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Please introduce yourself.
My name is Maxwell Lawton. I live in Washington, D.C. I am an artist, professionally trained. I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Richmond, Va. I'm a painter. I moved to Washington, D.C., to study at the graduate level at Wesley Theological Seminary's Center for Art and Religion, and it was there, in my second semester, that I fell ill and was diagnosed with end-stage AIDS.
What year was that?
Photo by Edward Grieff
January of 1992.
You were how old?
About 34.
Can you describe your diagnosis in more detail?
Well, I came out in 1980, and was celibate before then. When I moved to Richmond to study art, I took an HIV test in the '80s but it came back as a false negative. Then it was a one-part test, so I just stayed with that. I never went back for other tests. So when I moved to Washington, my HIV had continued and progressed into end stage. So when I entered the hospital I was at the end, basically -- on my deathbed. The doctor said I had advanced PCP [pneumocystis pneumonia], a T-cell count of 0, and was HIV positive; and they had never seen anyone survive that. So they told me to put my house in order and call my family. They said goodbye. I was left in the hospital to die, basically. I had gone from weighing around 155 to 115 in a matter of weeks. I literally looked like a skeleton. They were weighing me every hour. The medicines were not working for me.
What regimen were you on at the time? Do you remember?
Initially, I started out with Bactrim [generically known as co-trimoxazole for the PCP], but I was allergic to that, so they put me on IV [intravenous] pentamidine [Pentam].
Were you put on AZT (zidovudine, Retrovir), ddI (didanosine, Videx) or ="/index/treat/d4t.html" class="purpleLinks">d4T (stavudine, Zerit)?
None of that was available. Well, just AZT was around at that time that I know of. But I stayed in the hospital for three months, actually. I eventually was able to recover from the PCP. So when I left the hospital, I had already entered graduate school in Washington, so I just continued my studies, even though I had wasting syndrome and an AIDS diagnosis, and no one expected me to live. I looked like a walking skeleton. You could see my bones sticking out. It was really hard; it hurt to sit down because my butt had nothing there.
What exactly is wasting?
Well, your body turns on itself, and eats away muscle and fat, I guess to survive. There wasn't much they could do. But I got hooked up to our local AIDS service organization here in D.C., called Food & Friends. They made daily food deliveries. I ate a lot, as much as I could. I went into studies for d4T and others. I developed side effects. The next year, though, I had lots of OIs [opportunistic infections]. Three months after my original hospitalization, I developed a type of tuberculosis in my neck; it was called scrofula. So I was in the hospital again. Then in early 1993, I had a recurrence of PCP. I was in the hospital again.
And then, that same year, I was in a trial at Georgetown University Hospital for oral ganciclovir [Cytovene], to see if it could be used as a prophylactic to prevent CMV [cytomegalovirus] retinitis. But an opthamologist found early in that trial that I was actually starting to develop CMV in my right eye, so they switched me from the preventive trial to a ganciclovir trial for people with active CMV. Out of 300 patients, I was the only one that it worked for. I think it was because I took it exactly every eight hours, and they said, "Just take it three times a day." I said, "What's the best way to take it?" They said, "Well, we don't expect you to take it every eight hours; it's too much to ask." I said, "Well, it's my vision. I'll take it exactly every eight hours."
When the study ended, they had to continue giving me the meds, so they opened up a study just so I could receive the medications. At the same time, I also decided to start going to the gym and working out, against my doctor's advice -- he said I would lose T cells. But I didn't have it to lose, so it didn't matter. So, being an artist, I bartered with a personal trainer and worked out; and in one year, I gained 20 pounds.
Presumably that was muscle.
Yes. It was just muscle. So my doctors put me on Marinol [known generically as dronabinol, a synthetic form of THC, the active chemical in marijuana] and a regimen of [synthetic] testosterone and Deca-Durabolin [known generically as nandrolone decanoate, an injectible anabolic steroid], as a cycle for 12 weeks. With that, I was able to gain more weight. After three of those cycles I [was] up to almost 165. But when I would stop the cycles I would lose weight again.
