time.
I not find it acceptable for
I not find it acceptable for a man to comment on my weight in any fashion, subtly or in a "mature adult conversation". I simply don't think it is any of his business. If your wife/girlfriend wants to know what you think of her bodyweight, she will ask you, or you will have established a relationship in which you both find it acceptable to comment on these things. You do not have the right to comment about it otherwise. And it is totally patronising to lie about it if she does ask.
And I don't like the idea-and I think it is part of the heteronormative idea- that all romantic relationships require you to be sexually attracted to the other person, especially when they postulate a sexual arising predominantly on the physicality of the other person. I think asexual romantic relationships are equally meaningful, and I don't think your sexual attraction to your partner waning or increasing through time should result in the destruction of your relationship.
I think the view that sex is a necessary part of life, and a necessary part of a loving relationship is a flaw in our approach to relationships. Some people simply are not sexually attracted to anyone/ have no sex drive/ have some medical problem which prevents them from having sex. The assumptions made in a sex-positive society about this, and the view that a "healthy" relationship is a sexual one, is as problematic as the view that a "healthy" relationship includes a man and a woman.
I also think it's quite shallow if your attraction is easily altered by changes in the physicality of the person. It is, quite simply, a narrow and inaccurate view of human attraction. Sex in a romantic relationship is supposed to be about connection first-its recreational component is both secondary and unnecessary to a meaningful relationship.
Also, the entire concept of asking men about relationships with women necessarily based on the idea of trying to achieve a goal dishonestly or in a way that does not reflect the needs/ desires of a woman? Otherwise, why would you not ask women? Unless you are the sort of twat who thinks women don't know what they want.
I am annoyed
that there is no edit button.
I'm 53, married 29 years. My partner and I agree that, to work, a long term relationship requires total honesty, including a willingness to make oneself vulnerable to the other, deliberate communication, trust, commitment, respect, sincere concern for the partner's happiness, deliberate effort to seeing things from the other's viewpoint, and a willingness to compromise if necessary.
Beyond those basics for intimacy, though, needs are varied, and that variety needs to be realized before judging others' values and motives. What may seem shallow to one person is a priority to someone else, and is so not necessarily by conscious choice.
Sexual needs are no different. I agree, Grace, that sexual attraction is not necessarily a need in a relationship. Sexual needs and libidos widely differ among people -- some are born asexual, some bisexual, some homosexual, some heterosexual; and even within those and other "categories", libidos and what is found attractive ranges. Sexual needs can also change through a lifetime. Societies, for many reasons, stamp certain ranges of sexuality as "normal", unfortunately, conditioning their people to view variant sexualities as "disorders". Open-mindedness means shaking off those societal preconceptions and evaluating all sexual varieties objectively.
Within the wide diversity of individual sexual needs and libidos, physical attraction is one of the elements. It's true that for some, physical attraction has no part. That's not "wrong" or "disordered", necessarily -- for example,a lifetime asexual may be that way by birth and genetics.
However, it's also not "wrong" that many are born with physical attraction as a significant part of their sexual needs. It's not necessarily "shallow" -- it's simply part of their genetics. For them to be sexually satisfied depends, in a larger part, on having sex with a partner whom they find physically attractive.
If the partner whom they originally found attractive changes to a point outside the range which they find physically attractive, it's not merely because they're "shallow" -- it's because they're biological. Certainly they can choose to continue the relationship -- as my spouse and I can testify, a flourishing long-term relationship (and I mean one that lasts more than ten years) is founded on and sustained by emotional, psychological, intellectual, and philosophical intimacies, not primaried upon sex -- but, that doesn't alter the fact that their own sexual satisfaction is diminished or frustrated.
So, while I agree that sex is not an absolute need for any and all relationships, and I agree that physical attractiveness doesn't need to matter for healthy relationships, since sexual needs biologically and gentically vary; I also believe that someone accounting physical attractiveness important is not at all shallow -- it's what their particualr biology insists upon.
Certainly biology can to ignored and suppressed, but, that doesn't change the fact that biology IS. Within the scope of a relationship which had originally included physical attraction as an important component, a woman whose partner had gained or lost weight to the point of no longer being physically attractive would definitely affect her sexual fulfillment. Within the parameters of that relationship, her partner's weight certainly would be her business to address.
BTW -- my partner is 47, 5'2", and 166 pounds, and I find her irresistibly attractive, as much so to me as when I met her 31 years ago when she weighed 115 lbs. I'm 5'8", 169, a bodybuilder (who thinks most over-40 men look unnecessarily disgusting!) -- she really couldn't care less what I look like!
The Askmen article? Haven't read it...but, don't need to, in light of the excerpts from it I read here. Any advice advocating manipulation, dishonesty, tactlessness, or callousness as tools for a long-term relationship is advice on how to destroy relationships. Askmen's type of male is one-half of why too many relationships flounder and sink.
Those bastards!!!!!!!WHO THE
Those bastards!!!!!!!WHO THE HELL DO THEY THINK THEY ARE!!!!they just want us to slim down for their esexual needs, are we anything else but sexaul toys to them////our wourld is getting so sad, i swear, where are the real men in those world?
Askmen is "gross-out" humor,
Askmen is "gross-out" humor, crudely funny, but neither realistic nor practical. It also leaves the issue of fat men out - plenty of men don't take care of themselves, but expect their female partners to. I can't tell you how many times completely overweight, out of shape "men" have flirted with me, hoping for a relationship, when it obviously shows that I eat right and hit the gym. I take care of myself, and so should my partner (which, thankfully, he does. And when one of us "falls off the wagon," we make a point to exercise together to help get back on track, sometimes creating a whole date around some sort of physical activity.)
It's the Donald Trump syndrome. Ugly guy, hot wife. You bet if the circumstance was reversed, people would be saying the husband got gypped.
Of course, being accepting of a partner's unattractiveness, or finding the person inside more important than their appearance outside, can cut both ways. Women may be more open-minded, which has led to a culture of out of shape men. Men, on the other hand, have become more narrow-minded, which has led to a culture of ridiculous, often unattainable standards for the female form (and subsequent unhappiness when they can't look "that way").
weight gain
I am a married woman who is aware of the fact that I am
overweight. It bothers me that men are stupid enough to think
that a woman is not aware of our weight gain. My husband has been nothing but suppotive and understanding. I think these men who read these articles are probably just insecure about themselves and feel the need to redirect it toward the women in their lives. It's pathetic.
Askmen.com is
Askmen.com is repulsive.
Publications like this are the reason my girlfriend is overly conscious of her weight (thinking she's fat when she isn't at all and even if she was, who cares) and it frustrates me to no end. Ugh.
To the anonymous hater who hopes our boyfriends hit us...
Did we go to middle school together? Were you one of the guys who used to follow me down the hall yelling "Harpoon the whale!"? If so, I have a very large therapy bill I'd like to send you.
I don't think askmen.com is
I don't think askmen.com is that bad. Sure, there are plenty of terrible articles (I mean, I found one about female social awkwardness that got me mental), but there are other articles that are pretty good. Is true, askmen.com is like the male Cosmopolitan; it features plenty of useless junk, but some extremely useful articles (very few, but very good).
Hmm most of you seem to be very thick
That article is meant as satire. Its also designed to provoke anyone who is hard-coded with political correctness..... My what a failure its been :).
The reason these websites are so immature is because a thoughtful, mature and masculine magazine would make its founders bankrupt within months. You sell to the market you have.
You should avoid puking to lose weight. It makes your breath stink and erodes your teeth (Both of which will get you dumped anyway)
Best. Header. Ever.
I'm just sayin.
I now recall why I'm too
I now recall why I'm too scared to date. I there's actually lots of reasons why I'm scared to date, but this takes the cake....
If a guy means well and generally cares about his lover's health for her sake instead of his need of visual stimulation, why does he need to sneak around and possibly injure her (chair stunt I remind)?
A mature couple that actually cares about each other would talk things out and look at programs they could do together to sort out their mental, emotional and physical health.
This is truly sad...smh if
This is truly sad...smh if your in a relationship with someone and she has your baby and yes she will gain weight during and more than likely still have the weight after will you bitch at her to loose weight then too?? if you really love someone would you make fun of them and degrade them and do some of the things on this page? no you wouldnt my man has been there for me and i have gained alot of weight since we have been together guess what?? he loves the weight ive put on and we have sex al ot more too hmmmmm maybe your lil trash and yes i called it trash only speaks to selfish lil boys that dont even know the true meaning of LOVE?? you will find yourself by yourself if you do any of these things on this page lmao go ahead men try it trust me women do talk and you will only have the company of your left or right hand for those looong lonely nights lmao
You know, because magazines
You know, because magazines like Cosmopolitan and Seventeen haven't been doing similar things for years and years. Now that men are trying to get in on taking quizzes and learning how to drop passive aggressive hints, it's simply going too far.
Nice reality check.
And just to prove your point:
Which is one of like thousands I've found.
Hey, people who are upset with the ask men article, here's something crazy: People have the right to want to be attracted to their partner, men or women. Wow! Oh my god!
I sometimes wonder if publications written from a self-consciously feminine/ist perspective think publications written from a self-consciously masculine one should even <i>exist</i>. honestly, askmen does not favor its target gender any more than bitch does.
I wouldn't take that askmen.com article too seriously. I'm pretty sure it's just obnoxious humor.
All of Askmen.com is
All of Askmen.com is extremely offensive. If a conservative, traditionalist man agrees with something on bitchmagazine.org, you know it's gotta be true.
I'm sick of "obnoxious humor"
I'm sick of "obnoxious humor" that demeans women. They need to get some originality or STFU.
This is possibly the most horrible thing I have read! If a man had done any of this to me I would have happily dumped him and made sure that every woman I know, knew about this so that he would not get any action! Stephen says man the harpoons huh! I wonder, what are the things that women could do to shame a man! Let's start with size shall we!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10 ways to subtly want to puke all over askmen.com
Yes, that is one website that is decidedly puke worthy. As for that article of their about making their girlfriend think they're too fat, ack! There was a movie done in the 40s called Gaslight where the husband attempts to make his wife think she's going insane by playing tricks on her that seem very similar to that article. Pathetic, eh? I say we women should go over to askmen.com and post all sorts of things slamming them lol
Askmen is disgusting, no
Askmen is disgusting, no doubt about it. People don't realize what this kind of "shaming" can do. I can't believe how meanspirited it is. A friend of mine has an eating disorder, horrible self image. She used to be bigger, and i wouldn't be surprised if her poor body was a direct consequence of the way people kept "subtlely" shaming her about it. Now her health is suffering because she is way too thin. She told me once of a long term boyfriend who kept commenting on her looks. Once, as she was thinking of ordering fried food when with him, he laughed (as if it was funny) and said "i like you the size you are, thank you very much". gah
You know what they say
The internet:
where all men are losers, all women are men, and all children are the FBI.
But askmen is a horrible site. I hate it when websites make top ten lists with each item on a separate page in order to whore out their banner ads as much as possible. So irritating. Furthermore, they are both stuck up and not funny... at all.
Kind of unfortunate
that you kind of helped askmen.com by linking to their site in this article. How many page views do you think they received from this critique?
Just another example of lazy,
Just another example of lazy, shallow journalism. Sabotaging the woman-you-love's chair as a subtle and considerate way of making her feel just a little bit less adequate than she already does has been removed now (with a glib apology in place) but the whole article is hateful.
I wonder if the author of the piece is as gorgeous as he clearly expects all women to be?
Why Aren't I King of the World?
Any 'man' who turns to AskMen, Maxim, GQ, or the rest of those rags is a total clown. Entertaining? Maybe a bit - while waiting in the checkout line. But for advice? Come on. It seems like both men and women are on a downward spiral in terms of behavior. But as usual, men are leading the charge. And I'm a man by the way.
Basically, I wouldn't want my sisters with the kind of guy who reads these magazines and spends his time trying to manipulate women. There are SO MANY guys like this, it is beyond daunting. But, there are alot of decent guys too. Finding them is tough. But some advice...the guy who comes on to you is probably the Maxim reader. The guy who won't...is probably the one YOU should go after.
What kind of a guy who is Twenty-five and above gets his guidance from anything other than family and heart? Crazy that I can't beat these clowns in the business world.
Peace out ladies!
I was once skimming through
I was once skimming through their articles and found a few very disturbing ones. One was about how to convince her to have anal sex when she doesn't want to (which is incredibly disturbing) and another was about convincing her into having a threesome by making her think you're doing it for her. Seems like only freaks would go to that site for any sort of advice. I like to believe that most men are not sadistic nutcases like the ones that write those articles. In fact, I'm pretty sure the men who write those articles were once victims of severe psychological and perhaps physical abuse, because that is not normal behavior. I would certainly never date a douche like that. Thankfully my man is a normal good guy. And that's the end of my rant.
I thought I was going insane
Thank you for this article. Lately whenever I am searching for articles on relationships askmen comes up. It seriously makes me lose all hope for mankind. This article tells me that we haven't all regressed into animalistic morons that are unable to distinguish between rape and consentual sex or a relationship and forced servitude. Ironically I prefer traditional roles as my own personal preference, but askmen makes me hate men and reflect on this. I think it boils down to kindness. If a guy is kind and respectful, then I like to do things that show I care, like making awesome food. But if a guy thinks I should do that to desrve his affection well then I might as well become a nun, because that is crap.
Askmen bugs me too
Thanks Kelsey, I wholeheartedly agree and thank you for writing this article. As a man I find the AskMen "advice" to essentially say I should become a player and manipulate women into sleeping with me. I find it immature at best and sociopathic at worst. Mostly it's just laughable. So if I am lucky enough to find a woman who is real, then according to another one of their ridiculous articles, I should dump her if there are any one of these "red flags":
* "She has a cat" (1 cat = 100% red flag). My impending divorce may be for several reasons, but it was NOT because of the cat!!
* "She's never had a one night stand (I take that as a good thing!) / smoked pot/ drinks beer at sporting events". Ok, what's wrong with beer?!
* "She doesn't have any dateable friends", which is immediately followed by, "She doesn't understand that men are naturally wired to be polygamists"
Glad to know others think this site is shallow tripe! Take care and enjoy the holidays.
Thanks for this post. Good to
Thanks for this post. Good to know there are lot of women out there who hate this website. Every time I have an argument with my husband, he brings up this stupid post on askmen which tells about top 10 types of women to avoid. Why? Because, according to him I force him to listen to me, or talk to me when we are having an argument, so that implies that I'm taking away his independence or forcing him to focus on me. According to me, when there is a heated argument between a couple, they are supposed to talk and sort it out. Most men are already jerks and this website motivates them to become even worse jerks.
Ugh. I agree completely. I have recently visited the website Askmen.com and was repulsed by what I saw. In particular, this article - http://uk.askmen.com/dating/love_tip/you-deserve-a-break.html . It openly states that so called 'chick-checking' (WE ARE HOMO SAPIENS HERE, NOT BLOODY CHICKENS) is perfectly fine - "Hey, as long as we're trying not to be obvious, our girlfriends should let it slide." and "Asking her to show some skin" is acceptable. The fact that this stereotypes both men and women as fickle, superficial people is just too much. Women shouldn't be shamed for being comfortable in their own skin, and feeling as if they have to live up to anybody else's standards. Hey, maybe we should bombard them with pictures of realistic women, with maybe a little bodily hair thrown in? :) Surely it would repulse these controlling creatures? Although poorly concealed, these people are clearly shaming women for being beautiful, natural bodies. Other topics on the website involve sexual positions designed purely to give the man pleasure, and how to get yourself dumped rather than doing the dirty work yourself - rather a cowardly idea, don't you think? All of the pictures on the website feature girls with tiny waists and massive boobs, and men with six-packs and perfect tans. Who the fuck do they think they are, trying to set god-awful societal standards? Beauty can deviate greatly from the social norms. Embrace your body and stand up to these shitty 'rules'. This is not a guide to life, it's a fucking disgrace to humanity. Awfully sorry if this is a poorly-written comment, but the anger radiating off of me right now....
Lily-Fleur Eliza, your faithful 14-year-old Riot Grrrl :)
Add new comment | https://bitchmedia.org/post/10-ways-to-subtly-want-to-puke-all-over-askmencom | dclm-gs1-193560001 | false | false | {
"keywords": "mouse"
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.06147 | <urn:uuid:5778916c-66b3-4cc0-bbc0-c4d848c58433> | en | 0.945896 | Fiat 500 "Topolino"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Fiat 500 "Topolino"
Manufacturer Fiat
Also called Topolino
Production 1936–1955
520,000 made
Body and chassis
Class City car (A)
Body style 2-door coupé
2-door cabriolet
2-door van [1]
3-door station wagon
Layout Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Related Simca 5
Simca 6
Engine 569 cc straight-4 sidevalve
Transmission 4-speed manual
Length 3,215 mm (127 in) [2]
Width 1,275 mm (50 in)[2]
Height 1,377 mm (54 in)[2]
Successor Fiat 600
With horsepower of about 13 bhp,[4] its top speed was about 53 mph (85 km/h), and it could achieve about 39.2 miles per US gallon (6.00 L/100 km; 47.1 mpg-imp). The target price given when the car was planned was 5,000 lire.[3] In the event the price at launch was 9,750 lire,[3] though the decade was one of falling prices in several part of Europe and later in the 1930s the Topolino was sold for about 8,900 lire. Despite being more expensive than first envisioned, the car was competitively priced.[3] Nearly 520,000 were sold.
Three models were produced. Model A and B shared the same body, only the engine of model B had 16 hp, vs. 13 hp of Model A. Model A was produced from 1937 to 1948, while B was produced in 1948 and 1949. Model A was offered as a 2-door coupe, 2-door cabriolet and a 2-door van,[1] while Model B also introduced a 3-door wagon under the name 500 B Giardinetta ("station wagon, estate car"). Model C was introduced in 1949 with a restyled body and the same engine as Model B, and was offered in 2-door coupe, 2-door cabriolet, 3-door wagon and 2-door van [5] versions. In 1952, Giardinetta was renamed Belvedere ("A turret or other raised structure offering a pleasant view of the surrounding area", referring to its sunroof). Model C was produced until 1955.[6]
1. ^ a b Fiat 500 A, Retrieved 6 June 2015
5. ^ Fiat 500 C Furgoncino, Retrieved 6 June 2015
6. ^
External links[edit] | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_500_%22Topolino%22 | dclm-gs1-193600001 | false | false | {
"keywords": "transmission"
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.1455 | <urn:uuid:33d2a087-aa16-42a1-add1-ed2c732cd625> | en | 0.835405 | Skip to content
Subversion checkout URL
You can clone with
Download ZIP
Some stupid little tools to deal with Blogger and Feeds
Branch: master
Fetching latest commit…
Cannot retrieve the latest commit at this time
Failed to load latest commit information.
Some little tools to deal with Blogger and Feeds
This is set up as a Netbeans project, and all the dependent .jar's are checked into the lib directory. I know this is bad practice, sorry. A problematic dependency is the old version of the ROME project. Because was killed, the ROME project that corresponds to these .jar's cannot be retrieved. I found a successor version of the ROME project on, IIRC, Google Code, but that project looks to be stalled.
The ROME project provides a big pile of useful packages for processing both RSS and Atom feeds. While both are XML and Java has XML built in, the ROME project's code disentangled the various variants of RSS and Atom, providing a common API to deal with both. This greatly simplifies the jBloggerTools code. But because the ROME project doesn't exist for all intents and purposes, these .jar's are more-or-less black boxes. I do have source code for the ROME project and maybe it would be a good idea to check it into github.
Once built Netbeans puts the build into the dist directory. It's set up so you run it like so:--
java -jar dist/jBloggerTools.jar command arguments
The .jar file is set up to use blogger.Main as the main class. That class looks for a command name as the first argument, and subsequent arguments are interpreted by the code for the class.
Retrieving an RSS or Atom Feed
The feed2text command makes it real easy to dump the contents of a feed in a format that's usable by the rest of the tools. This is due to a text format for describing blog posts, which is documented below.
This is real simple
java -jar dist/jBloggerTools.jar feed2text URL
java -jar dist/jBloggerTools.jar feed2text URL hours
The feed content is printed on the standard output. The 'hours' argument tosses away any item older than the number of hours specified.
Posting to a Blogger Blog
The fromtext command takes a text file formatted as documented below, takes arguments on the command line to identify the blog to post to, and posts the items to the blog.
java -jar dist/jBloggerTools.jar fromtext authorName userName userPasswd blogId inputFile postSummaryFile notPostedFile
The authorName can be any text string, such as your name.
The userName is the google account (e.g. the blog is associated with.
The userPassword is the password for that user.
The blogId is the code string in the middle of the URL when you are logged in to the blogger dashboard.
The inputFile is a text file (documented below) for the content to be posted.
The postSummaryFile has an HTML summary of what was posted written to it.
The notPostedFile gets a list of the items which were not posted. If all goes well this file will be empty. However if an error occurs, the error is trapped, the unposted entries go into this file, and then the error is rethrown.
Counting the number of items in a blog text file
java -jar dist/jBloggerTools.jar counttext inputFile
Generating an HTML summary of items in a blog text file
java -jar dist/jBloggerTools.jar summary inputFile summaryFile
Adding to the tags in entries, or removing tags
java -jar dist/jBloggerTools.jar addtag inputFile summaryFile tag
java -jar dist/jBloggerTools.jar rmtags inputFile summaryFile
Removing the date: data from entries
java -jar dist/jBloggerTools.jar rmdate inputFile summaryFile
Merging multiple txt files together, eliminating duplicates
java -jar dist/jBloggerTools.jar merge urifile.txt inputFile outputFile file1 file2 file3 ...
Text format to represent blog posts
I don't know if there is any standard archival format for blog post entries. This is a simple format that I came up with, and it works for my needs. There is a lot more than the following fields, so look in for information on the other fields. Creating new fields is simply a matter of defining them in either or, then defining code in to parse those lines.
The basic idea is to use blocks of "tag: value" fields to represent individual data items of a blog post, and to separate those blocks by blank lines. Blank lines delineate the blog posts in the text file.
The important tags follow. There are several more available, but these are the most useful.
title: Title String
Gives the title of the blog post. The title tag is required.
date: #### ###
Let's you specify a date for the post. The date must be two integers, the first is the number of miliseconds since 1970 (normal Unix date code) and the second is a timezone offset from GMT. If a date is not specified, the current date is used.
description: A paragraph of description text. Can contain HTML code.
Whatever you put here is simply dumped into the output, surrounded by paragraph tags. This is optional, and can appear zero or more times. Multiple description: tags turn into multiple paragraphs of text.
tag: Tag Name
This attaches what Blogger calls a Label to the blog post. You can of course list multiple tag: lines, and each one is converted into a Label. This is optional, and can appear zero or more times.
url: URL
Attaches a link to the end of the blog post. This is optional, and can appear zero or more times. You can only specify the URL, not the anchor text, nor any of the rel= options.
youtubeUrl: URL
Constructs the embed code to play the video referenced in the URL. This is optional, and currently only one youtubeUrl: line can be used. The URL must be a youtube URL, pointing at the page for a given video. The code for the video is extracted from the URL and used to construct the player.
image: URL
Constructs an img tag to include the image. This is optional, and can appear zero or more times.
Something went wrong with that request. Please try again. | https://github.com/robogeek/jBloggerTools | dclm-gs1-193670001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.02008 | <urn:uuid:735782fb-dded-4da3-86b4-418864319efa> | en | 0.942314 | An abandoned church
Before I'm accused of delusions of grandeur, the headline of this post is of course intentionally ridiculous. I don't for one moment think this site is bringing about the downfall of religion (nor would I particularly want it to), but I thought the title provided a nice way in to the argument of an interesting piece I just read on the US site AlterNet, itself entitled "Does the Internet Spell Doom For Organized Religion?"
In the piece, AlterNet writer Valerie Tarico argues that the free flow of online information that has come to define the opening years of the 21st century is bad news for the old religions, because an open marketplace is anathema to a set of belief systems founded upon dogma and control of their adherents' consciences.
It's an argument best summarised by this paragraph:
"Religions have spent eons honing defenses that keep outside information away from insiders. The innermost ring wall is a set of certainties and associated emotions like anxiety and disgust and righteous indignation that block curiosity. The outer wall is a set of behaviors aimed at insulating believers from contradictory evidence and from heretics who are potential transmitters of dangerous ideas. These behaviors range from memorizing sacred texts to wearing distinctive undergarments to killing infidels. Such defenses worked beautifully during humanity’s infancy. But they weren’t really designed for the current information age."
In Tarico's view, the winner in all this atheism, and she lists six ways in which internet content is introducing believers to the possibility of dissent, from viral content such as science videos and lists of ridiculous beliefs, to supportive online communities for those leaving religion and sites exploring the realities of life without god.
It's a thought-provoking piece, and hard to disagree with, but I did wonder if Tarico neglects one other way of interpreting the effect of the internet on religious belief. There's no doubt that atheism is spreading through online channels, but it's also worth considering other, less conventional, forms of faith. It's something that's central to the debate about falling adherence to old religions, particularly Christianity in Western Europe and the US.
Take the UK for example. The 2011 Census results, published in December 2012, showed that the proportion in England and Wales identifying as "Christian" had fallen from 71.8 per cent to 59.3 per cent, with the proportion selecting the "No religion" option rising to 25 per cent, compared with 15 per cent ten years earlier.
But does "No religion" equal atheism? Not necessarily. As the sociologist Linda Woodhead pointed out in her interview with us in November, religion is not simply declining, but undergoing a transformation. While church attendances continue to fall, many people are adopting new forms of belief, which could range from less organised and dogmatic versions of the old faiths to the many incarnations of "spirituality" and New Ageism. While these things do not resemble religion in the traditional, organised sense, they do not equal atheism either.
In the end, the only big losers in the internet age are the old, dogmatic, hierarchical faiths (to be fair, Tarico's argument is specifically about organised religion). And, as James Gray shows in the current issue, even those are doing their best to catch up, having realised the evangelising potential of the web and digital TV.
In the new global marketplace of ideas, atheism is certainly looking like a leading brand. But don't rule its competitors out just yet. | https://newhumanist.org.uk/4017/is-this-site-hastening-the-downfall-of-organised-religion | dclm-gs1-193690001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.035101 | <urn:uuid:52f81290-c8da-4b7c-a0c6-d90b65f7d218> | en | 0.982086 | I panted heavily, holding onto my knees and watching rainbow drops of sweat fall onto the floor.
I must be out of shape, I thought in my head between gasps, But I could my usual ten laps yesterday. Why can't I do a measley five today?
I leaned against the wall of the playpen, still trying to catch my breath. I had started a small training regiment to keep my health up, nothing big though. Ten laps around the playpen and a few jumping jacks and sit ups. And at first, it didn't seem like much at all. But lately I have been getting so tired so easily.
I pulled at the top of my sport's bra and sighed. As much as I hate sweating, it makes it douple when it tye-dye's your clothes. I walked over to the table and sat down, wiping my forehead on the small washcloth I brought.
"Your hair looks funny."
I glanced over at B.O.B, "...Thanks."
"No, really! It looks like... like you've... lost alot of its color." He pointed out, sitting next to me, "More grayish!"
I nodded, rubbing and looking closely at one of the locks. It does looked washed out, like if you were to wash a shirt a hundred times. But what really scared me was the tips, they weren't just washed out, they were gray.
"... Maybe I-I'm some kind of s-s-sick?" I asked him.
"I dunna know..." He shrugged, "Ask the Doc."
Sounds like a good idea. I nodded at his suggestion and rested my head on the cool metal.
"Ask me what?" I heard a familiar voice say, "Whats wrong?"
"Spectrum's hair is looking weird, and she's worried about it."
"You shouldn't say that to a girl B.O.B." I heard another voice say, sure to be Susan's, "Its mean."
I looked up at them, "Its ok, h-he has a p-p-point."
She leaned down and looked at me closely, "You do look... alittle sick. Do you feel ok?"
I cocked my head to the side, "Er... W-well, I, ummmm..."
Doctor Cockroach rounded and sat at the table, "Your eyes are also alittle dull... No offence, of course." He pulled out alittle notebook and flipped through it, "...Here, hop up." He patted the table.
I scurried upon the table and slung my legs over the side, "W-what are you g-going to do?"
"Just a check up."
Like a real doctor's visit? I shuffled uncomptably with the cold metal, trying to stay still as he flexed my wings.
"P-please don't pull so f-fast." I winced, "They're alittle s-sore."
"Hmmm..." He did as I asked, then processed to examine my hair. Once he was done with that, he toke a hold of my face and brought me close.
"Don't worry, just looking." He moved my face around, then used his fingers to widen my eyes even more than they already were.
"O-ok..." I flushed and tried to stay even more still.
"Well, thats odd."
"When you blush, your face turns all colors. not just red."
I pulled back, "Not funny. I-i not used to being c-close to p-people."
He jotted something down on his notebook, "Thats fine. I'm going to mention this to the hostipal staff and see if they can do some real tests. In the mean time, try to just relax. It make just be how your body reacts to sickness now, you might just be getting the flu or something."
I nodded, smiling lightly, "J-just that? Ok, I'll t-try to re-relax.""
"Now, you know I must ask." Dr. Cockroach paused, giving me a serious look, "Your not making yourself sick again, are you?"
I shoke my head, "N-no. I'm not. I p-promise." I slid off, "I'm not... not like t-that, anymore."
"Just making sure." He said, giving me a weak smile.
I nodded again, more slowly, then looked down, "T-thanks."
Susan picked me up from behind, lefting me up to her face, "I was just thinking about taking a break myself. Do you want to come to my room and hang for a bit?"
I smiled brightly, "S-sure, sounds great."
She smiled back, "Ok then, see you guys later."
I sat on her bed, which was customized to fit Susan perfectly. Her whole room, in style, not only in size, seemed to be customized for her. I felt like I had drank a bottle that read 'Drink Me' on the side, and now I was in the movie Alice in Wonderland.
"I-its nice." I rubbed her top covers, "And the p-people here did all this?"
"Yep!" She swung around in her chair, brushing her silver, short hair, "I thought it was really nice, what they did."
"They... W-would be the government?" I asked, stumbling over to the pillow and pushing down on it.
"Yeah, I know. I bet your still mad at the government for taking you." She said, setting the brush down on the vanity, "I know I was."
"I h-have a right to, don't I?" I jogged over to the side and gripped the blanket tight, "I mean, I f-feel like I've been s-stolen from my life." I was about to swing over the side and slide down to the floor, but before I could I felt her pick me up by my shirt.
"You do Spec." She said, dropping me down on her vanity, "But just keep in mind that its not so bad here."
I nodded, "S-sorry, I am just g-getting an-an, er, ansty."
She laughed, "Is that all? Ok then, thats not so bad."
I got down on my knees and leaned my head over the side, it must have been 2 story drop to the floor.
"You'll get hurt if you jump from there." She said, "How good is your flying?"
"Getting b-better..."
"Lets see! Here, I'll make sure you won't fall." She got down on the ground and held her hands up, "Just jump into my hands."
I stood up and stretched my wings, "Ok."
Running to the edge of the vanity, I leaped and felt my wings spread out wide, before falling straight down. I shut my eyes tightly, screaming loudly in my head.
I felt myself slow down, each flap sending a powerful burst of wind to keep me from falling any futher.
I floated down softly into her palm, covering my head. I nervously looked up at her, "...D-did I do it right?"
"You did fine." She said, "Thats fantasic! I bet you can race Insectosaurus when you've gotten better!"
I smiled, breathing heavily, "That sounds great..." My head drooped foreward and I yawned, "W-what time is it?"
"Almost 8, are you tired already?"
"Y-yeah." I stuttered, slipping out of her hand and onto the floor, "I'm going to go to b-bed. G-good night Susan."
She cocked her head curiously, "Uh, alright. Good night Spectrum."
I barely remember walking down to my cell room. And I was so tired, I didn't feel like trying to contact the main control room so I could see in my bed.
I simply sat against the wall and fell asleep.
Link stretched his arms over his head. he had been busy all day, and was happy to be able to head back to his room to get some sleep.
Its atleast 11 by now, I'm sure. He thought, letting his arms fall to his sides.
He rounded the corner and stopped, "Huh?"
Link stared at the sleeping Spectrum, still propped up against the wall. What is she doing out here? He walked over closer, leaned down and shoke her shoulder, "Hey, Spec? Time to get up."
She opened her eyes, they looked so tired. "...Oh, h-hi..." Her head fell foreward again.
"You can't sleep out here." He said, "You dont look to good, you sick?"
"No." She said simply, before her breathing slowed once more, she went back to sleep.
Link paused, then sighed and stood up, "Yeah, right." He walked over and unlocked the hand print reading lock. Her door flew up, making an opening that would have let Susan through.
He turned back to see that she had yet to get up, then sighed annoyed. He picked her up, making sure not to bend her wing backwards. Then walked over to her bed and layed her down.
She didn't make a move, as if she just wasn't carried to bed like a child. She looked kinda peaceful even.
Link rolled his eyes at that last thought, then stepped out. | https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5940826/11/The-Faded-Rainbow-Effect | dclm-gs1-193840001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.135493 | <urn:uuid:d848ac6b-ec37-4bb0-afc9-589ea204b446> | en | 0.928504 | The sixth album by Goldblade is a stark and dark work that never lets go of the band’s high octane energy and knack for a great chorus.
Some bands exist beyond the circus.
Reacting to the modern times the band seem to have cranked both the energy and the raw power in an album that is a clean break from their past. From the opening gnarled bass intro of This Is War! to the closing 9 minute jagged drone of the title track the band are unrelenting without ever being predictable as they create dark sound and not noise.
They still manage to cram in the rousing with songs like the sardonic 2 minute punk rock rush of Psycho Takes A Holiday, the apocalyptic The Shaman Are Coming before dubbing out on the potential hit single, Serious Business. There are tracks that are fast and furious like the prime time Black Flag rush of My Mind Is Like An Atom Bomb and tracks that are off the wall like the heavy bass porridge weird trip of Someone Stole My Brain that signpost this remarkable album that follows no-one and strikes out on its own path looking for future punk or a different way of dealing the same dark and dangerous stuff and succeeds.
From Sunn O))) to The Clash from reggae to hardcore rushes, The Terror Of Modern Life is a diverse exploration of all the possibilities of punk rock but set into a 21st century agenda. Finding hope in the apocalypse, the new album is is a dense and dark work that manages to combine their trademark relentless guitars. Switching from a pounding tribal funk rhythm section to fast and furious punk rushes the album contains a dark and powerful message with moments of rare beauty that somehow finds moments of optimism in the downward swirl of the planet.
The past few years has seen the band grow big on the live and festival circuit, thriving underground unit that makes no compromise and it relishing a new musical challenge. Goldblade tour the world from Russia to Brazil, from Europe to the USA and even Algeria where they were the first rock band to play for 25 years.
Goldblade are an adventure and are playing fast and loose with the rules of combat... | http://glasswerk.co.uk/magazine/article/17810/New+Goldblade+Album+Coming+In+May/ | dclm-gs1-193990001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.057025 | <urn:uuid:41ba3e49-1037-420b-b9ce-9b445b57ce84> | en | 0.975673 | How should we judge a government?
Government fed by the people
Government fed by the people
Career options
Career options
When there's too much dirt...
When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools
Prevent bullying now!
Prevent bullying now!
MyCen News
Tuesday, October 06, 2015
Julia Yeow: 3 Lessons BN should learn from PAP
‘Performance legitimacy’
Zero-tolerance for corruption and money politics
Keeping politics free from race, religion and language
- See more at:
Monday, October 05, 2015
Why not cut ties with China?
Let's not talk about China's current economic power and prowess as well as military might. It is obvious that China has grown to become a powerful economic and military giant (instead of just the world's most populated country), capable of helping third world countries, especially those in Africa, in infra-structures and economic development. In terms of wealth, it is also the biggest creditor to even USA!
To the ordinary Chinese in Malaysia, China is just another country whose people happen to be of the same race. Those born in China and became Malaysian citizens are dwindling in numbers because of natural death. Majority of Chinese Malaysians are born here and have no connections with their relatives (if any) in China. So it is illogical to tell them to 'go back to China' when they are not even citizens of China! My late father, born in Malaya in 1909, had never been to China. Despite ease of modern air travel, I had not been to China nor Taiwan, despite having lived in UK for a few years.
The Chinese in Malaysia are quite contented to be able to do their own things, like sending their children to Chinese schools as an option, carry on their own businesses, and get involved in politics if they are so inclined. Just because DAP is now more successful than MCA, Umno in particular seems to view it as a threat to their continued hold on to power. This could be true, but definitely not in the sense that the Chinese will control the country nor that a Chinese will be Prime Minister. The demography just does not support this, and it is Umno, which feels threatened, which is using race, religion and royalty to frighten the Malay populace to continue supporting it. Even if the opposition were to rule, and DAP's candidates won all the allocated seats, it is impossible for it to have majority in Parliament. In the last GE, DAP contested only 51 (out of 222) parliamentary seats and 102 (out of 505) state seats. Compare this with PKR's 99 and 172, and PAS's 73 and 237, respectively.
That we only have a Chinese Chief Minister in Penang and already some Malays are uncomfortable with it (to put it mildly), what is the point of arguing whether the Constitution allows a Chinese to be PM? As it is, almost all heads of government departments, institutions, universities and even city mayors are Malays. Was there any demonstration or protest by the Chinese against such obvious Malay monopoly? I believe many Chinese would not care if Chinese in MCA or Gerakan were given ministerial posts.
Have the Malays been too sensitive to anything remotely suggesting cooperation of China and Chinese Malaysians?
According to a recent report in The Star:
'In an interview on Wednesday, Dr Huang said his visit to Petaling Street (also known as Chinatown) and statements made there had been taken out of context and misinterpreted.
After the walkabout, during which he distributed mooncakes, a reporter asked Dr Huang a hypothetical question: “If there were a massive anti-Chinese riot in Malaysia, would the Chinese government interfere?”
“I told him I could only give a general and standard diplomatic reply without mentioning Malaysia,” said the envoy.
“And I said: ‘The Chinese government has always pursued peaceful co-existence and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. But if such a situation occurs, and it affects Chinese interests, Chinese people and Chinese enterprises, undermines good diplomatic ties, China will not sit idle. For the past 66 years, our diplomats have been repeating this statement. It is our universal value.’
“I also said that we oppose extremism, racism and terrorism in any form. We also oppose any disruption to public order.”
Rest of the report:
Many Chinese Malaysians are wondering why our leaders welcome China's investments and tourists, but treat the locals with disdain, with calls for them to 'get out of the country if they did not like the political system' or 'go back to China' and calling us names like 'cina babi' and so on. We have feelings too. There were calls to close down SJKC when non-Chinese in those schools comprise 13% and increasing! Surely it must be the higher standard of education or better prospects with knowledge of Chinese language which attract them.
Why not cut diplomatic ties with China, and prevent them from investing in or visiting Malaysia? What's the point of having a 'China-Malaysia Friendship Garden in Putrajaya' when China's ambassador is not even treated with the right protocol or at least some respect?
To quote Wong Chun Wai in his recent article, Let cool heads prevail:
'Let’s be blunt. We need China but China does not really need us. We are just a small country but we have been lucky because of our historic ties and also the far-sightedness of the late Tun Abdul Razak who forged official ties with China.
More importantly, Malaysia, with its huge Malaysian Chinese community, has been able to cement the economic relations with China because we understand the Chinese language and culture – putting us above other Asean competitors except Singapore.
This is an asset because when we are able to speak Chinese, we win the minds and hearts of the mainlanders.
This is not something to politicise. And we should be thankful that the Chinese schools have been guaranteed a place in our education system.'
Saturday, October 03, 2015
Customs tell businesses: Don't use GST as excuse
I wish to refer to the news report in Malay Mail:
Now that the GST has been in force, we can leave out the pros and cons of having it. But to deny that GST has affected small businesses and even accuse them of using it as an excuse to shut down businesses is rubbing salt to injury.
Just imagine the number of small businesses, especially family-run ones like sundry shops, which were affected by the introduction of GST, and the dilemma they were in: to continue or to shut down, is so real.
To continue would mean a revamp of many years of trading practices, with the introduction of computerized point of sale and accounting. Even with much publicity (though its value in terms of answering questions left much to be desired, simply because of the use of too simplistic examples), government incentives like free seminars, business people are left with the choice of closing down or increase overheads of tens of thousands per year. Computers cost money, so does software that goes with them, plus the extra accounting charges. Of course, it would improve overall management of the business, but to someone who knows next to nothing of such new technology, it causes sleepless nights when pondering over the dilemma, as well as soon after using it.
To some seniors whose children are already into other jobs or professions, GST is like a tipping point to closing down their businesses, with a heavy heart. Who would like to be forced into making such a decision?
GST, as we have experienced since its introduction, has caused an overall increase in prices of goods and services. Never mind the simplistic explanations showing how little the effects of the tax, but everything has gone up. Some unregistered traders and coffee shop stalls have to face angry customers asking for printed bills when their prices were upped because of increases in costs of ingredients, whether they were due to GST or otherwise.
I know of someone who runs a shop trading in electrical goods. He had sleepless nights trying to understand the new software that comes with GST. Having been in the trade for many years, he said that for doing the same business, besides the initial costs of equipment, he now has to pay more than Rm10,000 in extra costs for having the system.
Costs increase across the board, whether because of GST or otherwise. How could the government control prices when the causes are numerous and hard to identify and quantify? Any strict action according to the law will affect only a very small number of unfortunate businesses without really solving the problem. But it would help if the Customs would be more sympathetic than accusing those who closed down their businesses as using GST as an excuse. It was not an excuse but a real problem which forced some to do so.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Where there's a will, there's a way...
but where there's no will, there's Distribution Act, 1958 (as amended in 1997).
The first used to mean that 'if you are determined enough, you can find a way to achieve what you want, even if it is very difficult.'
But the second used a play on the word 'will' which refers to 'a legal declaration by which a person, the testator, names one or more persons to manage his or her estate and provides for the distribution of his or her property at death'.
I am fascinated by wills, or their absence (intestacy - where a person died without leaving a valid will), because of the many interesting but often heart-breaking instances in real life as well as in fiction, caused by wills or because of intestacy.
In Malaysia, where non-Muslims are concerned, in cases of intestacy, the Distribution Act, 1958, as amended in 1997, applies. The following is a summary supplied by Rockwills:
When a person pass away without a Will, after all the debts are paid the administrator must distribute the remainder of his estate according to the section 6 of the Distribution Act 1958 (As amended in 1997) to lawful beneficiaries.
Section 6 of the Distribution Act 1958 (As amended in 1997) provides the following:
1. Spouse only alive (without parents or issue) – whole estate to surviving spouse
2. Issue only alive (without spouse or parents) – whole estate to issue equally
3. Parents only alive (without spouse or issue) – whole estate to parents
4. Spouse and issue alive (without parents) – spouse – 1/3 & issue – 2/3
5. Spouse, issue and parents alive – spouse – 1/4, issue – 1/2 & parents – 1/4
6. Spouse and parents alive (without issue) – spouse – 1/2 & parents – 1/2
7. Issue and parents alive (without spouse) – issue – 2/3 & parents – 1/3
The following person(s) are entitled in accordance to priority when an intestate dies without leaving a surviving spouse, child or parent:
brothers & sisters
uncles & aunts
great grandparents
great uncles & aunts
Issue: includes children and descendants of children.
Parent: Natural mother or farther of a child or the lawful mother and father of a child under the Adoption Act 1952.
It is amazing how the subject of distribution could be the cause of a wide variety of family quarrels, some of which ended up in the courts for judgment. Like written agreements, there is no perfect will. Someone somehow will feel aggrieved by its provisions.
For example, the will could treat all children as equal in distribution. Yet a normally favoured child might feel he should be entitled to more. Some Chinese families discriminate between sons and daughters: eg. daughters get lifetime gifts while only the sons share everything left upon death of testator. Some compromise by giving sons each a full share while daughters get half share. When a father did that and mother decided on equal share in her estate, one of the sons actually complained.
There is an actual case which has yet to be resolved. Years ago, maternal grandfather died intestate, leaving behind his widow and 3 children (2 sons and 1 daughter). According to the law, the widow got 1/3, while the remaining 2/3 was shared equally among the 3, each getting 2/9 of the estate.
The relationship between in-laws were not amicable for various reasons. Out of anger, one day the son-in-law told his wife that she should give up her share in her father's estate. One of her nephews jumped on that decision and to make it legal, actually took her to a lawyer's office to sign a will which in effect, bequeath her share to be distributed equally between her two brothers, directly naming their children as beneficiaries.
That will was prepared in 1975. Though with the knowledge of her children, it was anybody's guess how she actually felt. The children could sense her anger each time the matter was mentioned, and it could be due to the undue pressure from her nephew or that she had to listen to her husband against her own wish.
Years later, she asked one of her sons to prepare for her a simple will which was properly done. There was no mention of her earlier will. After her death in 1993, a Grant of Probate was granted by the High Court and her estate (excluding her share in her father's estate) was duly distributed equally among her children.
According to my basic knowledge in wills, a new will supersedes any earlier will. This means her will in 1975 had been invalidated by the later will. The main item in her father's estate is a piece of land in KL which has till today, remains unsold. There was no effort in carrying out her earlier will, by legal process, to actually transfer her share to the named beneficiaries. In other words, if that will had been invalidated by the later will, her share in her father's estate remains intact and can be considered part of her estate which can be distributed according to her new will, to her children. It could be considered as an item missing when application was made for a Grant of Probate.
When she was alive, there was a compulsory acquisition of a part of the land by the government because of road expansion. The Administrator of the Estate actually prepared a cheque for her, being her share of the compensation. She said, 'Told you I don't want any share of it, please take it back and share accordingly.' Why she said that could be due to one of a number of reasons. Being illiterate, she could be ignorant of her right as to whether she could change her mind since she made the will many years ago. As usual, her tone was one of anger each time the matter was referred to. It was simply based on a so-called 'gentleman's agreement' which was actually her husband's decision, not hers. To go back on such a promise would not seem nice. Words by some of her nephews or nieces to that effect actually troubled her. But while on the subject of honour, many questioned why the Administrator actually got the whole of his grandmother's 1/3 share of the original estate! Was there fraud or undue influence involved in the direct transfer of her share?
It should be noted that the issue of a cheque by the Estate Administrator for her share in the government compensation for compulsory acquisition, was proof or acknowledgement that her share remains intact. Unless there was any dishonest attempt at changing that fact without the knowledge of her children, the Administrator has to acknowledge the rights of her beneficiaries according to her valid will. Until the subject land is up for sale, the matter remains a mystery and a subject of discussion among would be beneficiaries. This could be a subject of future litigation.
I am also prompted to write on wills by the current serial on 8TV, TVB's Will Power, which is being aired (7.00 to 8.00 pm) from Monday to Friday.
The first episode really caught my attention because of the unusual terms in a will. A very rich man died, leaving behind his widow and two sons, as well as a secret mistress and her son (remains a secret until later).
The first part of the will provides for HK$300,000 monthly allowance each to his widow and their two sons. The second part provides for release of sufficient sums for any business venture proposed by the sons, subject to approval of a Committee of Trustees. The third and final part shall only be revealed 3 years after his death.
The initial reaction from the elder son was one of shock and disbelief, that the main part of his father's wealth has to be controlled by a group of outsiders for at least 3 years, and that he could not possibly live on HK$300,000 a month!
Anyway, the script (with more revelations of different cases in the process) is interesting enough for me to look forward to watching each episode.
Monday, September 21, 2015
Take it from an Indian, on why the Chinese succeed in life
Ramesh Rajaratnam : Why do Chinese succeed in life?
Since the Chinese in Malaysia have no testicles to decisively reprimand a certain minister for his racist rants, let me, an Indian Malaysian, remind them what being a Chinese is about.
At the outset, I got help for this article from one originally written by Dr Chan Lui Lee of Melbourne so 90 percent of the wisdom is his but 100 percent of the sarcasm is mine.
This is also meant to be a wake-up call for those who threaten everyone else (by using state machinery) and think that the country owes them a living and everyone else is a threat.
Chinese people don't go about bombing, terrorising others and creating religious hatred. They don't enter into a country on the pretext of humanitarian reasons and then, try to take over the country by applying warped ideologies.
