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Guest opinion: Promises made promises kept, no new taxes
April 27, 2013
Far too often in today's political arena politicians make promises but, at the drop of a hat, do what is convenient and expedient at the tim....
Lolita go and pander your poop someplace else! The city has some nice equipment you can pick up real cheap. You can start your very own vertical operation. Instead of paying (wasting ($15 million as the city did) you can pick it up for .25 on the dollar or a loss to the tax payers one million one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars. It not a lot of money when you say it fast!
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The reference on the cost of the average consultant pay per hour for municipalities in Florida was Googled. I supposed you do not trust the figure is correct. Then neither is the municipal figures this city puts out, or the county or the federal government. Only your figures must be correct? King's consultant fee was under the national average and too bad he never had the take home police vehicles were not scrutinized for repairs, cost of parts and the number used. Too bad we never got into what it costs to maintain national averages on keeping fleets running. I had actual number from two fleets covering the state. Would have been interesting to see Cape Coral's costs.
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The advertised rate for King's minions was $40 per hour. Where in the world did you get $22? Plus, please cite your reference for the $29 figure you "looked up".
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Just once, I would love to read a rebuttal from lightswitch without his/her calling people names. Not necessary. You have your opinion and others have theirs. Everyone believes they have the correct information and should be able to share with each other. Of course, I guess it means we would be living in a perfect world.
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Numnuts2 the consultants who came in to the city when the former city manager King brought them in were working for $22 an hour. When I looked up what the average wage for consultants to cities in Florida the Wage was $29 an hour. That was $7 an hour less.
Hmmm. I guess they were really good friends who took advantage of their friend.
You are a fool! Because they did find there were inadequacies. Could they have been ferreted out by staff? A good one. But look for how many years things were not corrected. Even down to the accounting practices a entree level accountant could see. Admit it there were many things within the city government that were a wreck. Even down to the fuel issue which because of lack of record keeping, no one will ever be able to prove it one way or the other. Mr. Green from the county pointed that out and even when he cited the county as having flaws look what keeps turning up there!
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Hey, Sandy, did it occur to you that @JustanotherBill might be that bald guy - what was his last name? - the one that gave himself some high-falutin' title, "Mayor Pro Tem Emeritus" . . . Deile! Remember him? No wonder Just Another sounds like the moron who sits in the Mayor's chair.
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@JustanotherBill: You say, "I am going to vote for whoever is going to stay out of my pocket." Even if your property values go down more and more? Even if Commercial venues refuse to come to a blighted City? You are starting to sound like the moron who sits in the Mayor's chair.
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Lightswitch: You are so predictable. When you can't win, go after someone that has nothing to do with the subject.
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Onlythetruth the claims were not FALSE the the replacement council now called the SLICK 6 is what is FALSE.
The state today we read gave employees $1000 not a 5% bonus. The state straightened out its financial dilemma, is controlling its spending, reduced its number of employees (for real).
Face facts the Slick 6 have allowed overspending, balked on internal local government control, and have messed up even more than the council before The Road Ahead Council. McGrail was correct the leg of the stool that had been construction is now going to fall off. That is the reason the former head of the Cape Coral Construction Industry is gone to Lee County Construction Industry. Not much building going to be going on in Cape Coral with a Utility Tax, $20,000 plus water/sewer assessments, a fire district tax. Build it right and they'll come. Screw it up and you'll be bleached bones! The consulting won't be coming from here so you better keep your teaching job Joe.
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This tax rewards large land owners, seasonal residents, real estate investor who bought up 100 foreclosed homes at a time, and the rich who have energy saving solar etc.
It penalizes the single parent, Disabled Veterans, widow(ers) on social security, under employed, familes and business in our City! Shame on Council! Join the Recall Movement of the Council that vote for this tax!
City needs a one time assessment for each item they over spent, we need to see what we are paying for! Shame on the City Manager for hiring a snake oil salesman from out of town "Burton" to educate us! That is your job!
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The author campaigned upon the platform of having the solutions prior to his election. To date he has not presented even one. He pushed for audits of every form, chasing ghosts, none of which bore any fruit. He spoke of corruption, yet no arrests. As a result of these follies it has been proven all of his claims were false. Admired politicians recognize a problem and tailor solutions to rectify it, no matter the slant of their ideology. A wannabe simply says "no" each time the moment to separate themself as a repected leader presents itself, because it is safe to do so. Now, which category does the author fall into.
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I am going to vote for whoever is going to stay out of my pocket.
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"Had enough yet" was his battle cry when he was running for office and now we know what it means.
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The Mayor promised jobs to his friends...Promises made promises kept. The Mayor promised to keep beating a dead horse with taxpayer money (the proven false UEP overages)...Promises made promises kept. I will work to rid this city of the worst Mayor in its history. A promise made a promise to be kept.
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I heard yesterday your plan is to filibuster to attempt to stop it from passing. I hope that is not true, because we get enough of that from Washington.
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I vote that Mayor John Sullivan should be the official "Dunk Tank" guy for any and all City festivities.
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****. The power behind the throne, Gary King, is long gone. Sullivan was nothing but a mope they (King & Co.) knew they could manipulate, a sorry puppet who danced to the King's tune. It's all been a joke and Sullivan's the butt of it. I hope folks have learned their lesson and take a good look at the candidates this time around and then get out and vote in November.
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JohnGalt, another wanna be free loader.
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Thank you Mayor Sullivan.
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Point to something that this Mayor has accomplished beside stopping everything and anything in his path. And how many thousands of tax payer dollars were wasted on audits? How did those audits turn out? ZERO! And remember when he sued the Cape and then withdrew his case after thousands of tax payer dollars were spent addressing the lawsuit? And the millions of dollars of equipment he refers to, it sat almost 3 years under his administration and NOTHING was done until later. And how about the time he fell asleep at the meeting across the river...and then he has a strategic meeting to make only he doesn't make it and the Police have to go over and WAKE him up!!! He can try and buy military votes with all the checks he gives out, but in the final analysis, he is not the guy for the Cape. Anyone but SULLIVAN!
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Had enough yet?
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The mayor can't perform the duties of his office because he lacks the skills needed to deal with problems that arise. The easy way out is to do nothing and not risk taking any blame for his in actions. He doesn't have any solutions for today's problems because he refuses to recognize what those problems are. He was the man in front in passing the buck while our infrastructure was slowly deteriorating, so his claim to fame is he did nothing! Times change, new challenges are put in front of our leaders that need new solutions, not politicians that live in the past. Mr. Sullivan had no prior experience in municipal management when elected 4 years ago, and the increased problems we now face are an example of that inexperience. He was elected because of his crusade to find the wrong doings of the UEP and 4 years later there is no fraud but he still is setting his sails on yesterday's wind. I don't know who will get my support for mayor in November but I do know that Sullivan won't.
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Dec. 2, 2010
Complete Release in PDF Format
The Schedule
Game 7
Game 8
On The Radio
Locos Live!
Tickets Available For All Gaucho Games
Follow Gaucho Basketball On Twitter
UCSB Hits The Road For Next Three
The Gaucho Record
The Last Time Out: Nunnally's Career High Leads Gauchos Past Loyola Marymount
Williams Posts 200th Win As UCSB Coach
The Gauchos And Broncos
Away From Home
Home Sweet Home
Second To Nunnally
Johnson Continues Double-Figure Streak...Barely
A Fresh Start For Boswell
Men Of Steal
Playing The Percentages
Balancing Act
Road Block
Williams Approaches Three Other Milestones
TV Time
The Bob Williams File
Last year also marked the third Williams coached Gaucho team to win 20 or more games and the 10th overall in program history. It was the second time in the three seasons that the UCSB won 20 or more.
In 2008-09, Williams coached the Gauchos to a 16-15 overall record and an 8-8 mark in the Big West Conference. The record, however, doesn't tell the entire story. UCSB was forced to overcome a myriad of injuries and at one point stood at 8-13 overall and 2-7 in league play.
In 2007-08, Williams led the Gauchos to a 23-9 overall record. The 23 wins were a school record, and UCSB also won its second Big West regular season title with a 12-4 conference record. Following the campaign, the Gauchos were awarded a bid to the National Invitation Tournament. It was the third time that a Williams-coached UCSB team advanced to postseason play.
The 2002 Gauchos won the school's first Big West Tournament title, advancing to the NCAA Tournament, and in 2003, they won the league's regular season championship and played in the NIT.
In 1998-99, he took over a UCSB program that had not recorded a winning season in five years, and after seeing his team lose its first eight games that year - extending a two-season losing streak to 16 straight games - the Gauchos turned things around, winning 15 of their final 20 games and finishing on top in the Big West's Western Division.
Williams has a UCSB record of 202-159. He guided the program to 10 winning seasons in his first 12 years - including the last five in a row - and three 20 win seasons. He has a career record of 120-76 in Big West games and his .612 winning percentage in league games is tops among the league's active coaches.
Prior to his arrival at UCSB, Williams spent eight years at UC Davis and in those eight years, his teams recorded 20 or more wins five times and a 158-76 record. In Williams's final season, the Aggies went 31-2, won the NCAA Division II National Championship and he was named NABC Division II Coach of the Year. Including two seasons at Menlo College, Williams has an overall career record of 391-259 (.602) at four-year schools.
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subset: commoncrawl


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North Carolina Gov.-elect Pat McCrory will speak to bankers about what he plans to do for the state's economy in 2013.
McCrory accepted the invitation to talk Wednesday to the 11th Annual Economic Forecast Forum. The event in Durham is presented by Wells Fargo and hosted by the North Carolina Bankers Association and North Carolina Chamber.
There also will be presentations about the economic outlook for the state, region and nation.
McCrory will be sworn into office on Saturday