So the Marinol is for ...
It gives me an appetite. It also helps me not to have nausea. And it makes me feel good, which is important when you're facing something like AIDS. Regardless of what they say -- that medical marijuana doesn't work -- then why do they make a synthetic version of it? But regardless of the politics, I take Marinol and it works for me.
Plus the testosterone and the other drug, a steroid?
Yes, an anabolic steroid, Deca-Durabolin.
How do they work?
I basically had the same workout routine as a competition bodybuilder, and I would work out with them at my gym. It's called stacking; you take them at the same time and you can gain muscle real fast, almost twice as fast as the normal working out. But you have to be careful, though, because you don't feel pain; you can injure yourself.
But after three cycles, my doctors decided it's better to save my liver, because that's one of the bad side effects of steroids. So now I'm just doing testosterone daily, AndroGel, which is a gel I put on my stomach. I still take Marinol. I go to the gym about three, four times a week, and we work out with weights, resistance training to build and maintain muscle. I do very little cardio, because my doctors want me to have some fat. So when I'm sick I have something to lose instead of muscle.
Do you feel, with that regimen of exercise and the anabolic steroid and the Marinol, that you have pretty much stabilized now? Well, at a certain weight and with a certain appetite?
To a certain point. If I stop taking Marinol, I'll lose weight -- I know this because I tried stopping. If I stop taking the testosterone, I'll lose weight. One thing I've learned is, when taking testosterone, you really have to work out for it to work; otherwise it's a waste.
Why is that?
I don't know; something about the way it's metabolized. About 30 minutes into a workout I can feel it in my system, just kicking in. Then I don't want to stop. So I just have to go slower, and breathe slower. So, when I go to the gym, I go in very mindful that I'm going there for a purpose. It's a sacred event to gain weight and maintain it. I like to go at a time when there are not a lot of people. Since I'm on disability, I can go in the morning, between the rush hours -- because people tend to stare at me when they see me, because you can see all my muscles. My skin is so thin on my legs and my arms, you can see, when I'm working out a certain area, you can see the muscles firing and you see all the striations.
Your skin is thin because of the lipoatrophy, or the wasting?
Well, I think it's thin because of both.
You don't have that little layer of subcutaneous fat?
No. When I first had melanoma, about five years ago, it was on my thigh. When the doctors cut in to take it off, they said there was no fat there, even to be able to pull the skin together. They were really surprised at how there was just nothing but just skin, and then a layer of muscle.
The doctors originally cut it off and sent me on my way without further tests. But recently they found that the cancer had metastasized into my lymph glands and my groin, and I had to have surgery.
Presumably, at a certain point in the late '90s, you were put on an anti-HIV med regimen that began to control your virus and your CD4 cells improved, yes?
That's right. I only went on AZT and Crixivan [indinavir], not three -- just those two drugs. So I called it a "highball" instead of a "cocktail." My T cells very slowly began to climb. You know, they went from zero to 12, and then a few months later, they were 24; and a few months later they were 50. Eventually they were 100, and eventually 200. At that point, I was able to stop prophylactic medication.
For the PCP and other opportunistic infections?
Right. But in the meantime, with CMV, before I was able to stop it, I was on the oral ganciclovir to control CMV in my eye. When I'd have diarrhea, it wouldn't work. The CMV advanced, and I lost one third of my peripheral vision in my right eye. So they had developed a new ocular implant, which delivers medicine directly to the infection site in the eye, which only lasted for six months; that was the life expectancy. Well, I had three of those implants because I kept living. By the time the third [implant] was put in, my T cells had risen enough so I no longer needed that type of therapy. The three surgeries for the implants caused cataracts. So the CMV is quiet in my eye, and I haven't had any more opportunistic infections, with the exception of weight control, but I won't regain my lost vision.


