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When Gordon Brown met the three major US presidential candidates on a US trip in early April, it was billed as an important getting-to-know-you exercise for a prime minister keen to build a relationship with his most important international ally.
But ever since he got home, Mr. Brown has been scrambling to ensure that he remains in office long enough even to welcome the new president into the post.
A dismal succession of reversals, political and economic, have put Brown and his Labour Party on the defensive as they confront the first major test of the prime minister's popularity: Thursday's local elections. The New Labour project, started in 1997 under Tony Blair's leadership amid a wave of optimism, has never looked so close to eclipse.
Brown, who has carried the mantle since Blair's exit last June, has been deserted by his own members of parliament (MPs) on tax reform. Economic woes are deepening, his personal popularity has plummeted, the press has largely turned on him, and the opposition Conservatives are polling better than at any time since 1992.
"It has been ... a chastening few weeks for the prime minister," says John Grogan, a Labour MP. The best the party could hope for Thursday, he says, would be to come second behind the Conservatives with 30 percent of the vote nationally.
"A bad result would be coming third [with] 26 percent of the vote or [less]," he adds. Such an outcome would increase Labour's restlessness as it girds itself for a general election most likely to be called in 2010.
"There is no question that Labour will get hammered," predicts Paul Whiteley, a pse–phologist at Essex University. Pointing to the Conservatives' lead in the polls – 18 points in one survey – he says that for the first time in 16 years they would get an absolute majority in parliament if elections were held now. "You are talking now about really big leads – the kind that Tony Blair had over [predecessor] John Major."
George Eustice, an aide to Conservative leader David Cameron, says the party is quietly confident about the elections. "Gordon Brown has been found out as a tactical character who doesn't have vision for the country," he says. "People are seeing fresh thinking in the Conservatives and our agenda."
Brown had, most agree, a good start to his tenure, dealing with attempted terrorist attacks in London and Glasgow last summer. But when he made known last autumn that he was considering an early election, he dithered and ultimately desisted.
Since then, ironically, it has been the economy, on which Brown built his reputation as a chancellor for 10 years, that has turned on the prime minister. A collapsed national bank (Northern Rock) and a proliferation of home foreclosures demonstrate that the credit crisis has firmly taken hold in Britain.
Falling house prices and surging food and fuel costs are creating a general well of dissatisfaction. Last week, teachers peeved about pay launched their first strike in more than 20 years. Further public sector action is expected. Another private sector strike at a refinery in Scotland which crimped gasoline supplies re–inforced the impression of a workforce starting to feel the pinch.
But Brown has compounded the agony by trying to shore up deteriorating public finances with a tax reform that prompted a spectacular Labour revolt. A move to abolish a 10 percent tax rate that would have hit low-income workers – a key base for the party – generated such dissent by Labour MPs that Brown was forced into major concessions. Wednesday the prime minister admitted "mistakes" in the saga, which Professor Whiteley says might persuade core Labour voters to stay home Thursday.
"The error over the abolition of the 10 percent rate of taxation, which will seriously affect poor people, was a really bad blow to Labour's core constituency who feel betrayed," he says. "Gordon Brown made his reputation claiming economic competence – a safe pair of hands. You can't claim credit when times are good and then say it's not my problem when times are bad." .
Brown also faces a brewing crisis over terrorism and security. Plans to increase the pretrial detention period for terror suspects from 28 days to 42 days face a hostile passage through parliament, with dozens of Labour MPs skeptical that it will improve national security.
A truly terrible result on Thursday, when more than 4,000 seats on 159 local councils are up for grabs, could trigger renewed Labour agonizing over whether Brown is the best man to lead them into the next general election.
"One of the aims of replacing Tony Blair with Gordon Brown was to improve the chance of winning elections," says John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University in Scotland. "Defeat will suggest that this hasn't been the case."
But he adds that there are few alternatives to Brown now. "That is both the strength and weakness of Gordon Brown's hand," Professor Curtice says.
Intriguing side issues also remain to be resolved in Thursday's vote, among them whether Ken Livingstone will win a third term as London mayor or succumb to the animated challenge of conservative Boris Johnson. Also interesting is whether the far-right British National Party (BNP), which has been trying to soften its image and appeal beyond its core racist base, can get a candidate elected to the London Assembly.
"People are bundling up in their minds issues of terrorism and immigration, even though they're separate issues," says Whiteley. "Both major parties have messed up on this, so you will see some people supporting BNP."


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- MOO Denim Cargo Trousers Sirwal AZL015
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Products shipping & Delivery depends on the dispatching warehouse they come from, For example; All products starting with MOO will take between 7 to 21 working days to be delivered depending on destination, this time may vary during public holidays at our warehouses locations.All Other Items will be shipped within 1 to 2 working days and delivery time depends on the shipping options selected at checkout.
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Teacher resources and professional development across the curriculum
Teacher professional development and classroom resources across the curriculum
A video library for grades 6-8 teachers; 12 half-hour video programs, library guide, and Web siteNow on DVD
1. Revealing Character
A language arts teacher and a visual art teacher ask eighth-graders to demonstrate their understanding of a novel's characters by creating unusual ceramic place settings. Go to this unit.
2. Breathing Life Into Myths
A language arts teacher draws on puppetry techniques and help from her school's theatre teacher to engage her sixth-graders in exploring Greek myths. Go to this unit.
3. Two Dance Collaborations
In a first-time collaboration, a dance teacher and a science teacher combine forces to explore the laws of motion with a seventh- and eighth-grade dance class. At another school, a dance teacher and a math teacher work with sixth graders on imaginative interpretations of the idea of circles. Go to this unit.
4. Constructing a Community
A visual art teacher and a social studies teacher use the distinctive architecture and history of their school's neighborhood to help eighth-graders see their community in a new light. Go to this unit.
5. Making Connections
Teachers of music, visual art, and theatre build thoughtful connections to topics their seventh-graders are working on in social studies and language arts. Go to this unit.
6. Exploring Our Town
Seventh- and eighth-grade students explore Thornton Wilder's classic play Our Town from the perspectives of theatre, music, visual art, language arts, and social studies. Go to this unit.
7. Creating a Culture — The Story Begins
Sixth-graders develop their own cultures, complete with language, clothing, artwork, and rituals. Weeks of hard work culminate in a surprising twist. This program is the first of two parts. Go to this unit.
8. Analyzing a Culture — The Story Continues
Students become archaeologists, analyzing artifacts from other student-created cultures. They then design a museum exhibit from those artifacts. This program is the second of two parts. Go to this unit.
9. Folk Tales Transformed
A visiting theatre artist works with a language arts teacher and a visual art teacher to help eighth-graders transform folk tales into original scenes that the students perform. Go to this unit.
10. Preserving a Place for the Arts
When faced with budget cuts, the staff of a rural middle school finds innovative ways to keep the arts a viable part of the curriculum. Go to this unit.
11. Can Frogs Dance?
A dance teacher and a science teacher ask seventh-graders to compare the anatomy of frogs and humans. Then a language arts teacher coaches the students in a lively debate about whether a frog should be allowed to join a ballet company. Go to this unit.
12. Finding Your Voice
Drawing on themes of conflict and genocide that eighth-graders are studying in their World Cultures class, four arts teachers organize an interdisciplinary unit that encourages students to use their artwork as a form of protest. Go to this unit.
© Annenberg Foundation 2017. All rights reserved. Legal Policy


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Pilot Season: NBC Orders Wonderland From CSI's Anthony Zuiker
Jan 29, 2013 5:55 PM EST
NBC is diving down the rabbit hole. The network has given a pilot order to Wonderland, an Alice in Wonderland sequel from CSI creator Anthony Zuiker, TVGuide.com has learned. Get the latest pilot season news here The premise: Seven years ago, Clara's… Read more


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Omega Discipleship Ministries
Welcome to our web site! Here you will find powerful discipleship resources to equip your church and small groups, and provide you with a clear discipleship pathway designed to bring transformation and spiritual growth.
Our purpose:
Omega Discipleship Ministries has the vision to take believers on from whatever stage they have reached and grow them into mature and effective disciples of Jesus Christ through intentional discipleship training. To help this happen we have prepared a cyclical training series designed to help turn 'seekers' into believers, believers into disciples, and disciples into disciple-makers. (To view these training manuals click on 'Books & Resources')
An exciting Cyclical Training Series . . .
This cyclical series of training manuals take a person on a journey in discipleship starting with a manual for 'seekers' showing the steps to Christ, then establishing new Christians in the foundations, then helping them to grow into strong disciples, and then finally training them to become disciple-makers. Other materials have been developed as well to supplement and build on this core training (eg. 'Men's series' and 'Revival'). These training manuals are designed to help 'seekers' become believers, believers (of all ages) to become disciples, and disciples to become disciple-makers, thereby becoming a part of an ongoing multiplying life cycle. (To view these training manuals click on 'Books & Resources')
Designed for:-
- Seekers'
- New Christians
- Youth
- Older Christians, and
- Disciplers
For more information on how to use these materials, click on 'Questions & Answers'.
(For a fuller statement of our purpose click on 'About Omega')


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Anne Hathaway and Lena Dunham both showed up at the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards flaunting chic pixie hairstyles that were similarly styled.
We love this short, low-maintenance look that can clearly hold its own on the red carpet, but we're on the fence about who had the prettiest, award-winning pixie. Anne's is more grown out while Lena's is shorter and choppier. It's too hard to pick a favorite!
So, that's where you come in...to help us decide whose cropped cut we liked best.
Photo: Getty Images


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Browsing Cornell University Graduate School by Subject "maceration"
Now showing items 1-1 of 1
Growth, Architecture, Cell Separation, Electrophysiology and Sucrose Transport of Ripening Rice Caryopses (2005-05-03)Rice (Oryza sativa L.) life cycle and yield depend on the partitioning of assimilated carbon to ripening caryopses. Structural and functional aspects of this important process were investigated. First, spatiotemporal ...