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A new craft brewery is coming to one of Memphis' up-and-coming areas – the Broad Avenue Historic District.
Wiseacre Brewing Co., a concept from brothers Kellan Bartosch and Davin Bartosch, has leased 13,000 square feet at 2783 Broad Ave. and is planning to open by late 2013. They chose the old warehouse for its "big open space" and the Binghampton neighborhood for its community appeal.
"Broad is having this revival of space with art studios and a bike shop, restaurants and bars that do well," Kellan Bartosch said. "It's accessible to Sam Cooper and that's important with just the geography of Memphis being what it is. The (Shelby Farms) Greenline's going right through, which is another really cool part of the location, so people who are coming up on two wheels, it'll be a fun way just to stop by."
Kellan Bartosch said he and his brother were inspired by the way Robert Montague and the Binghampton Development Corp., David Wayne Brown and Pat Brown, and Loeb Properties Inc. have worked to transform the neighborhood.
"We're looking forward to being a part of kind of changing the neighborhood," Bartosch said.
Wiseacre will operate similar to the recently announced Memphis Made Brewing Co. LLC in Cooper-Young and High Cotton Brewing Co. in the Edge district – keg distribution to local bars and restaurants with a tap room in which customers can sample the current offerings, learn about each unique brew and purchase beer to-go.
Wiseacre also hopes to have local food trucks in the parking lot when the tap room is open.
Wiseacre will produce a regular lineup of year-round beers as well as a selection of seasonal and limited-edition brews. Davin Bartosch said the versatility and variety of beer is what got him interested in brewing.
"It's always been every man's drink and I love that about it," Davin said. "The richest businessmen in the world and the poorest people are all drinking beer."
The Bartosch brothers grew up in Memphis, attended White Station High School and are longtime beer connoisseurs.
Some 10 years ago while visiting Memphis from the respective cities they had relocated to, they shook hands at Soul Fish Café during the Cooper-Young Festival on eventually making their dream of owning a brewery a reality.
Davin Bartosch, the older brother, has a background in brewing. After homebrewing for seven years, he went to the Siebal Institute of Technology in Chicago and Doeman's Academy in Munich, coursework that led him to graduate as salutatorian from the World Brewing Academy in 2008.
Since then, Davin Bartosch has been working professionally as a head brewer for Rock Bottom Breweries in Illinois. He's received accolades from the Great American Beer Festival, the World Beer Cup and the Festival of Wood & Barrel Aged Beer.
Kellan Bartosch worked for Det Distributing Co. in Nashville before becoming a sales rep for Sierra Nevada in Las Vegas. He holds the Cicerone Certification, the beer world's equivalent to a credentialed wine Sommelier, which designates those with proven expertise in blind beer taste testing, style recognition, the history of brewing, food and beer pairings.
The Bartosch brothers chose the name "Wiseacre" because it's a lighthearted word their grandmother used to use for smart alecks.
"It's a brewery, so I don't think we should be like 'esoteric brewery machine' or something," Kellan Bartosch said. "It's more fun than to have something that's really deep and meaningful."
Even with a playful name, the educational component of Wiseacre's business is something the brother brewing team will take very seriously. Both of them have different sources of formal beer educations, whereas most beer enthusiasts have informal schooling.
"I think a lot of people just don't understand how complex the process is of making beer," Davin Bartosch said. "I gave tours to people and they would ask, 'when do you add the vodka?' Even something like making wine is incredibly simple compared to making beer – you just crush grapes and add yeast. There's so many more steps involved in a glass of beer."
Davin Bartosch said Memphis' water is "very soft," and the mineral content makes brewing easier than most places. He's surprised more breweries haven't taken advantage of the city's artesian wells.
"We have water that's very similar to the water that's in Pilsner in the Czech Republic, which is where the original lagers were produced," he said.
Andy Cates and Preston Thomas of Colliers International represented Wiseacre in lease negotiations. Bill Bell of Bell Properties represented the landlord.
Cates said the property Wiseacre is leasing allows for an expansion of their business in addition to a possible event location in the future.
"These partners have spent several years in planning for this business and are well prepared to hit the ground running," Cates said. "It is a great story of Memphis natives coming back home."
Moreover, the Bartosch brothers believe Wiseacre and the city's craft breweries are a proud story for Memphis to tell. Wiseacre joins other local craft brewers Memphis Made Brewing, Boscos Brewing Co., Ghost River Brewing Co. and High Cotton.
In contrast, San Diego has 39 microbreweries. Even Ashville, N.C., with a population a tenth the size of Memphis, has nine.
"We have a lot of room to grow and we're excited that other people are opening as well," Kellan Bartosch said. "I think it will help the city of Memphis move forward as a beer market and expect some good things to come along with that. Just the way people want to have a good sports team in their town or a good food scene, having a great beer scene is a part of what makes cities cool and fun to live in."
Visit wiseacrebrew.com for more.
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Mark Frost (author) Game Six
series: Between The Lines With Barry Kibrick
air date: 3/26/13 2:00 PM
Mark Frost is the acclaimed author of The Match and The Greatest Game Ever Played. With his latest book, Game Six, Mark not only takes us behind the scenes of what many considered the greatest baseball game ever played, but as always, he gives us insight into the quality and character of the men who played it.
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Pond's Luminous Line Review & Contest!
I love the start of Spring. The crocuses and trees have started to bloom and it just makes me smile. As the days get warmer and longer, it adds a little bounce to my step. When winter sweaters and coats get put into storage I focus on getting my skin ready for Spring.
The Pond's Luminous Line, is perfect for getting my skin in top form for the new season. The whole line has the most wonderful fresh, clean scent perfect for Spring. And the collection has everything I need to get my skin looking luminous.
POND'S® Luminous Line keeps skin looking bright and luminous all day. The line includes a Wet Cleansing Towelette, moisturizer and collection of cleansers that brighten dull skin. The complete Luminous Line is available at mass retailers, select drugstores and supermarkets nationwide for a suggested retail price of $4.99 – $5.79.
Pond's Luminous Clean Cream Cleanser– The Pond's cleanser has a great lather and I only need a bit to wash my entire face. The scent of the Luminous line is great a very fresh, clean, Spring scent perfect for getting my skin in shape for warmer days ahead. The cream cleanser contains a white clay that helps remove any makeup and leave my skin feeling really clean without any tightness.
Pond's Luminous Clean Daily Exfoliating Cleanser– The Pond's Exfoliating cleanser has micro fine exfoliants that will help gently remove dull, dry skin. I like how gentle it is that I can use it every morning to wake up my skin and remove my heavier night time face lotions.
Pond's Luminous Clean Wet Cleansing Towelettes– I love cleansing towelettes, they are great for travel, camping or just nights I need something quick and easy. They smell divine and remove all my makeup and get my face really clean without and leftover residue.
Pond's Luminous Moisture Day Lotion with SPF 15- A great light daily moisturizer, even with combo skin I have not had any issues with the Pond's Luminous day lotion. The light texture absorbs quickly and leaves my face moisturized without making it greasy. With SPF 15 I do use additional protection but I like to have layers of sun care protection and I'm happy they have SPF in this formula.
Supermodel Molly Sims Shares Secrets to Looking Bright & Luminous in the Digital Age Partners with POND'S® for "30-Day Luminous Photo Challenge"
Smartphones are turning every moment into a candid photo opportunity, which means a glowing complexion is more important than ever. That is why POND'S®, the iconic beauty brand known for giving women beautiful skin, is partnering with supermodel Molly Sims to help women look luminous every day.
A fashion model, actress and new mother, Molly Sims knows a thing or two about looking radiant – even when there is no red carpet or runway in sight.
"Every day is a photo opportunity so I always want my skin to look its best. As a longtime fan of the POND's® brand, I love the new POND'S® Luminous Line of cleansers and a moisturizer that brighten dull skin," says Sims. "They make my skin look bright and beautiful so I am always camera-ready."
This month, Sims joins POND'S® to help women experience the "luminous effect" that comes with having great skin. Together, they are launching the "POND'S® 30-Day Luminous Photo Challenge," a 30-day photo sweepstakes featuring daily challenges to inspire women to share photos of their happiest, most radiant moments. Thirty prizes will be awarded so women can live life more luminously. From March 4 through April 2, women can upload pictures to the POND'S® Facebook page or share via Twitter or Instagram by using the hashtag #LuminousEffect.
Visit POND'S® on Facebook to enter the "POND'S 30-Day Luminous Photo Challenge," get tips on how to look luminous from Molly Sims, and to join the beauty conversation.
Molly Sims' Tips for Looking Luminous
- Picture Perfect: My secret to feeling and looking camera ready starts with radiant skin. I rely on POND'S® Luminous Moisture™ Day Lotion with SPF 15 to brighten dull skin. The new moisturizer is enriched with illuminating minerals and contains SPF 15 that protects against skin-damaging rays.
- Nighttime Ritual: I never go to bed without washing my face. As a busy mom, I go for time savers wherever possible. I like a cleanser that both cleanses and removes makeup in one step. POND'S® Luminous Clean™ Wet Cleansing Towelettes gently draws out trapped impurities and makeup to brighten dull skin.
- Feed the Glow: I start the day off with a green juice to kick start my morning. It keeps me energized and does wonders for my complexion.
- Feel the Burn: Early morning exercise puts color on my cheeks and improves my whole body circulation. A great workout also helps to enhance my skin color and complexion.
- Buff Your Way to Beautiful: For great circulation and even tone skin, I recommend exfoliating your face, body and even your lips. It can leave you looking good and feeling radiant in no time.
- Find Your Center: Taming stress is important to help you look your luminous best. I use regular breathing exercises to help keep me calm and centered.
- Lights, Camera: Every woman can look luminous from within – but great lighting can help, too. One trick I've learned before snapping a photo is to step away from overhead lights to avoid shadows on the face.
- Glowing Touch: A highlighter is one of my favorite beauty tricks to instantly look healthier and younger. I apply it anywhere that needs a little radiance: under my eyes to minimize dark circles and on the brow bone to draw attention to my eyes.
- Lighten Up: When posing for pictures, I make a point to smile big. Your face will light up and you will instantly look and feel luminous.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I participated in this sponsored campaign for One2One Network. I received product to facilitate my post and monetary compensation, but all opinions stated are my own.