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The owner of a popular Stamford nightclub has been convicted of persuading his barber to hire a hit man to break the legs of a construction worker who would not give him kickbacks on jobs. Joseph Gabriele, 56, the owner of Monster B's, faces up to 10 years in prison after a jury found him guilty Wednesday of inciting injury to persons. Gabriele's lawyer told the Connecticut Post that he was disappointed, because the entire case was based on the testimony of an admitted heroin user.
BRIDGEPORT, Conn.

subset: commoncrawl


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This past Friday was
one of the busiest days in NHL history in terms of significant transactions,
rivaling the best trade deadline days in recent memory. It started at the noon buzzer and ran
straight through the evening. Many of
the deals will have little to no fantasy impact (see Anaheim signing Nolan
Yonkman for more); however, many of the deals will play into your draft prep
later this summer. Here are the moves
this week (mostly from July 5) that you need to be aware of before heading to
the draft table, ranked roughly in terms of fantasy impact.
(Note: Players
re-signing with their current teams are not included here)
Bobby Ryan Traded to Ottawa
Though technically
not a free agent signing, this move was the biggest of the day. This deal will have fantasy implications for
years to come, particularly on the Anaheim side. But in the near term, this deal is all about
Bobby Ryan landing in Ottawa. He will
automatically slide in as the #1 LW for the Sens, reserving a spot with Spezza
(when healthy) or Turris (when not). Mr.
Ryan has to this point left us wanting more from a fantasy perspective. The highlight reels would suggest that his
point totals should be higher. Perhaps
the change in scenery will give him the boost to return to 30 goal scorer
status. He's declined over the last 2
seasons, so this may be the jump he needs.
Ray Emery (PHI)
On the surface,
seeing the Flyers bring the goalie of the year into town, particularly one who
has followed such a rocky road throughout his career, doesn't seem like
much. But don't be fooled. This may ultimately be the most significant
move of the off-season. Yes, I just
typed that. Consider this: had the Flyers received above-average
goaltending over the past two seasons, the could have written a significantly
different history. This is a good team
with bad goaltending. Emery has proven
over the past few seasons that he is a good soldier, and a very good
goaltender. What he needs is opportunity
and good health. The Flyers gave him the
first piece. If he can keep the doctor
away, we may have a serious value pick with Emery.
Nathan Horton (COB)
Another headline
move, Horton brings his tremendous talent (and history of injuries) to the rising Jackets. Question his motives if you like, but this
feels like a nice fit. The Jackets (and
you, if you draft him) will have to wait a few months for his services, but
once he arrives, he should bolster a team that may be fantasy relevant for the
first time ever.
Jarome Iginla (BOS)
If you're a Bruins
fan, this move happened just a couple months too late. Iginla was never proper utilized in
Pittsburgh, being forced into the off wing.
His time (and results) with the Pens could have been so much more. Too many cooks, or something like that. He's coming into a situation in Boston with a
sudden need for a first or second line Right Winger to play with top notch
talent at center and LW. This should be
a perfect fit and the opportunity Iginla needed to revive his fantasy
status. Look for a bump in numbers.
Valtteri Filppula (TB)
Apparently Stevie
Yzerman saw enough of Filppula during their brief overlap in Detroit to
convince him to pay the money Detroit wasn't willing to dish out. With Lecavalier sliding out, Filppula
defaults into the #2 center role. A
slight increase in playing time may be a bonus for a player who has been a
marginal fanstasy factor throughout his career.
Mike Ribeiro (PHO)
Ribeiro benefitted
from his surroundings in Washington, more than he will in Phoenix. Expect a
"dive" in his points.
(Sorry, I will always see this punk as the league's top diver).
