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Robin Brownlee
March 21 2011 09:38PM
Is it time for the NHL to eliminate fighting?
I've heard that question asked 100 times if I've heard it once in the last 28 years or so writing about hockey for a living, and I've always had the same reaction. I'd look at the Goody Two Shoes asking it like they were some sort of drooling fool, scowl or roll my eyes and say, "Hell, no." Quite often, followed by a barely audible, "Sissy."
When somebody raises the topic or poses the question now, I find I'm not reacting the same way. I'm not sure when my opinion on bare-knuckles fighting changed, and I'm not certain exactly how far it's shifted, but the question no longer offends me.
I don't see the possibility of taking the act of "dropping the gloves" out of hockey as some sort of sacrilegious assault on the integrity of the game. I don't perceive posing the question as a misplaced bit do-good-ism, as a query to be dismissed off-hand because it clashes, rather mightily in my particular case, with the way I've always viewed fisticuffs.
I'm not sure what the answer is, but I'm now of the opinion it's a question that is at least worth asking, even if some of you out there are bound to roll your eyes and utter, "Sissy."
When people used to raise the issue of fighting, I'd say," It's part of the game." It seemed like a handy default answer. Hockey players have been punching each other senseless since the first puck hit the ice, so, in that regard, yes, it's part of the game.
Then again, having goaltenders play bare-faced was once part of the game. I'm old enough to remember it. If you're in your 20s or even 30s, think about that. Goaltenders used to face shooters bare-faced -- slap shots, screened shots. Pile-ups in the crease, skate blades, sticks. Now, if a goaltender loses his mask, the referee blows the whistle.
Having players play without helmets was once part of the game. I used to figure that was a personal choice by players and so did the NHL -- use of helmets was grandfathered in and bare-headed players, Craig MacTavish was the last, disappeared. A bad thing?
Take something as basic as the netting required in the end zone of rinks to protect fans from wayward pucks. After 13-year-old Britannie Cecil died after being struck in the head by a puck in a game between the Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames in March 2002, the NHL mandated safety netting would be installed in rinks. There was great debate.
"Netting? We won't be able to see" or "You can't put netting in. We've never had netting." A young girl died but there was still debate. Do we give netting a thought now?
Times change. And when people are permanently injured or even killed because of what we do and how we do it, even allowing for reasonable risks that are inherent in a game like hockey, they should.
I don't like what doctors found when they looked at Bob Probert's brain. I'm uncomfortable Raitis Ivanans hasn't played a game since a Steve MacIntyre punch dropped him like he'd been shot in the head. There was a time when I wouldn't have given the brain injuries suffered by Probert and Ivanans a second throught. Part of the job.
Framed in what we're learning about brain injuries suffered by athletes and the long-term effects of those injuries, I'm wondering if we should take another look at what we consider "part of the game."
I'm conflicted about that. I've always felt something of a kinship with hockey tough guys, players who take up that last spot or two on a roster because they're willing to bend noses and kick ass, to take care of business and ride shotgun, to put themselves in harm's way.
Guys like Rudy Poeschek, the toughest player I have ever known, and Georges Laraque, a sweetheart away from the rink who I know well and spent many years on the road with. All the hammers, really.
I admire them and always have. Now, I fear for them, well-paid for being ruffians or not.
This isn't knee-jerk stuff for me. As long-time readers at Oilersnation know, I did the tough guy gig as a lacrosse player. I scrapped some as a hockey player. I had boxing gloves and a heavy bag hanging in my garage from the time I was 13 years old.
I was a big kid -- six-foot-two and about 205 pounds by the time I was 14. I liked to fight. I got my ass kicked more times than I remember because of it. Concussions? I don't know how many. Too many.
It was part of the game and it was my job and a way to be a part of the team. I did it until I got tired of getting beat up and hurting all the time. I got sick of seeing my mom with tears in her eyes because I'd busted my nose or a knuckle again or had punched out another kid. It was not part of the game for her.
Those days long gone, I still enjoyed fighting. I had all the fight tapes in the old VCR days. Later, I had all of the fight websites bookmarked on my computer. I've watched Poeschek and Craig Berube pound each other 1,000 times. Trevor Senn? Look him up. The arrival of YouTube? There's a smorgasbord of mayhem. Great stuff, right?
We didn't know then -- especially going back to when I was 15 or 25 or even 35 -- what we know now, what the medical evidence is telling us about brain injuries. About what happens to the players who bring the crowd to their feet when the gloves hit the ice.
So, if the NHL is taking steps to reduce the number of concussions its players sustain by eliminating headshots from the game, how long can it allow players to drop their gloves and punch each other because "it's part of the game." Because it entertains us?
I know the numbers in recent NHL studies on concussions -- Mark Spector at Sportsnet, among others, has written some compelling stuff on this -- show fighting isn't nearly the biggest culprit when it comes to brain injuries. Cheap stuff like Matt Cooke got suspended for and legal hits during the course of a game account for many more.
That said, based on what we know now, how many brain injuries are OK? What's the number? If the NHL is finds it unacceptable for a player to target the head of another player with a shoulder or an elbow, how much longer can it accept that doing it with a fist is part of the game? I don't have the answer.
Listen to Robin Brownlee Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the Jason Gregor Show on TEAM 1260.
I'll be the first to admit I love a good scrap. With all the rules of the game changing, players careers ending, yes the NHL must seriously look at getting out of the fight game. At the very least giving a game misconduct for guys that do fight. I love MacIntyre, but the way Renney uses him, I hate it, this game isn't played by tough guys anymore, yes the players no doubt there tough. Time for some serious discussion on change.
March 22 2011, 08:00AM
The irony of this whole thing is that while the NHL wants to "clean up" the headshots what's over on NHL.com to promote the game? It is the dirty little secret that although the league wants to curtail injuries it knows that many fans want to see the fights. All the videos out there celebrating the "tough guy" and the fighter move more NHL prduct than the game itself does (at least south of the border).
I like fighting in the game although I'm not a fan of brain injuries. Makes me conflicted I guess.
March 22 2011, 08:02AM
I love watching two big men drop the gloves. Macintyre/Ivanins was probably the highlight of the season for me. Plus, I feel like hockey is one of two sports (lacross being the other) where the players carry a weapon, and I have always felt the outlet fighting provides reduces the chance of serious injuries via sticks.
That said, I get sick every time I see a player's head snap back like that of a bobblehead doll. The fact Ivanins hasn't played since that fight makes me worried for his long-term health--and don't say he has a choice, he could always be driving a truck, because that totally misses the point.
I'm in the same boat Robin. I want to justify fighting, but the more I see, the less I can justify it with my own conscience.
Sorry RB but I disagree. Your point is to remove fighting to increase the safety for the players, no more punches to the head. Sure there are some fights in the game that are pointless but then there are some fights that are purely done for the safety of team mates .....accountability...... When some A hole takes a run at someone and has their elbows up or hits them in the numbers there is a lot more risk of serious injury in that than the ensuing fight. The fight took place to try and "encourage" the A hole from doing that again, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't but it was done in the name of accountability (big word for safety).
For me, the only time you can get rid of fighting is when you get rid of hitting and the A holes. I'm sure none of us want to see a game with no hitting.
In a word, you get rid of fighting you get rid of accountibilty, look what the instigator rule has done!!!!
Sorry RB but I disagree. Your point is to remove fighting to increase the safety for the players, no more punches to the head. Sure there are some fights in the game that are pointless but then there are some fights that are purely done for the safety of team mates .....accountability...... When some A hole takes a run at someone and has their elbows up or hits them in the numbers there is a lot more risk of serious injury in that than the ensuing fight. The fight took place to try and "encourage" the A hole from doing that again, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't but it was done in the name of accountability (big word for safety).
For me, the only time you can get rid of fighting is when you get rid of hitting and the A holes. I'm sure none of us want to see a game with no hitting.
In a word, you get rid of fighting you get rid of accountibilty, look what the instigator rule has done!!!!
what exactly has the instigator rule done?
March 22 2011, 08:22AM
As a moral ethical person there is no place for violence in my personal life. Yet I have always enjoyed a good scrap in Hockey. This is a dichotomy for sure and I tend to agree with Don Cherry a lot on the subject. The reason I still see it as important was shown in the past few weeks. If a player takes liberties with another player the result must be serious protection by the league. Because They refuse to send a serious message to players such as Cooke and Avery whom hurt other players. Even a fist(First) offense need serious repercussions. When and only when the league takes presence of mind to protect players in such a fashion will the "Goon" become obsolete. In many ways the league has already made the players more vulnerable with the 2 minute extra for starting a fight can you see what happened to Smid happening to any Oiler in Seminko's day I say NO WAY!!! Avery would have been in a body cast before the final buzzer. I would be happy to see violence leave hockey but the league need to become the Dave Seminko for all the Gretzky's on every team.
