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"Ross Perot and super bionic cybernetic exoskeleton suit wearing Ralph Nader?" I ask with a heavy helping of astonishment.
"Yes! You hadn't talked in so long that I was beginning to think that a side-effect of time travel was losing your voice." Ross answers.
"If only that were true!" Nader says with a glance at Ross Perot. "And that is super bionic, cybernetic exoskeleton, bio-fuel powered, paradox proof, time travelling suit wearing, Ralph Nader to you. However you can call me Ralph."
"R-r-r-a-l-ph." I drawlingly growl. "You're right, I can!"
"Fine. You may call me Ralph."
I nod my head in agreeance with Mr. Nader. I then wonder if I should remind Ross that I spoke no less than five minutes prior. Then I decide that it is probably just a waste of time. "Why do you call him Hank?"
"He had a real issue with always saying 'I'm Ross the Boss or Ross, rhymes with Boss,' and other things to that extent." Nader leans in close to me and finishes in whispery whisper. "Not only is his first name Henry, but Hank, rhymes with wank." He smiles and shrugs as he prepares himself for criticism on his joke.
While Ross takes some more pie charts over to Machismo and young Bill Clinton, Nader explains a few things to me. Like how his suit is paradox proof. That before any leap, it is able to calculate travellers intentions and project them along a path of what has already happened. If at anytime a traveler begins to alter the course in a sweeping manner, the suit will emit a warning. If things become dire, it will immediately send them back from the time they came from. This includes everyone touching the suit as the suit can handle multiple external travellers. Also, it runs on bio fuels and if not, it has a plastic reclamation and oil purifier system.
"So basically, it is full proof, can't get stuck, and doesn't cause plot holes?" I inquire in summation.
"And if there seems to be a plot hole? Because time travelling stories always seem to have holes."
"It was supposed to happen, just as the suit predicted."
"That is great to hear!"


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"Aberystwyth castle edit1" by Myself - Herby talk thyme - Own work.
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"DSCN4297-strata-florida-arch" by By William M. Connolley. - en:Image:DSCN4297-strata-florida-arch.JPG.
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"National Library of Wales" by Ian Capper - http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3645542.
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"SN7673 Hawthorn cottage and pond Hafod Estate" by Nigel Brown - From geograph.org.uk.
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"Three Bridges of Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion" by Alex Liivet - From geograph.org.uk.
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"Trawsgoed" by Trix71 - From geograph.org.uk.
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Most people visit Ceredigion because of its fantastic beaches, and it is unsurprisingly one of the top holiday spots in Wales. The coastline of this Welsh region is stunning and you also have the chance to spot one or the other dolphin or seal (especially if you go on a specialised tour!). For people who are not into beaches, the region is framed by the beautiful Cambrian Mountains, which are brimming with wildlife.
The area is also home to the Barry Island pleasure park. This park is famous for its role in the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey. Unfortunately, the pleasure park has gone through some very tough time and has been closed in September 2014, so it currently is not possible to go inside. The future of the park is unknown, but fans of the series can still stroll around the area, and/or visit some of the other parks in the area.
Aberystwyth, with around 15,000 inhabitants, is the biggest town in Ceredigion – and for many visitors it seems like a rather small place, especially when you come from a country with bigger cities! Even though it might be small, Aberystwyth has a lot to offer, especially if you love books.
Aberystwyth is home to the National Library of Wales – and that library is home to five million books. It's a very impressive library to visit! Aberystwyth is also home to the largest camera obscura you can find anywhere on the planet. Not bad for a town with just 15,000 inhabitants, right? In addition to that, the town also has a fantastic centre for arts, a marina, and a couple of lovely beaches. It is a perfect base to explore the surrounding Ceredigion area as the public transport connections are as excellent as you can get them in Wales.
If you feel like something even smaller, then you can head to any of the little towns and villages. Every single one of them has something to offer, e.g. Cardigan, a charming market town, or Borth which has a fine, golden, shallow beach that stretches for about three miles. Lampeter is the place to visit if you would like to see the place that had the third oldest college (after Cambridge and Oxford) in the UK. It still has the university, but compared to other university towns it is a small place, so small that it is the UK's smallest university town!
The Cardigan Bay coast and the beaches in the area are a great place if you would just like to relax. Choose Cardigan itself as your base, and relax, explore or take a tour to go dolphin watching. The coastal area has plenty of charm. There are little coves, some of them you might even have for yourself, tiny little ports, plenty of wildlife to see, and also a lot of activities if you had enough of lying around on the beach!
There are horse, pony and sheep shows in the countryside if you feel like something more rural. The Ceredigion countryside is like a landscape taken out of a picture book: rolling hills, burbling streams, flocks of sheep and farms. The silver lead miners and historic monks, however, have also left their mark, and there is plenty to explore if you would like to learn more about the complex history of Wales.
The river valleys in Ceredigion are so beautiful that you can just stand there and be captivated by the beauty of it all. There are plenty of river valleys in Ceredigion, and they all offer fantastic walking trails, and some rivers also have excellent canoeing and kayaking options for you. Whatever you decide to do in the river valleys: don't forget to take a camera (preferably in a water-proof bag, just to be on the safe side)!
The Cambria Mountains are a fascinating place to visit. Not only can you spend days just wandering around the beautiful landscape where some of the main rivers of Ceredigion start and where you can find little, charming lakes, but you can also learn about the big water reservoirs that supply a lot of people with fresh water, about the mining industry, and about how upland farms and communities work towards being more sustainable.
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It's so easy to lose track of your decor when the children come along, but Space and Shape's clever interior design hacks will keep you on track, no matter how many times you tread on a Lego brick nor how often you have to wipe baby food off the wall!
Image credit: http://bit.ly/1UQwtBW
Art on show
Forget the blobby muddy pictures held on the fridge door with magnets - celebrating the creativity of your little ones is a great way to get them thinking about shape, colour and form so they discover how to use design in their own lives. An art wall is quick to create, easy to curate and brings life and imagination to your interiors.
Image credit: http://bit.ly/1NIZ7bo
Store with style
There is no need to have neon-bright 'kiddie' storage systems. Either the Roadie Chic small sideboard or Amelie Solid Oak Toy Box / Blanket Box is an ideal storage solution for parents with messy kids - they are both awesome looking pieces of furniture. The sideboard is made from largely reclaimed wood, so it's great for the planet and it's on wheels, so the storage can come to the mess, rather than the mess being taken to the storage!
Bring the outdoors inside
No, not houseplants or sand-pits (although those are both great ideas if you have the space) but outdoor quality rugs and flooring. There's just no getting away from the fact that children drop things on the floor all the time and an outdoor or high-traffic carpet or rug is a fantastic investment as they don't stain easily, are less likely to develop wear patterns and rugs at least can often be thrown in the washing machine!


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What a week. Not only did we get finally get the bizarre and unique God of Blades, Rovio went ahead and hit us with our top game of the week, Bad Piggies. Revisit the world of Angry Birds in this vehicle-building puzzler, packed with charm. We've also got a remake of The Last Express, a […]
What a week. Not only did we get finally get the bizarre and unique God of Blades, Rovio went ahead and hit us with our top game of the week, Bad Piggies. Revisit the world of Angry Birds in this vehicle-building puzzler, packed with charm. We've also got a remake of The Last Express, a great adventure game from the creator of Prince of Persia, a continuation of the Cartoon Wars saga, a sequel to Monsters Ate My Condo, and a great apocalyptic shooter. Here are this week's top iPhone games.
Bad Piggies ($0.99)
Whether it's playing as Bowser in one of the many Super Mario RPGs or teaming with Doctor Eggman in a Sonic game, every big villain eventually gets their own time in the spotlight. The boys who brought us the Angry Birds are back, but this time, that avian anger is nowhere in sight. Those mean, green, egg-stealing machines, the Bad Piggies, get to be the protagonists this time around. Your job is to use a grid and a pre-set group of items to build your own quirky, out-of-the-box vehicle for the pigs to ride in. Suddenly, Rovio's Casey's Contraptions acquisition makes a lot more sense. It's a totally different kind of game, but like Angry Birds, it's streamlined and accessible to anyone. It's great to see something truly new from the Angry Birds universe.
The Last Express ($4.99)
Now here is an interesting title. It's a port of a late nineties adventure game that takes place on the Orient Express just before the start of World War I. It wasn't very popular, but it was critically acclaimed, and it's great that this game has this chance to reach a new audience thanks to DotEmu, with updated production values to boot. It was actually created by Jordan Mechner, the creator of the Prince of Persia. It's has a great, character-driven story, and is very non-linear with multiple possible outcomes. Many elements of the game are historically accurate as well. Definitely give it a look.
Download the Appolicious Android app
God of Blades ($2.99)
This game would easily have topped our list this week if not for a new Rovio release, but it deserves your attention just as much, if not more so than Bad Piggies, especially if you're a core gamer. It's a side-scrolling hack-and-slash adventure game inspire by the Conan-style pulp fantasy of the seventies, with synthetic / progressive rock aesthetics. It creates a mythos and universe that feels right at home in those seventies fantasy/sci-fi hybrid titles, with a fantastically strange art style. The combat is fluid and fun, with even a bit of rhythm to it. Definitely give this one a look. It's unlike anything else you'll play this year, I assure you.
Super Monsters Ate My Condo ($0.99)
Monsters Ate My Condo was one of the first games to come from a third-party partnership with Adult Swim, kick starting what has been a great series of witty or wacky titles. Now, they revisit that game with this sequel, where the monsters are bigger, the condos are tastier, and the fun is non-stop. Some of the cool features include new types of condos and special boosts that you can equip to help yourself out. PikPok even took a page from Team Fortress 2's book, letting you unlock different hats for the monsters, raising your multipliers. The visuals are as colorful and eye-popping as ever, and you just need to download this if you're looking for a casual arcade title. Simple as that.
Apocalypse Max: Better Dead Than Undead ($2.99)
And here we have a game for more old school gamers. It's a side scrolling shoot-em-up, not unlike Metal Slug or Contra, only in a post apocalyptic Mad Max style world with lots and lots of zombies in it. The hand-drawn art style is unique and beautiful, with a great use of color. This game is packed with enemies, and even more so with weapons, and most importantly, it actually plays and controls very well. Don't let the fact that this is a zombie game put you off; it's more than worth playing.
Cartoon Wars Blade ($0.99)
While I was never in great love with the franchise, the massively popular Cartoon Wars universe has returned in Cartoon Wars Blade. We had Cartoon Wars 2: Heroes earlier this year as a sequel to the castle defense side of things, but this is more like a sequel to Cartoon Wars: Gunner, only with a melee focus. You can unlock and tri-wield various weapons as you cut your way through swathes of enemies in this never-ending action game. Gamevil has added some new features as well, including the ability to unlock various wacky or cool-looking helmets. This should easily satisfy fans of the previous games.


