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Boris Johnson today reignited the row over the cost of London's new Routemaster-style buses, as he claimed they could turn out cheaper than the current hybrid vehicles.
The Mayor said tests of the diesel-electric "Boris bus" showed huge potential savings on fuel. He spoke weeks before the No 24, between Victoria and Hampstead, becomes the first bus route to be entirely operated using vehicles from the new fleet. A total of 600 buses are on order.
Mr Johnson said: "If the new bus fulfils the promise shown in tests, we will be able to save so much on fuel it will actually come out cheaper than our current hybrid buses." The vehicles cost £354,000 each and need "conductors" on the rear platform, who critics have called "glorified health and safety inspectors" at an estimated annual cost of £60,000 each.
Liberal Democrat Caroline Pidgeon, deputy chairman of the London Assembly transport committee, accused the Mayor of breaking manifesto promises by paying £5O,OOO more for each new London bus than hybrids cost.Reuse content


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Curly Girl Method Not Working So Well
Ok I have only been doing the curly girl method for a little over a week now. I have read that it can take 2-6 weeks for it to work. But my hair is incredibly frizzy now. My hair has never been this frizzy. It's so frustrating. I don't want to go a month having horrible hair. Any suggestions? I have 3B hair, if that helps at all. Here's the products that I have been using:
Co-Wash - Suave Naturals Coconut
Deep Conditioning - GVP Conditioning Balm
Leave-in - Shea Moisture Curl Smoothie
Style - LA Looks Sports Gel
Any ideas?
Whoa, way too early to throw in the towel! This natural journey takes some patience and quite a few bad hair days. For what it's worth I had about 8 months of them, lol.
1. What are your hair properties? Fine, med., course-Low/high porosity-density etc.
2.How's the water? softened or hard (lots of minerals)
3.Scalp, oily or dry?
4.Damaged? Heat, color, chemical straightened
5.What products were you using before going CG?
Answering these questions will help other curlies give lots of good advice. I know these are A LOT of ?'s but to get the best out of your curls they're important.
All those products you are using except for the GVPCB have protein in them. How does your hair feel while wet?
Also started a little over a week ago and had the same problems, with me it was the La Looks Gel that did not work for me, right now I am using Deva Curl archangel , which is great but looking for a cheaper alternative .
I seriously did not liked the L.A. gel. It just made my hair rough and kind of sticky. Well, imagine my surprise when it turned out that my hair type did NOT liked protein and the gel was chocked full of it. :sad3: So I gave it to someone else.
It might just be that you're protein sensitive. Learn to read ingredients at the back of labels to avoid proteins: Live Curly Live Free - Product Ingredients
It might merely be because your hair is adjusting to life without sulfates and silicones. Sulfates would dry it out and affect your sebum balance so before your scalp might've been producing too little or too much sebum thanks to your dehydrating it. Give it a chance to play catch up and adjust. Also silicones were coating your cuticle and coaxing it to lie in place. Now without silicones your hair's frizzing out but eventually it should become hydrated. Frizz is just a curl that needs moisture.
But yes. Go to livecurlylivefree.com and try to determine your hair's properties to see what it might like and might not like. I actually got an analysis just to see and I was surprised to learn my hair is coarse and therefore potentially protein sensitive. I was also surprised to learn my elasticity was low and my porosity high which are potential indications of damage. I am currently nursing my hair back to health and it's responding.
Also check out the weather and this site's frizz forecast. The weather plays a big role in my hair I think. It's fairly arid where I live (we are getting some rain now so it's a bit better) and the dew points are are low. Because of that I think my hair is sensitive to humectants right now and needs more emollients. Otherwise it gets dry and dry hair is frizzy hair.
Dew Points « Pittsburgh Curly
Don't give up. Your best hair days are ahead of you. :wave:
Protein free stylers I know of are Aubrey Organics B5 Gel, Kinky Curly Curling Custard. Tresemme Naturals also makes a nice, protein free conditioner that is high quality and very cheap. Runs you about $6.
Yes, how your hair feels when wet can tell you whether you are over-proteined. The signs to look for are if your hair feels rough and straw-like. If so, it's likely time to drop the protein and up the moisture.
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WJZM was the first radio station to sign on the in air in Clarksville Tennessee. Granted a license by the Federal Communications Commission in 1941, WJZM has been Clarksville's most reliable radio station for Clarksville area news and current events. Locally owned and operated, WJZM and WJZM.com now serves a global audience with a lineup of Local, State, and national News and Sports.
It's reputation as a reliable source of local news coverage makes it Clarksville's favorite and most dependable radio station for accurate and credible news and sports reporting. Combining information from local civic organizations, to local High schools, the Clarksville Fort Campbell area continues to turn to WJZM and WJZM.com for what's going on in Clarksville. Clarksville depends on WJZM.


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If you are a fan of NASCAR, then this is the app for you.
Keep up to date on all the latest NASCAR News, check out the latest Tweets on Twitter and Tweet straight from the app, look at some cool NASCAR photographs and watch videos right in the palm of your hand.
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Sub panel wiring
Have a 100 amp sub panel in my garage. It was used for a backup generator, but ended up wiring for generator directly to main panel. I am running new outlets throughout my garage and was gonna use the sub panel for garage. I ran 2-20amp outlets on each of 3- 12/2 lines. Got 3-20amp breakers for those circuits. Also have a 15amp breaker already in the sub panel for garage door opener and lights. What size wire and breaker should be used to feed the sub panel?
Sent from DJ's iPhone
It's not quite that easy.
Do you want 100 amp service?
What loads do you expect to have in the garage? Do you plan to run any "heavy" tools? Welders or air compressors for example? Any 240 planned in the future?
A load calculation would help.
Is the garage attached to the house? How far is the cable run?
Short runs, attached to house, single car. Nothing major(air-compressor, drill press, grinder, etc.). Were no current outlets in garage and I needed some, so I put in a few. No 240 planned out of subpanel. Just the new 6- 20amp outlets and the existing 15amp breaker for opener and lights. Total of 4 breakers in subpanel. 3-20amp(new outlets) and the 15amp.
Sent from DJ's iPhone
100 amp sounds like over-kill. You can feed that sub as a 60 amp from your main or even less.
So should 10/3 wire be sufficient? And what size breaker? 60amp? Or could I go smaller?
Sent from DJ's iPhone
10/3 would give you a 30 amp main. You could do it and probably won't have any problems if you're only running a few things at a time.
You could up to 6/3 for a 60 amp main.
I'm assuming you want NM cable. No need for conduit.
Ok. Thanks for all your help.
Sent from DJ's iPhone
Don't forget, you need to separate the neutral and ground at the sub panel.
Remove the bonding jumper on the panel.
Yup. Neutral line to be insulated from panel and ground bar. Thanks
Sent from DJ's iPhone
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Chevy, Mixed Breed
Mixed Breed
Embrace is one of the only companies without limitations around genetic & hereditary conditions.
Choose a company without per-incident limits and loopholes.
Looking for a new pet? Researching for an existing family member? We help you prepare for the unknown.
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We covered 85% of all insurance claims received in 2013.
Request a Medical History Review for a clear picture of how your pet's past may impact their coverage.
Coverage available in all Washington, D.C. Metro neighborhoods, including Georgetown, Dupont Circle, Capitol Hill, Arlington, Alexandria, Bethesda, and Silver Spring.
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As pet parents, you understand the relationship we all have with our dog or cat. A true part of the family. A trusted companion. A playmate. A confidante. A friend.
That is why pet insurance from Embrace helps to protect dogs and cats throughout Washington, D.C. with affordable, flexible pet insurance that helps bring pet parents peace of mind.
Embrace Pet Insurance provides coverage for your dog or cat when you visit any veterinarian in the D.C. area. In fact, we provide coverage in every US state, and once insured we cover your vet bills anywhere in the world your pet travels with you. With Embrace you can visit any kind of general, specialist or emergency veterinarian.
Protecting your dog or cat is more important now than ever. Veterinary fees increased 85% between January 2000 and December 20111. Over the same time period the overall consumer price index (CPI) rose just 31%. At this rate, veterinary fees will double every 13 years. That's faster than our salaries can catch up. That's why smart pet parents in neighborhoods throughout Washington, D.C. are turning to Embrace. 1Bureau of Labor & Statistics, Veterinary Inflation, Veterinary Services US City Average Seasonally Adjusted
We looked at the pet insurance market and talked to lots of pet parents to understand the needs of pet parents in Washington, D.C. and around the country. We learned there were high expectations when it came to pet health insurance, and they weren't always being met. Here at Embrace, we believe that if you don't like the rules of the game, then you should change them. So that's what we're doing.
Hundreds of cats and dogs in Washington, D.C. are insured with Embrace and premiums can vary. We offer comprehensive coverage with discounts available including multi-pet and annual pay. Here are some sample quotes to give you a better idea of what pet insurance costs in Washington, D.C.
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X3 Likely Totaled :-( (questions)
This past weekend I went to a wedding out of town and as I was leaving the long term parking ramp at the airport returning a person blew through a stop sign at about 30mph and nailed the passenger front panel causing major damage to the hood, wheels, bumper ect . My car is a 05 with 103K miles and is (was) in great shape but the airbag did deploy, the front end has major issues and the car seemed to have a transmission issue as we tried to get it out of park to get it towed, so I am planning on a total. The other persons insurance will likely eventually cover everything but it is still rough as the car seemed to have lots of life left and I was considering keeping for the duration. I just had a few quick questions regarding the process as I am new to it:
1) When the adjuster comes to look at the car, how can I have someone inspect the vehicle checking for things like drive-train and not just cosmetic damage that an insurance agent specializes in? I have been going to an awesome indy shop for years and they to mechanical but not body work, could I somehow have them check it out to find all the true issues rather than just have a body shop guy try to determine that? I was also considering having it towed to a dealer next as their mechanics could also make a good assessment but I have no relationship with the local dealership and with the way they often estimate charges for things I am 100% that would turn it into a total.
2) I have all the service/preventive maintenance records and just bought new tires a couple weeks ago. Can things like that typically be submitted to the adjuster to be considered in determining the value of the car?
3) I am aware that the value of the total is supposed to be the actual cash value? From what I understand that is supposed to be more than a trade in value but less than the retail value. I was wondering if it tends to be closer though to retail then trade value or vice versa as that is normally a pretty wide range.
Aww, my condolences. No real advice here but once a car is smashed its never really the same.
I would look for a clean replacement. Good luck! :cry:
you can call and ask your insurance adjuster these questions. Sometimes it differs between insurance companies and between policies but you can always ask.
Don't forget to factor in "loss of use" when computing the final offer. This can be negated if you are provided with a rental car while the adjucation process goes on. I suspect you will get mid book for your car since it is a high miler. The insurance company will then sell it to someone who, probably using body parts from a flood damaged X3, will fix it up and sell it to a used car lot -- you know, one on the outskirts of town with the dusty plastic flags and the salemen wearing snakeskin boots.:D Anyway, glad you were not hurt! That really is the main thing. Cars can be replaced!:angel:
I also went for diminished value due to the damage it did to the resale value of my X3.
They would have been better off totaling mine out then paying what they did. I told this to them many times.
$15,500 (repairs) + Settlement equal to 75%+ of vehicle cost.
Silly Progressive.
Sorry to here about the X3.
When my 2001 325xit was in a very heavy hail storm my insurance company was great (State Farm, I've been with them for years for houses, cars, bikes). The adjuster came out and really gave credit for everything with the car, condition, tires, packages, interior, etc (no credit for maintenance, that is considered normal use). When they came back with a value it was really high. (plus some differed maintenance that I was going to do). My agent would have fixed the car with the quote that I got, but he let me total it instead. I think I came out several thousand ahead. Took the proceeds and purchased my 2006 X3 (plus a little more cash).
Hope this helps.
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The new sitcom Undateable (8 and 8:30 p.m., NBC//Ch. 5) comes to us from some very funny writers (the folks behind "Scrubs"). Its stars are a bunch of funny standup comedians, including Chris D'Elia, Brent Morin, Ron Funches and Rick Glassman."
And yet, somehow, it never comes together. This sitcom about guys who aren't good at relationships isn't really ... good.
It's not awful. But it's sort of ... meh.
Too bad.
Elsewhere on TV ...
Stanley Cup playoffs (6 p.m., NBCSN): Montreal Canadiens at New York Rangers
National Spelling Bee (6 p.m., ESPN): The championship rounds of the 87th annual event.<