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Great Britain's men's hockey team are out of the Olympics after they drew 1-1 with Spain in their final pool match.
Britain's draw left them needing Belgium to beat New Zealand, but the Blacksticks won 3-1 to end GB's hopes.
David Alegre put the Spanish ahead on nine minutes, before Sam Ward's equaliser with seconds remaining in the opening quarter at Deodoro.
"Results had to come and we shouldn't be relying on other teams," said Great Britain captain Barry Middleton.
"We were there but we didn't take the chances. Sometimes that's how sport goes."
Northern Ireland's Iain Lewers (formerly Annadale), Mark Gleghorne (Antrim), and Cookstown duo Ian Sloan and David Ames were members of the squad.


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$130.99 (check price)
Create a first-rate dining experience by offering your patrons great food, service and attractive furnishings. The metal chair is a popular choice for furnishing restaurants, cafes, pool halls, lounges, bars and other high traffic establishments. This chair is easy to clean, which is an important aspect when it comes to a business. This chair was designed to withstand the daily rigors in the hospitality industry, but will also provide a chic look to your home. The thick, foam padded seat will... Main Material: Metal Main Material Details: Metal Main Color: Cherry, black Weight Capacity: 500lb.
This summer is turning the Living Room into a savanna! It's hot, it's the perfect summer vacation. Well, if you're resting all the time in the Living Room in our house ... really ?! First of all, let's get to know how to create a Winston Porter side dining chair room before. This style of dress is a natural. Bring the natural pattern into the mix. The colors of yellow, orange and green are the main colors in the decoration, which is the color of natural leaves. Get the feel of a more Nature Touch, okay? Let's get started Winston Porter side dining chair Living Room decor is not difficult, just mix the patterns and colors of the forest. Combined with modern design furniture of the city. This is to make the city feel relaxed, close to nature is easy. Tips: Living Room get lucky! The Living Room is the heart of the house. It should be spacious, open space. Do not place furniture on the way or the entrance door. It will make luck. Create a Winston Porter side dining chair room with a variety of home. Now let's see how to create a Winston Porter side dining chair room with a variety of home. Some people may like the vintage, some prefer some classic ones. Winston Porter side dining chair is all about it! If someone is a vintage line, just pick a soft sofa and mix it with natural patterns. But let's just whisper that the air is hot, I have to ask for the color of the carpet because the advantages of the sofa is that there are many colors. We will have to choose the orange, yellow, green, say that just put the Saba. Combined with the pleasures ... It's a vintage guarantee! Anyone who is passionate about the classic, smooth, solemn, sofas, leather sofa, it is another choice that can adapt to the Winston Porter side dining chair perfectly. Simply add a relaxing touch to your favorite corner with the Grass Tree. This is a modern and classic atmosphere. For those who are quite lonesome. I have to escape from the armchair. Decorate the Living Room. Take a sit, read a book, sip coffee alone, enjoy the nature, relax private space, then flowers and lights are another item that makes your home look lively. be healthy Just add the light bulb to the set is bright. The tree is just not visible to see how fresh that feel. For real or fake or vase, it makes Living Room infused with the natural vivid nature of it.
Cyber Monday is comming soon And with more Americans skipping Black Friday and opting for online shopping, Digital Contributor Caleb Kinchlow stops by with three MUST KNOW tips for safe online Christmas shopping.
What is your comfort zone? If you find that everything is OK, but still not as bright. Look for a cushion on your chair or Living Room Make sure you see incredible changes in the room! If you do not know where to start, why not mix and match? Today we have a pair of cushion set to go together to make the room is not normal! Patterns VS. Pillow This is the most basic, but when the match comes to mind. Choose between colored cushions in the decoration and look at the colors of Living Room as well. If you choose to use Living Room cream or white Orange and blue cushions will make you look fresh. Or if you like the mini-black color, it works. Large pattern VS. Cushion pattern Choosing a patterned cushion is no different than choosing a clothes match. Simple Tips Remember to choose not to miss, but choose a similar pattern, but the size is different, such as choosing a dot pattern or a large circle pattern to choose a pattern pattern. Stand by the main color scheme. Think of buying cushions as drawing. Be sure to stand with the main color tone and gradually add other colors. With the same direction. This time you can mix cushions of various shapes and sizes. Go with Keep cushions, flowers or vines well. Should not be used with a large graphic pattern, because it looks too good. If the graphics are small, it also goes together well. Choose a flower cushion to have different patterns. The arrangement of flower cushions together to refresh the home. The important thing is to put it in a different shape, it does not hurt. Be careful not to put on the Living Room that is patterned because it will make you look aching and uncomfortable. Reverse pattern Sometimes the opposite of the cushions adds to the incredible appeal. But the choice of the different types of extremes are sure to go well with the overall room decor. So, if you buy a different cushion, try to think of what color tone or pattern. Choose from 1 carpets. For a mini-lounge, it can be enhanced without adding color or texture. Just choose the cushion pattern, it makes the side dining chair look bright. Sparkling in the winter. During the winter or during the festive season, we can enhance the atmosphere of the house to the festival. Sequin cushions or sparkling decorations are another attractive option without moving furniture. When the season is over, it may change into new patterns. Or favorite stripes The advantages of replacing the cushions often. It is easy to change the atmosphere without having to spend a lot of time. The number of suitable cushions is usually based on the size of Living Room , but there are not too many rules. But for Living Room Standard size is 2 people can come from 2 If a Living Room large, three can be placed up to 5, or if one Living Room only one seat. The placement position is unlimited.
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I have purchased several of these side dining chair to give to friends and family. it looks more expensive than it is. I always point it out and it makes the gift recipient feel very special. It is nice! When they go on sale, this is a good gift to stock up on, everyone loves this gift!