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Comment questions of the day:
1.Is Demi a cutter?! Should we have an intervention!?
2.If you could have any car- what would it be?
3. Who do you admire more? Oprah for saying she is fat or Tara Reid for going to rehab (not a trick question) LOL!
4. Who turned out hotter of the Full House girls- DJ, Stephanie or Olsen Twins?
5. Any other comments - SAY IT YO!


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By Jane Partridge
Project Coordinator
Visions for Early Learning
The Masai tribe in Kenya is legendary for its fierce and mighty warriors. Because of their fearsome reputation, it might surprise you that the traditional greeting among the Masai is,
And how are the children?
This acknowledges the high value the tribe places on children's well-being.
Even warriors without children of their own answer by saying: "All the children are well."
"All the children are well," means that life is good. That despite the daily struggle for existence, peace and safety prevail; that the priorities of protecting the young and vulnerable are in place; and that society has not forgotten its reason for being. …
If we could keep this question always at the forefront of our minds just imagine the possibilities. Imagine if every parent, every educator, every policymaker, indeed every person … could truly say without hesitation … "our community is good for the children."
— Sandra Romero, Thurston County Commissioner and Chair of The Thurston Council for Children and Youth
Imagine the possibilities of every legislator, every policymaker, every parent, every educator, using the lens suggested by Thurston County Commissioner Sandra Romero: Is it good for the children?
That question has jumped onto the front page on the heels of Washington Gov. Inslee's $2.3 billion education plan, which Inslee notes addresses the legal, moral and economic imperative of fully funding kindergarten through 12th grade. Gov. Inslee's plan also includes significant funding around increasing access to preschool programs for children from low-income families; funding for programs for children with special needs and to increase the number of families receiving home visiting services; and continued funding for programs designed to improve quality in child care.
Early learning professionals within our state's early learning coalitions see firsthand the benefits for children and families that can result from the early interventions recognized in Gov. Inslee's budget. His plan has earned early learning a place on the state and national stage – but also makes it part of a discussion that will likely focus less on children and more on the realities of statutory wrangling, legal compliance and the realities of a state budget.
As a state and as a nation, however, awareness is increasing that what is good for the children is, in fact, actually good for the community. Increasing numbers of studies cite the health, social and economic benefits of investments in prenatal intervention, home visiting programs and quality early learning.
Studies by health insurance companies, likely devised to identify ways to reduce health care costs, have proven the impact of childhood trauma on adult health.
The Adverse Childhood Experiences study
Quality early learning opportunities are linked to outcomes such as increased employment and income for adults, as well as better metabolic and cardiovascular health measures.
Early Childhood Investments Substantially Boost Adult Health
Similar results are linked to weekly interventions by home visiting professionals; their visits focus on parenting skills and encouraging development of cognitive and social-emotional skills. A study of home visiting clients showed that years later, children who had received home visiting saw earnings increased by 25 percent.
Labor Market Returns to an Early Childhood Stimulation Intervention in Jamaica
If, indeed, the lens of early learning must be viewed through its benefits to the adult population and the bottom line of a state budget, the evidence exists for our state's legislators to support early learning. Advocacy efforts can focus on the studies that prove it.
Further Reading
Governor's $2.3 billion education plan focuses on student success
Offer opportunities for our youngest learners with high-quality early learning, $156.3 million total. Makes the largest-ever state investment in early learning. It invests in proven programs to ensure more students start kindergarten ready to learn. First, $79.8 million is provided for 6,358 new spaces, which includes more full-day slots, in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, the state's preschool program for children from low-income families. With the additional spaces, a total of 16,449 children from low-income families will have access to preschool. The state will continue to improve child care quality by providing $70.5 million for the state's Early Achievers child care rating program that trains child care providers in effective early learning strategies. This investment will reach 50,639 more children. To meet rising demand for intervention services provided through the Early Support for Infants and Toddlers program, the state will also provide $4.0 million for 1,500 more children with special needs. And $2.0 million will be used to increase the number of families receiving home-visiting services.
Do Politicians Love Kids?
The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study
Over 17,000 Kaiser patients participating in routine health screening volunteered to participate in The Study. Data resulting from their participation continues to be analyzed; it reveals staggering proof of the health, social, and economic risks that result from childhood trauma.
Creating Opportunity for Families: A Two-Generation Approach, by the Annie E. Casey Foundation
A new KIDS COUNT policy report makes the case for creating opportunity for families by addressing the needs of parents and their children simultaneously. Creating Opportunity for Families: A Two-Generation Approach describes a new approach to reducing poverty, which calls for connecting low-income families with early childhood education, job training and other tools to achieve financial stability and break the cycle of poverty — and recommends ways to help equip parents and children with what they need to thrive.
- Explore data related to families with young children in the KIDS COUNT Data Center
- Learn more about KIDS COUNT
- Find additional resources on two-generation approaches to reducing family poverty
Early Childhood Investments Substantially Boost Adult Health
Investing in children has been demonstrated to improve their lives, both during the school-age years and afterward, as assessed by outcomes such as employment and income; furthermore, these investments often help those in the most need. Campbell et al. (p. 1478) report that these investments can also lead to improved adult health. Results from a randomized and intensive intervention that involved 122 children in four cohorts recruited in the 1970s suggest that full-day child care for the first 5 years of life has produced adults in their 30s with better metabolic and cardiovascular health measures.
Labor market returns to an early childhood stimulation intervention in Jamaica
The intervention consisted of weekly visits from community health workers over a 2-year period that taught parenting skills and encouraged mothers and children to interact in ways that develop cognitive and socioemotional skills. The authors reinterviewed 105 out of 129 study participants 20 years later and found that the intervention increased earnings by 25%, enough for them to catch up to the earnings of a nonstunted comparison group identified at baseline (65 out of 84 participants).
- Birth to Thrive Blog, Posts by Coalitions, Posts by West Central
- Posts by West Central Early Learning Regional Coalition


text: This video would be of interest to founders wanting to learn more about common legal issues that startups encounter. It is a compilation of excerpts from a one and half hour talk presented at Barclays Rise. The video touches briefly upon the need for a cofounders' agreements, deciding between a company structure and a partnership, understanding trademark issues, negotiating angel round termsheet, and anticipating regulatory issues.


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Brompton Straight Jeans
Product variations
Color: PLEASE SELECT
size: PLEASE SELECT
Fit: PLEASE SELECT
Our Brompton Straight Jeans are new and improved, in an on-trend ankle grazer length and authentic straight leg fit. The waist is a flattering mid-rise, and we've made them using a non-stretch denim to wear longer and keep their durability. Non-stretch jeans will naturally stretch with wear to suit your frame and fit.
For the best fit and feel, try going one size bigger than your usual size.
- Non-stretch denim
- Mid-rise waist
- Flattering straight cut
- Soft non-stretch denim
- Zip & button fly
- Chunky contrast stitching for an authentic look
Caring about cotton
96% of our cotton is sustainably sourced. By 2020, it will be 100%. Read more here.
Product code: 948256
- Inside leg: 27" / 69cm
Care Instructions
- 100% cotton
- Machine washable
Free Standard Shipping on orders over $75 ($5 otherwise).
Standard Shipping: 2-5 working days.
Returns Information
Need to send something back? We now offer FREE returns!
Returns Policy
We really hope you like your purchase, but if you need to send anything back, just email email@example.com with your order number beginning USF and we'll send you a pre-paid returns label. We are happy for you to return items to us within 30 days from receipt for full price items and 15 days for items bought during the sale.
- bvseo_sdk, dw_cartridge, 16.1.1, p_sdk_3.2.0
- CLOUD, getContent, 129ms
- reviews, product
- bvseo-msg: Unsuccessful GET. status = ERROR, msg = Not Found.;


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Configure Postfix to Forward E-mail to an External Address
If you're new to running your own web server or VPS, you may find the need to configure email addresses. Due to it's popularity and proven stability, Postfix was used for this example and was tested used Debian 6 Squeeze. The following tutorial will outline the steps required for creating new email address for virtualhosts hosted on your server that forward to an external email address such as Yahoo! Mail, Gmail, Hotmail, or any other address that you desire.


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The Reds went down 3-1 at the Riverside - compounding a miserable season.
Danny Wilson said, "We started to believe in the second half but sadly we made a mistake. This isn't about one game it's about all season."
"To prolong it for so long when we were constantly written off is a credit in itself. It'll take a bit of getting over but we will.
We'll start planning for next season. The boys are hurting like mad. One thing is very clear - it needs starting again.
"There'll be a lot of changes, I'm sure, but it'll be for the better.
"You can't fault the boys. Certain times in the game you need that quality in abundance and we haven't got it in key areas.
"It's been a pattern and we've not scored enough goals. That's been the main problem. It's a horrible feeling.
"Without the fans we probably would have folded before. They're true fans. It's up to us to produce and win games because that's what the fans deserve."