They don't impose "no go zones" for their hosts and don't demand separate laws for themselves. They don't hatch plots to kill non-believers nor do they harbour or finance such attempts.
They live peacefully with everyone on Earth and if you sent them to Mars, they will make it very liveable too. Take along the Indians too, then it would be a thriving technology-spurred economy.
Why do Chinese succeed in life?
Here is why the Chinese are welcomed almost anywhere:
1. There are over 1.4 billion Chinese on this earth. They are like (after all, all look the same) carbon copies of each other. You get rid of one, five magically appears (like ballot boxes in some countries).
They acknowledge that they are replaceable, they are not particularly 'special'. If you think they are smart, there are a few thousand more people smarter than them. If you think they are strong, there are a few thousand people stronger than them.
2. They have been crawling all over this earth for far more centuries that most (except for the other hardy people, the Indians) civilisations. Their DNA is designed for survival. They are like cockroaches. Put them anywhere on earth and they will make a colony and thrive.
They survive on anything around and make the best of it. In Klang, they threw pig parts into a broth to feed their coolie lot a 100 years ago and today it's a delicacy. Some keep migrating but others will stay and multiply.
3. Nobody cares if they succeed as individuals or not. But their families take pride in knowing they have succeeded. Yes, some will fail. They take nothing for granted. They don't expect privileges to fall on their laps. No one owes them anything.
4. They know they have nothing to lose if they try to succeed. They have no fear in trying. That is why Chinese are attracted to gambling. They thrive on taking risks. Winner takes all.
5. From young they are taught to count every cent. What they take for granted like money management, is not something other cultures practice at home with their children. (It didn't surprise me as I was like them too - some say I'm more Chinese than most Chinese).
But the truth is not all societies or cultures teach their young this set of survival skills because it is considered rude.
Yes, most of them can count wonderfully because they are forced to and the logic of money is pounded into them from the beginning of time (when mama tells them how much she has spent on milk and diapers). Nobody lowers the benchmark to allow them to "pass" Mathematics.
6. They acknowledge life cycles. They accept that wealth in a family stays for three generations. That, every fourth generation will have to work from scratch. That is, the first generation earns the money from scratch, second generation spends the money on education, third generation gets spoiled and wastes all the inheritance. Then they are back to square one.
Some families hang on to their wealth a little longer than most. I'm not sure where Yap Ah Loy's wealth is now but I sure hope his descendants are benefitting from it.
7. It is their culture to pressure the next generation to do better than the last. Be smarter. Be stronger. Be faster. Be more righteous. Be more pious. Be more innovative. Be more creative. Be richer. Be everything that you can be in this lifetime. And if you have some money, take it to the next life when you go.
8. Their society judges them by their achievements... and they have no choice but to do something worthwhile because Chinese New Year comes around every year and Chinese relatives have no qualms about asking them straight in their face - how much are you making? When was your last promotion? How big is your office? What car do you drive? Where do you stay?
It never ends... so, they can't stop chasing the illusive train - they are damned to a materialistic society. If you are not Chinese, consider yourself unlucky.
9. They have been taught from young that if you have two hands, two feet, two eyes, and a mouth, what are you really doing with them? "People with no hands can do better than you!"
Chinese people never beg, they earn their living. They don't expect government contracts, they get it... well, with their hard-earned money. They sometimes buy it but that's economics.
10. Ironically, the Chinese also believe in giving back to save their rather materialistic souls. Balance is needed. The more their children succeed in life, the more their parents will give back to society as gratitude for the good fortune bestowed on their children.
Yes, that is true. See the Vincent Tans in Malaysia. And that is why Chinese society progresses in all environments.
Nobody pities them and they accept that. No one owes them anything and they know that. There are too many of them for charity to reach all of them and they acknowledge that. But that does not stop them from making a better life. Opportunity is as we make of it.
So, pardon them if they feel obliged to make a better place for themselves in this country we call home. They are not ‘puak pendatang’ and it is the same home as you and me. It is in their DNA to seek a more comfortable life. In whichever country they reside in.
But if history were to be our teacher, look around this globe. Almost every country has a Chinatown but how many government/countries are 'taken' over by the Chinese people.
Don't be afraid of them overwhelming your majority, they are not looking to conquer. China is probably the only major power (besides India) that didn't go on a crusade to further its boundaries and religion.
I think their real religion is money and there's no harm in that. The more money they make, the more to go around. Win-win for all.
If they have moved away from China and Chinese-governed countries, they are not looking for another country to administer. They are more interested in making money than to run a country, seriously.
Their representatives are only there to look after their collective welfare. I don't think a Chinese wants to be prime minister in Malaysia. He'll be better off being a business tycoon for sure.
They prefer to blend in and enjoy the fruits of their labour. They enjoy the company of like-minded people of all races. After all, just like you and me, they are only passing through a small period in the history of time... so, use their skills and we can all progress forward together.
Calling for a boycott of Chinese-owned business is not only foolish but in the end, self-destructive.'
I think this is the article by Dr Chan-Lui Lee mentioned above: Proud to be born a Chinese | http://kosongcafe.blogspot.com/ | dclm-gs1-194040001 | false | true | {
"keywords": "survivin, candida"
} | false | null | false |
0.080501 | <urn:uuid:d0d63b7f-5d58-4283-b7b8-97b8841b72bf> | en | 0.965038 | Return to Transcripts main page
Jet Diverted after Passenger's Alarming Claim; Fake Parts Putting U.S. Troops At Risk; Interview with Representative Dana Rohrabacher
Aired May 22, 2012 - 17:00 ET
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: And you're in the SITUATION ROOM. Happening now, we're learning more about the diversion of a U.S. airways flight and a passenger's alarming claim that she had some kind of device surgically implanted inside her. That's coming up.
Also this hour --
BLITZER: 12,000 U.S. and ally troops in position right next door to Syria. Only CNN is there to see them in action preparing for the possibility of war.
And I'll talk with the United States congressman banned from entering Afghanistan by the president, Hamid Karzai. Mr. Karzai had tough words for Congressman Dana Rohrabacher when I interviewed him yesterday. Now, it's Rohrabacher's turn to fire back.
BLITZER: Top national security officials here in Washington have been warning for some time about their fears that terrorists might try to plant bombs in humans. So, a note from a passenger onboard a flight from Paris to Charlotte, North Carolina today must have played into everyone's worst fears.
We have the latest information about the diversion of that U.S. Airways jet and the note that, apparently, triggered the security scare. Our aviation and regulation correspondent, Lizzie O'Leary, is here in the SITUATION ROOM. You've been working this story for hours now. What's the latest.
LIZZIE O'LEARY, CNN AVIATION AND REGULATION CORRESPONDENT: Well, this obviously was a scary incident that led to U.S. fighter jets being scrambled, the big scare for passengers. But a federal law enforcement official with knowledge of the situation tells CNN this did not appear to be terror related.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Heavy verify cockpit secure
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Affirmative, cockpit is secure.
O'LEARY (voice-over): That's the pilot of U.S. Airways flight 787 confirming the cockpit is secure just before landing in Bangor, Maine. A woman onboard had been behaving suspiciously. The plane was heading from Paris to Charlotte when flight attendants asked if anyone onboard was a doctor.
According to a senior federal law enforcement official, the woman, a French citizen born in Cameroon, told the crew she had some sort of device implanted inside her. A passenger described the scene.
DR. WILLIAM MILAM, PASSENGER: The doctor went forward, then she and the doctor along with one or two stewardesses took her to the back of the plane where she remained. Heard no more about it for several hours until the pilot made an announcement that we just have to land in Bangor for fuel.
O'LEARY: But it wasn't for fuel at all. Two F-15 fighter jets were scrambled to accompany the plane to the ground, flying with it for about 20 minutes. Passengers saying they didn't see the jets and only knew something was amiss when customs officers boarded the plane and removed the woman in handcuffs.
VOICE OF ANDREW WILLETT, PASSENGER: We saw the security guards just come on the plane, and I started videoing it. And we didn't really know what was going on until we started checking the news headlines, and we finally found out what was going on.
O'LEARY: The pilot apologized to passengers for keeping them in the dark saying he was acting at the request of the TSA and customs. According to a federal law enforcement source briefed on the matter, it appears there is no national security threat.
O'LEARY (on-camera): Now, this source said the woman is being questioned, will likely undergo with psychological evaluation. At this time, there's no indication, Wolf, that she was on any of the government's watch list.
BLITZER: So, just out of an abundance of caution, they took this amazing step, this important step, and going into Bangor and get these F-15s out there just to be sure that nothing was going on.
O'LEARY: And get those passengers off the plane, searched it with those, and make sure everything was OK.
BLITZER: And Bangor, the earliest place they could have landed inside the United States crossing the Atlanta. All right. Lizzie, thanks very much.
In the Middle East right now, thousands of U.S. and allied forces are training for a nightmare scenario. The region exploding in a full pledge war. Our Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr, got some exclusive access to the mission in Jordan. That's right next door to one of the most dangerous powder kegs right now, Syria.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, you've seen the carrot of diplomacy being used to encourage regimes like Syria and Iran to join the world community. Here in Jordan, we are getting a look at the military stick that might be used by a coalition if it comes to that.
STARR (voice-over): Elite Jordanian troops train to assault a compound.
STARR: U.S. special operations forces practice a night raid. They can take down an enemy target in two minutes. Nineteen countries have sent 12,000 troops here to Jordan. Commanders say it's all about training, but there are worries unrest in neighboring Syria or tensions over Iran's nuclear program could spark a conflict.
STARR: Troops here believe the next time they go to war, they will go together.
MAJ. GEN. KEN TOVO, U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS, CENTRAL COMMAND: The number one takeaway from this exercise is we are creating partnerships and friendships.
STARR: Troops train for what they may face on a moment's notice.
TOVO: Aiding refugees in refugee camp, attacking terrorists or safe houses, releasing hostages.
STARR: Meet U.S. army captain, Rory. We can't tell you his full name. We can't show you his face, because Rory still runs a 12-man commando team, but here he says.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The training has been eye-opening.
STARR: If war was to come here, maybe so Capt. Todd Tinsly might be a key player he already runs a military task force watching the Persian Gulf for trouble from Iran. He says working together isn't just talk.
CAPT. TODD TINSLY, U.S. NAVY SEAL: If we get called up to do contingency, I think you would see something similar to what we're doing right now. (END VIDEOTAPE)
STARR: This military exercise is being watched throughout the Middle East just in case military training becomes a military reality -- Wolf.
BLITZER: It could happen. Barbara Starr in Jordan for us, thank you.
Now, a very serious safety concern for American troops. A new U.S. Senate report finds that a huge number of fake parts are being used in U.S. military equipment, and it's putting the spotlight back on allegations that China isn't doing enough to crack down on the market for bogus parts. Brian Todd is working this story for us. What's going on?
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Incredible, Wolf. Many Americans don't know this, but every year, the U.S. government buys millions of parts for its military equipment that come from China and flooding that supply chain, according to this new Senate report, are millions of bogus parts compromising the safety of American service members.
TODD (voice-over): A compromised night vision system that could bring down a key anti-submarine helicopter. Bogus parts in the cockpit displays of massive cargo planes that could cause them to crash.
SEN. CARL LEVIN, (D) ARMED SERVICES CHAIRMAN: It's just something which must be stopped for the security and safety of our troops.
TODD: The Senate Armed Services Committee chair talking about his panels investigation into counterfeit parts on U.S. military aircraft and other equipment. The probe finds more than a million fake parts in that equipment, most of them coming from China.
LEVIN: When they wash them, and then they re-stamp them, put phony numbers on them frequently, and sell them right back to the defense industry here. and it is pervasive.
TODD: Like counterfeit memory devices on defense missiles that were actually launched in tests, bogus components that cost American taxpayers millions at a time to replace. The Senate report says the Pentagon was unaware that counterfeit parts had been installed in some defense systems until the investigation. The response?
GEORGE LITTLE, ACTING ASST. DEFENSE SECRETARY: We take seriously this very important issue. This is something that we've addressed for a number of years.
TODD: The Senate probe didn't identify any single instance where a counterfeit part led directly to a service member's death or injury, but it's, sometimes, hard to know for sure. As one Senate staffer told us, a faulty radio or GPS device might lead a unit in Afghanistan to make a wrong turn, come under fire, and the incident might not be traceable back to apart.
I spoke with Robert Atkinson from a prominent technology think- tank about China's involvement.
These are not just anomalies with the Chinese?
ROBERT ATKINSON, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION FOUNDATION: Yes. This is not just that they happen to be making counterfeit defense part. The Chinese economy is premised on the whole notion of counterfeits and stealing in electrical -- there are whole districts in Southern China called the (INAUDIBLE) that is basically, everybody known this is the counterfeit district.
Their whole factories are 10,000, 15,000 people who are just simply making counterfeit goods. We know that. They know that. So, this is an endemic part of the Chinese economy.
TODD (on-camera): The report says the Chinese government has failed to take steps to stop counterfeiting and refused to grant visas for Senate staffers to travel to mainland China to investigate all this. we tried repeatedly to reach officials at the Chinese embassy here in Washington to comment on that, and on the report's overall findings. We got no response -- Wolf.
BLITZER: How is it possible, Brian, to get any of these counterfeit parts off U.S. military equipment?
TODD: It's very difficult. The Senate is cracking down by finding contractors and suppliers, but this expert we talked to, Robert Atkinson, says, really, three things need to happen, the U.S. has to do a better job of interdicting these parts that are being shift, and he says the customs department used to have much more stringent standards on that than it does now.
He says the U.S. has to do a better job of forcing the Chinese to shut down these counterfeit factories, and he says the government has to do a better job of getting more of these parts made in America. And none of that is going to happen any time soon, but you got to start by doing -- trying to do these things.
BLITZER: It's a national security issue.
TODD: It is.
BLITZER: Thanks very much, Brian.
TODD: Sure.
BLITZER: A United States congressman is now firing back at the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, after Karzai told me the congressman needed to show him respect.
Plus, we're taking you in the air and on the ground to show you a possibly toxic problem coming toward west coast. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're out here in a very remote wilderness, as much wilderness as anywhere in the United States and we're sitting in a landfill.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Wolf, Memorial Day weekend dead ahead, the unofficial start of summer just around the corner. You may be surprised to learn that many Americans have no vacation time in sight. A recent study shows a majority, 57 percent of working Americans had unused vacation time at the end of last year.
Most of them had about 11 days left or nearly 70 percent of their allotted time off. Who only takes 30 percent of their vacation? One of the biggest reasons people skip vacation is because they feel like they have too much work. Others say they can't afford to travel. No surprise, the economy is a little tricky.
And still others say they're afraid to take time off work in an unstable job market, also not surprising with unemployment stuck above eight percent, you can come back and they say sorry, we don't need you anymore. Meanwhile, the U.S. plays by different rules than most other developed countries when it comes to vacation.
The law here does not require companies to offer paid vacation to employees, but they do. The average American worker gets 13 paid days off a year. Compare that to Italy where the average worker gets 42 days off or France with 37 days off. And guess what, nearly 90 percent of the French use all of their vacation time.
You can insert your own joke right here. Experts say a lot of this is cultural. Many of these countries have strong labor unions. Some European cities like Paris virtually shut down for part of the summer when everybody goes on vacation. As for Americans, the trend here is become for people to take long weekends instead of one or two- week vacations.
Understandable that people are worried to leave the office for too long in a shaky economy, but it does make it harder to recharge our batteries and get a mental break from all of this toil.
So, here's the question, why don't most Americans take all their vacation time. Go to CNN.com/CaffertyFile and post a comment on our blog. Go to the post on SITUATION ROOM's Facebook page. Do you use all your vacation time? I bet you don't.
BLITZER: I don't, and I should. And, I say every year I will, but you know, the news business --
CAFFERTY: Yes, I know.
BLITZER: The news comes first and there goes the vacation, but this year, I'm going to use all my vacation time.
CAFFERTY: There you go.
BLITZER: I'm going to try it --
CAFFERTY: Can I go with you on vacation?
BLITZER: Of course, you can.
BLITZER: All right, Jack. Thank you.
President Obama and Mitt Romney, they're running neck and neck in a new national poll less than six months before the presidential election. One issue clearly dividing voters, the economy. Take a look at this. "The Washington Post"/ABC News poll asked who would best handle the economy, Obama and Romney are dead even, 47 percent each.
Let's go to our chief political analyst, Gloria Borger. I guess, it's one of the reasons why the Obama campaign and Obama supporters keep bringing up the whole issue of Bain Capital.
GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: Sure, because they look at those numbers, they get nervous. Mitt Romney is being campaigning as a job creator. They're trying to discredit him and say, you know what, Bain Capital shows that, in fact, he wasn't a job creator, he was a job killer, but this is kind of twofer issue for them, because the Bain Capital issue, Wolf, does something else.
And it kind of burnishes their credentials when it comes to character. Take a look at this. Who do you think has the personal character to serve as president? Another question asked by "The Washington Post" poll. You see that President Obama there has a 14- point advantage. So, they believe that the Bain issue says, OK, he doesn't have the values to be president either, never mind the economic experience.
BLITZER: But when somebody like Corey Booker, very popular mayor of Newark, New Jersey, a Democrat, early supporter of President Obama certainly in New Jersey, when he says, you know what? This is not necessarily all this. Nauseating was the word he used on "Meet the Press." That both sides are playing these kinds of gotcha game, if you will. That does pose a potential problem for the president.
BORGER: It certainly does. First of all, you all want to sing out of the same book, and they obviously weren't no matter how much Corey Booker tried to take it back. Second thing it does is, the one thing also President Obama really has going for him is that people like him. Fifty-two percent of Americans like him.
And, when you act like just another politician, Wolf, you erode your own likability. Third thing as far as I'm concerned is, at some point, the president has to really start talking about his own record because in the end, when you have an incumbent up for re-election, it always is going to become a referendum on his record.
BLITZER: You know, Ted Kennedy used Bain Capital as a weapon against Mitt Romney.
BORGER: Yes. Successfully.
BLITZER: I guess, you know, four years ago, when he was running. It was used also by some of the Republican presidential candidates at the time. Certainly, this time, Newt Gingrich and Santorum and Rick Perry, they all use Bain Capital. Didn't work out so well.
BORGER: Right.
BLITZER: Why does this Democratic president and his team think using Bain Capital is necessarily going to work for them?
BORGER: Well, they're hoping it's going to work for them because it worked, for example, with Ted Kennedy. And -- but they want it as kind of a part there of things. They're going to now talk about his record as the governor of the state of Massachusetts, but in the end, Wolf, if you ask me, it's going to come down.
You tell me what the unemployment rate is going to be next October. You tell me whether people feel optimistic about their future. Only 16 percent of Americans think they're better off than they were when President Obama took office. That's a daunting number. It's very difficult to overcome.
They have to feel hopeful about their future, and now, only 54 percent are hopeful, 42 percent are anxious. So, he's got to sort of get rid of some of that there. He's got to get rid of some of that anxiety.
BLITZER: He's got five and a half months to try to do it.
BORGER: That's right.
BLITZER: Thank you.
You can now own a piece of presidential history specifically a piece of Ronald Reagan, but you may not necessarily want it. Stand by.
And a first for the American space program.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as NASA turns to the private sector to resupply the International Space Station.
BLITZER: New signs Iran could be open to broader nuclear inspections. Lisa Sylvester is monitoring that, also some of the other top stories in the SITUATION ROOM right now. What's the latest, Lisa?
LISA SYLVESTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Wolf. Well, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency says he expects a deal with Iran soon. The development comes just one day before the country gathers what other world powers in Baghdad to discuss its nuclear program.
The IAEA has been pushing for greater transparency amid concerns Iran is building a nuclear weapon. Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes.
And a dramatic new era in space exploration begins.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Two, one, zero. And launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as NASA turns to the private sector to resupply the International Space Station.
SYLVESTER: The first unmanned private rocket bound for the International Space Station blasted off today on a test mission delivering more than 1,000 pounds of supplies to astronauts onboard. It successfully could usher in a new wave of commercial space travel. The capsule is expected within reach of the space station's robotic arm on Friday.
And a vial reportedly containing dry blood residue from former president, Ronald Reagan, following his 1981 attempted assassination is being auctioned online with bidding, get this, currently nearing $12,000. The seller's mother, apparently, worked in the lab that handled the vial and asked to keep it.
The head of the Reagan Presidential Foundation is reportedly threatening legal action to stop the sell. Can you believe that, Wolf? $12,000 for a vial of dry blood?
BLITZER: That's pretty gross, if you ask me. But you know what, people can buy whatever they want.
BLITZER: Thank you.
A U.S. congressman is banned from entering Afghanistan. President Hamid Karzai told me it's because the congressman disrespected his country. Now that congressman, Dana Rohrabacher, Republican of California, is in the SITUATION ROOM and he's firing back.
Also, an in-depth look at junk from Japan now landing on U.S. shores.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've seen pictures of storage yards in Japan, that huge yards and anchors of these things stacked up before the tsunami. Those yards empty now, and this is where they all are.
BLITZER: The afghan president, Hamid Karzai, is standing firmly in his shocking refusal to allow United States congressman into his country. If you saw my exclusive interview with President Karzai yesterday, you know he's still furious at Republican congressman, Dana Rohrabacher.
BLITZER: So, you're not going to let him back into your country, Dana Rohrabacher?
KARZAI: Until he changes his tongue, until he shows respect to the Afghan people, to our way of life, and to our constitution.
BLITZER: Congressman Rohrabacher is standing by. He'll join us in just a few moments to respond, but first, some background on a feud that played out overseas as well as right here in the SITUATION ROOM.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Several of us on the floor of the House.
BLITZER (voice-over): Dana Rohrabacher was part of a Congressional delegation to Afghanistan last month ready to board a U.S. military plane from Dubai to Kabul. Suddenly, he got a call, informing him that President Hamid Karzai wouldn't let him set foot in Afghanistan.
It was a stunning turn of events, even more so because defense secretary, Leon Panetta, and secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, went along with it.
REP. DANA ROHRABACHER (R), FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: She just felt that another mini crisis, which might erupt because Karzai hated me so much that he would create a crisis and she just think -- thought it would be disruptive to our ability to get her job done.
BLITZER: We didn't know then, but we do know now that the Obama administration was then in the midst of delegate negotiations that led to President Obama's secret trip to Afghanistan and the announcement of the Strategic Cooperation Agreement. As a key member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rohrabacher has asked tough questions about the Afghan government, how it's run and how it's spending U.S. money, but President Karzai tells me Rohrabacher was interfering in Afghanistan's internal affairs and he's effectively banned from the country as a matter of principle.
BLITZER: And joining us now is Congressman Dana Rohrabacher. Congressman thanks very much for coming in. I want to discuss what's going on, but first to give our viewers the full perspective, here's the entire exchange I had about you and President Karzai in my interview with President Karzai yesterday. Watch this.
BLITZER: You said you're not going to let this Democratically- elected congressman into your country, why?
KARZAI: A Democratically-elected congressman of the United States of America should not be talking of an ethnic divide in Afghanistan, should not be interfering in Afghanistan's internal affairs, should not be asking the Afghan people to have a federal structure (ph) against about the Afghan constitution has asked for, should not be speaking disrespectfully about the Afghan people or the various ethnic groups in Afghanistan. If an Afghan did that from Afghanistan, how would you react to him in America?
KARZAI: Definitely not.
BLITZER: Ever, ever?
KARZAI: Until he changes his tongue, until he shows respect to the Afghan people to our way of life and to our constitution. No foreigner has a place asking another people -- another country to change their constitution. Have we ever asked the United States to change?
BLITZER: Even after all that America has done for Afghanistan?
KARZAI: But that doesn't give you the right to play with our lives.
BLITZER: And you think he's that dangerous to you?
KARZAI: Not dangerous. It's a matter of principle. International relations are based on certain principles. We're not America. We're Afghanistan.
KARZAI: The freedom of speech is good. We respect that, but the freedom of speech with regard to other countries is another issue. He has freedom of speech within the United States and we have freedom of speech within Afghanistan, but if an Afghan member of parliament stood up and said the United States should be divided in five different regions, would you accept that?
BLITZER: Let's discuss what we just heard with Congressman Rohrabacher. First of all, are you ready to apologize? Are you ready to back away from some of your earlier statements in order that President Karzai would give you a visa to come back to Afghanistan?
ROHRABACHER: Well, I will tell you that if I thought that I was being inadvertently disrespectful to the Afghan people I would apologize, but I obviously have a deep felt respect for the people of Afghanistan and their courage and their principle behavior. They are tough people who are actually a model of courage in this world. So I respect them. It's Karzai I don't respect and so I don't think I owe an apology to the people of Afghanistan and of course, Karzai is a corrupt and incompetent leader and I certainly owe no apology for trying to get to Afghanistan to do some investigative work.
BLITZER: Let's talk about some of the specifics what he's complaining about. He says you speak of an ethnic divide in Afghanistan. Is that true?
ROHRABACHER: No, it's not. In fact, what we have now is a constitution that was written by foreigners, I might add that was modeled for Karzai and his clique. And what it does is put all of the power in Kabul which is totally inconsistent with Afghan culture and tradition and what I've been calling for is for all of the sides, both -- all of the ethnic groups to get together and have some constitutional reform that, for example, Karzai points all of the provincial governors. That would be like our president appointing all the governors of the states. That is not dividing the country. That's a federalist approach that will keep the country unified because you have, as we have in the United States, different people operating at different levels and the people elect their leaders.
BLITZER: You can understand where he's coming from when we just heard you say right now you believe there should be a change in their constitution. You're not an Afghan. You're an American. You think it should be changed --
BLITZER: And so he has a point --
ROHRABACHER: Well I think -- no I think -- yes, I think that they should be making sure that the Afghans make those changes and that the power in Afghanistan isn't being held by some corrupt clique. Now remember, I'm the chairman of the Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee. I was going to Afghanistan, among other things, not just to talk about perhaps constitutional reforms that they might consider, but I was also going there to investigate corruption on the part of the Karzai administration. BLITZER: He also says you're disrespectful of the president of Afghanistan, right, namely Karzai. You tweeted this -- you tweeted and I'll put it up on the screen. "Packed (ph) government controls red, terrorists, Muslims, Karzai equals puppet -- Pak puppet (ph), its centralized regime contrary to Afghan tradition and values." What do you mean Karzai is a Pakistan puppet?
ROHRABACHER: That's our biggest problem right now is the Pakistanis as you are well aware are financing the insurgencies that we're having to put up with in Afghanistan. Karzai is a longtime ally of the Paks (ph). He was -- even before he was in power, these are the people he dealt with. So, yes, he is overly, overly associated with Pakistan, and he is not sitting down with his own people. He's sitting down with the Paks (ph) for guidance.
BLITZER: Well I'm sure he disagrees strongly with you on that. What you're saying is in total disagreement with this new Strategic Partnership Agreement that the U.S. and Pakistan have signed and also in total disagreement with what we're hearing from the Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
ROHRABACHER: Well I don't know what Mitt is saying about it, but I am absolutely opposed to what the president just did. We should be looking for ways to get our troops out of Afghanistan at a quicker pace, not at a slower pace. We shouldn't be committing ourselves to another 10 years of military involvement in Afghanistan and we can do that if we worked with all of the Afghan leaders rather than just trying to put all of our eggs in the Karzai basket and trying to force everybody to accept his power.
BLITZER: What Governor Romney says there should be an open-ended U.S. military and financial commitment to Afghanistan. He doesn't like the timelines, if you will, but he's even more aggressive in making sure that U.S. troops stay there to bolster that Afghan government and make sure that there's security there.
BLITZER: What I hear you saying is you disagree not only with President Obama, but with Governor Romney, as well.
ROHRABACHER: I totally -- yes, I totally disagree with the governor. If that is indeed his position I would like to talk to him about it.
BLITZER: Congressman Rohrabacher, thanks very much for joining us. I suspect the story is not going to die down any time soon.
BLITZER: A father of three turns into a subway hero. We're talking to him. Stand by for that. And an in-depth look at a possibly toxic problem headed our way.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now that's not something you'd want to dump in your herring or salmon spawning (ph) area. This is going to take years to clean this mess up.
BLITZER: There are some experts out there who believe the United States could be on the brink of an environmental disaster even worse than any of the oil spills in its history. Tons of toxic debris from Japan's devastating tsunami in Fukushima turning up on the beaches of southern Alaska endangering wild life, polluting the ocean more than a year since the disaster hit and the worst may yet be in the works. CNN's Casey Wian is joining us now from the Alaska coast with an in- depth look at the alarming details. Casey, what are you seeing there up close?
CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, let me give you a picture of where we are. We're on an estuary in southern Alaska on the banks of an estuary and what you can see across this waterway about three, 400 yards in the distance is basically a long, long sandbar and across that sandbar, which is very, very narrow is the Pacific Ocean and we went out there and let me give you a look at some of the debris that we found out on that sandbar. You can see these giant buoys. This one says made in Japan. These over here -- this is foam that is used in construction material. Locals here say they've never seen this before. Very concerned about the environmental impact of this. Also we are very near a fishing village. You can see down there. There are some fishing huts. Around that point is the city of Yakutat (ph), 700 people who live there, but the environmental damage in a place called Montague Island (ph), northwest of here, is even worse.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're going to hopefully cut across the middle of Montague Island (ph) to the outside on the Gulf of Alaska coast and then that's where a great deal of tsunami debris has already come up.
WIAN (voice-over): Nearly 4,000 miles from Fukushima, Japan, is Montague Island (ph), Alaska, reachable only by helicopter or boat.
CHRIS PALLISTER, PRESIDENT, GULF OF ALASKA KEEPER: We're in the wilderness, as much wilderness as anywhere in the United States and we're sitting in a landfill. This shore is facing away from Japan, actually, but the way the currents and the winds work, it swirls it around and dumps it in here. The influx of tsunami debris really concerns (INAUDIBLE) mostly because of the amount of Styrofoam that's coming with it and also the toxic chemicals that are coming. We think they're going to have a really detrimental impact on the environment out here long term.
WIAN: Chris Pallister has been cleaning marine debris here for 15 years. Now that task is becoming next to impossible. PALLISTER: This is urethane (ph) spray and some building foam. And we never -- we just never got much of that before and now if you walk up and down this beach you can see big chunks -- look at it all down this beach. That came out of crushed building structures.
I've seen pictures of storage yards in Japan that -- huge yards, acres of these things stacked up before the tsunami. Those yards are empty now and this is where they all are. And I've never seen a big yellow one like this, pretty big. Little bits of Styrofoam all up and down this beach. Billions of pieces of it. The other thing is albatross and seabirds eat this stuff like crazy and it's killing the hell out of them. A big chunk of Styrofoam (INAUDIBLE) came in.
WIAN: Tests on the first wave of tsunami debris to arrive on U.S. shores have found no abnormal levels of radiation. Still, much of it is toxic.
PALLISTER: I have no idea what was in this. Germicidal bowl cleanser, now that's not something you'd want to dump in your herring or salmon spawning area. This is going to take years to clean this mess up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think this is the leading edge of the tsunami debris without a doubt. It's all (INAUDIBLE) that blew across the Pacific very quickly and I think we're looking at years of stuff coming (INAUDIBLE). The heavier stuff will come progressively later.
WIAN: Now the immediate concern, how to clean all of this debris off these beaches and who is going to pay for it? Wolf, the long-term concern, no one really knows what kind of toxic substances are out there in the Pacific and potentially heading this way over the next couple of years -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Yes, not just in Alaska, but eventually further south, Canada, Oregon, Washington State, obviously California. We'll watch this closely together with you, Casey. Thank you.
Here's a look at the latest NOAA model, by the way, showing where the debris is. In the dark purple you see the highest concentration of the tsunami garbage just north of Hawaii. According to the agency more than a million tons of material is believed to be making its way to the U.S. and Canadian Pacific Coast right now.
Jack has your answers coming up next. Then a father of three describes how he saved a woman's life from an oncoming subway train.
BLITZER: A New York dad is being called a hero for single- handedly saving a woman from being killed by a subway train. He had to act in an instant and to make things even more stressful his children were watching. Our own Mary Snow has more on this remarkable story. MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, roughly five million people ride New York City subways every day and it's uneventful. But for one Manhattan father taking his kids to a festival he walked into a situation he never expected.
SNOW (voice-over): For the Wetzel family riding the subways comes with a warning. Greg Wetzel says he always tells his three children to stay far away from the platform edge but on Saturday he abandoned his own advice.
GREG WETZEL, RESCUED WOMAN ON TRACK: As we approached this area about 20 feet, you could see a woman lying on the tracks there, and I had the three little ones and had to make a decision at that point.
SNOW: To make that decision, Greg looked to see when the next train was due to barrel through.
(on camera): When you looked up at the clock it said two minutes?
WETZEL: That's when it said two minutes.
SNOW (voice-over): The woman was unconscious. With his kids watching, Greg jumped in to move her away from the deadly third rail and towards the platform.
WETZEL: Regardless of how much you weigh, again, dead weight of a human being is heavy, unusually so, you'd be surprised.
SNOW (on camera): Did she respond at all?
WETZEL: No, not at all.
SNOW (voice-over): With time at a minimum, he raced to come up with a plan b, getting her to the gap between the tracks.
WETZEL: I felt that if I could at least (INAUDIBLE) maneuver her maybe in that area and then jump out, worst case scenario the train would roll over her, but certainly the way she was laying she was right across the tracks.
SNOW: Greg managed to get the unconscious woman close enough to the platform for bystanders to lift her out. Paramedics took her to a local hospital. EMS says she was apparently intoxicated when she fell and didn't provide her name. Days later her sneakers still mark the spot where she was rescued. As for the Wetzels, they are hoping all those warnings to their kids will stick with them.
(on camera): Did you think it was that dangerous before?
ETHAN WETZEL, WATCHED DAD RESCUE WOMAN ON TRACK: No, but now I know it's really dangerous. (END VIDEOTAPE)
SNOW: These arrival signs they were put in, in recent years are really there for convenience but in this case they were (INAUDIBLE) -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Mary Snow, what a story that is. Jack Cafferty is joining us right now. That guy is a hero. I got to say that. Jack, I'm sure you agree.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: You know there -- there are a lot of stories like that in this town. New York gets a bad rap for being a cold kind of heartless city. It's not at all. And if you need help in this town there are a lot of people usually will step forward and lend a hand, so keep that in mind next time you come up here.
The question this hour is why don't most Americans take all their vacation time? The fact of the matter is they don't. Most of us get time off and we don't use it all.
Bob in Philadelphia writes "my wife has four weeks' vacation. She won't take a single day for the fear of the company's going to blow her out and she's worked at the same company for 15 years. It's a damn shame American workers have to feel this way. Work yourself to death and worry every day whether or not you're going to have a job to go to."
Matt writes "because they can't afford to. It costs money they don't have. Many feel threatened about being replaced. Of course we could have everyone get six or eight weeks vacation like in Europe, look where that got them."
John in Alabama writes "many companies pay their employees if they don't take vacation time. The tough economy makes it more inviting to take one's vacation in cash or double pay for the time not taken."
Henry in Michigan writes "some are workaholics. Some are afraid they'll be let go and the rest just can't afford it."
Brad in Oregon writes "because bosses explicitly or implicitly tell employees that if they're not in the office or working remotely, then they're not team players and are expendable in the next round of layoffs. It's management by fear, which is one of the reasons unions were invented."
Jayne writes "I'm self-employed. What is this vacation time you speak of?"
And Bob writes "Hey Jack, you seem to be on vacation every Friday. If you do the math that's 52 vacation days. The French and Italians got nothing on you."
That's correct. If you want to read more about this, you go to my blog at CNN.com/CaffertyFile or through our thing on the Facebook Situation -- the prompter is not moving -- back to you, Wolf. Almost time for my next day off.
BLITZER: That guy caught you pretty good. Very observant viewers we have. All right, Jack, thank you.
Jeanne Moos coming up next with a 911-operator who snored -- yes snored -- during an emergency call.
BLITZER: One woman dialed 911 and got snoring instead of help. Here's CNN's Jeanne Moos.
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): We've all been there, elbow falling off the armrest as we fall asleep.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To live up to their purpose and potential.
MOOS: But it's one thing to snooze during a speech and another to snooze during a 911-call.
MOOS: That's not just breathing. That's snoring. Around 12:30 in the morning, a call came in from this apartment complex to Montgomery County, Maryland, fire and rescue.
DISPATCHER: Fire and ambulance.
CALLER: Hello? Hello?
MOOS: The dispatcher apparently nods off.
DISPATCHER: Hold on one second, ma'am. Let me try and get them on the line again.
MOOS: A second dispatcher takes over but the sleeping one remains on the line as the caller reports her husband is apparently unconscious.
CALLER: But right now he's all blue.
MOOS (on camera): But the snoring confuses the second dispatcher, who mistakes it for the victim having trouble breathing.
DISPATCHER: And tilt his head back.
CALLER: Uh-huh.
DISPATCHER: OK, is that him I hear doing that snoring noises?
DISPATCHER: OK, are you able to keep that airway open like that? I see the snoring noises stopped.
MOOS (voice-over): Not for long.
DISPATCHER: Is the blueness going away?
CALLER: To me it looks not good to me.
MOOS (on camera): You can actually hear the dispatcher snore maybe 17 or 18 times during the course of the 911-call.
(voice-over): According to Deputy Fire Chief Scott Graham --
SCOTT GRAHAM, ASSISTANT CHIEF: In my 24 years here this is the only incident that I can recall where a dispatcher has fallen asleep on a 911-call.
CALLER: I don't know what to do.
DISPATCHER: OK, ma'am. Is he still making the snoring noises?
CALLER: Yes, a little bit, but he stopped breathing for a little while.
MOOS: It turns out the sleeping firefighter was 17 hours into his shift.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He was about 20 minutes away from going into his rest period.
MOOS: Now he's on paid administrative leave. As for the patient --
CALLER: Ah, he's blue again.
MOOS: The deputy chief says the incident had no adverse impact on the victim's condition.
(on camera): About five and a half minutes into the call the sleeping dispatcher wakes up, picking up where he left off, mutters a question.
DISPATCHER: What's the address? What's the address?
DISPATCHER: Ma'am, what's the address?
MOOS (voice-over): Who knew 911 needed a wake-up call.
Jeanne Moos, CNN --
CALLER: Uh huh.
MOOS: New York.
| http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1205/22/sitroom.02.html | dclm-gs1-194160001 | false | true | {
"keywords": "blast, candida"
} | false | null | false |
0.021495 | <urn:uuid:63ba4bfa-0b57-4950-9eff-721b4d17a08d> | en | 0.933524 | How to Be A Brainiac
Nutritional support for brain health.
Written By:
Lisa Schofield
View more articles in:
Natural FactorsModern lifestyles are chock full of activities and responsibilities plus a heaping dose of stress stemming from trying to keep it all together without cataclysm. Instantaneous connection with others via cellular devices and the Internet has obscured once definitive lines of separation between work/professional lives and personal lives— adding rather significantly to the cognitive burden. It is no longer odd to hear a young person proclaim that he or she often forgets things — and more frequently, “I forgot it’s (insert date and day here), where did the time go and what the heck was I doing?” Such declarations are also most often followed by a nervous utterance about “getting early Alzheimer’s.”
If you are nodding knowingly, perhaps emitting a tiny chuckle of your own in solidarity, you likely understand that such proclamations have nothing to do with the debilitating age-related brain disease; should these folks walk into your store, let them know they can support healthy brain function and structure, and really witness the results of that improvement in a reasonable timeframe.
In this spirit, Steve Holtby, president and CEO, Soft Gel Technologies, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, observes that customers respond more favorably to positive claims such as, “improvement in problem-solving ability” and “enjoy clearer memory,” which are desires many healthy adults have. As such, when staff members describe the supplements in this way, not only does the U.S. Food and Drug Administration nod in approval, you will likely increase sales velocity.
Thinking About Cognitive Health
An older mindset among health food retailers was to position brain-support supplements for senior citizens in an effort to assuage fears of developing dementia. The new reality is that this category is applicable and attractive for many demographics who want support for specific reasons. “Memory and cognitive issues are not just a problem for older individuals,” emphasizes Matt Phillips, president of Cyvex Nutrition, Irvine, CA, “and there are many different groups buying cognitive and memory supplements
According to Elzaphan Hotam, CEO of Enzymotec USA Inc., Morristown, NJ (maker of Sharp PS), the age when memory complaints usually begin is around 50. “This said, we do believe there are additional demographics that retailers should also be aware of when looking at the brain support category:
• Pre-school: the issue of proper brain development and nourishment
• School age: learning, focusing, ADHD
• Adulthood: (25–50): focus, sharpness, mental fatigue due to stress and the influence of diet and nutrition.
• 50+: supporting normal or enhancing brain functions.”
Karen Todd, director of marketing, Kyowa Hakko USA, New York, NY, elaborates on a different level. “In the 20s through 40s, there is often some brain cell deterioration that mainly goes unnoticed. From the 40s through 60s, there are the first signs of decline that may be noticed; and in the 60s is the time to fight off further decline and maintain function.”
Phillips links the age groups with sales opportunities for retailers. “College students who desire steady mental energy, clarity and improved cognition ability and memory retention to compete with their academic peers represent an underserved market—many college students turn to stimulatory energy drinks to achieve mental prowess,” he states. “We encourage our marketing partners and the industry to create and to market responsible cognitive-support supplements to this group.”
The 30s and 40s age groups, who are juggling fuller lives and busier schedules than ever before, feel they need to be mentally sharp every day. Further, many in this age group have witnessed an elderly relative or a friend endure cognitive decline or dementia, causing them to be more aggressive in taking care of their own cognitive stability. “Finally, baby boomers are already keen on the support of a healthy brain and in many ways drive the cognitive health market,” Phillips observes.
According to Chase Hagerman, business development and marketing manager at Chemi Nutra, White Bear Lake, MN, recent research has shown that retaining mental sharpness is the number one concern of nearly two-thirds of adults. He points out that new testing methods for the detection of Alzheimer’s disease have shown that cognitive decline rates are developing at a much younger age than originally believed. Therefore, he advises retailers to separate the marketing and merchandising for the appropriate age groups.
Kaitlyn Hastings, public relations specialist for Reserveage, Gainesville, FL, gives an example: “When recommending resveratrol, retailers can suggest 100 mg for individuals in their 20s, 250 mg for individuals in their 30s and 500 mg for individuals 40 years old and above.
“ Keep in mind that the cognitive ability to understand the long-term repercussions of actions is the last ability the brain develops; this is usually mature around age 25, and can partially explain the “feeling of invincibility” of youth. How does this translate? It challenges the successful sale of supplements for long-term preservation and prevention; as this audience likes to stick to the instant gratification products.
However, Sunil Kohli, COO of Health Plus Inc., Chino, CA, encourages retailers to be more aggressive in marketing and merchandising brain-support supplements to younger consumers. “Consumers need to pay attention to their cognitive health while in their late teens/early 20s. Good habits began then—especially for those in college or on the learning-curve beginnings of a career—will help preserve cognitive health for later. Retailers should do all they can to teach high school and college kids to stay away from stimulant ‘energy’ drinks that do nothing for supporting their cognitive abilities.”
Back to the Egg
Without a doubt the instinctual concern for healthy brain function and structure begins with women as they start to plan a family or discover that they are pregnant.
“At birth, the average baby’s brain has about 100 billion neurons; most of which are unconnected and undeveloped,” explains Jayson Kroner, CSN, health and fitness editor for NOW Foods, Bloomingdale, IL. “Therefore, during this time it is absolutely crucial that infants are provided nutrients needed to support optimal brain development.”
Holtby reminds that there is a rapidly growing body of evidence that diet can influence the development and functioning of the brain in utero, and that there is significant evidence supporting the belief that the mother’s diet during pregnancy and the infant’s diet in the perinatal period have longterm consequences. In infancy, theoretically, breastfeeding provides nutrients, such as long-chain fatty acids that may affect infants’ brain development, which are not adequately provided in most infant formula sold in the United States.
Dallas Clouatre, Ph.D., of Los Angeles, CA-based Jarrow Formulas, believes the first area that parents should examine is the mother’s diet and points to findings of a recent nutritional review explaining that there “are periods during perinatal development in which specific nutrients are required for optimal development, and there is growing evidence that optimal dietary intake of these nutrients, which include iodine, docosahexaenoic acid, choline and folate, is important.” Researchers pointedly emphasize that the infant is not protected from the inadequacies of the mother’s diet (1).
When it comes to diet, says Clouatre, “The nutrient choline brings to mind the more general issue of good nutrition for children. There are relatively few sources of choline nutrition available for children and the best of these undoubtedly is the egg. Parents should look to fortified eggs as supplements to promote nutrition during peak brain development (2).
Kohli further emphasizes the role of diet for children, and this must be strict because not only does it influence a healthy brain, it dramatically reduces obesity: “Get children to eat lots of fish during the week. Tuna, salmon, tilapia, mackerel, it’s all good. Grill it, saute it and serve with organic vegetables and brown rice/whole grain pasta. Say ‘no’ to sodas and junk beverages. Junk food and beverages can often cause brain fog as well as even exacerbate behavioral issues and problems focusing.”
In agreement about preparing healthy meals for children is Jolie Root, health educator for Carlson Laboratories, Arlington Heights, IL, who also adds the importance of high intake of DHA and EPA, which can have an impact on attention and focus. “DHA supports signaling, enabling thoughts and memories to form and to be retrieved, and EPA and DHA have been used to boost focus and concentration in kids with learning deficits. There is considerable evidence that children with ADHD are more likely to have a fatty acid deficiency or imbalance. EPA and DHA are essential to proper brain functioning and several studies involving children with ADHD have shown deficiency in these essential fatty acids.”
Resveratrol, adds Hastings, is suitable for shelf placement in this category as it is an enzyme inhibitor and studies confirm that it inhibits 5-hydroxytryptamine and monoamine oxidase, both of which may be inhibited by anti-depressants.
Opening up more sales opportunities in the store, Root says there is much evidence that eating organic also nourishes and can support attention and focus as pesticides have been linked to ADHD. Scientists measured the breakdown products of organophosophate pesticides and found that those kids with the highest levels were almost twice as likely to develop ADHD compared to kids with no detectable level of the compounds (3). Recently, this danger was uncovered in pregnant women. A recent study found exposure during pregnancy was even more damaging than exposures after birth. A 10-fold increase in levels of urinary dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites in the mother’s urine during pregnancy correlated to a 500% increase in the diagnosis of attention disorders in five-year-olds, according to the study of over 300 children (4).
Children, meanwhile, have lots of options now for supplementation, says Hagerman. Retailers can offer them (and moms) brain-support nutrients such as chewables, gummies as well as functional foods and beverages, which are more appealing.
The “Blue” Brain
Children and adults can suffer from myriad mood and emotional roller coasters, often described as depression, melancholy or “the blues.” While an occasional “off” day is rather normal, long periods of depression or cycling of depression signifies the need to get some help.
“Clinical depressions (those described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV, as published by the American Psychiatric Association) are primarily disease states,” says Kohli. “But most people understand the feelings of the occasional ‘blues,’ or ‘funk,’ a mild to moderate low mood. Sometimes, this is caused by a sleep disruption the night before, or it can be caused by diet. Sometimes, it is as simple as being a reaction to bad/sad/stressful news.”
Mood disorders are often caused by a fluctuating flow of neurochemicals and this condition-specific segment is perfect to nestle within the overall brain health category, Kroner suggests. “Another way in which dietary supplements may support brain health is by supporting healthy levels of neurotransmitters, which determine how effectively or ineffectively messages are sent and received throughout the body,” he states.
Both he and Hagerman assert that one of the strongest supplements for neurotransmitter support is phosphatidyl serine (PS)—the phospholipid most concentrated in the brain and nervous system, where it assists in the conduction of nerve impulses. PS is also essential for the accumulation, storage and release of neurot ransmi t ter s . Kroner notes that other supplements that help support neurotransmitter health include the amino acid L-tyrosine, 5-HTP, GABA, SAMe, NAD and taurine; and consumers have a choice to use any singularly or some combinations.