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c5 rv
Have you ever followed the links in the monthly OnStar vehicle summary email? I clicked the link for the first time today and saw the graph of my average daily mileage for each month for the past year. Very cool. I can tell when winter set in and I switched to my AWD vehicle - the average for the SRX dropped from 33 miles per day to 7. (It's since back up to 57/day.)


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John Warden of Camera West in Rancho Mirage went out to shoot the moon last weekend and came up with some beautiful images. Here is his report :
Camera West customer John Schmidt of Cathedral City and I set out last Saturday afternoon for a 45 minute drive to one of my favorite haunts, 81st. Ave and Jackson Road on the northwest shore of the Salton Sea. Our goal, to take photos of the full moon rising over the Chocolate Mountains.
We used the app The Photographer's Ephemeris which provides time and angle of sun/moonrises and sun/moonsets and the path of travel over your location. The app worked flawlessly. We arrived with plenty of time to get set up and enjoy the sun setting over the Santa Rosa Mountains and all the layers of hills between the Salton Sea and Palm Springs.
We were using a Nikon D200 with 70-200/2.8, 28-70/2.8 and 12-24/4 and a Canon 60D with 18-135 and just for kicks, I brought my Nikon D50 IR Conversion.
The flies were incredibly persistent and a few lost their lives that night. But, it was worth the annoyance as we were graced with a wonderful experience.
The moon rose right on schedule and at times partially hid behind clouds which added depth and character to our imagery. The lake provided the white runway to the moon with it's long reflection.
The seasonal migration has begun so the shores were filled with seagulls, pelicans, osprey, black currant, and a hummingbird or two. The birds added to our photography options and made for a more complete photo op.
As we were about to leave and after it was quite dark we heard the low deep sounds of thousands of feathers grabbing air. As the sound grew louder it was amazing and almost intimidating to hear them fly right over our heads. It was like the sound of a jet fighter flying over the lake.
Once we all understood what we were hearing, the sound was pure beauty.
Many thanks to Stan Ford who suggested and demonstrated The Photographer's Ephemeris for us to calculate moonrise and sunset info.
Other Articles


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Tailgate LED mod
Hi everyone. I know we all have issues seeing in the trunk area at night due to crappy visibility, mainly where jeep decided to mount a light (corner of the tailgate). I know many of you have done some sort of led mod with either a strip of leds or a couple of single units.
I present to you my variation of this: 2 x 9.5" white leds placed on the outer most part of the rear headliner. Had to trim the plastic panel with a razor blade for the cleanest cuts.
Getting access to the power was a pain and took patience as to not break any clips or tabs. I used 2 of the 22-18 guage red vampire clips to hookup the power. Located the red wire with the white strip (+) and yellow wire with the orange strip (-). Connect the silver led wire to the red/white wire and the copper led wire to the yellow/orange wire.
Thanks to Jim (Jeepnjeep) and Nate (White WK Swagga). :thumbsup:
Any questions feel free to ask. hope you enjoy:
One set of the leds and plastic piece pre trim:
The last row (closest to the rear of the Jeep):
Both strips of LEDs attached:
Installed side view:
Alternate view:
Re: Tailgate LED mod
good work bro!!! sorry i couldnt help you out at the meet and talk about the leds i got there really late. you did a great job!!! we can compare brightness at the next meet!!! i think your lights will be brighter!!!
Re: Tailgate LED mod
im waiting for tonight to get a night shot
Re: Tailgate LED mod
awesome! i look forward to seeing it!
Re: Tailgate LED mod
Nice work. Wow that looke easier than the way Irf and I did it. LOL You didn't tell me you were using the led strip... You sneaky snake... LMAO But looks good. Let me know if you have the after glow problem...
Re: Tailgate LED mod
Nate, explain the afterglow problem?
Re: Tailgate LED mod
ill jump in for nate since he's too busy looking for brakelight fluid:)
if you have a slight glow to your led's after you shut off your interior lights you will have to install a $3 resistor so they shut off completely
if you have at least 1 halogen(regular) interior light in your truck, you should be fine
Re: Tailgate LED mod
Thanks Irfan! All my lights so far are stock halogens except these leds.
Re: Tailgate LED mod
Yes I was just about to say that. LOL
Here is the interior V-LED chart to order if ya want. I think it came to about $80. with the coupon.
Re: Tailgate LED mod
Thanks Nate!
Re: Tailgate LED mod
Looks impressive man.
I like the new avy too!
Re: Tailgate LED mod
night shot?
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March 12, 2010
Recap | Box Score | Photo Gallery
With the loss, Michigan sits at 15-17. Ohio State improves to 25-7.
Ohio State took two of the three meetings against Michigan this season. Michigan won 73-64 in Ann Arbor (Jan. 3) and Ohio State won 66-55 in Columbus (Feb. 27).
Junior Manny Harris hit a fade-away off the right elbow to give Michigan a 68-66 advantage with 2.2 seconds left. Ohio State's Evan Turner hit a 37-foot three-pointer as time expired to give Ohio State the win.
Michigan is now 4-8 in games decided by seven points or less and 1-4 when decided by five points or less.
Junior Manny Harris led all scorers with 26 points (8-of-15 FG, 3-of-5 3-pt, 7-of-8 FT), moving into 10th on U-M all-time scoring list, passing Henry Wilmore (1971-73). Combined with his 22 points against Iowa yesterday, Harris has 1,668 career points. He also added a team-high four assists and six rebounds. Today was his 37th career 20-plus point game and was one point shy of his season high (27 vs. Detroit, Dec. 13).
Harris' 26 points are tied for the second-most points scored by a Michigan player in a Big Ten Tournament game (with LaVell Blanchard and Louis Bullock).
Senior DeShawn Sims had 16 points and six rebounds. In 132 career games, Sims has accumulated 1,584 points (16th all-time) and 728 rebounds (tie for 13th all-time with Courtney Sims (2004-07)).
Sophomore Stu Douglass also had 16 points, including 5-of-8 from the three-point line, his second-most makes for the season since Coppin State (Dec. 22).
Michigan held the advantage on the glass, 28-23. The Wolverines outrebounded an opponent for the ninth time in 32 games this season. Prior to Friday's game against Ohio State, Michigan had been outrebounded in the last 10 games (last vs. Iowa, 44-31, on Jan. 30).
Michigan's starters (Harris, Sims, Douglass, sophomore Zack Novak, freshman Darius Morris) accounted for 66 of the team's 68 points against Ohio State.
For the game, Michigan shot 49 percent (24-of-49) from the field and 38 percent (8-of-21) from three-point range. On the flip side, Ohio State shot 51 percent (27-of-52) from the field and 58 percent (7-of-12) from three-point range.
Michigan finished with a positive assist-turnover for the 28th time in 32 games this season. The Wolverines had 13 assists to 12 turnovers.
The Wolverines went 12-of-14 (85 percent) from the free throw line against Ohio State. With the 15-of-18 effort against Iowa yesterday, Michigan went 27-of-32 (84 percent) from the line for the tournament.
DeShawn Sims has now played in 129 straight games (132 for his career), moving him into fifth on U-M's all-time games played list. Zack Gibson has played in 99 consecutive games for the Wolverines. Stu Douglass also extended his consecutive games played streak to 67, while Laval Lucas-Perry has played in 58 straight.
» Learn about Michigan men's basketball season tickets for the 2017-18 season.