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HumanSport® Lat Pulley
Model HSLP3
With a design inspired by the graceful, natural motions of the human body, HumanSport® offers a truly unique and human way of conditioning. HumanSport® is so simple, so intuitive and so natural that it feels as if it were custom-built for each and every user. Six dual-function, cable based machines act as twelve workout stations by utilizing dual weight stacks to provide a wide range of total body training. Paired with a variety of included programming designed by our own Master Trainers, HumanSport makes a powerful addition to any facility.
Length 58 in (147 cm)
Width 58 in (147 cm)
Height 83 in (211 cm)
Stack Weight Capacity 2x 88 lbs (2x 40 kg)
Product Weight 655 lbs (298 kg)
- Multiple pulling motions including frontal plane and sagittal plane pull, rotational pull and unilateral pull
- Drop-down seat for enhanced training options in the standing position
- Seated stable, seated unstable and standing positions can be utilized
- Unilateral or bilateral use
- Knee pad adjustment stabilizes users lifting heavy loads
- Wheelchair accessible


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An Act relative to subdivision bonds
By Mr. Michael O. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 958) of Michael O. Moore, James B. Eldridge and Paul K. Frost for legislation to approve subdivision bonds by the planning board. Municipalities and Regional Government.
Bill Information
Bill Information
- Presenter:
- Michael O. Moore
- Status:
- Referred to House Committee on Bills in the Third Reading
|Michael O. Moore
|Second Worcester
|James B. Eldridge
|Middlesex and Worcester
|Paul K. Frost
|7th Worcester
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.


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Submitted by Joe Yasinksi and Dan Flynn of GBI,
Have you seen Robert Triffin?
"It was the outcome of an unbelievable collective mistake, which, when people become aware of it, will be viewed by history as an object of astonishment and scandal"
-Jaques Reuff 1972
The obscure Belgian economist Robert Triffin is not only very dead he also isn't exactly a household name, yet. Triffin, who died in 1993 studied at Harvard, taught at Yale, worked at the Federal Reserve, the IMF, and was a key contributor to the formation of the European monetary system. Triffin exposed serious flaws in the Bretton Woods monetary system and perfectly predicted it's inevitable demise yet his work remains largely ignored and unstudied by today's mainstream economists. This "flaw" became known as the Triffin dilemma, and many believe Triffin's dilemma has as serious implications today as it did 50 years ago. In short, Triffin proposed that when one nations currency also becomes the worlds reserve asset, eventually domestic and international monetary objectives diverge. Have you ever wondered how it's possible that the USA has run a trade deficit for 37 consecutive years? Have you ever considered the consequences on the value of your Dollar denominated assets if it eventually becomes an unacceptable form of payment to our trading partners? Thankfully for those of us trying to navigate the current financial morass, Robert Triffin did.
Prior to the 1944 Bretton Woods agreement, central banks used gold as the asset to back their currencies. By the end of World War II, the United States had established itself as the world's creditor and largest holders of gold. Under the 1944 Bretton Woods agreement, the US Dollar was fully backed by gold at a fixed value of 1/35th an ounce per dollar, and foreign Central Banks could use US Dollar assets as reserves backing their currency, in lieu of gold. This agreement avoided the inevitable deflationary pressure a return to pre-war gold/currency ratios would have forced just as Europe was beginning to rebuild, and allowed US debt held abroad to be used as an asset by central banks against their local currencies.
In the 1960's Triffin observed that there existed an excess of dollars offshore relative to the gold available to tender at the set $35 price. He hypothesized that given foreign central bank demand for dollars as reserves, the trend of a growing and continuing glut of dollars was going to continue unabated. It would continue until the excess reserves would so clearly be many multiples of the gold available to satisfy them that enough countries would start tendering dollars for gold and eventually the entire scheme would collapse. Triffin went as far as congress in 1960 to testify that the system as currently devised could not possibly maintain both liquidity and a stable value in the dollar and eventually, the agreement would prove unsustainable. As Triffin predicted, on August 15, 1971 the United States closed the gold window as Richard Nixon came on national television and defaulted on US gold obligations while national gold reserves drained from over 20,000 tons to 8,133 tons. Up until Nixons actions, foreign sovereigns tendered their dollars for gold at an increasing pace. On that day, nations that were holding US dollars because they were "as good as gold" were left with paper promises and nothing more.
At that time, the world was at a crossroads. Would foreign governments and trade partners continue to accept fully fiat US Dollars? The alternative was a deflationary return to a hard (pre-Bretton Woods) gold standard. It can be argued that structural support was granted to the dollar given the fact that with cheap oil, the US economy was expanding at a pace far more rapid than the growth in US government debt. They rationalized that US dollar was still a claim on future growth and production and the rest of the world was lifting it's standard of living as well. Going backwards to the last failed monetary regime was politically unappealing.
And so the US dollar hegemony continues to this day. The dollar is fully entrenched as the settlement currency for international trade. As of today if any nation wants to buy oil, the lifeblood of the global economy, they pay in dollars. This alone, along with demand for foreign reserves create an unnatural demand for US assets, specifically treasury debt. Robert Triffin opined that the collapse of Bretton woods did not solve his dilemma because the country that supplies the world with it's reserve asset in the form of their currency and debt will still be forced to supply an excess of this reserve to satisfy world demand and thus, run a trade deficit in perpetuity. Such a dynamic can not exist under the natural laws of economics, it can only survive only with active and unanimous political support and intervention.
The issue facing the modern United States is that since the rest of the world uses the US dollar as a reserve behind their own currencies, that demand has allowed the United States to run a deficit in perpetuity and the mechanics of this trade has allowed the US to export price inflation abroad. Quite simply, the US imports real goods in excess of the real goods it exports. The deficit balance minus service exports is made up with printed US dollars. Our trade partners ship/recycle the same dollars back to the United States in exchange for US Treasury Debt. The US Treasuries are held as reserves on the balance sheet of their central bank, and local currency printed against those new reserves. This process, although inflationary for our trade partner, allows them to keep their currency weak vs the US Dollar and prices cheap for US consumers.
Every nation on earth other than the United States has a limit to their potential trade deficit confined by their existing reserves plus their borrowing capacity. Not only does the US have the capacity to run a perpetual and growing trade deficit but the rest of the world actually demands us to run a balance of payment deficit or else their reserves will have to shrink, along with their credit, currency and economy. Good deal for us, no? This situation means that for 40 years our trade partners have not only tolerated, but dysfunctionally enabled our perpetual deficits. The United States has had the "exorbitant privilege" of being the issuer of the worlds' reserve currency. We've all enjoyed the benefits, now comes the pain.
Sure enough as Triffin foretold the US trade surplus began shrinking immediately after the collapse of Bretton Woods and transitioned to a permanent trade deficit by 1975, never to return to a surplus to date, 37 years later. The previously stable national debt (with a permanent ceiling of $400 billion dollars) has ballooned to over $16 trillion dollars, a multiple of 40 times what it was during the previous monetary regime. Given this 4-decade perpetual trade deficit with the rest of the world and "hyperinflation" of US dollar credits and claims, many have wondered how the US has avoided massive price inflation at home.
Triffin's dilemma continues to play an important role in the ongoing financial crisis the world has found itself in since 2008. The governor of the Peoples Bank of China specifically referenced Triffin's Dilemma as the root cause of the current financial disorder and suggested an immediate effort to transition away from the US dollar to avoid more catastrophic consequences.
The US Council on Foreign Relations aptly describes why Triffin's dilemma becomes unsustainable:
"To supply the world's risk-free asset, the center country must run a current account deficit and in doing so become ever more indebted to foreigners, until the risk-free asset that it issues ceases to be risk free. Precisely because the world is happy to have a dependable asset to hold as a store of value, it will buy so much of that asset that its issuer will become unsustainably burdened."
Have we reached the day when the United States has become unsustainably burdened? Can US debt honestly be considered to still be risk free? S&P certainly doesn't think so, neither does our second largest creditor, China (after our own Federal Reserve) who has been a net seller of US government debt for some time now. And where will the world go to find another dependable asset to hold as a store of value?
Triffin's endgame is simple. A rapid diversification of reserves out of the dollar by foreign central banks. This diversification out of the dollar is only possible given a viable alternative. More and more nations are agreeing to unilateral trade agreements settled in their individual currencies. With each new agreement, global demand for the dollar wanes. It is no coincidence that QE1 coincided with China and the rest of the world backing off demand for US treasury debt. The amounts of QE2 and QE3 match perfectly (or close enough for government work) with US trade deficits from 2009 to today. Given the US Government's seemingly permanent addiction to "free" foreign goods, the trade deficit appears to be irreversible. The extreme danger for those of us in the United States, holding assets denominated in US dollars, is that the Fed is actively creating base money to feed the addiction. As the monetary base grows, the value of existing US dollar denominated assets and credit is devalued. One way to protect against this debasement of your savings is to do as the central banks do – acquire and hold physical gold bullion.
The blueprint for this alternative has been in plain sight since the late 1990's, and if you watch what central banks do – not what they say – you can benefit.
For the first time in FOUR DECADES, global central banks have become net buyers of gold. This central bank demand has been driven by countries that previously had an insatiable appetite for US treasury debt – most notably China. After 40 years, the political and structural support for US dollar holdings abroad is slipping away. Foreign central banks know that the only way to protect their reserves (and defend the value of their home currency), is by holding gold. Their preparations are well under way.
Just as central banks are increasing their gold purchases, private citizens also are exercising their right to diversify their own private reserves. But given the still infinitesimal rates of gold ownership (1% tops most estimates) there is a long way to go. Why shouldn't the average person do what the big boys are doing? Diversifying out of the dollar, out of paper currencies and making sure their assets aren't someone else's liability seem prudent for everyone in times like there. Here at GBI, we see ourselves as a way for every investor to have the choice on how to save their stored labor. We want to make it as easy to buy and sell gold as it is to move money from your savings account to your checking account. We can all walk in the footsteps of the giants, as a Friend and mentor is apt to say.
As a bonus, if gold was to become the worlds foremost reserve asset, would that not finally solve good old Triffins dilemma? Wouldn't gold serving as the preferred global saving vehicle and fiat continuing to serve as the worlds spending vehicle finally break the natural tension Triffin has so aptly illuminated for us? Perhaps, but given golds stable supply and other unique features (see our next essay titled "Forget Supply and Demand, it's all Stock to Flow."), it would by necessity be at a much higher price to function in that reserve role. Some estimates put that potential price into the many tens of thousands of dollars, and given a monetary and fiscal path that seems to be following Triffin's fateful trajectory, how could any price be ruled out?