March 22 2011, 08:44AM
You cannot even attempt to compare boxing and hockey fights. Not even remotely close.
And as for Bob Probert's brain, I think his hard living lifestyle of cocaine and booze might have had a huge impact on his brain.
March 22 2011, 08:49AM
See the article from a few weeks back about what the players actually think about the instigator rule.
If fighting is completely eliminated, then I think the NHL must also move to require mandatory full face-shields on the players. Not just visors. Face-shields like they have in the NCAA.
If you completely eliminate fighting, then I believe there will be a marked increase in stickwork, elbows to the head and all of the other tools and techniques players will employ in lieu of fighting.
Yes, I'm one of those guys who believe the instigator penalty was a bad idea.
But, I'm not unlike Robin - I believe that it's probably time to look at whether or not fighting is needed anymore.
But I do think that when it goes away, there will need to be other measures taken to deal with the spinoffs because it'll be mayhem out there with the cheapshots for the first little while.
Perhaps we need to make minor penalties three or four minutes rather than two? Or how about eliminating the Montreal Canadiens rule on penalties involving elbowing or shots to the head? (i.e. the penalty doesn't end when the PP team scores).
I believe fighting is a part of the game, sure you can take it out but it would never be the same. What would the Taylor Hall's of the league do to finally "stand up for themselves"? I suppose a good two hand across the back of the legs would work? Hopefully they wouldn't be forced to pull a McSorley if they were extremely aggravated. I also suppose that the Hall's wouldn't have to stand up for themselves because the next thing to control would be the hitting. Remove fighting and the 8% (think I saw that somewhere) of hockey related concussions that they cause, but the next target will be what most casual hockey fans already see as a big problem, body checking. It could be 10, 20 years down the road but if they take fighting out of the game I would be willing to bet hitting is gone within 25 years. By hitting I mean what you would see on rock 'em sock 'em.
On another note, I went to college in the Southern US and they generally could not care less about hockey. College football and basketball followed by pro football and basketball would be about 95% of the their ranking, with baseball sliding in there from time to time. The amount of what I would consider actual NHL fans was extremely minimal, I compare it to the English Premier League fans here, those who wake up at 4:30 to catch the games live, they know the sport. However, the casual NHL fan did exist, and what was their reason for watching? Fights. After many drunken conversations asking how they could possibly not love the NHL, the most popular answer was "you canadians are crazy, I love watching the fights between highlight packages on espn." I would have hockey playing at my place whenever possible, when I had some people over they would look at the TV like there was a cricket game going on, until a fight, then you would think that they have been fans forever.
That is a lot of rambling but my point being if fighting is removed from the game hockey in the southern states will be as popular as the English Premier League, only diehard fans, which is unfortunate hockey is a great game, it will only be diminished removing fighting. However, if the NHL softens up maybe they can draw from the soccer fanbase. Ribeiro being the new Crosby.
I think there is still place for fighting in the game. It has been and should still be a good pressure release valve for what can go on during the course of a game.
Of course that mechanism has been perverted by the so called arms race that emerged which switched from hockey players with a good knack for fighting to fighters that could make it out to the face off dot.
Not much different from where body contact started from and has since gone to. It went from seperating a guy from the puck (I want to think that the rule book at one time even qualified a legal body check in that exact term) to seperating a guy's head from his body.
In both cases the trick is how does the game get back to it's roots? It seems that no one really has that answer.
March 22 2011, 09:01AM
stevezie wrote "My bold solution? Get rid of fighting in juniors. Something that doesn't often get mentioned is how much worse brain injuries are for developing brains. Everyone knows it's bad to get a fetus drunk, but it's also not great to give a teenager a concussion."
True, Jesse Pearson of the Oil Kings has been out of the game since losing a fight in the first half of the season. One punch and he may never play hockey again. Unfortunately, many of these fights are of the "staged" variety with the peeling off of the equipment while circling each other before the bout. Many others are for "retribution" where somebody has to pay for a clean check.
My solution? I don't have anything novel. What about upping the fighting major to 10 minutes? Would that make a difference in Junior? Maybe as they don't seem to have the roster room for pure goons. What about sitting out the next game? Again, maybe. Unfortunately, unless the same rules are brought to the NHL, the bad behaviour will just be delayed.
How long is it going to take for people to realize fighting in hockey does not reduce cheap shots at all. What does a player like Cooke have to fear if he elbows someone in the head? The other team's goon is not going to come after him. Why did Hall get in to a fight in the first place? The players on the other team had no fear of running him.
What is more entertaining:
1. Playoff hockey or regular season hockey?
2. Olympic hockey or regular season hockey?
3. World Juniors or regular season hockey?
Don't get me wrong, I like to watch a good hockey fight, but its not the reason I watch the game and if it was gone ir wouldn't bother me. Funny how when the games really mean something, fighting virtually disappears.
I suppose I'm a neanderthal and all that, but I say no. Consent is givin in a fight. These injuries happening these days, no consent is givin.
However, as a parent, I think we soften up. I look at the junior leagues, where these are kids, 16-20 years of age. The overwhelming majority of them will end up in the working world just like the rest of us. I think if they start somewhere with a ban, the junior league's is it.
Owners in the CHL getting rich off the backs of unpaid highschoolers, while not offering normal protection for kids under the age of 18 is nuts when you think about it. Fighting shouldn't be in junior, period.
Most of those kids will have to get a job and pay the bills someday. Very few will live the pro life.
The only way that fighting will come out of the game is if the NHL officiates and suspends cheap-shot hits immediately and with impunity. Fighting's place in the game is to counter act cowardice. You run some body, you answer the bell; that's the way it's always been. If you want to get rid of the effect you first have to remove the cause. Nobody gets run or cheap shotted, then nobody fights. Pure and simple.
This issue is entirely in the NHL's hands and the officials who are on the ice, game in and game out. Better officiating = no fighting = greater safety.
I think a study needs to be done on how a game progresses and leads up to a fight or an injury/head shot. Aside from fights like Jones' last one at the start of the game; I'm confident the two highest results will be blown calls and random bone-head cowardice ala Matt Cooke. Ref the games right and you eliminate 1/2 of the problem. Issue heavy handed suspensions to malicious idiots and the game will be cleaned up; with or without a Game Misconduct or other ban for fighting.
I find a good tilt to be entertaining, but other that that I see no value in fighting. It is purely entertainment as far as I am concerned. I don't believe it improves safety of other players whatsoever.
Would I miss fighting in the NHL if they cut it out of the game? Not at all. I can watch skilled fighters in the UFC if I am in the mood for a fight.
I dont not consider NHL enforcers to be exceptionally skilled fighters, and for the most part are not cream of the crop hockey players either. Watch Georges Laraque and Georges St. Pierre have a little grappling match online. Laraque would have no chance in a real fight against a professional fighter.
So what I'm trying to say is, I dont necessarily care to watch mediocre fighting or mediocre hockey. Getting rid of fights in the NHL might eliminate some of both. Just my opinion....
No easy solution to concussions or dangerous play . Too many teams , games and even roids have led to many injuries of the serious note . Speed , size and equipment and other factors have all led to more serious injuries . Players tee off on one another as games gets played in smaller and smaller spaces due to goalie equipment and never making goal area any bigger . Collisions of all varities are far more frequent and dangerous . Even players with full shields/masks and football helments would have difficulty making little to no difference .
How do you slow down game and open up the ice at same time while taking some of the physical aspects out of game or reduce them so as the problem shows real signs of reduction ? Stick work also needs to be looked at as a contributing factor as well, as does even the perpensity for players to turn their bodies into a hit to draw penalties, etc..
Fighting does not help matters especially considering the size, fighting capabilities , and weight of the combatants . It's aggrevating seeing players like Boogard , etc. targetting mismatched stars of other teams fighting or otherwise .
Perhaps the best way is to slow the speed of the game down , modify the equipment and expand the goal size to have play expand outward more frequently .
It is a huge problem that simply has grown over the years in contributing factors , frequency and seriousness. No one solution can or will do much on it's own to correct it . Nor will the integrity of the game remain quite the same after all factors are taken into account .
I have a question for some of the 'oldtimers' out there. Was hockey really full of respect and honour in the 1960s?
My take on it was that there was just as much stickwork, elbow-work, etc. in the game back then.
I have a question for some of the 'oldtimers' out there. Was hockey really full of respect and honour in the 1960s?
My take on it was that there was just as much stickwork, elbow-work, etc. in the game back then.
I'd say it was far more dirty , but equipment led to players attitudes being better than todays core . Speed was less prevalent and stickwork was upped due to European influence . Hooking and holding was also far more prevalent . Respect and honour was no better than it is today - perhaps even worse . Fewer teams led to a hen pecking order back then that was easier to deal with for officials and players . At least most of the fighters stuck to a code of picking on players of their own variety than todays players whom seem to relish going after oppositions star players be they small or not . Use of red line also helped to keep speed of game in check , and thus serious injuries from collisions was noticeable or miniminalized to some extent . Back then you could actually score from all sides of the ice as goalie equipment was not nearly so big !