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Welcome to The Art of Nature Gallery, featuring the fine art landscape photography of Bruce W. Heinemann. In my gallery you will find a collection of my best work created over the last ten years. Any of these images are available as fine art prints, notecards, calendars, posters, other photo products, and also available for licensing.
Recently Updated


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For the ninth year in a row, Carolinas HealthCare System (CHS) has been ranked as one of the nation's Most Wired Hospitals and Health Systems. AnMed Health, a South Carolina affiliate of CHS, also received Most Wired recognition for the third year in a row.
Results are based on the national Hospitals and Health Networks (H&HN) Benchmarking Study where hospitals report on their adoption and use of information technology in the focus areas of infrastructure, business and administrative systems, clinical quality and safety systems, as well as its use throughout the care continuum of hospitals, physician practices and other patient care locations.
"Each year the bar is raised by H&HN to recognize national health care leaders that adopt technology to increase efficiencies and improve the quality of health care services," said Craig Richardville, CHS Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. "Our continued recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to identify, implement and adopt technologies that improve CHS."
"Putting the patient first provides the direction and paves the way for our success in the areas of patient safety, quality, service excellence and efficiency through the adoption of information technology," he added.
Richardville pointed to several current initiatives that are advancing CHS's "patient first" philosophy:
CHS continues to demonstrate a high degree of clinician leadership and engagement by its chief medical officers, quality division, hospitals, ambulatory physician practice networks, and Information Services.
"The programs we have in place will improve our work in both the clinical and non-clinical settings," said Brent Lambert, MD, CHS Vice President of Medical Informatics. "Our physicians and staff have the most up-to-date technology for submitting and transferring patient data in a secure environment, and our patients will be better served because of the more efficient processes we've put in place."
Award winners were recognized for their innovative use of information technology in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks and at the 2011 Annual Health Forum/AHA Leadership summit from July 17-19 in San Diego, Calif.


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If you're in further education, the voluntary sector is one of the hardest areas to find your first job. Big commercial companies run well-advertised, well-funded graduate trainee schemes. The public sector is working hard to attract graduates to train as nurses, teachers and police officers. But very few charities offer a similar combination of placements, support and pay.
A couple of voluntary sector organisations do have direct access schemes, although they can be quite hard to find. Christian Aid has been running one for over three years, paying around £8,000 (plus London weighting) over 11 months. Degrees are not always required, but in practice it's pretty well a graduate scheme. Specific posts are advertised directly, and competition is stiff - there are usually more than a hundred applications for each placement.
Most of the nine current placements are in the charity's international department, where the scheme started off. Others are in the Ireland team and the library. Christian Aid aims to give interns "broad experience" and a "solid work foundation" that they can build on. They each get a mentor, an individual work plan, regular reviews and help with moving on afterwards. Previous interns have mainly stayed within the development field, at this or other organisations.
The Imperial Cancer Research Fund runs two schemes. One is specifically for scientists. The other, which only started this year, is in ICRF's fundraising directorate. This is a two-year programme with a salary that staff describe as "comparable to other graduate schemes in the private sector". It, too, is hard to get onto. ICRF has put a lot of effort into attracting applicants, with comprehensive, glossy publicity targeted at "high-calibre, business-minded individuals". The five graduates now in place were picked from hundreds.
Training programmes are tailored "as far as possible" to individuals. ICRF's fundraising directorate includes communications and PR, regional fundraising, marketing and retail. Each trainee does several placements, of a few months each, in different departments. The charity aims to offer permanent posts to "successful" trainees.
Apart from these two schemes, there's very little funded training on offer. The NSPCC has run graduate fundraising traineeships in the past, which were paid "at the lower end of the scale" (the NSPCC pays pretty well, compared with other charities) but these are on hold at the moment.
If you have previous work experience, especially if you are a mature student, the South Bank University's part-time postgraduate degree courses (charity marketing and fundraising, charity accounting and financial management, and charity management) may be an option. The organisation Working for a Charity offers training and placements. The Open University also has courses on voluntary sector management, ranging from certificate level through to an MBA. Otherwise, most careers and recruitment offices recommend building on your existing degree and interests with volunteering.
Volunteering can be a very good way to build up your skills, but only as long as you are somewhere that takes volunteers seriously. Look for an organisation that employs a "volunteer co-ordinator" if possible. Oxfam's "trainee programme" only pays expenses, but it aims to take between 40 and 60 trainees, both current students and graduates. They work part-time or full-time for four to 12 months in a wide range of areas. Some placements are advertised externally, but it is worth contacting the personnel department directly as well.
Because so many people want to work in this sector, all types of placements are intensely over-subscribed. However, students are under increasing pressure to move straight from university to a well-paid job with some security. Other sectors offer access, training and transferable pay scales. If graduates decide to go down these routes, many will stay there. And, in the long run, the voluntary sector may well lose out.


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I'm looking for a compact CC 9mm. Are there any out there that have the decocker function?
Printable View
I'm looking for a compact CC 9mm. Are there any out there that have the decocker function?
HK USP Compact (Depending on the Variant)
I have never shot one myself, but I hear very good things about the Sig Sauer P239.
you can look at a 3913 or CS9 S&W's, very nice weapons
I really think that should I ever decide to buy another gun it would be some sort of single stack 9mm like the P239.
I realize this is the semi-auto forum and you asked about a 9mm, but I have found no better pocket gun than a S&W J frame. I love my 640.
Kahr PM9/MK9 , Keltec P11/PF9
Those two Kahrs do not have the decocker function. I don't think the KT's do either, but I've not used those....
True, but neither does the Rohrbaugh that he mentioned. I haven't seen a pocket semi auto that has a hammer to decock. Imo the SAO mouse guns are the best option for pocket carry. He has a Ruger LCP, so I figured he doesn't mind the Keltec style long trigger pull that the PF9 would have.
Heres a place to start
I actually looked at Kahr and a Keltec 9mm something. The Keltec looked pretty neat and compact. My concern with it is, that it is not too much larger than the LCP. The LCP is not a fun gun to shoot, especially with Buffalo Bore. So I am expecting that with a larger round, 9mm, the Keltec 9 would probably be similar to the LCP.
I really don't think your going to find a pocket gun thats fun to shoot. That being said my wife can run 100+ rounds through her Pm9 without any problems. The PM9 felt recoil is considerably less than that of the Bersa .380cc that she carried prior.
Check out the cZ line of compact pistols at www.czusa.com.
P.O.P. PM9 is the Kahr. I also own one. It is much more pleasant to shoot than the LCP.
Not sure how small you want to go but in the compact/subcompact line is the Beretta PX4sc but it is considerably larger than my LCP or PM9. The PX4sc has a decocker function and safety.
Going to look at the Beretta PX4sc.
The Walther P99 AS compact is a striker fired DA/SA with a decocker.
I think a 9mm pocket gun with a decocker is asking for more than what the commercial market has to offer (unless by 9mm you also meant .380 auto?). Also, you mentioned you were interested in a compact, but based on your desire to pocket-carry, it sounds like what you are really looking for is a subcompact, and a small one at that. I'm not sure there is such a thing, but if there is, someone please say so :D
Caught up in some family issues. As soon as things get resolved I'll post to let ya'll know what I did.
Family issues = elderly aunt health issues!
Hope things go well for your Aunt.
Poor woman, at 90 is very fragile. Fell just before Christmas and sheered her femur at the hip. They put a nail in that goes from her hip to just above the knee.
She made a wise decison and wants to stay at the nursing home. So we have to vacate the home she is living in now by February 28th. We're gonna be busy!
Thanks again for the well wishes.


text:
2012's First Tuesday Football Media Day
Aug. 28, 2012
More Video: Player Interviews at Tuesday's Media Day | Gameday Central Preseason DawgSpot
ATHENS --- Georgia head coach Mark Richt and a delegation of players met with the media Tuesday during the Bulldogs' weekly press luncheon. They offered the following comments:
Head Coach Mark Richt
"To talk about our first opponent, Buffalo, Coach (Jeff) Quinn is in his third season. He's doing an outstanding job there, no doubt about it. I was looking at their offense and one of the things that I saw from their first to their second year was that they were really adding their yards per game and doing much better in points per game. Their turnover ratio has improved dramatically from year one to year two and now they're going into year three with a lot of veteran players. It's a little bit similar with what's going on with our defense in that everybody knows what they're doing. I'm sure they're in the same situation in that regard. They are a big bunch, and they have three guys that started all 12 games last year on the offensive line, so we're looking forward to that challenge. With our line against theirs, it will be interesting to see how that goes. I figure they'll be wanting to run the ball a lot, and it will be a challenge for us to stop it."
On the importance of Richard Samuel's play this season...
On the development of Ken Malcome...
On Ken Malcome's career to this point...
On Ramik Wilson and the outside linebacker position...
On entering his 12th season at Georgia and the expectations entering his first year...
On the 2009 and 2010 seasons...
On Marshall Morgan's readiness to kick in front of 92,000 people...
"Of course Collin (Barber) is kind of in the same boat as a true freshman punter as well. We have had some good competition with Jamie Lindley in practice, and I'm not sure if Jamie will get in there or not, but we've also had some good competition with Adam Erickson at the punting position too. I wouldn't be shocked to see those guys in there as well."
On whether Christian LeMay could get some snaps on Saturday...
On different teams recruiting players from the state of Georgia...
On Mark Beard...
On the offensive line...
On being a top-10 team despite new faces at tailback, punter and kicker...
On the SEC...
On whether he is more inclined to open up with a fullback so Merritt Hall can get the start...
On Georgia's freshmen...
On the difference between this year's season opener and last year's season opener...
On Georgia's depth...
On whether Georgia has had a policy change on addressing personnel or disciplinary decisions...
Senior WR Tavarres King
On Marlon Brown...
On expectations for Saturday...
On the progress of the offense compared to this time last year...
Junior QB Aaron Murray
On a freshman kicker and punter making their debuts...
On freshmen handling their first game...
Senior DT John Jenkins
On his individual, and team goals for the upcoming season...
On the importance of the new strength coaches...
Senior LB Christian Robinson
On what he is most excited to see come Saturday...
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text:
Special Order
" Tidings of magpies,
Ducks in a brace,
Elks in a gang, in a galloping race. "
This joy-filled romp through creation captures your child's imagination with the silly-sounding (but true) names of animal groups. Rhythmic verse celebrates the wonder of God's imagination displayed in his creatures "from a clutter of cats and a mischief of rats to an army of frogs and a drift of fat hogs.
Along with all the wild, wacky, and winsome animals, this rollicking adventure leads children to an unexpected encounter with a most unusual grouping, one that reveals God's greatest artistry and creativity: a blessing of kids.
About the Author
Dandi Daley Mackall has published nearly 400 books for children and adults, with more than 3 million copies sold. A frequent guest on radio talk shows, Mackall has hosted more than 200 radio phone-in programs and made dozens of appearances on network television. A popular keynote speaker at conferences and Young Author events, Mackall lives in rural Ohio with her husband, three children, and a menagerie of animals.
Illustrator bio:
David Hohn is an award-winning illustrator who graduated with honors from the Maryland Institute College of Art. He has worked as both a staff artist and an art director for a children s software company in Portland, Oregon, a position which culminated in his art direction of an award-winning project for Fisher-Price. Hohn s recent projects include Lisa Tawn Bergren s "God Gave Us Christmas.""