Regarding SAMe, Clouatre explains that “authoritative reviews, such as that of the RAND Corporation on S-adenosyl-methionine (SAMe), indicate that there is substantial evidence in support of nutritional approaches to protecting against depression and mood disorders. In August of this year, a study was published that took previous findings a bit further (5). The unique quality of the study was that it looked at individuals with major depression already being treated with serotonin reuptake inhibitors and discovered that SAMe supplementation improved the percentage who responded to treatment.”
More and more, omega-3 EFAs are being shown to support mood stability, adding another attractive reason to consume them. Root says that fish-oil omega-3 EFAs were shown to maintain mood stability as far back as 1999. In 2007, a study found that people with severe Major Depression had lower amounts of omega-3s in the frontal cortex, the region of the brain associated with mood problems (6).
“Mood and the ability to process information are linked,” she asserts. “Mood and cognitive improvements were seen in a study of 33 healthy volunteers ages 22–51 in just over one month of supplementation. For 35 days, the participants consumed either 800 mg of DHA and 1,600 mg of EPA from fish oil or 4g of olive oil (as placebo). The participants completed a mood questionnaire and underwent attention tests at the onset of the study and again on day 35. The DHA/EPA group improved significantly over placebo on several mood parameters: including vigor, anger, anxiety, fatigue, depression and confusion. The scores of attention and reaction time were also improved. The individuals showed marked improvement in sustained attention and a significant reduction in errors on the attention test” (7).
Herbs are a gentle protocol for supporting mood and releasing some of the moodrelated effects of stress. Herbalist and author David Winston, RH (AHG), founder and president of Herbalist & Alchemist, Washington, NJ, says there are quite a few herbs for mood and emotional support. Nervines are tonic herbs that calm, but do not sedate, and are taken for a longer period of time. This group includes fresh oat extract, chamomile, skullcap, damiana, linden flower, lavender, hawthorn and wood betony.
“With stagnant depression or situational depression that becomes chronic, I would recommend holy basil, along with lavender, rosemary and damiana,” he describes. “And even though St. John’s wort has been pegged the ‘depression’ herb, but it is not for every situation, or the only option. It’s useful for mild to moderate cases specifically characterized by a sour attitude.” For chronic grief, Winston recommends a combination of mimosa bark, hawthorn and rose petal.
Winston adds that botanicals are not as quick acting as pharmaceutical medications, but they also do not have the potential adverse effects. Herbs typically take a while to exert the full and intended effect, and he recommends the customer consume them for about three weeks before expecting to feel results. Tinctures and spray-dried extracts are the forms most quickly absorbed into the system.
The Brain Boogeyman
Hands down, the biggest fear healthy people have when it comes to the health of their brains is dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and for good reason. These diseases cause one to lose not only memory, but also a grasp of reality. Plus, they often lead to fatality. Much work has been done to elucidate the etiology and to develop protocols to lower the risk of development as well as to stabilize early stages with pharmaceutical approaches. “Although old age is the single biggest risk for dementia, Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging,” states Holtby of Soft Gel Technologies (maker of Smart PS and EZMega 3). Alzheimer’s can present in people in their 40s and current stat ist ics show that approximately 500,000 Americans have early on-set dementia. “Recent research has pinpointed disruptions in specific memory networks in Alzheimer’s patients that appear distinct from normal aging. The larger point is that while Alzheimer’s is still incurable it’s not untreatable,” he emphasizes.
Dementia is not itself a disease by definition, Kroner clarifies, but rather a broad grouping assigned to the many symptoms that accompany cognitive disorders. It represents a decrease in brain function that can affect memory, learning capacity, language, judgment, behavior and the ability to think rationally. “Dementia is most common among those who suffer with advanced-stage Alzheimer’s disease, but is often implicated in other situations, including those who have suffered emotional and/or physical trauma or are over-medicated. At the physical level, dementia is the result of significantly reduced brain activity, which can encompass a wide range of functions such as poor neurotransmitter activity, damaged or exhausted receptor sites, poor oxygen/glucose utilization, malnourished brain cells, etc.,” he explains.
There are several potential causes of dementia and Alzheimer’s onset, and it appears that a variety of nutrient deficiencies may play key roles. Holtby reports that some research has revealed that a combination of high serum homocysteine and low serum folate has an unhealthy impact on cognitive function in seniors. B-complex vitamins such as niacin and folic acid are vitally important to brain function and help keep the mind sharp. Atherosclerosis that occurs in the brain (cerebrovascular disease) can reduce blood flow to the aging brain and increase the risk of stroke. The decreased blood flow can cause nerve cells in the brain to be lost prematurely, which may lead to a decline in mental function. Research at the University of California at Davis confirms that cognitive decline is not a normal part of aging for the majority of elderly people. In fact, only people with high levels of atherosclerosis or diabetes and those with the apolipoprotein E4 gene associated with Alzheimer’s disease are at high risk for a decline in cognitive ability as they age.
When it comes to the development of dementia/Alzheimer’s, Lakshmi Prakash, Ph.D., vice president of innovation and business development at Sabinsa Corp., East Windsor, NJ, explains that according to recent research, ”increased inflammation may represent the ‘first hit,’ and defective transcription of immune genes is the ‘second hit’ in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. The result is the formation of amyloid plaque, a gradual loss of communication between neurons and the fast progression of Alzheimer ’s disease. Cerebral ischemia and impaired circulatory functions are affective factors as well. As antioxidant systems depend on vitamins and mineral nutrients, adequate status of selenium, zinc , copper, calcium magnesium, potassium, vitamins A, D, E, K and B, particularly, thiamine (B1), niacin, B6, B12 and vitamin C are important.”
According to Root, a 2000 study in the journal Lipids shows that Alzheimer’s patients’ brains have exceedingly low DHA levels (8) . Anothe r phys iologi cal anomaly, she says, is changes in the role of normal proteins in the brain (e.g., tau protein or beta amyloid protein) which lead to the development of (in the case of tau protein) neurofibrillary tangles, and (in the case of bata amyloid) the formation of plaques. Further, animal studies have revealed that stress hormones such as cortisol have led to increased bata amyloid levels and plaque formation, somewhat validating another impact of chronic stress. One study giving DHA to the animals that have Alzheimer ’s plaques brought about a reduction in amyloid levels and a reduction in the size of the plaques, showing how DHA protects the aging brain (9).
“We are now starting to realize the importance of DHA in the adult brain not only as a structural component of brain cells, but also as a protective compound that guards the aging brain cells against damage by neurotoxic mechanisms,” Root comments.
In the view of Todd of Kyowa Hakko USA, healthy cellular function is key, and supplementing with specific nutrients such as omega-3 EFAs and choline-based molecules such as citicoline supply nutrients to the phospholipid membranes that help keep cells intact and functioning optimally.
PS has two FDA health claims related to cognitive dysfunction and dementia in the elderly. “While PS does not treat the disease, these claims are promising. Since we now know mental sharpness is so important, retailers should be aggressively marketing their cognitive health products,” remarks Hagerman of Chemi Nutra (which makes SerinAid PS, Alpha- Size choline and OmegaAid PS).
“Researchers have noted that certain types of physical changes in the brain are related, probably causally, to dementia,” observes Clouatre. “Asymptomatic cerebral infarcts—which lead to tissue death—are an important cause of dementia in the elderly. This is to say that local obstructions in the brain of the blood supply and oxygen are linked to dementia. Atherosclerosis of the intracranial arteries—independent of infarction— is an independent and important risk factor for dementia.”
Further, he declares, “Brain aging, including conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease should not be viewed as if it takes place separately from the deterioration of other bodily systems. It long has been established that elevated blood sugar levels (i.e., diabetes and pre-diabetes) are linked to the rate of various forms of dementia. Glycation, a deleterious form of modification of protein and lipid macromolecules in which a sugar inappropriately binds to the molecules, has been linked to diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s as well as physiological aging more generally” (10).
Clouatre recommends more helpful nutrients that consumers may be interested in, such as vitamins C and E (forms other than alpha-tocopherol) that can be protect ive against development of Alzheimer’s (11). He explains, “Indeed, there is increasing evidence that vitamin E consistently delivers its expected benefits with chronic ingestion only when taken in conjunction with appropriate nutrients capable of regenerating the vitamin E radical. This means, especially, alpha-lipoic acid and coenzyme Q10. Integrative treatment including multivitamins, vitamin E, alpha-lipoic acid, omega-3 and coenzyme Q10 has been shown not only to slow the rate of cognitive decline in already medically ill patients for 24 months, but even to improve cognition and memory functions” (12).
Vladimir Badmaev, M.D., Ph.D., director of medical affairs at PL Thomas, Morristown, NJ, points to insufficient levels of specific neurotransmitters as having significant impact in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s. He explains, “The amino acids phenylalanine, tryptophan, arginine and glutamate belong to a group of brain nutrients that either provide starting material for neurotransmitter synthesis or serve as neurotransmitters. Low levels of those amino acids are associated with senility and memory loss. Glutamate, for example, is found in healthy brains in high concentrations in the hippocampus, a memory center. Alzheimer ’s patients have shown a selective and substantial loss of receptors in the hippocampus for the glutamate neurotransmitter.”
He notes that most of the brain-nourishing amino acids are found in a broad range of fruits, vegetables and nuts: for example, bananas, various berries, dates, avocados, buckwheat, pumpkin, sunflower, safflower, almonds, brazil nuts, pecans, cashews, hazelnuts and walnuts. Make these organic and they’re even better— and retailers can certainly make little labels for the bins holding these products, simply proclaiming: “Brain Support Food.”
Additionally, Badmaev says there are several notable herbal compounds utilized traditionally in Oriental medicine to support memory functions and also as daily food or food additives, especially in India, that have been tested in preclinical and clinical studies. These include Bacopa monniera, Centella asiatica, Emblica officinalis and Withania somnifera.
According to Prakash, there are several herbal derivatives that are useful adjuncts to preserve functional abilities in the brain. Studies showing that a branded bioprotectant turmeric root extract (Curcumin C3 Complex from Sabinsa) potentially supports the management of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease appear in the literature.
Empowering Memory and Cognition
A majority of shoppers may very well be concerned about development of dementia and Alzheimer ’s, so they will want to preserve the integrity of their memory, which is a function of the hippocampus. This is different from the activity of cognition, the ability to learn, to process, to plan. This functionality is accomplished in the pre-frontal cortex, and is also a priority to maintain. There are several ingredients retailers also will want to include in this particular sub-section of the brain health department.
A branded fisetin-based (flavonoid) ingredient (Cognisetin from Cyvex Nutrition) has been shown to stimulate the signaling pathways that enhance longterm memory, Phillips points out. The extract’s role in improving cognition goes far beyond its antioxidant potential. Its ability to permeate through the blood brain barrier in vitro efficiently and effectively provides neuroprotection. Research over the past decade has shown the active ingredient in this extract to reduce overactive brain and spinal cordspecific immune defenses that contribute to age-related decline and/or conditions; generate neuron cells in the presence of damage; and protect and contribute to the synthesis of antioxidants found naturally in the body such as gluthionine.
A synergistic branded vinpocetine ingredient from Cyvex (BioVinca) is a wellresearched botanical derivative shown to enhance memory ability via cerebral vasodilation, encouraging increased blood flow and glucose metabolism in the brain. Phillips elucidates that vinpocetine alters the rheological properties of blood. In tandem, vinpocetine is a Ca2+- dependent phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Phosphodiesterase is responsible for breaking down adenosine triphosphate, responsible for cellular energy. As this phosphodiesterase inhibition is specific to the brain, it causes a localized increase in energy available to neurons. In addition, vinpocetine has been found to be nootropic, a substance that improves cognitive function in healthy humans.
Acetyl-l-carnitine also protects against age-related memory decline, according to Kroner. Numerous scientific studies, including double-bind, placebocontrolled clinical trials, have suggested that this amino-acid-like compound stands to offer the best hope for inhibiting the degenerative processes, which lead to memory-related problems, and it has also been shown to support the recovery process following some forms of damage, he says.
A branded citicoline (Cognizin from Kyowa Hakko) is a water-soluble compound essential for the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, a major constituent of brain tissue, Todd describes. “Citicoline enhances communication between neurons in the brain to support visual function and protect neural structures from free radical damage. Both clinical and laboratory research indicates that Cognizin Citicoline supports memory function and healthy cognition,” she explains.
Citicoline has several mechanisms of action, she adds. It increases cell signaling of acetylcholine, dopamine and noradrenaline; increases functional integrity of PS, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine and encourages activity of adenosine triphosphate in the brain, resulting in better focus, concentration and recall.
Sabinsa offers several botanically derived ingredients found in a variety of brain health support supplements. Prakash explains: “Resveratrol and analogs in the form of Resvenox and Pterostilbene 90%, circulatory support from ginger extract, Venocin (horsechestnut extract), Centellin (Centella asiatica extract) and clinically validated natural ingredients from the Ayurvedic tradition Bacopin (Bacopa monniera extract) proven to improve memory and cognition in children and adults, as well as support the management of stress and anxiety; Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) proven to support the management of age related decline in brain functions, Mucuna pruriens (a source of L-DOPA) extract proven to support alertness and the management of Parkinson’s disease, have a long history of traditional medicinal use.”
In summary, this category is rather vast, but there exists sound scientific validation that supplementing with the variety of nutraceuticals and herbs mentioned herein may address healthy support of brain function for the longterm. Think about it! WF
1. S. Carlson, “Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation in Pregnancy and Lactation,” Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 89 (2), 678S–684S (2009).
2. N. Shapira, “Modified Egg as a Nutritional Supplement during Peak Brain Development: A New Target for Fortification,” Nutr. Health 20 (2), 107–118 (2009).
3. M. Brooks, “Organophosphate Pesticides Linked to ADHD,” Pediatrics, June 2010, published online May 17.
4. A.R. Marks, et al., “Organophosphate Pesticide Exposure and Attention in Young Mexican- American Children,” are Amy R. Marks, Kim Harley, Asa Bradman, Katherine Kogut, Dana Boyd Barr, Caroline Johnson, Norma Calderon, and Brenda Eskenazi Environmental Health Perspectives.
5. G.I. Papakostas, et al., “S-Adenosyl Methionine (SAMe) Augmentation of Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors for Antidepressant Nonresponders with Major Depressive Disorder: A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial,” Am. J. Psychiatry 167 (8), 942–948 (2010).
6. R.K. McNamara, et al., “Selective Deficits in the Omega-3 Fatty Acid Docosahexaenoic Acid in the Postmortem Orbitofrontal Cortex of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder,” Biol. Psychiatry 62 (1), 17–24 (2007).
7. G. Fontani, et al., “Cognitive and Physiological Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation in Healthy Subjects,” Eur. J. Clin. Invest. 35, 691–699 (2005).
8. J.A. Conquer, et al., “Fatty Acid Analysis of Blood Plasma of Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease, other Types of Dementia, and Cognitive Impairment,” Lipids 35, 1305–1312 (2000).
9. G.P. Lim, et al., “A Diet Rich with the Omega-3 Fatty Acid Docosahexaenoic Acid Reduces Amyloid Burden in an Aged Alzheimer Mouse Model,” J. Neurosci. 25, 3032–3040 (2005).
10. H. Dolan, et al., “Atherosclerosis, Dementia, and Alzheimer Disease in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging Cohort,” Ann. Neurol. 68 (2), 231–240 (2010).
11. M.C. Morris, et al., “Relation of the Tocopherol Forms to Incident Alzheimer’s Disease and to Cognitive Change,” Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 81 (2), 508–514 (2005).
12. V. Bragin, “Integrated Treatment Approach Improves Cognitive Function in Demented and Clinically Depressed Patients,” Am. J. Alzheimers Dis. Other Demen. 20 (1), 21–26 (2005).
Lisa Schofield is a freelance writer based in Freehold, NJ.
Published in WholeFoods Magazine, October 2010. | http://www.wholefoodsmagazine.com/supplements/features/how-be-brainiac | dclm-gs1-194400001 | false | true | {
"keywords": "l protein, f protein"
} | false | null | false |
0.034285 | <urn:uuid:f173bc1b-2489-4739-bea0-522fcab130d6> | en | 0.939754 | An online resource based on the award-winning nature guide
Posts tagged “Cecropia Moth
Cecropia Moths Pupating
11-11-13 cecropia cocoon dissected 056Our largest North American native moth, the Cecropia Moth, Hyalophora cecropia, spends the winter as a pupa inside a cleverly-crafted 3” – 4”-long shelter, or cocoon, which it creates and attaches lengthwise to a branch while still in its larval stage. The Cecropia caterpillar, with the silk glands located near its mouthparts, spins not one, but two silk cases, one inside the other. In between the two cases, it spins many loose strands of very soft silk, presumably to enhance the insulating properties of the cocoon. Inside the inner case, the caterpillar splits its skin and transforms into a pupa. Come spring, an adult moth will emerge from the pupal case and exit the cocoon through one end which was intentionally spun more loosely, allowing the moth to crawl out the somewhat flexible tip. (Note: dissected cocoon was not viable.)
Cecropia Moth Cocoon
This past summer there seemed to be more giant silkmoths than usual, including Cecropia Moths (Hylaphora cecropia). (see ). Assuming many of these moths bred and laid eggs, and that most of the larvae survived, there are probably a large number of Cecropia cocoons in our woods. Even so, it is not an easy task to find them, as they are so well camouflaged, and are often mistaken for a dead leaf. Cecropia caterpillars spin silk and fashion it into a three-inch long, tan cocoon (giant silkmoths make the largest cocoons in North America) which they attach lengthwise to a branch or stem. There is a tough but thin layer of silk on the outside, which protects an inner, thicker and softer layer of silk on the inside. The caterpillar enters the cocoon through loose valves it makes in both layers, which are located at the tip of the cocoon’s pointed end. Shortly after the larva crawls inside both of these layers, it pupates. Its skin splits, revealing a dark brown pupa. For the rest of the winter and most of the spring, it remains a pupa. In early summer it metamorphoses into an adult moth and exits the cocoon through the same valves through which it entered.
Cecropia Moth
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Cecropia Moth Caterpillar Molting
The caterpillar, or larval, stage of a butterfly or moth is the only stage in which the insect has chewing mouth parts. Hence, it is the stage during which a great deal of eating takes place. As the caterpillar eats, it grows larger, and eventually molts its skin, revealing a new, larger skin underneath the old. A cecropia caterpillar molts four times before spinning its cocoon and pupating. The cecropia caterpillar in this photograph has just molted its skin, which is attached to the plant just above the caterpillar’s head. If you look closely, you can see where the colored tubercles were. Within an hour of when this photograph was taken, the caterpillar had eaten its skin.
Cecropia Moth Caterpillar
The larval stage of the Cecropia Moth ( Hyalophora cecropia), a giant silk moth, is a sight to behold. The yellow, blue and red knobs that adorn its 4″ pale green body are striking. Look for this caterpillar on apple, ash, box elder, cherry, lilac , birch, maple and poplar trees, whose leaves it consumes with relish. The larva spins a brown, spindle-shaped, 3” cocoon in the fall, and overwinters as a pupa inside it. In the spring, the adult Cecropia Moth , North America’s largest native moth, emerges. Brown, with a 4” to 5” wingspread, it has no mouthparts, and lives only about a week to ten days, during which time the males mate numerous times, and the females lay eggs. Unfortunately, this species of moth seems to be declining in number, in part because it suffers from parasitism by a fly that was introduced to control the Gypsy Moth.
Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.
Join 3,679 other followers | https://naturallycuriouswithmaryholland.wordpress.com/tag/cecropia-moth/ | dclm-gs1-194460001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.084856 | <urn:uuid:0ee20705-24fc-4e6e-9d61-19f63218a3f0> | en | 0.906591 | Cannot recieve callsSupport
Last Updated:
1. jalitha
jalitha New Member
Hi everybody,
I'm from Sri Lanka. I have this problem in my sony ericsson xperia x10 mini.. I cant get incoming calls to my phone. when someone tries to get calls to my phone it says that it cannot be connected. But can get calls and all the other functions are working... Can you please help me out. ( can send and recieve sms can go online can do every other thing)
2. NightAngel79
NightAngel79 Bounty Hunter Administrator Moderator
Sounds like you need to call your carrier. I really am not sure what else to suggest. You have restarted your phone? Pulled battery (soft reset). Can always hard reset it as well
3. Martimus
Martimus One bite at a time... Moderator
Welcome to the Android Forums!
Definitely check with your carrier...
Share This Page | http://androidforums.com/threads/cannot-recieve-calls.327570/ | dclm-gs1-194620001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.026356 | <urn:uuid:216b1afb-f92b-434d-ac38-0ba0fc13464e> | en | 0.876312 | Sign up ×
Let's say I want to take a live USB with persistence, boot into it, get it all setup then install it. Will all my features still be there?
If not, is there a way to do this?
share|improve this question
1 Answer 1
No. The UsB Persistence, does make changes and keeps them only for the Live instance. In some cases, further modification is required to enable things like graphical card settings and network card settings to be saved. In other cases, system wide updates do not work.
To make permanent changes to your Live USB you should use RemastrerSys For example you can :
• clean install Ubuntu, in a virtual machine (see VirtualBox),
• Install remastersys in it
• Make any changes you want
• Then make an new ISO file that contains all your changes
share|improve this answer
Your Answer
| http://askubuntu.com/questions/110948/if-i-have-a-live-usb-with-persistence-if-i-install-it-will-the-persistence-be?answertab=active | dclm-gs1-194810001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.096382 | <urn:uuid:edd6ab2f-ae17-40be-af21-b65b43b609dd> | en | 0.858723 | Sign up ×
I am not able to find the lg command in my Ubuntu 11.10 installation. I have installed Gnome3 from website, following the install link for Ubuntu. So I think everything should be fine.
But the lg command is missing and I am not able to find any package providing it. Any hint?
share|improve this question
3 Answers 3
up vote 0 down vote accepted
gsettings set development-tools true
And check again to see if 'lg' works.
share|improve this answer
To my knowledge, the command "looking glass" is a part of the Gnome-Shell itself. Make sure you have "gnome compatibility" activated in the compiz config settings manager and you have gnome-Shell installed.
The "running command" shortcut normally is Alt+F2.
So, please press Alt-F2, a very simple command window will appear. Here you can type "lg" to activate this bug-tracking- and processes-information-window.
I hope, that was helpful for you.
share|improve this answer
was to me (read the wiki too quickly) thx – mikakun May 15 '14 at 22:28
and to give credit where credit is due....
share|improve this answer
Your Answer
| http://askubuntu.com/questions/64918/cannot-find-the-lg-looking-glass-command-in-gnome3 | dclm-gs1-194820001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.718046 | <urn:uuid:0ee8451b-4fc1-494b-819f-4a6728c017bb> | en | 0.884444 | Sign up ×
share|improve this question
7 Answers 7
up vote 2 down vote accepted
VLC, of course.
1. Copy the URL of your video
2. Fire up VLC
3. Drop down menu: Media -> Open Network Stream
4. Paste the link including the http:// prefix and all
5. Press play
6. Drop down menu: Video -> Video track -> Disable
Just tested it (to be fair, on Windows, but I'm fairly sure that it works on any platform VLC runs on)
If you don't want to go through the whole copypasting process, there's always command line VLC.
share|improve this answer
This is exactly the answer I was looking for. I'm just a bit ashamed I didn't think of it myself (been using VLC for as long as I can remember). – Alvar Aug 2 '14 at 22:38
#!/usr/bin/env python
import sys
import gobject
import pygst
import gst
mainloop = gobject.MainLoop()
player = gst.element_factory_make("playbin2", "player")
fakesink = gst.element_factory_make("fakesink", "fakesink")
player.set_property("video-sink", fakesink)
player.set_property("uri", sys.argv[1])
python ""
share|improve this answer
mplayer -vo none KABUQxllGbk.webm
share|improve this answer
I notice you are using a specific YouTube URL in your answer, which is just two lines of terminal commands with no description of how it works. Can you please elaborate on what exactly your answer does? – Christopher Kyle Horton Nov 13 '11 at 3:30
Musictube Install Musictube is a YouTube music player.
enter image description here
share|improve this answer
Worth noting from the link that this appears to be available in the Ubuntu Software Center, and it is also cross-platform. – Christopher Kyle Horton Nov 13 '11 at 2:13
I personally install adblock and block the video section - for example if someone posts a video here, I block the video first to vet the title, about and sound.
How to:
Click AdBlock and "Block and ad on this page"
enter image description here
Click the video
enter image description here
Slide it to the last one that will not hide anything else:
Blocked element:
class=" watch-medium " >
Go to the end of the slider and 3 back.
Then click looks good.
enter image description here
Finally click Block it.
enter image description here
As you can see, sound is still playing.
enter image description here
share|improve this answer
This is pretty clever, but it's not an audio player and it requires me to have my browser open. Sure not a big deal for most but not the solution I was looking for. – Alvar Aug 2 '14 at 22:52
share|improve this answer
share|improve this answer
Your Answer
| http://askubuntu.com/questions/78547/is-there-a-music-player-that-can-play-the-sound-from-a-youtube-film | dclm-gs1-194830001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.503542 | <urn:uuid:cff089f2-0d01-4b2a-bb5e-fe7fd7ff19b5> | en | 0.808825 | Tie Dyed Scarf DIY
Basic White Scarf
Rit Dye
Rubber Bands
Lay your scarf onto a flat surface.
1. DSC_0101
Slightly pinch the middle of your scarf.
2. DSC_0102
Once you have identified the middle region, begin twisting the fabric as shown.
3. DSC_0103
This will create a spiral tie dyed design.
4. DSC_0105
Carefully fasten your scarf with rubber bands making sure the folds stay intact.
5. DSC_0111
Dip your scarf into the dye saturating all areas.
6. DSC_0113
Squeeze any excess dye out of the scarf.
7. DSC_0114
Wash out your scarf until the running water becomes translucent. This will indicate the dye has set in and will not run.
8. DSC_0132
Take out your rubber bands and let your scarf dry.
ScarfBe sure to send us pictures of your creations!
Top 5 Upcycled DIY Projects
Tie NecklaceArstar by Althea: Upcycled Tie Necklace Tutorial
TrashtoCouture2Trash to Couture: Basket Weave Old Shirts
Denim Slippers from JeansJeans Guardian: Denim Slippers
| http://blog.mjtrim.com/tag/scarf-diy/ | dclm-gs1-195030001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.20587 | <urn:uuid:f70f2cd1-364a-454a-aec9-3e89af4746ca> | en | 0.968055 |
Should religious studies be taught in public schools?
In today’s Times Union was my review of the book “Religious Literacy.” You can read the review here:
Here’s an excerpt:
Although chairman of the religious studies department at Boston University, Prothero’s argument isn’t about faith, but about how knowledge of religion is vital to the functioning of a democracy that requires a well-informed citizenry. This, of course, is a key rationale for journalism, so Prothero’s book is likely to get a lot of positive press for his mission, if not always for his writing.
He is careful to stress the difference between indoctrination, or making people believe a particular religion, and religious literacy, or getting people to understand “the religious terms, symbols, images, beliefs, practices, scriptures, heroes, themes, and stories that are employed in American
public life.”
Not understanding this distinction, Prothero argues, is part of the problem. Although the Supreme Court has ruled against “Sunday-school-style religious instruction,” he writes, the high court also ruled that “the Bible may constitutionally be used in an appropriate study of history, civilization, ethics, comparative religions and the like.”
For high schools, Prothero describes two required courses: one that views the Bible in terms of its literary and religious importance, another that introduces students to “the seven great religious traditions of the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.”
For colleges, he calls for all students to be required to take one course in religious studies, so graduates can have at least “minimal religious literacy.”
The question is: Is this a good idea? What do you think?
Categories: New Books
Michael Janairo
5 Responses
1. […] post by Michael Janairo and a wordpress plugin by […]
2. ottttt3 says:
Absolutely not. There is nothing “great” about the seven great religions except their numbers of believers. Their dogmas are irrational and are quickly being explained as nonsense in light of knowledge gained about our existence through the scientific method of discovery. The only studying that should be done concerning religion is to examine the truths of their creation myths and the long-term detriment to our survival from not facing reality. The only way to honestly teach the history of religion is to include the downside, its role in suppressing freedom and knowledge and equality. I doubt that would happen. So I see no benefit to perpetuating their myths by teaching them as legitimate worldviews. Besides, although not a religion, a Secular Humanist worldview was nt included on that list.
3. Ronnie Lanier says:
Like it or not religion plays a large role in the history of society as a whole. To leave religion out of education would be like trying to teach someone without having adequate examples to get them to fully understand why societies and cultures are the way they are. There are many negative impacts religious practices have played on society and many of them are taught in schools; as well they should be. It is also very true that religion has played a positive role in society as well. To be truly educated you have to understand why and how traditions and religious practices effect society. Understanding history and civilization involves the vital aspect of understanding cultures and traditions. Science has yet to disprove any religion. Religion in school isn’t taught as litigimate worldviews, but as a means of teaching how world cultures shape history. Why not include the seven major religions? That should cover most people. You can’t make everyone happy. Lets just make the fewest ones mad.
4. Albany Mom says:
I definitely think religion should be taught in public schools – in an academic way, not a Sunday School way, of course. When religion is left out of social studies courses, as it often is these days, there is a big gap there. Religion and religious beliefs affect so many things – politics, medicine, human rights, the economy, the environment – both in the past and today. How can you understand world history and politics without understanding religion. Sadly, I only remember religion being incorporated into classes once in my public school career. It was a world history class, and it made the rest of what we learned so much more meaningful.
Learning about religious beliefs shouldn’t offend atheists. It is a fact of life that other people in the world have or have had religious beliefs, and learning about them is part of being more culturally sensitive. I’m not saying that if Americans learned more about the core beliefs of non-Judeo-Christian religions it would solve all our problems, but it certainly would have prevented some of the gaffes that the US has made on the international scene.
5. the public schools on our district can really give some good education to young kids. they have high standards -‘` | http://blog.timesunion.com/books/should-religious-studies-be-taught-in-public-schools/424/ | dclm-gs1-195080001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.020324 | <urn:uuid:ff280b39-fbff-4897-8be9-ec130d9e77b3> | en | 0.969462 | Guns, Drugs, and Elvis: A Guide to Research for Fiction Writers
A novelist and creative writing teacher revises the injunction to "write what you know"
A few years ago, a reviewer wrote this about my second pseudonymous novel: "Kenneth Abel must be either a cop or a mafioso. He really knows his drugs."
Sadly, "Kenneth Abel" was nothing so glamorous. What he was at the time that review was published was an assistant professor of English at Kenyon College, and what he knew was that he had a Shakespeare class to prepare for the next morning and a stack of English 1-2 papers to grade waiting in his office in Sunset Cottage. Some fiction writers wander the world in search of a great story, or throw themselves into the lives of their characters--hunting lions in Africa, fighting bulls in Spain, enlisting as a mercenary in some distant colonial war. The rest of us do research.
One of the most famous pieces of advice given to young writers is "Write what you know." And yet, as anyone who has ever taught fiction writing to undergraduates can testify, telling an eighteen-year-old to "write what she knows" is dangerous: what young people "know" is what they've seen on TV, along with the horror that is middle school and the world-weary decadence of 2:00 a.m. at the Psi U lodge. "Please," I find myself begging them six weeks into a fiction workshop, "don't write what you know!" In fact, if I could revise this most basic rule of writing, it would be, "Don't write what you know; know what you write."
So how do you know what it's like to work as an Elvis impersonator in the Philippine liberty port of Olongapo, as Kenyon's Writer-in-Residence P.F. Kluge describes in his novel Biggest Elvis? Or to be a union organizer in Iowa meat-packing plants, like one of Kenyon Review editor David Lynn's characters in Wrestling with Gabriel? Or to run a scrap metal yard, the setting at the heart of Kenyon Review fiction editor Nancy Zafris's novel The Metal Shredders?
How do you investigate a murder, or commit one? What's it like to deal drugs in a New Orleans housing project? How does it feel to smoke hashish in a brothel in Baluchistan in 1842, or to stand trial for heresy in Renaissance Florence?
The answer to all those questions, of course, is research--or, more accurately, the way a novelist combines that research with imagination. Like the foundation of a building, research gives the writer's imagination a solid basis in reality to support the mind as it shapes a world. For a fiction writer, research frees the mind to explore the human experience within any situation.
Fans of the historical novelist Patrick O'Brien often express their amazement at the remarkable detail with which he recreated the daily life of a British warship during the Napoleonic wars. Many of those details can be found in history books, biographies, or the ships' logs gathering dust in the archives of the British Admiralty. But it is the novelist's imagination that breathes life into those facts by considering what a man might see, smell, and feel as he stands on a ship's deck on the midnight watch. Research is a novel's rigging, the intricate web of lumber and rope that one uses to catch the wind; it takes the imagination to fill those sails and get the story moving.
To write about life on the killing floor, David Lynn talked his way into a harrowing tour of a meat-packing plant, following the animals down the production line from slaughter to draining, disemboweling, and then on to the various stages of slicing, dicing, and packing. P.F. Kluge's Biggest Elvis began in a piece of journalism that he wrote for Playboy magazine about nights spent among the bars and brothels of Olongapo when the fleet was in. Nancy Zafris spent time on the operator's platform of a metal shredder, straining to catch the words of a scrap metal dealer while the machine chewed up a car. In each case, that brief experience was enough to set the imagination working, and the sights, sounds, and smells that they brought away breathed life into a story written in the quiet room where the real work of making a novel gets done.
It's easy to get things wrong: I've received letters from observant readers complaining that I put a subway stop on the wrong corner of an intersection in downtown Boston or reversed the traffic flow on a one-way street. (Maps, I've learned, are not to be trusted.) A geologist wrote to me a few years ago pointing out that I'd put the wrong kind of rocks in a field in southern Louisiana. (Those particular rocks, he noted, are found only in the next parish, some twenty miles to the north.) And God help you if you get the guns wrong! Some readers of crime novels, I've discovered, care more about the gun a character draws than his reason for using it.
So careful research is an important first step for a novelist. If you know what you write, your reader will believe that you write what you know. But good fiction is finally about character. What I look for when I research a novel--talking to cops, observing criminal court proceedings, or reading the autobiographies of those who have smoked hashish in Baluchistan or stood trial for heresy in Renaissance Florence--isn't simply the details of that process, but rather how the people involved inhabit the experience. Flannery O'Connor observed that "anybody who has survived his childhood has enough information about life to last him the rest of his days." That doesn't mean, as some of my students believe, that one should write only about childhood, but rather that the emotions one experiences in childhood can teach a writer how to understand any experience, no matter how distant from our own lives.
"If you want to write fiction," I tell my students, "start by learning everything you can about the world your characters inhabit, and then use your imagination to bring them to life."
--Professor of English Sergei Lobanov-Rostovsky, whose scholarly interests range from Shakespeare to film, has published a series of crime novels under the pseudonym Kenneth Abel.
Back to Top | http://bulletin.kenyon.edu/x2389.html | dclm-gs1-195280001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.037538 | <urn:uuid:4472254d-da3f-4cb9-9ab6-7a9891940f3f> | en | 0.89935 | The Most Miserable Princess Ever: Sisi, Empress Elisabeth of Austria
Earlier this month, fashion's fanciest gathered in Salzburg for the annual Chanel Métiers d'Art collection. The runway show, meant to showcase the brand's couture bona fides, was held in a palace, featured Alpine-inspired looks and models looped around a centerpiece laden with fruits and sweets. To launch the… »12/18/14 1:29pm12/18/14 1:29pm
Disney Exec Says Women Are Hard to Animate Because of Emotions
This Thanksgiving, Disney's studios will release Frozen, an infinitely license-able animated family film with a cast of main characters consisting of a reindeer (prediction: bumbling but lovable!), a talking snowman (prediction: sassy in a dumb way!) and four animated humans — two boy cartoons, two girl cartoons.… »10/08/13 5:16pm10/08/13 5:16pm
Yeah, pretty much just went from "OMG Cool!" to "Really? meh" - barring a star gate, this has to be the stupidest justification for interstellar travel I've ever heard. As others said, greenhouses, orbital farms, or any number of scenarios make more sense than travelling many light years to find a place with an… »8/31/13 5:01pm8/31/13 5:01pm | http://charliejane.kinja.com/ | dclm-gs1-195400001 | false | false | {
"keywords": "elisa"
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.019307 | <urn:uuid:fbae4a0b-249b-4b03-a1d6-9e6ee4e702fa> | en | 0.934921 | Monday, December 31, 2007
How to Get that Median Subassembly Working For You
Well, for my first post, I'd like to show you the "secret" to getting the median subassembly to work as expected. So to get things started, let's create the assembly with everything but the median (I'll be using the "MedianRaisedWithCrown" subassembly) and the marked point (the "MarkPoint" subassembly). In this image, you'll see that I've placed the median and the marked point in the drawing but they are not currently attached to the "Lane with Median Assembly".
We need to add the "MarkPoint" subassembly to the assembly. Before doing this, I will change the properties of the "MarkPoint" so that the Point Name and Point Codes are named something that makes sense to me. In this case, I used "Median-RT" for both.
Select the "MarkPoint" subassembly, right click, add to assembly. Select the circle at the back of the curb on the right side of the median.
Select the median subassembly, right click, add to assembly. Select the circle at the back of the curb on the left side of the median.
Well, that should do it for creating an assembly with a median. Now you might be asking yourself why I didn't just add the subassemblies directly from the Tool Palette. Unfortunately, that will have to be answered in a separate post.
Addendum (January 17, 2008)
Thanks to Matt Castelli with The D|C|CADD Company for supplying this image and the following tip: If you already have an assembly built, but the median assembly doesn't seem to be working, move the group containing the median above the group containing the Marked Point. (Thanks, Matt!)
Anonymous said...
I'm trying to do this with Civil 3D 2009 and I cannot get it to work. My median will not link up with the marked point. Are there any changes in the 2009 program?
TommieR said...
I don't know of any changes in Civil 3D 2009 that would keep you from attaching your median to a marked point.
As Matt stated, make sure the group containing the marked point subassembly is above the group with the median. If you only have one group in your assembly, then remove the median from the assembly and add it back so that the marked point subassembly gets placed before the median subassembly. You can verify this by looking at the order in which they appear in the group.
Think of it this way, you're telling the median to go find the marked point for its second attachment point. If the marked point hasn't been drawn yet, then that side of the median doesn't know where to attach itself.
Let me know if that suggestion doesn't help.
Anonymous said...
I tried that too and its still not linking. When I add the marked point to the back of curb, the marked point doesn't visually show up. Is it supposed to?
TommieR said...
Whether or not you can visually see the Marked Point is dependent upon the settings in the code set style.
Will you send me a drawing that contains your assembly so I can take a look at it?
Please zip the drawing and send it to Civil3DHelpMePlease at gmail dot com.
Anonymous said...
in civil 3d 2011 don`t work. I tried that and nothing. help...
TommieR said...
Anonymous: Have you contacted your reseller for assistance? | http://crossing-the-line-with-c3d.blogspot.com/2007/12/how-to-get-that-median-subassembly.html | dclm-gs1-195550001 | false | false | {
"keywords": "assembly"
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.018302 | <urn:uuid:33720773-68b2-485c-ac11-72ec8a16b4b8> | en | 0.954111 | Friday, June 13, 2008
Cup O Joe TP Cover/Cozy
Cup 'O Coffee TP Roll Cover
Finished size: Cover will fit a "double" size roll of toilet tissue.
Materials: (US) size J hook; small amount bulky weight yarn, color: Barley*; worsted weight yarn, color: white; tapestry needle.
*Example was made using Lion Brand’s "Homespun"
ch 48, join with sl st in first ch to form loop.
Round 1) ch 3 (counts as first dc now and throughout), dc in next ch and in each ch around. ch 3, do not turn. (48 dc)
Round 2) dc in next st and in each st around. ch 3, do not turn.
Round 3) Holding your work with the right side facing out and the beginning ch at the bottom, fold row one to the inside of the circle so that you have two layers. *Working through both loops of the next st from row 2, and through the coordinating st from the beg ch, work 1 dc, repeat from * around. This forms the rounded lip at the top of the mug. (48 dc)
Rounds 4-9) Repeat Round 2.
Round 10) dc in each of next 3 sts, dc 2 tog, *dc in each of next 4 sts, dc 2 tog, repeat from * 6 more times. Fasten off. Weave in ends. (40 dc)
ch 17
Row 1) dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc in each ch across, ch 3, turn. (15 dc)
Rows 2-8) dc in next st and in each st across. (15 dc)
Fasten off leaving a 15 inch tail for attaching handle.
ch 2
Round 1) 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6 sc)
Round 2) 2 sc in each st around. (12 sc)
Round 3) *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * 5 times more. (18 sc)
Round 4) *sc in each of next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * 5 times more. (24 sc)
Round 5) *sc in each of next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * 5 times more. (30 sc)
Round 6) *sc in each of next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * 5 times more. (36 sc)
Round 7) *sc in each of next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * 5 times more. sl st in next st to join. Fasten off and weave in ends. (42 sc)
**Do not join rounds unless otherwise noted.
With the tapestry needle and coordinating yarn, attatch the "coffee" to the inside of the mug near the base of row 1.
Fold the handle into thirds. Using the long tail and the tapestry needle, attatch one end of the handle between rounds 3 and 4, sew along the side of the handle to secure the layers, then sew the bottom of the handle between rounds 9 and 10, secure yarn and weave in ends.
Pattern designed and written by April Moreland
© 2008 All rights reserved
This pattern is for personal use only. Any other purpose constitutes copyright violation. Please respect all copyrights.
1. Absolutly adorable! My husband always has a roll of tp around to use instead of kleenex...this is the solution to the unsightly roll laying around. Besides we LOVE coffee! Thank you soooo much for sharing!
2. Oh, this is awesome. I just found the link to this from Ravelry when searching for Coffee Cups. I was going to make my friend a little tiny Amigurumi Coffee Cup, but this would be so much better!
3. Please help. I'm making this thank you for this but I'm having a problem with the "coffee". I did the 2 sc to get 12 but on row 3 I'm getting 16 stitches not 18. This is throwing the final count out also. Please help. Thanks Jackie
4. Jackie,
Each round increases by 6 stitches. Double check to make sure you did an increase in every other stitch on that third round.
(For everyone, as I know there has been an issue with the coffee part) Keep in mind also that I used a bulky weight yarn for the coffee. If you are using worsted weight, just add more rows and increase 6 stitches on each round until there are 48 sc in the last round.
5. please help i am having a hard time with the coffee part... for some reason my stitch count is not right. i get the 12 but then on the next row i get 16 not 18 and then this throws the whole thing off.. also, i dont understand the handle part. i did the crochet but cant understand the assembly part..... please help.......
6. row 3 say to sc in each of the next 2 stitches not every other stitch...... or am i reading this wrong? this is the first pattern that I AM ABLE TO DO, (except for this part) lol. can you also explain the handle part? i dont understand what you mean by inbetween the 3 and 4 th row. can you put up a picture of how it would go or explain to this newbie on reading patterns.... THANK YOU SO MUCH i am so happy to be making this.....
7. I can't believe I never realized the problem with row three. There was a mistake in the pattern, so it wasn't you, it was me! Arggh! I've corrected the pattern and it should work for you now. I'm very sorry about that. I try to be as accurate as possible and have people test when possible, but some things slip past. :(
As for the handle, after you've folded into thirds length-wise you just position it approximately where rows 3 and 4 meet and sew along that line, and then do the same thing for the other end somewhere along rows 9 and 10. It's just a guideline really, you can position the handle wherever you think it looks best.
8. See it took someone who can't read patterns to figure it out. Lol. It's funny I changed the numbers on my pattern and got the numbers to come out right and was going to tell you but u beat me to it. Now I just have to figure out how to sew the circle in. I'm going to figure out a different way. Maybe not sew the cup in a round but in a square and then close it up around the circle. Lol. Thank you I am enjoying the pattern and appreciate you sharing.
9. Oh crap. 3-4 on the cup not on the handle. Now I got it. I love videos. Hint hint.
10. I don't know if you are still answering questions or not, but I will try. I would like to make these TP covers and sell them at my grandson's school craft fair next November. I make hat covers that sell well, but these are darling. I don't want to step on your toes, so what do you want me to do? You can reach me at thanks
11. My grandma will love this! Going to make it for her birthday!!
12. This is awesome. I can't wait to try to make it. I'm just starting out so I hope it goes well. Thank you so much for the pattern!
13. This is so cute . I love it.
| http://dishclothdiaries.blogspot.com/2008/06/cup-o-joe.html | dclm-gs1-195760001 | false | false | {
"keywords": "assembly"
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.352367 | <urn:uuid:96a26b72-0f9a-4cf2-a034-0f4dab831ebc> | en | 0.77351 | Python Scripting for Computational Science
This page contains various information related to the book Python Scripting for Computational Science, by H. P. Langtangen.
Errata List for the 3rd Edition
If you find any errors or typos in the book, or if you have any comments, please do not hesitate to send the author an email (!
Preface and Table of Contents (3rd Edition)
Software Utilities
Slides for teaching
How to solve exercises + documentation recommendations
What is the difference between this "Python Scripting" book and the newer "Primer on Python for Scientific Programming"?
Electronic e-version of the book (PDF)
Some links to old stuff for the 1st and 2nd edition:, scripting-doc.tar.gz, scripting-src.tar.gz (1st edition), scripting-src.tar.gz (2nd edition), SYSDIR-Python.tar.gz, SYSDIR-Perl.tar.gz, SYSDIR-Tcl.tar.gz, SYSDIR-misc.tar.gz, Installation guidelines on Cygwin (Windows). Warning: some of these packages are now old and may be incompatible with newer versions of examples in the book and operating system software. | http://folk.uio.no/hpl/scripting/index.html | dclm-gs1-196040001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.238607 | <urn:uuid:b5513dd0-f9af-4682-a5c3-f7b79eb5b1d4> | en | 0.967069 | New Delhi runway turns into a zoo
The mix of animals, traffic and people in New Delhi is fascinating any day of the week. When I lived there, pulling up alongside an elephant at a traffic light did happen. Avoiding hitting the cows that meandered at the sides of the roads was a daily venture.
Once, our car grazed a cow just as it twitched its hind end towards traffic. When the side-view mirror was snapped off, my husband quipped, “It must have been in a reflective mood.”
There was one section where fruit bats the size of dogs hung upside down from trees, and another part where monkeys gathered in large groups. Camels also meandered through the neighborhood. Hiring one for a kid’s birthday party was standard.
Recently, New Delhi has become more zoo-like with the heavy rains. As animals are getting flooded out of their natural habitat homes, they’ve looked for higher ground and have found it at the New Delhi airport on the runways. Lizards, jackals and birds have shown up in large enough numbers that they’ve been removed to a wildlife sanctuary.
Just another reason for a flight delay. “Monitor lizard in the way. Please be patient; we’ll be taking off shortly.”
According to the article, this three to four-foot-long creature can create some significant damage to an airplane. I’ll say. | http://gadling.com/2008/06/17/new-delhi-runway-turns-into-a-zoo/ | dclm-gs1-196140001 | false | false | {
"keywords": "monkey"
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.025301 | <urn:uuid:323aee9d-3eac-4974-befa-3d383ed9ac4e> | en | 0.9136 | Sign up ×
I'm still fairly low-level, and a minor healing potion still gets me to full HP, even if I'm almost dying. How many HPs do the different kind of Healing potions restore?
share|improve this question
They restore a percentage according to the wikis]( Because of this, fixed HP numbers will be relative to your health. – skovacs1 May 15 '12 at 8:30
That's not what I've experienced, as I said a minor healing potion gets me to full health at the moment. If it was percentage based I should have seen a much lesser HP gain – Kappei May 15 '12 at 8:32
@skovacs1 I think you're confusing health potions with health globes, which do return a percentage. – Oak May 15 '12 at 14:25
1 Answer 1
up vote 5 down vote accepted
share|improve this answer
Thanks for the link :) – Kappei May 15 '12 at 15:54
Your Answer
| http://gaming.stackexchange.com/questions/66291/how-much-hp-do-the-healing-potions-restore | dclm-gs1-196210001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.068082 | <urn:uuid:4985ec24-e837-4b3b-9ee4-358c3093361c> | en | 0.970177 | He saw me looking with admiration at his car.