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(Reuters) - The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's reputation of academic superiority is well chronicled. But the private research university is now excelling in a sector of society once deemed unthinkable for a bastion of brainpower: football.
MIT is undefeated going into its last regular season game on Saturday against the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and headed to the Division III playoffs.
"I hate to say it - because people say it a lot - but back in high school I wasn't even sure MIT had a football program," said senior wide receiver Brad Goldsberry, a Colorado native majoring in electrical engineering and computer science.
"I'm hoping that's becoming less common."
The architect of the school's new-found gridiron greatness is 42-year-old Chad Martinovich, a soft-spoken coach who has the team riding a never-before-seen three-year winning streak.
He endures the kinds of problems you might expect coaching a bunch of rocket scientists.
"It's both rewarding and challenging at the same time," Martinovich said. "You can throw a lot at them from a mental standpoint in terms of memorization - scheme and techniques.
"What we have to break them of is paralysis of analysis, where they tend to overthink things and it slows them down as athletes. We're always saying, 'Don't think, just play.'"
Goldsberry said he enjoys football because it gives him a chance to "not think." He said it's natural for MIT players to be analytical because their days in class revolve around problem-solving.
Still, the books versus ball balancing act is a delicate one, he said.
"I'm much more productive during the season," Goldsberry said. "When you have your whole day lined out, you need to be efficient. People here try to do as much as possible, as well as possible."
The team cannot escape MIT's cerebral roots, as its moniker is (of course) the Engineers.
The mascot? Tim (MIT spelled backwards), a beaver, chosen 100 years ago, the school says, "because of its remarkable engineering and mechanical skill and its habits of industry."
The team's brainy reputation won a place in pop culture decades ago when late comedian George Carlin read the scoreline "MIT, 3 to the 4th power."
No one is suggesting MIT is ready to take on undefeated and top-ranked Mississippi State, as the list of its victims this year includes Becker College, Salve Regina University, Pomona-Pitzer, and Maine Maritime.
But it's hard to find fault with an 8-0 team that's averaging more than 42 points a game heading into Saturday's regular season finale.
MIT dropped football in 1901, 15 years after it lost a game to Yale 96-0, but resurrected the program in 1988. The lean years have disappeared since Martinovich arrived on campus six years ago. Last year's 6-3 record set the table for this year's stellar campaign.
"Four years ago, we didn't get a lot of people out to the games," said senior running back Justin Wallace, who has scored 16 touchdowns this season while averaging an eyebrow-raising 7.4 yards per carry. "We do now."
With 81 Nobel laureates having ties to MIT, the perception of the student body is one of bookish scholars. With 33 varsity sports, however, there aren't just a bunch of academics walking around the Cambridge campus just outside Boston.
"What people don't realize is that just about 25 percent of the undergraduate population at MIT are varsity athletes," Martinovich said. "That's the most in Division III nationwide.
"People don't think of that because all they think of is the stereotype."
Editing by Mary Milliken, Alan Crosby and Jeff Benkoe


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No. 17 Tulsa Ropes Mustangs
The only thing Tulsacoach Bill Self recognized about his 17th-ranked team Thursday night was the victory.
The Golden Hurricane saw most of a 20-point lead disappear before pulling away again for a 70-59 win over Southern Methodist(16-5, 4-3).
Tulsa (21-2, 6-1 Western Athletic Conference), normally cool under pressure, appeared so on edge that Self found little to praise except the final score.
Eric Coley scored 14 points for the Golden Hurricane, who forced 23 turnovers 15 on steals and blocked eight shots while holding the Mustangs (16-5, 4-3) to 24 percent shooting, including 1-of-18 from 3-point range.
"We were lucky tonight because they missed their shots," Self said. "Other than a win, I didn't see much good come out of this."
Foul trouble nearly cost the Golden Hurricane late.
Tulsa lost sixth-man David Shelton to fouls with 6 1/2 minutes to go, Coley fouled out with 3:18 remaining and center Brandon Kurtz, who had 10 points, did the same a minute later.
SMU (16-5, 4-3), which had second-half runs of 13-2 and 9-0, was able to get within four points in the final minutes before Tulsa pulled away.
"I think for the most part, any win is a good win," Coley said. "It got ugly out there, but we know we can play better."
Tony Heard added 11 points and four steals for the Golden Hurricane, while Marcus Hill had 10 points.
Jeryl Sasser had 15 points for the Mustangs, who finished with a 58-42 rebound advantage, while Willie Davis added 13 points and had four steals.
Both Sasser anDavis fouled out in the final minutes and SMU's rally fizzled.
"I admired their defense in the first half," SMU coach Mike Dement said of Tulsa. "They really bodied us well. They certainly have great scorers and have lots of guys that play. Their young guys are contributing. I'm proud of our guys for battling back."
Coley's 3-pointer with 7 1/2 minutes left in the first half made him only the second player in Tulsa history to register 1,000 career points, 500 rebounds and 200 steals.
©2000 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed


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National organising meeting
Saturday 2 March, 12-3pm
1-19 Torrington Place
University College London
Nearest tube: Goodge Street
Registration from 11.30am
Called by UCU London Region. Supported by UCU Left, Branch Solidarity Network.
UCU in Transformation – Education in Crisis
- After the HE pay ballot – where next?
- What next in the USS dispute?
- After the strikes: building for FE Round 3
- The Augur review, Brexit and the threat of university bankruptcy
The unprecedented USS strikes last year triggered a huge upswing in union activism and membership. HE strikes inspired FE branches to win ballots for pay, despite a decade-long starvation of funds, a million course places lost and redundancies to match. But how do union activists keep up the momentum in the face of new challenges and threats? Continue reading


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The Case for the Outer Harbour by Cameron Edwards
This is a presentation by Cameron Edward, a corporate and infrastructure advisor with decades of experience in infrastructure, industrial and port developments.
Cameron's presentation presents a compelling case supporting the new port at Kwinana as a better deal for Western Australia and more importantly – it will stimulate massive economic development in Kwinana and Fremantle, developing new industries with flow on effects around the area as well as new tourism and entertainment opportunities in Fremantle.
Key points of this presentation:
- excess capacity of existing port:
- Excess expansion capacity of the port as stated by Port Authority and the government is theoretical only. It serves to make the port look as attractive as possible and fetch the best price when it is sold.
- Length and depth of harbour is unsuitable for major current and future shipping vessels, leaving Freo behind most world class ports internationally and even in Australia.
- The Perth Freight Link (PFL) is also an essential part of the package to make the port more attractive to buyers.
- Who benefits from PFL and sale of port.
- Existing private logistics companies, as it stunts development of rail freight, which cannot be expanded into Freo port. But road freight is 2x the cost of rail, which is passed onto us – the consumers.
- Melbourne port, because Fremantle port cannot compete on the same scale.
- Investors, because they will be able – alongside the logistics companies – to dictate terms to the government as there is no opportunity to divest or grow.
- The solution is an outer harbour at Kwinana, which has been studied and investigated in detail for over 25 years now. The outer harbour will unlock many opportunities:
- Divestment of Freo port and development of a world class tourism terminal and entertainment precinct, which is not possible while it is hamstrung by a working port. This has been successfully done in many cities worldwide (Sydney, Cardiff, Singapore, Hamburg, Barcelona, Lisbon…)
- developed of a modern high through-put, deep water port with an integrated intermodal transport hub and a large scale industrial precinct to allow new industry to develop. The framework for all this is already in place.
- The benefits are:
- The redevelopment of he outer harbour and Freo waterfront Represent an estimated Net Present Value (NPV) cash contribution to GRP of $18bn, compared to less than $1bn for a Freo Port with the PFL.
- The outer harbour creates permanent jobs, many of which will be high income and for women. The PFL on the other hand creates temporary construction jobs, most of which are going to be taken by men only. It will create many more indirect jobs in the industrial areas surrounding the port.
- The outer harbour can remove large scal trannsport of all dangerous goods from metropolitan roads around Fremantle, Cockburn and Melville.
- Kwinana makes Sense for investors and property developers:
- Freo port land value can increase from the $2bn it is currently valued at to $4bn (tourism, residential, commercial land is much more valuable than industrial).
- private developers will develop the outer harbour if the package is right. The government will not need to finance the outer harbour itself. The Buckeridge group have already shown that there is an appetite by private investors and developers to pursue this option.
The PFL and sale of Freo Port on the other hand will wipe out these benefits and stunt development of Freo and an outer harbour for decades.