text: ok so recently everytime im on the highway my 02 wrx's steering wheel just starts shaking when i get to about 75 or over. The tires arent completely bald but I can definitely use new tires for the winter... can my bald tires be the reason my cars shaking? Anyone have any ideas?


text:
Diego Maradona [2]'s future as Al Wasl [3] coach hangs in the balance following the resignation of the club's entire board, a source told Gulf News yesterday.
In a surprise move, the two boards from the Al Wasl Football Company headed by Marwan Bin Bayat and the Al Wasl Football Club resigned en masse late on Thursday citing poor results for the move.
Their resignations were immediately accepted by club president Shaikh Ahmad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who in turn has reportedly re-appointed Dr. Mohammad Bin Fahad as the chairman of Al Wasl Football Club.
Now Maradona's future is up in the air, with one of the first decisions of the new board of directors likely to be whether to keep him in the Al Wasl hotseat.
"Everything changes now with the resignation of the board of directors," an Al Wasl source told Gulf News.
"The new board will have to take several key decisions in a short period of time. They will have to decide if they want to keep Maradona and they will have to decide on the senior football team's pre-season preparations for the new season," the source added.
In light of this development, the next 24 hours will be crucial as the new board of directors of the club and company get re-constituted and ratified by Shaikh Ahmad.
"Things should be clearer after another few hours. We will have to wait and see what decisions are taken," the source said.
The resignations come after Maradona endured a disappointing first season in charge at Al Wasl, who finished eighth in the Pro-League and crashed out of the President's Cup and Etisalat Cup at the quarter-final stage.
They then suffered an agonising penalty shootout defeat to Al Muharraq in the GCC Champions League final.
[1] http://www.syndigate.info
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maradona
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Wasl_FC
[4] http://www.gulfnews.com


text:
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text:
Everybody got something wrong.
The pundits who were sure the Beatles were coming to iTunes had to make do with a live performance by Norah Jones.
The analysts who predicted that Apple (aapl) would introduce a new Apple TV or a tablet computer had to settle for some price cuts and memory upgrades on the iPod line.
The journalists who insisted that Steve Jobs' days as a presenter were over had to deal with the fact of his presence on center stage at Apple's "It's only rock and roll" event Wednesday, looking gaunt but surprisingly robust.
Even those who were sure that Apple was putting cameras on all its iPods -- and had pirated photos to prove it -- had to settle for just one video-equipped iPod: the nano.
But though the list of new products didn't come close to meeting expectations, the legion of live bloggers covering the event seemed satisfied -- and even excited -- by what they saw and heard.
Sitting for an hour in a room with Steve Jobs will do that to you.
See also:


text:
Major Rebuild Indy contracts key donors to Ballard
A $400 million infrastructure program that has repaved more than 800 miles of streets, fixed bridges and added bike lanes in Indianapolis has also been a boon for Mayor Greg Ballard.
The Indianapolis Business Journal reports major Rebuild Indy contractors poured at least $221,000 into Ballard's 2011 re-election bid. The contributions accounted for 10 percent of the $2.2 million he raised that year. Rebuild Indy contractors accounted for at least 32 percent of the nearly $500,000 Ballard raised last year.
Many of the donations are from engineering firms.
Director Andy Downs of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics at IPFW says donations above 20 percent from one area raise questions about donors influencing the hiring criteria.
Ballard declined to discuss ties between Rebuild Indy and his campaign.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)