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Generic Cialis is used to treat erection problems in men. It is the only drug which is not only fast acting (works in 30 minutes) but is also know to be effective for as long as 36 hours, thus enabling you to choose the moment.
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Tadalafil is the nonexclusive name of Cialis, a medication used to treat feebleness or erectile brokenness in men. This is the point at which a man can't get or keep up an erection reasonable for sexual movement.
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*1603: Faith Hilling* Post-Air Discussion
Moderator: Big-Will
Re: *1603: Faith Hilling* Post-Air Discussion
Was i the only one who was expecting Kenny to die while Memeing?
Tebowing was great, and Stan doing the ass drag was hillarious, Kyle and Cartman getting along was hillarious as pretty cute.
Good episode overall
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Re: *1603: Faith Hilling* Post-Air Discussion
I agree that the whole thing with the train deaths could have been a reference to the asdf "I Like Trains" meme, just like the "cat breading" could have been M&T's answer to the Nyan Cat. The whole cross-referencing thing is one of the reasons I love shows like South Park, et al, in the first place!
And it was fun seeing Mr. Kitty back in action.
As for Butters...I was waiting for him to ask "Can I go now?" with his mouth full. Poor guy.
I may actually go higher than 10/10, as it's been a while since I've last done it. So far, we have our winner for the season!
AngusArt updated 4/9/17.
Re: *1603: Faith Hilling* Post-Air Discussion
Niels0827 wrote:JVM wrote:neither Rick Rolling nor LOL cats were referenced.
The whole idea is that cats ARE a meme. I'm pretty sure they knew this. It started with LOLcats, then grew to include anything pertaining to cats. My friend Trevor posts something cat-related to my Facebook wall at least every other day. I even read a news article about how the internet was "dominated" by cats. I'm a huge cat lover, so it works for me.
In Soviet Russia, South Park watches you.
In context, in context - I was contrasting my original predictions with the final product. My initial prediction was LOL cats and they never directly referenced them. While the same basic spoof was there, I was still wrong by technicality.
Re: *1603: Faith Hilling* Post-Air Discussion
But this was just a great episode boys being boys nice to see Cartman and Kyle get along with no argueing I really liked how the four main boys were altogether and that Stan and Kenny thought Faith Hilling was starting to lose its appeal. Cartman and Kyle shared a moment being sad about losing the meme . I just liked the fact they were all just acting like friends.
so yeah good episode imo
Cartman: Line? Lines! I HATE LINES!!!
Re: *1603: Faith Hilling* Post-Air Discussion
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- Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:32 pm
Re: *1603: Faith Hilling* Post-Air Discussion
Anyone who thinks that butters would actually kill himself is out of their mind.
So far the season has been pretty spot on. Again, well done boys.
Re: *1603: Faith Hilling* Post-Air Discussion
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Re: *1603: Faith Hilling* Post-Air Discussion
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:46 pm
Re: *1603: Faith Hilling* Post-Air Discussion
I was, too!HAcoreRD wrote:Was i the only one who was expecting Kenny to die while Memeing?
Favorite Characters: Randy, Yates, and Butters
Favorite Episode: Cartman's Incredible Gift
Favorite Pairing: Randy x Sharon
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- Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2011 11:00 pm
Re: *1603: Faith Hilling* Post-Air Discussion
Seriously, this was great. The commentary on the election blends perfectly with internet memes... And for some reason, Cartman holding Kyle back and saying "It's okay, man" was hysterically funny, as was seeing that talking cat over and over. I remember that cat from when it was a viral meme
And they included the football-to-the-tune-of-Joan Jett song that was so offensive to me, what with how awesome the original song is and how lame it was to use that way... Sorry, I digress. I'm still not sure if that means they also found it offensive, but it made me laugh.
Re: *1603: Faith Hilling* Post-Air Discussion
Funny how they combined memes too. And the end when the boys bring back Faith Hilling again. I know there is more to recap but for now-
8/10 for me. Pleasantly surprised. Very good episode.
I ship: Stan/Cartman <3
Stan: MMOOMM!!
Sharon: What is it honey? (gasp!) My baby's killed again!
Haa, I love that line.
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- Joined: Tue May 24, 2011 8:49 pm
Re: *1603: Faith Hilling* Post-Air Discussion
I like this episode. Not that funny but good show none the less.
Re: *1603: Faith Hilling* Post-Air Discussion
Terrible episode - nothing fit together at all, the ending barely made any sense, just a ton of wasted potential.
REVISED IMPRESSION (after second online viewing)
Mediocre to fair episode. A lot of it makes sense in retrospect with the ending in mind. I still find the late introduction of the cats plot really doesn't mix well with the rest of the episode. I would've removed the most of the 'Olong Johnson' cat questioning stuff primarily. Not nearly as bad as I thought, but not a great episode.
- Reporting
- Stan and Kenny's dissenting.
- Kyle and Cartman's little moment
- Mr. Kitty ("No Kitty, that's a bad Kitty!" came back)
- Most of the memes themselves were unfunny to me (I wish they would've used more REAL memes)
- the cats subplot (Amusing but didn't fit well IMO)
- too many news segments
- Presidential hopefuls (very mixed on this. Kind of wish we'd gotten a little more out of that)
- Butters (Stupid, and yet still kind of funny.)
- Getting really sick of random nameless one-off characters
- where the hell are the normal adults? (School staff, families, etc.)
- the splitting up the boys idea was really wasted here
- I would've swapped out Catbreading for general LOL cats
- Newt Gingrich's character model looks a lot like Ted Kennedy's from "Dead Celebrities"
- The computer has been moved to Liane's room.
- Kitty seems to have his/her own room.
- Red Cap, Brimmy, Fosse, Terrance, Jason, Tommy, Curly, Sally, and Francis are among the kids in the Meme classroom; Timmy is missing.
- "Old Folks' Home" seems kind of funny considering last week's episode.
Fair ideas, but it didn't all fit together.
Re: *1603: Faith Hilling* Post-Air Discussion
M&T might have started a new meme thanks to Butters. How long will it be until we hear about someone dying from this?
Agreed with JVM about too much one-off random characters. Instead of these 4 other random kids, they should have used Craig's gang. Imagine Jimmy Taylor Swifting!
They totally blew the ultimate chance to kill Kenny...
One small tidbit: The animated trains look just like the GE P40/P42 diesel locomotives Amtrak currently use. It would have been SO fitting if that last train had mowed down the three candidates as well, considering how anti-Amtrak (and anti-mass transit) the Republicans are.
The Season 16 episodes thus far feel REALLY different from past seasons. The jokes/parodies/satires are funnier, but the overall story plots are weaker and more disjointed than before. I've given up rating them on the 0-10 scale because they all have parts that are awesome, but also parts that are really lame.
Maybe M&T has so much beef against the TSA/jewelry channels/memes/non-Paul R-candidates that they are purposefully sacrificing plot-design to focus on highlighting how lame each of these things are. Or maybe this is a new direction for South Park: More satire, less plot. Or...M&T's getting old and starting to rape their own characters...
Favorite Characters: KYLE -- STAN -- WENDY -- BUTTERS
Favorite Character to hate: C A R T M A N !!!
Favorite Episode: THE LIST
Re: *1603: Faith Hilling* Post-Air Discussion
I ship: Stan/Cartman <3
Stan: MMOOMM!!
Sharon: What is it honey? (gasp!) My baby's killed again!
Haa, I love that line.
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Rangers score 5 early goals in 8-4 win over Sabres
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- The New York Rangers scored five times in a span of less than 3 minutes and Brad Richards notched his first NHL hat trick in an 8-4 rout of the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.
The five-goal spurt at the end of the opening period and the beginning of the second was part of a 6-0 outburst to start the game. Richards scored two of the first five goals, and then completed the hat trick in the third period as the win kept the Rangers in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
Carl Hagelin, Ryane Clowe, Anton Stralman, Rick Nash and Ryan Callahan also scored for New York.
Cody Hodgson, Nathan Gerbe, Drew Stafford and Mark Pysyk scored for Buffalo, which was eliminated from the postseason picture and had its three-game winning streak stopped.
The five goals in a span of 2:58 set a Rangers franchise record. The previous mark for fastest five goals was 3:22 in an 8-7 win over Edmonton on Feb. 15, 1985.
The scoring started with 1:18 remaining in the first period when Hagelin skated down the left side, circled behind the net and attempted to pass to Callahan in front. However, Hagelin's pass went off the right skate of the Sabres' Adam Pardy and into the net.
Then, 47 seconds later, Richards gathered a loose puck outside the right faceoff circle and fired the puck toward Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller. The shot deflected off the left skate of Buffalo's Christian Ehrhoff and went between Miller's legs for a 2-0 lead with 31 seconds remaining.
With just over 3 seconds remaining in the period, Miller mishandled the puck on a dump-in, setting up Clowe for an easy goal as his backhander beat a diving Miller.
Just 73 seconds into the second period, New York made it 4-0 when Stralman's shot beat Miller on his glove side, finding space between his left shoulder and the pipe. Miller was pulled before the faceoff, replaced by Jhonas Enroth.
Enroth did not have any better luck stopping the Rangers. After initially making a save on John Moore's shot from the point, the puck dribbled through Enroth and Richards tapped in the loose puck for a 5-0 lead.
Nash's 19th goal of the season gave the Rangers a 6-0 lead following a pass from Derek Stepan. Nash's shot from the right face-off circle beat Enroth on the stick side.
Stepan had two assists, while Clowe and Nash each recorded a goal and an assist.
New York has 50 points, and while Buffalo could pick up as many as 50 points by winning its remaining three games, the Sabres lose the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Rangers.
Buffalo got on the board with two goals in 6 seconds. Hodgson deflected Ehrhoff's shot from the right point on the power play at 13:50 in the second. Gerbe then broke up a pass and his shot beat Henrik Lundqvist high on the glove side.
Just 32 seconds after Gerbe's goal, Callahan stole the puck from Buffalo's Mike Weber and his forehand beat Enroth on the glove side for a 7-2 lead.
After Marcus Foligno won a face-off in the Rangers' end, Stafford scored. But Richards made it 8-3 when his shot from roughly 40 feet eluded Enroth, completing his hat trick. Richards had scored two goals in a game 22 other times in his 11-year NHL career.
Buffalo closed the scoring on Pysyk's first NHL goal, on the power play, with 40 seconds left.
Notes: Saturday's game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres was moved to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Friday's game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins was postponed and tentatively rescheduled for Saturday. The status of the Penguins-Bruins game was to be formalized no later than 8:30 a.m. Saturday. ... The Rangers' Brian Boyle did not play for the second straight game.


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America was revolutionized through the '80s, and some of that had to do with Chrysler's K cars. By 1989, the Dodge Aries had been transformed into the Dodge Spirit. Don't be fooled, though, it still looks like an American car from the '80s.
What's worse is that Chrysler spent at least $1.35 million to show this ad during Super Bowl XXIII, when the 49ers beat the Bengals 20-16 (ask me how I know).
And yet a whole crop of people waiting for the Space Shuttle to land were fooled. Really? This doesn't look like a late-'80s Honda Accord. Or a Volkswagen Jetta.
And for the love of God, the Space Shuttle's landing and you're missing it! Stupid people.