March 22 2011, 10:18AM
Please don't take fighting out of my game. We might as well remove the ice as it can be pretty slippery. We could replace it with nice soft bouncy mattresses for the players to gaily jump up and down on! Hey....and take the nets and puck out of it too that way every game will end in a tie and there will be no losers! Yaaaaaayyyy!
Take fighting out of hockey? Shadddaaaaaap!
March 22 2011, 10:21AM
For me, the medical evidence of the damage that is done has shifted my perception.
I covered a lot of boxing in the late 1980s and early 1990s and you often ran into a fighter who was "punch drunk." I wrote it off as an obvious result of the sport -- a guy has 50 or more amateur bouts, 30 or 40 as a pro and gets hit in the head, what, 5,000 times, what would you expect?
We know now it doesn't take nearly that much repeated damage to cause long-term impairment. People have lives to live after their athletic careers, whatever level they played at, are done.
I worked with one of those boxers you mention over the summer. He was a great guy--but his brain just didn't work right, which made life interesting for his co-workers, to say the least.
The likes of Arturo Gatti, Cris Benoit, and any of the 1960's-era NFL linemen who died at 50 have given me serious cause to question the role of fighting--and this comes from a guy who has been a fan of hockey fighting since I was able to distinguish icing from offside.
what exactly has the instigator rule done?
The instigator rule has, IMO, increased the safety for the cheap shot artists, and no one else.
March 22 2011, 10:46AM
While this may be a question to address in the future Brownlee, I think we have much bigger fish to fry at this point, and the fact remains, removing fighting will only force players to find other ways to vent frustration with each other. If we are trying to get rid of bad hits in hockey, getting rid of fighting won't help the cause, it will just make sure bad hits only option a frustrated player can take.
March 22 2011, 10:52AM
How long is it going to take for people to realize fighting in hockey does not reduce cheap shots at all. What does a player like Cooke have to fear if he elbows someone in the head? The other team's goon is not going to come after him. Why did Hall get in to a fight in the first place? The players on the other team had no fear of running him.
What is more entertaining:
1. Playoff hockey or regular season hockey?
2. Olympic hockey or regular season hockey?
3. World Juniors or regular season hockey?
Don't get me wrong, I like to watch a good hockey fight, but its not the reason I watch the game and if it was gone ir wouldn't bother me. Funny how when the games really mean something, fighting virtually disappears.
You're absolutley correct that fighting doesn't reduce cheap shots. Matt Cooke is not going to fight Derek Boogard.
But Playoff, Olympic and World Jr. hockey is better because the games mean more. There will always be "meaningless" regular season games. Taking fighting out of the games isn't going to make it more intense.
With that being said I would be perfectly fine with the designated heavyweight role being eliminated. I like the fights that come about as a result of emotion as opposed to the staged showdowns.
The difficult thing is getting rid of one without the other.
March 22 2011, 10:55AM
Good to see the knuckledraggers come out in a discussion about the serious topic of players' safety.
Personally, I love a fight that arises out of the passion of the game. The talk about it acting as a deterrent to other violence is absolute bull. It's like pretending the death penalty is a crime deterrent.
A few commenters have noted that there is consent in a fight. Educate the players and if they still want to fight then it's their prerogative. More important is to deal with cheap shots effectively. Giving a guy 17 games for his first deliberate elbow to the head and the resulting fine will do more to discourage cheap shots than the fights that never come. In addition, changes that get the useless players out of the league that serve no purpose other than to fight should be a focus.
Leave fighting alone for now.
March 22 2011, 10:58AM
Referees also need to start calling the "free" cheap shot after a goal that seems to have become accepted in the game. It is not like the whole rink isn't watching, including the zebras.
I have yet to find the exemption in the rule book that states that a defenseman gets one free shot at a player who scores a goal without fear of penalty or sanction.
Screw up your assignment and you get to cross-check or punch somebody. In reality, it should be the teammate of the defenseman who gets a free shot on them for not doing their job.
March 22 2011, 11:08AM
Fighting? It's the part of the emotion in the game I believe. Fighting rarely happens even now, with the exception of a few outliers.
Taylor Hall fought because he was sick and tired being pushed around and saved by a teammate. Fighting told the NHL, Taylor won't folder up the tent if he's roughed up. Ankle injury aside, it wasn't the result of the fight, it was a freak accident.
Gorillas in the league the likes of Parros, MacIntyre, Boogard, et al. well... I'm forced to pause. Do they have a place in today's league? Tough to say. Most would argue they do not, because if you can't play hockey, you shouldn't be in the NHL, if you are a damn good fighter, you might make it to the league and play 2 mins a night. Just ask Mac, who played one shift in one game. Was he a value to his team out there? No, no he was not.
I don't think you can take fighting out of the league, but you can limit the amount of times it occurs by removing the pure fighters out and leaving the people that can play hockey in.
Robin, Huge kudos to you for reevaluating your position on this issue. I'm glad that the issue is up for healthy debate.
I wouldn't mind at all if the league banned fighting, though I respect other fans that want to keep it and I especially respect the MacIntyre's of the world. However, like Robin, the mounting medical evidence is tilting me towards an outright ban.
I sure don't miss fighting during the Olympics or the playoffs!
March 22 2011, 11:34AM
Passion! You can rule passion out of the game. No cheap shots, no retribution, no anger, no passion. If someone take righteous exception to passionate play, let them deal with it. There are far too many snoozer games we pay top dollar for. Please don't do anything to reduce the passion.
There are always guys that need to be dealt with with muscle in this world and we are never going to eliminate that. Just look at our friend in Libya. He picked a fight and now he gets a punch in the nose. Wow, a ceasefire.
March 22 2011, 11:36AM
MR. Brownlee I almost never see any "PROPS" given I know it wont work when I am on the page. Are many other having the same problem?
March 22 2011, 11:39AM
Oh dear! Oh dear! I wonder what Don Cherry will have to say about you after this? I, on the other hand, agree with you entirely and appreciate your thoughtful approach to a problem that, amongst hockey fans, is an emotive and divisive, issue. I am a, shall we say, "mature fan", and I, too, remember the days of bare faced goalies. I have seen many changes in the game designed to increase the safety of the players and the entertainment value of the game. When I watch old, classic games that electrified me when they occurred I am amazed at how slow and pedestrian it all appears. So it is without question that the game has changed and, for the most part, it has been for the better. I believe that it is time for the game to embrace the change and eliminate fighting. If the NHL does what it should and takes the lead in promoting player safety (the NHLPA has a role in this as well but seems to prefer to remain nearly silent and let the NHL take all the heat), the final argument in favour of fighting, that ultimately an enforcer must make a player responsible for his actions on the ice, is eliminated. Hasn't worked very well anyway, has it? See Matt Cooke et al. The game is played by healthy, young, testosterone-fueled males and collisions will inevitably happen. If they are dealt with effectively and the teams involved suffer penalties as well, it will be virtually eliminated from the game. As in soccer and other physical sports, immediate ejection of the combatants from the game makes these events a rareity and those of us who prefer to admire the grace, speed, skill, and, yes, toughness of this magnificent game can enjoy our viewing secure in the knowledge that no-one's brains are getting scrambled in the process.
Pardon my self-indulgance, but I just love the fact that my avatar makes an appearance in this article.
I don't think you'll ever see fighting leave the game.. As many have already said - there is too much testosterone on the ice to eliminate completely. I'm not even sure an immediate ejection from a game would deter a good scrap. The game is evolving on its own - the Smakintyre's of the world are becoming a dying breed. If a player can't skate at an NHL caliber, he won't be playing - regardless of how good of an enforcer he is.
I think the NHL should focus more on allowing the players to police themselves. Take the instigator rule out of the rule book. In my days of old time hockey - Matt Cooke would never have made it off the ice in one piece for that dirty elbow. If we allow the skilled power forwards such as a Lucic or an Iginla or even a Morrow to deal with that crap - I think you'll see concussions drop even further.
Also, I concur with you Robin; whereas I had the opinion up until recently that fighting belonged in the game, period I no longer am so sure. Not saying I want it out, but I'm open to exploring that option now. I think within a few years, this debate will eventually result in it leaving the game.
I don't know where to go with this, I appreciate what your saying but I also feel it's starting to sound like social engineering. I want to believe that people who go into a career know and understand both the benefits and the risk involved. Do we not allow Firefighters to enter burning buildings because they might get hurt? These are grown men who are payed money and they have all the information they need to make an informed choice about their careers. If we follow this line of thinking we end up with shinny on a pond which is great but I do not want to pay to watch that.