Gatsby drove a yellow Rolls Royce. The car is a symbol of wealth that he flaunts to get Daisy’s attention. It also plays a major role in Gatsby’s fate later in the novel.
Improve the quality of The Great Gatsby (Chapter IV) by leaving a suggestion at the bottom of the page | http://genius.com/1638185/F-scott-fitzgerald-the-great-gatsby-chapter-iv/He-saw-me-looking-with-admiration-at-his-car | dclm-gs1-196270001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.26254 | <urn:uuid:c88e513e-7429-450f-83dc-f91609e61dbd> | en | 0.969155 |
Gatsby wants everything to be perfect for his reunion with Daisy. He is overstepping boundaries, but it’s more because of his nervousness than a feeling of superiority over Nick.
Gatsby is trying to create a good omen, through a perfect first meeting with Daisy.
| http://genius.com/2842389/F-scott-fitzgerald-the-great-gatsby-chapter-v/I-want-to-get-the-grass-cut-he-said | dclm-gs1-196290001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.439143 | <urn:uuid:05589ce2-fbe4-4763-afa3-ba77b5db8d67> | en | 0.958559 | How To Tip Online Food Delivery Guys
Leaving the house? Yuck! The reason we have tablets and consoles and OLED TVs is so we can stay indoors. You'll still need to eat, though. And tipping the internet food delivery guy correctly could make the difference between sustenance and disaster.
Paper or Plastic?
Once you've decided what you're going to eat you have to make another, almost equally important decision: how to tip. We'll get to how much later, but there's more to the method than you think.
There are two options. You can place your tip on a credit or debit card with the rest of your order, or tip zero online, and give the guy a tip in cash. Same amount, two different channels.
Go with the former. Here's why: On de facto gold food standards like Seamless, your tip counts toward your order minimum. Let's say the minimum is $10 but you've only ordered $8 worth of chow—no problem! Your two dollar tip will bump you into the green zone. A tidy little loophole. Other perks include not having to deal with cash, which means fewer outside excursions and human interactions at the bank. You're all set in your burrito bunker. Until you have to open the door.
And should you be worried about the human connected to that outstretched hand, presenting you with your steaming bucket of MSG? Are you screwing them over by avoiding paper currency? There's no reason to think so. An informal polling of the dude who brought me a Mexican egg wrap this morning concluded that his tip amount would be the same had I given him cash or used my card. I used my card. A rep from Seamless confirmed this, more or less, saying that "When you order from Seamless, the tip amount goes to the restaurant, and the restaurant distributes to employees." Past that point, "It depends on the restaurant's policy for how tips are distributed to employees." But that's the same deal with cash or credit. If the delivery crew gets shafted, it's the manager fault—not yours.
There's also a serious risk to paying in cash—when the restaurant is beamed your online order, it'll see that you tipped zero on the card. Now, in your head, you know that's OK because you're going to fork over a cash tip at the door. But nobody else knows that. Will they give you the benefit of the doubt? Will your burrito be rolled around the floor a little before it leaves the kitchen? Will your delivery pal punch you in the stomach for presumably stiffing him? All possible. All avoidable. Plastic.
Photo by Jeffrey Turner
| http://gizmodo.com/5907761/how-to-tip-online-food-delivery-guys?tag=Tipping | dclm-gs1-196400001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.076619 | <urn:uuid:42648786-54c0-4115-84df-ec697e0ec6c2> | en | 0.972625 | All Posts Tagged With: "night game"
Awesome Navy Gal
8 Alternative Places to Find Dates
Okay, so let’s say you’re single and not quite ready for the hyper-competitive environments of the bar and club scene. There are plenty of alternative places you can go to practice your social skills and find dates.
Before I get to that list, I do want to say that the fastest way to increase your social skill is to hit the bars and clubs and mix it up there. Make as many approaches as you can and bank the experience. You’re going to get blown out, but suck it up because it’s part of the learning process. With that being said, I can totally understand if the club environment is intimidating and discourages you from making approaches. Continued
Anatomy of Three Pickups
Single on Valentine’s Day? Kickass!
So I’m cruising through the grocery store with a work friend and we’re both waxing poetic about how we could care less about Valentine’s Day (we’re single). And we’re not just saying that, we actually feel perfectly good about ourselves and we’re looking forward to a V-Day without significant others. Seriously. Was it always this way? Nope. Why is it now? Good question.
I’ve had plenty of V-Day’s with girlfriends and a couple without them. The ones WITH girlfriends I did a lot of bitching because of the pressure to come up with a good date, spending the money, blah blah blah. I also enjoyed spending time with my gf and I usually enjoyed the date. Somewhere in the recesses of my pimping heart I like the pomp and circumstance of a romantic date. Don’t let that get around. | http://honeyandlance.com/tag/night-game | dclm-gs1-196520001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.027803 | <urn:uuid:5ac90c31-3079-4216-ad05-ce0dc8eb8e81> | en | 0.935168 |
Turkey Crashes Through Car Window, Given To Family For Thanksgiving
Thursday Football Breakdown: Chicago Bears At Detroit LionsThe Detroit Lions played on Thanksgiving before 24 of the current NFL franchises even existed. The Lions’ first owner scheduled the inaugural game in 1934 to try and generate interest in the team.
Thanksgiving Day Football And Family Drinking Game In our heart of hearts we know Thanksgiving is about football, drinking and dealing with family. So we decided come up with a little drinking game to help you on your way to a wonderful holiday on Thursday. Here is the Thanksgiving Day Football And Family Drinking Game:
DA To Dismiss Ticket In Wreck That Killed Texas FamilyA northeast Louisiana prosecutor says he's dismissing the ticket issued to a Texas teenager who apparently fell asleep at the wheel, causing a wreck that killed five members of his family.
5 Family Members Killed On 'Dream Trip' To DisneyMichael and Trudi Hardman had always talked about taking their six children to Disney World, and just a week before Thanksgiving, it seemed their "dream trip" was to be a reality.
Possibility Longhorns And Aggies To Meet In Texas Bowl | http://houston.cbslocal.com/tag/thanksgiving/page/2/ | dclm-gs1-196550001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.053646 | <urn:uuid:4594a2ac-07d8-4df4-a9f5-1dbf35737693> | en | 0.963023 | Home / Blog / Article
March 12 2012
Media: Lock Up Your Birth Control Pills!
Charlotte Hays
Once upon a time, I was a reporter, and I believed in journalism: it could tell you things you didn’t know and clarify issues that politicians and others had distorted.
Somehow I knew from the headline alone that this story in yesterday's New York Times would neither break new ground nor clarify an issue. Quite the contrary:
Centrist Women Tell of Disenchantment with Republicans
The reporter, Susan Saulny, finds the proverbial moderate Republican who is likely going to vote Democratic in the forthcoming election:
The baby shower is a nice touch, isn't it?
It is clear from the story that what worries the speaker is that she believes that the GOP is talking about contraception. Here’s the problem: With the exception of some remarks by Rick Santorum--remarks that in my opinion would be fine in a pulpit but are not for the campaign trail--nobody in the GOP has said a word about contraception. Mitt Romney has said absolutely nothing about contraception and indeed seemed surprised that George Stephanopoulos raised the issue in a debate some time before the Obama administration made it an issue. Admittedly, Republicans do care about religious freedom, the real issue before us. Republicans plead guilty to that charge.
Saulny writes:
There is a culture war. But it has nothing to do with contraception—it is over whether faith-based organizations that don’t regard contraception as morally acceptable should be forced by the federal government to pay for contraception coverage. If, like Sandra Fluke, you get your health insurance from a Jesuit institution, yes, you will have to pay for it while in law school. But, having wandered about my nearest CVS, researching Ms. Fluke's claim about the financial burden this imposes, I want her to know that she doesn’t have to pay $1,000 a year—her outlandish estimate of the cost of contraception. Sandra, you can do this without forcing the good Fathers to violate their consciences!
Here is another interesting paragraph from the story:
To repeat for about the hundredth time: Ms. Fluke’s advocacy is not merely for contraception, which nobody is trying to take away from her, or even for insurance that provides free contraception—her advocacy is for forcing the Jesuits, who run the expensive law school she attends, and from which she will graduate to a lucrative job, if she does well, to cover the cost of her contraception. There is a big difference. Romney did respond to Limbaugh's words, but, no, he didn’t set his hair on fire over the crude remarks of a talk show host.
Aside from Rick Santorum's foray into contraception, Republicans have said nothing about contraception. It is not an issue. They have talked about religious freedom and even dared to try to pass the Blunt Amendment, which would have upheld First Amendment rights to religious freedom. Saulny and others are promoting a false narrative that Republicans are talking about contraception by talking about Republicans talking about contraception.
In my day, reporters portraying the situation that way would have been asked to dredge up some supporting quotes of Republicans doing this. But that was then--this is now.
Allysia Finley, an assistant editor at the Wall Street Journal, puts this in perspective this morning in a piece headlined “Coffee Is an Essential Benefit, Too” in which, using the argument for making contraception free, even at the expense of Catholic conscience, she enumerates all the things that health insurance must cover:
It is written as a Dear President Obama letter:
Can you believe the nerve of employers? Many of them still seem to think that they should be allowed to determine the benefits they offer. I guess they haven't read your 2,000-page health law. It's the government's job now.
That's a good thing, too. Employers for too long have been able to restrict our access to essential health services like contraception by making us pay some of the bill. Really, it's amazing that we aren't all dead. Now, thanks to you, we'll enjoy free and universal access to preventative care just like workers do in Cuba. Even so, there are still many essential benefits that the government must mandate to make the U.S. the freest country in the world.
Fitness club memberships, massages, yoga classes, salad-bar access and coffee should all be free:
This satire captures the current level of discourse. I can’t believe that the journalists are dumb enough, or paranoid enough, to think Republicans care about contraception. I hate to say it, but it seems to me that quite a few journalists are willing to sacrifice journalism to lend a helping hand to their friends in high places.
Follow us | http://iwf.org/blog/2787242/Media:-Lock-Up-Your-Birth-Control-Pills! | dclm-gs1-196690001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.026393 | <urn:uuid:04381d8c-04c0-450b-89b1-2bdc67396662> | en | 0.93733 | White House Applauds Baltimore Mom For Beating on Riotous Son
You’ve likely seen images of this Baltimore mother—Toya Graham, 42—dragging her masked son out of the zone of violent Freddie Gray protests: in the video, you can see her energetically walloping the 16-year-old, dragging him away from the action, and demanding that he take his mask off. Now, the White House has called… »4/29/15 6:30pm4/29/15 6:30pm | http://jezebel.com/tag/k | dclm-gs1-196760001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.070077 | <urn:uuid:99354054-deff-493e-9a43-85fa075b0fda> | en | 0.929842 | Exposure to cold may lead to injuries such as Frostbite and Immersion (Trench) Foot. The focus of survival medical training should be general, but also take into account the type of environment that you expect to live in if a disaster occurs. If you live in Miami, it’s unlikely you’ll be treating a lot of people with hypothermia. If you live in Siberia, it’s unlikely you’ll be treating a lot of people with heat stroke. Learn how to treat the likely medical issues for the area and situation that you expect to find yourself in.
One major environmental risk is the effect of ambient temperature. Humans tolerate a very narrow range and are susceptible to damage as a result of being too cold or too hot. Your body has various methods it uses to control its internal “core” temperature, either raising it or lowering it to appropriate levels. The body “core“ refers to the major internal organ systems that are necessary to maintain life, such as your brain, heart, liver, and others. The remainder (your skin, muscles and extremities) is referred to as the “periphery”.
In general hypothermia, the body’s core temperature drops below 95 degrees F. There are cold-related injuries that occur in the periphery, however, and you might just encounter them if you’re on a winter hike or if there is a disaster-related grid shutdown.
Two particularly difficult ones to deal with are Frostbite and Immersion (trench) Foot. Frostbite is the freezing of body tissues, and it usually occurs in the extremities, especially fingers and toes. Sometimes, the ears, nose, and even the lips may be affected.
These conditions usually occur as a result of inadequately preparing for a trip in cold weather. If you expect to be outside for extended periods of time, dress warmly and consider what you would do for shelter and heat if you found yourself stranded somewhere. You could easily get lost during a hike in a snowstorm, have your car stall out, or other mishaps, so don’t feel that it couldn’t happen to you.
Although I’ve mentioned this before, It may be useful to remember the simple acronym C.O.L.D. This stands for: Cover, Overexertion,Layering, and Dry:
• Cover. Protect your head by wearing a hat. This will prevent body heat from escaping from your head. Instead of using gloves to cover your hands, use mittens. Mittens are more helpful than gloves because they keep your fingers in contact with one another. This conserves heat.
• Overexertion. Avoid activities that cause you to sweat a lot. Cold weather causes you to lose body heat quickly, and wet, sweaty clothing accelerates the process. Rest when necessary; use rest periods to self-assess for cold-related changes. Pay careful attention to the status of your elderly or juvenile group members.
• Layering. Loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in layers insulate you well. Use clothing made of tightly woven, water-repellent material for protection against the wind. Wool or silk inner layers hold body heat better than cotton does. Some synthetic materials work well, also. Especially cover the head, neck, hands and feet.
• Dry. Keep as dry as you can. Get out of wet clothing as soon as possible. It’s very easy for snow to get into gloves and boots, so pay particular attention to your hands and feet.
Frostbite is sometimes listed in stages, from minor “frostnip” to severe cases causing permanent loss of tissue. Initial symptoms of frostbite include a “pins and needles” sensation and numbness. Skin color changes from red to white to blue as the condition worsens. The skin will begin to harden and may feel “waxy” to the touch. If cold exposure continues, the color may change to black, indicating that a condition known as “gangrene” has set in. Gangrene is the death of tissue resulting from loss of circulation. This usually results in the loss of the body part affected. Infection may also set in, affecting the entire body. This is called “Sepsis” and is life-threatening.
Immersion foot causes damage to nerves and small blood vessels due to prolonged immersion in cold water. This condition was previously called “Trench Foot”, as it was seen commonly in soldiers who spent long periods of time in the trenches of World War I. When seen in areas other than the feet, this condition is referred to as “chilblains”. Immersion foot appears similar to frostbite, but might have a more swollen or “juicy” appearance.
The earlier that cold-related injuries are recognized and treated, the more likely the victim will recover without permanent damage. Frostbite or Immersion Foot is treated with a warm water (no more than 104 degrees F) soak of the affected areas. This is different from treatment of general hypothermia, which is best treated with warm DRY compresses in areas that effectively transport heat to the body core, such as the armpits, neck, and groin.
Follow these tips when treating frostbite or immersion foot:
1. Carefully monitor every member of your party for signs of frostbite in cold weather. If possible, get out of the cold and begin the rewarming process, even if it is just placing the victim’s hands in their armpits.
1. Don’t allow thawed tissue to freeze again. The more often tissue freezes and thaws, the deeper the damage (think about what happens to a steak that goes from the freezer to outside and back again). If you can’t prevent your patient from being exposed to freezing temperatures again, you should wait before treating, but not more than 24 hours.
2. Don’t rub or massage frostbitten tissue. Rubbing frostbitten tissue will result in damage to already injured tissues.
3. Don’t use heat lamps or fires to treat frostbite. Your patient is numb and cannot feel the frostbitten tissue. As a result, significant burns can occur.
Rapid action to rewarm cold-damaged tissues is the key to preventing long-term damage from exposure. Monitor your team members closely, and you’ll have the best change to succeed, even if everything else fails.
Joe and Amy Alton are the authors of the #1 Amazon Bestseller “The Survival Medicine Handbook“. See their articles in Backwoods Home, Survival Quarterly, and other great magazines. For over 400 articles on medical preparedness, go to their website atwww.doomandbloom.net.
The opinions voiced by Joe Alton, M.D., and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P., aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, are their own and are not meant to take the place of seeking medical help from your healthcare provider. The practice of medicine without a license is illegal and punishable by law. Seek modern and standard medical care whenever and wherever it is available.
Follow us:
Twitter: @preppershow
Facebook: drbonesand nurseamy and doom and bloom(tm)
Youtube: drbonespodcast channel
Survival Medicine Hour Podcast: | http://joeforamerica.com/2014/01/frostbite-immersion-foot/ | dclm-gs1-196770001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.029881 | <urn:uuid:f6cac770-f974-405d-9247-322cb159d281> | en | 0.9601 | Monday, January 28, 2013
Mzungus have never been corrupt, that’s why Synovate poll is 1000% true
Social media is a wonderful tool. For the first time in history anybody can literally read the mind of the public. In earlier centuries some people could only accurately guess public opinion but they profited enormously from their guesses, one wonders what those clever chaps would have done with the info freely accessible on social media today.
But spend a little time on social media and you will realize that our so-called elite and cream of society do not have any thoughts of their own. It is amazing how people repeat exactly what they have heard in the media like the obedient parrot. And folks that media iko na wenyewe and they have their very clear agenda. Or is the problem our educational system in recent years that encourages cramming and memorizing what is written in the text books so that you can reproduce it word for word in the exam room. There is never any time for students to delve into free thought, experimentation and discovery and the result of that seems to be coming out very clearly.
It is also crystal clear that most people don’t understand politics at all. They believe that American politics is “safi kama pamba” and Kenyan politics should be the same. I wish somebody could make a Nigerian movie (the only way a vast majority on social media learn anything about this life) that focuses on the global nature of politics. But meanwhile I would recommend a popular TV series called Boss which is captivating tale in the backdrop of big city politics in the US. Trust me it is anything BUT boring. Incidentally to most folks on social media that is the most dreaded six letter word (boring). Many young people fear it more than they fear Aids.
The other big problem Kenyans seem to have is this total trust for mzungus. I read between the lines of many comments and this clearly comes out. But I met this guy the other day who spelt it out for me and left no doubt. He reckons that just because the Synovate opinion poll is done by a mzungu it is 100 per cent accurate. He added that it is impossible to corrupt a mzungu because they have principles. This guy is a university graduate no less, albeit in the sciences. I kid you not. I pointed out to him that his perception of white people is dangerous and told him the story of this guy from Europe who went to Uganda a few years ago and started collecting cash all over the place from people who believed they were investing in a brand new airline that was set to be launched in East Africa. The poor Ugandans were falling over themselves to give that mzungu conman cash. They were sure he was not a conman because he was a mzungu. I will talk a little more about opinion polls in Kenya and their dark history in a future post very soon. But you can begin to understand why Kenyans have such short memories and nobody remembers the Synovate fiasco of 2007.
There is another friend who has suggested that the main problem online is the fact that all the major political players have too many of “their people” on social media and their mission is to make their candidate look good all the time.
Whatever the problem is, clear headed debate and political discussions are impossible. Many are even quick to accuse you of incitement when you start asking some hard questions or analyzing what should be obvious to a primary school kid.
Oh shucks what’s the point. Maybe I should just get used to supporting TNA because it has a lot of young guys with swag. Swag will probably create employment and solve our other pressing problems over the next 5 years. Or support Raila because he has suffered a lot for this country, never mind the fact that many others have suffered more like Kenneth Matiba who has had his health damaged permanently in his crusade for a better Kenya.
Or even better, lets vote for Peter Kenneth because he is the most handsome man to ever stand for president of Kenya.
Those Kenyans who have been calling for issue-based campaigns must be mad. To discuss what issues with whom? That’s rocket science in Kenya with the kind of “swag-related issues” being discussed by the elite of Kenya.
Oh boy!!!!
Popular articles in Kumekucha
Low-lifes want to mess up our country
Will Sakaja's inexperience cost TNA the presidency?
The Kikuyu question
3 Big horses for Nairobi Senator
Mwarang'ethe said...
Someone thinking somewhere!
What a relief to read something from a THINKING/FUNCTIONING MIND!
Is SYNOVATE that outfit which used to be called STEADMAN?
If so, WITHOUT saying or suggesting anything, we leave thee with this LINK:
For us, we are off to enjoy:
Guiltiness PRESSED on their CONSCIENCE,
Taabu said...
Kwani Wazungu wamekula nini yako?
But you are 100% right, Tom Wolf of Synovate is impossible to corrupt because he has PRINCIPALS (not principles) who pay him.
Here is question for you: are these wazungus IVY LEAGUE graduates? If so bash them and never pay tax or any such slavery/imperial pecks.
You see in Kenya the pre/postfix in your name counts. Por PENSIONER Chris. You would be better off with Chris, Eng or LLB.
Or better still traditional/African healer. Take your pickm and wait for e-polls.
Anonymous said...
What type of somoko have you been using lately?
How dare you try to challenge our long held wonderful collection of myths about how great, powerful and all knowing wamoilo mondo moilo is?
You must be one of those thankless and undreateful people in our midst who still refuse to extend credit where it is due, in this case to wamoilo mondo moilo.
As matter of fact you seem to the kind of person or among people who have forgotten the painful reality of how benevolent and gracious wamoilo mondo moilo went out of his way and helped turn our country into a beacon of Africa.
How thankless you of all people have beeen, to the point of forgetting to be eternally grateful for the civilized things wamoilo mondo moilo imparted on all of us under the East African skies?
Without wamoilo mondo moilo, Kenya would still be one of Africa's more stagnant regions, an economically underdeveloped, intellectually derivative, and geopolitically passive backwater.
Just take a good look at us, fifty years later, and see for yourself how a lot has changed dramatically beyond our wildest dreams.
Kwani you - Chris - of all people still fails to see a newly invigorated cluster of Kenyan upper-upper-class, upper-class, upper middle-class, middle-class, and lower middle-class have been forged into existence thanks to wamoilo mondo moilo's tireless efforts of moilonizations -uzungunization?
Even you of all people fail to acknowledge how wamoilo mondo moilo has help spawn new spiritual and intellectual movements and educational institutions, and gone on to expand them at the expense of our former neighbours who traditionally had sold us and traded nyeusi on the watumua stock exchange markets on the Arab peninsula and Europa.
People like Chris of Kumekucha and the rest of the lowlifes that are trying to threaten the way of life for the above mentioned civilised upper and middle classes of Kenya, need to be provided with a baseline understanding of how wamoilo mondo moilo has never been corrupt and can not be wrong in all matters pertaing to Synovate polls, including everything in between, so that they can better appreciate where they have come from as people and nation in the last fifty years.
Why not give credit where it is due, to wamoilo mondo moilo who were generous enough to allow us, nyeusi kama tititii to own and use their kizungu names, religion, and semi-lifestyles without paying any royalities or violating their ancestral patent rights.
C'mon! Amka Kulukucha kitabo several months after wamoilo mondo moilo landed on the shores of East Africa with correct system for polling and without any time fof corruption.
Luke said...
Chris my brother,
The problem with you/Taabu/Mwarang'ethe/Phil is you LACK SWAGGER-STYLE UP won't you? imitate ATWOLI and MUTUNGA for example
when was the last time you wore KAUNDA SUIT to work? COTU S.G. and C.J. are DOT COM SAVVY, they know how to DRIP BLING as they take care of BUSINESS-
This is a new Kenya-FLOSS YOUR WEALTH or die trying, stupid oh and PS: WHITE IS ALWAYS RIGHT that is why AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS are flocking to..... in search of greener pastures
Anonymous said...
hahaha, Chris you've made my day. That’s a classic off the cuff blog ;-Once in a while us Kumekuchians get a real treat- a sneak preview of Chris of Kumekucha the Man. Welcome aboard TNA dadi, messieurs’ Wills Mutunga & Mike Sonko the renowned masters of swag & bling have raised this bar and Kenyans have bought into it.
Satellite Don said...
1.Marijuana is a drug but to Kikuyus, it also
means 'They knew each other'
2. The Hobbit is a movie but to the Kambas, it is a chewing gum
3. Federer is a tennis player but to Kikuyus, it also means Flag
4. Yana is a tyre brand but to Kambas its Yesterday.
5. Ukali means Harshness but to Luhyas is food {ugali}
6. Sota is being broke but to the Luhyas its a beverage
7. Do this is english but to kiuks it means many motobike {duthis}
8. Mascara is a make up but to Luhyas is cigarettes.
9. Paper is a writting material but to Kisiis its to carry {beba}
10. Parrot to Luhyas is not only a bird,but a thing that we will use on march 4th election {ballot}
11. Chuka may be a place in meru but in Nyeri it also means 'to alight'
12. Joyce is not only a female name to Kalenjins its an option {choise}
Anonymous said...
Chris continues to bury his head in the sand after he was challenged to expose the hypocricy in CORDom nominations. This follows his 3 earlier posts meant to cast aspersions on the TNA presidential candidate.
It is now becoming clear that he who pays the piper calls the tune'. Chris has clearly been compromised by these CORDomites.
Festus Otieno
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger... | http://kumekucha.blogspot.com/2013/01/mzungus-have-never-been-corrupt-thats.html | dclm-gs1-196930001 | false | false | {
"keywords": "candida"
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.039338 | <urn:uuid:5442c022-f284-4ca4-9397-fb01c7f7680b> | en | 0.888632 |
Re: Lingua Franca of the Web - Will SVG replace HTML?
From: Sean B. Palmer <sean@mysterylights.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Jan 2001 22:19:34 -0000
Message-ID: <002201c083f8$3e6f8d40$0e9e2cc3@z5n9x1>
To: "Eric van der Vlist" <vdv@dyomedea.com>, "Charles F. Munat" <chas@munat.com>
I'm saying that document structuring and hypertext is more improtant on the
most fundamental level than graphics. Yes, SVG does integrate them
neatly... but I don't think "integration" denotes "replacement", and it
would be very odd to suggest that it does.
By all means, use SVG in XHTML: Amaya does this now, but as for replacing
XHTML with SVG... I don't see how that would even be possible. Telling
people to use SVG in that way would be beyond the scope of SVG as a format,
and I certainly do not think this is a line the W3C would want to take up
with their data formats. It doesn't make architectural sense. The future
lies in Semantics, not pretty pictures :-)
Kindest Regards,
Sean B. Palmer
Received on Sunday, 21 January 2001 17:20:59 UTC
| http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/www-talk/2001JanFeb/0047.html | dclm-gs1-197080001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.023793 | <urn:uuid:48397818-fed9-449f-8f9b-c74c997e13f1> | en | 0.920733 | Submitted by JoelT 993d ago | news
Obama: “Congress Should Fund Research on the Effect Violent Videogames Have On Young Minds”
Joel Taveras writes, "In the wake of the violence that shook the town of Newtown, Connecticut only 33 days ago, President Barack Obama took the podium today to unveil White House proposals on gun control. Today, the President will be outlining “23 executive actions” that he and Vice President Joe Biden believe will help to create real gun control reform throughout the country." (Industry)
Alternative Sources
Grlpants + 993d ago
Cyrax4 + 993d ago
Wow is right. The writing in this "article" is utter garbage.
1. Effect not affect.
2. He capitalized "on" once but not the second time.
3. It should be "were brought up" not "was brought up."
Crap like this is why it's hard to take games journalism seriously. 90% of the articles posted to N4G are written by people who don't even have a college education.
Grlpants + 993d ago
You went through the trouble of creating a account to troll a article?
Troll much?
Edited: One could also argue that you can't take a high percentage of people on N4G seriously because they troll. Instead of criticizing breaking news stories, how about you concern yourself with how Video Games are under a microscope and we need to, as a community, band together to prove to the naysayers that we're not serial killers/mass murderers in the making.
Have an awesome day.
#2.1 (Edited 993d ago ) | Agree(1) | Disagree(2) | Report | Reply
Sheikah + 993d ago
He also, in continuation of that statement, states that research should go into the effects of said games and that we (you) do not benefit from NOT knowing how games affect the psyche.
But I can see how this, out of context, sounds like a fist shaken at the game industry. The statement should be read in context.
In my opinion, this article is flamebait.. and research, like the kind Obama mentioned, could absolutely help relieve the stigmatisation of videogames. I do not believe that games grow serial killers - but I am in no way naive enough as to assume that all media forms are stripped of any cognitive influence.
kevnb + 993d ago
if thats true, what a waste of money.
mynameisEvil + 993d ago
Ugh, you stupid prick, here's an idea: Fix the friggin' debt before spending more money we don't have on a study that will go against your agenda, anyway.
How did this guy get reelected, again?
MidnytRain + 993d ago
Because the other guy was worse...
mynameisEvil + 990d ago
"The other guy" had a good record, whereas Obama has nothing but golf and shitty healthcare on his. Just sayin'.
Jsynn7 + 993d ago
Where's the research linking bad parenting to violence? I'm sure they'll find something there.
Add comment
New stories
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 Review | GodisaGeek
ClusterPuck99 Review I Xbox Players
Top 5 Movies To See This Month
The Legend of Legacy - 3DS Preview | Chalgyr's Game Room
| http://n4g.com/news/1156152/obama-congress-should-fund-research-on-the-effect-violent-videogames-have-on-young-minds | dclm-gs1-197450001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.168017 | <urn:uuid:fa83cef5-f4af-4d27-bad6-b4429bbd4266> | en | 0.939648 | [an error occurred while processing this directive]
BBC News
watch One-Minute World News
Last Updated: Friday, 16 March 2007, 07:36 GMT
All Nippon Airways raided by FBI
ANA planes
ANA is Japan's second biggest carrier
The North American headquarters of All Nippon Airways has been raided by the FBI, forcing the carrier to suspend ticket reservations for several hours.
No reason has been given for the search of the Los Angeles premises - but the airline said that terrorism was not behind the incident.
Last year the US government that it was probing possible price fixing in the air cargo industry.
ANA said it did not know if the raid was connected to that investigation.
"We are trying to establish the purpose of the raid but it is not connected with flight operations or terrorism," ANA said.
"Our flight ticket reservations were suspended temporarily but have now returned to normal."
ANA is Japan's second-largest airline by income, flying to 50 destinations in Japan and 24 cities across Asia, Europe and the US.
Japan plane in emergency landing
13 Mar 07 | Asia-Pacific
EU-US cartel probe hits airlines
14 Feb 06 | Business
Has China's housing bubble burst?
How the world's oldest clove tree defied an empire
Why Royal Ballet principal Sergei Polunin quit
Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific | http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6457121.stm | dclm-gs1-197500001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.622164 | <urn:uuid:99d68671-55da-4c38-9683-90c23249dbc3> | en | 0.976225 | PBS Reporter Waters Down Liberal Bias of Ninth Circuit Court
Reporting a U.S. District Court judge overturning California's Proposition 8, PBS correspondent Spencer Michaels noted that if the case is appealed to a higher court, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals would handle it. Michaels watered down the court's infamous history of liberal rulings, saying that though it may be liberal, it is not more so than any other U.S. Circuit Court.
The Ninth Circuit has "kind of a liberal bias – at least that's the charge," Michaels quickly corrected himself. "In actual fact, they probably aren't any more liberal than any other court," he insisted of the circuit with the dubious distinction of being the most-overturned of any by the Supreme Court.
The sentiment isn't confined to conservative-friendly publications.
A transcript of the segment, which aired on August 4 at 7:10 p.m., is as follows:
JUDY WOODRUFF, PBS anchor: And as you suggest, the proponents of Proposition 8 had already served notice that they plan to appeal. What is their recourse here?
SPENCER MICHAELS, PBS correspondent: Well, they're going to go to the Ninth Circuit, which is California and the rest of the West's appellate court in the federal system. That court has a kind of a liberal bias, at least that's the charge. In actual fact, they probably aren't any more liberal than any other court. They're going to take up this case, and from there, what one of the lawyers I talked to today said, is that what happens in the Ninth Circuit is going to be very, very important, that they will set precedent. And if they set a precedent that makes the Ninth Circuit different than the rest of the country, then the Supreme Court will want to step in and settle this issue. You can't have gay marriage approved in the Ninth Circuit and not in the rest of the country. So the Supreme Court will want to get involved in that. So that's probably what will happen. It probably will go to the Supreme Court eventually. The people who are in favor of gay marriage aren't really happy to go to the Supreme Court at this point. They know the make-up of that court, and they probably figure that they don't have a big chance of winning.
WOODRUFF: And Spencer, you were saying in your report a few minutes ago that it's not clear the effect this is going to have on the other 49 states right now. What is your understanding of that?
MICHAELS: Well as I said, right now this court is just a district court, a trial court – it doesn't present a precedent. If it goes to the Ninth Circuit, then there is a precedent involved, and the Ninth Circuit rules in most of the states west of the Rockies. But the rest of the country is not bound by the Ninth Circuit. So the U.S. Supreme Court would have to make a decision for the rest of the country.
Matt Hadro
Matt Hadro | http://newsbusters.org/blogs/matt-hadro/2010/08/06/pbs-reporter-waters-down-liberal-bias-ninth-circuit-court | dclm-gs1-197590001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.020849 | <urn:uuid:a43bfb86-7492-4e28-b9cf-a0f1cd822b3a> | en | 0.894913 | The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader
New At The Movies: 'The Tourist' And 'The Fighter'Mark Wahlberg is putting on the gloves for a shot at Oscar gold with his new movie "The Fighter" and Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie are looking for a box office win with their new action thriller "The Tourist." | http://newyork.cbslocal.com/tag/the-chronicles-of-narnia-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader/ | dclm-gs1-197600001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.023123 | <urn:uuid:cf99b790-f176-4e81-b4e9-365e7649c371> | en | 0.956728 | Henrik Lundqvist leads Sweden into gold medal game
SOCHI, Russia — Erik Karlsson scored the go-ahead goal late in the second period and Henrik Lundqvist stopped 25 shots, lifting Sweden over Finland 2-1 on Friday and into the gold-medal game at the Sochi Olympics.
The 2006 Olympic champions will face the United States or Canada on Sunday. The Finns will play the loser of the second semifinal for bronze on Saturday.
All the scoring came in the second, beginning with Olli Jokinen’s goal from a sharp angle to the left of Lundqvist at 6:17 into the period that put Finland ahead 1-0.
Lehtonen kept his team in the game, but the defensive-minded Finns struggled to generate many scoring chances. When they did, Lundqvist made the stops required. It was yet another strong performance from the goaltender who led the Swedes to gold eight years ago, when they beat Finland in the finals of the Turin Games.
They did, though, get off to a good start.
Jokinen beat the Swedes to a puck and scored what seemed to be a relatively soft goal against Lundqvist, shooting past him from just above the goal line.
The Finns are usually good at keeping leads by clogging the middle of the ice, forcing teams to the outside of the wider ice surface used in international play, but they were unable Friday to stop Sweden in a pair of pivotal moments.
The world’s top professional league and its players’ union have yet to commit to playing in the Pyeongchang Games in 2018, and both sides said this past week that decision could be made within six months.
Sweden improved to 7-2-3 in Olympic matchups against Finland and can join Canada as the only country to win two gold medals since NHL players began participating in the Olympics at the Nagano Games.
The Finns beat Sweden, their Scandinavian neighbor, in those games and went on to win bronze. They have won three medals in the NHL era, more than any other nation.
Finland’s Juhamatti Aaltonen, who scored the tying goal in a win that eliminated the host Russians in the quarterfinals, went to the dressing room early in the third period with an ailment that wasn’t announced.
What's Your Take?
Lundqvist is on and Karlsson is strong out there. This team has been rising to the occasion but will they have enough to pull it off? I'd be a bit surprised if they do, but it definitely is possible. I'm still feeling they are the slight underdogs here.
Fernando Lanas
Fernando Lanas
Sweden all the way,and the King gets ready to bring the Stanley Cup to new york where it belongs
Had to figure Sweden would win. Mike Francesa thought Finland would be in the Gold Medal game. Rooting for the King to win another gold. Maybe this time he can parlay it into a Stanley Cup.
Share Selection | http://nypost.com/2014/02/21/henrik-lundqvist-leads-sweden-into-gold-medal-game/ | dclm-gs1-197680001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.01842 | <urn:uuid:dc23d967-0ce3-490e-ad1a-ec24bca30df9> | en | 0.935329 | Scientists find metallic magnet with largest yet atomic displacement during thermal expansion
July 30, 2010 By Lisa Zyga feature
( -- Although most materials change shape in the presence of a magnetic field, the change is usually very small. In a new study, scientists have found that a certain magnet containing manganese experiences a change in the distance between two neighboring atoms of up to 2%, which is the largest ever found in a metallic magnet. Magnets with large magnetoelastic interactions - the mechanism that causes this change - play a crucial role in new materials that could be used in applications from sensors to refrigerants.
Alexander Barcza from the University of Cambridge and coauthors from ISIS and Imperial College London in the UK observed the giant magnetoelastic interactions in the material CoMnSi, which is a metallic antiferromagnet. The scientists also discovered that this magnet uses a new mechanism for achieving the large magnetoelastic effects, which involves competing exchange interactions among atoms.
“The usual mechanism [of magnetoelastic coupling], large spin-orbit coupling, is found mostly in rare earth-containing compounds, as the orbital angular momentum of rare earths is usually non-zero,” physicist Karl Sandeman of Imperial College London told “So to be able to have a large magneto-elastic coupling in a transition metal-based system may be useful in terms of reducing the need to turn to rare earths for such effects. Rare earths, while not truly ‘rare,’ are already under increasing demand for their use in eco-friendly technologies that use batteries and permanent magnets.”
The researchers could directly investigate this magnetoelastic effect on both the material’s crystal and structure by using a technique called high-resolution neutron diffraction in combination with magnetic measurements. Their observations revealed that a change in applied magnetic field can cause the magnetism of the material to suddenly increase. This sudden increase in magnetism corresponds to a phase transition called metamagnetism.
The scientists showed that, in this case, the origin of the material’s metamagnetism is a large magnetoelastic coupling among the material’s atoms. The scientists observed what they describe as a “giant” change during heating of about 2% in the distances between manganese atoms. In addition, the researchers showed that the magnetoelastic coupling serves as a precursor to a metamagnetic tricritical point with enhanced shape change effects.
As the scientists explain, the large magnetoelastic coupling - and its resulting change in atomic separations - is driven by a competition between the exchange interactions of two different pairs of manganese atoms. Sandeman explained that, while the volume changes of the material are quite small overall, the shape change in certain directions is quite large. Specifically, textured materials show more shape change than other materials such as polycrystals, which tend to "average out" the changes.
“In a sense, competition is the theme here: the competition between different magnetic exchange leads to the presence of the magneto-elastic effect in the first place, as the system finds itself choosing between antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic coupling of Mn atoms,” Sandeman explained. “We also see a competition in the volume change, between the significant decrease in the length of one axis (the a-axis) with increasing temperature or magnetic field and the conventional, positive thermal expansion and swell in a magnetic field of the other two axes. The root of this is that, in zero field, the giant changes in Mn-Mn distances in our material compensate each other; and so the thermal expansion of the total volume of the material is actually quite small.”
The discovery of a material with large atomic displacements during heating and shape changes in the presence of a magnetic field could have benefits in several areas, such as magnetic refrigerant materials and magnetostrictive materials, which respond to a change in and can therefore be used as sensors or actuators. Plus, the researchers note that it should be possible to engineer materials of different compositions that have the same large magnetoelastic effects.
“The focus of my group is on magnetocaloric materials, which employ a magnetic field-driven change of state to provide a cooling effect,” Sandeman said. “This is derived from a solid state transition such as a Curie point or, in this case, a metamagnetic transition, but is analagous to the evaporation of a volatile liquid to form a gas in a conventional gas compression fridge. Magnetic refrigerants often have bigger cooling effects if the magnetic change of state occurs in harmony with some change in the crystal lattice. Hence the interest in magneto-elastic interactions.”
Sandeman is also the co-founder of a magnetic refrigeration company called Camfridge that is incorporating solid state magnetic refrigerants (different from those in this study) for gas-free, high-efficiency room-temperature cooling. The company also co-sponsored Alexander Barcza's research. In partnership with Whirlpool, Camfridge announced that it will display a working magnetic cooling prototype during the London 2012 Olympics. More information is available here.
Explore further: Towards the magnetic fridge
More information: A. Barcza, et al. "Giant Magnetoelastic Coupling in a Metallic Helical Metamagnet." Physical Review Letters 104, 247202 (2010). DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.247202
Related Stories
Towards the magnetic fridge
April 21, 2006
Novel magnets made from the strongest known hydrogen bond
December 6, 2006
A team of scientists from the US, the UK and Germany has been the first to make a magnetic material constructed from nature's strongest known hydrogen bond. Hydrogen bonds are responsible for many of the properties of water ...
Iron-nitrogen compound forms strongest magnet known
March 22, 2010
How shape-memory materials remember
April 26, 2010
Recommended for you
New surfaces delay ice formation
October 6, 2015
Adjust slider to filter visible comments by rank
Display comments: newest first
1.5 / 5 (8) Jul 30, 2010
Reminds me of the 4% discrepancy found in basic particle components as of recent. Whoops! where did that come from!
Never say never, all you engineering-minded blowhards! There's plenty or room left in your lives yet to be wrong (yet) again, in your steadfast belief that all science is settled and no physical constant, formula, or theory is even remotely capable of being outside of dogmatic permanence.
There is only one fact in existence..and that is....that 'there are no facts'. In essence, that is all we know about 'reality', with regard to engaging any potential for permanence. All else is observation, theory and formula. Nothing is set in stone. I'm sorry... if your 'emotions' can't handle that, then you never should have chosen science - which is subject to change (at any moment).
(I wisely never miss a chance to slap the recalcitrant dogmatic types around -they sorely need it)
This material, subject to non-linear resonance interactions! Whoo-boy....!! (think!!)
1 / 5 (1) Jul 30, 2010
So what does this equate to in terms of volume displacement in a solid?
Wonder if it could be in some way adapted for power generation, either acoustically or by physical compression?
You seem to be hinting at some type of potential, so do tell, if you please.
3.7 / 5 (3) Aug 02, 2010
KBK got a bum wrap because he is confrontational with his verbiage. He is right though. Big bang is slowly getting challeneged and dark matter will go with it. Perfect example of what he is saying. We cant think in a box. If we did we would still be carrying a large piece of wood as our primary survival tool.
not rated yet Aug 06, 2010
A recent article here on Dipole Moment does provide crumbs....
1 / 5 (1) Aug 07, 2010
Forget that I asked. I was curious -not as you seem to assume- mounting a new Inquisition.
Click here to reset your password. | http://phys.org/news/2010-07-scientists-metallic-magnet-largest-atomic.html | dclm-gs1-197900001 | false | false | {
"keywords": "engineering"
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.907994 | <urn:uuid:7740f5ba-1fab-43a8-932d-38d413fe006a> | en | 0.856411 | Sign up ×
Rydberg blockade is a phenomena in 3 or more level systems of Rydberg dressed atoms.
share|cite|improve this question
The wikipedia artilce on Rydberg atoms cites several papers from 2007 and 2008 that have "Rydberg blockage" in their titles. – dmckee Mar 9 '13 at 16:35
1 Answer 1
up vote 2 down vote accepted
In zero electric field, the interactions energy between two Rydberg atoms is $U=C_6 r^{-6}$. If the Rydberg transition is driven with an (effective) Rabi frequency $\Omega$, then the blockade radius is $$R_b = \left( \frac{\hbar\Omega}{C_6} \right)^{-1/6}$$ If one atom is excited to the Rydberg state, a second atom will be detuned by just enough to prevent a complete transition.
share|cite|improve this answer
Your Answer
| http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/56375/how-is-a-rydberg-blockade-radius-defined/56400 | dclm-gs1-197920001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.018933 | <urn:uuid:41af0438-29af-4782-a603-9e0e22336d78> | en | 0.949761 | Tips To Help You Thrive In Commercial Real Estate
Investing in commercial real estate offers a world of opportunities, but in many cases it is well worth the hassle. However, the rewards can easily outweigh the costs. This article contains tips and ideas to help you triumph in the arena of commercial real estate.
Set up your own blog to establish yourself as an expert in your field. Doing so can assist you in finding buyers and renters for your properties.
Try practicing patience and remain calm, if you are considering purchasing any commercial real estate. Don’t make any hasty investment decisions. If the property doesn’t suit you in the end, you may regret your hastiness. It could take you twelve months or longer to get the deal that fits you perfectly.
Properties are subject to a life-cycle similar to ours, where they will eventually parish if not ordered and maintained. You could make an avoidable error by buying a property that needs a lot of upkeep in the future. It could require major repairs, such as a new plumbing system or a new roof. Certain types of buildings require these upgrades more frequently than others. Be prepared for when these necessities come up.
You should be aware of any environmental concerns. A large concern is when you currently own a property that has issues with hazardous waste. Regardless of whether or not you caused the problem, as the landowner it is your responsibility to fix it.
Before placing your commercial property on the market, you should take the time to have it inspected by a professional inspector. If anything turns up during the inspection, you should immediately address the problem.
Before you purchase a property, talk to a tax advisor. They can let you know the cost of the building and how much income is taxable. Work with your adviser to find an area where taxes will not be as high.
If you desire commercial property for rental purposes, locate buildings that are simply yet solidly constructed. A well-built building will attract tenants quickly because tenants want a property that is solid. These buildings also provide much easier maintenance for both the tenants and the owner, as they are less likely to require repairs.
Real Estate
The Internet contains a lot of information for those interested in investing in real estate, whether they be experienced investors or novices. You can never learn too much, so you should study real estate topics regularly.
Before you enter into any negotiations for a lease on commercial real estate, attempt to decrease anything that may be thought of as a default event. If you cover all the applicable issues, then you make it far less likely that potential tenants will default on their lease. This is in your best interest.
There are a lot of ways you can spend less when repairing cleaning efforts. You are only potentially responsible for paying for cleanup if you held an ownership interest in a property. It can cost your a lot of money to clean up and get rid of garbage. To avoid this nightmare, have an environmental inspection done on the property prior to buying it. Even if this is expensive, consider it as an investment.
In order to find a reputable real estate broker who is going to suit your needs, ask your preferred choices some questions, including their idea of what constitutes a success and a failure. Also inquire how they personally measure their results. Be certain you have a clear understandings of the strategies the broker uses. If you disagree with the real estate agent’s methods, continue looking for the right broker for you.
Find out how any firm you have under consideration defines success. Learn how they determine how much space is needed, the property selection criteria, the negotiation methods, and other details that can affect you. Knowing these things prior to signing on with them will be beneficial.
Look at any environmental impacts or prior EPA issues with the property. You are responsible for cleaning up your building from environmental waste. Are you considering a property that is in a flood zone? Think again! There are many resources that can give you local weather patterns, flood patterns and insurance risk ratings, which can all tell you about the area you are thinking about buying in.
Square Footage
You want to make sure the square footage is clearly available. A commercial property’s square footage can be measured two different ways. The first way is usable square footage which is the amount of square footage that can be used for business purposes. The other is total square feet which includes all square footage including square footage that cannot be currently used. Try to obtain both measurements, in order to really understand how much space is under consideration.
As mentioned above, commercial real estate can provide many chances for you to boost your income. Use the advice you have learned here so you can give yourself the best chance of success in commercial real estate.
| http://planning-financial.com/tips-to-help-you-thrive-in-commercial-real-estate-2/ | dclm-gs1-197940001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.482983 | <urn:uuid:f68bc167-422d-40c2-a6da-9857312d965f> | en | 0.950695 | Sign up ×
In his book "The Theory Of Poker", David Sklansky states that in order to call an early open/raise you should hold at least the same or a tighter range than the open/raiser opponent.
Sklansky called this the "Gap Concept". But as the first round of bets go ahead, players are faced with better pot odds that can lead a villain to call with a wider range of starting hands.
As an example look at this scenario:
The blinds are 0.5xbb and 1xbb, now the pot is 1.5xbb.
The first to open is Alice with 3xbb, now the pot is 4.5xbb.
If Bob would call needs at least an equity of 3/(4.5+3)=0.4.
If the Alice range is R1, Bob needs a range R2 such that R1 vs R2 is at least 60% vs 40% in orther to achieve that equity.
Now the action is on Charlie who needs to commit 3xbb to gain 7.5xbb. So he needs a 0.28 equity against the other players. In order to achieve that equity, Charlie needs a distribution R3 such that R2+R1 vs R3 is 70% vs 30%.