text:
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Too Controversial?
But most of the time when I'm asked this question, the author has either written a polemic or, very commonly, a speculative fiction novel that draws a straight line from the present to a horrific future. So, for instance, you have the post-global warming novel, the totalitarian president novel, the modern theocracy novel, the moral degradation novel, etc. These books are political (both right and left wing) and they express their politics very very clearly.
Here's the thing. Setting aside from the fact that an intensely political novel is turning off half of its potential audience, the problem isn't that these types of novels are controversial, it's that they're not controversial at all. If you read the newspaper you'll see plenty of doomsday scenarios about global warming, moral degradation, a powerful executive branch, etc. etc. etc. You'll see op-eds on both sides. We're gotten very used to these sorts of scary situations and inured to just about every political belief, and thus they're not at all controversial.
The great speculative fiction novels that express a deep fear about the present (ORYX AND CRAKE, 1984, BRAVE NEW WORLD) or use a real doomsday scenario as a plot device (THE HOT ZONE, THE ROAD, PARIS HILTON'S CONFESSIONS OF AN HEIRESS) don't come right out with their politics. They craft a wholly new world that centers the real fears and anxieties of characters, whatever their political inclinations. They make the worlds complex and nuanced and not at all straightforward.
Sure, ORYX AND CRAKE has implications about wealth disparity and environmental degradation, 1984 has implications about totalitarian governments and BRAVE NEW WORLD about drug dependency and eugenics. But all of these themes lurk beneath the surface and impact the lives of the characters, and the politics are secondary to the story. The authors tackle the issues in unexpected, counterintuitive and completely new ways.
So if you're wondering if your novel is too controversial, you might to ask yourself the opposite question - is it original and thought-provoking enough to be controversial?
24 comments:
- Stuart said...
That's not controversial. It's straight horror! My heart jumped just reading the title.
And good idea to allow us poor fools, er, writers to offer ourselves up as a teaching tool. :) Thanks.
- May 24, 2007 at 5:07 PM
- Dave said...
What on Earth could be too controversial? (Now don't take that statement wrong, I do know what is distasteful and obnoxious.)
I only ask after reading some of the political literature from either side that distorts, lies and mis-reasons all sorts of bad and terrible things about opponents. Take Michelle Malkin or Al Franken fir instance. Ot take the Rude Pundit and his blog and match him up to Ann Coulter.
It's hard to imagine any rhetoric harder than these pundits (I use the word loosely).
Look at South Park, the cartoon - nothing, absolutely nothing is taboo there. The potty mouth little brats openly speak of the most vulgar and disgusting topics (I hide my head and laugh much to my shame).
Look at tabloid news for the true depths of child molestation, torture, murder, hamster stomping, sexual oddities, and "that newborn creature has two heads or six legs" type of presentation.
I sometimes think there is no limit. My faith in mankind was restored however when Judith Regan and OJ SImpson got bitch-slapped big time.
- May 24, 2007 at 7:10 PM
- Heidi the Hick said...
Is my novel original and thought provoking enough to be controversial? Wow, what a great question!!
It does involve teenagers doing illegal, potentially damaging things, which may seem controversial but isn't really if you consider that it's nothing new.
Is it thought provoking? I think so. I'll know for sure when I find some beta readers to run it through their B S filters...
I still think I'm going to have a hard time selling it though. We'll see...
Nathan I think your query letter dissection offer is a great idea. Nothing like learning from mistakes, and sometimes some of us need to have our mistakes pointed out to us.
- May 24, 2007 at 7:45 PM
Talk about controversy! Nathan, you're twisting things in my head. Now if I submit a query to you, I don't know whether to hope you ask to see pages or hope you reject it because I might get to see it dissected it right here in River City. Things were so clear before...
- May 24, 2007 at 10:03 PM
- L.C.McCabe said...
I can think of a few books that are "too controversial."
If I Did It by whats-his-name and packaged by Judith Regan.
The Turner Diaries which is treated with reverence by the far right winged wackos in the country and served as inspiration for Timothy McVeigh.
I also remember an art book from about fifteen years ago which had photographs of dead bodies. Page after page of corpses who had died violently. It made me sick just to look at the cover.
To me, maybe it is more of a question of what is just beyond the pale for human decency.
P.S. Remember you can always stir up an argument by mentioning The Anarchist's Cookbook and whether it should be published or banned.
- May 25, 2007 at 2:08 AM
- Yuri said...
I'd say there's no such thing as too much controversy in this business. Controversy is good. Controversy is what provokes thought. Controversy is what makes people talk about the book. Controversy is simply what sells. That said, "too much controversy" is not an oxymoron. Usually it is used as a label for something else – for obscenity, for vulgarity, for distastefulness. Then indeed there's too much of it. Sadly, in many cases this stuff sells even better…
While we are on the subject of query letters, Nathan, I have a question for you. Every guideline out there urges authors to mention their publishing credits in the letter. In my situation, however, I'm not sure whether doing so would help or hurt. I have a novel that was published by a major publishing house and sold well and a dozen of short stories that appeared in different magazines. The problem is, all these works are in another language (Russian) and that major publishing house is in Russia too. Now as I start looking for an agent for my new novel written in English I don't know whether mentioning my Russian publishing credits is a good thing. It may look positive (after all the process of writing and publishing a novel is still the same) or it may make an agent think, hmm… English as a second language, nah… I'll pass regardless of the hook.
Am I overanalyzing the potential reaction or it is indeed safer to leave non-English publishing credits out of the query letter altogether? Appreciate your advice.
- May 25, 2007 at 3:01 AM
What about less political controversy? I remember when Robin Schone's first novel was rejected 30 times or so because it started out with a woman masturbating and apparently the agents thought that was too controversal for Romance readers. (This was in the nineties...)
- May 25, 2007 at 3:41 AM
- Bernita said...
Too controversial?
I know of one publisher who won't touch a book unless it is controversial.
- May 25, 2007 at 4:08 AM
Didn't THE ROAD draw a line from the present to the horrific future? What was the difference that made that book stand out? I'm curious. Thanks.
- May 25, 2007 at 6:35 AM
- Nathan Bransford said...
I think it's fine mentioning your Russian publishing credits - it's an interesting background.
THE ROAD was never really very clear on what happened to cause the apocalypse (nuclear war? environmental disaster? comet?) so there never was an overt political message there. There's a great deal of anxiety and paranoia and concern with basic humanity in the novel that perhaps speaks to our time, but it was never such a straight line.
- May 25, 2007 at 11:19 AM
I'm confused.... don't we get to see the query?
- May 25, 2007 at 11:45 AM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Sorry, I know my post was confusing vis a vis the query issue. I'm actually addressing the person's question with this post, but I'm now offering for people to request query advice if they agree to have it on the blog.
- May 25, 2007 at 12:17 PM
- John Askins said...
Interesting thoughts about controversy, but from your opening I was expecting to see a critique of a query vs. your response to the query author's asking why the rejection, was it too controversial. I hope you will dissect queries from time to time, since I'm at that stage and writing the novel was easy compared to this.
- May 25, 2007 at 12:20 PM
- pixy said...
Looking forward to those query letters. :)
- May 26, 2007 at 8:11 PM
- John Elder Robison said...
Well, Nathan, one of the things I heard about my book is that it changes the way readers look at things, and makes them think.
And it does that without invoking god, religion, or politics.
They all told me, "books like that are rare."
I really had not considered that when I wrote it. But you're right in that my book should not alienate any single large group of readers as some books do.
I had not considered Look Me in the Eye to be controversail, but by your reckoning, maybe it is.
We'll see what the reviewers say, soon enough.
- May 28, 2007 at 3:57 PM
- DancesWithBlogs said...
LOL exactly. I'm so glad I came across this blog!
No it's not too controversial, it's one-sided and poorly written. I mean really...
- December 9, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Mr. Bransford,
What about religiously/theologically controversial literary fiction? Do you suppose that agents would generally shy away from representing those?
- February 10, 2009 at 11:51 AM
- kcoldiron said...
You know, I've been wondering if that's the problem with my own novel. It's the farthest thing from being politically controversial, but it's a romantic thriller involving incest that's a lot like FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC. Since FITA has sold like a kajillion copies, I assumed agents/publishers would be interested. A couple dozen flings of the ol' fishing pole later, no bites. So I'm starting to wonder if no one will touch an incest book, or if writing derivatives of bestsellers only gets book deals for Dan Brown imitators.
- February 19, 2009 at 4:22 PM
- Juice in LA said...
Fair enough! But riddle me this Mr. Bransford: what if two agents have told you (after requests for full manuscript) that your work is "too controversial" and "at time inappropriate"?
Other than querying Hunter S. Thompson's editors how do you find the fearless, brave agent?
- March 16, 2010 at 5:15 PM
- Erica said...
Why oh why did I not find your blog until now? Well, hooray for finding it at all. Anyhow, I wonder how provocative my novel is... are blurred gender roles in a college aged relationship between a catholic (male) and an ex-juvenile delinquent (female) interesting? I'm not being cheeky, I'm serious. Are drugs, love, and ambivalence intriguing when that chaos is inside of the daughter of a wealthy Chicago family?
- September 9, 2010 at 4:07 PM
- David Kessler said...
It depends in what way it's controversial. Many years ago I co-wrote a non-fiction book with about a murder case with the man who had been falsely accused of the murders. Although he had been officially acquitted, many people saw him as a guilty man who "beat the rap" and as a result of this, my publishers (who had published four of my thrillers) didn't want to touch it because of the ongoing controversy surrounding my co-author. I found that all the other mainstream publishers were similarly uninterested. In the end it was published by a small publisher that went bankrupt owing me money.
Many years later, new breakthroughs in DNA technology led to the real murderer being identified. He had been named in the book and was already banged up for another, similar murder. But by then, my book was out of print and the publisher long gone.
- April 21, 2011 at 4:59 AM
Who? ... Any interest in non-fiction controversy??
- June 17, 2014 at 3:21 PM
"Hey, Pops, can you run that crucifixion thing by me again?"
"First, I'm going to invent you, because I always wanted a son.
"Then, I'm going to invent evil and temptation.
"Next, I'm going to invent weak, defective things called humans, who will be tempted by evil, and become wicked."
"Wait a second. So far, it sounds like a failing grade in logic class. Why do all that illogical, stupid stuff, Pops?"
"It's more better than making everything loving and perfect. That would be too boring."
"So, here's the complicated part. Your going to get crucified in a really painful way, so that the defective, wicked people, well, some of them, can get into heaven. That heaven place is for another chapter."
"But Pops, what's the connection between me getting me whipped and nailed to a post, and the wicked people getting a reward? And the whipping part. I heard some guy named Mel Gibson wants about 300 whippings. Wouldn't two or three work?
"And the nails. Jeeze. Couldn't you just have me pushed out of a tall building? Why wouldn't that be good enough?"
"Here's the good part, son. You get buried and then come back to life three days later. You might not smell so good, but you'd be back for the big resurrection show."
"Wouldn't it be more special for those wicked people if I didn't come back up? Wouldn't that be a better pitch, like a real sacrifice, not this pretend death idea of yours."
"Don't worry, son. I'm going to explain it all in a puzzle book. I'll pretend I'm a talking donkey or a burning bush. Then, if they don't believe me, they burn in hell. That's another chapter, though."
"Another question, pops. What's the worst of all these evil things?"
"Well, the worst would be if people don't buy into this story after reading the puzzle book."
"That's worse than Hitler and the Crusades? I'm going to go through the meat grinder because someone might not understand your idea of "love?"
"So, when are you going to invent the word 'sadism,' Pops?"
From"GOD, An Autobiography, translated by George Roberts, email@example.com
not too controversial?
- October 31, 2014 at 5:46 PM
- Mark Pine said...
My story is completely true and it's as controversial as it gets. Dirty cops, people trying to kill me, etc. I'm trying to find a deal now. I have evidence for days and I'm located in NYC if anyone has ideas.
- January 4, 2016 at 11:07 PM