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Model Number
Pee-Wee popper bodies are the perfect size for bass and other warm water species, and they're made from Rainy's® premium soft foam. For best results, use a size 4 hook with Rainy's Pee-Wee Popper bodies. Each package includes 6 foam bodies.
Rainy's Foam Popper Paint is sold separately and can be found through item search for number 1099523


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The Perfect Custom Built Home: Whether you are looking for one floor or two this is the perfect home. With 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, this home for sale has 1749 square feet. You will want to be sure to put this one on your MUST SEE list.
Price Range:
Price range begins in the mid 300's
|1st Floor
|1749 sq. ft.
|1749 sq. ft.
|Opt. Second Floor
|308 sq. ft.
|54′-0″ x 56′-6″
Available in these developments in Charles County, MD:
- Canterleigh
- Davenleigh
Floor Plans
|First Floor Plan
|Second Floor Plan
Floorplans and Elevations are subject to change. Floorplan dimensions are approximate. Consult working drawings for actual dimensions and information. Elevations are artists' conceptions.


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Multan (Web Desk): In Shah Jamal, Muzaffargarh a newly-wed woman committed suicide after a fake 'faith healer' allegedly raped and tortured her as part of an exorcism.
Shah Jamal police reported, 20-year-old Nusrat Bibi lived in Goram Bagraoun and got married to Akram one month ago. Her mother-in-law Mumtaz Mai believed she was possessed and took her a local faith healer named Qari Iqbal for an exorcism.
According to police, Iqbal told Mai that Nusrat was under the influence of evil spirits and needed a 'healing treatment' to drive them out or she would not be able to have a child.
As part of the 'treatment', the fake faith healer tortured the young woman with hot knives and rods, leaving severe injuries on her hands, feet and body.
When Nusrat returned home, she consumed poison, said police, adding that she appeared to have also been raped before the torture, but a complete autopsy report has yet to be received.
The family took her to Shah Jamal District Hospital where she died.
Mai told police that she regularly went to the accused faith healer for spiritual advice and that is why she took Nusrat to him as well.
Upon the complaint, police raided Iqbal's workplace, but he had already escaped.
Further investigation is under way, the police said.
Monitoring Report!


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Ganesha Making using Kozhukattai maavu/Rice flour/Eco-Friendly Ganesha using Rice Flour
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Yay, finally the last post of the Buffet on Table, Mega BM!!! pheww, never thought i would do it and here i m at the finale!!!! Thanks a ton to my BM Family, for pushing me!!! Hugs to you all!!!
The final post on Bloggers choice, i present you how i made my first ever Ganesha, the eco-friendly way. Ganesha, the Lord of good beginnings, is here to end the September Mega BM post. I have never attempted to make my own ganesha before, coz i know me and art stand in opposite direction. But this Ganesh Chathurthi, seeing many home-made eco-friendly ganesha's i too wanted to try one.
I have made mine using Kozhukattai maavu/dumpling flour. It is pretty easy to make and all u need a little bit creativity to decorate. Trust me when i say you can do it, when i have made it to look like the Lord, i m sure anybody can do it!!!
This is the Ganesha i made for Chathurthi, named him Spice Ganesha. I couldn't take step-by-step pictures that time, so i made him again today just for clicks. Hope u like it and try it for your next pooja.
He is completely eco-friendly, you can say bye to him by dipping him any water body or keep a bowl full of water at home and immerse him there and use the water on your plants. So, lets begin the final post of this BM!!!! :)
1/2 cup Rice flour
1 cup of Water
1 tbsp of oil
A bit of patience and 1/2 an hour time.
2 or 3 tooth picks for support
2 or 3 tooth picks for support
For decoration
few cardamom pods for tusks, crown and earrings
peppercorns for eyes
peppercorns for eyes
Vermilion or Red food color
Turmeric or Yellow food color
- Boil water in pan, take flour in a large bowl. Add oil to the boiling water, take it off the stove and pour it over the flour, stir well using a wooden ladle. All the flour and wter should be well mixed. Keep it covered for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, when it is warm enough to touch, collect and knead the dough into a ball. Take a clean pooja plate to place the Ganesha. Now let us start. Hope the pictures are self-explanatory.
- Before you start, please understand that it is a delicate Ganesha. So, please do not handle him rough. Secondly it is made of rice flour, it is suitable only for 2 day pooja, where we bid him adieu the second day, so do not try this for 5 or 10 day pooja.
- Keep a bowl of water mixed with little oil by your side, Wet your hands whenever you shape a piece of dough, slightly wet dough sticks better.
Make 2 such logs of dough for the legs. Shape them like a question mark. Place one on the right side of the gnaesha like a stnading mountain and the other on the left side like a > shape.
Make 2 logs like this, shape one like a spoon for the left-hand of Ganesha and other like a spoon turned other way for right hand. place 4-5 small balls of dough on the left hand, to look like he is holding modagams.
Here your Ganesha is ready, decorate him as you wish. I have used vermilion and turmeric for the decoration. Cardamom pods for the tusks ad earrings. Peppercorns for eyes.


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A Project of Creative Capital
Shadow Play:
Tales of Urbanization of China
(by Lily X. Yang, He Li, Honglei Li)
The VR installation Shadow Play: Tales of Urbanization of China creates an opportunity for the audience to experience the changing landscapes of contemporary China. In four chapters, virtual installation sheds light upon real-life incidents such as clashes during land evictions resulting from urban expansion, children abductions, suicides of migrant workers, and predicaments involving the cultural and environmental degradation.
A multi-year project, Shadow Play remains in progress. Watch slides video below or visit project website for more details: http://lilyhonglei.com/shadowplay2
Shadow Play became part of the Rose Goldsen Archive of New Media Art at Cornell University in 2014. For more info, please visit the project that is on view via NRPA website: http://turbulence.org/Works/shadowplay/
The project "Shadow Play: Tales of Urbanization of China" receives support from Creative Capital, New Radio and Performing Art (NRPA) INC's net-art commission, Queens Council on the Arts in New York.
Land of Illusion
- Reconstituting History and Culture in Online Virtual World
Utilizing digital 3D environment and online performance, Land of Illusion reconstitutes Chinese history and culture, collapses past, present, and future into an amalgamation reflecting on relevant issues in China. The work interweaves Chinese folkloric traditions and globalization, superimposes its glorious past and elements from its chaotic and contradictory present to compose a multi-layered tale about free thinking. From the Great Firewall to the Sunken City near Three Gorges Dam, from the silenced Chinese girl to Butterfly Dream of Zhuang Tzu, the work uses visual metaphors to point to current social problems.
The video documentation of Land of Illusion is viewable at:
Land of Illusion is consisted of following online performances and installations developed during 2006 to 2009:
I. Trace - cultural meditations in Cyber Chinese Garden
Medium: Digital video, Online virtual world environment and performance, soundtrack.
Video Running Time: 7 minutes. Year of completion: 2006 - 2009. Size: varied.
Project collaborators: Daniel Shanks, Bill He Li
The video Trace is based on cyber Chinese garden environment haunted with ancient spirits. It visualizes Derrida's notion, "The trace is not a presence but is rather the simulacrum of a presence that dislocates, displaces, and refers beyond itself." In the beginning, Daiyu, the protagonist of Chinese classical novel Dream of the Red Chamber, is setting off from her room. Carrying her flower-hoe and basket, she intends to collect fallen petals and bury them in the garden in a late Spring day (figure 1). She wanders through the Peony Pavilion and West Tower, gazing on the petals drifting away on the stream (figure 2). In her deep meditation, three spirits appear from dimmed, submerged zone: Ji Kang (figure 3) is playing Song of Guang Ling before being decapitated for offending officials; Mi Heng (figure 4) is beating the drum while cursing the then Prime Minister and his aides; under the wall, Mengjiang is morning his husband who died during construction of The Great Wall of Emperor Qin. Through the mental process of 'lamenting, seeking, meditating and expressing,' Trace brings the spirit of these historic figures embodying free-thinking and expression in Chinese history to a global audience. [View Video Excerpt]
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II. Hundred Schools of Thought - performing in virtual world
Medium: digital video, online virtual world application (Second Life), soundtrack.
Completion year: 2008-2009. Size: varied
Project collaborator: Daniel Shanks, Scott Grant, Victoria Bury (SL name), Bill He Li
Utilizing online virtual world application, the work reflects Hundred Schools of Thought, the important cultural, social and political phenomenon occurring from Spring and Autumn to Warring States Period in ancient China. Our online performance stages how the scholars present their views freely, voice opposition or offer constructive proposal. The video highlights two legends of Hundred Schools of Thought (figure 5), including Han Fei Tzu's theory of Power, visualized through confrontation between people and dragon, and Zhuang Tzu's Butterfly Dream addressing the transformations of individual's identities. Although we interpret ancient themes, our point is commenting on current issues. For instance, the girl wearing a stained mask (figure 6) recalls SARS, bird flu and censorship problems in today's China, while the Butterfly Dream meditates on personal and cultural identities (figure 7)in context of a global society. [...more]
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figure 5
figure 6
figure 7
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III. The Sunken City - virtual environment concerning cultural heritage losses at Three Gorges
Medium: Online 3D virtual world platform, soundtrack. Completion year: 2008. Size: varied
Project collaborator: Bill He Li
The Sunken City (figure 8) comments the ongoing problem about cultural heritage losses at Three Gorges. The virtual construction is a recreation of a real historic site near Three Gorges Dam that causes cultural, social and environmental threats. The ghost-like female character wandering around the inundated place refers (figure 9) to Xishi, one of the renowned Four Beauties of ancient China, who dies from drowning in a river because of her relationship with the King Fuchai. The Sunken City is built on the west of Land of Illusion virtual environment. This direction is correspond with death according to ancient Chinese correlative cosmology providing essential influence on many aspects of traditional Chinese culture.
This virtual construction also functions as a prototype of our new project Three Gorges.
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figure 8
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IV. "Celebration!" - virtual installation reflecting 2008 Sichuan Earthquake and Beijing Olympic Game
Medium: Online 3D virtual world platform, soundtrack, Oil on paper.
Video running time: 2 minutes. Size: varied. Completion year: 2009.
The work is in memory of the student victims of Sichuan Earthquake in 2008, in context of that Investigation on the death toll of students has become a taboo in Chinese official media. Ironically, this virtual merry-go-around (figure 10) is built inside Water Cube, the swimming pool of Beijng Olympic Game held three months after the historic disaster. In the video document of the virtual environment constructed in online 3D world, the scene of collapsed schools in Sichuan is inundated by grandiose national celebration (figure 11). [View Video Document]
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figure 10
figure 11
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V. Monument 08 - Lunar New Year Event
Medium: Online 3D virtual world platform, soundtrack,
Video running time: 5 minutes. Size: varied. Completion year: 2009.
On the Lunar New Year Eve in January 2009, we invited online community members to experience the interactive artifacts. The Cloud Ladder is located in a giant Confucius' Chariot landed on Great Firewall surrounding our virtual garden (figure 12). In the video, a few people almost successfully reach the top of the ladder. Flipping skillfully, a male character is ascending along the Ladder. Dropping halfway down to the sea in a sudden, he reached an unknown place in where images of crushed bodies (figure 13), crowd gathering on square, and petitioners are haunting around in the form of blood red cut-paper (figure 14). Both Cloud Ladder and Confucius Chariot symbolize Chinese intellectual's political ambitions embodied by 'knowing the impracticable nature of the time, and yet will be doing them.' [View Video Document]
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figure 12
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VI. The Paradise of the Assassins
Medium: Online 3D virtual world platform, soundtrack. Video running time: 5 minutes. Size: varied. Completion year: 2008 - 2009.
Project collaborators: Daniel Shanks, Victoria Bury (SL name), Bill He Li
The work deploys video game tactics and virtual reality technology to create an opportunity that global audience can encounter Chinese history and folktales, and achieve a deeper understanding of heroism in China, as well as its implications of pursuing justice and individualism in the particular society. Paradise of the Assassins (figure 15, 16) is designed for performing at ImageRadio New Media Art Festival in Netherlands, 2008. It is a real time event during which audience in MAD emergent art center can experience the 3D environment and interact with our team members through virtual world interface. [View Video Document]
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figure 15
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Appendix. Cyber Museum of Contemporary Art - Land of Illusion as a multifunctional space
Medium: Digital video, online 3D virtual world platform, soundtrack. Video running time: 7 minutes. Size: varied. Completion year: 2009.
Project collaborators: DSL Collection of Contemporary Chinese Art
For more information about Cyber MoCA, please click here
Video Documentation of Cyber MoCA
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Exhibitions & Publications Since 2007, Land of Illusion has been presented at: Center for Advance Visual Studies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Axiom Center for New and Experimental Media in Boston, ImageRadio 2008 new media art festival in Netherlands, 2009 Boston Cyberart Festival, Eyebeam Art & Technology Center in New York, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, University of Massachusetts Lowell, FILE 2009 - Electronic Language International Festival in Sao Paulo, EVA 2010: Electronic Visualization and Arts Conference in London, Jamaica Flux '10 in New York, and Steinhardt School of Art at New York University, among others. The work is published by ASPECT: The Chronicle of New Media Art, volm.18 Export China, New Media Caucus journal, vol. 05 n. 01, Spring 2009 Foreignness and Translation in New Media in Chicago, Ars Hypermedia Spring Edition 2011 in Italy, DSL Cyber MoCA Catalog supported by DSL Collection of Chinese Contemporary Art in China, and Fine Arts Film: Social Reflections in Multimedia Art published in Germany, China – Living in between Real and Unrealby Xiaoying Yuan on China Sand - Art & Science Rearch in China, name a few. Land of Illusion project video documentation now is available for viewing on DVD launched at EVA 2010: Electronic Visualization & Arts, London.
©2006 - 2011 LILY & HONGLEI. All rights reserved. For further inquiries, please contact artists.