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Welcome to another biweekly interview on Mandibelle16. I'm hoping where ever you are the weather is nice and spring is on its way or summer isn't too hot. This week I interviewed the impressive and talented writer Jasminder Bains from the United States. You can check out her blog here: Confessions Of A Reborn Girl
1. Hi Jasminder. Please Tell Us About Yourself?
Where to begin…I live to write because it's my form of therapy and I love weaving words into stories. I'm a full-time dream chaser with a knack for crafting things and philosophizing and overthinking when I can.
I'm two years clean and keeping it that way. Psychology fascinates me; hence, I'm majoring in it. You'll find there is a lot of psychology based posts on my blog. I love to sing and dance to KPOP when nobody's around, or at least when I think nobody's around. I had to run up three flights of stairs because I got caught once.
Also, I'm obsessed with green tea and I like to meditate because it clears my mind. I prefer video games and Doc Martens to dresses ( I only own one dress) and makeup. The only makeup I wear is eyeliner and it's about as good as my sense of direction. I get lost even with a GPS to help me find my way. I'm an aggressive middle-class minimalist who pillages anything I can get my hands on; this is why I have a ring of rocks sitting on my dresser.
I have moments where I'm incredibly with the times and others I'm not. I set up a Twitter account recently. I have no idea what half the buttons mean. But I can give you Excel pointers and talk about 'markdown formatting;' I can't tell you much about Facebook.
2. When Did You Begin Writing and Blogging? What Does Writing and Blogging Mean To You? What motivates and inspires you?
I started blogging last July, but I've been writing since I was in fifth grade. Poetry and blogging are how I vent as well as defeat stereotypes. I write because I want to heal other people and because I love doing it.
I find inspiration from my life because I'm an avid people-watcher and I overthink everything. I find new material is as simple as walking into the middle of a cafeteria and sitting down. I learned so much about human interaction by doing this. I make time for writing whenever I can.
"I live to write because it's my form of therapy and I love weaving words into stories. I'm a full-time dream chaser with a knack for crafting things and philosophizing and overthinking when I can." – Jasminder Bains
3. What Are Your Most Current Writing Projects? Any Future Projects You Have In Mind?
I'm planning on participating in the 2017 Kindness Challenge! The link to sign up is here if you're interested. I'm also hosting my own blogging challenge, it's called the 'Boundless Challenge.' The premise of the challenge is to share a #boundlessmoment from the past week where you did something that you thought you weren't actually capable of doing.
I started the challenge not too long ago so it's relatively new. My goal is to inspire people through this prompt. Maybe they will believe they are capable of doing much more than they think they can do. Check out the sixth #boudlessmoment challenge on my blog HERE.
4. Can You Tell Us More About Your Blog and Why You Started Blogging?
When I founded @Confessions (Confessions Of A Reborn Girl) I had one goal and one goal alone: to teach others about human potential. Too many times I've heard stories of people who gave up on their dreams because they didn't think they had it in them or someone discouraged them from their path. I'm here to tell you that you are good enough and that nobody can tell you otherwise.
"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." – Alice Walker
That being said, [my blog] would qualify as a lifestyle blog, though I focus more on mentality and mindset rather than fashion or food. My blog categories are different takes on that 'boundless lifestyle' if you will.
Life, as the catagory name states, revolves around my everyday thoughts and experiences. [As I noted above] you can also find my own blogging challenge, the Boundless Challenge, which is devoted to inspiring the WordPress community to achieve their full potential. At the end of each week, I share #boundlessmoments of my own and from across the internet. . . Who knows? Maybe next week you'll be featured!
Writer's Corner is [a segment on my blog] where I analyze social norms and American culture along with occasional philosophizing. DIY is exactly as the name states. I have this category because crafting opened up my thinking in a way nothing else could. I believe that it can do the same for you. [Lastly, my] meditation journal [catagory] stems from my adoration for — well — meditation. [Since I] over-think, meditation is the perfect counter to my habit and it helps me analyze my emotions and inner conflict.
"Too many times, I've heard stories of people who gave up on their dreams because they just didn't think they had it in them or someone discouraged them from their path. I'm here to tell you that you are good enough and that nobody can tell you otherwise" – Jasminder Bains
5. How Does Your Blog Tie-In With Your Stance on Mental Health?
I continue to challenge the stigmas and negative stereotypes surrounding the field of mental health. There's so much more to psychology than depression or schizophrenia or bipolar disease; [these are] only a small branch of [what is called] abnormal psychology. In order to understand the abnormal, we must first understand the normal.
I hope that by being open about my own experiences with mental health challenges and triumphs, I can give others the strength to do the same. There's nothing wrong with having a bad day, month, or year. There's nothing wrong with having things that keep you up at night. There's nothing wrong with being broken.
6. Do You Have Any Other Projects On The Go? What Is Your Writing Process Like? Do You Have Any Genres of Writing or Reading that You Prefer?
I'm planning on writing a fiction book called Project Rebirth. I've no details other than that because I hardly know what the book is about myself. 😛 For me, writing is painful.Writing is life. WHAT WAS I THINKING WRITING THAT?!! Editing is painful. Editing is life. Rinse and repeat.
Fantasy is my FAVORITE genre. None of this 21st-century teen smut fantasy romance. I mean classy fantasy like Cornelia Funke's Inkheart series or Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling or The Ranger's Apprentice books. I prefer these types of books so much more than teen romance novels.
"I hope that by being open about my own experiences with mental health challenges and triumphs, I can give others the strength to do the same. There's nothing wrong with having a bad day, month, or year. There's nothing wrong with having things that keep you up at night. There's nothing wrong with being broken." – Jasminder Bains
7. Do You Have Any Helpful Tips for Other Writers? Is There Anything Else You'd Like to Share Pertinent to this Interview?
Keep writing. It's the only way you get better (and shameless). Also, I want to fight the negative stigmas and stereotypes around mental health because it's vastly misunderstood and generalized which is dangerous for everyone.
8. What Are Your Three Favorite Blogs You Follow Of Any Kind?
9. Can You Please Share With Us Some Pieces from Your Blog?
By Jasminder Bains
August 26, 2016
What's this? My insides feel like they're tearing apart.
Something's wrong, I should take some medication.
Something's wrong, it's 3 A.M. and I'm awake again. Did I ever fall asleep? I feel like I'm dying.
I'm frozen, I feel like screaming, is this really real?
Maybe this is the dream I have to wake up from, I don't remember falling asleep so maybe I never woke up.
Something's wrong, it's 4 A.M. and I'm still here. I should just close my eyes, I wouldn't be able to sleep if it was appendicitis….would I?
Something's wrong, it's only 7 A.M. and I'm already awake. No, mum, don't leave for work just yet. There's a patient lying here in bed who needs to be seen.
Mum is gone. My brother needs my phone for school. It's low on battery because I stared blankly at music videos and funny vines for half the night unable to react thanks to the burning sensation in my stomach.
Dad wants to know what's going on so I spill my guts on him. It's time to try another medication, stay hydrated, and ride things out.
Mum says book an appointment if it doesn't get better. I wonder if it will get better.
I'm a statue, unmoving and emotionless. I thought today was yesterday. Guess my brain didn't register that I ever went to sleep.
Should I feel crooked that this pain is now who I am? I don't want to do anything let alone go the hospital. It could be nothing. Just like me.
Dad wants me to make him lunch if I'm able. Fine. The pain is mostly gone and I can wait 10 minutes to pass out.
There are two types of naps: the kind that make you feel worse than before, but you know you had no choice, and the kind that make you feel energized. Mine was the latter. Maybe it's because I slept two hours instead of 20 minutes. Oh well. At least the pain's almost gone.
All I've had to eat today is half a bagel and a tin of Chobani yogurt. I should eat something else. A salad sounds divine only I'm not sure if I'm strong enough to eat the croutons and leaves yet. Only one way to find out. Verdict: I can chew a crouton. I can't chew a spinach leaf. I'll just have a burrito.
Something's wrong, it's been 18 hours since I laid awake in bed screaming in my head and I'm doing it again. Except this time in a chair with a plate of food in front of me. Forget it. I'm not eating if it's gonna sting this bad. Time to take some more medication.
I don't want to be a physical embodiment of pain, I want my life back. I want to feel joy again, I want to listen to music that lifts me up again, I want to write a blog post ahead of time again, I want to have faith again, I want to feel healthy again, I want to have both feet planted firmly on the ground again, I want to be me again.
~Live Boundless.
Here are Some Additional Posts By Jasminder:
- Life is a Gift – favorite poem by Jasminder Bains
- Daruma Doll: A New Kind of Inspiration favorite blog post by Jasminder Bains
- Answers favorite blog post by Jasminder Bains
- Meditation Journal Entry #9: Reflection favorite blog post by Jasminder Bains
Thank You Jasminder for sharing so much about yourself and your blogging. You're an incredibly inspiring and motivational thinker and writer.
If you would like to be interviewed for my biweekly interview series, please contact me HERE on my Contact Page. Once more here is the link to Jasminder's Blog: Confessions Of A Reborn Girl.
©Mandibelle16. (2017) All Rights Reserved.