Pierre-Marc Bouchard (NYI)
This was another
under-the-radar move that may ultimately play out into a major factor in the
upcoming season. Bouchard has
occasionally shown flashes of really-goodness during his time with the Wild. He joins a crew of fast, gifted skaters who
are given the freedom to be creative, which suits his game better than the
Minnesota system. Look for Bouchard's
stock to rise in fantasy circles next season.
David Clarkson (TOR)
Clarkson was a big
signing for the Leafs, but like most analysts, I tend to think he was overpaid
in dollars and term. This will
ultimately haunt Toronto in a few years.
As for next season, Clarkson should benefit from the move to
Toronto. The top 6 talent in Toronto is
fairly stronger than the group he left in Jersey.
Derek Roy (STL)
This signing came a
day or two late and was largely ignored.
But don't count Roy out just yet.
He's capable of a point a game production, and St. Louis is in need of a
playmaker like him at the center position.
While he's been around seemingly for ever, he just turned 30 in
May. There is still plenty of offensive
tread on these tires and should surprise many with a solid fantasy season for
the Blues this year.
Stephen Weiss (DET)
The other new face
in Detroit, (see below), may finally emerge as a legit fantasy option. Fans who followed hockey in Miami know that
Weiss is a talented player who had very little talent to help boost his
production. A few powerplay minutes a
game with Datsyuk may be enough to re-introduce this first round draft pick to
the hockey community. Expect career
numbers for Weiss with his new squad.
Daniel Alfredsson (DET)
Yes, it was big news
in terms of legacy and hurt feelings. If
you're drafting a roster based on such emotions, you're on the wrong
website. Alfredsson's experiment in
Detroit will be fun to watch, but it will barely register in fantasy hockey
Viktor Stalberg (NAS)
Stalberg was
somewhat trapped on the depth chart in Chicago, having to play behind Kane and
Hossa on the right side. The move to
Nashville at least opens to door to more minutes and more opportunity. He's one of the fastest skaters in the league
and should see his stock rise this season.
Michael Ryder (NJ)
Ryder is donning his
fourth different jersey in four seasons.
And all he's done at each stop is score goals. He will be counted on to fill the void left
by Clarkson. At 33 years old, he
probably has one or two solid chances at 30 goals seasons left in the tank.
Anton Khudobin (CAR)
The relevance of
this moves is dependent upon the health of Mr. Cam Ward. Ward is the undisputed man in net for the
Canes. Should he return fully healed of
his knee ailments, he will dominate the crease minutes, leaving Khudobin in the
same situation he left in Boston.
However, if the injury woes persist for Ward, Khudobin is a fine plan B
that Carolina has traditionally lacked.
If the cards fall his way, Khudobin could be a sweet sleeper option.
Ilya Kovalchuk Flees to KHL
Talk about screwing
the Devils. They signed this guy to a
monster deal and so couldn't afford Parise or Clarkson. He leaves after free agency, leaving New
Jersey with nothing. This move
effectively makes New Jersey a fantasy hockey graveyard. I can't see a single Devil being drafted in
fantasy hockey next season.
Alexander Burmistrov (WPG) off to KHL
So much talent that
never seemed to click in the NHL.
Burmistrov provided some top notch highlights, but just not enough of
them. If you're preparing for your KHL
fantasy hockey draft, take note.
Otherwise, get your pen out and cross him off your cheatsheet now.
What's To Come
While most of the
news has already been written, there are a few names of fantasy note still
sitting without a contract for next season.
Here are the most intriguing to watch over the coming weeks:
Tags: nhl, hockey, fantasy hockey, 2014 fantasy hockey, fantasy planner, fantasy hockey planner, hockey news
Fantasy Hockey
Tip o' the hat to BlogEngine.NET --- 126.96.36.199
What fans are saying about Landshark Hockey...
I lost 8 pounds in just 2 weeks!
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As for the topic at hand, the Ravens versus the Pats as a dynasty, that is still open as far as the 2010's go, but the Ravens are clearly in the lead. Here's the list of recorded dynasties that I think most people would agree with, at least for the SB era.