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GIS benefits organizations of all sizes and in almost every industry.
The Ministry of Works and Transport in Trinidad and Tobago has been moving forward with the tide of technology with the recent incorporation of geographic information systems (GIS) into its operations – it is envisioned that GIS will help to enhance planning and decision making, overall service delivery and act as a core element of the Ministry's communication strategy, moving forward.
Commonly known as a powerful mapping tool and the go-to technology for making better decisions about location, (GIS) lets us visualize, question, analyze, and interpret data to understand relationships, patterns, and trends.
"GIS is becoming essential to understanding what is happening and what will happen in geographic space. Once we understand, we can prescribe action. This new approach to management—managing geographically—is transforming the way organizations operate."
~ Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI)
Fundamentally, GIS helps improve and transform the way we communicate and connect to our stakeholders, customers and citizens, by providing the means to sharing information in a more visually appealing and interactive manner. GIS-based maps and visualizations greatly assist in situational awareness and story-telling. They are a new language that enriches communication between different entities - teams, departments, disciplines, professional fields, organizations and the public.
Newer developments such as story-maps Esri enable users to tell digital stories harnessing the power of geography, maps & GIS. To kick off its foray into the GIS arena, the MOWT recently developed two web-based GIS Story Maps namely, 1. An Interactive Projects Map and 2. A Coastal Erosion Story Map
The Ministry of Works and Transport - Interactive Projects Map is comprised of an interface with a series of maps designed to provide information about the projects being undertaken by the different Divisions and Units of the Ministry. The map gives an idea of the visual distribution of various projects, initiatives and activities and offers available details on each item shown. This map will periodically be updated as more information becomes available
The Coastal Erosion Story-Map is the brainchild of the Coastal Protection Unit (CPU), created and designed to highlight the issue of coastal erosion on the island. The Coastal Erosion Story Map is an essential part of the CPU's communication strategy to share information on a thematic issue to stakeholders and public, using a more interactive, visually appealing and immersive approach. The Story-Map seeks to create awareness about the coastal zone, highlight the most notable instances of coastal erosion happening around Trinidad's coastline, including at some of our well known and most loved beaches and some of the actions being taken to address the problem.


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Outlook on Steroids
- Author
- Karla Brandau
- Length
- 62 Pages
- ItemCode
e-Books: Delivered electronically,
Books/DVDs/CDs: 7-10 business days,
Newsletters: Delivered monthly
Product Description
If you have Microsoft Outlook installed on your computer, you have an amazing time-management tool at your fingertips. Unfortunately, many folks use Outlook for their primary email client without ever realizing its full, efficiency-enhancing potential.
Simply put, Outlook is much more than a sender and receiver of daily messages. Find out how to put Outlook's myriad time-management features into everyday practice to save both time and money!
Outlook on Steroids is a new manual developed by the staff of Inside Microsoft Office and authored by expert Karla Brandau. It's designed to take you through Outlook's advanced scheduling features step by step so that you can put them into practice right away.
In this indispensable handbook, you'll learn time-saving tips to help you organize your day, gain organizational tools to maximize your productivity, and even find out how to use Outlook to keep all members of a project team on the same, efficient schedule.
Outlook on Steroids will teach you to:
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Risotto is a big hit in our house. And brussels sprouts are one of my absolute favorites. I saw the idea for a bacon brussels sprouts risotto on Ari's Menu but then I completely redid it and made it my own. This might be my favorite risotto recipe now!
4 slices bacon (diced)
1 1/2 cup brussels sprouts
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1 cup arborio rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
32oz chicken broth
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Cut the brussels sprouts so that they are in fine strips, almost shredded. Place the chicken broth in a pot and bring to a boil then reduce the heat. In a pan, fry the bacon until crisp then remove from the pan and set to the side. Add the brussels sprouts to the bacon grease and saute until tender. Remove and add to the reserved bacon. Wipe the pan out then add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and heat over medium low heat. Saute the garlic for 30 seconds then add the rice and let cook for 2 minutes. Pour in the white wine and let cook until all of the wine has absorbed into the rice. Add the chicken brown 3/4 a cup at a time and let cook over medium low heat until the broth has absorbed and then repeat until all but 3/4 cup of the broth is left. Stir in the bacon, brussels sprouts and the last of the broth. Stir in the parmesan cheese until it has melted then serve.


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3 Ways to Prevent Bad Breath
Bad breath is not a major dental health issue, but it can cause massive disruptions in your day to day life and have major implications for your self-esteem. Thankfully, there are a number of things that you can do to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth that causes bad breath and improve your overall dental health.
Though it's the advice that you hear every time you go the dentist, it actually has practical implications. Flossing your teeth can remove any food that has gotten caught between your teeth and prevent it from building up plaque and bacteria that can cause bad breath.
If you have issues motivating yourself, you should make use of floss picks, which are small plastic handles with a piece of floss tightened between the arms, to make the job easier, instead of using regular floss, which requires a certain amount of acrobatics with your fingers. As long as you floss at the same time you brush your teeth, you should see a marked decrease in your bad breath.
A little known fact is that a dry mouth can actually contribute to bad breath. This is because water and saliva can help remove loose food particles and bacteria, thus improving the overall amount of cleanliness in your mouth. Simply remembering to drink several glass of water throughout the day can help improve your overall dental health and reduce your bad breath at the same time.
Tongue Scrapers
Though it may seem a little ridiculous at first, tongue scrapers can greatly reduce your bad breath. This is because your tongue takes up a significant portion of the surface area in your mouth, and is one of the ideal places for bacteria to take up residence. A tongue scraper can remove the white flaky buildup that can be hard to remove with a regular toothbrush, thus improving your overall dental cleanliness. In a similar train of thought, you should make sure to use your toothbrush to clean the inside of your cheeks and the roof of your mouth to remove any bacteria that may have built up there as well.
Avoid Certain Foods
You should stay away from foods that naturally have a strong odor, such as onions, garlic, and certain types of cheeses. In addition, you should avoid smoking or using any tobacco products as much as possible. Beyond basic health benefits, reducing your tobacco intake will drastically improve the quality of your breath.
For more information about oral health, contact clinics like Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.