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Thailand Opposition Democrat Party to Boycott Elections
Boycott Escalates Standoff With Yingluck Shinawatra's Beleaguered Government.
BANGKOK—Thailand's opposition Democrat Party Saturday said it would boycott upcoming national elections slated for Feb. 2, raising the stakes in an escalating standoff with the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the country's democracy had been manipulated by powerful interest groups—a thinly veiled reference to the influential Shinawatra clan—resulting in other Thais "losing faith" in the democratic system....


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Hungry Heart ~ Recipes to the Rescue is an effort of three Bruce Springsteen Fans to raise funds for Why Hunger.
Hungry Heart ~ Recipes to the Rescue is an effort of three Bruce Springsteen Fans to raise funds for Why Hunger.
The conception for this idea was born in 2014 by Candy Dawson after hearing Bill Ayres speak on E Street Radio. At the time, the implementation of the task, although tried, apparently was not ready to come to fruition.
Fast forward to 2016 and The River Tour, Boston to be exact; where the group of three, Candy Dawson, Dawn Yacino and Annette Dam, who were only friends on social media, congregated at Dawn's home in Massachusetts before the Boston concert. Annette, had flown in from Rio de Janeiro and Candy from Virginia. It was during that whirlwind of a weekend that the get-together became a story of friendship, sisterhood and Bruce. And with it, the idea of a cookbook from Springsteen fans was brought back to life; now with a new passion and the right hands to execute it.
The goal of "Hungry Heart Recipes to the Rescue" is to collect recipes from Springsteen fans from all over the world, along with a brief introduction about themselves. In this introduction fans share their favorite lyric, favorite Bruce related memory or a brief message they would like to convey to the E Street Band, Bruce Springsteen or another band member. The project is more than just a recipe book; it's a collection stories that connect Springsteen fans. As the recipe book idea progressed, and due to Bruce´s passion towards his little fans (and theirs toward him), they also wanted to give children an opportunity to participate. So young fans are encouraged to create food or rock 'n roll related drawings to illustrate the book.
When it became time to choose a charity, since Bruce Springsteen is one of the founding members of Why Hunger's Artists Against Hunger and Poverty, that became the beneficiary. Why Hunger is a grass roots organization started by the late Harry Chapin and DJ Bill Ayres. The organization is a leader in the movement to end hunger and poverty by connecting people to nutritious, affordable food and by supporting grassroots solutions that inspire self-reliance and community empowerment. Although many fans make donations to local pantries when exiting a Springsteen concert, the cookbook's aim is to collect money worldwide. The goal is to compile about 300 recipes, create an entertaining book, sell the book globally and eventually present Why Hunger with a sizeable donation. One Hundred Percent (100%) of the cookbook's proceeds will be donated to Why Hunger.
About the three creators:
Candy Dawson is from Mechanicsville, Virginia via Chicago and is a two time breast cancer survivor and long time E Street Fan. The first River Tour was the first time she saw Bruce live, at Red Rocks in the 80's. You may know her for her stamped fan jewelry or painted boxes and tins. She is all about helping others by paying it forward and giving back!
Annette Dam was born in Rio de Janeiro, from Danish parents. She first saw Bruce and the E Street band on the Tunnel of Love tour, in Massachusetts, and has been a fan ever since. She has worked tirelessly with community projects in Rio, where help is scarce and greatly needed. Her passion lies in making the lives of others easier and assisting in "Taking away the pain that living brings".
Dawn Yacino is a Boston transplant via Brooklyn now living in Naples Florida. She is a long time fan- forty plus years and is also a breast cancer survivor. Being an RN is one of the many hats that she wears. "No Retreat , Baby, No Surrender".
For more, visit the Blogness on the Edge of Town homepage


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Can Obama learn to handle Congress by watching 'Lincoln'?
Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" is so lush you feel like you're watching it in a velvet chair. The dark parlors and White House meeting rooms are full of fire and cigar smoke. The Lincoln played by Daniel Day Lewis seems so familiar it reminds you of the first time you heard him, except of course you never have. But after my wife and I watched the film, her first reaction was to say this: "I kept thinking about health care." She wasn't talking about the gritty scene at an Army hospital. She was talking about the Affordable Care Act.
At the center of the film is Lincoln's fight to find the votes to pass the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery, and though the bloody and muddy war scenes make the stakes quite clear, at its heart the movie is a math problem: How does Lincoln get two-thirds of the tick marks on the vote tally sheet to go his way? That's how a story about ending the enslavement of an entire race can remind you of health care reform. The math is the same in all big legislative fights: How hard do you push to get what is right when pushing too hard can spoil the whole enterprise? Not all legislative fights have the same moral weight. In much of the film, you see the tonnage in Lincoln's face and his hands and his walk, but when it comes to the legislation, while Lincoln captures the nuts and bolts, it lacks that heft.
President Barack Obama has seen Spielberg's film and is a fan of the Doris Kearns Goodwin book, "Team of Rivals," upon which it is based. Screenwriter Tony Kushner has said Obama liked it. So it makes you wonder what lessons a newly re-elected president with a gift for oratory might take from it, especially when our own president faces his own fight with a lame duck Congress.
The first lesson is that great oratory doesn't get you votes. The movie starts and ends with Lincoln's famous speeches. First, a hokey scene in which Union soldiers parrot the Gettysburg address back to its author and then a final scene depicting Lincoln's second inaugural address. But the main drama — the hunt for votes — has almost nothing to do with the president's power of public persuasion. In the scenes where Lincoln tries to convince individual lawmakers, he is forgettable (an amazing achievement for Day-Lewis, who is so spectacular that even his labored footfalls seem meaningful).
The next lesson is not one available to our current president: Votes are for sale. At the start of the film, Lincoln is faced with trying to secure two kinds of votes: conservative Republicans and a smaller number of Democrats who have been voted out of office in the election of 1864 but who can still vote in the lame duck session. He employs a crew of political hacks who look like Mumford and Sons session men to offer Democrats plum postings after they've left office. This is how Lincoln gets a good share of the hard votes. Vote buying is largely unavailable to the modern president, certainly when it comes to influencing members of the opposite party. Remember how quickly Obama had to back off the Cornhusker Kickback, an attempt to sweeten the health care bill for Democrat Bill Nelson. This points out an immediate caution for anyone trying to draw lessons from this film. A lot has changed. Lincoln's careful strategy employed in this film could not have survived the first tweet.
The more useful skill a modern-day president could mimic is Lincoln's careful management of his allies. He secures conservative Republican votes by stringing the lawmakers along. (This is a crucial presidential attribute also effectively used by FDR.) Lincoln's fellow Republicans will vote for the 13th amendment if he promises to entertain peace entreaties from the South. Lincoln says he will do just that and sends Francis Preston Blair to Richmond to meet with the Confederates. But if word leaks that any conversation with the South is underway, it will sap the energy for passing the amendment, which supporters hope will help bring an end to the war. In one telling scene, a couple petitioning the president say they are for the amendment, but when asked by Secretary of State Seward if they would be for the amendment if the war were over, they lose all interest. Throughout the film, Lincoln simultaneously pushes for the vote while stalling the approach of the Confederate representatives heading North to talk peace. He never quite lies to his allies, but he manages their intake of information so that they hear what they want to hear — and stay in line.
Many Democrats today find Obama's manner too timid and accommodating, a charge the radical Republicans of Lincoln's day leveled at their president. Their leader, Thaddeus Stevens, wants full rights for slaves. Lincoln, who is being mercilessly hammered by Democrats for his anti-slavery activism, wants Stevens to tone down his rhetoric — to take a pragmatic approach to passing this controversial amendment. Full rights for blacks might be the ultimate goal, but such hot rhetoric on the floor of the House will doom the vote because it will frighten off Democrats.
Lincoln is repeatedly blamed for being too deliberate and slow. Leading from behind, you might call it. But what Lincoln knew was that he could not go any faster than the public allowed him. He didn't have pollsters, but at one point in the film, he puts on his coat to walk the streets for a "public opinion bath," his term for his wanderings that put him in touch with people, so that he could know the country's mind. Lincoln spent more days outside the White House than in it during his last year. Alas for our own pragmatic president, this is another approach that's not readily available in the 21st century.
In the end, Lincoln wins over Stevens who, while debating on the floor of the House, refuses to be pushed into declaring his more radical private beliefs. He repeats again and again that he wants nothing more than equality for blacks "under the law." It is an act of self-denial and lawyerly weaseling that infuriates his Democratic opposition but gives the newspapermen looking down from the gallery nothing incendiary to write. As a result, the vote coalition sticks together.
"Lincoln" has been heralded as a great civics lesson. It is a good but not great one, and not just because there's sadly little inspiration for our own president to draw from the movie. Stevens' act of self-denial makes you want to cheer, but the power dynamics and motivations of various parties are confusing and unexplained at times. At one point, when one of Lincoln's allies in the House complains that he can't get the votes the president thunders, "I am clothed in immense power — you will procure me these votes." In the previous two hours of the movie Lincoln has been sweating every vote, but suddenly he's acting like he's Gandalf — as if a bold declaration will get him what he needs.
The actual counting of votes is clear enough — we even see Mary Todd Lincoln's tally sheet as she watches from the gallery. But we get no sense of the inner turmoil these lawmakers are going through. Why does the gentleman from Kentucky, to whom Lincoln has appealed, change his vote? In one of several comical vote-buying scenes, one of the political hacks is nearly shot by a Democratic lawmaker he's trying to bribe. Members of the House get off some good lines as they forever yell at each other, and their play-acting and verbal sparring can feel removed from today's debates only by the old-timey language. The film is trying to show the gap between Lincoln's lofty ends and earthly means, but the debate over the amendment banning slavery should feel more weighty in the moment than today's posturing about the fiscal cliff. Members wept after the amendment was passed, but there's little in the film's portrayal of the vote hunt that makes us want to weep, too.
By contrast, when, early in the movie, we see Lincoln lie down by the fire next to his sleeping son, you feel his weariness, and you ache for him. When his wife rages at the president for allowing their older boy to go to war, your shoulders tense with her rage. The personal dramas of a man who faced as much as Lincoln did are always going to outstrip the legislative fight, but when it comes to the vote, which consumes so much of the movie, in the end it often just feels like so much math.
Dickerson is Slate's chief political correspondent.