March 22 2011, 12:21PM
The fighting in hockey needs to be evolved...
1. Eliminate it from junior or mandate that gloves remain on.
2. Get rid of the staged fight. That's ridiculous to watch. Spontaneous = good; staged = bad.
3. If the players' get thier fight on, immediate game misconduct for remainder and the for the next.
4. Heavily penalize stickwork and headshots consistently. Punish the lazy dumb players and the teams employing them. SMac contributes well enough when given a chance and doesn't take dumb penalties he is not lazy or dumb.
The NHL has created its own monster. It is inconsistent in its penalities and messages. It glorifies fights and hits that injure and that needs to stop. Showcase the speed and skill of these players and not the thuggery.
Finally, I kind of like the idea of gloved fighting but I am not sure if it will gets end up as jersey tugging.
Great article Robin. Balanced, passionate, interesting. Really great piece.
I recommend everybody read former football player and WWE wrestler Chris Nowinski's book: "Headgames Football's Concussion Crisis." He also did a great interview on Terry Gross's NPR show. Nowinksi says we have to minimize concussions. I think Robin's point is excellent: minimizing unnecessary fighting is an easy way to do that.
And everyone is right that you can play an intense, physical, passionate game without much fighting at all. The examples are endless: the Olympics, the old Canada Cup, the playoffs nowadays.
And the NFL and CFL are physical, too. Some melees break out, but everyone is expected to calm themeselves and collect themselves.
Am I missing something or is fighting already not allowed? People who fight get a five minute major penalty... Adding a game misconduct, or fine, or short suspension will not eliminate fighting... at least not the real fights born of true emotion or the desire for retribution. ~Ban~ fighting and watch the total resurgence of the roughing penalty.
Fighting used to be a part of the game when it was Gordie Howe or Maurice Richard doing the punching. Now we have staged fights between guys that work on their MMA style fighting instead of working on skating or stickwork during the offseason.
The game of hockey like the invention of the automobile has become a specialized career. You are a "stay at home defenseman" or a "power forward" or a "puck moving defenseman". Then there is the other one, you are a fighter. It used to be that you could characterize a huge number of players with each one of those titles but not anymore.
So I say, get rid of the fighter, get rid of the thing that slows down the game and does nothing but make us a circus sideshow to americans. Yes it's our game but it must grow and to do that, we must sell it. So sell the speed, the toughness, and the ice. Leave the fighting to UFC which is where McIntyre could probably excel!
I was sitting next to a guy from Holland in my local bar. There was a replay of a hockey fight on TV. He said he was a soccer fan and was utterly disgusted by what he was watching and said both players should be banned for life. I told him that the players were not undisciplined, but were just doing their job. In Canada we believe it's way less disgusting for the paid professionals to do battle on the ice than to have so much violence in the stands.
I'm not so concerned about fighting in hockey. However the only professional leagues (and junior) where it is even tolerated is here in North America. No big deal one way or the other for me. I dont even think the NHL needs to rule on head shots - there are rules already that take care of this. You want to stop the Matt Cooke's of the world from the kind of crap he pulls? Then get rid of the armour these guys wear today. Mark Messier didn't take a run at a guy with his elbows up covered by anything more than a little leather. The shoulder pads a wee tiny plastic cup on the top of a bunch of cotton stuffed padding. The equipment has had a way bigger impact on the lack of respect players show one another. If you were gonna through that elbow or blindside shoulder to the head, you would have to deal with the consequences...now they dont even feel anything.
The 2 comments I take issue with that you hear way too much are "X is part of the game, you can't take it out" and "players have lost respect for each other". These points just dissolve under any sort of scrutiny. If we couldn't change hockey because things are "part of the game" we would still be playing with a rover and no forward passing. There would be no glass along the boards and no one would wear helmets. I could go on forever. To say that fighting is "part of the game" and shouldn't be removed for that reason is just ridiculous. Likewise the point "players have lost respect for each other". Just watch any game from the 70s and prior. Where was the respect when Dale Rolfe was beaten so badly by Dave Schultz that his teammates were afraid to come to his rescue? Where was the respect when Rick Jodzio pummelled Marc Tardif with both fists while Tardif lay unconscious on the ice? It may seem I'm pointing to specific isolated cases from the past but anyone who watched hockey from the '70s would know that's not the case. Not saying that there aren't players that don't respect each other, but I just can't believe that all of a sudden players "lost" some sort of mythical respect that they all used to have for each other.
I agree. Call penalties that are slashes, cross checks(even in front of the net), hits from behind, elbows . Like in football, make it a penalty for a late hit (2 seconds after the puck is gone). The league now calls all these cheap hooking calls, even if appears you reach in with the stick. But a guy can take a nasty cross check from behind in front of the net and it is not called. Less fights will occur if the league takes action on the crap. Let the emotional fights still go.
NHL hockey is in trouble. Too many teams, too many marginal players, no consistent discipline. When it is about economics and markets and not about product, the game will suffer.
I would like to point out that there are at lot of jobs out there were the rate of permanent injury or death is a lot higher than hockey and those professions do not make anywhere near as much money as hockey players.
Also I think that some of this has to go back to the players. A fight doesn't have to be nasty. You don't have to swing so hard that you know if you connect your breaking bones. Or if you notice the opponent is cut open then that's where the fight should stop. Maybe an appropriate course of action would be: if a player is injured in a fight, the fighter causing the injury will be suspended until the injured player is healthy enough be back in the line up.
I remember in jr b they put cages on players..... this caused a lot more of trash talk and stick play, a couple of years later they went to visors and there have been less cheap shots, and trash talking as players don't want to get in a fight or get a glove in the face.
IMO fights belong in the game for several reasons, to police the game and for momentum changes to name a few,
good read
March 22 2011, 05:56PM
@Robin Brownlee
Once again, I agree with you entirely. It appears that the NHL has at least taken a few tentative steps on the road to ensuring that the equipment used, the arena they play in and the rules regulating the game maximize the protection afforded the athlete without compromising the essence and integrity of the game. For me, this also includes an "acceptable level of risk" as a result of the physical aspect of the game. I want to see the physical contact regulated, not removed. I also believe that it is time for the NHLPA to get involved in developing the awareness and attitudes of their membership to the desirability of playing in a way that does not endanger the lives, livelihoods and health of their union brothers. The NHLPA is uniquely positioned to do this having the capacity to administer the ultimate sanction: if you repeatedly and intentionally play outside the rules and endanger your fellow union members, you will be denied membership in the union. I am tired of being called a pansy or accused of not being a hockey fan because I do not feel that intentionally injuring another player, a rival or opponent, not an enemy, is "a part of the game." For those who's tastes run to watching men beating each other into submission there is MMA and they can indulge to their hearts content without obliging the rest of us to participate as well.
March 22 2011, 09:30PM
@John Andress
I understand the sentiment, but you will never, ever see the NHLPA turn out one of its own. No chance. No way. No how.
What clearly-stated stance has the NHLPA taken during this whole head-shot issue?


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Orchestral spooky halloween theme, which reminds of Danny Elfman style in Tim Burton's movies, useful for commercials, promo launch videogame trailers and apps background.
Your Spooky Night features creepy bells and tuba, clarinet, theremin and strings.
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subset: commoncrawl


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the power of the AppleLeave a Comment
In the last six installs we have completed, every one of them has involved some kind of apple product. How easily I forgot the total saturation the ipod has enjoyed for nearly the last ten years! Talk about a model for success. (more…)


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StrikeForce Helps S.C. Family Protect & Preserve Forest Land
The soil in Marlboro County, S.C. is known to be fertile, and legend has it that the land was once so productive it was sold by the pound instead of the acre.
In this agricultural oasis, brothers Oliver and Martin Smith are continuing the farming tradition that has been in their family for three generations.
Oliver Smith credits his grandmother, a freed slave, for starting the family farm on 400 acres of land in the state's Pee Dee region. Now, he and his brother manage the forestry operation, which their father helped grow by another 50 acres. They're working with USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to use conservation to help their operation and the environment.
NRCS offers a variety of financial incentives to woodland owners who want to protect and improve their land. Reforestation has many benefits, including preventing erosion, improving soil quality, establishing wildlife habitat and providing recreational opportunities.
With the help of NRCS' Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the agency was able to help the Smith family reforest 17 acres with loblolly and longleaf pine trees. NRCS helped them pay for the preparation and planting of the trees.
Frank Stephens, NRCS' local district conservationist, said he has enjoyed working with the brothers, calling them true stewards of the land.
"Martin and Oliver were determined to do the right thing with their land and wanted to make sure that it is here for their kids and generations to follow," Stephens said.
Forests are profitable investments because they can be thinned and harvested over time.