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Posted on 10 Nov, 2016
Busting Myths Behind High Cholesterol
There are many myths around high cholesterol and foods containing cholesterol. In this blog we will explore and bust some of these myths!
Myth: Eggs are bad because they raise your cholesterol!
Myth Busted: Eating any cholesterol does not result in overall higher cholesterol in the blood.
Why? Because the body regulates the level of cholesterol in the blood regardless of how much you eat.
Are there exceptions to this rule? Yes, two:
- A genetic condition called Familial Hypercholesterolemia which affects 1 in 500 people, where a person's liver expresses much less LDL receptors and is therefore unable to clear 'used' cholesterol in LDL particles from the blood
- Cases of LOW cholesterol can be improved by eating more cholesterol; this is normally related to hypo caloric states, or liver disease, hyperthyroidism or cancer.
Cholesterol is a complex subject but the overview is very simple.
We need cholesterol to live, and we need a lot of it.
The body regulates how much cholesterol it needs to have in the blood, and at different times of the day, week, month or year it needs different amounts. We need more cholesterol when we are stressed, ill, pregnant, growing, injured, training, working hard or eating a bad diet that damages our body, and we need less when we are sedentary, relaxed, well, and generally chilled out and eating a good diet!
Cholesterol gets into our blood in two ways:
- Most of it is made by our liver
- The rest…max 20%…comes from our food.
Egg yolks contain a lot but all animal foods contain cholesterol because it is in the cell membranes, so the fat and the lean both contain cholesterol. If we ate no cholesterol at all (as a vegan might) we'd still end up with the right amount the body needs at any given moment, it's just that the liver would have to work that bit harder to make it all.
That's one cholesterol myth busted…the amount of cholesterol we eat, whether from eggs or anywhere, does not affect the total amount we end up with in our blood save for the above exceptions.
Low cholesterol
Low cholesterol is a big risk factor for mental diseases like depression or dementia and even for cancer. In fact research tells us that low cholesterol is a risk factor for more diseases than high cholesterol!
Is high cholesterol a bad thing at all?
The level fluctuates regularly but if it is chronically elevated then we should be concerned. The longer cholesterol stays high the more prone it is to oxidisation, the more oxidised it becomes the greater the propensity to induce foam cell production and arterial occlusion as a result of inflammation.
Over the long term we want the goldilocks amount in our blood...not too much, not too little…just right!
High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease for some people, in general people are better off with their cholesterol somewhere within the 'goldilocks' range, but many people with high cholesterol are healthy and never get heart disease, and many people with heart disease never get high cholesterol. This is because heart disease is not due to high cholesterol alone therefore focussing solely on high cholesterol is of limited benefit.
There are several factors involved in heart disease and different people are affected in different ways by one or more of the following:
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Inflammation in the arteries
- Stress or grief
- Fatty liver (steatosis)
- Obesity
- Autoimmune conditions
- High homocysteine
- Infections
- High blood sugar
- Insulin resistance
- Hypothyroidism
A fair question to be asked is:
If the body is so good at regulating the amount of cholesterol in our blood…how do we get high cholesterol at all?
Remember from first principles, the body determines the amount of cholesterol in the blood. If we have too much our intestines would stop absorbing the cholesterol we eat, our liver would start making less and it would excrete more via bile into our bowels.
So any problem with these functions, for example hypothyroidism, IBS, bowel cancer or gut inflammation, will allow cholesterol to pool in the blood. Therefore high cholesterol is a sign to investigate these metabolic functions.
Separately cholesterol levels may also be high due to the need for more cholesterol, as per examples given above…injury, growth, stress etc.
Does eating fat elevate cholesterol?
Fat, particularly saturated fat is a substrate from which the liver produces cholesterol, so yes fat can turn into cholesterol…but the body still regulates this process on demand, so eating more fat (whilst eating the required amount of total calories) will not necessarily give you more blood cholesterol!
Whilst it is true that statin drugs can lower cholesterol levels, a more comprehensive approach to heart disease is to address the full spectrum of problems.
A Nutritional Therapist can advise you on what you can do to support the overall working of your body and thus improve many of the risk factors that contribute to heart disease.
In fact Nutritional Therapy, along with exercise, has proven itself to be the best intervention for reducing the risk of heart disease because it addresses several of the underlying causes…not just one! Contact www.ntoi.ie to find a qualified Nutritional Therapist in your area.
By Brendan O'Brien NT, MSc, mNTOI
Male Fertility Nutritional Consultant
Thanks to Brendan for contributing to the our blog this week as part of the Nutritional Therapy Awareness Week 2016.
Specialising in Fertility his qualifications and interests include:
- Holding a Diploma in Nutritional Therapy and a Master of Science Degree in Personalised Nutrition
- Worked for several years as a general nutritionist during which time I have had the pleasure of helping many women overcome fertility challenges and go on to achieve healthy pregnancies, but now I specialise exclusively in difficult-to-resolve male fertility cases.
- Teaches nutrition and supervise clinical training at the Irish Institute of Nutrition & Health


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Musical Director Mark 'Fritz' Whiteman
I first learnt to play a musical instrument at the age of 9, this being a trumpet. My father was in the HM Forces (7RHA), so I travelled around a lot. This was quite nice as I got to live in places like Hong Kong and Germany, where I discovered there was always a Military Band around so I used to con lessons from them. The music and sound that they produced was wonderful and from an early age I knew that this was what I wanted to do. I joined the Army in September 1978 as a Junior Bandsman, saw a saxophone and fell in love with the fantastic sounds it produced.
After two years I attended Kneller Hall, which is The Royal Military School of Music. Here I completed a years studying with some of the best saxophone players in the country, it was a hard but good year which gave me a very solid grounding for my musical career in the Army. I have been back to Kneller Hall on many occasions in my career for the Band Sergeant and Band Sergeant Majors Courses, also to play as part of the guest band on the well known Rock. I love playing music so people can hear it and hopefully give them some sort of enjoyment from it.
So from my 30 odd years experience, I would like to pass some of it on by teaching anyone who would like to learn, young or old, its never to late to learn. Throughout my Army career I have had a wonderful time. I left the HM Armed Forces in May 2004, after completing 24 years service. I had been coming to the band for some time and was asked to take on the role of Woodwind Instructor which has given me great pleasure.
In December 2004 I was appointed as the Assistant Musical Director, and I look forward to the future with the girls and boys of The Royal British Legion Band & Corps of Drums, Romford.
In May 2006 Mark was promoted to Musical Director after Mr. Stuart Walker was posted to Edinburgh to join The Royal Highland Regiment.
Musical Director WO1 (BM) Esther Hayes
WO1 Esther Hayes was born in Coventry and started her musical career learning the flute and piano. She went onto further her musical skills at Rugby Music College playing in small ensembles. After pursuing a double Music A Level at North Warwickshire College she started a music degree course at Wolverhampton University. Shortly after this, she had her first experience with the forces and joined the Volunteer Warwickshire Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
After three years of service and completion of a music degree she applied for the Army Music bursary scheme and started Phase 1 Training at Winchester in 1998. After completing Phase 2 training at the Royal Military School of Music and she then went on to be posted to the Band of the Royal Corps of Signals, based in Blandford, Dorset.
After three years with the Royal Signals, WO1 Hayes gained entry onto the Bandmasters course at the Royal Military School of Music. In 2006, having completed three years of study she completed the course, achieving a music degree. Her first posting as a Bandmaster was the Band of The Parachute Regiment based in Colchester as the first Female Bandmaster. Here, she spent three busy, but enjoyable years, completing tours of Canada, Cyprus and Germany. It was during her time in Essex where she first met The Royal British Legion Band and Corps of Drums, Romford and now enjoys regularly instructing the band as one of their Musical Directors and assisting in preparation for concerts and contests.
In 2011, Esther became the first female bandmaster in the history of the Bands of the Household Cavalry, when she became the Bandmaster of the Band of the Life Guards. You can read about her appointment on www.gov.uk here