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Our mum's just want to spend time quality time with us on Mother's Day. Forget the flowers, chocolate and brunch; think beyond the expected and treat your mum to a special vacation.
Our mum's just want to spend time quality time with us on Mother's Day. Forget the flowers, chocolate and brunch; think beyond the expected and treat your mum to a special vacation. Build memories and share experiences on a getaway you'll both cherish forever.
Here are our favourite mum-friendly getaways:
Quebec City
You don't have to leave Canada to get a taste of Europe. Quebec is the perfect walking city, with plenty of old world charm and foodie hotspots. Visit an artisanal bakeries, flower markets and lively cafes. Explore the city like a local with sightseeing tours from travel experts.
The beauty and grace of Italy is unparalleled. Take your mum on a dream tour to see the best of Rome, Venice and Florence. Get a close look at the Romans' legacy through the impressive Colosseum, Venice's effortless beuaty and the influence of the Renaissance through Florence's art. The gelato is pretty good too!
The perfect destination for the adventure loving mum's in our lives. Treat your mum to a trip of a lifetime as she treks the Inca Trail through mountainscapes, cloud forests and jungles. Combine unique experiences such as learning to weave in the Sacred Valley, with guided city tours of Cusco and Lima, for an exciting trip that's sure to create plenty of memories!
Treat your mum to some sun, sea and relaxation in Mexico. The perfect getaway for new mum's, Mexico has many child-friendly resorts where babies can be taken care of while mum soaks up some sun, or gets some much deserved spa time! We have lots of incredible offers available - perfect for anyone who needs a bit of last minute gift inspiration!
Things we blog about
Places we have blogged about
- Africa, Anywhere
- Alaska, Usa
- Alberta, Canada
- Andalusia, Spain
- Athens, Esye31, Greece
- Austin, Tx, United States
- Australia
- Bali, Indonesia
- Banff, 01, Canada
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Barcelona, 56, Spain
- Beijing, China
- Belize
- Boston, Ma, United States
- Brazil
- Calgary, 01, Canada
- Canada
- Canada, 00, Canada
- Cancún, 23, Mexico
- Caribbean,


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Obama ties Cuccinelli to shutdown
Democrats gambled on Sunday that Virginia voters are angrier with Republicans over the shutdown than at Barack Obama for the botched health care rollout.
The president worked during an afternoon rally in the Washington suburb of Arlington to link the GOP candidate for governor, Ken Cuccinelli, with the wing of the national party he blames for paralysis.
Story Continued Below
"You've seen an extreme faction of the Republican Party that has shown again and again and again that they're willing to hijack the entire party and the country and the economy and grind progress to an absolute halt if they don't get 100 percent of what they want," Obama told a crowd of 1,600 in a high school gymnasium.
( PHOTOS: Ken Cuccinelli's career)
"You cannot afford to have a governor who is thinking the same way," he added, highlighting how furloughs hurt Virginia more than almost anywhere else. "That's a practical job. They can't afford to be an ideologue."
Obama said Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe will follow in the pragmatic legacy of the two previous Democratic governors, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both of whom are now in the Senate.
With different issues, both sides want to nationalize the race to fire up their core base of support ahead of Tuesday's low-turnout off-year election.
( QUIZ: How well do you know Ken Cuccinelli?)
Cuccinelli's campaign aggressively bracketed Obama by focusing on health care. It welcomed the president's trip — just a 10-minute drive from the White House — predicting it would galvanize conservatives eager to make the vote a referendum on the problems with HealthCare.gov.
Obama, though, did not discuss his signature legislative accomplishment during his 21-minute speech, and McAuliffe made only passing reference to his support for expanding Medicaid.
The front-runner seized instead on an interview that Cuccinelli gave Fox News on Friday in which he said he's "perfectly happy" with voter attention turning away from the shutdown — which ended 2½ weeks ago — and back to Obamacare, an issue more helpful to him.
( QUIZ: How well do you know Terry McAuliffe?)
McAuliffe slammed Cuccinelli for not publicly condemning Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) when both spoke at a gala for social conservatives in Richmond during the shutdown, even though Cuccinelli has said he told Cruz backstage to get the shutdown over with as soon as possible.
McAuliffe also attacked Cuccinelli for refusing to say how he would have voted on the compromise that ended the imbroglio.
"He stood with the tea party and not with Virginia families," McAuliffe said. "Can you even imagine if Ted Cruz, Ken Cuccinelli and the tea party ran the Virginia government?"
( PHOTOS: Terry McAuliffe's career)
A major emphasis of the president's speech was warning Democrats not to take for granted McAuliffe's lead in the polls.
"Nothing makes me more nervous than when my supporters start feeling too confident, so I want to put the fear of God in all of you," Obama said. "Virginia historically has always been a swing state, and this race will be close because past races in this state have always been close."
Turnout among all groups drops off from the presidential to gubernatorial elections. In 2008, 75 percent of eligible voters cast ballots. It was 40 percent in 2009. Last year, 72 percent voted.
( PHOTOS: Ken Cuccinelli's career)
The McAuliffe campaign has gone to great lengths to activate the Obama coalition, especially women and African-Americans, without having the first black president on the ballot.
Actress Kerry Washington of the show "Scandal" focused on a laundry list of issues important to the coalition.
"The other side, the tea party, they usually show up every election," she said, fresh off hosting "Saturday Night Live." "They don't take their right to vote for granted. … Let's make sure that the voices of a few don't drown out the voices of all of you."


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Arts season offers tradition and innovation
Events range from longstanding Leonard Bernstein Festival to the new FiddleDEISFrom longstanding traditions like the Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts to the brand new FiddleDEIS festival, the spring semester will bring a variety of arts to campus stages and galleries.
The season kicks off on Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. in the Slosberg Music Center with a performance by Genkin Philharmonic Orchestra: Icons of Rock, which fuses genres including rock, jazz and classical. The critically acclaimed 10-piece electro-acoustic orchestra performs virtuosic arrangements of songs by Radiohead, Jimi Hendrix, King Crimson and Frank Zappa. The event is sponsored by the Brandeis Arts Council.
As part of DEIS Impact, between Feb. 7 and 10, the Brandeis Theater Company will perform "In the Heart of America," the story of a young Palestinian woman searching for her brother, a soldier who served in Iraq. In the production, playwright Naomi Wallace explores the intersection of violence and police, racism and patriotism.
Beginning Feb. 13, Ed Ruscha's and Walead Beshty's exhibits will transform the Rose Art Museum. Ruscha's art depicts everyday objects – gas stations, streets signs, billboards – and triggers reflection on the relationship between words, things and ideas. Beshty will create a mirrored, multilayered glass floor that appears to crack as visitors walk over it, turning the spectator into a creator.
The Brandeis Theater Company will perform "Heaven and Hell/Light and Dark," a collection of original dance-theater inspired by the symbolism and composition of paintings from medieval to contemporary, on March 9 and 10 in the Spingold Theater Center. A collaboration with the Beshty exhibit at the Rose Art Museum is also planned.
FiddleDEIS, a new three-day festival celebrating the progression of the violin in performance across diverse cultural traditions throughout history, will take place March 15 to 17. Distinguished guest artists from around the globe will join faculty members in performances in the Slosberg Music Center.
On April 6 at 8 p.m. (with a preconcert talk at 7 p.m.), the Lydian String Quartet, Brandeis' resident professional quartet, will play a program at Slosberg that includes Mozart's Quartet in A Major, K. 464; a new string quartet by Kurt Rohde, winner of the 2012 Lydian String Quartet Commission Prize; and Beethoven: Op. 130.
The Brandeis University Chorus and Choir will perform songs from the Great American Songbook in Slosberg on April 13 at 8 p.m. James Olesen will direct the chorus in renditions of 20th-century classics fro Broadway and Tinpan Alley.
Brandeis students will be exhibiting their art in the Dreitzer Gallery several times this spring. On April 3 and 17, from 5 to 7 p.m., Prospect I and II: Post-Baccalaureate Exhibitions will be on display, and on May 1, from 5 to 7 p.m., the gallery will host a senior studio exhibition.
The annual Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts will be held on April 25 to 28, when visitors will experience the unexpected. For the first time, Bernstein's daughter, Jamie Bernstein, will host "Late Night with Leonard Bernstein," with Bernstein's protégé George Steel of the New York City Opera on April 16 at 9 p.m. in Slosberg. The recital, which debuted last year at Lincoln Center, features soprano Amy Burton and pianists John Musto, Michael Barrett and Michael Boriskin, who will perform the maestro's favorite music, including works by Copland, Confrey, Coward, Schubert and Chopin.
Faculty member Eric Hill will direct the Brandeis Theater Company in "Visions of an Ancient Dreamer," a new adaptation of "Orestes" and "Iphigenia at Tauris," on April 25 to 28 in the Spingold Theater Center. The haunting classical tragedies of Orestes and Iphigenia will be reimagined as twin visions of an ancient storyteller through this yearlong collaboration between the Theater Arts and Classical Studies departments.
For more information on arts events happening this spring, check State of the Arts.
Return to the BrandeisNOW homepage
Categories: Arts