Work on the Smith's land was partially funded through the USDA's StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity initiative. The national initiative addresses high-priority funding and technical assistance needs in rural communities in 16 states, including South Carolina, with a special emphasis on historically underserved communities.
Stephens said the key to working with landowners who might be new to Farm Bill programs and USDA is keeping the lines of communication open.
"I wanted to make sure that I developed a relationship with the family, and kept them informed on programs they may be interested in," Stephens said.
The Smiths have also worked with NRCS on other conservation projects, including the addition of wildlife food plots, a great addition for nearby wildlife and for the family of outdoor enthusiasts.


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Debby Ryan Gets 16 Wishes
Wouldn't it be amazing to have all your wishes come true? Well in the new Disney movie 16 Wishes, starring Debby Ryan from Suite Life on Deck, that is exactly what happens for her character Abby. . . but it doesn't turn out the way she hoped!
Abby has been planning for her Sweet 16th birthday ever since she was a little girl. When the big day finally arrives, she excitedly adds her sixteenth and final wish to the secret wish list she's been keeping. Then begins the first of many unusual occurrences that day each including visits from a peculiar woman, Celeste, who first appears to deliver a mysterious box of 16 birthday candles.Her birthday gets a whole lot brighter when Abby realizes that the candles correspond to her 16 wishes and that they're each coming true — she lands the attention of her crush, she gets back at her lifelong nemesis Krista Cook and is suddenly fashionable, athletic, and popular. But when one wish goes horribly awry, it changes everything, even her relationship with best friend Jay, leading Abby to finally understand that being a kid isn't so bad.
Here is Debby herself talking about the movie, her advice for surviving 8th grade, and an embarrassing 4th of July accident.
Q: Did you get anything cool for your birthday?
Debby: I did. Ever since I got my DSLR, my digital camera, I've wanted a fisheye lens for it because I'm really big into taking pictures with symmetry and a fisheye lends kind of bends that a little bit and makes them symmetrical. I got that from my parents, which was huge because I didn't think we were going to be able to afford it this year.
Q: Tell us about 16 Wishes.
Debby: It was my first starring role, which was surreal. It's funny, kind of, when people are holding umbrellas over your head. I was like, "I have hands, I can do that." My character, Abby, it's her long-awaited 16th birthday. She has these 16 wishes, a wish list that she wants. It all takes place in one day, which was amazing to film over six weeks. On her birthday, her birthday fairy shows up and gives her these magic candles that correspond to the wishes on her list. So essentially she has the power to make all her wishes come true. And as she does that she grows and she learns. Everything goes great and then she makes one wish that kind of is taken out of context and she has to fight to get her old life back. She realizes that everything that gets taken away is not. . .
Q: Kind of like you don't know what you got till it's gone?
Debby: Exactly. And what's cool about it too, as I was looking at it, it has a lot of different themes — be careful what you wish for, and then, she really wants to grow up too quickly, and she learns that that's something you can't really get back.
Q: Is there a love interest?
Debby: There is. Jean Luc Bilodeau from Kyle XY plays Abby's best friend, Jay, which was awesome because I was such a big fan of Kyle XY. Hearing the dish on that was great, and working with him, he's such a sweetheart. So he's actually Abby's best friend in the movie and we'll see through the movie how. . .
Q: We all know where that's going. . .
Debby: Of course.
Q: Where would you wish it would go?
Debby: It's funny because as I'm looking at it, Abby kind of learns a lesson through the film but before she learns that lesson she really doesn't deserve Jay. She kind of takes him for granted to be honest. But then afterward she doesn't, and she realizes how special and amazing he is to her and for her.
Q: How do you find the leap to something different?
Debby: At the end of the day, it depends on the script. You can do a comedy and it's completely different than a different comedy. I watch a lot of movies. 16 Wishes, when I went up to do that I watched Sixteen Candles (rated PG) and a couple of coming-of-age films. I love Molly Ringwald.
Q: In school did you ever deal with bullies?
Debby: A lot. As I grew up, I had a lot of different. . .I was a cheerleader, I was a gymnast in competitive gym, I was also a mascot, chess club, so many things. And in 7th grade I was like the emo kid. I dressed in all black and had my rock 'n' roll friends and got made fun of for hanging out with certain people like that and also made fun of by the cheer captain for being the mascot, anything. We weren't super well-off so I shopped at Wal-Mart and got made fun of for wearing Wal-Mart clothes. By the way I still have tank tops from Wal-Mart that I got in like 7th grade that I wear on red carpets. "Oh my God, that's so cute!"
Q: Memorable first day of school?
Debby: I remember walking into school on my first day of freshman year, no it was 8th grade, and I remember being so out of my element because it was the first day of school. There was a girl who, it seemed like it was her classroom. She was so laid back and super-friendly to everyone. And I'm like, "Why can't that be me?" We're all in the same boat as far as not knowing what to expect.
Q: Did you become friends with her?
Debby: Yeah, we became friends and hung out. I remember she was going through kind of a crazy problem and I was really helping her through that and by the end of the day we were chill friends. But I remember realizing that being the popular one, the confident one has nothing to do with upper hand. It has to do with the way you approach it. So that was super memorable to know that and it still helps me now. That was my 8th grade year.
Q: Any summertime embarrassment story?
Debby: The 4th of July I went to Disneyland with my friend. We were like the last people there in the parking garage. I tripped up the down escalator, I'm so clumsy it's tragic, and long story short, we tried to find. . . we ended up in three different emergency rooms. One of them I remember was just disgusting. I was bleeding from the knee. It was gashed open and my best friend faints at the sight of blood so she's trying to help me and we have like a Kleenex and a sock in the car and we're trying to find an emergency room. The best part, I'm laying there and they stitched it and we're good to go, and my best friend comes in and she's ghost white, and I look over and she's hooked up to an IV. The best part was me sitting there with stitches doing better than my best friend who's about to pass out.
Interview by Gerri Miller
Photos courtesy Disney Channel


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Hi all, that's my first post here. I have a 2yo and a very difficult birth ending in an emergency section. breastfeeding was very hard for the first 8 weeks, however I still do it now. We also co-sleep and babywear. He's very independent and confident when we are at the playgroups but very clingy when I talk to somebody or doesn't have my attention. He's more needy than he was as a baby. I started to run off resources and get really tired and stressed out. Altogether I have no social life. BF and co-sleeping is not always a pleasure anymore. I thought to stop but he would be very upset and I can't handle crying too well. So I prefer to keep going even if it's not convenient for me anymore. However, that got me into a bit of depression and I ask myself at this stage if the AP really works for us. I started to regret I did AP after he was 1. Maybe I should have got him slowly to his rooms and introduce him to bottle from the start. My intimate life with my husband suffers too. We never went out just the two of us in 2 years. He's not used to stay with anybody and we are not living in the home country so we don't have extended family around. I wonder if the AP really worked for me. I started to look for a creche as I really think he would be better of there than with me at home to be honest. Sorry for the rant but just interested to see if anybody else has been in a similar situation and what to do. I honestly, at this stage I regret doing AP. Thank you!
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Forum Administrator and Casualty of Love
- Mar 2008
- 1731
dedra---leader, api of stark co., ohio
MomMom and devoted wife to 3 creatures of delight
I think that it's completely natural for parents to question whether they are making the right choices. Sometimes it's hard to see the end when you're in the middle of difficult times. It sounds like you are wanting more balance in your life. Are you able to get any support from a local API support group or a circle of friends? I know it's hard to believe, but this time with your toddler won't last forever. I can hardly remember my boys being that little, it goes so fast. Don't worry, things will get better.
I agree, it's very natural to question yourself from time to time in any parenting journey, no matter whether you chose AP or another parenting approach! This is a time of great transition for you and your husband, and developmentally, your child is right on target. He is having healthy development!
Try to enjoy this time. It does go by so quickly! Try to let go of expectations, as two years old is really still very small and they oh-so-need their parents at this time. It's a time when they're both stepping out on their own and coming back for reassurance, and some days, your child will seem to be more clingy than others.
Do you have an API Support Group nearby? If not, what about a La Leche League group or a natural parenting group? This is a way for you to socialize with like-minded parents with your children nearby. API Leaders are also wonderful people to talk to, whether for parenting support or as a friend. If you don't have an API Leader nearby to meet with in person, try calling or emailing the closest API Leader, even if not in driving distance.
And yes, parenthood is a transition. There are ways to have "dates" with your husband without leaving home. After your child falls asleep at night, you can slip off for some alone or couple time. Or, during naptime or early in the morning. Try surprising your husband with little kisses and surprises -- the spontaneity, even in small doses, can help a lot during this time of transition.
overwhelmed by AP
Dear BeMa,
I strongly recommend that you find an APi group or call to talk to someone who understands the eight principles of AP. I agree with the previous responses that we all question our choices as parents at times and it is normal and natural. It is also normal to feel overwhelmed by a needy baby/toddler if you have gotten a bit off balance. What you need to regain healthy balance depends on your personality, your unique situation, and your perception of yourself. I am the kind of person who likes to please - or some might say I have a hard time saying no and creating healthy boundaries for myself! Because of that , I was rarely able to gently solicit help from my husband BEFORE I was desperate. And by the time I was desperate, he felt overwhlemed by my emotion. The transition to parenting and maintaining a healthy partnership can take some time and very intentional communication.