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PvP-oriented videos aren't really the usual fare for WoW Moviewatch. I admit I watch a lot of them myself, though, mostly trying to pick up tips and tricks for the Arena. So, when I came across Insane Gouge Crits: 7 by Buddhist, I was pleasantly surprised.
Don't get me wrong -- this is a PvP video, with all the action of "I sneak up on a guy and crit him" that you'd expect from that kind of rogue action. But that being said, Buddhist put a lot of work into making this PvP video more interesting that others you might see. It definitely stands out from its fellows in terms of the opening and closing sequences, both of which hint at movie-esque stories happening behind the scenes.
I think this shows that it is possible to bring PvP videos up to the thought and art of more full machinima. There's voice acting, framing, and thought put into scenery. It's definitely a step up, and I would encourage Buddhist to keep bringing his PvP exploits to another level.
If you have any suggestions for WoW Moviewatch, you can mail them to us at machinima AT wowinsider DOT com.
Previously on Moviewatch ...


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Categories: Real Estate, Land Use, and Community Law
Instructor(s) Komesar, Neil
This Land Use course employs an analytical framework that focuses on institutional choice and comparative institutional analysis– the central issue of who decides. The term "institutional" reflects the reality that the decision of who decides is really a decision of what decides. The alternative decision-makers are complex processes, such as the political process, the market, and the courts, in which the interaction of many participants shape performance. This analytical framework provides the tools to look at the full range of land use issues including common law nuisance, private land use planning, subdivision regulation, zoning, and urban redevelopment. Land use law has aspects of torts, contracts and constitutional law and these aspects can be tied together using comparative institutional analysis. The materials for this course will be cases and exercises and a book on comparative institutional analysis of land use law called "Law's Limits."


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I'd be more than happy to oblige # 1 & # 3 are my favorites.
I'd be more than happy to oblige # 1 & # 3 are my favorites.
nice number 1 is the bestt
Love hurts. Love heals. Love is joy. Loves is pain. Love never fails
^ Sexy
I need some dick too!
Fuck yes! I think i would eat the first guy before i fucked him deep
So much ass to enjoy can we sample them all!
all beautiful pics...would fuck most of them...
The first guy in the first post is Cole from AD, always been a favorite of mine.
There are some nice asses up there!
most of those buttholes need licked first
I love a hairy, spread-legged twat.
This is a great thread guys. I love seeing a guy serving up his ass. And I actually like that recurring picture of the guy with massive gape.
would love to see some of these guys at my house. would also love to flip flop with a guy that has a nice cock
The guy in post 47 looks like my old neighbor. We used to live in an apartment building that had a common laundry room. I stole his boxerbriefs once. I'd LOVE to see him offer up his hole like that!
^ Ready, HARD and willing.......
there is some tasty-looking boy-twat to be found in this thread!
I'd like to kiss my way down those stars and then rim his hot ass. Great pic!
^ a work of art if you ask me.
Hockey players butts drive me nuts!
Who's the powerfully thick cock belong to:0
That powerful penis!!
^^I love that he looks like he is asking, "What the fuck are you waiting for?"


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...thought to myself:-
1) Did I actually write that?
2) What on earth does that bit do?
3) If I can't read my code then by definiton it must be crackproof... ;o)
4) Why did I do it that way?
5) I can do without that bit, (then cut it from the code), only to find when it is rerun that it is needed and I have lost the original copy...
Anyone else been there?


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Taiwan's media have truly followed the government's every move in the latest Cabinet personnel changes: Premier Sean Chen (陳冲) planned to resign… The possible successor to Chen was… and President Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) approval rating.…, et cetera. However, the major challenge facing Taiwan today is on the economic front and the reappointment of central bank Governor Perng Fai-nan (彭淮南) for another five-year term is as important as Vice Premier Jiang Yi-huah (江宜樺) replacing Chen.
On Friday, local media cited sources at the Presidential Office and Legislative Yuan as saying that Perng, whose third term in office ends on Feb. 25, will continue for another five years as the top monetary policymaker. Perng has headed the central bank since February 1998, and his reappointment will make him the nation's longest-serving central bank governor.
Over the past 15 years, the nation has faced several challenges domestically and internationally, including the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis, the Sept. 21, 1999, earthquake, democratic transition in 2000 and the 2008-2009 global financial crisis.
The central bank under Perng's leadership has used various monetary tools to fine-tune currency and interest rates to maintain stability in domestic consumer prices and financial markets, and guide the nation through turbulent global waters over the years.
At the end of last year, Taiwan's foreign exchange reserves rose to a high of US$403.17 billion, and over the past 15 years the central bank has contributed more than NT$2 trillion (US$67.5 billion) to state coffers from the increase in foreign exchange reserves. Even though some people have criticized the central bank's "weak currency" stance for increasing Taiwanese exporters' operating costs compared with those of their South Korean rivals, the New Taiwan dollar has seen a less volatile exchange rate between 1998 and last year than the South Korean won.
Last year, Global Finance magazine rated Perng among the world's best central bankers for the eighth straight year. He is the only central banker to have won an "A" rating nine times from the New York-based magazine. However, how much longer will Perng enjoy his top ranking in the world, as he faces more challenges in his next five-year term?
First, as central banks in advanced countries, especially Japan, Europe and the US, have been pursuing aggressive monetary easing to boost their economies, the depreciation pressures on Asian currencies have become a hot issue for many of the region's export-oriented economies. Perng faces the challenge of trying to adopt balanced policies that can maintain a competitive national currency amid a potential global devaluation race without increasing inflation because of the higher costs of imported goods.
Second, property prices are high in Taiwan, especially in the Greater Taipei area, largely because of the central bank's low interest rate policy, the government's reduction of inheritance tax and advanced economies' quantitative easing measures that have ensured ample market liquidity and indirectly led to an influx of speculative capital into the real-estate sector. This low interest rate environment also constrains the earnings of local financial institutions.
How the central bank can move in a measured way to reverse the low interest rate environment without compromising economic development will be Perng's second major challenge.
Third is the challenge of developing Taiwan into a major offshore center of trade for the Chinese yuan, while safeguarding the nation's financial stability.
In the short term, the central bank needs to ensure a smooth implementation of direct currency exchanges and capital flows across the Taiwan Strait.
In the longer term, the central bank will need to talk with its Chinese counterpart about the establishment of a cross-strait currency swap mechanism before adding yuan-based assets to Taiwan's foreign exchange reserves and serving as a backstop against regional economic turmoil.


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Sept. 30, 2003
In the latest New England Intercollegiate Amateur Athletics Association cross-country poll, both Yale teams were ranked in the top five in New England, with the women's team placing fourth and the men's team being selected fifth.
Moving up five slots from last week's ninth place ranking after finishing second at the Iona Meet of Champions this weekend, the women's team trails Providence College, Boston College, and Dartmouth.
On the men's side, the Bulldogs improved one place from sixth, and follow Providence College, Dartmouth, Brown, and Boston University in the rweekly rankings.
The women's team returns to action against Harvard and Princeton at the HYPs this weekend, held in Boston. The men will also be in the area, competing against Harvard in Cambridge on Saturday.