How can we unify these two points of view? Or in other words, where does the gap concept come from?
share|improve this question
Now this is really interesting: you offer a bounty of 100 reputation while having a reputation of about 160... – Radu Murzea Feb 7 '13 at 19:52
I have good equity in the pot ;) – emanuele Feb 8 '13 at 13:14
@emanuele - if there are enough players in the hand, then does this suggest that at some point you can correctly call without looking at your cards? – TTT Mar 23 '13 at 13:30
@TTT actually it's not true. looks at my answer. the request of equity in relation to the number of players narrows the range playable. – emanuele Mar 24 '13 at 16:10
@emanuele, I see your point, but it seems like there must be some cases where it makes sense to call in that scenario? What if it's 15 to 1 pot odds preflop, maybe you just call and see if you flop a monster regardless of your hand? Maybe a better question would be what are the minimum odds necessary to see a flop regardless of your hand? – TTT Mar 25 '13 at 3:30
3 Answers 3
Sklansky's statement is nothing more than just statistics. Looking at your stats in PokerTracker you will see that in most cases preflop callers have better hands than preflop raisers. If your raise has two calls preflop, then the second call will be "stronger" than the first on the distance.
Really, better pot odds can make someone call with boundary hand (like small pair) and join the multipot, and you will dominate him. But in most cases you are playing against one opponent. Especially with respect to the later stages of MTT.
share|improve this answer
This kind statistics concerns with what people does (especially if they strightforward apply Sklansky theory). Conversely pot odds concern with what is correct to do from the mathematical point of view. In my little experience of rounder I found more economical advantageous play looking at the pot odds. Thanx for the answer but my doubt is still there. – emanuele Jan 23 '13 at 12:24
The gap concept is a little dated. In a completely sterile poker world with perfect information about each others' ranges, it makes sense that the calling range of a middle position player is stronger than the calling range of a late position player, and since we don't know whether the hand was at the bottom or the top of his calling range, you may actually be playing against someone who has called with a hand at the top of his calling range. Because of this, your calling range needs to raise so that the middle of YOUR calling range is BETTER than a hand at the top of his range, something like 99.
Of course, this discounts everything from position to exploiting opponents to forcing mistakes. These days it's really only applicable in a Limit Hold'em game where everyone is playing at a very high level.
share|improve this answer
up vote 0 down vote accepted
I think the correct answer is this (all the equity are tested with a equilab functionality "equity at least"), is an empirical rules due required equity against ranges.
Suppose Alice opens with 10% of hands, this means hands: 77+,A9s+,KTs+,QTs+,AJo+,KQo
Now Bob have to call with hands that have at least 40% of equity. These range can be computed with equilab and is: 44+,A9s+,KQs,AJo+.
If Charlie calls, he needs at least a 28% equity against Alice and Bob. The hands that have at least this equity are: 77+,AQs+,AQo+
As you can see the range become smaller and smaller although the equity become smaller.
share|improve this answer
Your Answer
| http://poker.stackexchange.com/questions/1058/gap-concept-and-pot-odds/1107 | dclm-gs1-197960001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.021366 | <urn:uuid:2cf59523-e3d2-477a-b39e-8d41a81b9ba9> | en | 0.911404 | espanolbot: (Default)
[personal profile] espanolbot posting in [community profile] scans_daily
Just posting the alternate cover, so more can go up when the issue is released.
Chemistry-related folk of Scans_daily, does the composition Batman describes exist, and if so is it used for anything specifically?
Date: 2012-11-08 11:13 pm (UTC)
From: [personal profile] darkknightjrk
On the chemical side, I don't know--but considering some of the knowledge Snyder's laid down in Swamp Thing, I wouldn't be surprised at all if there's at least some sort of chemical shout-out.
Anyway, really looking forward to this--few comics I can think of right now is causing me to have this much of a weird mix of excitement and pure dread.
Date: 2012-11-09 12:07 am (UTC)
cypherfdp: (Default)
From: [personal profile] cypherfdp
Watch out, Batman, she's got Mjolnir!
Date: 2012-11-09 01:08 am (UTC)
autohobbs: (Tennant)
From: [personal profile] autohobbs
I like Harley on this cover, it's the cutest she's been in a while. She seems to have that old "Harley" energy.
Date: 2012-11-09 02:05 am (UTC)
sadoeuphemist: (Default)
From: [personal profile] sadoeuphemist
I'm pretty confused as to what the heck Batman did on those pages. He took out a little handheld rocket thing, pointed it down, and propelled himself upwards and smashed himself through the metal cover? What the heck?
Date: 2012-11-09 01:11 pm (UTC)
leoboiko: (Default)
From: [personal profile] leoboiko
I'm no chemist, but wouldn't sodium hydroxide neutralize with sulfuric acid?
Date: 2012-11-09 02:12 pm (UTC)
rdfox: Schematic depiction of the operation of a Wankel rotary engine (mechanical)
From: [personal profile] rdfox
Pretty much. And... lessee, if those are percentages by weight... molecular weight of H2SO4 is 98.072, of NaOH is 39.996... balance the equation... mole fractions... it *should* neutralize all the sulfuric acid (to water and sodium sulfate) with some excess sodium hydroxide left.
The sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), for the record, is nontoxic, though it was used widely as a laxative "until more sophisticated alternatives came about in the 1900s," according to Wiki. The reaction used is the one primarily used in the production of rayon, which sometimes uses ammonia and copper in its synthesis (though that's largely been abandoned for environmental reasons); I can't find any application where zinc sulfide or chromium are used in combination with it.
So I'm guessing it's just a case of Snyder looking through Wiki and pulling a bunch of nasty chemicals out of his ass without doing any research to see how they'd interact if mixed...
ETA: Confirmed by my friend who has a Ph.D. in chemistry and is working in industry; he suspects there might be some side reactions, and the zinc sulfide *would* make it fluoresce under ultraviolet light, but you'd essentially end up with Bats's skin somewhat burnt by the remaining NaOH, and a full Bat-diaper. And there's *no* industrial application that would see that mixture.
Edited Date: 2012-11-10 11:08 pm (UTC)
Date: 2012-11-10 11:18 pm (UTC)
leoboiko: (Default)
From: [personal profile] leoboiko
Thanks, the throughness is appreciated.
Date: 2012-11-10 03:32 pm (UTC)
althechi: (revel in excrement)
From: [personal profile] althechi
What a basic error.
Thangewverymuch, I'll be here all week...
Date: 2012-11-09 01:12 pm (UTC)
kurenai_tenka: (Default)
From: [personal profile] kurenai_tenka
Terrified to see what follows the last page of the preview, uugh.
scans_daily: (Default)
Scans Daily
Please read the community ethos and rules before posting or commenting.
October 2015
1 2 3
4 5 678910
Most Popular Tags
Style Credit
Expand Cut Tags
No cut tags | http://scans-daily.dreamwidth.org/4087267.html | dclm-gs1-198270001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.286748 | <urn:uuid:0ddac8e8-f8aa-4f4e-95c1-99519592df2f> | en | 0.972622 |
Forgot your password?
Comment Re:As a dentist who treats patients with Mt. Dew (Score 1) 362
yeah, bathing one's teeth in it all day can't be good, especially since most people don't brush during the middle of the day, so the food and drink residue just sits there.
However, I figure that person has more problems than just that, I bet they don't even brush morning and/or evening.
Summer 2011, I often fell asleep without brushing, and had 10+ cavities by fall. That's bad, but the teeth were/are still there, so I figure that person was behaving worse than I did for longer than I did.
Comment Re:mob boss make a bad bet? (Score 1) 210
Commentators talked about the momentum shift, and then that happened.
Yeah, if the spread was Baltimore by 3 or less, this would affect the betting outcome but not the game outcome, which makes sense as a lower-impact way to 'fix' it. However, most spreads I saw were San Francisco by 4. Maybe the attempt to 'fix' it went wrong, maybe it was about some side bet.
Comment Re:It doesn't help... (Score 1) 582
Having the USPS involved in other mailing activities seems like a reasonable use of the elastic clause, considering changes in transportation and other shipping-related technology since the 1700's.
I don't like the monopoly and flat price on letters, but I don't see it as particularly unconstitutional.
Comment bittorrent+tor = bad idea (Score 1) 292
it's possible, but the technologies interact badly, so it runs especially slow or something. also, it seems like bad etiquette to clog up Tor nodes by torrenting garden-varity media instead of leaving Tor capacity available for important users like say whistleblowers.
Comment regular grocery store for me (Score 1) 212
I get 8g as 40 200mg tablets for $4.
I buy them because they're cheaper and more portable than energy drinks, not necessarily to avoid the other stuff in energy drinks, but avoiding that doesn't hurt.
Highly caffeinated soda is cheaper than energy drinks, but more expensive than tablets. I often drink diet soda for the taste and for when I want a smaller dose of caffeine.
Comment Re:Betting lines (Score 1) 67
I know that's how bookies work, but I figured putting real money on the line would help ensure accuracy because it would help people take it seriously, that plus a large sample size.
Sports betting does have some skill in trying to figure out if the bookies/betting public are wrong, as opposed to some other forms of gambling being complete chance, but I don't want to put too much stock in trying to beat the system. Ironically, trying to beat the system could just encourage gambling, exactly what the system wants.
| http://slashdot.org/~KingAlanI/firehose | dclm-gs1-198440001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.028392 | <urn:uuid:e864c3a8-6820-49c9-97a3-4308014d6b9d> | en | 0.952161 |
Forgot your password?
iPhone 3.1 Update Disables Tethering 684
jole writes "The newest iPhone 3.1 update intentionally removed tethering functionality from all phones operating in networks that are not Apple partners. This is not limited to hacked or jailbroken phones, but also includes expensive 'officially supported' factory-unlocked phones. To make the problem worse, Apple has made it impossible to downgrade back to a working 3.0 version for iPhone 3GS phones."
Comment Like a fortune cookie... (Score 2, Interesting) 554
Just add "on the Internet" to the key sentences and it all makes more sense.
... on the Internet
... on the Internet.
he aim of a collective, however, is to engineer a system where self-directed peers take responsibility for critical processes and where difficult decisions, such as sorting out priorities, are decided by all participants.
... on the Internet.
I wonder if these shocking cultural changes aren't as big of a deal as the Wired article makes it out to be, in that they're scoped only to the online world. The offline world may barely change in response. Then again, if everybody is more and more conducting most of their activities on the Internet, that's a different story.
Google Earth Raises Discrimination Issue In Japan 457
Hugh Pickens writes "The Times (UK) reports that by allowing old maps to be overlaid on satellite images of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, Google has unwittingly created a visual tool that has prolonged an ancient discrimination, says a lobbying group established to protect the human rights of three million burakumin, members of the sub-class condemned by the old feudal system in Japan to unclean jobs associated with death and dirt. 'We tend to think of maps as factual, like a satellite picture, but maps are never neutral, they always have a certain point of view,' says David Rumsey, a US map collector. Some Japanese companies actively screen out burakumin-linked job seekers, and some families hire private investigators to dig into the ancestry of fiances to make sure there is no burakumin taint. Because there is nothing physical to differentiate burakumin from other Japanese and because there are no clues in their names or accent, the only way of establishing whether or not they are burakumin is by tracing their family. By publishing the locations of burakumin ghettos with the modern street maps, the quest to trace ancestry is made easier, says Toru Matsuoka, an opposition MP and member of the Buraku Liberation League. Under pressure to diffuse criticism, Google has asked the owners of the woodblock print maps to remove the legend that identifies the ghetto with an old term, extremely offensive in modern usage, that translates loosely as 'scum town.' 'We had not acknowledged the seriousness of the map, but we do take this matter seriously,' says Yoshito Funabashi, a Google spokesman." The ancient Japanese caste system was made illegal 150 years ago, but silent discrimination remains. The issue is complicated by allegations of mob connections in the burakumin anti-discrimination organizations.
Ten Most Used BitTorrent Sites Compared 178
An anonymous reader writes that "This study was just released that compares the ten most popular BitTorrent sites. A great read if you are torn between what site to use, it has benchmark graphs and anaylsis. I was rather suprised with the findings." I hadn't heard of several of the top sites they rate. But why is it that so many torrent sites are so ugly?
Nerds Switching from Apple to Ubuntu? 957
Mindpicnic writes "The recent switch of two lifelong Mac nerds to Ubuntu hasn't escaped Tim O'Reilly's radar. He cites Jason Kottke: 'If I were Apple, I'd be worried about this. Two lifelong Mac fans are switching away from Macs to PCs running Ubuntu Linux: first it was Mark Pilgrim and now Cory Doctorow. Nerds are a small demographic, but they can also be the canary in the coal mine with stuff like this.'"
French Lawmakers Approve 'iTunes Law' 423
Comment Can we stop pretending (Score 1) 275
Can we stop pretending that these changes are positive? Who the hell cares about corporations? Why must we keep making compromises for them? If we banned DRM, threw out copyright laws, yes, really expensive-to-produce content will appear less frequently. So what? We're moving to a world where culture comes from the bottom-up, not the top-down. From wikipedia to Torrents. It's a paradigm shift. And if we want to stop the RIAA from suing grandmas, we have to be willing to accept a world without copyright.
Labs Compete to Build New Nuclear Bomb 949
Rosen Believes RIAA is Wrong about P2P Lawsuits 287
Newer Guy writes "Former RIAA head Hilary Rosen now believes that the RIAA is wrong by pursuing their lawsuits of individuals for using P2P programs. In a blog post, she writes that she believes the lawsuits have 'outlived their usefulness' and states that the content providers really need to come up with their own download systems. She also is down on DRM, calling Apple's DRM 'a pain.'"
Creative Sues Apple 423
E IS mC(Square) writes "Looks like Apple's legal problems are not yet over. ZDNet reports that Creative has sued Apple over their iPod interface. From the article: 'Creative Technology said Monday that it has filed two legal actions against Apple Computer, charging the popular iPod infringes on its patented technology. ... In both cases, Creative says that the iPod and iPod Nano infringe on a patent the company has for the interface in its Zen media player, a patent granted last August.'"
The New Wireless Wars 87
An anonymous reader writes "BusinessWeek has a story on the coming wireless wars. It's a look at how the upcoming government auction of wireless spectrum will open the door to a new crop of competitors. The new players, from Google and Microsoft to Intel and Craig McCaw's Clearwire, will compete in new wireless voice services and in wireless broadband. Look out Cingular, Verizon Wireless, and Sprint-Nextel."
Reporter Phone Records Being Used to Find Leaks 971
jackbird writes "Brian Ross, Chief Investigative Correspondent for ABC news says a confidential source informed him that reporter's phone records are being used by the administration to track down leaks. Apparently reporters for the New York Times, ABC News, and the Washington Post are being scrutinized. The fact that ABC News journalists are even seriously wondering about whether the warning is connected to the NSA's domestic surveillance activities indicates just how anxious many people in Washington have become."
Evolution of a 100% Free Software-Based Publisher 210
NewsForge (also owned by VA) has a quick and interesting look at the evolution of a 100% free software-based Italian publisher. From the article: "Today, Sovilla acknowledges that choosing a 100% free software workflow complicated his working life. He also notes, however, that a great part of his troubles came from an early start, at a time when programs such as Scribus weren't mature enough yet. Today, he says, the situation has improved considerably, and publishers who are willing to experiment with an alternative software platform can, and should, try it without fear."
| http://slashdot.org/~philipkd/tags/kottke | dclm-gs1-198450001 | false | false | {
"keywords": "surveillance"
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.108996 | <urn:uuid:e32dc898-4031-4071-aa0c-01fc10243332> | en | 0.981921 | They've got muck; we've got rakes. TPM Muckraker
Charlie Rangel: I Can't Say Anything, Well, Except... (VIDEO)
Followed by a gaggle of reporters and photographers down the hall to the elevator, Rangel complained that there were plenty of lawyers who would represent him without charging a fee, if only the House Ethics Committee would allow it.
"There are people that want to, trial lawyers, that want to give me counsel without a fee," said Rangel. "They said no, it would be considered a gift. They said that any free advice given to me by counsel would be considered a gift." The New York congressman represented himself at the hearing.
Rangel's hearing before the House Ethics Committee centers around 13 charges against him. He's denied the allegations.
"Okay, thank you," Rangel said as the elevator doors closed. | http://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/charlie-rangel-i-can-t-say-anything-well-except-video | dclm-gs1-198730001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.021955 | <urn:uuid:bb35a671-2b20-4e1e-84a4-f94a271de7e0> | en | 0.835395 | قصص نساء ساديات | SSVSCH Streaming Videos
قصص نساء ساديات
About قصص نساء ساديات
قصص نساء ساديات As a result, when the Earth is at a certain place in its orbit, the northern hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun and experiences summer. There has been speculation among fans that Han is Lee Dong-Gun`s girlfriend, mostly based on the fact that they are frequently seen together in publicity photographs.
With the opening up of China to the west, principally first from Hong Kong and Macau, feng shui became increasingly known and also practiced by western ``hongs`` or trading companies to satisfy local business communities, and also to encourage luck in business. قصص محارم مصورة She made her debut in 2001 in dramas before taking up a lead role in Sweet 18. A Russian superstition recalls a werewolf can be recognised by bristles under the tongue.
Based on this new calculation, the mass of the Milky Way is also 50 percent greater than they thought, which means that we may also run into the Andromeda galaxy in about 5 billion years, which is also sooner than expected. They hoped for a life free from the tyranny of kings and queens. قصص نساء ساديات Everyone`s secret key is different and unique. قصص نيك محارم Bikini tops come in several different styles and cuts, including a halter-style neck that offers more coverage and support, a strapless bandeau, a rectangular strip of fabric covering the breasts that minimizes large breasts, a top with cups similar to a push-up bra, and the From the Greek meaning ``she-goat`` the Chimera is a fire-breathing creature that has the body of a goat, the head of a lion and the tail of a serpent.
Werewolf folklore is rare in England, possibly because wolves had been eradicated by authorities in the Anglo-Saxon period. قصصي نيك محارم
Related Video Searches
قصص ساحقات
قصص محارم مصورة
نساء مسايطرات مثليات قضيب جلدي
قصص سكس كتابه
قصص نياكه بالعربي حاميه
نساء مع نك معا
Random Searches
البنت الامركية رلتي تجوزت الحمار فديو
سكس المغرب بقميص النوم
قصص نيك
إلهام شهين
ازباب مراهقين
Most Recent
How To Make Soft Goats Milk Cheese: Chèvre
افلام شواطئ سكس فرف | http://tamugaia.com/ssvsch/index.php?v=%D9%82%D8%B5%D8%B5+%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A1+%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA | dclm-gs1-198750001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.025797 | <urn:uuid:fcd44572-9cf6-4f4f-8b5b-68efdbab5262> | en | 0.955376 | Katie Pavlich
As President Obama launches his attack on Mitt Romney's jobs record today, Romney is beating Obama by four points in the latest Rasmussen poll.
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Sunday shows Mitt Romney earning 48% of the vote and President Obama attracting 44% support. Four percent (4%) would vote for a third party candidate, while another three percent (3%) are undecided.
Romney has now had the lead for eight consecutive days.
President Obama kicks off his official "Bain Capital is evil, rich people are bad and Romney likes firing people" campaign today with the following ad airing in five swing states.
Katie Pavlich
| http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2012/05/14/romney_48_obama_44 | dclm-gs1-198930001 | false | false | {
"keywords": "candida"
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.111289 | <urn:uuid:dcd0ce53-ea42-4e5e-8568-98c04ead9e17> | en | 0.843002 | Sign up ×
How to get a Finepoint Digitizer Tablet to work under Fedora Core 16?
The hardware in question is a Gateway m285-E. It uses an active pen (has a battery in the pen).
cat /dev/ttyS0
returns input characters to the screen when the pen is close to the monitor. However, if I don't cat /dev/ttyS0 – say I'm just on the desktop, and press the pen to the screen, it crashes me back out to the Fedora login screen. How do I get this laptop to handle pen input properly?
Let me recap what we've tried so far:
Here's the modified contents of xorg.conf:
Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier " Configured"
Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
Screen 1 "Screen1" RightOf "Screen0"
Screen 2 "Screen2" RightOf "Screen1"
InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Tablet"
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Tablet"
Driver "fpit"
Option "Device" "/dev/ttyS0"
Option "AlwaysCore" "on"
Option "InvertY"
Option "MaximumXPosition" "12550"
Option "MaximumYPosition" "7650"
Option "MinimumXPosition" "400"
Option "MinimumYPosition" "400"
Option "SendCoreEvents"
Here's the contents of her /home/[user]/.xinitrc:
xsetpointer TOUCHSCREEN
xmodmap -e "pointer = 1 3 2"
Here's the contents of /etc/serial.conf
/dev/ttyS0 uart 16550A port 0x06a8 irq 4 baud_base 38400 spd_normal skip_test
This configuration setting came from a user the same hardware who was having trouble on the Fedora forums.
We've also tried serial.conf with these parameters, as described in the site. (
/dev/ttyS0 port 0x03F8 irq 4 baud_base 38400
There is a challenge with getting the fpit driver to run under Fedora. It's been cut out of the main branch, and on 19/20 you can no longer just yum install fpit. To get a functioning driver, we dove back into version 16. The ISO is here:
From there, we were able to download an RPM of fpit driver 1.4.0 for fedora from this URL.
I know it's a shot in the dark to ask about an older distro and a super-specific piece of hardware, but any insight would be MUCH appreciated!
share|improve this question
You can always reach into the Koji build service and get the source RPMs and attempt to modify and rebuild them on Fedora 19/20. – slm Jan 6 '14 at 1:02
I would be tempted to take all the options out of the "InputDevice" section except for the 1st 3. Then reboot. Then fire up xev and confirm that the pen is sending events that X can see correctly. I would then add the options back in 1 at a time to see if you actually need them and if they're set values are right. – slm Jan 6 '14 at 1:19
Your Answer
Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question. | http://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/108015/how-to-get-a-finepoint-digitizer-tablet-to-work-under-fedora-core-16 | dclm-gs1-199000001 | false | false | {
"keywords": "mouse"
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.021248 | <urn:uuid:853cabc9-be5e-42a7-9942-fbf7d404b664> | en | 0.916322 | Monastic annals:
For research for a paper I'm working on, I got a book of Monastic Annals from the library. It's an 1869 volume containing the annals from the Osney monastery and from the Worcester priory. The part I was looking for, in the Worcester priory annals, said the following:
Hans Bader (mail):
The stair-toss is a stupid method of grading exams.
However, one speedy method of grading long papers, utilized by a relative of mine while teaching at an Ivy League institution, is to weigh the paper, rather than actually reading the paper in its entirety.
The score for the paper is then based on two variables: (1) the weight of the paper, relative to the weight of the average paper in the class; and (2) the quality of a sampling of just a few pages of the paper.
This method reduces the time that needs to be spent grading papers by at least two-thirds. That in turn increases the effective hourly compensation of the professor or T.A. using this method by a lot.
12.14.2006 11:06am
Hans Bader (mail):
Oops. My above comment was intended as a response to the previous post, not the post above.
12.14.2006 11:08am
liberty (mail) (www):
[2006. Nothing memorable.]
Imagine if we were that modest!
12.14.2006 11:08am
David Chesler (mail) (www):
Nihil memoriale
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle only goes to 1154, but I recall hearing that it has a similar entry for some year.
(The search engine for the version here isn't working for me.)
12.14.2006 11:54am
Anon Y. Mous:
I didn't know they allowed animals to become monks.
12.14.2006 11:57am
Nick P.:
The entry for 1058 briefly describes some political skullduggery:
A.D. 1058. This year was Earl Elgar banished: but he soon came in again by force, through Griffin's assistance: and a naval armament came from Norway. It is tedious to tell how it all fell out.
Yep, there's nothing more boring than rebellious Earls and viking invasion fleets.
12.14.2006 12:08pm
jack (mail):
Very cool stuff. But if that research you're working on is for a law review article . . . oy, that would be an awful source and cite.
12.14.2006 12:13pm
Sasha Volokh (mail) (www):
jack: The cite would be (and in fact is): 4 ANNALES MONASTICI 422--23 (Henry Richards Luard ed., 1869) ("MCCXXXI. Tradidimus . . . dominicum de Pensex Edwino rotario tantum in vita sua pro tertia garba.").
12.14.2006 12:16pm
a reader:
that . . . is . . . AWESOME.
i miss history so much.
12.14.2006 2:16pm
John M. Perkins (mail):
Jeff Bagwell.
12.14.2006 2:53pm
Sasha Volokh (mail) (www):
John M. Perkins: I don't understand.
12.14.2006 3:25pm
Patrick Rothwell (mail):
I recall reading that King George III wrote in his diary something along the lines of "nothing of any significance happened today" for July 4, 1776. Too good to check?
12.15.2006 1:01pm | http://volokh.com/posts/1166111302.shtml | dclm-gs1-199050001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.019694 | <urn:uuid:9079ccc4-8529-4344-9887-c5e4a8ab4880> | en | 0.913644 | What’s That Song?
Have a question about a song you heard on The River? Ask us here and our musicologists will get back to you with an answer.
Recent Headlines
in Music
in Music
Ellie Goulding battling heart condition
in Trending, Viral Videos
TODAY’S MUST SEE: This ‘Star Wars’ Disney movie mashup is amazing
in Viral Videos
WATCH: Daisy drives Oliver
| http://wrsi.com/whats-that-song/ | dclm-gs1-199250001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.022136 | <urn:uuid:c7ee45e9-0f35-4739-b8f5-d8af1d8d817d> | en | 0.918971 | The City of Joplin has established guidelines for to help with debris pickup.
Trash should be separated into one of six categories:
1. Electronics
2. Appliances
3. Construction material
4. Trees and branches
5. Household garbage
6. Hazardous waste.
Debris should be placed curbside and should not block roadways and driveways.
For the US Army Corps to pick up your debris, it must be within the first ten feet off the pavement for the mechanical arms to be able to reach and pick it up.
Lone Elm Waste Water Treatment Plant at 2310 North Lone Elm Road
Accepting: appliances, electronics, small motorized equipment, compressed gas, house hold hazardous waste
City of Joplin’s Old Landfill at 901 N. Black Cat Road
Accepting: building materials, drywall, lumber, carpet, furniture, plumbing, bricks
If you would like to personally drop off your debris, they are a few places that take it for free.
Heat Guide: Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses
Via American Red Cross: Greater Ozarks Chapter
Triple digit temperatures can be deadly – Know how to recognize the signs
Everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees, but the elderly and the very young are most susceptible to heat and heat-related illnesses.
Heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if untreated. Signs of heat-related illnesses include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches. Victims of heat-related illness should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool wet cloths should be applied to the skin. If a victim refuses water, vomits, or loses consciousness, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately.
The American Red Cross offers the following tips for staying cool and safe:
Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR. While the above tips can help prevent emergencies, it is crucial to know what to do if an emergency situation arises. Help can’t always wait for advanced medical personnel to arrive. Red Cross First Aid training gives individuals the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide basic care for injuries and sudden illness.
Know What These Heat-Related Terms Mean:
Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.
Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke. Signals of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.
General Care for Heat Emergencies:
Heat cramps or heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. If the person is fully awake and alert, give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not let him or her drink too quickly. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.
Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.
Leave a Comment | http://www.2020accessonline.com/helpjoplin1/cleanup-tips/ | dclm-gs1-199320001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.030039 | <urn:uuid:d7984382-b83d-4199-b9be-b62fca4b2699> | en | 0.973636 | Friday, June 17, 2011
What does eBird tell us about "Birder" behavior?
Cedar Waxwing
I've noticed that for every species for which I've created animated eBird sightings maps that June and July bird distribution appears wide-spread continentally, but more localized. In the past I have attributed this to the birds having found their preferred nesting grounds and therefore not seen by as many birders. But now I am wondering if these animated maps show as much about "birder" behavior as they do about bird behavior.
The eBird Team has in the past mentioned that birders tend to report their bird sightings less often during the summer. I can think of a few reasons that this behavior pattern might be occurring:
1. Birders get excited about Spring and Fall migrations and therefore are out birding more often and are more excited about reporting their sightings.
2. By the time mid-June rolls around, birders (and their non-birding friends and family) might be a bit burned out.
3. It's often hot outside and their are tons of mosquitoes and the lure of the outdoors is tempered.
4. If other families are similar to mine, July is one busy month, with family reunions, scout camps, etc. Maybe people just don't have as much time to be birding.
Well, I hope to encourage all of you to buck that trend of the Summer birding blues. Live the mantra of "Always be Birding" and please take on my challenge of submitting an average of at least one birding checklist to eBird per day. Why don't you test out the new eBird data entry system!
Black-chinned Hummingbird
1 comment:
1. For me, it's a combination of #2 and #3. I really don't like hot weather, and I like slogging around with binoculars and camera during hot weather even less. Plus my field interests shift to insects over birds once spring migration ends. The summer is the annual peak for insect activity, so when I am out in the field, I tend to be looking down for butterflies and dragonflies instead of up for birds. That said, I've challenged myself to visit my local patch at least once every week during the summer, so that I'm still gathering data there. | http://www.birdingisfun.com/2011/06/what-does-ebird-tell-us-about-birder.html | dclm-gs1-199660001 | false | false | {
"keywords": "mosquito"
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.085332 | <urn:uuid:3e312b3d-6429-4658-9860-f5065ac0b1db> | en | 0.992848 | Deepika's back in business!
Mumbai, May 23 -- That filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a hard task master is well known, but his stern ways have many admirers as well. Deepika Padukone, who is known to be a professional on sets, recently hurt her back while shooting for her upcoming film Ram Leela. But instead of taking a break, she continued shooting without complaining.
A source says, "While shooting for a song Deepika fell and hurt her back pretty badly. Bhansali was concerned about her health and advised her to rest after the doctors suggested it. She was told to wear a back brace as well. But Deepika realised that they had to wrap up shooting and continued despite being in pain. Bhansali wanted to halt the shoot but couldn't give her the day off as his schedule is very tight, so she shot without a break."
When asked about details of how she suffered the injury, Deepika says, "I was shooting a song for close to 10 days. During rehearsals, I had sprained my back." Deepika, however, continued to work like a real trouper. "We had to continue shooting as we have a very expensive set put up at Film City. Sometimes, you have to put your body through it all. Ideally, I should've rested, but I couldn't. So, I just took some painkillers and continued shooting. In fact, we just finished shooting the song on Tuesday (May 21) morning," says the actor.
The shooting of Ram Leela has taken a toll on almost everyone involved with it. Earlier, actor Ranveer Singh too had an accident on the sets, and Bhansali continued shooting despite him having high fever. | http://www.bollywood.com/node/42389 | dclm-gs1-199700001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.055658 | <urn:uuid:3958dfc6-0f5b-43f5-a61c-f04d0d331f19> | en | 0.959118 | confident young business woman
How to Find a New Career: Avoid These 5 Mental Traps
You probably fell into your current career.
Yes, I know you planned. You carefully considered your choice of degree. You got a job you were qualified for.
But you only assessed opportunities that were right in front of your nose.
Your choices were (unwittingly) limited. Limited by your environment. Limited by the expectations of friends, family and teachers — and yourself.
Career theorist John Krumboltz called it “planned happenstance.” A bit of planning, yes. But also luck. Being in the right (or wrong) place at the right time.
How to make your own luck
Instead of fishing in a pool of limited options, you have the chance to find where the most delicious fish are swimming.
Then, when chances do arise, you will be ready, and want, to say yes.
Increase your luck by knowing the five most common reasons people stay limited: (Click here to tweet this list.)
1. You don’t know what you want
You think you need to be sure of your passion before you can make it a reality. Not knowing is paralyzing you.
You are afraid that making the wrong decision will have you go through the pain of change for nothing, especially if you are interested in a radically different career.
So you take no action at all.
The truth is, to find a career you love the action comes first, then the decision.
Find ways to test the water before diving in. Pick small, frequent actions that give you insight into potential careers, without making a commitment (yet).
Simply talk to someone already in a job you’d like to explore. Even better, shadow them for a day.
Want a creative career? Create intensively for 30 days.
Or come up with five ideas for how you might get paid for activities you already do for free, or used to love doing as a child, and implement one of them.
Learn from doing. Then decide if you want to commit.
2. You think your dream career is not realistic
It is dumb to decide you can’t do something before you’ve even tried it.
Throughout history people have made things happen, despite barriers bigger than most of us will ever face.
Maya Angelou became the first black female bus conductor in San Francisco by turning up every day for nine months, even though she’d been turned away on the first day.
Annys Darkwa came out of prison and founded a social enterprise while living on welfare payments.
Grace Quantock became a writer and award-winning entrepreneur despite living with chronic pain and multiple disabilities.
Realistic is a state of mind.
If you knew you could not fail, what would you do with your career?
3. You are too busy
We are all busy. But we are not all victims of our busy-ness.
Do you ever watch TV, use social media or go to the bar? Then you can choose to make time to work on your career.
On a scale of one to 10, how much of a priority is your career? Seven or above?
Then make time.
4. You know what you want, but you don’t know how to go about it
You are in the right place. Find one to three articles on Brazen that solve your biggest problems.
Don’t just read them, do what they suggest. Otherwise you have just found another way to put off taking action.
Try articles that help you find ways to meet potential employers or customers, use online tools effectively and apply for jobs in compelling ways.
Stick to a few actions that you will do thoroughly. Set a deadline, and find a buddy who will hold you accountable.
5. You place too much importance on a singular dream
I know this sounds backward, but taking steps toward something you deeply care about can be terrifying.
If you fail at this, what do you have left? You will have killed the dream.
The more important something is to you, the more scary it is.
The reverse also applies. The scarier something is, the more likely that you are going in the right direction.
Hear your inner critic screeching ever more loudly? Is that voice in your head telling you that this is too risky, you are not up to it, people will judge you?
Good. Then you are probably on the right track. You are worth the risk.
Adjust the details of your action plan if you need to.
But don’t stop.
Devi Clark is an author and career coach at NewLeaf Coaching, which specializes in helping career changers find work that makes a difference. She is founder of the Outsiders’ Network, a community for people who feel different from the social norm.
1. Hi Aeolienne,
Start with your friends: is there anyone you know who wants to make something happen in their own life and who you also find to be supportive? Pick someone who will hold you to account, without putting you down.
If no-one springs to mind, try going to meet up groups or other social activities and get talking to people. The thing is, we don’t really know what is going on for other people until we ask. When you do ask, you may find it easier than you think to identify a suitable person.
There are, in fact, LinkedIn and Facebook groups and Networking / MeetUp groups specifically for others who want to develop their career. You don’t have to know them well before you start.
If you are too geographically distant to meet in person, you can use Skype, Google hangouts or Facetime just as well. Before any of these existed (over 15 years ago) I used to have a phone call with my own buddy every week. We’d spend half an hour speaking about her plans and progress, and half an hour speaking about mine.
2. But our demands are not always obvious. Watch out for disguised demands,found
in innocent-sounding questions like, “Why do these things always happen
to me?” The real message to your mate in such a question is often,
“These things should not happen to me.” Instead of imposing
irrational demands on yourself—or others—substitute preferences: “I
prefer it this way” can reflect a genuine desire. This softer thinking
is not only associated with a calmer bearing in life, but also opens
opportunities for mutual problem-solving discussions.
Nail Design Ideas
3. Pingback: How Find A New Career | Job To Do
Leave a Reply
| http://www.brazencareerist.com/blog/2014/07/23/find-new-career-avoid-5-mental-traps/ | dclm-gs1-199750001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.027425 | <urn:uuid:9b064101-21fc-4483-a415-7462ed0f7062> | en | 0.936413 | March 21, 2006
Repairing the "Ratchet" Will Not Repair TABOR
Coloradoans recently voted to suspend the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), the nation’s most restrictive limit on state taxes and expenditures, because it has caused a sharp deterioration in services ranging from education to public health to transportation.
Those pushing for the adoption of TABOR-style measures in other states are seeking to dissociate their proposals from Colorado’s experience under TABOR by arguing that Colorado’s problems stemmed entirely from one feature of its TABOR, the so-called “ratchet.” (The ratchet, part of the formula for determining the state’s annual spending limit, makes it extremely difficult for state services ever to recover from an economic downturn. See box on next page.) TABOR proponents further argue that they have fixed the ratchet problem in the TABORs being proposed in other states, so these other states would not experience the problems found in Colorado.[i]
What Is a “Ratchet”?
As a result, it could take a state several years just to return to the level of allowable revenue that existed in the year before the recession. This “ratchet effect” (so called because the state’s revenue limit is ratcheted down whenever revenues fall short of the TABOR limit) means that a state would have to continue making deep reductions in public services even as the economy recovers and revenue collections return to normal growth.
TABOR Formula Squeezed Services Even Before Ratchet Took Effect
TABOR’s “population-plus-inflation” formula prevents a state from collecting the amount of revenue needed each year to maintain existing public programs and services; as a result, it progressively shrinks state budgets and public services over time. This is because the formula is an inaccurate measure of the costs facing state governments. The cost of health care, education, corrections, and other areas of government generally grows more rapidly than the cost of consumer goods. Moreover, certain segments of the population — such as schoolchildren and the elderly — require more public services than others. When these segments grow more rapidly than the population as a whole, the cost of government grows more rapidly than the TABOR limits allow. [iii]
Unlike the TABOR formula, which each year reduces a state’s ability to provide adequate public services, a ratchet component of a TABOR formula comes into play only in the aftermath of recession, as explained in the box above.
Thus, even before the ratchet had any effect on Colorado, the TABOR formula had seriously undermined the state’s ability to provide adequate public services.[v]
Ratchet Exacerbates TABOR’s Problems
Colorado Eliminates the Ratchet, While Other States’ Proposed Fixes Do Not
As noted in the box above, a ratchet occurs when revenues stagnate or decline during a recession and TABOR’s inflation–plus-population-growth formula is applied to that depressed level of revenues (or expenditures supported by those revenues) to determine the subsequent year’s TABOR limit. This is the way Colorado’s TABOR operated prior to the passage of Referendum C in November 2005. Referendum C suspends TABOR for five years and modifies TABOR so that when the suspension expires, the population-plus-inflation adjustment will be applied to the amount of allowable revenues in the previous year, not the amount of actual revenues in the previous year. This means that if Colorado is forced to cut services during a future recession, it will be able to restore some of those services when the economy improves.[vii]
There is a new crop of TABOR proposals referred to as Stop OverSpending Initiatives (or “SOS”) being put forward in at least five state— Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada and Oklahoma. These proposals often include two provisions aimed at fixing the ratchet. The provisions are an alternative limit calculation and a budget stabilization fund that is to be used when revenues fall short of the TABOR spending limit. The SOS limits are expenditure limits, so the following discussion will focus on a spending limit rather than a Colorado-type revenue limit. The effects of revenue and spending limits are similar.
Alternative Calculation
Under the alternative limit calculation, the TABOR limit for a given year would be set as the greater of previous year’s spending adjusted for inflation plus population growth or the previous year’s limit. (Note that the second formula is the nominal level of the previous year’s limit, not the new Colorado formula, which is the previous year’s limit adjusted for inflation and population growth.)
Using the previous year’s limit freezes the TABOR spending limit during an economic downturn and keeps it frozen until revenues recover.
It would work as follows. If expenditures in any year are lower than the TABOR limit — because revenues are down and the budget stabilization fund is not available or not used (see discussion below) — then under the alternative calculation, that year’s limit would continue into the subsequent year without adjustment for inflation and population growth. The frozen limit would continue to apply until there is a year in which the previous year’s actual expenditures adjusted for inflation and population growth are higher than the frozen limit. The frozen limit might remain in place for two or three years, since fiscal crises have lasted for a number of years in many states in recent downturns. If the limit were frozen, public services would fall substantially behind even the standard of need recognized in the TABOR formula; the population would continue to grow and inflation would continue to push up the cost of services over those years, but the limit would not be adjusted to reflect this growth.
Budget Stabilization Fund
In recent years, state fiscal crises have been deep and have lasted for two, three, or even four years in some states. For example, the states together entered the most recent downturn with reserves equivalent to 10.4 percent of a year’s expenditures. While this is much more than was on hand in either of the previous two downturns, it turned out to be far from sufficient. Indeed, it constituted only one-fifth of states’ cumulative budget gap over the multi-year fiscal crisis. This history suggestions that a cap at 5 percent or 10 percent of annual spending is likely to be insufficient.
• Budget Stabilization Fund Transfers. The BSF transfers must count toward the spending limit. In other words, the amount transferred from the BSF must be counted as expenditures so that the subsequent year’s limit would be the amount of expenditures including expenditures from the BSF, adjusted for inflation and population growth. If the transfers do not count toward the limit but only allow the state to spend up to the limit in the year of the transfer, then there is no effect on calculating future years’ limits and the ratchet would not be fixed. As Figure 2 shows, there are at least three states — Michigan, Montana, and Oklahoma — where the language of the initiative is not clear on this point.
Size of BSF
Filling the BSF
Use of BSF to Offset Budget Shortfalls
Transfers Count Towards Calculating Next Year’s Limit?
10% of limit
Excess first goes to BSF
BSF can only receive up to 50% of excess
Probably - language not clear
10% of limit
BSF can only receive up to 50% of remaining excess
Not specified
Not specified
Not specified
Probably - language not clear
5% of limit
BSF can only receive up to 50% of remaining excess
10% of limit
BSF can only receive up to 50% of remaining excess
TABOR’s main problem is its “population-plus-inflation” formula, which starves a state over time of the funds it needs to maintain current services for residents and severely limits the state’s ability to meet new challenges as they emerge. The ratchet effect exacerbates the funding shortfall caused by TABOR, but it comes into play only in the aftermath of a recession, so fixing the ratchet would not fix the problems inherent in the TABOR formula.
End Notes:
[i] Referendum C, which suspends TABOR refunds for five years and permanently fixes the ratchet effect, passed by referendum on November 1, 2005. Not all TABOR advocates think the ratchet needs to be fixed. A recent Heritage Foundation report argues that, “a better alternative [to eliminating the ratchet effect] is to take advantage of the ratchet effect to force state government to seek the same types of innovation that the private sector relies on to achieve a competitive edge.” Alison Acosta Fraser, Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights Should Not Be Breached, The Heritage Foundation, No. 1873, July 28, 2005.
[iii] For additional information on the problems with the population-plus-inflation formula, see David H. Bradley, Nicholas Johnson, and Iris J. Lav, The Flawed “Population Plus Inflation” Formula: Why TABOR’s Growth Formula Doesn’t Work, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, January 2005.
Document Resources:
pdf PDF
E-mail to a friend
Report Categories:
All Reports by Date
State Policy Work
CBPP Services:
E-mail Notifications
RSS Alerts
The main problem with tax and expenditure limits like Colorado’s TABOR is the arbitrary formula used to limit revenues each year. Fixing the “ratchet” (a feature of TABOR that worsens revenue shortages after a recession) would not avert the sharp decline in public services Colorado experienced under TABOR.
Services in Colorado deteriorated severely even before the ratchet took effect — evidence that the ratchet is not the major problem with TABOR.
The current set of TABOR proposals — known as “SOS” — claim they fix the ratchet through an alternative formula for annual adjustments; the change moderates the ratchet but does not eliminate it.
The SOS proposals also include Budget Stabilization Funds. A BSF could fix the ratchet in the context of these limits — but only if it is designed and used properly. The evidence suggests that would be unlikely in most states. | http://www.cbpp.org/archiveSite/3-21-06sfp.htm?fa=archivePage&id=3-21-06sfp.htm | dclm-gs1-199960001 | false | false | {
"keywords": "public health"
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.034409 | <urn:uuid:ed1e5cfd-28e7-48e2-8e28-d135ac4c1afe> | en | 0.91651 | Why You Should Care About the MEV
Why do we need another Bible translation? Watch as Biblical scholars, worship leaders and evangelists explain why the MEV is special and what it could mean to your spiritual walk. read more
1 Incredible Tool to Change a Generation
From the millions of Bible owners who never actually read the Word to a generation with all-time low engagement with Scripture, we have a Bible crisis on our hands. This new translation aims to fix that. read more
Verbum Domini exhibit
The Incredible Journey of God's Word to You
Use Desktop Layout
Charisma Magazine — Empowering believers for life in the Spirit | http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/index.php?Itemid=246 | dclm-gs1-199990001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.882423 | <urn:uuid:efb5635c-695b-43f1-aae5-1a3d0d6dfcfa> | en | 0.903133 | The volume of an expanding sphere is increasing at a rate of 12cubic feet per second. When the volume of the sphere is cubic feet, how fast, in square feet persecond, is the surface area increasing?
Note: ( )
(A) 8
(B) 6
(C) 8π
(E) 10
Can someone show it step by step?
I kind of remember this kind of question, but not sure if I did itright.
Get this answer with Chegg Study | http://www.chegg.com/homework-help/questions-and-answers/volume-expanding-sphere-increasing-rate-12cubic-feet-per-second-volume-sphere-cubic-feet-f-q816505 | dclm-gs1-200010001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.058762 | <urn:uuid:c3844be7-63bb-44e8-b7bc-ec4dfa487de4> | en | 0.955059 | Michele Bachmann signs hate group's anti-gay marriage pledge
Michele Bachmann and her husband Marcus, heterosexual crusaders.
Michele Bachmann and her husband Marcus, heterosexual crusaders.
Joining Bachmann in signing the pledge are Republican candidates Mitt Romney, who is made of wood, and Rick Santorum, who is made of cookie dough.
By signing, Bachmann promises that, if she becomes president, she will do five different things. The pledge seems simple enough, at least at first.
Then it gets a little weird. The second piece of the pledge calls for Bachmann to appoint Supreme Court and federal judges "committed to applying the original meaning of the Constitution."
Oh, wait, this pledge could be pretty bad for black people, too. Sorry, guys, back to slavery. But anyway, Michele already told you that you had it pretty good then.
By far the strangest part of this pledge is the fourth section, which goes like this:
"Four, establilsh a presidential commission on religious liberty to investigate and document reports of Americans who have been harassed or threatend for exercising key civil rights to organize, to speak, or to vote for marriage and to propose new protections, if needed."
Right. Because in this instance, the persecuted minority is religious Americans, and not gay people who are told they're going to Hell.
The anti-gay group, which did everything it could to pass California's anti-gay marriage Proposition 8 in 2008, was described in an SPLC report as having "become considerably more sophisticated since then, emphasizing its respect for homosexuals."
That doesn't mean NOM doesn't have some shameful associations, SPLC reports.
For a time, NOM's name was used by a bus driver named Louis Marinelli, who drove a van for NOM's "Summer for Marriage Tour" this year. Marinelli called himself a "NOM strategist" and sent out electronic messages under the NOM logo that repeated falsehoods about homosexuals being pedophiles and gay men having extremely short lifespans. In homemade videos posted on his own YouTube page, he said same-sex marriage would lead to "prostitution, pedophilia and polygamy." But this July, NOM said it was not associated with Marinelli.
It's understandable why NOM would want to get away from an association like that. But in this case, it's hard to tell whether a connection with NOM is bad for Michele Bachmann, or the other way around.
Below, you can see all five very important demands from NOM, and Michele's beautiful signature at the top. (Click to enlarge.)
Michele Bachmann signs hate group's anti-gay marriage pledge
Sponsor Content
Sign Up >
No Thanks!
Remind Me Later > | http://www.citypages.com/news/michele-bachmann-signs-hate-groups-anti-gay-marriage-pledge-6536414 | dclm-gs1-200070001 | false | false | {
"keywords": "candida"
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.527809 | <urn:uuid:4bbb07c0-8387-45a1-8035-bde50fc106cb> | en | 0.920387 | Apple still exploring haptic touch for iPhones, iPads
Patently Apple
Haptic technology allows users to "feel" buttons on a touch-screen device by providing localized feedback when users' fingers touch button or control areas. A patent application filed in late March showed Apple's version of haptic technology, a process that would use piezoelectric actuators under the display to provide feedback.
A new patent application, uncovered by Patently Apple, shows that Apple is taking its haptic inquiry a step further. Apple's new displays for touch-screen devices would be flexible, allowing for a layer of the screen to actually raise itself when a button or control area is available for use.
This multitiered haptic system would allow for an even smoother user experience, especially for users who are visually impaired.
But Apple's system is much more advanced than just raising a button. The displays Apple is envisioning include the ability to flex and bend to the point of creating multilevel topographical maps, a series of buttons, or a control pad for gaming or navigation.