60's Packers
70's Steelers
80's Niners
90's Cowboys
00's Patriots
10's TBD
Btw, there's a good chance that all of those teams, with the possible exception of the Packers, have been fined for cheating.


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I'm absolutely in love with this color combo! Guess that's appropriate since Valentine's Day is fast approaching.
I guess my annoying overuse of the word "love" in this post is somewhat appropriate considering the theme... ;)
Ooh, I love it. I might have to pick up that Target Red. Though I'm planning to use Zoya Delilah for my Valentine's red nails.ReplyDelete
that l'oreal polish is amazingg!! i MUST get my hands on one for myself :DReplyDelete
Pretty! Does the red stain your nails when you take it off?ReplyDelete
oh love it just doing a quick fun blog on nails myself so you will have to check it out
I was just at Target this evening...going to have to go back tomorrow :)ReplyDelete
:( I have serious nail envy for you right now. Wow. That's GORGEOUS and of course, it wouldn't be available here in Canada :(
Have a great one! x http://xnta.blogspot.com/
Amazing ... There are actually very few red coloured nail paints that actually look amazing and I must say, these one are by far the best I have seen. Loved your post ... :D
This comment has been removed by the author.ReplyDelete
Awesome!!! Love this!!! http://amberdentcook.blogspot.com/ReplyDelete
Pretty color! I love the glitter on just one nail.ReplyDelete
ahhh red... ahhh vday...ReplyDelete
lol @ word "Love" :DReplyDelete
wow so pretty!!!
So pretty! :)
like this illamasqua's glitter polish MODELS OWN has the the same polish by the name of Scarlet Sparkle :)ReplyDelete
I love Untold! I used it last year for Christmas and it's gorgeous!!ReplyDelete
how pretty! i've never heard of target red, might just add that to my shopping list! xxxReplyDelete
Hi Tiffany, I found your blog while doing a Valentine's Day search on Google. I am also a beauty blogger at beyondblackbeauty.com. Nice to meet you.ReplyDelete
Woow ! It's so pretty <3ReplyDelete
I'm totally gonna pick up some of this when I go to Target today! I've been needing red polish anyway...the only color I have close to read is OPI's Copper Mountain Copper, and it's more of a shimmery dark red...I love your nails, by the way! Happy Valentine's Day :)ReplyDelete
pretty nails. love the hint of sparkle!ReplyDelete
Very pretty!ReplyDelete
Happy Valentine's Day to you too! I did a red lip and painted my nails with Sephora OPI polish in Personal Shopper. I forgot to take pictures of my nails for my bog. I am loving the nail polish, your nails look lovely with red on them.ReplyDelete
WOW What an awesome RED!ReplyDelete
Love these colors on you!ReplyDelete
Wow! Really cool!ReplyDelete
i would have used the glitter on all my nails -- glitter can be tricky to remove, yes, but the tinfoil method makes removal a snap! =)ReplyDelete
You always have the such awesome posts! Glitter nails are one of my favorite looks, can't wait to see what you come up with next.
I beyond doubt appreciate your articles and blogs
valentine sex
I feel pleasure to read the content that you are posting.Valentine LoveReplyDelete
These are the great blogs; I assure you that I really enjoyed a lot in reading.
car accident claim


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A&T Looks For Defensive Improvement At EKU
North Carolina A&T (3-7) at Eastern Kentucky (7-4)
Date: December 18, 2013
Time: 7 p.m.
Facility: McBrayer Arena
Series: A&T leads 1-0
PROBABLE STARTERS: G Jeremy Underwood (6-0, 185, Sr., 6.5 ppg, 3.0 apg, 3.0 rpg); G Lamont Middleton (6-3, 205, Sr., 16.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.3 apg); G Richaud Pack (6-3, 183, Sr., 17.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, .386 3pt.) F Bruce Beckford (6-7, 215, 11.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg); C Bryan Akinkugbe (6-9, 225, Jr., 4.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg).