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Kali Borkoski Former Manager
Posted Wed, October 12th, 2011 9:26 am
Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. EEOC
Today our Community discussion topic is Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. EEOC, which was argued last week. At issue in the case is the scope of the "ministerial exception" to federal antidiscrimination laws. Lyle previewed the case prior to the argument and wrote a post-argument recap; Marty Lederman also discussed the argument yesterday. The discussion threads below suggest questions and hypotheticals that arise from this case for your consideration.
Kali Borkoski – 0 Promoted Comments
Should Congress be allowed to regulate the employment relationship between churches and their ministerial employees?
Barak Richman – 1 Promoted Comment
The problem with the Establishment Clause is it invites an endless syllogism. Certainly the government can't dictate or change a religion's core beliefs, but is there no limit to what religious leaders can say constitute those core beliefs? Can they define—and can the government not question their definition of—who qualifies as ministers? What constitutes prayer? What constitutes religious teaching? Whom is religiously subject to whom?
There needs to be an outer limit to what the Establishment Clause protects — the Court cannot permit a religion's leaders to characterize anything and everything as a question of religious doctrine, and thus beyond the reach of Congress' regulatory powers. To be sure, a religious institution's mission is multi-faceted, and any line-drawing test necessarily involves some arbitrariness. But avoiding the messy decisions and giving the Establishment Clause full-reign would give carte blanche to religious leaders to claim immunity from all generally applicable laws. This, among other consequences, will permit religious leaders to deny free exercise interests to members of their own religion. In deferring to religious authority, the Court will actually sanction economic coercion and other non-religious abuses of power that generally applicable laws are designed to prevent.
John Whitehead – 1 Promoted Comment
Congress should not be allowed to regulate the employment relationship between churches and their ministerial employees as this would clearly pose a significant threat to the liberty protected by the Free Exercise Clause. If anything, the Court should resolve this case in a way that grants churches and religious institutions broad protection for their decisions involving the hiring of persons who have a role in the mission of the church or institution. A church's position that an employee is ministerial ought to be presumed valid and constitutionally protected unless shown to be a sham. Otherwise, religious institutions will make decisions with an eye toward avoiding litigation or liability. This can only have a negative effect on the ability of churches to follow and propagate their beliefs and fulfill their mission.
Marci Hamilton – 1 Promoted Comment
It was remarkable that neither side nor the Justices acknowledged a highly relevant staple in free exercise cases — the courts must often inquire into the sincerity of the religious litigant. Courts appropriately look into the factual question whether the claimed religious reason for conduct is sincere. For example, the prison administrator who challenges the prisoner who demands kosher food, but whose religious affiliation to that point is Baptist. Pretext analysis is little different. The question is whether the asserted religious reason for the otherwise discriminatory employment decision is sincerely religious or a pretext for discrimination. To fail to inquire into pretext or sincerity is to hand religious organizations and believers an immunity that violates the Establishment Clause, because it is a benefit based on status rather than sincere belief. It is also a deterrent to obeying the law. Religious organizations that have believed themselves to be above and beyond the law have committed grave crimes against children and vulnerable adults. Religious organizations that are given absolute immunity from anti-discrimination laws will violate those laws even when their beliefs do not require it. That is simply a fact, and makes this issue a matter of civil rights on both sides of the equation. The middle ground proposed by Justice Breyer and others at the argument is the most sensible balance of interests.
Marci Hamilton – 1 Promoted Comment
I should also mention I expanded on this point, and had a few other observations from the arguments, in a column on Justia.com: http://verdict.justia.com/2011/10/06/hosanna-tabor-evangelical-lutheran-church-and-school-v-eeoc.
Justin Levine – 0 Promoted Comments
Marci – Let me explain why I think a 'sincerity' test or 'motivation inquiry' is problematic here (and problematic in all Establishment Clause cases). Laws should govern behavior, not personal thoughts. If I perform act X for personal reasons Y, while my neighbor performs the same act X for personal reasons non-Y, it seems inequitable to allow me to do X while forbidding my neighbor to the exact same act. It seems to me that it would come dangerously close to enshrining the concept of 'thought crimes' within our courts.
We have seen this problem come up when the Court has unsuccessfully tried to 'split the baby' with Ten Commandment display cases. (See in Van Orden v. Perry' and compare it with McCreary County, Kentucky v. ACLU of Kentucky – both decided the same day with opposite results.) Even if one group had express 'religious' intent in erecting the Ten Commandments display, while another group had express 'secular' intent in placing their own Commandments display for cultural/historical/artistic purposes, etc., the result is the same – an objective observer will walk up to the structure and be able to view it, with no specific knowledge as to who placed it there or for what purpose. Delving into the private motivations of how a sculpture came to be ultimately has no valid place in determining its Constitutionality. (See Justice Scalia's compelling critique of the 'purpose prong' in his dissent in Edwards v. Aguillard.)
I will concede that one's state of mind must be relevant in implementing some aspects of law (i.e., determining malicious intent in order to distinguish between murder and manslaughter for example). But even these instances must be deduced from objective and observable facts. To make intent or sincerity as the primary test for distinguishing between unlawful behavior and protected rights under the Establishment Clause seems unworkable to me. It seems to me that giving judges leave to engage in such mind reading would in effect allow them to rule on the very legitimacy of religious beliefs based on their (meaning the judges') own personal biases.
Ian Scharfman – 1 Promoted Comment
The Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) amicus brief took a broad view of the issues in this case. For ADL, the issue is not whether the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses provide a ministerial exception. ADL fully believes that these clauses provide such an exception with respect to ministerial employees.
Rather, the issue is the appropriate balance between this constitutional interest and the concomitant compelling governmental interest in eradicating discrimination from the workplace. ADL's brief argued that the ministerial exception should not serve as an effective bar to employees bringing discrimination suits. Employees of religious institutions should have the right to a court determination on whether they are or are not ministerial. To this end, the brief argued that courts should allow plaintiffs to engage in fact discovery before making the determination as to whether an employee is ministerial, instead of providing defendants with a presumptively deferential approach that merely relies on defendants' pleadings and unexamined affidavits. The brief further argued that such a deferential approach would necessarily be over-inclusive in its application, and it also argued that treatment of the ministerial exception as an affirmative defense is the best procedural mechanism to ensure such effective judicial consideration.
David Dunn – 1 Promoted Comment
I think the issue presented in Hossana-Tabor probably needs to be resolved on constitutional grounds, either directly, or by virtue of a constitutional gloss on the statute.
Congress should generally not regulate the employment relationship between religious institutions and their ministerial employees. To do so risks entanglement in religious affairs, mission and doctrine and the core issue of dissemination and inculcation of the faith.
I do not see how Congress could require that a particular religion ordain women priests, or permit them specific roles or positions within their clergy.
The issue of retaliation raises somewhat separate issues from the issue of discrimination itself. It is potentially different, but there is a risk that allowing inquiry into retaliation claims would invariably involve inquiry into the underlying discrimination issues. This issue requires further development and consideration.
Prohibiting Congressional or state application of employment discrimination statutes or rules is not the same as issues of the consequences of child abuse. In abuse situations, there is a societal interest in protecting the victims; in employment discrimination, it is the ministerial employees themselves who assert claims on their own behalf. By becoming ministers or agreeing voluntarily to perform ministerial functions for an organized religion, they are accepting the tenets, teachings and internal procedures of the particular religion and its institutions. The interests involved in employment discrimination and abuse are thus easily distinguishable.
Kali Borkoski – 0 Promoted Comments
How can a court distinguish between the kinds of employees that should be covered by the exception?
Leslie Griffin – 1 Promoted Comment
The specter of the Roman Catholic Church being forced to ordain women priests has repeatedly haunted discussions of the ministerial exception. The ministerial exception is a court-created doctrine that requires the dismissal of lawsuits by ministerial employees against religious organizations. Catholic women priests are wrongly used as a justification for the exception. I was disappointed that the women priests issue became part of the oral argument in Hosanna-Tabor, as I believe it distracts attention from the more important issues at stake in the exception.
I count only one court case of a Catholic woman who (unsuccessfully) sued to become a priest, but at least ten cases of Catholic women who knew with absolute certainty they were not priests. Yet those women were suddenly ordained ministers when they went to court to enforce their employment contracts against Catholic employers. Their cases were dismissed. In such cases the ministerial exception protects discrimination instead of religious freedom.
The all-male Catholic priesthood can be protected easily by First Amendment freedom of association and/or a bona fide occupational qualification [BFOQ] in employment law. The Catholic Church teaches that women cannot represent the male person of Jesus Christ. That teaching seems easily to qualify for the expressive association protected by the First Amendment. It also offers a really strong argument for a BFOQ where gender is allowed to be a requirement for the job.
Creating the broad ministerial exception to deal with the issue of an all-male priesthood is like swatting a fly with a sledgehammer.
Speaking of women priests….let's not forget women whose denominations allow them to become priests or ministers or rabbis. The ministerial exception assumes that clergy should fall completely outside the protection of the employment laws. Why? Why should women clergy be barred from bringing pregnancy discrimination suits? Or male and female clergy be prohibited from suing for disabilities discrimination? In worrying about threats to an all-male priesthood the ministerial exception neglects to protect clergy who suffer unlawful treatment in the name of the First Amendment.
Eric Dawson – 0 Promoted Comments
Leslie – you asked why? Because we presume that "ministers" are so committed to the pursuit and support of their faith that they voluntarily submit to the rules of their faith as a condition of their service. And it is exceedingly difficult, as the oral arguments have shown in this and similar cases, for the state to wade into "rules of the faith".
Now certainly there are actions which we won't permit any faith to attempt (child abuse, etc.) no matter what their doctrines may teach, but the choice of who to sanction as a minister seems to fall squarely within the purview of the church in question. I find no meaningful distinction between permitting discrimination lawsuits and simply telling a church who it may and may not ordain as a minister, which necessarily involves discrimination (for example, I'm assuming that as a white male, I may be discriminated against if I pursue employment as a Navajo minister…and rightfully so).
Ministry is an exceptional pursuit for those who feel deeply compelled to serve their religion. I am speaking generally, of course, but Ministers who believe that they have been treated unfairly should feel free to leave their church. However, an understanding that the state cannot and will not interfere with their employment seems to be a clear prerequisite to the pursuit of a ministerial position.
Kali Borkoski – 0 Promoted Comments
What are the wider implications of the case for the relationship between church and state?
Kevin Baine – 2 Promoted Comments
The fundamental question in this case is whether those who seek to serve a church in a religious capacity may invoke the power of the state in support of their desire to serve—or whether the church has the right to choose those who perform religious functions without regard to secular standards and without interference by the state. I think the Religion Clauses answer that question. If the notion of separation of church and state means anything, it means that there is a zone of church affairs that the state is powerless to regulate, and I think that zone has to include the right of a church to select its ministers. The state should no more be able to set the criteria for church office than the church should be able to set the criteria for state office.
Kali Borkoski – 0 Promoted Comments
Consider the hypothetical of prohibiting gender discrimination in hiring teachers at a parochial school as it relates to this case; is prohibiting retaliation against employees any different? Does your view change if we are talking about firing a teacher for reporting suspected child abuse? What if the person reporting the abuse is the rabbi rather than a school teacher?
Bradley Smith – 3 Promoted Comments
Hiring discrimination and employee retaliation can seek the same ends, and as such should be afforded the same protections under law. If the former is forbidden but not the latter, then the latter merely become the vehicle to carry out the former.
Instances such as child abuse only make protections against retaliation all the more important. The community's best interests are served when child abusers are reported. Teachers, at least in NY, are legally required to report suspected child abuse (this obligations extends to other professionals as well. Source: http://www.nyclu.org/publications/child-abuse-reporting-and-teen-sexual-activity-clarifying-some-common-misunderstandings).
The mere shift of profession from teacher to 'religious teacher' should not complicate this matter. Justice Sotomayor made this point during argument when she said "The problem with that is that it doesn't take account of the societal interest in encouraging the reporting. And in fact, if we — if we define the ministerial exception in the way you want, we take away the incentive for reporting; we actually do the opposite of what society needs."
Churches have an interest in promulgating their views. However, when their conduct violates laws void of religious intent no protections based on religion should be valid.
Kali Borkoski – 0 Promoted Comments
If church authorities threaten to fire a minister if he or she testifies in court, can the church authorities constitutionally be prosecuted for witness tampering? If so, how is Hosanna-Tabor distinguishable?
Kali Borkoski – 0 Promoted Comments
Might it be constitutional to provide certain remedies (e.g., back pay) but not others (e.g., reinstatement)?
Kali Borkoski – 0 Promoted Comments
How can a court distinguish between minister and non-minister employees?
Stuart Lark – 1 Promoted Comment
In oral arguments, Professor Laycock stated that for purposes of applying the ministerial exception, the term "minister" is ultimately a legal term and not a theological one. Given that the term as used in this context determines legal rights, it seems that Professor Laycock must be right on this point. The legal definition of "minister" in this context should turn upon the underlying purpose of the ministerial exception. Assuming such purpose is to prevent courts from interfering in the selection by religious organizations of their religious or ministry leaders, then the definition of "minister" is a religious or ministry leader in a religious organization.
In applying this definition, courts can neither favor some forms of ministry leadership or "ministers" over others nor interpret or apply the religious tenets of an employer. These constitutional principles require courts to defer to bona fide representations of religious organizations regarding who is a minister or who exercises important religious leadership in an organization. As part of this assessment, the fact that the organization has conferred a ministry leadership title on the position (or the individual holding the position) may create a presumption that the position is a bona fide leadership position. In this regard, courts should as an initial matter defer to each religious employer's theological understanding of a "minister," assuming that in the vast majority of cases such theological understanding aligns with a role of leadership within the organization.
However, given the broad spectrum of theological views on the qualifications and roles of a "minister," sole reliance upon each organization's bona fide theological understanding of a "minister" would be both over inclusive and under inclusive with respect to the purpose of the ministerial exception. Some religions view every member as a "minister" and reject any special titles, whereas others confer "minister" status on only a very few. Therefore, the presumption can be defeated by evidence either that the "minister" status does not involve any significant leadership role or that the status is a sham.
These same principles of deference and neutrality also prohibit courts from limiting minister status to those positions determined by the court to be sufficiently religious. Government officials and courts have neither the competence nor the authority to distinguish between "ministerial" and other positions based on the religious character of their duties (i.e., whether such positions are sufficiently religious to be "ministerial"), and doing so results in religious entanglement and favoritism. A court may evaluate the duties of the position to determine whether the organization has made false or materially inconsistent representations regarding the religious leadership nature of the position. But to the extent the religious character of duties are relevant, such character must be based on the organization's purpose for the duties and not on the court's subjective measure of religiosity
Thomas C. Berg – 2 Promoted Comments
Can Congress [or a civil court] tell the Catholic church it must hire women priests?
Thomas C. Berg – 2 Promoted Comments
The answer has to be no, as the lawyers for both the EEOC and the plaintiff conceded in the Hosanna-Tabor oral argument. Judges could not, through an injunction or damages, tell the church to accept priests who contravened its belief that the priesthood must be male. But neither lawyer could explain why the result should be different in this case, where the court was asked to tell a Lutheran congregation to accept a minister who contravened (or threatened to contravene) a different religious belief: that ministers should not take cases against their church to court, a belief stemming from a passage of Paul's in 1 Corinthians. Assume for the moment that Ms. Perich, a "commissioned" teacher, is a minister (a question for another thread). If the court must defer to the Catholic belief that priests must be male, how can it not defer to the Lutheran belief that ministers must not sue the church?
The government claimed that the "balance of private and public interests" differs in the two cases. But as several justices observed, on the "private interest" side this amounts to claiming that the doctrine on dispute resolution is not as central to Lutheranism as the doctrine on male priests is to Catholicism. That is a theological judgment, and the government conceded that the Religion Clauses bar a court from making it. On the "public interest" side, the government claimed it has an especially strong interest in ensuring access to court by preventing employers from retaliating when employees threaten suit. But as Justice Breyer asked, why is the interest in preventing retaliation stronger than the interest in preventing discrimination itself, as in the male-priesthood case? The right to sue exists to protect the right against discrimination; it cannot be more important than the right it's designed to protect.
The government claimed that courts should strike these balances under the First Amendment doctrine of expressive association, which allows both religious and nonreligious organizations to dismiss an employee whose conduct conflicts so sharply with the organization's beliefs that it undermines the organization's ability to communicate its message. But calling the issue "expressive association" rather than religious freedom does not make it any more acceptable for courts to second-guess the theological importance of the dispute-resolution doctrine for Lutherans, compared with the male-priesthood doctrine for Catholics.
More fundamentally, several justices were rightly incredulous at the government's argument that this is simply an expressive association case-that the two Religion Clauses set no special rules for the relationship between a religious organization and the employees who perform its religious functions. Justice Kagan called the argument "amazing"; Justice Scalia, "extraordinary." The Court should recognize the obvious: there are ways in which religious organizations are constitutionally different. Moreover, the differences are not exhausted by the rule that courts cannot make theological determinations (although that rule is relevant here too). Forcing the Catholic Church to accept women priests might require no such determinations-simply a ruling overriding the Church's clear tenet. Yet everyone conceded it would be unconstitutional. At bottom, then, religious organizations have a distinct constitutional freedom to be able to determine who is qualified to serve as a minister. We have to decide the precise contours of that category of freedom, and who counts as a minister, but the freedom is there, as every circuit has held.
Greg Lipper – 1 Promoted Comment
When it comes to the ministerial exception, the common hypothetical—What if the government orders the Catholic Church to hire a female priest?—is a red-herring. Even the narrowest conception of the ministerial exception would protect a church in that situation; and even if there were no ministerial exception, churches would almost certainly be protected under the First Amendment right to free association—as defined in cases such as Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, 530 U.S. 640 (2000). The more important question is this: Should the ministerial exception apply even in cases when not necessary to protect religious liberty?
You might think that the answer to this question is obvious. But the lower courts have almost uniformly applied the exception much more broadly—to prohibit inquiry into even the basic question of whether the employment discrimination had anything to do with religion. Of course the Catholic Church should not be forced to hire female priests, but why should church that embraces female clergy get away with refusing to hire female ministers—or with sexually harassing their existing female clergy—merely because the hiring director happens to hold the personal view that women are purely sex objects? The ministerial exception should protect religious organizations against interference with the practice of their religion, but it should not grant a special privilege—to religious institutions alone—to discriminate for purely secular reasons as well.
Kevin Baine – 2 Promoted Comments
Of course, Congress may not tell the Catholic Church that it must ordain women priests—because the Church, not the State, gets to set the criteria for ministry. The government would concede that case, because the Catholic Church has a doctrinal basis for its position. But the point is a broader one: regardless of whether the Church articulates an explicitly doctrinal basis for a decision, the point is that the church has the right to decide for itself who is fit to serve in ministry and who is best suited to serve in ministry. From a constitutional standpoint, who decides these questions is more important than why the decision is made.
David LeRoy – 4 Promoted Comments
It is my understanding that the person involved here is an ordained minister in the church in question. Personally, I don't think that makes any difference in this case. She sued, through the EEOC, under the American with Disabilities Act. This is rather clear cut regardless of the content of her class lectures or whether she was an ordained minister or not. It is a clear cut violation of the Federal law regarding workplace discrimination against the very people exemplified by the teacher in this instance. It is one thing if the church has a policy that says an ordained minister has to retire from teaching at age 50 and cite religious reasons for that age cut off, no matter how ridiculous those reasons may be. Take it to this extreme- you can only teach for 8 years because Jesus taught for 8 years (or however long it was). In that case, its their stated beliefs and their dogma and someone who decided to sue for discrimination on those grounds should not prevail. However, the defense here under the ministerial exception is that the teacher did not try to resolve the issue within her religious family. Was there a stated church policy in that area? What if she did and they still terminated her? Would that make it any less violative of ADEA? This talk about ordaining women as priests in the Catholic Church is just a sideshow that detracts from the facts in this case.