text:
German Shepherd Dog Forums (http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/)
- Equipment (how to use/where to find) (http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/equipment-how-use-where-find/)
- - Best/Favorite Clickers (http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/equipment-how-use-where-find/481521-best-favorite-clickers.html)
Best/Favorite Clickers
For those of you who opt to Clicker Train, I'm curious about your clicker of choice. I've been looking at Gary Wilkes' 'Mega Clicks' Mega Clicks (3-pack) - $13.95 : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce
For those who have tried many different ones-have you found it really matters besides personal preference??
42 Attachment(s)
I haven't found it to really matter on the dog's end. They pick up click = treat and that's all they need.
That being said, there are plenty of opinions on the human end. Ultimately, I think the basic box clickers are my favorite. Sharp, clear noise, dependable, and cheap if I lose it. :p
I have used the button clickers before: http://www.amazon.com/Training-Professional-Efficient-Result-Driven-Pet-Friendly/dp/B00KY5VEBA/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1408522946&sr=8-10&keywords=clicker and while I like them, I have had issues before of trying to teach something and closing my hand and accidentally clicking it, or having the dog accidentally shove into me while teaching and clicking it. Some students with longer nails like it because it is easier on their hands. Longer nails tend to get caught in the box clicker.
And then I've used the telescoping target stick clicker for specific work (picking up a certain toy) http://www.amazon.com/Karen-Pryor-Clicker-Training-Terry/dp/B00CDRJ3FG/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1408522946&sr=8-8&keywords=clicker which can be useful for those specific instances, but ends up being bulky elsewhere.
37 Attachment(s)
I prefer the box type that my pet supplies plus sells.
I have to say this is my favorite:
I like the feel of it in my hand. And I prefer the sound it makes (not that that matters to the dogs)...
OP I have the one you posted as well, I just find it a bit on the quiet side...
Awesome. Thanks for the input!
Pax, thanks for your suggestions, I really appreciate it. Where do you get these box clickers you prefer? any specific one you recommend?
Gator, I frequent my local Pet Supplies + on a regular basis-do you recall the name/price by chance?
I really like the starmark clickers! I like how it fits in your hand, and that its more of a button you press, it just feels better and i find the clicks are more consistent.
I've used a ton of different types and this is still my favourite
PetSafe® Training Clicker | Clicker Training | PetSmart
I like the sound (not annoying) and the finger band is extremely useful. It allows me to keep it in position and ready while feeding treats or using my hands without worrying where it is :)
32 Attachment(s)
My favorite is Karen Pryor's i-Click clicker.
Yep me too! That's the one I posted.
These clickers are my favorites. Second choice is a box clicker.
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text:
Comments for individual derby entries are placed in this thread.
Re: Marsupial in my pocket
Re: Advanced Sheep Shearing
It's not all about speed any more. Now Aussies are taking it to the next level - salon style.
Close-up detail:
This is six colors on a cream tee, see a BIG VERSION here!
Thanks for looking, please vote if you like this design. ^__^
Re: We are NOT cuddly!
Koalas are actually pretty irritable. They don't want to be cute and cuddly. They'd rather be sleeping.
Re: Deep Down Under
Following a similar design concept as my Africa entry.
Re: The McEucalyptis is back!
Mmm...the McEucalyptis is back!
Re: Not An Aussie
Australian Shepherd decided to hang out with the local dingos to pick up tips. Maybe, just maybe people would believe she was really from Australia!
Re: Great White Opera House
I always thought they looked like shark fins.
Sorry for the terrible pun, I was completely running a blank on shirt titles here.
Anyway, frilled lizard! They make me think of umbrellas.
ramyb wrote:saved
That is adorable and I would so buy one!
Ack it didn't show the shirt I was referring to... It's the Koala in a Pocket design =)
Re: Danger down under
Collaboration between my friend Adrian Contreras and me.
I hope you like it!
And thanks Adrian, was such a fun collaborate with you!
Re: The Ultimate Staring Contest
Two different tribes. Deep seeded hatred. It all comes down to this.
Re: Suspicious Silhouette
There are no rhinos and lions in Australia but...what about that suspicious silhouette the country has! Aliens did it? Hope you like it!
Re: Pointillizard
So many dots....
On navy
Re: We Are
This is based around the Aboriginals' use of stencil painting to show their presence and association with a site.
I like it...but nothing about it makes me think 'Australia'. :/
If there was ever a time where woot should make a shirt with a real pocket in it, this would be it.
Re: How to Create a Landmark
Oh... I see what I did there...
Re: BROALA
BROALA, the lesser known breed of Koala, can mainly be seen chillin on college campuses shooting its potato gun and playing disc golf.
Hope you enjoy!
Re: That's Not A Knife
Inevitable meme was inevitable.
Crocodile Dundee FTW!
Dare I say it? A cutesy ramby design that I actually like??
pop culture ref....
So, if I understand this correctly...You did a shirt solely involving animals not present in the country.continent this Derby is based on?
Yeah. That makes sense.
Re: Down Under Mutation
Nice design. Good distressing. Extremely wearable!
Re: this is an Australian crocodile
AKA the Kangadile.
Re: On the Back of a Turtle
Did you tie up the turtle using hair from your back? ;)
I see you've played knifey-spooney before...
vaiv wrote:pop culture ref....
Having raised sheep for over 15 years, I can honestly say none of mine were ever that stylish. If only they were... * wistful sigh *
Re: CAUTION: REVERSE FLOW
A classic Simpsons episode, indeed.
Re: Not the Sharpest Boomerang
This stealthy koala is trying out his new weapon. Didn't really think it through.
Re: K.O.ala-ed
Collab with Kevlar.
Haha, thanks!
Sheep shearing has real cultural significance in Australia - in contests, and of course as part of their agricultural history. I didn't want to go for a stereotypical idea this week. ^_^
He doesn't really look drunk enough. ;^)
Looks great!
Love the jauntiness of the pose and the wonkiness of the concept. ^___^ +1
Re: North for the Winter
Nice work. I like it. +1
Re: Outback Puppet Show
Crocodiles are jerks.
Re: It Always Returns
Darn it! I was going to do this and on a sky blue shirt none the less : (
Good Luck!
Thanks for the fun collab, Boots!
View All →


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Weekly Music Thing No. 1 : Laser Microphone
Here is the first 'Weekly Music Thing'! In the video I take a look at how a cheap laser pointer and a solar cell can be turned into a remarkable optical microphone. I say microphone, but I think that might not actually be the correct description as a microphone converts sound into electricity where as the laser mic turns light into electricity via the solar cell. It's more of a Phosophone! Watch the following video for what you'll need to build it, and I show a few ways it can be used too. I particularly like the fact that you can create sound bouncing the laser off a vibrating or moving surface. Used like this patterns of light and dark create audible tones. It's supremely simple, fun and cheap which makes it a winner in my book. Have fun and don't point the laser in your (or anybody's) eye holes!
Let me know if you find this at all interesting and I'll do some more….
Some sound highlights from the video
22 Comments to Weekly Music Thing No. 1 : Laser Microphone
August 29, 2011
[…] : http://leafcutterjohn.com/?p=1574Notez le : "Aimer" ceci :"J'aime"Soyez le premier à aimer ce post. […]
August 29, 2011
Awesome video! You never cease to amaze me. Continue posting em cause i'll continue watching. I've even shared this with some friends of mine!
August 29, 2011
Brilliant. Keep it up.
August 29, 2011
[…] Weekly Music Thing No. 1 : Laser Microphone […]
August 29, 2011
[…] Weekly Music Thing No. 1 : Laser Microphone "Aimer" ceci :"J'aime"Soyez le premier à aimer ce post. […]
August 30, 2011
Very inspiring.
August 30, 2011
Hi, just wanted to let you know that we love this so much that we've added it to Audio Pigeon http://www.audiopigeon.com Keep up the good work! Thanks.
August 30, 2011
v interesting.
August 31, 2011
So great! So inspiring!
September 3, 2011
Thanks a lot for this very cool/simple/versatile idea. My very humble addition to the Laser Mic concept demonstrated here:
Or without video: overlay the solar cell with a bar code and sweep the laser beam across it to create a scratching sound.
September 9, 2011
Really cool!
October 9, 2011
[…] avons aussi reproduit les expériences de Leafcutterjohn. Grâce à l'effervescence d'un aspirine, nous nous sommes imaginés concevoir de la synthèse […]
October 15, 2011
[…] avons aussi reproduit les expériences de Leafcutterjohn. Grâce à l'effervescence d'un aspirine, nous nous sommes imaginés concevoir de la synthèse […]
October 21, 2011
Appreciation for this inorfmtaoin is over 9000?thank you!
October 22, 2011
ZPDVlC hkhetdysmqcf
November 7, 2011
Wow – great stuff – i really love this… please post more : )
light into sound, superb stuff… I recently went to the 'seeing sound' symposium at Bath Spa uni and heard the amazing Andrey Smirnov (asmir.info) from the Theremin centre in Moscow talk about early russian experiments with light and sound – check out Yevgeny scholpo's – early sound synthesis using light…
December 3, 2011
This is a very interesting work. Any reason why you're using a solar cell rather than a regular light dependant resistor (LDR) ?
December 3, 2011
Thanks amundsen, A solar cell converts the laser light directly into electricity, it's this electricity that we hear when the cell is plugged into the amp. An LDR or Light Dependant Resistor on the other hand does not convert light into electricity. Its resistance changes based on how much light hits it. You could make a laser to sound circuit with an LDR but it would need a battery and a more complex circuit design. I chose the solar cell because it's very simple and effective.
January 2, 2012
Salad Spinner Siren.
you, sir, are a genius.
January 9, 2012
[…] few weeks ago I happened to see Leafcutter John's post on the "laser microphone". Almost immediately, I was amazed at how simple the idea was and decided to try making a […]
January 13, 2012
[…] Our newest associated artist, the Yorkshire come London lad, John Burton (aka Leafcutter John) has graced the planet with his remarkable contributions to electronic, folk and experimental music and will be here on campus, in his inaugural event, for a members only (students) workshop in AA001 at 2pm on Wednesday 18/01, followed by a concert of his music at 7pm. There are only 20 places available for the workshop (you can find the signup list on the wall in the Gaskell), the concert is open to the public and free to all… and shouldn't be missed! In this workshop session, Leafcutter John will be looking at ways of picking up and listening to different kinds of signals that are all around us. Most people are familiar with the idea of radio waves but there are a whole host of other electromagnetic waves we can listen to with easily constructed pickups. We will make an inductive pickup in the workshop that will let us eavesdrop on the internal world of: laptops, hard drives, and mobile phones amongst other things. John will give a 30 minute introduction followed by about an hour and half of workshop. Go here for fun -> http://leafcutterjohn.com/?p=1574 […]
April 30, 2012
my girlfriend and myself are bienging subjected to some type of laser transmission i dont know if its l.o.s. or what but this person is giving us a constant barage of death threats etc etc am asking for help as this has been going on for a long time please if anyone can help us we are 59 @65 years old just learning computer how can we make it stop thank you agian pleeese :( ;( WE R SAD HELP
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My Setup – from the view of a designer
- Machine: it is almost black #1c1c1c with silver frame (non printable color)
- Operating System: old but pixel perfect
- Browser: some orange fox killed by a blue globe
- FTP: wth is this?
- Graphics: Adobe bundle CS6 Extended
- Tools: paper, pencil, mouse and a keyboard
pezflash said
Love it!! Ahh do I remember that screen
Machine: Macbook Pro 15", 2ghz i7, 4gb Ram
Operating System: OS X10.7.5 – scared to upgrade to Mountain Lion
Browser: Chrome, Safari/> Browser Inspector: Chrome
FTP: Coda2
IDE: Coda 2
Graphics: Photoshop CS6, Illustrator CS6 and strangely Flash CS6
Screens: LG 42" LED TV with true color
For hosting my own and client websites I use reselleris.com (Not that great but where else do you find it so cheap?).
I got the Adobe master collection CS5 but I only use ps, illustrator and dreamweaver.
I use Filezilla as my ftp client, never had any problems with it!
My laptop:
HP Pavilion G6
Windows 8
AMD A10 Vision (2,3 GHZ quadcore)
AMD Radeon HD 7660G + 7670M Dual graphics (512MB dedicated memory)
8 GB internal memory
Machine: Core i3, 4Gb
OS: Xubuntu 12.10
Browser: Chrome
IDE: SciTE
- Machine: Pentium 1
- OS: Windows NT
- IDE: Notepad
- Browser: IE6
- FTP: net2ftp.com
- Graphics: MS Paint
I have Jarvis – he just pretty much creates whatever i can think of
Now for real:
iMac 27 inch – core i5 – 8 GB ram
External drives all G-tech: G-safe as working HD ( saves things to 2 drives instantly ) and 2 G-drives for backups
And am in the middle of a switch from dreamweaver to Sublimte text. Only used codeview though.
And a Macbook pro 13 inch which i use for to work outside home, or just from the couch
Here is mine:
- Machine: Asus X54 laptop with Intel Celeron B815 (dual-core), 2GB of RAM an integrated Intel Graphics
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Machine: Intel 386 DX
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Hosting: Tripod & GeoCities.
Graphics: MS Paint
IDE: MS Notepad