Keep coming back here for support and inspiration if you do not find a local API group or LLL. Empathy from someone who has already been there can be worth gold! Venting to someone who will not judge you can give you the space you need to take a big fresh breath of air and find your joy again.
If you have a Facebook account, that can help ,too! There are many API groups online that you can draw support from.
Ashburn API
New Forum MemberNew Forum Member
- Jul 2012
- 1
I am sorry you're feeling this stress. Try to hone in on the connection you have with your child because of AP, perhaps. I agree with the person above, that you are desperately seeking balance, which has been my most difficult principle. I have only had 2 dates in the past 2+ years. It has come very slowly. The first date, our daughter was playing outside with a babysitter, while we enjoyed a beautiful brunch at a restaurant. The second date, we were able to leave her with Grandma at a park for 2 hrs. It is because of our attachment that I believe that our dates will continue to happen more often and without a glitch. Our daughter doesn't even bat an eyelash because she is ready, secure, trusting and that gives me great joy so I can truly enjoy my dates. We do not have API here yet but I have met LOTS of mamas through our moms groups with whom I have found some commonality. I hope you will find some respite soon. When you are able to get balance, you can help your child get what he needs without resenting your decisions or his preferences.


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Addressing Hunger Through Local and Regional Food Systems
In 2009, 14.7% of U.S. households were insecure, meaning that at some point during the year these households were uncertain of having, or unable to obtain, enough food. In addition to tracking and reporting on hunger in the United States, USDA plays a significant role in helping families acquire food through a myriad of nutrition programs (15 in all), inluding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the National School Lunch Program.
An area of USDA support for finding solutions to hunger that may be overlooked is through our National Instutite for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), an agency within the Department that supports research, education and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations. Last week we annouced eight awards totaling more than $18 million, made through the Agriculture Food and Research Initiative (AFRI), that are supporting local and regional food systems while investigating sustainable solutions to food access within those regions. Here's a list of the projects: Read more »


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Tag Archives: soil nutrients
Navigating Your Way Through The Various Plant Foods
If you're not a professional agricultural specialist, gardener, or botanist, navigating your way through plant foods and fertilizers can be a little daunting. The best way to know how much, and at what proportion, to add nutrients to the soil is with a soil test. A simple soil test can be purchased from the Garden Center at Friedman's Home Improvement. Once you determine which nutrients are lacking or in abundance, you can amend the soil to correct most problems. According to the experts, there are four main nutrients that are most likely to be a problem in the soil: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. The …
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July 2, 2012
Hi Melanie Griffith,
It appears that whoever was in charge of maintaining the registration of this domain name messed up, as the domain expired recently and then "dropped" several weeks later. It was consequently put up for auction at NameJet.com, where I purchased it for $669 on your behalf, assuming that you would want it back as quickly and inexpensively as possible. If I was a cybersquatter and intended to keep the domain or sell it to you at a profit then it would cost you several thousand dollars to file an ICANN "UDRP" action - a process which would take several months, I believe - so I hope you are pleased with what I did.
In any event, an authorized agent of yours can contact me using the WHOIS information for the domain. I will immediately change the nameservers so that your website goes right back up, and an ownership transfer will be arranged.
I know people say this to you every day, but you are one of my very favorite actresses and are obviously a very sweet person. I hope you run for President!
Warm regards,
Jon Schultz
Washougal, WA


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Thank you Babak Javadi and Deviant Ollam from the US division of TOOOL, The Open Organization of Lockpickers for the amazing lock-picking workshop yesterday. And thank you everyone who attended. It was a great mix of people. I hope you all had fun and walked away with some lock-picking skills.
The TOOOL Lockpick Workshop is a fun physical security demonstration and participation workshop run by The Open Organisation Of Lockpickers, a non-profit organization. We got to learn about the history behind mechanical locks, experiment with exotic lock designs, and test your skills against your friends and others.
It was a great turn out. Everyone had a hands-on experience to lock-pick and practice. We had a good amount of positive feedbacks from the attendance! We have to do this again! Get ready!!


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Project tours
Stigma Action Network
Using social media to raise awareness, promote dialogue, and inspire action to reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination on a global level.
amfAR TREAT Asia
Addressing critical gaps in HIV/AIDS research, care & treatment for infants, children & adolescents in 20 sites across six countries in Asia.
Global Forum on MSM and HIV, Speaking Out
A global advocacy programme working with local partners to provide capacity-building resources desiged to empower men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender individuals.
The Community-led HIV/AIDS Prevention Project, Kenya
Community-based intervention services in the Nyanza province of Kenya, which promote prevention of mother-to-child transmission.
Positive Action Southern Initiative
Addressing gaps in services that support linkages to care and treatment adherence for individuals living with HIV/AIDS in the southern region of the U.S.
Vida Digna (Life With Dignity)
Addressing HIV related stigma, discrimination & violence against key populations including sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender people and drug users via sustainable programmes in Latin America
Adolescents Count Today, Kenya
Mitigating the impact of HIV for adolescents living with or affected by HIV by providing access to micro-credit and income-generating activities in Eldoret, Thika and Nakuru in Kenya.
AIDS 2012 Global Village
Positive Action was the principle sponsor of the Global Village at AIDS 2012, a place offering communities from all over the world unprecedented opportunities for networking, information sharing and cross-functional collaboration.
The DUDES' Club
An innovative health service model for marginalised inner-city men living with or at risk of HIV infection in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside - one of Canada's most impoverished neighbourhoods.
HIV Young Leaders Fund
Supporting organisations of young people affected by HIV/AIDS who are often excluded from or unreached by existing programmes, such as young sex workers, young men who have sex with men and young people who use injection drugs.
Vitu Newala (Newala Youth Can)
This research and action project aimed at both understanding and responding to girls' HIV-related vulnerabilities in Newala, one of the least-developed districts of Tanzania where susceptibility to HIV is heightened due to severely limited social protections.
Ubuntu Education Fund, Living Positively
Engaging men and boys in South Africa's Port Elizabeth Townships around leadership roles, gender issues and knowing their HIV status.
amfAR MSM Initiative
Providing grants to support community-based efforts to reduce the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS among gay men, other MSM and transgender individuals in the developing world.
NAM Initiative
Providing quality, clear and up-to-date information to support people living with HIV and healthcare professionals.
MTV Staying Alive Initiative
MTV Networks International's initiative to provide grants to youth-led organisations around the world that are working to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in their communities.


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By Floyd Ingram/Chickasaw Journal
HOUSTON – The brown sign simply says Veteran's Memorial Highway, but to the members of the 288th Sappers it is a lasting mark of their service to their community and country.
Chickasaw County and Northeast Mississippi welcomed home the 288th Sapper Company of the Mississippi National Guard on Sunday with the bypass around Houston named in honor of all veterans who have served. Sunday's ceremonies at Houston High School also marked the unit's first drill since it returned from Afghanistan on Sept. 25.
"May this highway and this sign be a reminder to us of your service," said Northern Highway Commissioner Mike Tagart. "May it also serve as a reminder to you of our appreciation for your sacrifice to this country and this state."
Capt. Brenton Montgomery, 288th commander, said the unit accomplished much during its year-long tour of Uruzgan province in southern Afghanistan.
"We served with troops from Australia, Slovakia, Singapore and, of course, Afghanistan," said Montgomery. "We trained and worked alongside the first route clearing company of the Afghanistan Army."
Montgomery also pointed out the 288th has the highest IED detection and disposal numbers in southern Afghanistan. They also had the highest detection and disposal rate using ground-penetrating radar and bomb disposal dogs.
And Montgomery also issued a personal thank you to the community.
"Without your support through care packages, letters and prayers we wouldn't have made it," he added. "Thank you for not forgetting us while we were in Afghanistan."
The unit has a history stretching back to the Korean Conflict, the Berlin Crisis and the Vietnam War. In September 2004, the company was deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom to conduct combat operations. In June 2007 the 288th was deployed to Iraq for a second time to clear routes. The most recent deployment, from October 2011 to September 2012, was to Afghanistan, again to clear roads of explosives.


text:
Perlina Cissy Satchel
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- Imported
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Be among the first to view (bird's eye, as it were) Duke Ellington and Stephane Grappelli playing a medley that includes "Solitude," "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," and "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)." This was filmed in 1973, a year before Duke's death at age 75, and a decade after Ellington's Jazz Violin Session, featuring Grappelli, Svend Asmussen, and Ray Nance.