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|2011-03-08, 20:04
|Link #1605
The problem with Homura is that her personality is all over the place. Yeah, she completely broke down in episode 8 when she barely stopped Madoka from making a contract, but she always barely stops Madoka from making a contract.
And I would probably find the absurdity of her episode 8 breakdown more forgivable if it actually led to something. Once the cat's out of the bag (pun possibly intended depending on Homura's exact origin), you need to follow up and explain what the hell is going on. In spite of this, Homura is immediately back in her "icy bitch" persona in episode 9 as if her earlier outburst never even happened. This doesn't make her look more mysterious or show that her personality is multi-faceted. It only makes her breakdown all the more random and nonsensical.
Furthermore, we're supposed to believe that Homura is soooo worried about Madoka cursing herself and putting herself through hell that Homura completely throws herself to the ground wailing in episode 8, but she doesn't give the slightest crap about Madoka's emotional state upon seeing lifeless corpse of her best friend one episode later. Instead she goes "herp derp I'M MYSTERIOUS," walks away, and allows QB go to Madoka's room and try to form a contract AGAIN. Even in the context of "Homura doesn't care about anyone but Madoka," this makes no sense.
His explanation about entropy and aliens was complete bull specifically DESIGNED to be so complicated it would go over the average teenager's head. It provides a reason for his actions up to that point while providing a clump of irrelevant information to hide his true motives. He made up some gibberish so Madoka would spend all of her effort simply trying to understand his fake plan rather than think about what he may really want.
If he had provided no explanation at all and never went to Madoka's room, Madoka would be left to think about whether or not he intentionally deceived Sayaka into getting killed, which would cause Madoka to build doubt against him, which would ultimately make his job harder.
Last edited by Hagoshod; 2011-03-08 at 20:23.
|2011-03-08, 20:05
|Link #1606
Join Date: Mar 2006
I'm sorry but I'm not going to rehash my opinions again, just to make you happy. It's fine if you don't find what you want in the show, but don't expect everyone else to cater to your demands for answers either.
|2011-03-08, 20:09
|Link #1607
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Neo-Venezia, Planet Aqua (Mars)
And from taking a pure sociological view, sometimes being harsh and cold are needed to get people to move in a positive manner. (Sometimes the opposite is true... it kind depends on the situation)
|2011-03-08, 20:15
|Link #1608
Crossdressing Menmatic
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Where you live... the question is, do you see me?
Age: 24
Homura, whether she wanted to or not, has made Madoka feel helpless and distraught. Homura seems like a cold, cruel character for the first seven episodes. Her lack of emotion has that effect on people; Sayaka was not particularly happy with the way Homura was treating Madoka.
I can only suggest that you attempt to see it from another person's point of view... some people enjoy watching the characters develop with a consistent, linear progression. Homura was more of a steep drop in personality.
You should read the rest of my post; I defend Sayaka's sudden change.
He simply felt that the story was poorly conceived, and passionately stabbed it with the knife of critique.
This is a review of an episode... inevitably, some things will change because the author has not seen the whole season. I have to ask: Should the author ignore unenjoyable inconsistencies now because it might be addressed later? Even if Homura has some awesome reason for being a total jerk to Madoka, the damage has been done. The reviewer is definitely angry at the plot of episode 8. In the time frame of that episode, the inconsistency negatively affected his viewing experience.
|2011-03-08, 20:42
|Link #1609
Senior Member
I think that's why she's so appallingly cold towards Madoka in the immediate aftermath of Mami's death, and during the presentation of Sayaka's lifeless body. She doesn't want Madoka to be comforted during these moments, she wants Madoka to be so traumatized by them that she'll be too scared to even consider entering into this magical girl world as a magical girl herself.
It's a harsh, harsh approach, and I honestly question it at a sheer pragmatic level. But I think it's mostly a case of Homura playing a role, assuming a mask if you will.
Seeing Madoka come one word away from contracting with Kyubey in Episode 8 was simply the breaking point for Homura. She couldn't keep up the act during that moment, and hence the mask was temporarily taken off, and Homura's love for Madoka just poured out unrestrained.
But once Homura got her emotions under control again, she put the mask back on, and continued on anew.
It's not that strange. I've seen the same sort of thing from Batman/Bruce Wayne, particularly in the Timmverse. If Batman was a magical girl, he would basically be Homura.
|2011-03-08, 20:47
|Link #1610
Join Date: Mar 2006
As for the kindred spirit thing, sure I guess they could have thrown in more scenes. They didn't but I do realize that many viewers have a difficult time watching for context and subtext as opposed to just being shown everything in a literal and blatant fashion. The actions she took and the meaning of her words allowed me to figure out her change in character enough for me to be satisfied. I can't pretend to project that on anyone else, but it's not my problem either. If I'm outlining my reasons why I believe something, and support it with facts from the show, and someone digs into their view and says "yeah but I still don't see it", then turns it back on me as if I'm just pulling it out of my ass, what am I supposed to do?
I can agree with the second one, but only to the point that I don't go on a angst filled "review" of why I hate the show now because something doesn't add up or happen the way I expect it to go. I've mentioned before that there are some issues with inconsistencies and the like, not even a few pages back. I explicitly stated that this was a story that cannot work without them.
If that offends the minds of people who expect logical, methodical plot progression where everything is spelled out for them, oh well.
|2011-03-08, 20:54
|Link #1611
Me at work
Ah,there's drama in this thread,roriconfan must be around (and no I'm not hatin',I can't hate on someone that likes Dennou Coil and Panty & Stocking)
And before someone asks,yes,I enjoy replying to roriconfan,let me have my fun.thanks.
Where to begin,first up it seems you're quite confused.
When completely darkened,the soul gem transforms into a grief seed that hatches and gives birth to a witch,that's what happened to Sayaka.All witches will drop grief seeds,if it doesn't drop a grief seed then it's a familiar not a witch.
Witches don't have soul gems,they have grief seeds,if a magical girl becomes a witch her soul gem becomes her grief seed.
Where do the soul gems of dead magical girls go? Well a magical girl can't die unless her soulgem is destroyed so if the girl is dead then there's no soulgem to worry about.
In any case she thought she couldn't be of any use to Homura against the big boss,that's one of the last things she told Homura.So her thought process didn't go "I don't care about helping against the boss,screw all this" but "Looks like I won't be of real use against the big boss,Homura is better off without me".
That is of course if QB can actually grant you any wish,some say he's lying,we won't know for sure until the end of the show.
|2011-03-08, 22:01
|Link #1612
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Philippines
Age: 41
To the Greek: since I believe that you write in your free time, write a Madoka fixfic, and besides, not everyone has seen LOGH.
Regarding some of those review blogs, well, not all of them are considered reliable sources of information.
|2011-03-08, 22:13
|Link #1613
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Neo-Venezia, Planet Aqua (Mars)
Sometimes people making deliberate long rants and critical analysis about the series is actually a good thing:
Last edited by MaiNoKen; 2011-03-08 at 22:24.
|2011-03-08, 22:48
|Link #1614
Crossdressing Menmatic
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Where you live... the question is, do you see me?
Age: 24
I personally disagree with everything the reviewer said, but I do not think all this hate is warranted on someone who was just expressing his true feelings. The reviewer was a staunch fan of Madoka up to episode 7, so that episode really struck some chords within him. I am merely trying to understand his feelings. One way to do that is to pretend I'm him, and argue from his point of view. Hopefully, some of the dislike will be lessened if his perspective is rephrased in a more... neutral manner.
Yet I cannot speak for someone else. This reviewer may think in only one, narrow-minded way, but it's an interesting way, one different from most others. I think your criticism of him is fair, and I might be giving his opinion far too much credit. Still, I want to be open to other ideas.
|2011-03-08, 23:33
|Link #1616
Join Date: Mar 2006
|2011-03-08, 23:49
|Link #1617
Senior Member
Kyoko wants to kill a person, and displays extreme and open contempt and cruelty towards that person, for two episodes.
Then over the next three episodes, she actively tries to save the life of that very same person, and shows extreme compassion and affection for that person.
I mean... is it really that hard for people to see how this is a big issue for some viewers? How it's not exactly easy to swallow character development? I've seen love turn quickly to hate (i.e. spurned love will often do this), but I've very rarely seen hate turn quickly to love.
Nobody else here finds this odd in the least? I mean, really?
Do you honestly disagree with the reviewer on this point, Deconstructor?
Last edited by Triple_R; 2011-03-09 at 00:06.
|2011-03-09, 00:09
|Link #1618
Yep. I was like "whoa @ this massive sudden change of character" Even though the things Kyoko learned was completely severe, the cynical may even view this as character derailment contrived to create a tragic event and leading them helpless for the night with the uber witch.
Aka, bullshit.
|2011-03-09, 00:21
|Link #1619
Crossdressing Menmatic
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Where you live... the question is, do you see me?
Age: 24
My stance is that Kyoko has forgotten how to interact socially like a normal human being. She did not have any friends for a long, long time. So it is natural for Kyoko to assault Sayaka and talk about Grief Seeds - that is all Kyoko has been doing for most of her life. Kyoko gave Sayaka the chance to escape, and let the witch's familiar feed on the innocent. It was Sayaka who decided to stand up and fight. At that point, Kyoko tried to communicate with Sayaka by force - either stay out of her way or die by her spear.
After the Soul Gem realization, Kyoko realized it was Puella Magi versus Kyubey. Kyoko still held onto her cynicism, but tried giving a speech to Sayaka instead of using brute force. This is adequate development for me; it was clear Kyoko was trying to be friends with Sayaka. Then, she saves Sayaka from the witch. I would call that act inconsistent, but it is reasonable given Kyoko's progression toward friendship. Kyoko saves Sayaka once again, this time from Homura. Then, she watches in terror as Sayaka turns into a witch. Finally, Kyoko befriends Madoka and goes to save Sayaka. And she dies to save Sayaka.
Looking back at that timeline, there is a nice linear path of events. At each step, I see Kyoko's ice heart slowly melting. Even at the beginning, I don't think Kyoko was actively interested in killing Sayaka... Sayaka was just in the way. Battling was all Kyoko knew how to do, and the way she used to talk to people.
|2011-03-09, 00:21
|Link #1620
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Philadelphia, Pa
|despair, hope, madoka magica, magical girl, urobuchi gen
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©2011 IO INTERACTIVE A/S. HITMAN ABSOLUTION and the HITMAN logo, IO INTERACTIVE and the IO logo are trademarks of IO Interactive A/S. EIDOS and the EIDOS logo are trademarks of Square Enix, Ltd. SQUARE ENIX and the SQUARE ENIX logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. 'PlayStation' and the 'PS' Family logo are registered trademarks and PS3 and the PlayStation Network logo are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. KINECT, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and are used under license from Microsoft. The rating icon is a registered trademark of the Entertainment Software Association. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.