Aggies Overview: The Aggies are a young team looking for their identity. A&T has some impressive offensive weapons in Lamont Middleton, Richaud Pack and Bruce Beckford. What head coach Cy Alexander is looking for is a little intensity on the defensive end. The Aggies last two opponents have shot better than 45 percent and close to 50 percent from 3-point range (19-for-40), which resulted in double-digit losses. The Aggies head up to Richmond, Ky., a year after overcoming a 17-point first-half deficit to Eastern Kentucky in Corbett Sports Center to win 78-67. Today's contest will mark the ninth time the Aggies have had to play away from home. With his freshmen learning the college game his hostile environments, Alexander hopes that will make them battle tested when January arrives.
Eastern Kentucky Overview: The Colonels play out of the Ohio Valley Conference. They return three starters from last season's team, including Glenn Cosey who leads the Colonels in scoring at 19.5 points per game. The Colonels have the best scoring defense in the Ohio Valley, allowing teams to score just 66.5 points per game. They also have the best free throw shooting team in the league at .768. Cosey leads the way at the foul line, shooting .926 for the season. Second-leading scorer Corey Walden is shooting .829 from the foul line and averaging 11.6 points per game. Marcus Lewis (11.3) and Orlando Williams (11.2) also average double figures.
Potential Star: The Aggies seem to be at their best when Richaud Pack is getting to the free throw line. In the Aggies near upset against Georgia Tech, he went to the foul line 13 times. In the Aggies' three wins this season, he is averaging 10.7 free throw attempts.
News & Notes:
• The only current member of the OVC the A&T has played in school history is Eastern Kentucky even though they have something in common with Tennessee State. Both are HBCU's.
• Alexander coached six seasons in the OVC at Tennessee State where he was 7-8 against the Colonels.
• Lamont Middleton had 12 points, three rebounds, eight assists and three steals in the Aggies 78-67 win over Eastern Kentucky in Corbett last season.
From the coach:
"It's not easy when you have a young group and you're having to do everything in a hostile environment. But I'm proud of these guys because they're not giving up. The main thing we have to keep doing is stay positive and keep grinding. I just feel like if we keep grinding, we'll get there by January." Men's Basketball Coach Cy Alexander on his young team


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According to two knowledgeable sources, Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele once raised the possibility of using party money to buy a private jet for his travel.
"I know that … regular ongoing use of planes was something that was looked at," says one person with direct knowledge. "I can't speak to how serious those inquiries were." Both sources say Steele considered purchasing a plane outright, or buying fractional ownership in one, through a company such as NetJets.
Steele's spokesman, Doug Heye, did not deny that such discussions took place, responding that the RNC never had a "plan" to buy a plane. "I don't know what somebody might have discussed or might not have discussed."
While Steele has not purchased a plane, he continues to charter them. According to federal disclosure records, the RNC spent $17,514 on private aircraft in the month of February alone (as well as $12,691 on limousines during the same period). There are no readily identifiable private plane expenses for Democratic National Committee chairman Tim Kaine in the DNC's last three months of filings.
The RNC explains that Steele charters jets only when commercial service is unavailable, or when his tight schedule requires it. "Anytime the chairman has taken any private travel has been a either to a route that doesn't exist or because of connections and multiple travel to where he just wasn't able to do so," Heye said. Yet Steele's office repeatedly refused to explain in specific terms the circumstances of the February charter flights.
Once on the ground, FEC filings suggest, Steele travels in style. A February RNC trip to California, for example, included a $9,099 stop at the Beverly Hills Hotel, $6,596 dropped at the nearby Four Seasons, and $1,620.71 spent [update: the amount is actually $1,946.25] at Voyeur West Hollywood, a bondage-themed nightclub featuring topless women dancers imitating lesbian sex.