According to Apple's patent filing, "a control system of a tiered haptic system may determine the amount of pressure, force, displacement, or other physical response associated with the user stimuli. For example, a tiered haptic system may distinguish between relatively light contact and a relatively heavy contact on the screen surface. In some embodiments, a tiered haptic system may perform particular tasks depending on the physical response of the stimuli."
Patently Apple
If any readers are familiar with Wacom's tablets and pens, these screens could provide similar functionality, allowing a user's finger to become a realistic paint brush or pressure-sensitive editing tool for images.
Clearly this technology is incredibly advanced and is unlikely to make its way to an Apple device in the next couple years, but rumors of Apple including haptic response in its devices will undoubtedly remain in circulation around the tech Web. Is this feature worth exploring for Apple or do normal consumers not care? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Featured Video
Sorry, you are not old enough to view this content.
by David Katzmaier | http://www.cnet.com/news/apple-still-exploring-haptic-touch-for-iphones-ipads/ | dclm-gs1-200150001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.048974 | <urn:uuid:7b716a97-5ecf-4825-a34a-8449f605f6ee> | en | 0.967198 | Designer genes take a leap forward after scientists make new chromosome
Human DNA has much in common with the DNA of the humble yeast cell.
Story highlights
• Scientists built a designer chromosome and inserted it into a yeast cell
• The cell survived, made use of its new genes and reproduced
• It took seven years and the help of 60 students to build "synIII"
• The breakthrough makes scientists more able to design living things
Look miles into the future and imagine a day, when geneticists can design a flawless set of human genes in a laboratory.
That future vision may never arrive, but it has taken a step closer.
Scientists have built a designer chromosome and inserted it into a cell, geneticist Jef Boeke from New York University announced this week.
The chromosome was a heavily altered version, a departure from its natural counterpart. A team of scientists from around the world made 500 changes to its genetic base.
"When you change the genome, you're gambling," said Boeke, who led the project. "One wrong change can kill the cell."
But the cell survived and made use of its new chromosome. It also reproduced, and subsequent cells carried the new chromosome forward.
Actually, make this breakthrough a second step closer to that way-out-there future.
Researchers were already able to duplicate a chromosome on a computer four years ago, build it in the lab, insert it into a cell and watch it work.
It was a huge advancement that created the first synthetic bacteria cell, scientists said then.
But, now, there's been a leap forward, Boeke said.
"Our research moves the needle in synthetic biology from theory to reality," he said.
It makes scientists more able to alter the design of living things.
Meet yeast -- your cousin
The new chromosome and the cell Boeke's scientist built it for are much more complex and are closer to those of a human being.
The kind of cell Boeke used? Brewer's yeast.
Yeast cells, human cells, plant and animal cells have in common that they are "eukaryotes" -- cells with a nucleus wrapped in membrane.
Our chromosomes, which are located in those nuclei, are made of enormously long strings of DNA.
They are wound up like twists of yarn that take on that familiar "X" shape many associate with the genes they contain. And they are called eukaryotic chromosomes.
Boeke's breakthrough represents the first report that a whole eukaryotic chromosome was constructed from scratch, NYU said.
Boeke and his team call their new designer chromosome "synIII."
Mammoth knitting task
It took seven years and the help of 60 students to build synIII with the help of computer modeling.
Each student put together about 1,000 genetic molecule pairs called "base pairs" to make strings of DNA.
They were joined together to make a genetic strand 273,871 base pairs long.
That's actually shorter than the yeast's natural chromosome, which contained 316,667 base pairs.
And that's where the design and manipulation come in. Broeke and his team took out 47,841 base pairs that were repeats of other pairs -- along with some "junk" DNA.
The new designer chromosome is a cleaned up, streamlined version of the original.
Shuffling the genetic deck
Yeast has about 6,000 genes and shares about a third of them with humans, although yeast is a much simpler beast.
That makes it easier to study. In fact, its genetics are probably better known than those of any other living thing, NYU said.
Although Boeke studies human genetics, too, he is not planning to design a set of synthetic human chromosomes.
But he would like to build all 16 required for an entire yeast cell. And he has made some progress already.
Students are figuring out how to make DNA strands 10 times as long as the ones they made the first time around. It should speed up production of subsequent chromosomes.
Boeke also wants to improve upon the yeast cells in the process, now that his team can shuffle its genes around like cards in a deck.
That might make for stronger glass of beer, but it could also have other uses: The new cells could possibly be programmed to "brew" medicines, vaccines and fuels. | http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/28/tech/innovation/genetic-breakthrough/ | dclm-gs1-200190001 | false | true | {
"keywords": "genome, synthetic biology"
} | false | null | false |
0.057616 | <urn:uuid:fd8e0ae5-4696-4142-86a7-0b936b096085> | en | 0.930824 | Edit ModuleShow Tags
A winning fixed-income formula
The Federal Reserve continues to make headlines over the question of when it will begin to “taper” the current quantitative easing (QE3). Many investment pundits are suggesting that investors should forego any fixed income (bond) investments. Because the key to successful long-term investing is a diversified portfolio, getting totally out of fixed income investments does not seem prudent. By being sensitive to current market conditions, it is possible to structure a profitable fixed-income portfolio.
One of the most significant risks to bonds and bond funds is rising interest rates. Long-term bond funds have performed exceptionally well over the past 20 years as interest rates were falling. The same factor (duration) that allows longer term bond funds to outperform shorter term bond funds when interest rates fall makes longer term bond funds more vulnerable to losses when interest rates rise.
Every bond and bond fund has an effective duration. Duration is the measure of the sensitivity of a bond fund’s price to a change in interest rates. For every one year of duration, a bond fund will lose 1 percent of its value as interest rates increase by 1 percent. Thus, a bond fund with a10-year duration will lose 10 percent of its value if interest rates rise by 1 percent.
To protect from excessive interest rate loss, invest only in low duration bonds and bond funds. The fixed income portion of your portfolio should also be well-diversified. Search for low duration and higher yielding bond funds throughout a diversified spectrum of fixed income investments.
A diversified fixed income investment portfolio could include the following:
1. A total return bond fund yielding 5.11 percent with an effective duration of 3.52 years. Interest rates would have to rise almost 2 percent in a year for yearly total return to be negative.
2. A high yield bond fund with a 6.3 percent yield and an effective duration of 3.16 years. High yield bond funds are less sensitive to interest rate risk. They tend to hold their price when the economy is reasonably strong even as interest rates rise. However, when the economy weakens, be wary of high yield bond funds.
3. A well-diversified foreign bond fund with a 5.44 percent yield and a 1.59 year duration. Foreign investments are a critical part of a diversified portfolio. Interest rates in other countries are not tied to US interest rates. A well-managed international bond fund portfolio can often avoid countries with high interest rate sensitivity. At this point, we advise caution with emerging market bond funds. Many emerging market countries have both increasing interest rate and inflation volatility, making these funds too volatile for most investors.
4. A short term corporate bond fund yielding 2 percent with a 2.89 year duration. While corporate bond funds do have interest rate risk, investment grade corporate securities have minimal credit risk and should do well, even as interest rates slowly rise.
We do not currently recommend any allocation to Treasury Inflation Protected Bonds (TIPS). With the measured inflation rate low and expected to stay so for the foreseeable future, owning a TIPS bond fund offers very little upside.
On a year to date basis, the iShares Core Total US Bond Market ETF (AGG), has had a total return of -1.83 percent, with an average duration of 5.1 years. In contrast, a fixed income portfolio that is equally allocated to the bond funds listed above has had a year to date total return of +1.22 percent and has an average duration of 2.79 years. Even in a rising interest rate environment, with a well-diversified, short duration portfolio, bond funds can still provide a positive return.
While there is no guarantee that bond funds will continue to increase in value, especially as interest rates continue to rise, a well-diversified portfolio should always have at least a 25 percent allocation to fixed income investments. A well-diversified bond fund portfolio will provide significantly less volatility than equity funds and, over the long term, provide an excellent total return, if properly managed.
Edit Module
Wayne Farlow
Edit ModuleShow Tags
Archive »Related Articles
Executive wheels: Lots of Lexus luxury, but little distinction
In booming Denver, housing’s not all that’s scarce
I’ve seen firsthand the effects of a tightening labor market, and evidence that Denver has room for not just more housing but more businesses.
Pay attention to the dancing baby
A few weeks ago, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision in what has come to be known as the “Dancing Baby Case” that every business needs to know about before sending Digital Millennium Copyright Act takedown notices to Web hosts and other companies that host third-party content such as Facebook, YouTube, Amazon and eBay.
Edit ModuleShow Tags
Add your comment: | http://www.cobizmag.com/articles/a-winning-fixed-income-formula | dclm-gs1-200210001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.150108 | <urn:uuid:dd978fc1-d1ac-42e9-a9d9-1278f2c9b6ee> | en | 0.957101 | 1. Lianne
Blogger 101
So you want to start a blog huh? Chances are, you have thought about it…and thought about it. But have you ever really realized exactly how much work goes into running your own website? Some people run one, I run four and a few businesses on the side. The life...
Skip to toolbar | http://www.cocktailsandcouture.net/category/blog-101/ | dclm-gs1-200220001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.070753 | <urn:uuid:44ec734e-b4f1-408d-b70d-4de84af5b27e> | en | 0.968855 | Doing a credit card chargeback, even once, can lead to blacklist
credit cardsDisputing a credit card charge by asking for a "chargeback" can lead to being put on a blacklist that merchants can check for customers who might try to defraud them.
Getting off the list costs $99, although the fee is waived if the customer didn't know they were committing "friendly fraud," said Brien Heideman, founder of, which keeps such a customer list for retailers that don't want to get hit with costly credit chargebacks.
But until they're denied by a merchant, either online or in a store, many shoppers probably won't know if they're on the blacklist and should contact to get their name off of it. Getting off the private list can be done online, and it's a pretty hefty list, with 6 million people on it from the United States and Canada, Heideman told WalletPop in a telephone interview.
"Friendly fraud" is an intentional action taken by a customer to cheat a retailer out of money and get merchandise for free. A common example is chargebacks, where customers contest a charge on their credit card, often claiming the item was never delivered or they never bought it. When a customer issues a chargeback, the retailer is fined and could lose the cost of the actual merchandise.
Most people on it know what they're doing when they fraudulently do a chargeback for goods they've bought, and have to pay a $99 fee to get off the list if they can prove it's a one-time thing that won't reoccur, he said.
Customer chargebacks cost retailers $11.8 billion in the U.S. last year, according to, including charges for bank fees, credit card fees, loss of merchandise and loss of customer service agent time.
"Most of the time it's almost cheaper for a company to send the merchandise again rather than to deal with a chargeback," Heideman said.
"The ones that are having the toughest time right now are with trial offers," Heideman said.
For example, a business will offer a 10- to 14-day free trial, and the customer won't return it by then, so the customer is billed and another product is shipped. The customer calls his credit card company, claiming he either never made the order or sent the product back in time, when in fact he still has the product, Heideman said.
Another sign of "friendly fraud," he said, is a customer who won't sign for delivery of a product, then claiming he never received it when asking for a credit card chargeback. Many credit card companies allow chargebacks to be done online.
"Typically you don't even have to make contact with the credit card company," Heideman said.
Disputes can include claiming the item wasn't shipped, it was sent to the wrong address, or was stolen from the front porch. can check with the shipping company to see if the package was delivered, and can track down a customer's IP address from their computer to confirm that they bought it online, Heideman said.
And for a legitimate customer thinking of doing a chargeback? Contact the company first for a refund. It's a lot easier than paying $99 to get off a blacklist.
Increase your money and finance knowledge from home
Goal Setting
Want to succeed? Then you need goals!
View Course »
Managing your Portfolio
Keeping your portfolio and financial life fit!
View Course »
Add a Comment
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum
Filter by:
Eric J
Such a list would be a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and refusing a transaction on such grounds would also likely violate the contract that the merchant has with the cc company (i.e., visa, MC, etc)
May 11 2014 at 10:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
James Stein
It is important to understand that chargebacks occur before the related dispute is resolved and still count even if the final decision is in the merchant's favor. So even if the charged back transaction turns out to be valid after all, the merchant still has to pay the chargeback fee and the transaction still counts against their chargeback limit. For a more complete explanation, read this:
March 20 2012 at 5:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply | http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/03/02/doing-a-credit-card-chargeback-even-once-can-lead-to-blacklist/ | dclm-gs1-200510001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.336485 | <urn:uuid:95619f79-64df-4554-81e6-9b9e82f7fb51> | en | 0.900797 | Definitions for gas bladder
This page provides all possible meanings and translations of the word gas bladder
1. gas bladder(Noun)
An internal organ that fish use to control their buoyancy, allowing them to maintain or change depth by changing their density.
1. Swim bladder
The swim bladder, gas bladder, fish maw or air bladder is an internal gas-filled organ that contributes to the ability of a fish to control its buoyancy, and thus to stay at its current water depth without having to waste energy in swimming. Also, the dorsal position of the swim bladder means the center of mass is below the center of volume, allowing it to act as a stabilizing agent. Additionally, the swim bladder functions as a resonating chamber, to produce or receive sound. The swim bladder is evolutionarily homologous to the lungs. Charles Darwin remarked upon this in On the Origin of Species. Swim bladders are found in many bony fish, but are not found in cartilaginous fish. In the embryonic stages some species, such as redlip blenny, have lost the swim bladder again, mostly bottom dwellers like the weather fish. Other fish like the Opah and the Pomfret use their pectoral fins to swim and balance the weight of the head to keep a horizontal position. The normally bottom dwelling sea robin can use their pectoral fins to produce lift while swimming. The cartilaginous fish do not have swim bladders.
Find a translation for the gas bladder definition in other languages:
Select another language:
Discuss these gas bladder definitions with the community:
Word of the Day
Please enter your email address:
Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:
"gas bladder." STANDS4 LLC, 2015. Web. 6 Oct. 2015. < bladder>.
Are we missing a good definition for gas bladder? Don't keep it to yourself...
Nearby & related entries:
Alternative searches for gas bladder:
Thanks for your vote! We truly appreciate your support. | http://www.definitions.net/definition/gas%20bladder | dclm-gs1-200640001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.019519 | <urn:uuid:5733a0f9-45aa-4fbf-82d5-8da8246b916e> | en | 0.956071 | Hoyer: Shared Sacrifices Will Solve the Debt Crisis
For Immediate Release:
April 28, 2010
Contact:Steny Hoyer
Wall Street Journal
Both parties must learn: What is politically easy is often fiscally deadly. It's easier to hide the costs of war than to put those costs in front of the public. It's easier to promise 95% of Americans that we won't consider raising their taxes than to have a frank conversation about the realities of our balance sheet.
Voters are demanding that Washington take fiscal responsibility seriously. Democrats agree. But the public has a responsibility, too: To understand that lower taxes and higher spending may be popular, but they are a dangerous combination that leads to exploding deficits.
Health-care costs, as I noted, are one of our main challenges. According to the Congressional Budget Office the health-care bill will put us on a path to bring down those costs, incorporating many of the best ideas from both Republicans and Democrats. But Congress will need to ensure that as the law is implemented, it achieves the goal of containing costs. Congress will also need to stand strong against pressure to change cost-cutting provisions. We saw an example of the pressure early in the health-care debate, when critics of the legislation wrongly and knowingly portrayed its Medicare savings as a cut in benefits.
On a host of other issues, President Barack Obama also showed his seriousness about fiscal restraint. His budget freezes nonsecurity discretionary spending and cuts our deficit by more than half by 2013, and more than $1.3 trillion over the next decade. He signed a bill to reform weapons acquisition and target cost overruns at the Pentagon. And he joined me and others in the successful push to return to the pay-as-you-go law that requires Congress to find a dollar of savings for every extra dollar it spends on entitlements or tax cuts, except for legislation responding to a legitimate emergency.
The next step is the president's bipartisan fiscal commission, which began meeting yesterday. Both parties must come to the table without preconditions, prepared to make a long-term compromise—our chance to end a pattern of partisan stalemate. Congress must act on the commission's proposals.
If the commission makes a proposal that focuses only on the spending or revenue side of the equation, it will likely fail to rein in deficits. Rather than the spending-cut-dominated plan of Rep. Paul Ryan (R., Wis.)—which, as brave a step as it was, made sweeping and harmful changes to Medicare—I prefer a balanced approach that shares the burdens fairly. What would the options look like? When it comes to entitlement spending, the commission could recognize that Americans are living longer and raise the retirement age over a period of years. It might also make Social Security and Medicare benefits more progressive.
On the other side of the equation, nobody likes raising revenue—but sometimes it's necessary. President Bill Clinton raised taxes and cut spending in 1993 to balance the budget, and it paved the way for historic prosperity. We could also learn from the bipartisan collaboration of President Ronald Reagan and House Speaker Tip O'Neill. In 1983, they agreed on a package of reforms to save Social Security, and in 1986, they made our tax code simpler and more efficient.
Recovering from years of borrowing is one of the hardest tasks a nation can face. History is full of great powers brought low by unsustainable debt. Avoiding that fate isn't just the commission's or Congress's work. It's incumbent on all of us to resist easy answers and look reality in the face. Fiscal issues have always been tests of national character, and I trust that we have the character to pass.
Mr. Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat, is majority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives. | http://www.democraticwhip.gov/content/hoyer-shared-sacrifices-will-solve-debt-crisis?mini=calendar%2F2014-01 | dclm-gs1-200650001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.060364 | <urn:uuid:1eead2a5-6eb7-4aa9-af27-263428fe35a0> | en | 0.964927 | hot / reviews / videos / cblogs / qposts
Destructoid Originals
Podtoid 305: The Voice of God
Sep 13 // Kyle MacGregor
[embed]310493:60341:0[/embed] Things we talked about: 0:00:00 -- Foreshadowing 0:09:33 -- Metal Gear Solid V and inside baseball 0:29:10 -- Penny Arcade's Mad Max review tantrum 0:34:15 -- Video game movie talk 0:35:00 -- Would you rather watch Hitman: Agent 47 or Pixels? 0:36:15 -- Uwe Boll is a bad man 0:40:28 -- Peeing in the shower: OK or not OK? 0:44:20 -- Apple TV, iPhone 6S, Crossy Road multiplayer, and Beat Sports 0:49:50 -- Wearable technology 0:54:30 -- We don't talk about Rocket League 0:55:45 -- Crowdfunding gone wrong 1:04:45 -- Super Monkey Ball 1:06:30 -- PlayStation and Dreamcast anniversaries 1:08:50 -- Metal Gear Solid V again 1:13:40 -- SATPOTPAQ 1:31:12 -- Podtoid Quiz 1:40:30 -- What game would you recommend everybody play? 1:42:30 -- Steven's Twitter Recent Episodes Podtoid 304: The Phantom Pain Podtoid 303: A Good Amount of Cocaine Podtoid 302: Virtual Reality is the Future Podtoid 301: The Least Interesting Man in the World Podtoid 300: Randy Pitchford's Little Asshole Send any and all questions, tips, and Mötley Crüe mp3s to [email protected]
It's anything but Quiet
Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or download it here. Destructoid editors Kyle, Steven, Brett, and Darren are joined by pal of the show Hayden Dingman to chat about Metal Gear Solid V, the latest Apple news, Penny Arcade bullshit, and more.
Experience Points .23: Mother 3
Sep 12 // Ben Davis
Monkey business My favorite character in Mother 3 doesn't remain a party member for very long, but he uses his short amount of time to really shine. Chapter 3 introduces a cute little monkey named Salsa, who is being led around by a horrible man named Fassad. Fassad forces Salsa to perform for him with a device which electrocutes the poor monkey for disobeying. He has also kidnapped Salsa's girlfriend and threatens to harm her if Salsa doesn't do what he says. Fassad is a rather despicable man. Eventually, Fassad drags Salsa to the quiet town of Tazmily, hoping to trick the citizens into buying his "Happy Boxes" (which are basically televisions or computers) by charming them with Salsa's dance moves. He then forces Salsa to deliver the heavy electronics to each of the customers, which means he's free to walk around town without Fassad following him around for a while. Even though he's under strict orders to deliver the Happy Boxes in a timely manner, he can still pretty much do what he pleases. This is one of the most powerful moments in the game to me. A little chime plays each time Salsa picks up a Happy Box, but it's definitely not a happy chime. It's more of an apprehensive tune, which foreshadows the eventual downfall of Tazmily due to the Happy Box catalysts. And poor Salsa is the one being forced to deliver these evil boxes against his will, probably unaware of what he's about to cause. The music for this section, "Monkey's Delivery Service," is one of my favorite tracks. It almost sounds happy at first, but there's this subtle mournful tone to the music which starts to creep in once the player becomes aware of what's happening. It's quite brilliant. Chatting with the local townsfolk of Tazmily while he's supposed to be delivering boxes, Salsa will get a lot of comments about how sad he looks. Makes sense, given his current predicament and the horrible treatment he's been getting. Also, if he looks in the mirror at Lucas' house, he'll think to himself, "What does a smile look like again?" It almost broke my heart the first time I noticed this. But thankfully, Salsa is eventually redeemed, freed from Fassad's evil clutches, and reunited with his girlfriend. It's a good thing he got a happy ending, because I don't know how much more sadness I could have taken. I just wish he could have stayed with Lucas and friends for a while longer! Freaks of nature The enemies in Mother 3 are just amazing. Along with the usual wacky foes, such as living trees, walking musical instruments, and baked yams, Mother 3 also introduces chimeras into the mix. And these aren't your typical chimeras; these jumbled up monsters are all sorts of unexpected and terrifying! Some of the tamer chimeras include the Muttshroom and the Pigtunia, mixing animals and plants to horrific (possibly humorous) effect. But then things start getting crazy when Lucas and friends encounter such bizarre beasts as the Batangutan, an orangutan head with bat wings; the Ostrelephant, an elephant with ostrich legs and an ostrich head for a trunk; and the Parental Kangashark, a hammerhead shark with kangaroo legs and a pouch holding a baby Kangashark. The scariest chimera of all, however, is the Horsantula, a horrible hybrid of horse and tarantula, with eight horse legs, a tarantula torso, and a frightened-looking horse head (*shiver*). A real-life horsantula would probably make me shit my pants... that thing is truly the stuff of nightmares! And then, of course, there is the Ultimate Chimera, which appears to be some kind of demonic creature with a baby chick attached to its head. This foe is practically invincible. It actually cannot be fought in typical combat, and in fact, if it catches Lucas then it's automatically game over! The party's only hope for survival is to run for their lives and hope they're fast enough to escape. But there is a secret which temporarily leaves the Ultimate Chimera incapacitated... Snake charmer Mother 3 took the series' trademark ridiculous inventory items to a whole new level by introducing the Rope Snake, an item that actually becomes a character in the story (and one of my favorite characters at that!). Duster first purchases the Rope Snake from the ghosts in Osohe Castle to help him cross pits as a sort of adorable grappling hook device. Duster also uses the Rope Snake to try and grab hold of an escaping Pigmask airship, with Lucas, Kumatora, and Boney hitching a ride as well. At this point, Rope Snake proudly announces that he's now a major character in the story (and breaks the fourth wall in the process). But unfortunately for everyone else, he also announces that he's unable to support the weight of three people and a dog. His jaw gives out and they all fall from the sky. Later on, Rope Snake gets a second chance and tries to redeem himself by grappling onto a flying bird cage with the party in tow, but his jaw gives out again and everyone falls out of the sky for the second time. His pride shattered from letting his friends down twice, poor Rope Snake leaves the party to go hide in a hole and feel sorry for himself. I've never felt so bad for a snake before as I did for Rope Snake. I just wanted Lucas to give him a hug and tell him that they still believed in him, but instead they just let him go. It's okay, Rope Snake! You tried your hardest! Eventually, the gang meets back up with Rope Snake in New Pork City. He excitedly tells the party that he's close to becoming a behemoth of a snake and wishes them a happy new year, but it seems like Lucas and company are trying to avoid him. It's like they don't even care about their reptilian friend's feelings, the jerks! Oh well. You'll always be cool to me, Rope Snake! Mother 3: The Musical Mother 3 introduced an awesome new mechanic to the turn-based battle system where the player could keep an attack going by repeatedly pressing the button to the rhythm of the music. It's pretty difficult to get the timing just right, and it changes depending on the battle theme, but once you get the hang of it, it's extremely satisfying to pull off. A single attack can turn into a string of several more smaller attacks, stacking up the damage to quickly take down foes. I always enjoy when turn-based JRPGs add interesting mechanics like this to make the combat feel more action-oriented. Games like Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario were really good at this too, keeping players on their toes by allowing them to do extra damage or defense with a well-timed button press. Mother 3's rhythmic combat is possibly my favorite system, simply because of how fun it is to tap along to the music and watch the damage numbers steadily increase and bounce off the enemy. I like to imagine these attacks playing out with Lucas and friends circling around the enemy and bashing them to a rhythm, kind of like that scene from Shaun of the Dead where Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" suddenly starts playing on the jukebox. It's like a fully choreographed dance for every fight! I pity the fool who tries to throw his life away One of my favorite things about the Mother series are all the crazy NPCs. It's one of the few games where talking to every NPC I come across is almost always a rewarding decision. Everyone seems to have something interesting, funny, or completely random to say. Mother 3 happens to have my favorite NPC in the series. He doesn't have a name, and he can't be found wandering around on his own. Instead, he seems to appear out of nowhere whenever Lucas tries to walk on the railroad tracks leading out of Tazmily. If Lucas tries to enter the cave on the tracks, a man will shout, "Hold it!" and run on screen to grab Lucas and pull him off the tracks. He'll then go on about how dangerous that was, urging Lucas not to just throw away his life, and to forget they ever talked. After he walks away, a message pops up saying, "Your life was saved." The gravity of the conversation was so unexpected that I couldn't help but laugh. Even better, the man will continue to save Lucas' life each and every time he tries to enter the cave. He has different dialogue each time, growing more and more impatient and exasperated with Lucas until eventually he gives up trying to convince him not to throw away his life and just rescues him quietly with nothing more to say. The man also bears a striking resemblance to Mr. T, which just makes the whole scene so much more entertaining. Thanks for saving my life, Mr. T! Lucas be trippin' When Lucas and friends find themselves washed ashore on a seemingly deserted island with all of their items missing, they must go foraging for food. The only thing to be found, however, is a group of brightly-colored mushrooms. Lucas' dog Boney steps back as Lucas, Duster, and Kumatora consume the fungi for sustenance. At first, the mushrooms seem to be all right. That is, until they start to take effect and the party falls to the ground, the worlds turns bright pink and purple, and everything starts shifting and swirling. Maybe eating these strange shrooms wasn't the best idea after all... oops! Suddenly, the party springs back to life with the message, "Lucas and company felt just dandy!" But the island looks totally different now, and is strangely populated by... people you know? While running through the jungle, the party will encounter friends and family members who shouldn't be there. They're all saying really strange things, but they're just illusions. They can even be battled and destroyed, revealing that they were actually enemies shrouded in disguise. The jungle is also strangely littered with mailboxes, and these mailboxes are filled with some of the most insane things you can imagine. Among the many mailboxes Lucas comes across, some of my favorites include the following contents: "Inside the mailbox was the sound of yourself crying," "Inside the mailbox was absolutely nothing. Nothing after nothing came bursting out," "Someone looked back at you from inside the mailbox! ...Or so it seemed, but you were the one looking from the other side, too," and my personal favorite, "There's nothing in the mailbox. Except for the 1000 rat corpses." Man, those mushrooms were no joke! Eventually, the party arrives at the house of Mixolydia, the local Magypsy, who notices that they're all hopped up on shrooms and kindly knocks them back to their senses. So ends Lucas' crazy, drugged-out adventure through the psychedelic island jungle full of horrific, mind-blowing discoveries. It's just too bad they didn't run into Mixolydia before they decided to take a dip in a nice, relaxing hot spring which actually turned out to be a disgusting sewage dump... blech! The saddest man in the world Mother 3 has some awesome boss fights, but there's one optional boss that really stands out from the rest. Granted, he's not really boss material per se, but he does get the "Strong One" boss music, so I think he technically counts as a boss. I'm talking, of course, about Negative Man. Lucas finds Negative Man hunched over on all fours, alone and unmoving in the middle of a cave. If the party decides to battle him, they had better be prepared for the easiest fight of their lives! It's so easy, in fact, that I actually feel pretty bad for the guy. Negative Man very rarely attacks, and when he does, he can only manage to dish out a measly single point of damage. Mostly, he'll just be pathetic and feel sorry for himself. Instead of attacking, he'll use up his turns muttering things like, "There's just no way I can win..." or, "Just get rid of me now..." or even, "I'm nothing but a worthless protoplasm..." Meanwhile, Lucas and company just keep mercilessly beating the crap out of him until he's defeated. Poor guy... I almost want to just let him win so that he might feel a little better about himself. But let's be real, that could take ages and I don't want to wait that long. Sorry, Negative Man, but today's not your day! [embed]310276:60326:0[/embed] Open Sesame Tofu The Mother series is at its finest whenever it's trying to be funny, which is admittedly almost all the time. One of the funniest moments hands down happens in Mother 3 when Wess must open a secret door in Osohe Castle. And what better way to open a secret door than by... dancing in front of it? For a bit of background, Wess is an elderly gentleman with a rather serious disposition who spends most of his time scolding his son, Duster. The last thing I'd expect someone like Wess to do would be to let loose and start acting silly. But when the father-son duo finds themselves blocked by a grim-looking door, Wess does the unexpected. He urges Duster to turn around because he's about to do something embarrassing. And then, out of nowhere, some upbeat, goofy music begins playing and Wess starts shaking his butt and performs just about the silliest dance I can imagine, causing the door to crack a huge smile and open. It might just be my absolute favorite moment in the Mother series, just because it's Wess of all people. For an old guy, he can really shake it! Later in the game, Salsa also gets to perform the dance to open the door. It's a lot more adorable when Salsa does it, but also a lot less shocking and hilarious because he's not an old man. Video games could really do with more old folks dancing, in my opinion. Past Experience Points Level 1: .01 - .20 .21: Katamari Damacy.22: Tomb Raider
Mother 3 highlights photo
A story is a series of memories
Which Pokemon would you find in your neighborhood?
Sep 11 // Steven Hansen
Excelsior I've lived a couple different places in Excelsior, including my current digs. You'll find savvy Sneasels and Scythers scurrying through the fragrant wild fennel fenced off alongside the sloping freeway underpasses on your way up to the relative wilds of Glen Park. Murkrows dot power lines along Geneva and Mission. Ekans occasionally slither down from their dry McLaren plains into the European-named streets below. The Meowths, too, will come down and brave the streets to swipe coins, while a more timid crew stays completely up in the hills. Exeggutors wander Mission freely while Machokes are hard at work. Noe Valley Wandering Magnemites have been spotted in increasing numbers in this region. They are mostly nocturnal and drain the batteries of residents' Teslas. Eevee, of course, are prized in Noe Valley, including its fashionable evolutions brought about by precious-gem-owning old money. Except Jolteon. Fuck Jolteon. Wandering Trubbish and Garbodor, abandoned in Dolores Park by transplants and tech assholes, have been spotted wandering into outlying regions such as Noe Valley, but only the latter employs underpaid Quagsire to wash the trash Pokemon downhill into the Mission. Fort Funston San Francisco's beaches are typically cold and free of the Southern California, bathing suit clad beaches people often associate with the state. The lesser known Fort Funston, south of the creatively named Ocean Beach, is a haven for owners of dog Pokémon like Growlithe and Arcanine, which are allowed to run freely amid the wild Sandshrews and Sandiles burrowed in the beach. The dogs are free to chase Wingull up and down, sniff the occasional washed up, dead Krabby, and sometimes roll around in Sealeo corpses, covering themselves in disgusting, rotting viscera. Beware if you bring your smaller pup Pokémon as assholes nearby (the country club?) occasionally rise their Rapidashes down onto the beach, threatening the safety of all dogs in this typical haven. Plus they shit everywhere and do those prissy fucks get off their high horse to pick it up, like the responsible dog owners? Of course not.
Pokemon Go Proust photo
An on-going Pokemon map of San Francisco
Forget the open-world Pokémon console RPG with wild pocket monsters represented on-screen instead of in random encounters. Nintendo just went and leap frogged all of us by partnering with a mobile company to bring Pok&...
Apple TV photo
Apple TV
New Apple TV promises to bring gaming all the way into 2006 (Fauxclusive)
Party like Bush is still president
Sep 09
// CJ Andriessen
As predicted for nearly a decade, Tim Cook announced at Apple's September Event that the next iteration of the Apple TV will be able to play games. With a new motion-sensing controller and titles such as Guitar Hero hitting t...
The 8 best rejected Mega Man bosses
Sep 07 // Steven Hansen
"DJ Man was created specifically to administer only the freshest, hippest beats during Dr. Wily's mid-life-crisis-party-phase. Unfortunately during his first test run, the beats were too dope and the drops were too dank, rendering DJ Man only capable of harming instead of sick beatmaking. All of his tracks are certified bangers." - Myles Cox "The first real robo-births found in the Mega Man series can be traced back to Mega Man 2, which featured birds that drop eggs filled with children, and frogs that had the ability to give birth from their mouths. Apparently lacking in maternal instinct, both types of robo-parents seem quite content to send their robo-kids off to almost certain death. Perhaps that because it only takes them seconds to have a new baby, unlike humans, who take longer to make. The original idea here was to have robo-moms who fly through the air and drop their robo-placenta covered children on Mega Man en mass, like the birds from Mega Man 2, but technical limitations made it impossible for the NES to render baby graphics small enough and detailed enough to to make that work. Instead we've opted for a design based around the frogs from Mega Man 2 and the Penguin birth-bots from Mega Man 3. Robot mom heads spout rocket babies from their 'mouth' style openings. Baby rockets cry as they fly, leaving Mega Man torn between his urge to defend himself and his natural instinct to care for the children. Un-exploded rocket babies will eventually learn to walk (and kill) if Mega Man takes to long to ponder his decision. There's also a rare alt sprite for this enemy that features a giant baby head that spits up little mom rockets." -Jonathan Holmes "Here he is, Insomniman. Insomniman's too tired to really care, there are other Robot Masters who haven't been awake for three weeks who can deal with that crap... his lair is just one big kitchen in the dead of night, with Insomniman shuffling around, doing anything to keep him distracted. Once Megaman finally defeats Insomiman, he'll gain the ability to fire boiling hot coffee from his arm! Scorch the enemies, or give himself a little boost of energy when he needs it!" - Joe Parlock "The Plantman knows if the plants will growThe Plantman knows where the plants will growAnd the plants will know if the Plantman knowsThe plants will know if the Plantman knows" - Darren Nakamura "While Mega Man 3 was the first Mega Man game to feature a boss that shot organic projectiles with Snake Man, the concept of organic themed robot masters had been on and off the table at Capcom with mixed success since the production of the original game. Initially designed for the slot that eventually went to Guts Man, the tentatively titled Waste Man was envisioned as a robot that could replace humans within waste management plants. Designed without a nose, the character had soft, fleshy appendices to facilitate in large amounts of manual labour. While Waste Man's many butt-like protrusions were designed with practicality in mind, the development quickly came to love the character's unique, voluminous charm. Unfortunately, when it came to testing sprite art for the character, issues began to arise. While his head was technically feasible on the NES, the envisioned miniature projectiles he would wield, and that would be acquired by Mega Man upon boss completion, simply lacked the required level of visual detail. While Waste Man was initially shelved pending a SNES Mega Man release, it was ultimately decided that his design would be too endearing for fans to want to fight. The rights to the character have since been caught in a large legal battle, meaning we're unlikely to ever see this wonderful Robot Master come to market." - Laura Kate Dale "Dr. Wily built Particle Man to gather data on a microscopic level while easily avoiding detection. He's particularly effective at spying and infiltrating secret bases. Also, for some inexplicable reason, he really hates triangles. Particle Man fires a beam of charged particles to subdue foes, though due to his size, it's really only effective against single-celled organisms. When Mega Man acquires Particle Man's power, he gets equipped with the Particle Beam, which is much deadlier in the hands of the Blue Bomber. Unfortunately, Mega Man might be too giant for Particle Man to pose much of a threat, so the idea was scrapped. Plus, there was talk of a possible lawsuit..." - Ben Davis "CUT TILE MAN. After the mechanical Robot Masters' continual defeat, a new strategy was necessary. Every material under the sun was considered for construction, but tile ended up being the most cost-efficient. Tile Cut man uses a combination of sharp tile chunks and the mud of his fallen brothers to slow down his opponents. He's totally not just a googled image of Mega Man that I traced and cut out while remodeling a bathroom." - Zack Furniss "Child Coffin Man!" - Occams - I for one would love to see everyone draw their own version of Child Coffin Man, or any other Mega Man boss. Or just mess with the Mega Man creator some more.
Mega Man bosses photo
Completely real concept art unearthed
With the recent release of Mega Man Legacy Collection, Capcom has acknowledged that Mega Man is a character and series that exists, which, really, is just going to piss people off further, you know. The upcoming movie and sep...
Are there games you've never played but still love?
Sep 06 // Jonathan Holmes
[embed]309528:60257:0[/embed] Still, hearing friends' stories about The Phantom Pain, watching videos of it on YouTube, and reading spoilers about its story on message boards and social media this week has been a lot of fun. I'm going to guess that in-between baby care, I've spent an accumulated four hours in the past few days just thinking about the latest Metal Gear release, through either passive self-education or talking to others about it. Not a bad deal for the grand total of $0 I've spent on the game so far. Looking back on it, I've always enjoyed watching friends play Metal Gear. My first time with Metal Gear Solid 3, my favorite title in the series, was mostly spent as a spectator. It wasn't until the friend I was playing it with got stuck on a few bosses that I took over playing for us both completely. Having had it both ways, I found that playing the game was different, but no more or less fun, than just watching someone else play. That's probably because Metal Gear Solid does such an amazing job of melding movie logic and game logic together into a seamless whole, creating an action/comedy/drama that's larger than the sum of it's parts. You don't necessarily have to control the game's characters directly to enjoy that formula, In fact, it's often easier to enjoy if you aren't the one left frustrated with being spotted by an enemy that you had no way of knowing was there, or stuck fumbling with the sometimes unwieldy button layout. Where the player may be left annoyed with these moments, they can be laugh-out-loud hilarious for the friend in the passenger seat. Thanks to the Internet, I've been able to experience a lot of The Phantom Pain from that perspective, and it's left me loving the game just as much, if not more, than if I had actually played it myself. I'm sure to run through the game first hand someday (maybe after my son is able to dispose of his own poop independently), but for now I'm a happy to enjoy it as an audience member, rather than an actor. I've heard people say the same thing about EarthBound and games in the Persona series as well. People love the characters, settings, and fandoms around these games, but the act of actually playing them doesn't add up to enough fun moments per minute to justify the time sink. Of course, many fighting games today have way more fans than they do players, but as "Smash 4" world champ ZeRo told me not long ago: you probably need to have some understanding of Smash to get the most out of watching high level play. But the same probably isn't as true for Minecraft, which has millions of fans who are quick to say they like watching Let's Play groups like The Cube play the game way more than they like playing themselves. How about you? Are there games that you like watching, talking about, or thinking about more than playing them? If so, why is that?
Video Games photo
The joys of being a spectator
I'm really enjoying Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, despite the fact I've never played it, and probably won't do so for a while. My understanding is that The Phantom Pain plays a lot like a cross between its two pr...
Podtoid 304: The Phantom Pain
Sep 06 // Kyle MacGregor
[embed]309503:60256:0[/embed] Crap we talked about: Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain PAX Prime Is there a difference between Magic and D&D? The Airbnb situation Shovel Knight Amiibo Cliffy B and Lawbreakers Tasty cereal mascots The snake and lizard party SATPOTPAQ Recent Episodes Podtoid 303: A Good Amount of Cocaine Podtoid 302: Virtual Reality is the Future Podtoid 301: The Least Interesting Man in the World Podtoid 300: Randy Pitchford's Little Asshole Podtoid 299: Blast Ball Send any and all questions, tips, and sexy poetry to [email protected]
Podtoid photo
What a thrill...
Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or download it here. The Podtoid gang return from Seattle to chat about Metal Gear Solid V, recount tales from PAX Prime, and decide which breakfast cereal mascots would make for the most delicious meals.
Notch Tweets photo
Notch Tweets
Markus 'Notch' Persson posts vague tweets just to fuck with media (Fauxclusive)
Because the media will publish anything
Sep 02
// CJ Andriessen
Markus “Notch” Persson opened up on Twitter this weekend, posting several tweets lamenting that life as an celebrity isn't all it's cracked up to be. The tweets became a news sensation as several high-profile webs...
Cliff Bleszinski: We want players to actually use verticality
Aug 29 // Brett Makedonski
[embed]308291:60187:0[/embed] "I don't mean to slag any other games, because those core loops of getting a lot of kills quick are what kill streaks and kill streak rewards are built on," Bleszinski said. "With us, we want to have a little bit of that dance, a little more like Halo where if someone gets the drop on you, you at least have a shot at either getting away or at least taking a dent out of them so they might die by your teammate." The hook that allows LawBreakers this freedom lies in the world-building. Because of a cataclysmic event known as "The Shattering," Earth is left with pockets of low gravity in certain areas. Conveniently enough, LawBreakers' maps are set in some of these areas, which should make for interesting and varied gameplay. Bleszinski was visibly excited about this. "We see these moments where there's this giant zero-gravity pocket where everyone's vertical and people are actually knocking each other around with rockets. One of the comments on Twitter was someone asking if rockets actually propel people. Since you have a rocket jump now, you actually have a radius. We found that with rockets not being a one-hit kill (because we don't really want them to be), even with Kitsune who's a very light character, once we have the law equivalent of her, she probably might be a couple rockets minimum. Still, it's a light character, but we want you to juggle." There's a reason he wants players to juggle. "When you introduce low gravity and the concept of juggling as well as a rocket that you can air-burst with the alt-fire, you see somebody flying through the air blind-firing propelling themselves, and you can suddenly send them over to the other side of the map by air-bursting a rocket and then follow through with your stomp move and kind of chain your moves together. We want the FPS dance to kind of come back." That FPS dance means that players stay alive longer and actually get to make use of the game's vertical axis. "It's a lot greater than your Call of Duty grind. It's a little bit faster than your Titanfall one. It's somewhere around Halo-ish is what I like to say," Bleszinski ultimately said of Spencer's original time until death inquiry. Figuring out exactly how to properly execute all that action is the tough part. LawBreakers' gameplay trailer showed a handful of different characters, each with their own abilities and traits. Bleszinski and his team are now in the position of getting all of those characters work in conjunction with one another without any of them sticking out like a sore thumb. "Perfect balance is nearly impossible to get," Bleszinski commented. "We're still working on it. Right now, in the current build that people are playing off-site, it's very asymmetrical -- two unique classes on both sides. The Law has all sorts of weapons whereas the Breakers have like area-of-effect stuff. That's been really hard to balance. One of the first things we're going to do when we get back is, you have Breacher on the Law side, we're figuring out who the Breacher equivalent is on the Breaker side. That's something that when we go back to symmetrical gameplay, I think it's going to be easier to balance. But, it'll still be slightly asymmetrical." It may not be exactly what he's shooting for, but Bleszinski made reference to a revered fighting game when talking about balanced gameplay. "I saw a graph where they're pointing out the Smash Bros. characters from the original that we've used over the years. Smash Bros. may be the most perfectly balanced game ever because they kept finding a new character and a new exploit without the game ever being patched or updated." An interesting analog, but LawBreakers won't take that approach. Bleszinski continued "Thankfully, we're going to be a living product so we can keep introducing updates, hopefully every couple weeks. Pump that shit through, have test kitchens and things like that. Basically, if we find an exploit that breaks the game, fix it. But, also recognize when there's an exploit that adds to the game. You know, rocket jumping is one of those accidents that actually is cool." Bleszinski and Boss Key can expect to find a lot of those exploits given the combination of possibilities between several unique characters and maps with variable gravity. There are a lot of factors at play. Some exploits will evolve into part of the game, some will get squashed. Those that make verticality more enjoyable and contribute to the FPS dance (as Bleszinski put it) have a better chance of surviving.
Bleszinski interview photo
Doing the FPS dance
Just this week, Cliff Bleszinski and Boss Key Productions pulled back the curtain on LawBreakers -- the free-to-play arena shooter that has been in development under the codename Project BlueStreak. It's more than just the co...