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- "IceCap" and "Ice Cap" redirects here. For other uses of the term, see IceCap (disambiguation).
IceCap Zone (アイスキャップ Aisukyappu?), also known as Ice Cap or Icecap, is a frozen region of Angel Island known to be extremely cold and somewhat dangerous. It is a large piece of land covered in frost and icy mountains. Ice Cap Zone is known to have ice caverns with spiky icicles, crushers, sliding sections and many other gimmicks. There are occasionally many winter-themed Badniks as well.
The most well-known theme of IceCap Zone is the snowboarding section, where the playable characters are utilizing snowboards to slide downhill at high speed. So far, IceCap Zone had made appearances in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic Drift 2 and Sonic Adventure.
Game appearances
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
IceCap Zone first appeared as the fifth zone in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and its locked-on version as well. After being shot out of a cannon from Carnival Night Zone, Sonic and Tails land on a mountain. Sonic rides down it on a snowboard and then enters the interior. Act 1 takes place on the labyrinthine ice cavern, while Act 2 takes both outside while the lower pathways are located in the cavern sections with cold water pits.
At the end of Act 1, Big Icedus spins ice cubes at Sonic or Tails and tries to crush them. Dr. Robotnik attacks Sonic in Act 2 inside of an Egg Mobile contraption that that has a spiked platform drop down and fires the freezing bursts in a pattern at Sonic.
Sonic Drift 2
Ice Cap also appears as a race course in Sonic Drift 2 under the name Ice Cap. In this game, it is the third course of the White Chaos GP (White being the intermediate of the three available tournaments), coming after Rainy Savanna and before Hill Top.
Sonic Adventure
In Sonic Adventure, Angel Island once again falls into the ocean. Sonic and Tails get onto the island and climb up an icy passage to the zone. After fighting Eggman's Badniks on the outside of the mountain, Sonic and Tails enter inside to where they must get up to the top to escape. To do this they must climb ice spikes coming out from below the "floors" of the mountain. Once out of the mountain, an avalanche occurs, forcing Sonic and Tails to snowboard down the mountain to escape. Once on the other side of the mountain, Sonic and Tails find the Chaos Emerald they were seeking. Big also comes across the mountain after his friend Froggy runs inside of it, and fishes for Froggy in a pool inside. If Big throws the boulder or jumps on the ice, he can get an upgrade.
In other media
Sonic the Comic
Archie Comics
- In Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles, Flying Battery Zone was originally meant to be before this Zone and the hatch Sonic uses to escape the zone would have been used as a snowboard, similar to the beginning of City Escape. Presumably, the cannon would have shot Sonic onto the airship.
- The music for the original Genesis version of this stage is most widely known in the gaming community alongside various remixes.
- The snowboarding section at the end of the Sonic Adventure version of this stage is likely a homage to the Mega Drive stage, in which Sonic starts out snowboarding. Also, it may be the basis for the beginning of City Escape from Sonic Adventure 2.
- Also, at one point in the middle and end of the in the snowboarding stage, you can see houses, windmills, and hot-air balloons. This possibly indicates that Knuckles is not the only inhabitant of the Angel Island, besides the Animal friends.
- This is the first ever ice-themed zone in a console Sonic game.
- If the player touches the star post before the miniboss in either Sonic the Hedgehog 3 or Sonic 3 & Knuckles and dies, the level will restart with Act 2's music, even though the zone card has displays IceCap Zone Act 1. This is due to the game loading the necessary assets for Act 2 by the time the player has gotten outside towards the end of Act 1.


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The Caregiver® TouchFree™ Thermometer in Action!
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Russia's Putin Set to Sign U.S. Adoption Ban
Russian President Vladimir Putin says he intends to sign into law a bill that would ban Americans from adopting Russian children. WSJ's Mike Esterl discusses the ramifications such a law would have on U.S. families seeking adoption, and how it could further harm U.S.-Russia relations.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
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Tom Russians feeling that we should be taken care of our own ... ALM so bad today in his comments on the race that issue and talk to that that ... that certain media for storing down some some pride ... in in Rashi and take care of ... orphans and they can spend more resources on that question is how quickly can they do that the one hundred thousand ... found that the children and state orphanages and in the Shia ... eighteen thousand Russian families have found ... have applied for adoption ... says a lot of children that are still looking for homes by a nine day that the U S ambassador to Russia and Lachlan fullest and outspoken in his criticism ... even going to pretend ... to talk about how he says ... I he agrees with hundreds of thousands of Russians who want children remain from political debates ... how many American families are likely to be affected by the battle perhaps ending the phase out and say ... how many Russian orphans now a liking to beef to not be ... found adoptive parents who come to families in this country ... will the number of some children to be adopted from Russia in recent years has been declining but still though I'm rushing and children are still the still the Number three country in terms of town ... of the orphans ... who are adopted from overseas to us ... from just under a thousand were adopted last year ... aam and before that down the numbers were higher it's been dropping in recent years and you might remember in two thousand ten ... that it was a case involving a mother and Tennessee who adopted at the center year old boy ... and then put back on planes back to Russia saying that he does while and then she said his or her life ... back traded down understandably quite a controversy and firestorm insistence than it's been a lot of back and forth ... between Russia the US over this issue ... aam and so the numbers have been dropping ... in and out without around fifteen Russian orphans here in the price and said they found American adoptive families at ... an EU been talking ... to from and to have already got one ... adopted Russian son I'm of the content of not becoming one of the expenses ... your yet they had a sense of family in Atlanta suburb aam there in their late forties aam and and Kurt ... Seuss ... and they adopted in two thousandseven they brought home ... a boy who was thirteen months old ... now is to stand ... down from an orphanage just outside of St Petersburg Russia ... and that they're celebrating their after Christmas I just don't see this week ... aam and that the earlier this year they applied the word ... to adopt a second child from Russia ... started the process in February from last time it took them about ten months from start to finish ... the aam they're coming out now on more than ten months and they were so even before this band ... aam was passed by Parliament by the adoption agency that it could be ten or twelve to eighteen months ... before they receive any sort of Werder value potentially troubling or a share ... from two to the process forward ... now I can do this and comes into effect on Sunday the rest of the that ... that despite breaking Mike McConnell and has recently making a series of steps and in a US influence ... in a sign of Russia ... I'm getting something done things like USA was going on how we like you can see ... a real treat in Russian American relations all these diplomatic tying goals ... evidence of that and who am I when it comes to ... Maisie areas of cooperation between Russia ... and ... the US was on pole ... and a dozen ... times a surprise to us choose Amazon t think any of the of the fact that ... but the damage that's a big carrots and the question is still unclear what makes the message isn't signals coming out of them coming out of Russia ... aam there is that when you some of the authorities in Russia or ... are done ... basically argue this is more for domestic consumption ... and ... that is not something that is going to spiral down into something ... much bigger ... aam but sometimes these things take on life growing and ... so their sound has quite a bit of concern ... not only for the for the children and whether or not on you finding homes and families ... but for the broader price bilateral issues ... like half hour on the spot and I'm thinking that my should I can't think of times when the inevitable fall on the story isn't about us in the payback ... the next day Telkom tight to him sometime this tonight ...