RNC trips to other cities produced bills from a long list of chic and costly hotels such as the Venetian and the M Resort in Las Vegas, and the W (for a total of $19,443) in Washington. A midwinter trip to Hawaii cost the RNC $43,828, not including airfare.
Steele himself declined numerous interview requests, though his defenders point out that luxurious accommodations are sometimes necessary to attract big-time donors, especially since Republicans remain in the minority in Washington.
Still, the nature and size of Steele's expenses are likely to reignite persistent complaints from high-end donors and key party figures that the RNC is bleeding cash in the months before a pivotal midterm election. Several months into Steele's term as chairman, his spending spurred Republican committeemen to pass a resolution requiring checks to be signed by at least two RNC officers, and contracts over $100,000 to go out to competitive bidding.
Complaints, almost always expressed off the record, have been bitter. "This is not somebody who is out recruiting candidates," said an aide who worked closely with Steele. "He is not meeting with donors. He's not asking for money. The guy is writing his book or doing his speaking gigs, or whatever the hell else he fills his days with. Those are his priorities."


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Welcome, Facebookers and fellow Meetupers!
The "Non-Scene" young adult groups have been relatively popular in other parts of the country for a while, particularly in Boston, Providence, New York City, and Vancouver. They have been providing an awesome experience for the LGBT community to interact with other people with their age that doesn't involve the night owl/clubbing life. Noting that Miami didn't have such a group, a group was set up to address this need.
So the purpose is: meet people who are people, in settings where you can actually meet people (as opposed to -- and no offense to Score, Twist, etc., -- which do a great job at what they do) and have fun. Maybe just find new friends, maybe network, maybe find the man of your dreams (though there are better venues for that -- okCupid, I would recommend highly).
Join us if you like to talk, like to drink and eat out. I'm not one for throwing negative whatevers in here. This is for the 20-Somethings and the 30-Somethings since a lot of people who have moved to Miami falls under this age. And you know - just like the 20-Somethings, the 30-somethings are sexy, funny b*tches too! Anyway -- come join us. :)
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SCEDC support of the Desert Line followed a presentation by Karen Landers, general counsel for San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), owner of the right-of-way, and Donald Stoecklein, chief executive officer of Pacific Imperial Railroad (PIR), the operator of the Desert Line.
The presentation covered the history of MTS' involvement in the line, events leading up to the 99-year lease with PIR and the economic impact of re-opening the line. PIR and MTS also discussed the current status of ongoing inspections, certifications and reconstruction of 57 bridges, 17 tunnels and replacement of track and ties along the 70-mile track, which runs between the U.S.-Mexico border at Division and connects with Union Pacific in El Centro, California.
"SCEDC and its members have historically been champions of finding more effective ways to move people and goods across the border. We recognize the economic drain that lengthy border wait times have on our region," said Cindy Gompper-Graves, president and chief executive officer of SCEDC. "Re-opening the Desert Line will help expedite the import-export process for cargo without compromising national security."


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Several players for West Bend-Mallard/Gilmore City-Bradgate and Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire earned post season honors at the conclusion of the volleyball season. Coaches of the Cornbelt Conference accorded All Conference honors to four players from WBM/GCB and two players from GT/RA.
For the Lady Wolverines, seniors Kayla Banwart, Courtney Bargman and McKenzie Grimm were all named to the First Team All Conference unit, with senor Heather Fehr earning a position on the Second Team All Conference squad.
For the Titans of GT/RA, senior Alyssa Hoffman and junior Marly Bakken were both named tot he Second Team All District squad by the league's coaches.