Ellington played in Paris during his first European tour in 1933, a year before Grappelli and Django Reinhardt became the nucleus of the Quintette of the Hot Club of France. By 1939, when Duke returned to Paris, Grappelli had moved to London, where he waited out the war years, while Django remained in Paris and became a hero of the French Underground. While in Paris, Ellingtonians Rex Stewart, Barney Bigard, and Billy Taylor recorded five titles with Django, including Stewart's delightful original, "Montmartre."
Following the war, Django came to the States and toured with the Ellington Orchestra. In Music Is My Mistress, Duke writes, "Among those I think of as citizens of Paris was Django Reinhardt, whom I regard as among the few great inimitables of our music…I always said that Django was a great believer because a believer is an optimist who thinks of tomorrow, and one of Django's favorite sayings was, 'Tomorrow, maybe'."
As it happened, Django anticipated a hero's welcome when he arrived in New York, and didn't even bring a guitar, so certain was he that American guitarmakers would greet him with freebies and endorsement offers. Moreover, all of the advertising for Ellington's tour had been created before Django was added to the bill, so his appearances resulted in little advanced publicity or notices. But Django's biographer Michael Dregni says that while the trip was a mix of "cruel disappointments and great successes," it "inspired him to create some of his most stunning music" upon his return to Europe.
Here's Django with Duke playing "Honeysuckle Rose."


text:
Clearogen Anti-DHT Acne Treatment Set
- Overview
- Ingredients
- Features
- Hydrating Formulatio
- Time Released Actives
- Potent botanical extracts
- Best efficacy having low irritation factor
- High desired effects seen by patients
- Cleanser- Use once or twice daily. Rinse with warm water.
- Toner- Use once daily in the morning. After cleansing, dampen cotton applicator and apply in gentle strokes. Do not soak cotton applicator.
- Lotion- Use once daily at bedtime. After cleansing and toning, apply lotion over the entire face.
- About the brand
As featured in Dermatology Times, the leading newsmagazine for
dermatologists. Clearogen is recognized as the best over-the-counter anti-acne
formula based on proven ingredients for an effective treatment to clear up
existing acne and prevent new acne from developing. Clearogen addresses the real
cause of acne. Clearogen is effective against male & female puberty acne,
menstrual acne, stress induced acne, body acne and acne that has been
non-responsive to other products.
Most people don't realize that acne does not begin with clogged pores or bacteria. According to Dermatologists and skin researchers, the leading causes of acne are neither clogged pores nor bacteria. Although clogged pores and bacteria play a role in the development of acne they don't start it. The fact is that acne begins in the oil glands (sebaceous glands).
A hormonal byproduct called DHT (Dihydro-testosterone) found in both males and females stimulates the oil glands, resulting in excessive oil production. Normally the oil helps protect the outer layers of the skin, but when overproduced it can clog the pores. Oil builds up in the pores and provides the environment for bacterial growth. Bacteria digest the excess oil and trigger the body's immune system to destroy the bacteria, which results in visible acne (recognized as white heads, black heads, and blemishes)
Foaming Skin Cleanser:Salicylic acid 2%, Deionized Water, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Butylene Glycol, Di-PPG-2-Myreth-10 Adipate, Polysorbate 20, Triethanolamine, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Aloe (Aloe Arbadensis ) Vera Gel, Rosemary Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Lavender E.O.
Skin Acne Toner: Salicylic acid 1%, SD Alcohol 40 B, Deionized Water, Witch Hazel Distillate, Dodecyl Gallate, Propyl Gallate, Glycerin PEG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Comfrey Extract, Indian Plantin Extract, Wheat Hydrolysate Extract, Sodium PCA, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Rosemary Extract, Chamomile Extract, Di-PPG-2-Myreth-10 Adipate, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizinate.Acne Lotion: Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%, Deionized Water, Gamma Linolenic Acid, Alpha Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid, Saw Palmetto Extract, Beta Sitosterol, Green Tea Catechin, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicetyl Phosphate, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glycine Soja (Soy) Sterols, Aloe Vera Gel, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Mallow Peppermint Leaf, Primula, Veris Extract, Imperata Cylindrica Extract, Phospholipid, Comfrey Extract, Indian Plantin, Wheat Hydrolysate Extract, Triethanolamine, Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E), Neem Extract, Fragrance, Chamomile Extract, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Sulfur, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Disodium EDTA, Retinoic Acid.
As with all skin care products begin the regimen gradually to allow your skin to acclimate to Clearogen. If you have sensitive skin, initially apply Clearogen every other day for one week then continue with daily application. Before exposure to sunlight use a non-comedogenic UVA/UVB sunscreen.
Created by board certified dermatologist, Alex Khadavi MD, Clearogen is designed to help control and treat acne in 3 easy steps. This collection includes a cleanser, toner and lotion that work to inhibit DHT, a hormone that causes excess oil. Clearogen kills bacteria and soothes infection for smooth, clear skin.
Waste Of Money!ive tried everything from over the counter products to proactive, retin-a, doxycycline, and other prescription medications and nothing seemed to work for me. i then read the reviews on clearogen and had my hopes up thinking that this would work but it made my skin worse! ive had acne for 12 years now and nothing seems to help. but i will say that out of all the products i have tried, OBAGI CLENZIDERM was by far the best one that worked for me. its a bit pricey but id rather pay for what works! im going back to OBAGI!Sep 8, 2008Susan / Atlanta, Ga
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Great Product But Wish The Cleanser Wasn't A Foam Dispenser.This is a good product, especially if other regimes like Proactiv havent worked for you. The only thing is that I wish they would modify the cleanser. I find that the foam pump dispenses far more product than I need, and I run out of the cleanser far more quickly than the toner and the finishing cream even when I try to be conscious of how much Im using. Proactiv has worked pretty well for me, but I find that I still have break outs occasionally. Now I use Proactiv for general maintenance and Clearogen when Im breaking out or I know Im about to. This is mostly for economical reasons. The product itself is excellent and I highly recommend it, but I feel like I waste the cleanser and that accounts for the good rating. Since Proactiv is also widely available and I live in Canada - it is the better bang for my buck.Jul 24, 2008Lindsay / Ontario, Canada
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I Tried Everything. This Was It!Yes, everything. Proactive, dermalogica, clinique, Sanitas, and EVERY drugstore brand. Nothing worked. I am now 2 weeks into using the clearogen sytem and my face is clear. Now I just need for the past dark scars to fade and I will be good. Try it!!! This stuff works.Apr 8, 2008Veronica
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It Really Works!My acne started about 6 years ago with the birth of my daughter (19yrs old at the time) and since then I have had terrible breakouts. I have tried quite a few of the popular acne products and also some of the cheaper ones at drugstores. I have combination skin, so mostly my skin would get very dry , to the point where I couldnt wear makeup anymore because it would just look awful. My doctor recommended Clearogen. He said that many of his patients with hormonal issues had great success with it. Feeling like it was my last resort I went right home and ordered it without looking at any reviews or anything because I didnt want to be disappointed. Sorry, long story short, I received it about 3 weeks ago and have been using it religiously. Needless to say, its amazing, I am so happy with this product, I will recommend it to everyone I know. I love all three steps the cleanser and toner are great, but the lotion is what I am so happy with. Because it doesnt dry out my skin and I was so afraid of that. The texture of my skin is totally different. I have one pimple on my face today (a small one) but I would usually have at least 20. I am so happy. This is the best product ever! If you are thinking of trying it but arent sure, take it from me, its awesome!Mar 27, 2008Angie / Michigan
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Works For Me And I've Tried Almost Everything ElseIt works for me only a few pimples during my worst times. I have hormonal acne it gets really bad during a certain time of the month clears up and starts all over again. This works great for me. Wish they had a body wash for my back and back spray or something. I was skeptical as Ive tried everything else accutane, clearNfree, proactive, murad, and retin-a cream, and none worked but this really improves my skin and breakouts.Mar 21, 2008Piechy / NY
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Amazing Results!Ive had acne ALL of my life since puberty. As an adult, I know what it is like to deal with the stress of acne, day in and day out. Since I began using Clearogen, my skin has cleared up and the texture has transformed. I have used every acne product, including all the "big guns," and this is the only product that has brought a complete change in my acne and in the overall condition of my skin. I am in my fifties so believe me when I say that I have done it all and this one is it! Please give it a try. You may find that your results are equally as amazing!Mar 4, 2008Cathy Bennett / California
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Wowzaaim a teenager who constently is trying and having poor results with acne products like clearsil, clean and clear, proactive, the list goes on...iv tried it.This is the answer!Im absolutly amazed and iv only been using it for about a month. Im also in sports so i know how that effects my skinbut this stuff is gold. I rave about this stuff to all my friends.Try it :DMar 2, 2008Ashley
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Not A Skeptic AnymoreI stumbled on this website by mistake but decided to check out the acne care products for myself (48) and my daughter (17). I usually get cystic acne under my skin and my daughter has moderate acne. I read the reviews of this product and skeptically decided to try it. The day I recieved it I had a huge under the skin cyst on my chin so I used the Clearogen and it literally dried up the cyst and it was gone the next day!!!!!(usually it takes at least 6 days for me to get rid of this). My daughter has been using this product too and her face looks great!!!!! We are both extremely happy with the results...TRY IT!!!!!Jan 7, 2008Wendy / Maryland
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Best Yet! Don't Give Up!By far the best system I have ever tried. I have tried so many different things including ProActiv(which only dried out my skin terribly) and this is the only thing that I have actually seen good results from. I have been using this system for 5 months and my skin is clearer than it has been in the past 2 years. I still get a pimple from time to time but its usually gone the next day and I finally feel like I have control of my skin. I am amazed how long the lotion and cleanser has lasted. Im still using both of them. I know it wont probably work for everyone, but if you are getting desperate like I was and dont want to have to turn to prescription med. then I definately would recommend giving it a try.Sep 26, 2007Sarah
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Is This Product True?For the past few weeks, Ive been using this product. Ive noticed very little difference in my skin. My acne does still appear, but does not stay around that long. The longest would be 3 1/2 days. I like the cleansing foam and the toner. But the acne lotion doesnt have a great smell to it and seems a bit oily for me. I will try this product for another month or so, to see if my skin will get any better.Sep 10, 2007Emi
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text:
April Newsletter is ready!