Metal Gear memories
Aug 29 // Nic Rowen
I remember the entire route through Shadow Moses. I remember the area with electrified tiles inset in the floor and steering a tiny rocket over them. I remember resenting not being able to use my guns in the nuke disposal area. The cave with all of Sniper Wolf's wolves running loose -- one of them pissed on my cardboard box. I'll sometimes forget the best way to get downtown, but the map of Shadow Moses is burned into my memory. The bosses were legendary, both for their design and the surreal conversations you'd have before, during, and afterward. One-on-one with an old west gunfighter, circling each other around a hostage in the middle of a room rigged up with C4. He showed off his fancy carnival trick-spinning and made comments that distinctly implied that he wanted to make love to his pistol, or that gun fighting was an allegory for sex to him. I don't know, he was a weird dude. There was that shaman who you'd fight twice, once in a literal tank and once while he carried around a gun the size of a small tank. He discussed ear-pulling competitions and the futility of struggling against fate. He was eaten by his own ravens. Then there was the suffocating tension and isolation of dueling a single sniper hundreds of yards away. The battle with Sniper Wolf would be eclipsed in every way six years later by Naked Snake's duel against The End, but at the time it was one of the most intense fights I'd ever experienced. I feel like there has probably been enough ink spilled on how crazy the fight with Psycho Mantis was, but holy fucking shit. How did any of that happen? It was like stepping into some alternate reality where Andy Kaufman had been a game designer and somebody cut him a blank check. Memes of plugging the controller into the second slot, or the infamous “HIDEO” error screen are well worn now. But I don't think secondary accounts can do justice to just how crazy and bizarre that fight, and the rest of Metal Gear Solid, truly was. All of that weird fourth wall breaking shit -- holding the controller to your arm for a massage, having the Colonel explain combat maneuvers to Snake directly referencing the DualShock and a bunch of video game jargon, it was something that had to be lived in the moment. It felt like Kojima was peeling back our skulls and attaching electrodes to areas of the brain that were previously entirely unstimulated. He was showing us a new way of making and thinking about games. I remember taking that instruction book with me while on a short shopping errand that Saturday afternoon in a calculated move to ensure I wouldn't have to stop thinking about Metal Gear. It had its hooks in me, and once I was in that world of spies, rogue special ops groups, and shadowy conspiracies, I never wanted to leave. We were supposed to visit our grandparents that Sunday, but stopping wasn't an option. So we took the PlayStation with us, hooking it up to an ancient TV in their dusty basement where we could continue to save the world from nuclear disaster and learn more dubious information about genetic engineering. I know, it was a scumbag move. But in our defense, we'd just finished the torture scene, found the corpse of the real DARPA chief, and escaped a jail cell using a bottle of ketchup -- neither of us were in the best head space to make positive decisions. It was a weekend I'll never forget. My brother and I tackled Shadow Moses together, experiencing the entire mission as a single unit. It was was a battle march, a do-or-die suicide mission to finish it in a single weekend. Even if it meant wearing out our welcome at our grandparents with multiple pleas of “just 15 more minutes!” as we pummeled Liquid Snake to death and tried to watch the hour-long ending without completely alienating the rest of the family. So yeah, we kept the stupid manual. Call it a battle trophy, or a war memento. My brother still has it buried in some desk drawer. Besides, we did Blockbuster and the next person to rent the game a solid. When we returned the game, we taped an index card with Meryl's codec number to the inside of the sterile white and blue plastic box. We had to crack that puzzle with brute force after we couldn't convince our mom to drive us back out just before midnight to look at the back of the CD case on the shelf. Kojima never accounted for us rental kids with his fourth wall shattering puzzle, but I forgive him. How could I not? He made some of my favorite memories. The best moments I had with Sons of Liberty all happened years after the game first hit the shelves. Nowadays, I consider Sons of Liberty to be one of the most important and subversive games of all time. When we picked it up on day one though, I thought Raiden was a turd and Kojima was playing a mean spirited prank on us. You want to talk about memories? I remember thinking “boy, I hope this is just a joke and Snake takes over again reallll soon” about a million times during the first few hours with it. That's not to say I didn't like Sons of Liberty or that it was a bad game or anything, it was just frustrating. It seemed to exist only to validate every criticism of the original. That it was a bunch of nonsense for the sake of nonsense, or that it was a nice movie with some neat game bits in between. I wanted to love it, but it didn't seem to care one way or the other for me. Subliminally, I was picking up on the entire meaning of the game. But it'd be a long time before I could fully appreciate it. Sons of Liberty isn't a game you tackle in a single weekend of obsessive dead-eye play. It's an intricate and nuanced criticism of the industry, players, and power fantasies that you revisit every few years with a scalpel and a fresh set of eyes. It's a game that was so prescient that only now, with games like Spec Ops: The Line and Hotline Miami, are other titles even attempting the same kind of criticism it levied. It's a game that I've enjoyed reading about more than I enjoyed playing. And I've enjoyed playing it a lot. It would be easy to dismiss Sons of Liberty's message as postmodern gobbledygook, or its criticisms of Raiden, and by extension the players, as overly impressionable rubes playing pretend at being a super solider as a creator taking a shot at his audience. But I remember a time in high school when I skipped Mr. Hogarth's class in the morning and couldn't afford to be caught. How the blood in my veins began to pump as I saw him looming just in front of the door of one of my afternoon classes having a conversation with Mr. Jones. How I slipped seamlessly, without consciously thinking about it into STEALTH MODE, creeping up just behind him, turning with him as he turned, like I was staying just outside of the vision cone of any of Metal Gear's hapless guards, slipping in just past him to take my seat, no alarms activated. The S3 plan worked better than Kojima could have dreamed. Even a pudgy high school nerd could have his own Solid Snake moment with the kind of training he provided us with. The Substance Edition on the Xbox was where I really came to love Sons of Liberty. The VR missions more than made up for the intractable cinematics and radio conversations of the main game, finally letting me feel like I played Sons of Liberty rather than watched it. With a few years to get over the shock of playing as Raiden and absorb the message of the game's screwy third act, I was able to enjoy the story and characters. It's one of the few games I can think of that benefited from a remaster in a way that was more meaningful than just a graphical update. But when it's all said and done, I think my favorite memory of Sons of Liberty has to be slipping on bird shit and falling to my death. I don't know why, but that's the moment that crystallized Sons of Liberty to me. Snake Eater is one of my favorite games of all time. I've completed it maybe ten or so times give or take. Certainly more times than any other game I've ever owned. The reason I played through it so many times is simple -- it kept giving me something new every time I did. I'm not sure how many people appreciate how incredibly dense and rich Snake Eater is. If you just want to mainline the game on normal mode, stick to dependable tactics, and don't care too much if you get spotted or have to drop a few extra people, it can be a fairly straightforward affair. If you want to dig deep though, if you want to get weird, that's when Snake Eater really shows you what it's really made of. I did all of the normal things. A regular playthrough where I slit every throat I saw, blundered into enemies and tripped off alarms, and was admonished by The Sorrow who seemed very cross with the number of Russians I set on fire. I did the professional thing, where I snuck in like a shadow over Groznyj Grad, with no alarms and no surprises. Then I did the goofy stuff -- theme runs where I would try and see if I could complete the game as a North Vietnamese regular (all black camo, unsilenced pistol, AK-47, grenades, and SVD only). I did runs where I would only eat fresh killed food, no Calorie Mates or insta-noodles. Runs where I tried to kill as many people indirectly as I could, to see how many I could poison with rotted food or knock off of bridges, the spirit of bad luck. Runs where I made a point of blowing up every supply shed and armory in the country. Every time I thought I exhausted the very last bit of Snake Eater, there was just a little bit more to find. A new mechanic or trick (that of course was almost totally useless and impractical, and great), or some new weird quirk of enemy behavior (did you know you can kill The Fury with a few swipes of your knife? He even has custom dialog for it), or a new radio conversation or song I had never heard before. I played Snake Eater for years, and I'll bet there are still one or two things left to find; Kojima's bag of tricks never seems to end. I still have the memory card with all of my Snake Eater saves on it, just in case I ever feel the need to get down on my belly and crawl through the weeds and marshes of Tselnoyarsk again. I had a whole library of saves, most of them right before discrete scenes or moments I knew I'd want to play again and again. The mountain infiltration right before you rendezvous with Eva and the treacherous march back down again. Dodging KGB special operation units armed with flamethrowers, mindful of the differences in elevation and the gun emplacements littering the hill. I've heard The Guns of Navarone was one of the movies that inspired Kojima when working on the series, and I like to think this area is his little homage to the cliff-side raid of the movie. I saved right before the sniper duel with The End, two different versions. One where Snake would run into his valley clad in camo greens, ready to fight a war of attrition with the legendary marksman. Another, where I assassinated the old man earlier on in the game with a single split-second crackshot (Snake Eater lets you do this because Snake Eater is a game that gives and gives every time you play it). In that version, his valley was full of Ocelot's personal entourage of soldiers to play with. Can you slip by unnoticed while being hunted by a pack of red beret-wearing hotshots? Or maybe it would be more satisfying to unzip each of their throats one by one, or to fight them all in one glorious running battle of machine gun fire and shotgun blasts (I never really used the thing unless I was goofing around). Of course, I saved just before the final showdown against The Boss. It's probably the single greatest scene in the entire series and one of the best boss encounters ever designed. Sure, taking down the Shagohod was satisfying, and sneaking up on The End and forcing him to give up his special camo and rifle made you feel like a sneaky master, but this was the real test. Fighting a person with all of the same skills and tactics you've spent the game developing and mastering, but she's better at them than you. After all, she invented them. I have less personal attachment to the other games. Guns of the Patriots I had to enjoy vicariously, reading about it and watching other people play. Same with the Metal Gear Acid games. I've spent a good chunk of the last month catching up, reading wikis about them and watching Let's Plays to fill in the gaps of my Metal Gear knowledge. I think I'm ready. I'm ready to finally close the loop on this series I've been playing my entire life. I'm ready to experience the last chapter in this decades long story of espionage, betrayal, and hiding in cardboard boxes. I can't wait to get into The Phantom Pain next week and see it for myself. I'm hoping Kojima can give me a few more memories on his way out.
Metal Gear memories photo
More than the basics of CQC
We stole the instruction manual when we rented Metal Gear Solid from Blockbuster. It's the one and only time we ever did that. Normally we were fine upstanding rental citizens who held manual-thieves in smug contempt. But in ...
The top five most British games you'll ever lay eyes on
Aug 26 // Joe Parlock
#5: Bloodborne Bloodborne was a sign of great change over at From Software. After its run of massively popular Souls games, it wanted to try something really different. It wanted to move away from the formula that made From the huge success it was, and show the world the average, day-to-day lives of people living in Birmingham. Audiences were cautious of the idea at first: bringing the Midlands to life seemed like an odd choice for a Japanese developer to tackle. Over the course of the development process, we learned just how seriously Miyazaki was taking the project: he’d binge-watched every episode of Crossroads, a task no human being should be able to survive. But it all paid off: when it finally launched, everyone instantly understood how important the game would be. From the Werewolves of Snow Hill Station to the Dog Vicar of the Bullring, Brum really does come to life in videogame form. Treading over the broken cobbles and forcing my way through the rusted gates, it was just like I was there. Some players complained about the difficulty of the game, but frankly if you haven’t been devoured by a giant spider when going to Birmingham’s Selfridges, you’ve not truly experienced the city. #4: Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture Shropshire was an absolutely inspired choice of a location for The Chinese Room’s newest storytelling game Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture. The county is very rarely a setting in games, and it has a rich history thanks to its influence and contribution to the industrial revolution. Shropshire is everything you could think about Britain neatly compressed into a nice, little place full. But that’s not the true reason why it’s such a great setting for Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture. The real reason is it’s the closest thing to a post-apocalypse you’ll find in the Western hemisphere! That’s right, after the AI incursion at Ironbridge in 1886, nobody has lived there! Every single human being you see in Shropshire is just a steam-powered Stepford-esque bio-machinations, who have left the county to go to ruin! Pubs and charity shops have combined into one weird amalgamation that’s not quite as good as either, and you can bet your entire family a new museum is popping up as you read this. Shropshire is an utterly bizarre, yet pretty, place. For the lens to be focused so intently on it in Rapture means we may soon finally find a way to reclaim our land from the androids. #3: Killing Floor Killing Floor might be a slightly controversial inclusion on this list, because it doesn’t paint our glorious isles in quite the best light. However, I think something us Brits have always been good at is introspection. From a National Trust café to a beach in Benidorm, we always act with the utmost class and decorum, but Killing Floor shows a darker side to our nation: British football. Killing Floor is about a world overrun by, and I quote, “bloody Millwall fans”. Set in the streets of London, you must survive against the hordes of football fans being kicked out of the pub. Killing Floor’s recreation of modern day football is so realistic, the attention to detail is simply amazing. I can smell the cheese and onion Walkers crisps and stale beer just thinking about it. In a positive light though, Killing Floor manages to be incredibly inclusive of its image of football fans. The world likes to paint the sport as a load of rowdy old geezers who can’t keep their drinks down in their moth-eaten Aston Villa t-shirts, but it simply isn’t like that in 2015. Men with chainsaws for arms and invisible women have become way more accepted in recent years! Even Spider-hybrids have found their place! Unfortunately, scary fire-shooting people have still been fighting for their place for a while now… but there’s certainly progress. Also, we have a lot of guns. That is some Britain is absolutely known for: how many great big, piss-off guns we all carry around at all times. Sometimes it’s a hassle trying to carry my shopping from Morrison’s with an AK-47 in the way, but that’s Britain for you. Killing Floor’s unblinking view of how many fully-automatic shotguns and flamethrowers even your common Londoner has is something we need to really understand about our culture. Thanks, Tripwire. #2: The Beatles: Rock Band It was twenty years ago today that Sergeant Pepper taught the band to play. They’ve been going in and out of style, but none the less they’ve been marching through the streets of Liverpool, ensuring all of Britain’s children are behaving as they should. If they are not learning the songs of their grandparents, or worshiping the great Lucy in the Sky with their Diamonds, Pepper’s mighty Walrus will take them away to a place nobody knows. This is how it has been for the past fifty years, and it is the way it shall always be. Of course, there have been attempts to destroy the great influence our Lord and Master Ringo Starr has had on us. The Oasis Movement of the '90s was the biggest threat, but problems among management meant it stood no chance against the Lonely Hearts Club Band. And this is why The Beatles: Rock Band is on our list. No one changed the face of Britain as much as Lord Starr did, and the great idea of incorporating the children’s mandatory daily reverence into a video game meant for those wealthy enough to afford the little plastic instruments, life is good. Well not good, but it’s getting better. #1: Sir, You Are Being Hunted You thought Everybody’s Gone to Rapture was our only way of fighting back against the robots? Oh heavens no, we also have Sir, You Are Being Hunted. Not only does Sir helpfully remind the British public to respect the god damn class institution that has been in place for centuries, it also provides handy-dandy training on how to survive should you find yourself in somewhere like Shropshire! Sir is a program to help remind those crawling in the shattered darkness that Britain still exists: with tweed shops, and union jacks plopped onto absolutely every item inconceivable. Digestive biscuits, far too many churches, parish halls, smokestacks, tea, tea, tea. If this doesn’t remind you of home, I don’t know what will. There’s even fox hunting! You remember fox hunting, right? That thing only rich people do because getting away with shooting poor people would be more hassle than it’s worth? Of course, in this case you’re the fox… but never mind that, developer Big Robot is still working out the kinks. Sir, You Are Being Hunted is more than a game. It’s our message unto the world that no matter what they do to us, we will survive. A nice strawberry trifle here, an 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown there, and we will all keep calm and carry on. What is left of us must carry on. Oh god we must.
Blighty photo
God save Ringo and his Robot Army
Britain, Britain, Britain! Over the years we’ve been known for a lot: tea, monocles, the Queen, imperialism, and at one point… video games. We had it all, from the Sinclair ZX Spectrum to Rockstar Games, Britain ...
New Patent photo
New Patent
Nintendo files patent for first sales-less console (Fauxclusive)
No, this is not a joke about the Wii U
Aug 24
// CJ Andriessen
The discovery of two new patents filed by gaming giant Nintendo earlier this year may give us a peek into the future of the company. The first, as reported on Saturday, is for a disc-less home console. The second patent, whic...
Sonic photo
Sonic Dreams Collection: Mascots, legacy, and audience perception
What happened to you, Sonic?
Aug 22
// Laura Kate Dale
Most of the critical discussion on Sonic Dreams Collection up until this point has been largely focused on it as an unexpectedly odd curio, and with good reason. An unusual mix of Sonic fan fiction crossed with Don't Hug Me I...
Intel unboxing photo
Intel unboxing
Watch me unbox (and break) the Intel Box Master System
Including an i7-6700K and 750 series SSD
Aug 21
// Jed Whitaker
Intel decided to send us two giant boxes full of things, including its hot new 8-bit Intel Box Master System featuring wood side paneling to unbox on video. I couldn't possibly do a straight unboxing video -- that isn't my s...
Thirsty, hungry, and crappy in ARK: Survival Evolved
Aug 18 // Nic Rowen
Ark experiences photo
Out of my Comfort Zone #01
Destructoid photo
Take a look at some recent bad asses in gaming
From Destructoid's video team
Aug 17
// Chris Carter
The Destructoid video team has whipped up a look at some recent badasses in gaming. from all walks of life. Out of everyone, I'm still looking forward to playing as Big Boss in Metal Gear Solid V. It feels like I've been waiting forever, but Phantom Pain is nearly here. Drake can definitely still be considered a bad ass, but I'm over Uncharted a bit after playing through the last game.
What if Bonk were cool?
Aug 16 // Jonathan Holmes
In the meantime, we're left to wonder what could have been had Bonk managed to stay alive into 2015. John-Charles Holmes, producer of the new Rhythm Heaven fan magazine Rhythm Zinegoku (featuring art from yours truly and former Dtoid writers Colette Bennett and Ashley Davis), has one possible answer to this question. While this might not be the evolution that many would hope to see for our top heavy caveman hero, I wouldn't be too surprised to see today's Konami take him in this direction.
Bonk photo
Would he be Zonk?
Out of all the frustrating decisions Konami's made in the past few years, its shelving of the Bonk series hurt me the most. For those who don't know, Bonk was the first "radical" console wars rival to Mario, pre-dating Sonic ...
Experience Points .22: Tomb Raider
Aug 15 // Ben Davis
T. Rex doesn't want to be fed, he wants to hunt One of my most memorable gaming moments was seeing the T. Rex in Tomb Raider for the first time. Keep in mind, this was actually the very first 3D video game world I was exposed to. So that, coupled with the fact that I was very young at the time, helped to make the T. Rex a very mind-blowing experience for me. Here's the scenario: As an eight-year-old exploring a three-dimensional cavern for the first time ever, pretty much everything in Tomb Raider seemed incredible to me. Running around, dodging traps, solving puzzles, and shooting at bats, wolves, and even frighteningly powerful bears, I was having an amazing time. Then I get to the Lost Valley, the third level in the game, and things take a surprising turn. Lara climbs up a high wall and drops down into a curiously lush jungle environment, very different from the rocky caves I was used to. A bunch of skeletons litter the ground, and there are some rather large, bird-like footprints all over the place. What could have possibly made these prints? Suddenly, the sound of something large can be heard coming directly towards Lara, and out of nowhere a huge red creature shrieks and lunges at her. It happened so fast that all I could think was, "What the heck is that thing?!" as I jumped around like crazy and desperately fired my pistols. Finally it died, and I was able to take a closer look at the corpse to find out, oh my god, it's a freaking raptor! At that point, dinosaurs were definitely the last thing I expected to see in this game. From then on, I explored the jungle area very cautiously. Soon after dispatching a couple more raptors, Lara approaches a broken bridge high above her. I was moving very slowly towards the bridge, looking up to try and see if there was anything up there, when suddenly the battle music started and the ground began to shake. I stopped dead in my tracks as an enormous T. Rex burst out of the shadows and quickly bounded towards Lara. My heart skipped a beat and I slammed the pause button and nearly fell off of the ottoman I was sitting on! A T. Rex? I have to fight a freaking T. Rex? How in the world? After mentally preparing for several seconds, I got ready to attempt to take down the dinosaur and pressed the start button to resume playing. The T. Rex immediately ran up to Lara, grabbed her in its jaws, thrashed her about, and slammed her limp body onto the ground. Welp. That sure was fast. Eventually, I figured out an effective, if rather cheap, method of killing the big dino, but that moment of seeing it for the first time will forever remain one of my fondest memories in gaming. The wrath of the gods My favorite level in Tomb Raider would easily be St. Francis' Folly. It's the first level of the Greece section, and introduces lions, gorillas, and crocodiles into the mix of enemies. But what makes this level so fun and memorable is the extremely tall, enormous room which leads to four other rooms labeled Thor, Atlas, Neptune, and Damocles. While it's admittedly strange that they included the Norse god Thor and the Roman god Neptune in this Greek ruin (they later changed the names to Hephaestus and Poseidon in Tomb Raider: Anniversary), we'll just look past that for now. These four rooms are some of the coolest areas of the game. They're all themed around the mythological figures they're named for, and they're all quite deadly. Thor's room is decked out with a ball of electricity that shoots lightning bolts onto random floor tiles which Lara must carefully avoid, as well as a gigantic hammer which falls in an attempt to crush her if she wanders beneath it. Atlas' room traps Lara in a narrow corridor with a deadly boulder, which is meant to symbolize the sky that Atlas held upon his shoulders. Neptune's room has a frighteningly deep pool of water which sucks Lara down to the bottom and won't let her back up until she finds a hidden lever. Finally, Damocles' room is rigged with a bunch of huge swords dangling from the ceiling, which fall as Lara tries to leave and even home in on her a bit in an attempt to slice her up. I always enjoyed the creativity that went into making this level. The traps based on mythological figures were a really neat idea and really well implemented, even if they mixed up some of their mythologies. It added a lot to the wonder of the game's world, and even inspired me to research some Greek and Roman gods as a young kid to try and figure out what the names meant. Levels like this are what Tomb Raider is all about. The temptation of the Sphinx This one is a little specific. It's more of a small ritual that I personally enjoy doing every time I play Tomb Raider, even though it's probably not a part of everyone else's experience with the game. But it's also possible that I'm not the only person that does this! Lara actually has two different kinds of jumps in Tomb Raider: a normal jump and a swan dive. The latter is basically just a fancy jump that's probably only meant to be performed around water. Except Lara can do a swan dive anywhere, and one of my favorite things to do is take advantage of this and have her perform swan dives in some of the most ridiculous locations. Sure, she usually breaks her neck, but at least she looks damn good doing it! When I first learned that Lara could do swan dives, I was pulling them off all over the place. I swan dived into every pool of water. I swan dived from the top of the waterfall in the Lost Valley. I even swan dived from the top of the really tall room in St. Francis' Folly (Sorry, Lara!). Then Lara made her way to Egypt, and found herself in the Sanctuary of the Scion. Eventually, she exited into a big, open room with a gigantic Sphinx statue. I took one look at the Sphinx, towering way above Lara's head, and immediately thought, "I have to do a swan dive off that Sphinx." I made that my primary goal as I navigated around the room in an attempt to climb on top of the huge statue's head. Finally, I arrived at the top. I stood there for awhile, surveying the massive, open room around me and the ground far below. Then I pulled off the most glorious swan dive imaginable as Lara silently plummeted to her death in the sand at the Sphinx's feet. It was awesome. Now, whenever I replay Tomb Raider or Tomb Raider: Anniversary, I make it a ritual to perform a swan dive off the top of the Sphinx whenever I arrive at the Sanctuary of the Scion. I wonder if anyone else does the same thing... Home sweet home One of the best parts of any Tomb Raider game is getting to explore Lara Croft's mansion. In many games in the series, including the first, the mansion acts as a tutorial level. It's completely optional to play, and even the tutorial sections of the mansion are optional as well. When Lara enters certain rooms, including a gym, a room with a tumbling mat, a room full of boxes, and a swimming pool, she'll announce to the player all the different moves she can perform and which controls to use. The player can either follow her advice or choose to just keep moving and ignore her if they want, and continue to explore freely. It's actually one of the best ways to include a non-intrusive tutorial that I can think of. Unfortunately, there's not too much to do in the first game's mansion other than tutorials. The second game introduces a bunch of neat little secrets to discover, hidden rooms to find, and a crazy old butler to mess around with and lock in the freezer (he's a hoot), all staples of Lara Croft's awesome home. It's still pretty neat to run around the mansion in the original game though too. Goldfinger This may sound weird, but one of my favorite parts of Tomb Raider is actually one of the death animations. The Tomb Raider series is known for having some pretty gruesome deaths. Even in the first game, I sometimes felt really bad about dying because of Lara's death animations and sound effects. Seeing her thrash about while drowning, hearing the horrible popping and squelching sounds when she falls onto spikes, and watching her get torn apart and tossed around by the T. Rex and the final boss... man, Lara had a rough time. But there's one death animation that had me literally laugh out loud due to how absurd it is. When Lara travels to Greece, she eventually finds herself in an area called Palace Midas. There's a puzzle in this level wherein Lara must collect a few gold bars, except the only things to be found nearby are lead bars. Perhaps there is some way to turn the lead into gold? Those who are familiar with the story of King Midas know that he was said to have the power to turn anything into gold merely by touching it. And wouldn't you know it, there just so happens to be a giant statue of King Midas in the palace, with one of his hands severed and lying on the ground. Obviously, the key to solving the puzzle is to place the lead bars onto the statue's broken hand, which then turns them to gold. But... does the hand turn other things to gold as well? Lara's curiosity gets the better of her as she jumps up onto the hand and, lo and behold, her body parts slowly transform into solid gold as she dies a horrible, yet totally glamorous death. I believe the first time I witnessed this death animation it was completely by accident. I walked into the room, saw the hand lying there, and thought, "I should jump on that hand!" The death that followed took me completely by surprise, but as I sat there looking dumbfounded at the continue screen, I slowly started to piece together what had happened. "Oh! King Midas, duh!" Afterwards, I had a really good laugh, and then promptly went back to the statue room to watch the death animation all over again. Horror in hiding Tomb Raider is one of those games where nobody seems to realize how terrifying and bizarre it is until they actually play it all the way through. It's kind of like Ecco the Dolphin in this regard. For the majority of the game, the locations and enemies remain relatively normal. Lara makes her way through caves and ruins, fighting against the sorts of enemies you might expect to find there, such as bats, wolves, bears, lions, and crocodiles. Occasionally, she'll also encounter some unexpected things such as dinosaurs, but even those aren't too disturbing. But everything changes once Lara reaches the end of the Tomb of Tihocan. The entrance to the tomb is decorated with two statues of centaurs. They don't actually do anything other than look intimidating, so she leaves to navigate the area to find a lever to open the door of the tomb. But as she begins to enter the tomb, the two statues unexpectedly spring to life and attack. And not only do they do that, but their stony exteriors crack open to reveal a truly grotesque sight of what looks like a skinless creature with muscle and bone clearly exposed to the elements. It's horrible, and the first time I played this level it scared the crap out of me! But the horror doesn't stop there. After the Tomb of Tihocan, Lara makes her way into Egypt, and of course the place is crawling with mummies. But these aren't ordinary mummies. You might expect mummies to be slow, lumbering, yet powerful monsters, but the mummies in Tomb Raider are anything but slow! These things freaking run and jump all over the place, making an awful shrieking sound the entire time as they're thrashing at Lara. Their movements are so sudden that they somehow manage to startle me every single time I encounter one. Finally, Lara discovers the lost civilization of Atlantis, which is not nearly as wondrous as you might expect. It's actually pretty nightmarish. The place is crawling with creatures like the centaurs from before, with exposed muscle and bone. Not only that, but the walls, floors, and ceilings are all pulsating and throbbing like the entire place is alive, as if Lara is walking through some massive creature's body. It's extremely unsettling, and very far off from the relatively normal caves that began the whole adventure. And then there's the final boss... I'm fairly sure nobody expected to find something so grossly horrifying from a game like Tomb Raider, but I love how unpredictable it is. Past Experience Points Level 1: .01 - .20 .21: Katamari Damacy
Tomb Raider photo
I'm sorry, I only play for sport
Destructoid's eight great games from gamescom 2015
Aug 14 // Steven Hansen
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain I didn't see shit with respect to The Phantom Pain at gamescom because I already played the damn thing for 14 hours months ago and there wasn't going to be anything too new compared to E3. Just more cut trailers and word that you can Looney Tunes-style kidnap soldiers from other players' bases. Bless this game. Roughly two more weeks. (-Steven) Rise of the Tomb Raider Lara Croft's up to her usual shenanigans in Rise of the Tomb Raider. You know the drill by now: traverse dangerous terrain, avoid deadly traps, brutally murder everyone she encounters. Somehow, it doesn't feel old yet. Actually, it's still pretty damn fantastic. Rise of the Tomb Raider steadily throws challenge after challenge at the player, usually with impeccable style. It's the slow-motion "act quick or Lara's definitely dead" moments that stick with you, but don't underestimate the times when you stand still for a minute and try to pick apart the next puzzle. This game leans heavily on the framework established in 2013's Tomb Raider, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's a bad thing. More of that is perfectly welcome. In our gamescom showing, Lara traded her flairs for glowsticks but the rest of the flashy demo proved that this girl definitely still has flair. (-Brett) Dark Souls 3 There is fear of Souls fatigue and completely sane fear this Dark Souls 3 is easy garbage for casuals, but From Software's tough-but-fair macabre fantasy world remains alluring all the same. I have high hopes for new settings and genres, but once more into a bonfire and flask-filled world of nightmare creatures isn't a bad way to spend some time. (-Steven) Scalebound While Scalebound looks like Platinum's most mainstream-appealing game yet, what with it being an open-world RPG with a vaguely fantasy setting, I'm confident in Hideki Kamiya's ability to bring the weird and inject some life into this Dragonheart successor. Even if it doesn't get too off the rails, it is a completely gorgeous game, with action principles that extend beyond Platinum's typical style (though terms like "open world" and "weapon degradation" do spook the "I like shorter games" side of me). But I'm still pretty sure at some point we're going to be riding that dragon real-time through the completely modern city streets of Drew's world. (-Steven) Hellblade As early a showing as it was, Hellblade has all the right ideas. It's all going to come down to execution. Taking the parlor trick that is hallucination sequences in games and making them "real," because the game takes place in Senua's point of view and her vivid visions are her reality, is a great way of blending theme and form. It gives you a good excuse for a moody third-person action game, too. If Ninja Theory can continue to do Enslaved and Heavenly Sword style stuff on a smaller scale, that will be a win against the homogenization of the industry. (-Steven) We Happy Few First comes credit for cutting this brilliant, unsettling trailer. Then comes credit to me for finally figuring out what the hell this game is. Basically it is an open-world survival sim not unlike Sir, You Are Being Hunted. Everyone is on their happy pills, keeping them in line; you are not on your happy pills and want to make your way off crazy person island. The world is randomly generated each time, but there are five distinct areas to get through, story characters to encounter en route to freedom, and so on. And those faces are still intimidating. (-Steven) Mirror's Edge Catalyst I generally wouldn't feel comfortable making this sort of bold statement after seeing a game in preview form, but here goes: No one who loved Mirror's Edge will be disappointed by the gameplay in Mirror's Edge Catalyst. With some hands-off and hands-on time under my belt, at least that much seems very obvious. The reason is that Catalyst's open-world free-running feels absolutely fantastic. An EA DICE representative gave a tightly-rehearsed presentation and said the word "fluid" about fifty times, and with good reason too. The developer put seamless movement at the forefront when creating this game, and it shows. Everything is fluid. Running across the City of Glass is a treat, not a chore -- that's exactly how Mirror's Edge should be. (-Brett) Kingdom This way my surprise game out of gamescom and I am in love. It takes the complexity of sprawling empire-building games like Civilization and distills them down to one button press. As King or Queen on your high horse, you gallop left or right to expand your kingdom. You do this by dropping coins from your purse. Drop a coin in front of a wandering vagrant and they become a loyal subject. Drop two coins in front of the arrow shop and it will produce a bow that an unemployed subject can pick up to become an archer, who then hunts to add funds back to the national treasury and defends the kingdom during the night cycle as horrible monsters attack. Resource management, strategy, expansion all simplified, easily readable, and supported by a lovely art style and fanastic music. Can't wait to play it again. (-Steven)
Best games of gamescom photo
All the winners, in no particular order
Another year, another gamescom. The show wrapped up last weekend and both Brett and I are safely home in the United States of America, clutching out guns and dystopian healthcare, but we've loosed out iron grip just long enou...
Don't speak photo
Don't speak
Nintendo will now duct tape employee mouths shut before they go home for the day (Fauxclusive)
This or they start cutting out tongues
Aug 14
// CJ Andriessen
Following the dismissal of Nintendo Treehouse employee Chris Pranger over comments he made in a Part-Time Gamers podcast, Nintendo of America told employees that beginning next week the company will start physically taping ...
Pro Game Journo photo
Pro Game Journo
Video games journalist is total big shot at high school reunion (Fauxclusive)
Because it's the best job in the world!
Aug 13
// CJ Andriessen
Students attending the Monroe High School Class of 2005 10-Year Reunion say the most memorable aspect of the night was neither the catering by In-N-Out Burger nor the Wolfmother cover band. No, these students say the thing ...
I used to love Konami
Aug 12 // Jonathan Holmes
There aren't many video game characters from 1987 who are still relevant today. I've selected a few for your perusal below. See if you can pick out which one is not like the others. I've added a generic chart of realistic human proportions to help you guess the answer. While not quite "realistic," Castlevania's Simon Belmont is far and away the design who comes closest to following actual human proportions. He doesn't rely on bright colors, baby proportions, expressive facial features, and other tools borrowed from the language of traditional hand drawn cartoons to win over the crowd. He's an earnest attempt to harness the style of a classic action film hero and apply it to a video game. Most of Konami's games back in the late 1980s went for this style. While other publishers tried to tickle players with clownish antics, Konami titles like Gradius, Rush 'N Attack, Castlevania, The Adventures of Bayou Billy, Contra, and Metal Gear rejected cuteness in favor of a feel that payed tribute to Hollywood action films of the day, though they often walked dangerously close towards the line between tribute and theft. It was common practice for Konami to "borrow" the visage of big name actors for the games. Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Boris Karloff, Sean Connery, Kurt Russel and Mel Gibson are just a few of examples of big names who bear a strong resemblance to classic Konami characters. That kind of thing is pretty common in our modern world of games, with actual Hollywood actors (like TV heartthrob Norman Reedus) regularly lending their names, faces, and voices to AAA titles, but back in the 8-bit era, only Konami had the balls to consistently leap over tech limitations in an effort to deliver something more like an R-rated film. If the ESRB had existed back in the '80s, chances are a few of Konami's games would have flirted with an M rating. While Konami may have worked to divorce itself from the cartoon mascots of '80s gaming, it did not work to avoid video game logic. Castlevania payed tribute to the dark, intimidating worlds depicted in classic Universal monster films, but it also hid meat behind walls and implanted Valentine's hearts inside of candles. Metal Gear combined James Bond's spy action with Rambo's lone soldier in a politically unstable world, but underneath that macho exterior, it's basically Pac-Man with guns. It's a game where characters may discuss the seriousness of World War III in one scene, only to have a large exclamation mark pop up above their heads in the next. That's a tradition that the series has never let go of, and has gone on to be one of its defining characteristics. Playing off the tension between film and video game logic lived on in the Konami brand for over 30 years. The Silent Hill series centers around entering worlds that defy conventional reality, where subconscious thoughts and feelings fuse with the horrific and supernatural to create an environment that's emotionally real but physically impossible. At their heart, that's what most video games are -- worlds that feel real even though we know that they are not. Konami used to dart between realism and surrealism, symbolism and literalism, unplayable cinema and interactive gameplay, to create something larger than the sum of its parts. That interplay is the natural evolution of its old 1980s practice of depicting real life Hollywood icons with stripped down, iconographic sprites. It's something we see so often in modern games that we may take it for granted, but if it weren't for Konami working to pave the way, who knows where we'd be now. I sincerely hope that Konami returns to this kind of game design, or any kind of game design that doesn't involve sexy Pachinko machines.
Konami photo
I also used to love Mel Gibson
There aren't a lot of good things to say about Konami these days. Its missteps over the past few years have been frequent and severe, including: the embarrassingly poor Silent Hill HD Collection; the cancellation of Silent Hi...
Which video games did you grow up with?
Aug 09 // Ben Davis
We had a ton of other NES cartridges, too. Of course, we had the other two Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda, plus some other neat games like Clash at Demonhead, Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers, 1943: The Battle of Midway, Marble Madness, and Excitebike, as well as some weirder ones like Fester's Quest, T&C Surf Designs, and Winter Games. I dabbled in all of these games, usually with my sister and brother -- who was way better than me at the time, so I watched him beat more than a few of them. As for the other consoles, we only owned a few titles for each, and typically rented more. Our SNES collection included Super Mario World, Mario Paint, A Link to the Past, Final Fantasy II (well, IV), and Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade's Revenge. I liked all of these, but I probably played Final Fantasy II and Mario Paint the most (I loved that fly swatter mini-game!). I was terrible at Final Fantasy, though. I always got stuck on the octopus boss or the Antlion. I know I never saw anything past that point. But I kept trying to get better, because I really wanted to see more of that world. The Sega Genesis didn't get much love. I know we had a few Sonic the Hedgehog games and Ecco: The Tides of Time, but I can't remember anything else. Ecco was actually one of my favorite games at the time, because I was obsessed with marine biology as a kid (and still am!), but I was so bad at it that I just watched my brother play it instead. Whenever I played, I mostly just swam around and did flips and stuff. We also had some neat PC games. I remember playing Myst, SimTown, Lemmings, Magic Carpet, and Lode Runner: The Legend Returns on our old Windows 95 computer. I always thought Myst was really interesting visually, but I could never solve the puzzles by myself, of course. I spent most of my time with SimTown and Lode Runner. I even messed around with the level editor in Lode Runner a bit and tried to make my own maps. I'm sure all of the games from my childhood helped shape me into the gamer I am today and had major influences on my tastes. I always seemed to prefer the weird stuff, like Super Mario Bros. 2, Blaster Master, and Ecco. I loved platformers most, but also enjoyed RPGs and creative games like Mario Paint and SimTown. Of course, my tastes have since grown to include many other genres and types of games, but the ones I grew up with were the foundation of my hobby and I'll never forget them. How about you? Which games did you have growing up? What did you play the most and why?
Community discussion photo
Time for a nostalgia trip
Everyone remembers their first video game, right? I often think back on the games my family owned growing up and realize how much of an impact they had on my life. Without them, I might not be here today talking about video g...
Experience Points .21: Katamari Damacy
Aug 08 // Ben Davis
Royal Rainbow! The King of All Cosmos might actually be my favorite video game character of all time. It's weird though, because honestly, he's kind of an asshole. He "accidentally" destroys all the stars in the galaxy, and then has the nerve to make his son do all the work creating new ones. He's also incredibly snarky and super critical of the Prince's work. Really, dad? You're gonna force me to fix your mistakes and then tell me I'm not doing it well enough? I'm really feeling the love here... But even after all the abuse, I just can't help but admire the King of All Cosmos. I mean, just look at him! He's fit, handsome, has a quirky fashion sense, well-groomed facial hair, and a shockingly noticeable bulge (oh myyy). And did I mention he literally vomits rainbows? He is the very definition of fabulous. The King's dialogue is one of the most entertaining aspects of Katamari. Hearing him put down the Prince in such a nonchalant way is pretty funny. Plus he's got a witty sense of humor and a really strange way of viewing the world. It's fun to see what he thinks of humans and their way of life as he tries to understand why they do the things they do. He talks a lot (and I mean a lot!), but I never got tired of hearing his weird and wonderful thoughts or the strange record-scratching sound he makes. The King of All Cosmos may be a horrible father and a huge asshole, but he's just such a lovable asshole. I mean, it's hard to be mad at a man that has rainbows bursting out of every orifice! [embed]297398:59858:0[/embed] Na naaa na na na na naa naa naa na naa naa na na na~ It's almost impossible to talk about Katamari and not mention the soundtrack. It's one of the most unique video game soundtracks I've ever heard, filled with relentlessly happy songs and catchy melodies. If I ever want to smile, I simply have to put on some Katamari music. It cheers me up instantly. The vocal tracks are the best. Some of my favorites from the first game include "Lonely Rolling Star," "Katamaritaino," "A Crimson Rose and a Gin Tonic," and "Katamari Mambo" (I especially enjoy the male singer in that last one; he sounds so crazy!). Then there's "Cherry Blossom Color Season" with some adorable child vocals, "Que Sera Sera" with its notable English vocals ("I want to wad you up into my life!"), and "Katamari on the Rocks" which gets stuck in my head for days whenever I play the game. And I can't forget to mention "The Wonderful Star's Walk is Wonderful," which may not be a vocal track, but it's my personal favorite. I could honestly gush about every song on the soundtrack; the whole thing is fantastic! I had to give special mention to the title screen music, though. It's the very first thing the player hears upon turning on the game, and it's fantastic. It's basically just a guy singing a simple melody, but it's an instantly classic tune. It's calming, cheerful, quirky, and immediately recognizable. All you have to do is sing the first two notes ("Na naaa...") and it's already in my head! For the people The basic premise of Katamari is to roll junk up into a ball. It's a very simple idea, but it's crazy just how fun it is. It starts the player off as a tiny little ball rolling up thumbtacks and candies, growing larger and picking up progressively bigger objects like trash cans and bicycles, and eventually becoming huge enough to roll up entire buildings and even the very island they're standing on. It's such a wonderful feeling to see the Katamari growing larger and more powerful by the second and rolling up everything in its way. But I always find that the most fun comes from rolling up people. The behavior of the humans in Katamari games is hilarious. When the Katamari is still really small, they sort of just go about their business normally, most of the time not even giving a second glance to the weird ball of junk rolling around them. But once it's big enough, people will notice it and run away in terror, flailing their arms wildly. Even when they get rolled up themselves, they keep flailing their arms and legs in a comically energetic manner, like insects that are stuck on their backs. They also make funny noises upon being picked up. Usually it's a goofy shouting or laughing sound, but many of them make other strange noises. The biker punks' cries are especially odd. This video has a good sampling of the many sounds the people make. It may seem cruel to enjoy rolling people up into a ball of random objects, potentially crushing them as things like cars and buildings are added into the mix, or impaling them on fence posts and street signs, or burning them on campfires, or drowning them as the Katamari rolls through the ocean. And all the while they await their fate of being turned into a flaming hot star in a newly reformed galaxy. But, you know, they'll probably be okay... right? I hope? I'm sure they're fine... My cousin Dipp The Prince's many cousins are a bizarre bunch of individuals. They can be found hidden in each level, and can later be selected for use in the multiplayer mini-game. Over the course of the series, more and more cousins were added to the mix, and they became playable characters for the main game as well. Even though they're essentially just costume swaps of the Prince (they don't have special abilities or anything), I just love collecting all the little guys. Whenever I find a cousin as I'm rolling around one of the levels, I absolutely have to roll them up. If they're too big, I make it my goal to grow large enough to grab them before the timer runs out. The cousins also have some of the craziest designs in the game. They're all very colorful with differently-shaped heads. There's Ichigo who looks like a strawberry, Marny who's shaped like a tennis ball, Nickel who's a robot, Lalala who is always naked, Miso who literally has a bowl of soup for a head (filled with actual soup in later games), and many more. My two favorite cousins are Dipp and Odeko. Dipp's body is covered with brightly-colored, flashing polka dots so he looks like a disco ball or something, and Odeko has an unreasonably tall head which grows taller in the later games and makes certain items like the headphones look really funny. I almost always play as those two. Throughout the Katamari series, the cousins seem to get weirder and weirder. The original 23 from the first game have all had their features altered and intensified, while newer, crazier cousins are introduced as well. I really like them though. They're like a strange, dysfunctional, rainbow-colored family. I bet they have the greatest reunions! Must find all of the things! Katamari Damacy is one of those games where I have to collect everything. I feel like I haven't truly finished the game until I've rolled up every last object I can find. This mentality is mainly due to the very detailed collection screen, which lists every object by category, location, and size, as well as a separate list for rare objects with special names. Each list provides a percentage of items that have been collected, which of course made the completionist gamer in me want to fill out each list for 100% completion. Katamari also took one step further with its collection screen by adding funny little descriptions for each object in the game. The descriptions appear to be written from the perspective of the King of All Cosmos, since they often use the royal We, which the King enjoys using to refer to himself. Since the majority of the objects are human items, the King sort of has to guess at what they're used for through observation, so a lot of the descriptions are humorous. Some of my favorite descriptions include the peach ("A butt-shaped fruit that is more tasty than butts."), the chopsticks ("Why are these called chopsticks? And why are they so difficult to use?"), the toothbrush ("A stick to put in your mouth. There's got to be a purpose..."), the nail clipper ("Used to clip human claws. We wonder if it hurts."), the handcuffs ("If you do something really bad these may be used on you! Or if you are good..."), and the dung beetle ("Rolls cow dung and makes it bigger. We feel a little rivalry here."). The collection screens are always a joy to read through. Every time I find new items, I go directly to the collection to read what the King has to say about it. In fact, there's actually a Twitter account specifically dedicated to cataloging every single Katamari item with their descriptions! And now for something completely different It's not often I praise a game for its cutscenes, but Katamari's cutscenes are simply glorious. The game's intro is just about the happiest, craziest thing I've ever watched, and it sets the mood perfectly. It has rainbows bursting everywhere, animals dancing and singing, the King flying around and looking all regal, the Prince doing a happy little dance, and really catchy, upbeat music. It might just be my favorite opening scene of all time, simply because of how wacky and cheerful it is. Those ducks get me every time! And then there are the other cutscenes which focus on the human Hoshino family as they live their daily lives while Katamari are being rolled in the background. These scenes are particularly awkward. The Hoshinos are all square and boxy, move very slowly, and speak in slow, unenthusiastic voices, but something about their boring demeanor clashes with the wackiness of the game in a hilarious way. The cutscenes always had me laughing in a "what did I just watch?" kind of way, and I kept looking forward to seeing more of them. Oh, and the little girl also has her own cutscenes after each constellation level is completed. She gets a peculiar sensation and proclaims, "Oh! I feel it. I feel the cosmos!" before swirling out of control into the cosmos herself. I love those scenes so much. Past Experience Points .01: The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.02: Shadow of the Colossus.03: EarthBound.04: Catherine.05: Demon's Souls.06: No More Heroes.07: Paper Mario.08: Persona 4.09: Final Fantasy IX.10: Mega Man Legends.11: Rayman Origins.12: Metal Slug 3.13: Animal Crossing.14: Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King.15: Super Mario Sunshine.16: Final Fantasy VII.17: Nier.18: Chrono Trigger.19: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.20: Red Dead Redemption
Katamari Damacy photo
Oh! I feel it. I feel the cosmos!
The 90s are bad photo
The 90s are bad
Rude old PC ad suggests all men are casual console babies
The 90s are bad
Aug 08
// Steven Hansen
Can you believe this 3Dfx ad from the 90s recently unearthed online by Felipe Pepe? In the era of "attitude" (or just 'tude), 3Dfx had the gall to suggest all men, the fairer sex not graced with breasts, are all casual consol...
Podtoid 302: Virtual Reality is the Future
Aug 08 // Kyle MacGregor
[embed]297458:59878:0[/embed] What We Discussed Gamescom (Star Wars, Tomb Raider, Assassin's Creed, MMOs) Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest Oculus VR inventor Palmer Luckey's unfortunate TIME cover Dark Souls Darren is playing some dumb mobile game Penny Arcade Expo Gardevoir Rocket League Inside baseball and actual baseball Recent Episodes Podtoid 301: The Least Interesting Man in the World Podtoid 300: Randy Pitchford's Little Asshole Podtoid 299: Blast Ball Podtoid 298: Tales of E3 and Batman: Arkham Knight Podtoid 297: E3 2015 Predictions, Tips & Tricks Send any and all questions, tips, and Steven Hansen fan art to [email protected]
Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or download it here. No Brett or Steven this week, as the beastie boys are still off gallivanting around Cologne, Germany for gamescom. But we did manage to bring back PCWorld's illustrious Hayden Dingman to discuss the hottest, sweatiest, smelliest news in the world of video games for your listening pleasure.
Here's what the first ever Super Smash Con looks like
Aug 07 // Chris Carter
Super Smash Con photo
I'd say it's a success
Lighthouses photo
Today is National Lighthouse Day, go play To the Moon
Everything's Alright
Aug 07
// Darren Nakamura
We have a lot of silly "holidays" in the United States, when we don't actually take off work but instead just take a few minutes to think about a thing we maybe don't often think about. Today is National Lighthouse Day, so le...
What games are you never ever ever getting back together with?
Aug 05 // Jed Whitaker
You've got what I need photo
Never say never
My completely inaccurate Rising Thunder tier list
Aug 05 // Nic Rowen
Crow Crow is like a mini-Evangelion mech with a chakram, which I'd normally consider a strong look. But, when compared to the rest of the much goofier and lighthearted Rising Thunder cast, he just looks like he's trying too hard to be edgy -- like Hot Topic opened a mech garage. I can't wait for the DLC to give him a wallet chain and a checker pattern. Crow also looks like he'll be annoying as hell to fight against. Rising Thunder may be the first fighting game to actually do invisibility right (because it's online only, the Crow player will be able to see an outline of their character on their screen while the opponent will see nothing) and that will be sure to attract the trollish kind of player who likes to mess with people. I can already see the YouTube clip reels of time-out victories where a Crow player gets a life lead and dances around invisible for the rest of the match on the horizon. His spinning disk can be delayed to float in the air for a long time, which is the kind of thing that is always a pain to deal with. Any character that can force an opponent to defend while still being able to move and attack themselves seem to do well, so I wouldn't be surprised if Crow actually turned out to be one of the better characters in Rising Thunder. For the purposes of this list however, his high school-ish gothy design and my prediction that I'm going to hate fighting him will land Crow squarely at the bottom of this list. What, you thought this was going to be useful? Edge So, we can all agree that Edge is basically Zero with the serial numbers filed off, right? I mean, red armor, green energy sword, slim build. Heck, he's even got a freaking pony tail! It would be scandalous if Capcom hadn't already abandoned the maverick hunter. Someone might as well rescue him from the scrapyard and put him to work. The in-game description labels Edge as a rush-down character with a high skill difficulty. Given how Zero played in Marvel vs. Capcom 3, I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that the resemblance isn't purely coincidental. Edge looks like the kind of character who is designed to reward dedication and practice by becoming a sheer nightmare in the right hands. The kind of character I can never quite seem to grok but can look forward to being bodied by, over and over. Joy. Oh well. Here's hoping he doesn't have any lightning loop nonsense at least. Dauntless I want to like Dauntless more than I do. She has all the right pieces, a goofy expressive face, extra large hands for Rock'Em-Sock'Em style fisticuffs, and a pleasingly robot-ish squared off design. But something just doesn't click. There is nothing wrong with her, but she's just a little too bland to really crack the top half of the list. Sorry, Dauntless, it's the curse of being the mascot character. Too inoffensive to hate, too milquetoast to love. Speaking of Rock'Em-Sock'Em, that's a cross marketing opportunity if I've ever seen one. Someone should get on that Kickstarter fast. Talos Talos is the big dumb grappler character of Rising Thunder and he knows it. He's got a silly accent, a boisterous attitude, a dumb haircut, and incredibly overdone command grab specials; everything you need to make Zangief, the patron saint of grapplers, proud. Talos goes one step further by joining the ranks of some of my other favorite big dumb characters like Iron Tager and Lex Luthor by having an electromagnetic suction mechanic to pull opponents in close for that real soviet damage. Come here and give daddy a hug. Also, his forward dash makes him pivot on his arms like a gorilla. Perfection. Vlad I can't tell if Vlad is going to be the Dan of Rising Thunder, or the Akuma. All I know is that he's going to be a fan favorite and I'm no exception. He's so damn cute and silly that I almost don't want to love him, but I do, I do. How could I not? He's like if the Iron Giant had a goofy Russian step-brother. While all the other fighters of Rising Thunder are cutting-edge robots ripped from futuristic anime series and discarded Jagger design documents, Vlad is like a tin robot stumbling out of the 1950s, with all the adorable goofiness and Cold War tension that implies. He's got a jetpack, a tiny flag antenna, and he windmills his arms and torso about like a madman. He even fires a tiny elbow rocket! Vlad has everything I'm looking for in a robot. But I suspect Vlad harbors a darker secret underneath all that silly charm. Inside that metal chest beats the heart of a real terror, the kind of character everyone writes off as a joke until he shows up in a tournament one day and cleans house. It's that jetpack, and all the fly-canceling shenanigans it could allow. I bet we'll see someone break the game with it sooner or later, and then no one will be laughing anymore. Chel Chel makes the top of my list by virtue of sheer adorability. She's a little ball of energy with a whole lot of personality for a robot. A big plume of pink hair, a charming accent, and cute little rocket boosters on her hands for when she does a forward dash. Robot girls just want to have fun! In a weird coincidence, Chel is the one place where my dumb personal tier list happens to overlap with reality. As it stands in the alpha, Chel is one of, if not the, strongest character. Her keep-away fireballs and one-button uppercut lead to a simple, but brutally effective game plan that is easy to implement and difficult to work around. That Shoto archetype set the standard for a reason. Given how upset people seem to be at Chel right now, I'd expect to see some balance changes that will make her a little less of a cruise-control character. So I guess now is the time to scumbag it up and establish that character loyalty cred while sneakily enjoying a top-tier character. Rising Thunder is still in the earliest of early days, so any talk of actual tier lists is super dumb and I'm sure everything will change twenty times before the game is launched for real. There are still characters to be revealed, mechanics to iron out, and decisions to be made. As it stands though, Rising Thunder is remarkably fun to play, even if it represents a dramatic shift from traditional fighting game models. Has anyone else been playing the alpha or watching some streams of it? Picked out a favorite already or have a particularly despised foe? I'd be interested to hear what other people think of the game so far!