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RALEIGH – North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory has said he is not backing down to the Moral Monday protesters, whose numbers are now peaking in the thousands. An increasing number of people from Orange County have been joining the effort, some getting arrest, including local leaders.
McCrory told the Associated Press that "Outsiders are coming in and they're going to try to do to us what they did to Scott Walker [the Governor] in Wisconsin."
Reverend William Barber, the NC president of the NAACP, has been the central figure in the movement against the state General Assembly. Barber says he won't relent, though McCrory has denounced his efforts.
"The bottom line is that we are going to win. It is going to be tough but right will always win. The constitution still stands and our morals still stand. They have stood against many tests and many tyrants," Barber said.
As he spoke to activists who gathered for a second time this week in front of the General Assembly for the NAACP's Witness Wednesday, he laughed at the notion that the protesters aren't from North Carolina.
Laurel Ashton is the co-chair of the Labor Committee for the Chapel Hill Carrboro chapter of the NAACP.
"They are falling back in the tactics of George Wallace in the 1960s. He called Martin Luther King Jr. an outsider. And now, they are just using the same rhetoric, digging themselves into a deeper hole," Ashton said.
Witness Wednesday commemorated the 50th anniversary of the assignation of civil rights activists Medgar Evers, while also continuing their fight against the Republican-led state government.
Eight people were arrested inside the state building, including Durham City Council member Steve Schewel.
Fellow NAACP member and lawyer Al McSurley was there for Witness Wednesday, and many Moral Monday before. He's watched the protesting grow from a grassroots effort, to a statewide movement.
"I have never seen, in all my time, as exciting of a deep, and broad-based fusion in a movement—that is with black, white, Latino, gay, straight, religious, atheist, all holding hands and marching together. We never had anything like this in the sixties," Al McSurley said.
Barber said next week's Moral Monday will focus on environmental issues, and the following with highlight labor rights.