Monday, April 18, 2011
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text:
Skip to comments.If only Romney were President...(Vanity - Heard this Lame Accusation Too Many Times)
Posted on 01/02/2013 3:45:06 PM PST by ziravan
I'm getting tired of the "See, and you guys didn't like Romney, so this is what you get" garbage floating around lately.
Assume a Romney Administration with the so-called 'fiscal cliff' debate extended into his watch, and this is what you've got:
WH: Republican. Congress: Republican. Senate: Democrat or barely Republican and not able to sustain a filibuster.
Here is President Romney at his press conference announcing a deal on the 'fiscal cliff', "As you know, Senate Democrat leaders have been intransigent on a budget deal that would avoid the fiscal cliff. In order to protect as many people as possible from the negative effects of the fiscal cliff, we've agreed in principle to a deal that provides tax protection for 98% of Americans".
The deal you would have seen would look almost exactly like the deal you see now.
Why? Democrats would have brought the government to its knees to get their way, held their heads up high, and been proud to do it.
RINOS caved and would have caved, even had they held the White House during this debate. This isn't about who has the levers of power; it's about who'll use them to stand up for their beliefs.
Even in this environment, the GOP has the tools to fight this. The House controls the purse strings. They didn't need a President Romney to avoid this outcome. They only needed a few stones.
The GOP could have had our backs. They didn't because the leadership has a very different agenda than the rank and file. To suggest that with Romney, the GOP-e would have functioned differently is to fundamentally misunderstand what's happening.
I've heard this "Until we control the Senate" garbage out of the mouths of current Members of Congress. It's a pathetic excuse for selling us out.
I held my nose and voted for Romney. Enough! Stop with the garbage about all the wonderful crap the benighted Mittster would have done for us. Mitt is part of the GOP establishment that brought you today's outcome.
The outcome would have been the same on his watch as it was on Boehner's.
It's the lack of courage and conviction from our own guys. Republicans have the power to defeat the left's agenda in Washington, even after accounting for the 2012 election.
What they don't have is the courage of our convictions to do so.. Hell, the GOP-e doesn't even share our convictions, much less our courage. THAT'S THE PROBLEM.
Rick Santorum is right.
Congress isn't going to help us, the GOP held states are the only ones holding the line at this point.
Too bad you don't like the obvious truth. Hope your fantasy keeps you warm at night.
You are one giant hypothetical. Artistic license, I guess.
The obvious truth is that Mitt Romney was built of the same cloth that brought you last night's vote. He wouldn't have saved us from this deal. Like Boehner, he'd be endorsing it.
The only difference with a Republican Administration, at least with the so-called 'fiscal cliff' is that this deal would be presented to you as the REPUBLICAN alternative and we'd all be accused here of not being good little members of the GOP because we don't support stupid economics 101.
We simply would be facing the exact same situation if Romney won simply because the inauguration isn't until January 20th so Obama would still be President.
Everything else is just speculation.
I voted for Romney. I would have must preferred he'd have won.
I doubt that would have changed the outcome of the 'fiscal cliff' because so long as the Democrats controlled any lever of power, they'd have fought for their agenda.
The GOP controls the House that controls the purse strings. That was more than enough to stand up for our beliefs. Hell, forget beliefs, the deal is stupid for the economy and will NOT bring in the revenue they suggest. The GOP had the power to do their jobs and protect the economy from this travesty.
They didn't. They caved.
The GOP doesn't stand up for our core convictions.
At least [insert favorite RINO here] is better than Obama.
If only Herman Cain waas president! They did a Joseph with the coat of many colors on him, and the people bought it!
I was thinking of what a good, thoughtful response to your vanity might be, and only came up with: "See, and you guys didn't like Romney, so this is what you get."
Rather, yeah. MUCH rather? Probably not. The premise of the article is pretty spot on. Dems fight to win (and also have the media covering for them). Republicans are the French surrender monkeys of the political world.
Hell, they don't even stand up for THEIR core convictions. Well, unless their core convictions are that letting Commies run wild is the best thing for the nation.
They dispatched him pretty quick. He neutralized the race card so they saw him as a threat. Cain would have made a great President, but the same qualities that would have made him great, would make him a lousy candidate.
Exactly right. Liberalism is succeeding because there is no opposition.
You can't nominate this and expect to win. We tried to tell you but you wouldn't listen.
Romney: The Boy Scouts should admit homosexuals
This deal would have been the same regardless. The same actors would have been involved. Romney without a Senate would be close to the same after 1/20. He shares the lack of conviction, and this would lead to capitulation. It would have required a sweep of all three to make much of a difference going forward. As long as the drive by media has someone to support, the majority of voters will not know what is happening.
Put down the Slivovitz.
If you paid any attention to the campaign you wouldn't be talking out of your rear. A president Romney would have been working with the republicans, not through Biden and Reid. He never would have proposed or supported tax increases on the wealthy or anyone else. He wanted to cut corporate tax rates.
But hey, make up that a president Romney would have been just like the most radical leftist destroyer ever to sit in the oval office. How idiotic.
It doesn't matter if a "Pres Romney" would have been less radical than "that guy". It only matters what the GOP-e would have settled for after the fight.
It would have been close to the deal passed last night.
Why? Control of the White House wasn't essential to this deal. What was essential is that both sides had enough levers of power to force a stalemate and the GOP-e is more afraid of a stalemate than the Rats.
The same "the media is going to crucify you" routine would have come into play. Etc. Etc.
When both sides can stall the process, the side more afraid of the stall is going to lose. That should be them, they have more to fear from government not running exactly as they want it to run. Time and time again, it's the GOP-e that blinks.
I paid attention to the campaign. Romney talked a game. At the end of the day, he's just another establishment shill and the outcome of this particular showdown wouldn't have changed because the rats weren't going to blink first.
Now. I think the Dems could be made to blink first. They could have been forced to accept extending the whole Bush Tax Cuts, just as they could be forced to accept much harsher spending cuts that they would otherwise want in the debt showdown coming up.
The media will be the left's ally for about a month in any showdown. After that it would become clear that both sides are sticking to their guns, no matter what. At THAT point, any showdown (higher taxes on everybody, shutting down the government, etc) exponentially begins to hurt Democrats more.
It would take six weeks for the Dems to cave. We just don't have true believers in leadership positions to wait out the other side.
We could have waited them out here and now, without President Romney. Instead, the GOP-e caved. How would Romney at the helm have been any different?
Would the GOP-e have had the guts to stand up for weeks/months at a time to get a better deal with Romney in charge? Of course not.
Now that is an insult... to the French. The French have, at least, put up more than token resistance (the recent liberal-party president undid the modest gains incurred by his conservative predecessor) -- the GOP has not stood for any of their stated platform planks in the years I've been politically aware (I'm only 30).
Thank you for the lengthy essay, I'm sorry you don't see how pointless it is to be criticizing Mitt Romney at this point. Clearly Barack Obama is the problem now.
Lousy is in the eye of the beholder Which means the dumbed down eledtorate would not have recdognized his superior gifts so vitally needed for the salvation of the country.
But I do not agree with you entirely. The people loved the man hung on hus evert wiord, but even they proved fickle as they bought the filthylies!
A tragedy!
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