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You are here > Home > Hall of Merit > Discussion
Hall of Merit
— A Look at Baseball's All-Time Best
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
1930 Ballot
Sorry it's late guys - I'm pretty sick right now, and I had some personal errands that couldn't wait today (amazing how that always happens when you're least up for it) and this completely slipped my mind . . . find me at SABR if you're there and say hello . . .
JoeD has the Imperial March Stuck in His Head Posted: July 13, 2004 at 12:29 AM | 222 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
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Reader Comments and Retorts
Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.Chris Cobb Posted: July 20, 2004 at 02:17 AM (#742791)
Earlier today, Andrew Siegel wrote:202. Chris Cobb Posted: July 20, 2004 at 02:43 AM (#742893)
I know it's early, but I'm curious how the battle for 4th place is shaping up. The winner of that battle (leading contenders: Pike, Beckley, Van Haltren, Foster? Welch?) becomes the favorite (or co-favorite with Jose Menendez)for the second slot in 1932. Whoever doesn't get in that year has to wait until at least 1938 to have a shot and may well be doomed to an eternity in HoM purgatory.
The 1932 election is going to be very interesting, isn't it? Pearce looks to be well-positioned for election in 1931, but the 1932 election is wide open. Assuming Santop carries the #1 spot (that's where he'll be on my ballot, anyhow), Van Haltren, Pike, and Beckley are practically dead even. Griffith and Foster continue to close in on that trio, although they don't pass anyone this year. Their paired move upward over the last three elections has been quite impressive, so I wouldn't rule either of them out for 1932 yet, either.
Their move in terms of ranking:
Player -- 27 -- 28 -- 29 -- 30
Griffith -- 15 -- 12 -- 9 -- 7
Foster -- 19 -- 15 -- 10 -- 8
Their move relative to Van Haltren, Beckley, and Pike
Points behind top and bottom of these three players
Griffith -- 191/112 -- 127/87.5 -- 107/65 -- 53/35
Foster -- 242/162 -- 184/144.5 -- 121/76 -- 55/37
Right now, it seems to me that there's just no telling what continuing discussion of these five players (and the next 10 in the rankings, and the new arrivals) will produce by the 1932 election. Very interesting indeed. . .
One more note to follow up on Max Parkinson's post #200 --203. karlmagnus Posted: July 20, 2004 at 02:48 AM (#742902)
I heartily agree with his exhortation for us all to continue to research and study and to be open to persuasion, especially given the importance of the elections prior to 1933.
I don't think, though, that 1930's results' high correlation with 1929 indicates that we are re-cycling our ballots with no new thinking in an unusual degree.
I would suggest, rather, that significant changes in the rankings are generally not large enough to show up in a single election, esp. not now that the electorate is over 50.
Ron Wargo's history of Bob Caruthers shows very significant changes in his standing, but they show up clearly only over 4 and 5-year stretches of voting. If 80-90% of voters' rankings stay in the same order from one year to the next, that suggests that most voters will significantly rethink what they are doing every 5-10 elections. Significant re-evaluations of a player's merit take several years to spread through the electorate, but spread they do.
That's not to say we should be _complacent_ as an electorate, but to say that I believe the evidence shows that we have not been, collectively, overly rigid in recent elections.
Do we get can-can girls at the HOM game, alas only in memory of him?204. DavidFoss Posted: July 20, 2004 at 03:01 AM (#742928)
That's right... we're only electing one next year!205. PhillyBooster Posted: July 20, 2004 at 03:16 AM (#742961)
Oooh... the drama! :-)
The most disagreed about candidate was Sheckard (the first time the #1 guy has had the most disagreement), followed closely by Pike and then Pearce.206. Patrick W Posted: July 20, 2004 at 03:35 AM (#742988)
It sure is a shame that our voting structure favors deeply divisive candidates like Sheckard, who will score more points than "consensus" candidates like Bob Caruthers, about whom there is little difference of opinion among the electorate.
It sure is a shame that our voting structure favors deeply divisive candidates like Sheckard, who will score more points than "consensus" candidates like Bob Caruthers, about whom there is little difference of opinion among the electorate.207. Jeff M Posted: July 20, 2004 at 03:46 AM (#743002)
Matt, Caruthers appeared on 41 of 51 ballots; Sheckard appeared on 40 of 51. I think it's fair to say that since BOTH electees are left off of 20% of the ballots, then they are BOTH divisive candidates.
In addition, Caruthers was in "ballot filler" spots (ranked 11-15; there's prob. a better name but I don't know how else to call it) on 8 ballots, Sheckard on only 3. Are you saying Bob is more worthy because he received 5 more down the ballot votes? If the ballot were only 10-man long (or 20-man for that matter), your conclusion might be totally different.
...it worries me somewhat that we've all just settled into our voting patterns, and that the discussion threads are having precious little impact on any of us.208. Michael Bass Posted: July 20, 2004 at 03:46 AM (#743003)
I think it may simply represent the lack of excitement we feel for this so-called "backlog". In addition, it's because most of these guys have been discussed for 10-20 years, and our discussions have become repetitive in some cases.
I actually like to see a little bit of consistency in voting patterns of players who have been on the ballot for a long time. It comforts me that the most talked about player of the week isn't moving way up or down the ballot based on being the hot topic of discussion.
In short, I agree that players shouldn't be entrenched on the ballot and we should constantly be (re)evaluating, but I don't want to see movement for the sake of movement (and I know you weren't advocatign that, Max).
Yeah, I don't see how any system would have given Caruthers more points than Sheckard based on being named on one more ballot when Sheckard's votes were, by and large, much higher on the ballot.209. DavidFoss Posted: July 20, 2004 at 04:14 AM (#743037)
Well, there is one: The HOF's voting structure. I don't think anyone's calling for that.
I dunno... considering how low Caruthers' candidacy had sunk in the early teens, you'd figure FOBC would be happy enough and go dancing in the streets.210. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: July 20, 2004 at 04:18 AM (#743042)
Y'know, Tilden's middle name was Jones. Surely you aren't suggesting Charley got elected.211. DavidFoss Posted: July 20, 2004 at 04:37 AM (#743084)
I'm sure that it's a function of time - we all have jobs and whatever, the Hall of Merit isn't our entire lives (well, maybe Murphy's),
Smiley-face when you say that, pardner! :-)
I work out of my home, so that's why I can be on top of the discussions here more than most.
The bottom 3: Guapo -18, KJOK -16, Jim Sp -15.
Can it be?
My name is not there?
Adding Mickey Welch will bring me a little closer to the average next week.
My name is not there?212. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: July 20, 2004 at 04:39 AM (#743093)
Being an FODP is becoming a consensus position these days. :-)
Pearce looks to be well-positioned for election in 1931213. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: July 20, 2004 at 04:41 AM (#743096)
I don't know. I'll be looking out for any new "reevaluations" of Van Haltrem and Beckley next week. :-)
I actually like to see a little bit of consistency in voting patterns of players who have been on the ballot for a long time.
Same here. All players will reach a "saturation point" where there is almost nothing left to discuss about them anymore. Many of the backlog players have been analyzed ad nauseum for "decades" now.
Do we get can-can girls at the HOM game, alas only in memory of him?
No, but there will be an unveiling of a full-length portrait painted by none other than Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec when Caruthers made his only trip to Paris during the mid-1880s!
Okay, I'd rather see the can-can girls, too. :-)
Ron Wargo's history of Bob Caruthers shows very significant changes in his standing, but they show up clearly only over 4 and 5-year stretches of voting.
Check mine over the past thirty "years." I'm all over the place.
BTW, I think Beckley is going to be co-inductee with Santop in '32.
Being an FODP is becoming a consensus position these days. :-)214. PhillyBooster Posted: July 20, 2004 at 11:34 AM (#743403)
"For the times they are a changin..."
"consensus" candidates like Bob Caruthers215. karlmagnus Posted: July 20, 2004 at 12:36 PM (#743421)
Sorry if my irony was too subtle. I assumed we would all agree that Caruther is the LEAST consensus candidate we have ever elected. I thought it was funny that he appeared on MORE ballots than Sheckard this year.
There's surely no question Caruthers has a wider standard deviation of opinion than anyone else we've elected. I rather think he'd have been proud of the fact -- salary holdouts from Paris at 21 and organising the team poker games must have made him a difficult and disruptive team-mate. He doesn't strike me as having been one of the world's long term thinkers and of course, he was dead by 48 (though so were a lot of people in those days.) One of the best examples I've ever come across of Edna St. Vincent Millay's lines:216. Jeff M Posted: July 20, 2004 at 12:47 PM (#743423)
"My candle burns at both ends
It will not last the night,
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends,
It sheds a lovely light!"
...salary holdouts from Paris at 21217. karlmagnus Posted: July 20, 2004 at 01:03 PM (#743432)
Interestingly, David Nemec questions whether Caruthers actually was in Paris. In The Beer and Whiskey League. Chris Von der Ahe, the owner of the Browns, searched the transatlantic ship records and there was no Bob Caruthers listed. So he either never left the States, or he sailed under a false name.
By the way, during the contract dispute, Caruthers said he would happily continue to sell shoes (as he did in the off-season) rather than work for the $2,000 salary he was being offered. He then threatened trips to England, Scotland and Australia.
Von der Ahe's low offer was the result of a player salary cap put in the National Agreement between the AA and NL. A clear antitrust violation, but then baseball was good at that.
Sailed under a false name or worked his way across as crew on a freighter; either's possible. Knowing what we know about him, I can imagine the idea of going to Paris to chase can-can girls with his first big paycheck may well have been irresistable.218. Jeff M Posted: July 20, 2004 at 01:25 PM (#743446)
Maybe he just stowed away. He was a little feller.219. OCF Posted: July 20, 2004 at 02:55 PM (#743553)
My name is not there?220. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: July 20, 2004 at 03:39 PM (#743605)
John, you were 4th from the bottom at -11. I was 6th from the bottom at -8.
John, you were 4th from the bottom at -11. I was 6th from the bottom at -8.221. yest Posted: July 20, 2004 at 04:22 PM (#743678)
You've been slumming the past few weeks, haven't you? :-)
The top 3 consensus scores: RMc 13, Rusty Priske 12, Ken Fischer 10.222. OCF Posted: July 20, 2004 at 04:32 PM (#743693)
The bottom 3: Guapo -18, KJOK -16, Jim Sp -15.
where did I fit in?
yest, you're with me and Dolf Lucky, all at -8. John, what happened to me was that certain candidates I never voted for rose up the ballot. Everyone's scores in 1934 should be at least 10 points above where they are now, because we will agree about who is in the top group of candidates, even if we find different orderings within that group.
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