Rising Thunder tier list photo
From rust bucket to top-bot
Rising Thunder is an experiment I'm not quite sure about yet. On one hand, it seems to be custom made for me: an aging fighting game fan with a well-documented obsession with robots and a pair of cinder-block mittens for hand...
| http://www.destructoid.com/?t=Destructoid%20Originals&start=11 | dclm-gs1-200670001 | false | true | {
"keywords": "spike, genetic engineering"
} | false | null | false |
0.024797 | <urn:uuid:194038cc-152f-4fa8-8b10-ba34b79dd580> | en | 0.977421 | Maiden vs. married names
Discussion in 'Disney Weddings and Honeymoons' started by slasser, Oct 19, 2001.
1. slasser
slasser Earning My Ears
Dec 30, 2000
I just realized that most of our reservations have been made in my maiden name and some have been made in my fiance's name....is this going to be an issue at all on our honeymoon???
2. Anne2
Anne2 Mouseketeer
Mar 21, 2001
I wouldn't think so. So, long as your have all of your reservation/confirmation numbers, you should be fine. People will understand.
3. Wendy
Wendy DIS Veteran
Apr 23, 2000
As long as the name on your reservations and the name on your ID match, it shouldn't be a problem. If you made any airline reservations in your new married name, but don't have a new picture ID with your married name yet, then you could run into problems there. If that's the case, then you should bring a copy of the marriage certificate with you also. At the resort, it shouldn't be a problem.
4. minniemuse
minniemuse academically challenged
Aug 30, 2001
At the resort it was no problem. We were there Sept. 16-20 and I could never remember what name I had used for what. They were very understanding and the confusion helps alert them that you're there on a VERY special occasion. We usually gave both names just to see which one it was under and one of them always appeared on the list.
Share This Page | http://www.disboards.com/threads/maiden-vs-married-names.111807/ | dclm-gs1-200710001 | false | false | {
"keywords": "mouse"
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.565229 | <urn:uuid:8a08a4db-22b7-47b5-a44b-d4f0557ae20e> | en | 0.977486 | ATI covering their not-quite-HDCP-ready tracks?
Remember the HDCP fiasco that we were talking about the other day? You know, how ATI and NVIDIA claim their chips are HDCP ready, but since the graphics boards don't support the standard, there's no way you're getting HDCP? Well it's still just as lame sounding as the other day, but it looks like ATI decided they'd do a little cover up. They've started to remove references to HDCP readiness in their online product spec sheets, while it's still clear from retailer information and cached versions of the pages that they once proclaimed "HDCP ready" loud and proud. No telling how this will all go down, and we can't pretend to hope that ATI will be shipping us all boxes of "I'm sorry" cookies along with new HDCP graphics cards, but we would like some answers. And some cookies.
[Via Slashdot, thanks Cassidy] | http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/17/ati-covering-their-not-quite-hdcp-ready-tracks/ | dclm-gs1-200940001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.036553 | <urn:uuid:a160496e-3886-47ee-8307-761727047f2f> | en | 0.961784 | Scattered Shots: Improving the hunter marksmanship tree
Last week we seized upon a passing comment made by World of Warcraft Lead Systems Designer Ghostcrawler to examine how to improve the BM hunter tree. There was a great deal of consensus about several elements, including ditching Intimidation as the bonus ability and replacing it with Bestial Wrath or Beast Mastery, stealing some talents from the MM tree and ditching some from the BM tree. There was also a wealth of other suggestions from the hunter community; far too many to list here.
Today we move on from BM into what I think will likely be a far more contentious discussion, since MM hunters are just a more contentious lot in general. MM has had a pretty good run recently as the unmatched top DPS spec by far for the latter half of Wrath, then holding onto its position, albeit with a vastly smaller lead, in Cataclysm so far. However, upcoming nerfs in patch 4.2 promise to close the MM gap.
Join me after the cut for a discussion of the marksmanship talent tree. If Ghostcrawler was reading this, what would you suggest be changed?
What we're talking about
What we're interested in are the talent trees themselves; how they feel and function. I also think that specializations and masteries are fair game, and of course we want to pay attention to the interaction of the talent tree and the "feel" of the MM hunter and rotation.
The MM talent tree
For reference, here is the MM talent tree as it stands now. (You can play with it in detail on Wowhead). I've tossed on here some of the talents that we typically take for a raiding build (though there is variability there), but in discussing potential talent changes, we have to take PVP into account just as much (and I am very much a random BG very casual PVPer).
MM specializations
MM hunters get the following special bonuses just for choosing the MM tree:
Right off the bat, we're in a nicer place than the BM hunters. Aimed Shot is a strong part of the MM rotation -- hardcasting Aimed Shot is our ideal focus dump when we're confident that we won't have to move, and for the low level hunter, it's a nice opener when questing.
Our specialization and mastery are both useful and help secure the feel of the tree as the spec that focuses on actually shooting things and dealing ranged physical damage. Personally, I'm fine with all of these as they stand.
Talent changes
Once we get to the talent trees themselves we can pretty quickly find things that could be changed around. Like the BM tree, we have some extra talent points to spend in our tree, but unlike BM these choices are actually choices -- and we have actual DPS options for all of them. Unfortunately, some of the choices get really confusing.
The more I think about talents, the more I appreciate how difficult balancing the top tier of each tree is. When you consider it from the perspective of another tree looking to spread their excess points, there's almost always an obvious right choice. I almost wonder if the right idea wouldn't be to make sure that no first-tier talents boosted DPS at all. Then you have to spend those points on a non-DPS option, at which point you suddenly have a choice.
Once you get down to the second tier you can then have significantly more awesome abilities, because the cost to get there is much higher -- you would have to have spent 5 points on fun, quality of life, or survivability talents before you can take them.
I think that's an idea worth considering, but for the time being I'm going to set it aside and look at what I'd tweak with the talent trees as they are.
GftT and Sic' Em: Right at the top, we have to wonder a little bit why these are in the MM tree. Don't get me wrong, MM hunters love our pets too and we're happy to grab these talents to buff our DPS, but they feel like they belong to the BM hunters.
Efficiency: Personally, I think Efficiency a pretty dull talent -- and it's something all specs end up having to take (BM has to take it just to get their pet talents on the second tier of the MM tree). A multi-level talent offering a passive bonus that is considered required for all specs sounds to me like the kind of thing that we want to get rid of. I say replace Efficiency with something else, or possibly change the talent into something more interesting -- like lowering the cost of one shot significantly, or making Steady Shot regen more focus -- or heck, how about giving us our range extension talent back? That should have belonged to MM anyway.
Then we come to the fourth tier of the MM talent tree, which is the place where I have the most issues with talents. This tier is just plain odd.
Resistance is Futile: While the Resistance is Futile talent can certainly give us some nice benefit, and it's great in PvP, it just doesn't feel like a MM talent. The MM rotation is sufficiently challenging without trying to toss Kill Command into the mix. I'm fine with the idea that KC is available to MM and SV to use in PvP and if we ever have another fight where we're out of LoS of the boss, but I really don't think it should be something we regularly use in boss fights -- but with Resistance is Futile, it is. In any fight where the boss is apt to move a decent amount, either on it's own or through regular tank repositioning (so most bosses at some point), this becomes a valid DPS talent choice, and really screws with the MM rotation in the process. Give it to BM, I say.
Termination: Termination looks pretty attractive on the surface, but in practice it can be difficult to actually make use of the additional focus because of how incredibly rigid the MM rotation is. Because it's only available at the very end of the fight, we're already using Kill Shots and free Kill Shots from our glyph (making us already more focus positive at the end of the fight) in our rotation, and we still want to hit our Chimera Shot every cooldown, and we have to maintain our Improved Steady Shot buff with pairs of Steady Shots. It just doesn't leave much space for an extra shot to use the extra focus. This talent would be far better if it just didn't only apply during the last 25% of a boss fight. Either move it to something that's available earlier, or change it from increasing focus regen to just flat increasing damage during that period (or increasing damage of certain shots -- comboing with Kill Shot could make sense).
What do you think?
So these are my thoughts on tweaking the MM talent tree. The main things I'd want to focus on would be fixing up the messy talents in the fourth tier, and moving all those pet-centric talents over to BM where they are a better thematic fit.
But how about you guys? If Ghostcrawler were reading this article, what would you want to tell him about the MM talent tree?
This article was originally published on WoW Insider. | http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/16/scattered-shots-improving-the-hunter-marksmanship-tree/ | dclm-gs1-200990001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.018217 | <urn:uuid:f077e6f1-6716-4bd3-9078-030b01250ccb> | en | 0.937769 | Public Release: Genetic pathway can slow spread of ovarian cancer
University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide research into the origins of ovarian cancer has led to the discovery of a genetic pathway that could slow the spread of the cancer.
The discovery is in part due to research into the genetics of humans' most distant mammalian relative, the platypus.
In a paper published today in the journal PLOS ONE, researchers characterize a genetic pathway - involving piRNA genes - that is turned on in ovarian cancer.
"This pathway is important for the development of the ovaries in drosophila flies but little is known about its role in the mammalian ovary," says lead author Associate Professor Frank Grützner, Genetics Lecturer and ARC Research Fellow with the University of Adelaide's Robinson Research Institute and the School of Molecular and Biomedical Science.
"We previously found that these genes are active in cells supporting oocyte (egg cell) development in platypus, mice and humans, just like in flies.
"We then decided to look into ovarian cancer and discovered that expression of these genes is turned up in this disease. We expected that these genes would promote the spreading of cancer cells but when we switched them on in ovarian cancer cell lines in the laboratory we observed the contrary, a suppression of spread.
"This result was very surprising, and we therefore looked back at the cancers and found that many RNAs, produced from one of the genes, are faulty," Associate Professor Grützner says. "There have been previous studies in other cancers that have shown these genes actually increase growth and spread of cancer. We are only beginning to understand how this pathway might work in cancer and this work shows that it may act in completely different ways depending on the type of cancer. It also shows that these genes might be switched on in cancer but don't function properly."
The research team, involving University of Adelaide Professor Martin K. Oehler, Director of Gynecological Oncology at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, believes a mutation in this genetic pathway could promote the spread of ovarian cancer in patients.
"The laboratory tests have been conclusive that the intact gene prevents the spread of ovarian cancer. If we're able to better understand what's preventing these genes from functioning normally, this could be of significant interest for further research," Professor Oehler says.
"Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer world wide, and a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for its origin and progression are warranted to improve patient survival."
Associate Professor Grützner says this research is an example of how basic science comparing species as different as platypus and humans can make significant contributions to the understanding of human disease.
Media Contacts:
Associate Professor Frank Grützner
ARC Australian Research Fellow, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science and Robinson Research Institute
The University of Adelaide
Phone: +61 8 8313 4812
Mobile: 0417 026 302
Professor Martin K. Oehler
Director, Gynaecological Oncology, Royal Adelaide Hospital and Robinson Research Institute
The University of Adelaide
Phone: +61 8 8222 4816
| http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-06/uoa-gpc061714.php | dclm-gs1-201090001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.150856 | <urn:uuid:1338ff85-9d08-46f9-bc70-4c3bfb0b323e> | en | 0.851655 | Give Now
Early Childhood Teacher & Provider Workshops at Explora
PDV 092411 14299-reAmyWeb190x143
Motivate and excite student learning!
Facilitated by state-approved Early Childhood Trainers, these workshops are designed to inspire confidence in exploring science topics in the early childhood classroom, and provide participants with a Continuing Education Certificate for 2 competency hours.
Competency 1: Child Growth, Development & Learning
Competency 5: Learning Environment & Curriculum Implementation
(You may choose one, or split the time among multiple competencies.)
Choose your Workshop
Saturday, September 19, 2015, 1-3 pm
Easy, Breezy: A Gust of Air of Air
Have you ever marveled at the air around you? Can you make a ball levitate? Can you make an egg jump from one container to the next? You'll experiment with the power of air as you discover how airplanes fly and birds soar. You'll also learn techniques for making and testing hot air balloons in the classroom!
Saturday, January 30, 2016, 1-3 pm
Doorknobs & Broomsticks: Discovering Simple Machines
Compare and contrast conveyor belts, scissors, shovels, Ferris wheels, car jacks, and grasshopper legs. Learn to facilitate experiments with simple machines such as inclined planes, pulleys, levers, and screws to explore how simple machines in our everyday life make work easier.
saturday, may 7, 2016, 1-3 pm
Combining colors can yield surprising results. What happens when you mix pigments? What happens when you mix colored light? Learn to use chromatography to separate colors and find the hidden colors in everyday objects such as markers and coated candies.
Reservations office: 505-224-8341
Para información en español, llame al 505-224-8323. | http://www.explora.us/en/component/content/article/14-en/educational-programs/175-ec-science-workshop | dclm-gs1-201110001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.027751 | <urn:uuid:6612d438-c46c-4b28-aa4a-2d727d5eee21> | en | 0.664387 | 1 traveler
Find Flights
1 traveler
Find Flights
Cheap Flights from Monterrey to Colima - MTY to CLQ
Did You Know?
Aeromexico has 406 connecting flights between Monterrey, MX and Colima.
You must make at least one connection to fly from Monterrey, MX to Colima.
Cheap Domestic Flights to Colima - CLQ
Lowest Price
Alaska, United, Delta, US Airways, American, Hawaiian
China Eastern, Air China, Hainan, China Southern
United, Alaska, American, Delta, US Airways
AirTran, JetBlue, US Airways, United, Delta
Cheap International Flights to Colima - CLQ
Lowest Price
Emirates, Air India, Oman Air, Malaysia, Singapore, Etihad, Srilankan, Jet Airways, Cathay, Thai, Air Austral
Delta, Thai, China Southern, China Eastern, Air China, Singapore, United, Asiana, Philippine, JAL, Cathay, Malaysia, All Nippon, Korean, China Airlines
Singapore, Jetstar, Cathay, China Eastern, Malaysia, Virgin Australia, Philippine, Garuda, Qantas, China Southern
Delta, US Airways, Jet Airways, JAL, KLM, Asiana, Air Canada, All Nippon, United, American, Cathay, Air France
American, US Airways, Delta
Brussels, British Airways, Lufthansa, Iberia, Air France, Qatar, Delta, United, Emirates, Alitalia, South African, KLM, Turkish, US Airways
Air France, Corsair, Air Mauritius, Air Madagascar, South African, Air Austral, Kenya
Malaysia, Gulf Air, Qatar, Etihad, Singapore, Emirates
China Eastern, Cathay, JAL, Delta, All Nippon, United, China Airlines, Air China, Asiana
Singapore, Cathay, Thai, Malaysia
Egyptair, Turkish, Srilankan, Etihad, Jet Airways, Kuwait, Gulf Air, Oman Air, Saudi Arabian, Yemenia, Qatar, Pakistan, Air India
Finnair, Air Berlin, KLM, NIKI, Air France, Lufthansa, SAS, Austrian, Brussels
Cebu Pacific, Cathay, Philippine, Asiana, Jin Air, Korean
British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, Singapore, Egyptair, Qatar, Etihad, Air Berlin, Finnair, KLM, Austrian, Qantas, China Southern, Swiss, Turkish, Thai, Transaero
Korean, Philippine, Malaysia, Singapore, Garuda, Asiana, Cathay, China Eastern, Thai, China Southern
Jet Airways, Gulf Air, Turkish, Srilankan, Etihad, Kuwait, Saudi Arabian, Qatar, Mihin Lanka, Pakistan, Emirates, Oman Air, Cathay, Malaysia
Lufthansa, Turkish, Swiss, Austrian, United
Cheap Flights from Monterrey to Colima, from $462 Round trip from MTY to CLQ | http://www.farecompare.com/flights/Monterrey-MTY/Colima-CLQ/market.html | dclm-gs1-201130001 | false | false | {
"keywords": "delta"
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.071481 | <urn:uuid:1fbde24f-bdef-4987-a378-fbca7035b511> | en | 0.951572 | Boarding the bus
When your 'buggy friendly' bus arrives, you should lean the buggy onto its rear wheels, move the buggy forward and lower the front wheels onto the bus. You can ask the driver to lower the step if you need to. Do not try to board when the step is lowering, as you could trap your buggy's wheels between the step and the kerb.
1. Make sure your buggy is in the special 'buggy zone' on board
2. Apply the brakes and keep hold of your buggy at all times
3. Never leave your child or buggy unattended whilst on board
4. Don't hang shopping or other bags on your buggy, it could overbalance
When getting off the bus
1. Before attempting to get off the bus make sure that it is not in the process of kneeling. This is to prevent your buggy’s wheels becoming trapped between the bus step and the kerb
2. Lean your buggy back slightly on to its rear wheels and move forward until the rear wheels are at the edge of the step. Lower your buggy, keeping it as level as possible until the wheels make contact with the ground
3. Remember, you can always ask the driver to lower the step for you
There is limited space for buggies on board our buses, this can vary depending on the bus, the number of buggies and the size of the buggies. If there are already buggies on board the driver may ask you to fold your buggy. Please help us make the trip safe for everyone and don't block the aisles or exits of the bus with your buggy.
Currently, not all of our buses are 'buggy friendly', in which case, you will need to fold your buggy and stow it in the luggage rack. Don't worry, the driver will give you time to do this.
When a wheelchair user needs to use the wheelchair space
Wheelchair users have priority over everyone else for the use of the designated wheelchair space, since this is the only place in which they can travel safely. Non-wheelchair users, unlike wheelchair users, will normally have a choice about which part of the bus to sit or stand in.
Common decency and respect for wheelchair users should mean that other passengers make way for them. Passengers are urged to offer cooperation in allowing proper use of the designated wheelchair area.
If the wheelchair space is occupied with a buggy, standing passengers or otherwise full, and there is space elsewhere in the vehicle, the driver will ask that it is made free for a wheelchair user. Where a pushchair or buggy is occupying the space, the driver will ask that it is repositioned, moved to another part of the bus or folded and stored in the luggage space, where available. | http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/essex/bus_access/low_floor_access/buggies.php | dclm-gs1-201170001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.87723 | <urn:uuid:6e3f50aa-0a6c-4c69-be72-7eaf35280b19> | en | 0.951551 | Social Question
PhiNotPi's avatar
Can you prove that this puzzle game is always solvable?
Asked by PhiNotPi (12388 points ) February 24th, 2013
There is a puzzle game that involves moving disks between stacks.
At the beginning, there are three stacks of disks. Each stack could initially have any number of disks, but each stack has at least one disk.
Each move consists of picking a set of two out of the three stacks. Disks are then moved form the larger stack to the smaller stack, as to exactly double the size of the smaller stack. This process generally means that there are three possible moves at any one time.
The game is won once at least two of the three stacks contain an equal number of disks.
Example game:
5, 7, 6
10, 7, 1 #stack 3 to stack 1
3, 14, 1 #stack 1 to stack 2
2, 14, 2 #stack 1 to stack 3
Game won
Is this puzzle game always winnable? Can you prove it? What is a general strategy to win?
This puzzle is adapted from a USAMTS competition. Supposedly, the game is in fact always winnable, regardless of the starting configuration. I didn’t manage to prove it before the submission deadline. Now I pose this question to you.
Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0
1 Answer
whitenoise's avatar
deleted by me.
Answer this question
to answer.
Your answer will be saved while you login or join.
Have a question? Ask Fluther!
What do you know more about?
Knowledge Networking @ Fluther | http://www.fluther.com/156394/can-you-prove-that-this-puzzle-game-is-always-solvable/ | dclm-gs1-201190001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.908552 | <urn:uuid:8ac773d2-9d30-431e-9cd7-f0135a81621f> | en | 0.959627 | As a co-founder and the largest shareholder of Clean Energy Fuels (NASDAQ:CLNE), T. Boone Pickens knows a thing or two about natural gas for transportation. As someone who's been hands-on in the oil and gas world for 60 years, he knows a lot about the economics of energy.
In the video below, he tells Motley Fool contributor Jason Hall how America's abundance of natural gas is leading to both growth in NGVs for heavy trucking, but also how manufacturers of plastics and fertilizers -- heavy users of natural gas as a feedstock -- are moving manufacturing jobs back to America. For more, check out the video, or read the transcript below.
Warren Buffett bought nearly 9 million shares of this company
T. Boone Pickens isn't the only super-investor with his eyes on the American Energy Boom. Warren Buffett is so confident in this company's can't-live-without-it business model, he just loaded up on 8.8 million shares. An exclusive Motley Fool report details this company that already has over 50% market share. Just click HERE to discover more about this industry-leading stock.
Jason Hall: Now, you mentioned natural gas for transportation. It seems like, over the past 8-10 months, there's finally started to be some pretty serious momentum in heavy trucking. We've seen some momentum over the past several years, and some public transit and waste removal and that sort of thing.
But it seems that heavy trucking, because of that 25-30 billion gallons of diesel (annually), is a pretty significant thing.
T. Boone Pickens: That's over 3 million barrels a day of imported crude. Not all of it comes from imports, but you know what I mean. If you did put it to that, and you took out the diesel used for heavy duty trucks, you could reduce the 4 million barrels from OPEC by 75%.
Hall: One of the things about making that kind of transition that people often don't necessarily understand real clearly, if you could speak to it, is the concern that, "Okay, if we increase the demand for natural gas by shifting a lot of transportation to it, it's going to cause the price of natural gas to skyrocket." That's not necessarily the case at all, is it?
Pickens: Skyrocket?
Hall: Yes.
Pickens: What is the superior hydrocarbon? It's natural gas. It is cleaner, and it's a better fuel if you use it in all the ways that you can use the natural gas. But it is superior to oil. Now, compare them on a BTU basis. It's 6:1.
Hall: The actual energy content.
Pickens: That's right. On a BTU basis, 6:1 is what it is, so $100 oil would be $16 natural gas. We have never seen natural gas higher than $13, and that was just for a minute.
Hall: It's when we didn't think we had any.
Pickens: That's right. It ran up to $13. Now, you've been all the way back down to $2 from that point. Today, natural gas is $4.50, so you're still 1/3 of the BTU equivalency, and you're not giving any credit for it being cleaner.
Now, let's look around the world. What is the natural gas price in the Mideast?
Hall: A lot higher than it is here.
Pickens: $15.
Hall: Japan's the same way.
Pickens: Same way -- and it has even been higher. Europe, a little less -- $12/$13 -- but the countries there that have the reserves in the Mideast and all, they will index their natural gas to the oil.
Hall: Right, so it moves hand-in-hand.
Pickens: It makes sense.
Here, it's two markets, and that is what people have said. "If we get it over to transportation fuel, the price will go up." Well, yes the price will go up. The price is too cheap, where you are.
But today you say, "Well, it's too cheap. We have all this gas. Let's take advantage of it." You are taking advantage of it. There are businesses moving back to the United States.
Governor Corbett, in Pennsylvania, told me a couple of years ago, "I have companies that have moved back into Pennsylvania I never thought would come back." Why? Because of cheap energy, is why they've come back. You have plastics coming back. Fertilizer is a huge business in the United States because you're using natural gas for the production of fertilizer.
It's interesting to see attitudes and all, and how this all unfolds, but focus on this point. There are 1,850 drilling rigs running in the United States today. They're broken down this way: 350 of them are on natural gas, and 1,500 of them are on oil.
It's because the oil price is $100 a barrel, so the rigs work where they can make the most money. It all makes sense -- 350. What's going to happen is, as your rig count has gone down, your production of natural gas will go down also. As it goes down, the price goes up.
Hall: You were talking about the energy content and the cost -- just to put it in some real-world numbers. It works out, for every dollar that natural gas moves up or down, it's only about $0.12 per gallon equivalent, for transportation.
Pickens: That's exactly right. For instance, you're $4, say, for natural gas today.
Hall: That's about $0.50 a gallon, roughly, is the commodity cost.
Pickens: Yes. You can double that ...
Hall: And it doesn't move the price that much.
Pickens: No.
Hall: Right. I think that's a really important point that most people just don't always necessarily understand.
| http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/07/04/t-boone-pickens-on-americas-natural-gas-advantage.aspx | dclm-gs1-201240001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.065996 | <urn:uuid:df91a14f-e761-4bc1-8be1-772217404219> | en | 0.825736 | Selection of forums for :
mean goddesses
Discover a selection of top forums mean goddesses on the internet. Come to share your passion on forums mean goddesses and meet other fans of mean goddesses. Then, why don't you create your own forum of mean goddesses ?
The Mythology world of Goddesses
The Mythology world of Goddesses
Pick Your Posion Roleplay
This is a roleplay forum that focuses solely on mythology. Gods, Goddesses, and such. It is NOT restricted to Greek, or Roman. All mythology is welcome.
pick, your, posion, roleplay, this, forum, that, focuses, solely, mythology, gods, #goddesses, such, restricted, greek, roman, welcome
godplace, place, greek, gods, #goddesses, with, mount, olympus, tarturus, ancient, empire!
RP The Immortals
This is a site where you RP (Role Play) Gods, Goddesses, Titans, Demititans, Demigods.
immortals, this, site, where, (role, play), gods, #goddesses, titans, demititans, demigods
Search for a forum in the directory
Create your mean goddesses forum
Create a forum | http://www.forumotion.com/tag/mean/goddesses | dclm-gs1-201260001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.023194 | <urn:uuid:844a7006-1a22-455a-9177-788888f682d1> | en | 0.833383 | Selection of forums for :
weres pyramid
You are a fan of weres pyramid ? Come to discover the best forums weres pyramid on the internet and share your experience with a community fan of weres pyramid . You can also build a forum weres pyramid and create your online discussion.
Fairy Lamp Club
summer, clix, info, #pyramid, scheme, get-rich-quick, program, require, fees, ever, join, participate, site, have, website, sell
Search for a forum in the directory
Create your weres pyramid forum
Create a forum | http://www.forumotion.com/tag/weres/pyramid | dclm-gs1-201270001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.802052 | <urn:uuid:c9fb1c59-c3b8-4977-8d7f-2c25f8cd136e> | en | 0.977992 | Understand & Prevent Common Bamboo Diseases
Views: 19771 | Last Update: 2008-07-30
Rotting, molding, parching and freezing are just a few ways in which bamboo can become sick and even die. Learn more in this free educational video series. View Video Transcript
About this Author
Yolanda Vanveen
Video Transcript
Hi! This is Yolanda Vanveen on behalf of Expert Village. In this series, we're talking about bamboo. In this next segment, we'll talk about the diseases that affect bamboo. Bamboo is really a grass, so pretty much any diseases that affect grasses can affect the bamboo as well. If they're too wet, they can start to rot. They get leaf rot. What happens is the roots and the leaves will start turning brown. Then they can get all kinds of diseases and molds. They can attack them because they're too wet. If they're too dry, a lot of times you can lose them because they're not getting enough water and the leaves will turn brown. If they get too cold in the winter, they will actually die back, and a lot of times they'll come back in the spring. Right now, there's a big problem in India with culm disease. The culm is actually the main stem of the plant. What is happening is there's a disease. It's a virus just like the flu virus here that's attacking up to 20% of the bamboo forest and killing them. There's really not a lot that they can do about it. Apparently, they're trying some copper type sulfates and they're putting some powders on the bamboo. It seems to help. Apparently, it's working. Diseases just like with humans and other plans, are going to continue to be a problem. Most of the time, plants only get the diseases when they're stressed. Either they're too dry or they're too wet. As long as you keep your bamboo healthy by giving it enough light and water, letting it dry out, and have good drainage, you really don't have to worry about a lot of diseases. In the next segment, we'll talk about how to use bamboo in landscaping. | http://www.gardenguides.com/video-59769-understand-prevent-common-bamboo-diseases.html | dclm-gs1-201370001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.060619 | <urn:uuid:e9904cf7-15cc-4561-bb46-8a53f3ab8f8c> | en | 0.712151 | ©Deutsches Ledermuseum
Please select...
German Leather Museum
The museum, which incorporates the German Shoe Museum, is unique in terms of the items on display. The German Leather Museum reflects how the leather industry has shaped Offenbach from the 19th century to the present day, and is also an important museum for ethnology and European applied arts.
Opening times:
Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm
Discover Destination Germany with our interactive map
0 favourites selected
Neomejeno upravljanje
Dve uporabni bližnjici za povečavo v brskalniku:
Povečava: +
Pomanjšava: +
| http://www.germany.travel/sk/towns-cities-culture/museums/german-leather-museum.html | dclm-gs1-201400001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.052168 | <urn:uuid:08369715-ea7f-4f51-afca-52ea6cd624c5> | en | 0.972781 | Drone strike kills 2 'Qaeda' in Yemen: tribal source
A US drone strike has killed a local Al-Qaeda chief and his bodyguard in northeastern Yemen, a tribal source said Wednesday.
The unmanned plane fired a missile at a vehicle transporting militants in the Jebel Jame area, in Jawf province, the source said.
The dead were identified as Moajab bin Aziz and his guard, Ali Hasan Hadhban.
Overnight Monday, four suspected Al-Qaeda militants were killed in a similar attack in Jawf.
The strikes have triggered criticism from rights activists, who say they have killed many innocent civilians.
The victims had been mistakenly identified as members of Al-Qaeda, the UN quoted local security officials as saying at the time.
Following the deaths, Yemen's parliament voted for a ban on drone strikes, but analysts say lawmakers have limited powers and are unlikely to have an impact on Washington's campaign.
Washington says drones are an essential part of its "war on terror".
Yemen is the ancestral home of Osama bin Laden and the home base of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which Washington views as the jihadist network's most dangerous franchise. | http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140312/drone-strike-kills-2-qaeda-yemen-tribal-source-0 | dclm-gs1-201430001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
0.272309 | <urn:uuid:9b0f6671-5b73-47fa-b874-b211b684e150> | en | 0.987724 | Inc . Roundtable participants:
* * *
John Koss Age 60; in 1953 founded Koss Corp., in Milwaukee, which became a leading maker of stereo headphones. Koss filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 1984; reorganized and reemerged in December 1985. Last year's sales: $27 million.
* * *
Bill Lewis Age 48; has started eight companies. Lewis filed personal bankruptcy twice, in 1977 and in 1986; now founder and CEO of Federal Refunds Inc., Jacksonville, Fla., which assists purchasers of petroleum products in recovering funds on overbilled accounts. Last year's sales: $1 million.
* * *
Paul E. Perkins Age 51; in 1978 founded Voyages International Travel Co., in Highwood, Ill., to disseminate travel information using optical disk storage and computers. Filed personal bankruptcy in 1989; currently driving school bus while beginning a new enterprise.
* * *
Michael E. Salvati Age 38; in 1985 joined Virtual Network Services Corp., in Oak Brook, Ill., a long-distance telephone-service provider, as a vice-president. Company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1986 and was sold three months later. Partner and bankruptcy specialist at KPMG Peat Marwick, Chicago.
* * *
In the minds of many entrepreneurs, bankruptcy means failure. But four small-company executives who have been through it contend that, although it's not a goal anyone is likely to aim for, it can be a tool: a painful but effective way to learn how to look at your company and your goals differently. And, they say, the lessons of bankruptcy are there even for -- maybe especially for -- those who have not gone through it.
Given the shape of today's economy, we decided that now would be a good time to take out of the closet and dust off a topic most Inc. readers probably prefer not to think about. Senior writer Tom Richman sat down recently in Chicago with three current or former chief executives and one former chief financial officer who had been through bankruptcy proceedings to discuss what it was like and what they had learned.
INC.: Each of you had to have done something somewhat unusual to be invited here. Can you explain what that was?
PERKINS: I had six little companies that I dissolved, and I wound up in personal bankruptcy. No, I didn't have condos, yachts, or a lot of expensive clothes. Instead, I had signed for a lot of expensive electronic equipment, so I took personal bankruptcy. We live on my wife's salary. I drive a school bus every morning because it keeps me alive.
* * *
INC.: John, your experience?
KOSS: We tried to diversify, to go into other areas, and we stopped paying attention to our core business, which was stereo headphones. We started to get involved with the Walkman-type personal electronic products. It didn't work, but we spent more and more time trying to make it happen and less and less time on what we knew. Other people took the opportunity to sneak into that market.
We wound up with horrendous debt. In four years we went from practically no debt to $14 million, and sales headed down, from $25 million at their peak. We tried to work with the banks, to get them to understand it was going to take a while to turn this around, and they said, "To us, long term is about a year." That wasn't going to be enough time. So we realized we were going to have to call the guy with the black robe to hold them off while we got this thing reworked.
LEWIS: I've had two sevens -- Chapter 7s. That should be lucky, and in a way it was. If I'd continued on the track I was on, I'd be dead. I've recovered, like an alcoholic, I guess. The only problem I have with it today is that I can buy a Porsche, but I can't rent a Ford. I can't get plastic.
SALVATI: I was at Peat Marwick, and one of my start-up clients was a long-distance phone company. It recruited me as vice-president for finance. I thought it would be a good opportunity to get into a business on the ground level and use my skills in a way I couldn't as a consultant. We lasted two years. We grew from no sales to $15 million in 12 months on an annualized basis. In fact, one of our problems was, we were growing too quickly.
We put in a new president and tried to restructure and sell the company. We found a buyer, but on the day of the signing he decided not to do the deal. We filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy instead, and within a week there was a hostile takeover attempt; some people wanted to come in and assume our position in bankruptcy, but I could see that they had no more cash than we did. We had to hold them off in court until we found another qualified buyer.
The new owners offered me a job as controller, but I decided to take some time to unwind. Now I'm back at Peat, working with companies in bankruptcy.
INC.: You frequently hear the phrase, "sought protection under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code." Is that accurate: protection?
SALVATI: That's the reason we filed. We were under tremendous pressure from our creditors because we owed them about $8 million. We were on a 24-hour disconnect notice from our long-distance carriers. By the time you decide to file for bankruptcy, you've got so many people ganging up on you, and it takes only one to ruin the business.
INC.: You believe, most of you, that you got a fair shake from the bankruptcy court?
SALVATI: Yes, but remember that the protection is just from the creditors. You're still out there competing in the marketplace with a weak capital structure, and your customers are getting phone calls from your competition.
One thing you learn in bankruptcy is that you no longer control your company. The court does. All the interested parties in the world are in there talking to the judge, and you're not out calling on customers. You're spending your time in court.
* * *
INC.: Nobody forced your company into bankruptcy.
SALVATI: No, we made the decision ourselves, and that's one of the hardest things an entrepreneur can come to: deciding to file. If we had waited another two weeks, we would have been shut down, and nobody would have bought us. A lot of companies moving toward bankruptcy have opportunities to file early, but they're reluctant. They keep looking for those little incremental successes to keep them going.
* * *
INC.: You mean people aren't willing to admit to themselves that they'd better get out while they can?
SALVATI: Not so much getting out but giving up control of the company. The entrepreneur's drive to succeed is so strong, but he can see success in only one way: in meeting the goal he originally had in mind. Maybe success to him was going public.
I viewed success differently; I viewed it incrementally. Success was going public if we got the $6 million in equity, but we didn't. So then success became getting to profitability, selling the business, and getting our money out. We came up short there, too, so you keep working your way back. But entrepreneurs typically hesitate to lower their goals, and they end up losing more control.
LEWIS: Let me say something about the difference between personal bankruptcy and company bankruptcy.
KOSS: Different world.
LEWIS: Yeah, and it's difficult to separate the entrepreneur from his business. If you're a ground-start entrepreneur, you put everything you've got into the company. You've got to pay the employees, so you sell the house. You do whatever you've got to do. I didn't do anything illegal, but my point is you do anything you can. And when it finally collapses all around you, like my long-distance company did, everything goes down the tubes, and you go with it. You don't make plans to go Chapter 11; you just say, The hell with it, close the door, and file a Chapter 7. They take your Rolex and your limousine and everything anyway.
In Chapter 11, don't the guys starting the company keep their own personal money?
SALVATI: Not really. I was probably one of the company's largest creditors. Besides, I had 160 people looking to me to make sure that they got paid, so it was somewhat personal.
LEWIS: You can rent a Ford, right?
SALVATI: Yeah. But it's exactly what you said. You're so wrapped up in it. I see it all the time in my work now. Companies have opportunities where they could probably have done a restructuring outside of bankruptcy if they had started three months earlier, but you just don't want to give up. You think, If I change this or change that, it'll work. I've had these incremental successes; I can do it again. Everybody is behind me.
Well, what happens is, you go from there right up to the brink of bankruptcy. When you're short of cash, you have all those balls in the air --
PERKINS: Employees turn on you.
SALVATI: And if one of them falls --
PERKINS: But in an entrepreneurial company, you say you're going to get it done no matter what. When you're an entrepreneurial start-up, you're living with your suppliers because you're always behind in your bills. You're living with a Chapter 11 every day. You've always got those people who could close you down in a minute if they pulled the plug.
I get a big kick out of people talking about timing. That's a crock. Timing is an after-the-fact analysis. I want to hear somebody tell me about how they planned it up front and knew exactly what day this was going to happen.
LEWIS: Yeah, that's bullshit.
PERKINS: Where you hit my hot button, Bill, is when you said, "Is it personal, or is it corporate?" When you're an entrepreneur, it's all the same.
LEWIS: You've got a lot of pain. I can feel it.
PERKINS: I've got a lot of anger.
LEWIS: Anger, pain. You've got a lot of it. I finally got over it when I quit saying, "If I only would have . . . " or "I could have . . . "
I was brokering long-distance service through another company's switch, the first in the country to put multilevel marketing into long-distance service. We were growing so damn fast they couldn't handle our business. All of a sudden, the company in Memphis that I had contracted with was sold, and the new owner wrote me to say they would no longer provide the service. They gave me two weeks to move my customers. We tried to get an injunction, and my screwy lawyer didn't know what he was doing. They had about 10 New York lawyers. Some lies were told. I knew the courts were going to rule against me. I left and went straight to the office. I called another company in Memphis and asked if they wanted my customer base. I sold it to them, locked the door, and left. There wasn't any reason to go through a bankruptcy. It was painful, man --
SALVATI: I think --
LEWIS: But let me finish. When I finally got over all that, that was when I quit blaming other people. It wasn't the fault of the CEO of the other company. It was my fault because I didn't plan far enough ahead. It was as stupid as hell of me to sit there exposed like that. You see?
INC.: Does it cost you anything in your head, your heart, or your gut to file bankruptcy?
KOSS: It costs a lot. The guy who starts the business never thinks it's going to fail. That is why most bankruptcies are too little, too late. People wait too long, thinking something will happen at the last minute. Somebody has to be objective for you in your organization. If you are an entrepreneur, that person has to tell you, We've got to stop here, or there will be nothing left. I don't think the fellows in Chicago who became our lead bank realized that they weren't dealing with a man and a business; they were dealing with a man and his life's work -- not only my life's work, but my wife's and the five kids'. What were we going to do, take something we had spent all our lives developing and just throw it away? Or were we going to fix it? It was never a question of whether we were going to turn it around, just when.
* * *
INC.: So it was more than a business issue for you?
KOSS: Yes, it was the family, the lifestyle, the whole thing. It wasn't just deciding with your wife that, gee, the business has come to the end, so we'll let it go and do something else. This was an exciting life's work. Most entrepreneurs are like that. They get hung up on a product or concept or idea, and then they're not doing it just to amass money.
LEWIS: It's a child.
KOSS: Yes, but you don't think about it that way until somebody threatens to take it away from you. Signing those Chapter 11 papers was hard -- especially because of my age. I'm from a generation where you never did that.
INC.: How did you reconcile this bias you had against bankruptcy in light of having to file for one yourself?
KOSS: I talked to a lot of people, including some friends who had gone through it. One friend gave me very good advice. He said: "When you do this, you'll want to hole up at home. You won't want to talk to anybody or see people. You're going to feel like a beaten animal. Don't do any of that," he warned me. He said it would eat me up from the inside, and I'd die from it.
LEWIS: You need to do it for a few days, though, don't you? You might kill somebody.
KOSS: The first night I stayed in and sat with my wife. It was on the television, and of course, I had called a few friends to let them know it was coming. The next day, though, I went charging into the office with a very positive attitude because we were going to get through this thing. We were sharing information about what was going on with our employees and everybody else.
Another friend told me that there's another reason that you don't go into hiding. The reason is that a lot of people out there want to help you.
LEWIS: Sure, if you're talking about Chapter 11. What about Chapter 7?
KOSS: I don't know, but I bet there are still people who want to see you, who want to help, but they don't know how to get to you. They're not going to call you on the phone or ring your doorbell, but they can get to you if you're out in the open.
INC.: Bill, was your family involved in your decisions?
LEWIS: Sure, just the first bankruptcy. I had a real estate firm, and always one to do something different, I had bought a limousine and hired a chauffeur so we could pick people up at the airport and show them property. Then I came up with the idea of getting all these brokers together under one roof with pictures of the subdivision lots, but it didn't work. I lost everything, including the house, and my wife and child had to move out because I couldn't feed them. But eventually they came back, we bought a house, and --
And we lived happily ever after?
No, I went bankrupt again. The guy who lent money to me for the long-distance company really lent it to the corporation, but he came to me to get it back. Then he got a lawyer, and I couldn't afford to fight it, so I said, What the hell, and filed personal bankruptcy.
* * *
INC.: Would you do something different now if you had to do it again?
KOSS: Yes. I'd have filed earlier. I wouldn't have trusted the banks that we were going to work this stuff out together and all that nice stuff that they talk about before they turn you over to the workout people.
PERKINS: The idea of filing sooner assumes you've got money stashed to hire competent attorneys. No good lawyer is going to take a bankruptcy case on contingency -- on the assumption that you're going to survive and pay him later.
SALVATI: No, they'd be crazy to.
PERKINS: But no entrepreneur is going to take money from investors saying it's to keep his company alive while he's really stashing it to hire a bankruptcy lawyer. That would be wrong.
SALVATI: But it's not just stashing up money to go into bankruptcy. Bill decided he couldn't take his long-distance company any further and sold it off. Is that failure? We sold a business to another company, many people kept their jobs, and my customers did not get damaged by picking up the phone and not getting a dial tone. I view that as a success.
INC.: You -- all of you -- had expectations. You had fantasies about where this business was going to take you, dreams. What happened when reality didn't match
the dream?
LEWIS: It was devastating.
KOSS: You go into a survival mode. Remember, I'd been at it for more than 30 years, and most of that time, even though it was my company, I was subject to other people's control. Holy mackerel! It was 20 years before the bank didn't make me sign everything over -- family, dog, kids, the whole deal -- to use their money. Years! I knew what it was like to wear a collar, and I didn't like it. Now I was wearing one again.
LEWIS: The answer is, there is no alternative. You dust yourself off. . . .
There was a time, though, when I sat in my office and cried, and then I put a gun to my head.
The things that were going on in my life -- I'd lost my company, lost my home, lost everything. I couldn't handle it. Like the AA people, I turned it over to someone or something stronger than me -- to God -- and that's the only thing I could do.
I begged the telephone company not to turn off my service. It was so demeaning.
KOSS: Humbling, very humbling.
LEWIS: Yeah, and that was the good part. I was a peacock, man. I had limousines, chauffeurs --
PERKINS: But see, I never had all that stuff. Don't look for my condos in Brazil and bank accounts in Switzerland, because anybody who knew me knew damn well there weren't any. What caused the problem was that these lawyers think everybody else, including maybe themselves, would do that kind of thing, so they think you did it.
INC.: What benefits come from this experience?
LEWIS: Listen, this lesson was extremely expensive. I paid dearly, my family paid dearly, and I'm a no-good jerk if I don't come away learning something from it. Yeah, I learned a lot. I'd be an incredible CEO for some company. I'm the best.
* * *
INC.: You haven't chosen to do it for someone else, though.
LEWIS: No, well. . . .
* * *
INC.: You've started another company of your own. What lessons are you applying?
LEWIS: I don't stay in hotels that cost $200. We had our first sales meeting in Vegas two weeks ago, and the 20-something agents who came paid their own way, their own hotel bills, everything. Back during the Phone Company Inc. days I would have paid it all. I probably would have hired some dancing girls, all that stuff. I've learned how to get more for my dollar, not to throw money around.
I've done one thing I feel good about, though. I bought a Porsche a couple of weeks ago. I kept thinking, I get up at 3:00 in the morning a lot of times and go to the office, and then I go home and sleep; then I go back to the office and home to sleep. What am I getting out of this? I want a toy, something I can touch and feel, you know? So I bought a Porsche.
* * *
INC.: Does it ever go through your mind that this business might fall apart, too?
LEWIS: Hell, yes, but you don't let that be a negative. You make it a positive by keeping an eye on those cracks in the floor and making sure that nothing falls through them.
KOSS: I learned about OPM -- other people's money. Leverage was the way to go, they told me: leverage, leverage, leverage. I tell you now, that's not the way to go.
SALVATI: You know, when we filed bankruptcy, it was the first chance I had to breathe in 15 months. We were practically insolvent the day I walked into the company. We never had enough money. I went without my paychecks.
That's not the way you think it's going to work when you come from a big, prestigious firm. With the bankruptcy, now all of a sudden I knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Part of the reason we had survived as long as we did was that we had always behaved as if we were in bankruptcy, and now we actually had the court protecting us.
* * *
INC.: So, for John and Mike, bankruptcy was a help?
SALVATI: There's a lot of disappointment in seeing something go so far but not as far as you'd hoped. We didn't reach our ultimate target, and I felt bad because there were shareholders who believed in me, banks, creditors, employees. Still, we built something from zero to a pretty substantial company on a tremendous growth curve, and I took a few things away from that experience that I use today.
INC.: Is failure -- to the extent that bankruptcy is seen as failure -- a culturally acceptable event?
LEWIS: Oh, yes. It's as if you're in a stock-car race. You run out of gas every once in a while, so you have to make a pit stop. Then you get back in the race and keep gunning that sucker. I can't put it in words too well, but that's the way I think of it.
KOSS: Failure is when you join the turf club. Anything else is an experience that didn't work out too well. Bankruptcy is a tool. If you try your best and you're an ethical and honest businessman and circumstances work against you, the tool is there to give you a chance to start over. We started over, and my God, look at all the jobs and the families we saved. | http://www.inc.com/magazine/19901201/6208.html | dclm-gs1-201800001 | false | false | {
"keywords": ""
} | false | {
"score": 0,
"triggered_passage": -1
} | false |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.