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I'd do a less expensive gun, like the LCP. Or get a hold of a sought after but harder to find gun like a AR or no lock J frame.
This is a discussion on Just a question within the Defensive Carry Guns forums, part of the Defensive Carry Discussions category; Our local chapter of the Friends of the NRA is finally up and running. Being new, not too many folks know about us yet. We ...
Our local chapter of the Friends of the NRA is finally up and running. Being new, not too many folks know about us yet. We are trying to spread the word while raffleing off handguns. We have already raffled one Kimber .45 and are nearing the drawing for the second. Seems that we had more trouble selling tickets than we expected. ( 1 in 50 chance to win the gun...$20 a ticket) I know that times are tough, but normally folks really jump on this kind of stuff.
The question is, would you be more apt to buy a raffle ticket on a pocket gun like the ruger LCP or should we stick to the .45? Was the apprehension I noticied because of the price, the caliber, or the brand of firearm?
We have also tossed around the idea of selling more chances for less money on smaller dollar firearms, like a .22 rifle or the ruger charger. More chances meaning 3 tickets for $5 but maybe 1000 tickets sold.
Any input would be great!!
I'd do a less expensive gun, like the LCP. Or get a hold of a sought after but harder to find gun like a AR or no lock J frame.
"Just blame Sixto"
I reserve the right to make fun, point and laugh etc.
I'd buy a $20 raffle ticket if I were there. That'd be enough incentive for me!
Μολὼν λαβέ
memento mori
Hmm, what about a gift certificate from a Gun Shop in the area for whatever amount you determine?
That would allow the winner the opportunity to select their favorite firearm.
Disclaimer: The posts made by this member are only the members opinion, not a reflection on anyone else, nor the group, and should not be cause for anyone to get their undergarments wedged in an uncomfortable position.
I'd mix it up a bit too.
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
I think the primary problem is the cost of the tickets. If you dropped the price to $10.00 and increased the number of tickets to 100 sold I think you'd do better.
Maybe try a multi choice raffle...winner gets to choose from one of a revolver, semi auto, shot gun, or rifle. Just make a deal with a local friendly dealer. Might make it easier.
Friends don't let friends be MALL NINJAS.
I am just as nice as anyone lets me be and can be just as mean as anyone makes me. - Quoted from Terryger, New member to our forum.
Our Clubhouse needed to raise money for additions; they raffled of a NIB Mossberg 590; 100 tix @ $10; sold like hotcakes.
In your case $20 might be a bit high; a better odd 1/50 vs. 1/100 doesn't really make a diffeence for most people.
My $.02
The first rule of a gunfight: "Don't be there !"
The second rule: "Bring enough gun"
jfl (NRA Life Member/Instructor - GOA - IDPA - GSSF - ex-IHMSA)
If I was around I would get a ticket for $20, for a .45
You would be surprised at some people, they will buy firstname.lastname@example.com ea
but email@example.com is too much. LOL
"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'd recommend reducing the price also.
Where in ohio is your chapter located at? I'd be interested in a firearm raffle period, who cares what it is that you are raffling. LOL
"All war is deception" --Sun Tzu
As far as I'm concerned, the 45 is just fine. In fact, if you send me the address by PM, I'll mail you a check for a ticket!
our local FOTNRA is doing a raffle this year for a Sig 556 Classic, and the tickets are $10 each, or 6 for $50, or 13 for $100.
I'd go with a higher end gun .... one that may be "donated" by a local dealer (tax write off and great advertisement)


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My first proper post to this board comes by way of a cautionary tale for those, like me, who are relative newbies in the world of the kitchen. I've been dabbling (with huge amounts of encouragement from the wife, eager as she is to relinquish some of the culinary duties of the household!) over the past six months or so, inspired in turn by a new kitchen to play with, watching too many episodes of Masterchef and the like, and lurking on this board for hints and tips.In truth I'm enjoying learning all these new skills more and more, and seem to be doing OK (at least according to my captive audience of a wife, although I've not been let loose on friends yet!). It's all mainly following recipes, but trying those with different products and techniques really to see what I can and can't do.Anyhow, with this in mind I thought I'd push the boat out last Saturday, and leafing through a cookbook found a recipe for Chicken Forestiere, described as 'not for the faint-hearted' - it wasn't clear whether this referred to it's richness (loads of cream and brandy in the sauce) or the techniques involved (bandying around words like 'flambe' and 'deglasse'), but I thought, s*d it, let's have a bash, if I pour enough claret down the wife she'll never notice if it's rubbish anyway :o)So, off I pop Saturday morning to hunt down my ingredients. All easy stuff until I get down to the mushrooms. Now, I'm already used to certain recipes pushing this or that specific type of ingredient when in reality it doesn't make a huge amount of difference (at my level, anyhow), but this one seemed to be different. No ordinary mushrooms would do - had to be 'dried morel mushrooms'. Heart of the dish. Unique flavour. Traditional ingredient. Blah blah blah. Clearly a packet of Somerfield's finest pre-packed button mushrooms wasn't going to do the job, so I started off to the nearest deli in my quest.The first deli didn't stock them, so that wasn't a good start. We live in an area with more than it's fair share of delicatessens, niche shops, and generally overpriced 'purveyors of fine produce', though, so I was undeterred and plodded off to the next. And then on to the next. And then, finally, on the fourth attempt (not counting Somerfield, obviously), I found them, perched on a high shelf in the sort of big plastic jar you used to find lemon bonbons being sold from when you were a kid.Obviously relieved, I asked the chap behind the counter if I could have 'some of those morels', pointing up to the jar with a flourish, so as not to embarrass the poor lad with my superior ingredient knowledge when he didn't know where they were ;o). You could almost hear the hush descend around the shop as he climbed the ladder, came carefully back down with the jar and asked how many I wanted. Quick check of the recipe - 50 grams. Well, that's not very much, is it? Bit embarrrassing really, so I'll have to buy at least 100, then I can do it again anyway, thinks I.He measures out 100 grams, then goes to tap the price into the scales but stops with a puzzled look, and goes off to check with his boss. 'No, that's really how much they cost' I hear. Lad comes back. Price comes up. I fall down. £22!!!!! Twenty two flaming quid for 100 grams of bl**dy mushrooms!!!!!!!!!!'Are they as nice as everyone makes out?' asks the boss of me, walking back past. I coughed and spluttered a response of 'uhum, yeah, lovely' under my breath, and thought about getting the lad to put half of them back only to realise he was already back up the ladder replacing the jar, so I was in far too deep now. Stumped up my £22 and went home, tail between my legs......So, lesson learnt I think. DYOR on mushrooms as much as anything else! It's only now I do a search on this board and find morels listed as part of the £15000 menu recently, I might have known!!!Anyway, they were very nice, after all that, and the taste was sufficiently unique and strong enough to persuade me that the button mushrooms wouldn't have done. Dunno what recipe I'll try out this Saturday yet, though - obviously I still have 50 grams left. Ham and morel omelette, anyone?? ;o)cheersCraig
Folders |


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The number of people who are struggling to make ends meet has soared by more than 750,000 in the last year.
An estimated 2.6 million households now don't have enough money coming in to cover their bills, research has revealed.
The surge comes despite figures out yesterday showing that the rate of inflation fell to a four-year low of 1.9% last month.
Yet with wages rising by 0.9% on average, there is little let up in the cost-of-living squeeze.
Research by financial provider Legal and General found the average shortfall between what people have coming in and what they need to pay out has doubled from £42 to £85 a month in the past year. The biggest rise in the shortfall was in the East Midlands, where the figure leapt by £99 to £124, while in London it increased by £95 to £128 a month.
John Pollock, from L&G, said: "We are not yet seeing any strong signs of recovery in household finances."
The rate of inflation, using what's called the consumer prices index, fell from 2% in December and is now the lowest since November 2009, the Office for National Statistics announced yesterday.
CPI inflation is also below the Bank of England's 2% target, making it even less likely it will raise rates – a blow to savers but a boost to borrowers.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: "The fall in inflation is more evidence our long-term economic plan is working."
But Cathy Jamieson , Labour's shadow Treasury Minister, hit back: "The cost of living crisis continues."
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: "Wage costs are held down by employers who are imposing pay freezes and cuts, using zero hours contracts and relying on part-time workers who want full-time jobs.
"Thousands of people using food banks are in work, but being paid poverty wages, while household bills are going through the roof."
The ONS said energy prices had little impact on the rate of inflation last month, as the recent round of price hikes were cancelled out by subsequent reductions due to the Government's move to reduce environmental levies on bills.