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Another 'Big One' at Talladega Sunday: Here Kurt Busch (78) lands atop Ryan Newman's car (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)
By Mike Mulhern
TALLADEGA, Ala.
Score one for the 'little guys' in this lavishly expensive and extravagant sport.
And, yes, good guys sometimes do finish first.
David Ragan pulled the upset the season Sunday evening in what he correctly described as "a true David-versus-Goliath" moment, hooking up with teammate David Gilliland for the green-white-checkered overtime finish to beat Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson in a wild, rain-darkened finish to the Talladega 500/Aarons 499.
Rain played havoc midway through the race, which started at noon CT and didn't finish until seven hours later. The wet forced NASCAR to red-flag the event for three hours, 36 minutes.
The race finally resumed just after 6 pm CT, with 60 laps -- 160 miles -- to go, facing sunset at 7:30 p.m., and thick clouds turned the track very dark much earlier.
Twice the race was marred by devastating multi-car crashes. The first one, 90 miles in, took out 16 cars, including top challengers Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne, Martin Truex Jr., Brian Vickers (subbing for Denny Hamlin), Greg Biffle, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick and Jeff Gordon.
But it was the second one, with just minutes left in the race, that was even more frightening, a 10- car melee just behind the leaders, with Kurt Busch flipping and rolling and landing atop Ryan Newman's car. None of the drivers was seriously injured, but Newman, who has had more than his share of terrifying crashes here, was livid at the crash and lashed out hard at NASCAR officials.
"They can build safer race cars, they can build safer walls," Newman began, after emerging from the infield care center. "But they can't get their heads out of their asses far enough to keep them on the race track, and that's pretty disappointing.
"I wanted to make sure I get that point across. Y'all can figure out who 'they' is.
"That's no way to end a race. That's just poor judgment in restarting the race, poor judgment: I mean you got what you wanted, but (it was) poor judgment and running in the dark and running in the rain....."
Yes! David Ragan (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)
Newman may well be getting a huge fine from NASCAR for his criticism; he was hit with a $50,000 'secret' fine two years ago for criticism of the style of racing drivers must do here, in huge packs. And NASCAR has been hitting drivers and teams with numerous fines and penalties this spring.
Newman clearly didn't worry about that threat. Here's the video: HERE
The race was filled with drivers blocking and pushing and shoving, and Kahne and Kyle Busch argued over just was to blame in their bumps, which wiped out many top contenders.
Kahne blamed Busch for the bump; Busch said he was trying to go around Kahne on the outside and got squeezed high. Here are the videos: HERE and HERE
"I felt Kyle pushing me, and next thing I know I was spinning," Kahne said. "You just can't push with these cars. We learned that at Daytona; he was pushing me and spun me in the wall -- and then happened again.
"I think we both probably understand what happened, and we will figure it out from there."
Ragan hit the major leagues driving for Jack Roush, winning Daytona, when UPS was sponsor. When UPS dropped the deal, Ragan moved to Bob Jenkins' team, still in the Ford camp.
But Jenkins runs a very small operation, and top 10s aren't part of the financial equation.
So this win is big for the whole team. Here are the winning, and losing, moves: HERE
"In this sport you have to make your own place at the table," Jenkins said. "And that's what we're trying to do."
It was extremely dark for the final laps of the Talladega 500 (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)
Ragan -- who afterwards joked about being confused by some perhaps with Saturday Nationwide winner Regan Smith -- is one of the nicest guys in this sport. In the final moments Sunday he was also one of the most furious.
For the final restart, green-white-checkered, two laps of an overtime shootout, Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards, former teammates, were on the front row, with Jimmie Johnson and Smith right behind. The winner figured to be one of those four.
But Ragan and teammate David Gilliland had other plans. And after the race Kenseth, Edwards, Johnson and Smith were all licking their wounds.
"I'm kind of a low-key guy, but, man, I don't know," Ragan said in victory lane, almost stunned himself by the win, his second on the tour.
"If it wasn't for that final push from David Gilliland....I owe him a lot.
"This is special to get Front Row Motorsports (owned by one of the sport's small owners, Bob Jenkins) their first win.
"The draft is a big equalizer, and anything can happen. Our Ford was fast; we made the right pit calls all day, and we were just in the right place at the right time.
"We're a small team. We build our own chassis, our own bodies. This is big.
"We were going to be happy with 18th or 20th on the first big rain storm.
"On my restart I got a great start. But Matt had been the class of the field, and Matt (then a teammate) pushed me to a win at Daytona a year or two ago, so I decided to stay with Matt.
"Coming off turn two he was blocking everybody, and I had a great run."
Kenseth was almost stunned at losing a race he dominated: "It was a good run....a really disappointing finish.
"First, congratulations to David and David. That was cool to see the underdogs go up there and grab one; so I'm happy for them guys.
"Man, I don't know...Carl just got a rocket restart and cleared me down the backstretch. I thought we still had a shot. I tried to get right on Carl, and he blocked -- which you should -- and we got real wide getting up there in turn one, because he got me pretty far to the top.
"And I just didn't watch the runs from them guys way in the back. They got a huge run up the middle.
"I saw David Ragan at the last minute, but he was going too fast -- if I pulled in front of him I was just going to get wrecked. So I had to bite the bullet and try to find a hole...there wasn't one.
"So it was a disappointing ending to the day. But, man, we had a great car again."
A wild day at the track (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)
Gilliland, a hardworking journeyman racer, like Ragan, provided the key push, which caught Kenseth and Edwards by such surprise.
"My crew chief, Frank Kerr, said 'You've got to have the restart of your life,' and we had a good one," Gilliland said.
"It was dark, sprinkling a little bit, but we got a good restart. Michael Waltrip got behind me and was giving me a great shove. Got hooked up with Ragan and stayed glued to his bumper.
"A huge day for any team to get first and second, but for Front Row Motorsports and our little team, and what we do it with, we're really proud of that.
"Bob Jenkins does this deal probably 80 or 90 percent out of his own pocket."
Edwards started from the pole, went to the back early, then led a Ford charge back to the front late.
And the final restart with two to go, Kenseth and Edwards were on the front row, with Jimmie Johnson and Regan Smith right behind them.
However those four couldn't break away and got mixed up in the jockeying around, and when Ragan and Gilliland charged up toward the front, the first four misjudged things and left an opening.
"The last 60 laps ended up being 60 of the most educational laps I've had at a plate race," Edwards said. "I learned a ton.
"I had a blast, and on the whiteflag lap I thought we were going to win it, until I saw these guys coming.
"I thought 'Who is that?'
"And they were coming.
"I blocked as much as I could.
"David (a former teammate at Roush's) did everything but spin me out down the back straightaway, was all over the back bumper. And I could feel from the way he was pushing, and moving, that if I turned to stay across his hood, I knew I was going to be on the highlight reel for the wrong reasons.
"These guys got by... but we had a onetwothree finish for Ford, which is huge. And I know it's huge for these guys and Front Row Motorsports.
"As frustrated as I am about the loss, I'm really happy for these guys -- it couldn't happen to two better guys and a hardworking team.
"David just got us. He just did it.
"Of course he raced me clean: It's Talladega....and as long as I'm not upside down in the fence, I think it was pretty clean.
"I don't know how you define 'clean' here, but he did his job. He raced me as hard as he could have raced me without wrecking me.
"I don't think either one of us could have tried any harder without being wrecked. And he got me. So he earned the win."
In something of a postscript, Brad Keselowski, who restarted just ahead of Ragan at the GWC, argued Ragan lined up wrong, to gain an advantage.
Ragan disagreed, and explained his side: "We were lined up eighth, with one to go, and NASCAR adjusted the lineup for the restart...and I knew we were probably higher in the order than we should have been.
'Obviously Brad wanted to start on the outside like I did. He just didn't want to listen to NASCAR (on the 'adjustment'). Brad was just trying to snooker us.
"And he restarted ninth and I started 10th.
"He might not admit it, but NASCAR will straighten him out. He knows he lined up in the right spot, and I lined up in the right spot."
Good guys in white: David Ragan at the finish line, first (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)
great to see front row go 1-2.David and David did a excellent job right when it counted.
On a side note jeff gordon needs a new crew chief.Its just not working and its sad to see such a telent suffer race after race
Awesome win for David Ragan. Great to see a classy guy on an underfunded team come in 1st. A great finish to an 8-hour race. Glad to see Front Row finish 1-2.
I have mixed feelings about Newman\'s comments. He\'s right in that it\'s the same ole pack racing and that until somebody gets seriously injured or killed that it\'s not going to change. As far as the raining and darkness comments, those would not have been made if he had been in victory lane instead of the care center. The leader begs for it to be called for rain or darkness, but the other drivers behind him are chomping at the bit waiting for the restart. Austin Dillon was crying on Saturday while he had the lead saying that the track was too wet to continue. Had he been in second, the track would have been just fine.
NASCAR needs to find a way to let these cars run unrestricted, and spend some of their own money to test cars to see what can work. How much to cut the horsepower for superspeedway engines to make this happen? A super spoiler to create drag? Do some testing and find out. NASCAR only wants easy, and fixing the racing at these tracks isn\'t going to be easy. NASCAR pops a plate on the intake and says \"that fixes it\". No, it doesn\'t. Get your hands dirty and figure out a way to allow these cars to run unrestricted and so that they can gain some separation from each other so that 10-20 cars aren\'t taken out every time there\'s a wreck. It will make these races \"safer\", and greatly lessen the mega-crashes that occur now during every superspeedway race.
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