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Another small page: Logarithms Can Have Decimals
What do you think?
"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..." - Leon M. Lederman
Thanks for the page
'And fun? If maths is fun, then getting a tooth extraction is fun. A viral infection is fun. Rabies shots are fun.'
'God exists because Mathematics is consistent, and the devil exists because we cannot prove it'
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.
Hi MIF;
Very well done!
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.
hi MIF,
Great page.
Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei


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Dedicated to the advancement of the State of Indiana by re-affirming our state's constitutional principles that: all people are created equal; no religious test shall be imposed on our public officials and offices of trust; and no special privileges or immunities shall be granted to any class of citizens which are not granted on the same terms to all citizens. Advance Indiana, LLC. Copyright 2005-16. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, December 05, 2012
Public Safety Director Stumbles Badly In First Major Decision
News of Hite's announcement comes as a Foxt 59 News report informs us that Ciesielski testified in a recent deposition that he blamed Straub for the demotion of three high-ranking officers in the wake of the Officer David Bisard fatal alcohol-related crash that killed one motorcyclist, Eric Wells, and critically injured two other persons. Straub had ordered Ciesielski to summon Darryl Pierce, John Conley and Ron Hicks, who had just arrived at the scene of the fatal accident, to return back to IMPD headquarters for a meeting to discuss Straub's public image problems. The three former high-ranking officers have filed a lawsuit against the City claiming they were defamed as a consequence of their demotions and public statements made by Straub at the time, which gave the appearance the three had engaged in a cover-up of Bisard's state of intoxication at the time of the accident, a fact that did not become known to them until blood test results came back days later. Straub insisted on scapegoating the three high-ranking officers knowing full well that he had ordered them to drop their work at the investigation scene to return to headquarters for the meeting with him and Ciesielski.
"He was not happy," Ciesielski said of Straub once he learned of the blood test results. "He was upset and very concerned about how, you know, we were going to handle this in the media." Ciesielski said in his deposition that he believed Straub wanted the men demoted to bolster his own image. At the time of their demotions, Straub faulted the officers for failing to "report . . their information up the chain and kept senior officials above them better informed." Ciesielski said he did not believe Straub's statement to be true. Ciesielski said Straub forced him to send a department-wide e-mail critical of the officers for having "failed in their leadership." In fact, no investigation had been undertaken to determine that the three men had failed in their leadership before Straub made the unilateral decision to demote the officers. By installing Hite to the role of IMPD Chief, the new public safety director is simply perpetuating the negative legacy left behind by Straub. Riggs could have started with a clean slate and hired someone competent to handle the top police post, but he has instead demonstrated poor judgment in entrusting this important job to someone the vast majority of the rank-and-file police officers know is not remotely up to the task of performing.
2 comments:
- CircleCityScribe said...
Appointing Hite to the role of IMPD Chief just blew Troy Riggs credibility as the new public safety director. Riggs has just simply perpetuated the negative legacy of mismanagement left behind by Straub.
Gary points out too well that Hite lacks the qualifications to be Chief of the largest police department in Indiana. He has little experience at police work or police management. Hite's career as a boxing coach in Baltimore just doesn't qualify.
Additionally one must question Hites racial bias...he was a member of a race-based organization, the Vangard Justice Society, an organization that campaigns exclusively for the rights of BLACK officers in Balimore.
In Indianapolis, Hite has shown himself unfit to be Chief. Hite wrote a letter on Police Stationary advocating for habitual sex offender Byron Alston. Hite actually on Official Letterhead of Police stated Alston is "a valuable asset in our efforts to rid our city of violent crime." Alston was in court for a hearing regarding sex crime probation violations that include failing to attend sex offender therapy.
This also leaves questions about the current command staff...which, at least in my North side area, is a failure!!! The commander here is out-of-touch with the community and really has no clue what is going on or what our concerns are....but hold a big event and he'll inject himself and/or come uninvited and then make irrelevant comments.
Mayor Ballard, you have clearly abandoned Public Safety. Giving two downtown fire stations away, removing a ladder truck from a key location at a north side fire station, now appointing this man as a police chief. Mayor Ballard, I have a suggestion, read The Ballard Rules: Small Unit Leadership by Greg Ballard. Then reflect on your failure to adhere to those rules.
Alston was convicted of criminal confinement and being a habitual offender for an incident involving two young women at his northside community center. The women accused him of making unwanted sexual advances.
Court documents indicate that Alston has missed counseling appointments and failed to complete his sex offender counseling assignments.
- Mary Roger Bowser said...
Hite is also the one who wrote a letter in support of a child molester.


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We can't really start healing until this part of the deal is over. —Brad Newbold
WEST JORDAN — For the past 21 months, Brad and Kathy Newbold have leaned on each other, one relying on the other to pick them up when they're down.
"We have our good days and our bad days still. Some days are harder, you just don't want to get out of bed. And, other days, you just go on with life and you get the things done you need to get done," Kathy Newbold said Tuesday.
But the Newbolds have also had the incredible support of their neighborhood and their community, starting with the day the yellow police tape surrounding their house was taken down.
On June 26, 2012, their 6-year-old daughter, Sierra, was found dead in a canal near her home at 2383 W. 7095 South. She had been taken from her home, sexually assaulted, strangled and then drowned.
Terry Lee Black, 42, who lived in the young girl's neighborhood, was arrested a few days later and charged with aggravated murder. But his case has been on hold for several months pending a decision from the Utah Supreme Court as to whether a judge or a magistrate should oversee Black's mental competency hearing.
"We can't really start healing until this part of the deal is over," Brad Newbold said of the prolonged court process.
If not for the support from the community, the Newbolds say, they don't know how they would have survived. It's because of that support that the Newbolds intend to continue living in the same home from where their daughter was abducted.
"The whole community has just given us so much love and support that we just don't feel we can leave," Brad Newbold said.
"A lot of people have asked, 'So when are you guys leaving?' We've had such an outpouring of love from our friends and family, our neighbors, the community is incredible," his wife added.
Now, the community wants to give the Newbolds their "forever home" — a remodeled house that they'll "never want to leave," Kathy Newbold said.
Because the family intends to stay, neighbors have come up with a plan to completely remodel their existing house. The plan is not just for new paint and carpet, but to expand rooms and add an extension.
The bedroom, for one, where Sierra slept and from where she was abducted, will be remodeled. Today, Sierra's younger sister, Taylor — who has gone through counseling — still cannot sleep in the room. The Newbolds want to change it make it special to her.
Their kitchen will also be remodeled and will include a new table that no longer has four corners, which, her mother says, makes Sierra's empty spot at the table stand out even more.
The Newbolds will also be getting a new door, replacing the sliding glass door that Black allegedly used to enter the house and that was hauntingly still open when the family got up that morning.
"I try not to let it bother me too much, but, it's always there. I just remember coming out in the morning and that door was open. We thought one of the older kids had gone out and forgot to shut it or something. And just the memory of that morning and that door being open and me going to work and getting the phone call, 'I can't find Sierra. I can't find her,'" Brad Newbold recalled.
"It's just something you don't think you'll ever go through," added Kathy Newbold. "It doesn't happen in my life. It happens in a TV show. It was just out of a horror show that morning."
"Even after almost two years, it still doesn't seem real. She's not here, but, to me, anyway, it still feels like she's just gone visiting somewhere and she's going to come back. And it just doesn't seem real," her father said.
Not all areas of the house conjure up unhappy memories. The hallway is where Sierra's mother remembers her daughters playing and laughing, and that area will not be remodeled.
"On those days you don't want to get out of bed, you can just close your eyes and hear them running up and down the hall," she said. "That's the hardest part is seeing Taylor without that best friend."
The Newbolds also have a tree from the Festival of Trees that was created in Sierra's honor and then given to them by an anonymous donor. When her mother sees the tree, it reminds her of "the love that (Sierra) brought into everyone's life."
"She'd melt people's hearts just with her big, round eyes and her beautiful smile," she said.
Sierra had a big heart, her mother said as she fondly recalled the time the young girl was able to grow her hair long enough that she could cut it and donate it to Locks of Love.
The child loved discovering new things and the family said she would be excited about all of the changes about to happen to their home.
"As far as moving on, we're finding our new norm," Kathy Newbold said.
"You never get used to it, and you never get over it. You learn how to deal with it," her husband said.
The remodeling is expected to start in May. More information can be found at newhomefornewbolds.com.
Email: [email protected], Twitter: DNewsCrimeTeam


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Technical Commission applauds FIVB evaluation content
Lausanne, Switzerland, January 29, 2013 – The FIVB Technical Commission commended the work of the FIVB Technical and Development Department and its technical evaluators following the release of the latest technical evaluations from the London Olympic Games, focused on the men's competition.
Having released the women's technical evaluations earlier in the month, the men's versions complete the evaluation work of the XXX Olympiad.
The educational kit includes video clips from the semifinal and final matches at the London Olympics, selected to help coaches and players learn the skills and drills of the world's best teams. The videos each highlight specific lessons and can be streamed online or downloaded, played at full speed or in slow motion. For the first time, the selection of videos includes recordings of the teams' pre-match warmups.
The depth of detail and data contained in these evaluations gives coaches and players unique insight into how different teams succeed at volleyball, right down to their players' physical characteristics and how that relates to the tactics they use.
The London 2012 Technical Evaluations have a slightly different focus than previous editions. More attention is now devoted to group and team tactics, rather than individual techniques. The material is divided into five overall sections: Personal Data, comparing the team compositions of the four finalist squads; Complex I (First Ball Side Out); Complex II (Transition); Team Characteristics, comparing each squad's tactical approach; and a link to each team's Lineups.
Coaches, teachers and players are encouraged to explore the materials and download them for use in training. The FIVB Technical and Development department has committed to helping grassroots development by giving anyone with the desire to learn access to high-quality, professional coaching aids, free of charge. All video demonstrations are made available in high- and low-quality versions to account for different internet connection speeds.