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Bill Radke: The Environmental Protection Agency doesn't think Texas is doing enough to keep its air clean. So today, the agency's expected to tell that state
that the federal government is taking over air quality permitting for about 39 factories.
From KUT in Austin, Ben Philpott reports.
Ben Philpott: What the federal government objects to most are the flexible permits that Texas issues to large plant and refineries. These allow the state to set a general limit on how much pollution an entire facility can release rather than restricting each smokestack within a plant.
Ralph Coker is a retired refinery manager who supports the Texas system, which he says allows companies to...
Ralph Coker: Put the best controls maybe on certain sources and less-than-most-efficient controls on some other small sources.
But the EPA believes each source of pollution should be tightly controlled. And today the agency is expected to tell the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality -- or TCEQ -- to fall in line.
Tom Smith is with public citizen Texas, a watchdog group that is concerned about the Texas system.
Tom Smith: Even the George Bush administration said to TCEQ -- this process isn't working. And the industry has actually sued EPA saying -- let's figure out what the rules are here cause we're steering blind.
But Texas Governor Rick Perry, who's up for reelection in November, is expected vigorously to oppose the EPA's move.
In Austin, I'm Ben Philpott for Marketplace.


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Costume Photos
Great Batman costume. The cowl and gauntlets look fantastic. :)
This is looking really great...you look fantastic
This looks awesome and the colours and everything just seems to...work! Good job.
I'm curious how you went about the eye sockets on the mask; they have to allow you to see, but also cover up the eyes. Which fabric/material did you use? Your costume gives off the animated look, given how it's leaning more toward primary colours rather than lots of different shades and intricate details. It's really working well!
Thanks guys :D
The Material in the eyes is called Buckram, I got it off Ebay, it is used to cover books usually. I have pretty good visibility, without letting people see through from the other side. I tried a few things but that works the best.
Yeah I based it off the old animated series from like 92-95, It was what got me into Batman in the first place and you don't see it done very often, usually Dark knights or Arkhams.


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Anti-aging face creams put to the test
A skincare expert and chemistry professor weigh in on the products
DENVER - They're smeared, slathered and rubbed on faces, all in hopes of stopping Father Time in his tracks.
After all, anti-aging creams often promise a lot.
"They're gonna claim that they're going to soften the fine lines and wrinkles, they're going to give a fresher, more youthful texture back to the surface of your skin." skincare expert Michael Moore told our Denver CNN partner, KDVR.
But do those creams really help to restore the look of youth?
Three Colorado women put three different brands to the test, with the help of KDVR and Moore.
One woman tried Dermalogica's Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 30, which retails for about $65.
Another used Oil of Olay Regenerist Deep Hydration Regenerating Cream with a price of about $20.
Finally, the third woman sampled the La Prairie Anti-Aging Day Cream SPF 30. It costs abot $215 a jar.
The price difference for these face creams can be significant. But often, their actual makeup is very similar.
Colorado College Professor of Chemistry Ted Lindeman examined the ingredients of three different face creams chosen by KRDO.
We picked the old standby, Pond's. Then, we looked to a national magazine ranking, selecting the best lower-cost anti-aging cream, Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, and the best high-end anti-aging cream, Philosophy Full of Promise Dual Action Restoring Cream.
The prices for the three range from about $9 up to $65.
"The impression was, does every one of these ingredients have to be here," Lindeman said of the ingredient lists.
The most expensive cream, Philosophy, also had the most ingredients - nearly 50.
"It's probably not possible, scientifically, to prove that every one of those ingredients needs to be there," Lindeman said. "Some of them, for sure, are tiny, tiny amounts, and they're swamped with other things."
And when it comes to the differences in the ingredients for the creams, Lindeman said those differences were quite small.
The creams share many ingredients, including water, glycerin and alcohol, along with different types of mineral and seed oils.
So, why the price difference?
Lindeman says, in the more expensive products, there are often many high-priced ingredients, but they are likely used in very small quantities.
"The main price difference is probably just either the mystique - I can afford this. Maybe I don't need it, but I'm drawn to try it. It might do wonders - and that kind of hope. It's not illegal to sell hope," he said.
And as for the women testing the creams and hoping they would work wonders, the skincare expert only saw a difference in one woman, even if she did not.
Moore concluded the Olay Regenerist Deep Hydration Regenerating Cream made some difference. He says he's a fan of the product line because it contains peptides, which promote collagen growth.
He also says the best anti-aging product is SPF. And he's a fan of ingredients such as hyalauronic acid and Vitamin A.
Meanwhile, Lindeman points out that, because all skin types are different, it may be best to just test a few different products to find the one that works the best for you.
KDVR-TV in Denver contributed to this report.


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We are both adults and permanently disabled. Permanently disabled means the chances of us finding gainful emplowment are slim to none. We, of course both collect benefits the U.S. Government states we are entitled to. We have also been informed by a member of Job and Family Services that the system is set up to NOT give us those same benfits as it was never designed to support those who are permanently disabled.
Excuse me? The system states we are entitled to those benefits but then is set up to try and NOT give us those benfits?
Well excuse me again! Neither of us decided as youngsters to grow up and become disabled. She never once wanted to have several heart attacks and and strokes and then a triple heart by-pass before age 40 just so she could be placed on social security. I most assuredly never woke up one day and decided to suffer from a dissociative disorder just so I could be placed on social security.
If the system states that we as United States citizens are entitled to certain benefits, then by all means, those same citizens should be given those benefits with zero hassle. In the event the system isn't set up to support those benefits, then fix the system.Don't penalize the people the system is supposed to benefit.
It occurs to me that if the United States can spend lord knows how many millions to fight wars for the citizens of other countries, then it most definately can spend our tax dollars to fix things right here at home. If the United States wishes to pardon thousands of illegal aliens so they also can share the benefits our nation offers, then it occurs to me that those like myself should have zero hassle collecting those benefits when I and mine need them. Especially since I spent my entire adult life working as a gainfully employed taxpayer until my disablity. Some 38 years to be precise.
Recently, the state of Ohio, in it's infinate wisdom, decided to go to the managed care system for those adults on medicaid. A system whose entire goal in life is to MAKE money, not actually care about it's recipients. The care plan she chose was Buckeye. On paper it looks good. We were informed she would have no problems.
Apaprently, Buckeye has a cardiologist in their employ as they have the right to refuse to fill the prescriptions her cardiologist has given and recommend she try a different prescription. Not something generic mind you! An entirely different prescription altogether. Buckeye also states that her doctors must clear all of her prescriptions through them from now on.
Buckeye was told from the beginning what medications she needs to take daily in order to survive and again, we were informed there would be no problems. Well, there are problems. Severe enough that we have decided to move to a state that is considered "poorer" than this state simply to have hopefully adequate medical care.
Before I forget, I would like to touch on the wars that we have fought for others in their countries. I myself have always been told it has been "for our freedom." Well, perhaps in the case of Adolph Hitler and Japan. But as far as I know, everything from Viet Nam till now had nothing to do with "my freedom."
Don't get me wrong, I'm a Viet Nam war era veteran myself so I therefore have nothing against our soldiers. I would hope every single one returns home safe and sound but that's something that will never happen.
My gripe is this..... Our soldiers go and do as they are told. That's their job. Our leaders brag about them on the television and radio shows. As they should. After all, those men are putting their lives on the line as they were directed to do. For what? Our freedom?
Excuse me? Our freedom hasn't been threatened since Adolph Hitler and Japan to my knowledge. To benefit us here at home? Excuse me again? I personally havn't seen one single benefit from any war since again, Adolph Hitler and Japan. How pray tell, does our men and women fighting overseas at this time benefit us as a nation?
All I can think of is we now have something to argue with one another about other than gun control, abortion and high gas prices.
What do our soldiers get in return for their faithful service?
what our soldiers get in return is, for the lower ranking members and in the event they have families, is the knowledge that their families are back home trying to live off of a paycheck so small that they have to fight for those exact same benefits my better half and I fight for that aren't designed to support them as well as mounting credit card debt simply trying to survive. In the event those soldiers die, their beneficiaries of course collect the Life insurance policy they had in place, if they could afford to pay for that policy in the first place. Their may be a bit of honor serving in the armed forces, but one cannot eat, spend or live off of honor.
I myself would agree that Saddam Hussein needed to be placed in a state where he was no longer a threat to himself or anyone else. But I for one feel that perhaps the United States Government should perhaps take care of things on our doorsteps as well. Perhaps our Government could pay our soldiers enough to keep the lower ranked soldiers OFF of food stamps maybe? Perhaps see that those with families have a way to survive in the event of their deaths perhaps?
Perhaps we as a nation should stop voting for the one who slings the most mud as our next leader and demand that we actually have people in office who actually care for the people who placed them in office as well as the ones in our militaries.


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Jeff - 2004-12-15
Hello. I came across the boost library while searching for something to convert a regular expression to a state machine. I am having a hard time figuring out how to use the Boost Library. I would like to gain access to the state machine so I could create instruction (for another system) based off the state. Is this possible and is there anywhere I can go to find more complete documentation?


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Sikar (Rajasthan), June 28 (ANI): A seven-year-old girl, who fell into a borewell in Rajasthan's Sikar district yesterday, was rescued on Sunday.
The girl was rescued 32 hours after the incident took place. She has been admitted to the hospital.
The incident took place at around 9 a.m. yesterday when the girl, while playing in her father's agriculture field, went to have a look into an open borewell in their neighbours farm and fell into it. (ANI)


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Obviously, a majority within our society doesn't care very much about either endeavor.<quoted text>
The question remains. If you are going to toss out the judgment of the psychological profession because you don't like it, how do you propose to keep guns and children away from the psychologically unfit?
Like you, they endorse the adoption of children by psychologically-disordered homosexuals and the restriction of gun ownership by stable, law-abiding citizens.
It is illogical.