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Suit separates offer individualized size choices for your perfect fit. The handsome tic pattern, narrower lapels and flat front pants give a modern update to the style. Two-button single-breasted, fully lined suit coat features side vents, traditional outside pockets, and 3 inside pockets. Suit pants have extended button tab closure, French fly, quarter-top front pockets, cut-in back pockets with button closures and hemmed bottoms. Woven polyester/viscose is naturally wrinkle resistant and drapes well. Professional care. Import.
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text:
USFWS National Digital Library
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
What animal is black and white and loved
all over the world? If you guessed the
giant panda, you're right! The giant
panda is also known as the panda bear,
bamboo bear, or in Chinese as
Daxiongmao, the ���large bear cat." In
fact, its scientific name means "black and
white cat-footed animal."
Giant pandas are found only in the
mountains of central China—in small
isolated areas of the north and central
portions of the Sichuan Province, in the
mountains bordering the southernmost
part of Gansu Province and in the Qinling
Mountains of the Shaanxi Province.
Giant pandas live in dense bamboo and
coniferous forests at altitudes of 5,000 to
10,000 feet. The mountains are shrouded
in heavy clouds with torrential rains or
dense mist throughout the year.
Giant pandas have existed since the
Pleistocene Era (about 600,000 years
Giant Panda Facts
(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
ago), when their geographic range
extended throughout southern China.
Fossil remains also have been found in
present-day Burma.
Giant pandas are bears with striking
black and white markings. The ears, eye
patches, legs and shoulder band are
black; the rest of the body is whitish.
They have thick, woolly coats to insulate
them from the cold. Adults are four to
six feet long and may weigh up to 350
pounds—about the same size as the
American black bear. However, unlike
the black bear, giant pandas do not
hibernate and cannot walk on their hind
The giant panda has unique front paws—
one of the wrist bones is enlarged and
elongated and is used like a thumb,
enabling the giant panda to grasp stalks
of bamboo. They also have very powerful
jaws and teeth to crush bamboo. While
bamboo stalks and roots make up about
Chengdu Breeding Center, China
Mike Carpenter
95 percent of its diet, the giant panda also
feeds on gentians, irises, crocuses, fish,
and occasionally small rodents. It must
eat 20 to 40 pounds of food each day to
survive, and spends 10 to 16 hours a day
The giant panda reaches breeding
maturity between 4 and 10 years of age.
Mating usually takes place in the spring,
and 3 to 5 months later, one or two cubs
weighing 3 to 5 ounces each is born in a
sheltered den. Usually only one cub
survives. The eyes open at 1 1/2 to 2
months and the cub becomes mobile at
approximately three months of age. At 12
months the cub becomes totally indepen-dent.
While their average life span in the
wild is about 15 years, giant pandas in
captivity have been known to live well
into their twenties.
Scientists have debated for more than a
century whether giant pandas belong to
the bear family, the raccoon family or a
separate family of their own. This is
because the giant panda and its cousin,
the lesser or red panda, share many
characteristics with both bears and
raccoons. Recent DNA analysis indicates
that giant pandas are more closely
related to bears and red pandas are more
closely related to raccoons. Accordingly,
giant pandas are categorized in the bear
family while red pandas are categorized
in the raccoon family.
In 1869, a French missionary and
naturalist named Pere Armand David
was the first European to describe the
giant panda. In 1936, clothing designer
Ruth Harkness brought the first live
giant panda, named Su-Lin, out of China
and to the West. Su-Lin lived at Chicago's
Brookfield Zoo and was a celebrity until
he died in 1938. Today, 130 -150 giant
pandas are found in Chinese zoos,
reserves, and breeding centers. Only
about 26 giant pandas live in zoos outside
of China. In 1980, the first giant panda
birth outside China occurred at the
Mexico City Zoo.
Giant pandas are among the rarest
mammals in the world—there are
probably about 1,000 left in the wild.
Although adult giant pandas have few
natural enemies, the young are some-times
preyed upon by leopards.
Habitat encroachment and destruction
are the greatest threats to the continued
existence of the giant panda. This is
mainly because of the demand for land
and natural resources by China's 1 billion
inhabitants. To offset this situation, the
Chinese government has set aside more
than 30 nature reserves where bamboo
flourishes and giant pandas are thought
to live. The government has also placed a
moratorium on logging in panda habitat
through 2010.
Giant pandas are also susceptible to
poaching, or illegal killing, as their dense
fur carries a high price in illegal markets
in the Far East. The Chinese government
has imposed life sentences for those
convicted of poaching giant pandas.
Recent sentences however, have been
much less.
The low reproductive capacity of the
giant panda makes it more vulnerable to
these threats, and less capable of
rebounding from its low numbers.
In 1984, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service listed the giant panda as an
endangered species under the
Endangered Species Act. Endangered
means a species is considered in danger
of extinction throughout all or a
significant portion of its range. This
protection also prohibits giant pandas
from being imported into the United
States except under certain conditions.
The giant panda is also protected under
the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora (CITES), a treaty among more
than 160 nations aimed at controlling
illegal trade in endangered animal and
plant species. The Fish and Wildlife
Service is the federal agency responsible
for the U.S. government's
implementation of CITES.
The Service has established a panda
policy to assist zoos applying for giant
panda importation permits. The policy
focuses on the conservation of the species
in the wild.
Giant pandas are currently housed in
four U.S. zoos under panda policy
permits—San Diego, Atlanta, National,
and Memphis.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
International Affairs
Division of Management Authority
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 700
Arlington, VA 22203
703/358-2104 or 800/358-2104
Fax 703/358-2281
e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Fall 2003
Click tabs to swap between content that is broken into logical sections.


text:
I developped a applet which is working fine in IE but behaves strange in
Netscape. My question is how to debug my applet which is started by netscape.
In VJ++, I can set to load my html by IE at launch time in order to debug
it. I can also set to load html by netscape but the program never stop at
the break point.
Can anybody help?
Thank you,
Zhou Hao


text:
Tis the season to be jolly and our friends at the Rosedale on Robson Suite hotel are feeling like Santa Claus! They've asked us to help them give away one pair of Canucks tickets for each of the 12 days of Christmas. That's 12 pairs of tickets to see the Vancouver Canucks take on the Calgary Flames on Friday, December 23rd. Up for grabs are 10 pairs of upper bowl tickets, 1 pair of lower bowl tickets, and wait for it…1 pair of club seats! (Santa says you have to have been really good to win those.)
So what do you need to do to have a chance to win one of these pairs of Canucks Christmas goodness?
For 1 entry, RT this message on Twitter:
I'm feeling festive with @RosedaleRobson and @CanucksCorner: http://tinyurl.com/d85dk8d #12pairsOfTix to be won! #Canucks
For a 2nd entry answer this question on the The Rosedale on Robson Facebook page:
"What gift would you give the Vancouver Canucks for Christmas?"
- Keep it clean. All rude or offensive comments will be deleted.
- Winners must be able to pick up their tickets from the front desk at the Rosedale on Robson.
- Prize includes game tickets only.
All winners will be announced from now until the 19th of December and determined via a random number generated draw and contacted via Facebook or Twitter.
Follow the Rosedale on Robson on Twitter: @RosedaleRobson (Not a requirement to enter, but they're cool so why not?)
Like the Rosedale's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RosedaleOnRobson (Not a requirement to enter but see above!)
Official Winners List:
December 12th: @transcendsweb on Twitter and Sabrina Alcock on Facebook.
December 13th: @teebs33 on Twitter.
December 14th: Sam Anderson on Facebook. LOWER BOWL TICKETS.
December 15th: @MonsoonFeast on Twitter.
December 16th: Megan Hodgson on Facebook, @Geoff_Heith via Twitter.
December 19th: @Hallwood on Twitter, Tahnee Fales on Facebook.
December 20th: @Carlz8 on Twitter, Robert Williams on Facebook and @ScottInVan on Twitter (Club Seats)
The contest is now closed! Thanks for all your tweets and entries and congratulations to all the winners.
Huge thanks to Kristina Sinclair at the Rosedale for including us in this great holiday give away! Go Canucks Go!


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i've been at this forever but still can't get this... can anyone help me? Here's the problem:
"I'm thinking of a 6-digit number. The sum of the digits is 43. And only two of the following three statements about the number are true: (1) it's a square number. (2) it's a cube number, and (3) the number is under 500000."