The complete Cornbelt Conference All Conference teams are as follows:
First Team
Kayla Banwart, SR, WBM/GCB
Courtney Bargman, SR, WBM/GCB
Miranda Brueggeman, JR, Harris-Lake Park
McKenzie Grimm, SR, WBM/GCB
Macy Gunderson, JR, Harris-Lake Park
Collete Haag, SR, North Union
Noreen Morrow, JR, Harris-Lake Park
Aurora Olive, JR, North Union
Stevie Jo Schott, SR, Clay Central-Everly
Second Team
Marly Bakken, JR, GT/RA
Cheyanne Boland, SR, North Union
Madison Bollig, JR, North Union
Heather Busch, SR, Clay Central-Everly
Heather Fehr, Sr, WBM/GCB
Mariah Gath, SR, Harris-Lake Park
Alyssa Hoffman, SR, GT/RA
Allie Ingalls, SR, North Union
Emily Jobst, SR, Clay Central-Everly
Sadi Poldervaart, SR, CWL
Harris-Lake Park 4-1
North Union 4-1
West Bend-Mallard/GCB 4-1
Clay Central-Everly 2-3
Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire 1-4
Corwith-Wesley-LuVerne 0-5


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James Douglas Applegate Jr. (Jamey, Tink, Jimmy), the son of James and Alice (Kibby) Applegate was born Oct. 24, 1973 in Orlando, Fla. He passed away March 18, 2013 at his home in Springfield, Mo., due to diabetic complications at the age of 39.
Jamey received his education in Orlando, Fla., and Estherville. He loved his family and friends dearly. He enjoyed performing in shows, sewing, camping, his pets and the annual Halloween parties. He also loved just having a good time. Jamey was known to speak his mind whether you wanted to hear it or not.
Left to cherish Jamey's memory is his mother Alice Applegate of Shawnee, Okla.; special friend Thomas Sullivan of Estherville; brothers Donnie Applegate (Jaci); Chris Applegate (Rashanda); Joe Applegate (Keya) many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Article Photos
James Douglas Applegate Jr.
Jamey was preceded in death by his father Jim Applegate (Gator).
A memorial service will be held on Oct. 4, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 16 N. 16th St., Estherville with Pastor Steven Britton officiating.


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7 a.m. - West Lake Park/Anne Kolb Nature Center, Hollywood
The meeting was called to order by Quentin Morgan, Chair at 7:30 a.m., after which all present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Morgan asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of September and November, 2008. Sheila Rose made the motion, which was seconded by Sharon Kent and passed unanimously. Patrice Eichen noted that she was present at the November meeting.
Mr. Morgan presented Bill Spute with a plaque commemorating his years of service with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Several of the Board members spoke thanking Mr. Spute for his service and praising his efforts.
Employee of the Month for December 2008
John Caprio was congratulated as Employee of the Month for December. He was applauded for his accomplishments and work ethics and was awarded a framed certificate of appreciation and a gift certificate for an area restaurant.
Park Manager's Report
Jim Davis, manager at West Lake Park and the Anne Kolb Nature Center, welcomed the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PAB). Mr. Davis stated since the last time the PAB was that West Lake a new park has been added, Snake Warriors Island Natural Area. Snake Warrior's Island is a 53 acre natural area located in Miramar. Mr. Davis gave out a two-page briefing of the parks. Major accomplishments this past year - tennis courts have been refinished, new automatic doors at the Anne Kolb Nature Center, roofs were replaced at five facilities at Hollywood North Beach and new doors and restrooms were added as well, and a new perimeter fencing was installed both east and west at the Westlake Park entrance, a new fence around the Manatee playground. Some projects they are looking forward to; a new surface on the Manatee playground which is the water facility and work is scheduled to begin Monday; they are close to awarding the bid to replace roofs on the three major facilities at the Nature Center; a wish list would be to put up a new perimeter fencing at Snake Warrior's Island.
Parks and Recreation Division (Parks) Update
Mr. Harbin reminded the members if someone cannot make the Advisory Board meeting that month, please notify our office so that it can be noted and ensure there will be a quorum. Also, the Employee of the Month gift cards are low and we will need help in replenishing that.
Bond Construction Update
Jim Federici handed out an updated project status report. Plantation Heritage Park has made progress over the last month. The contractor had thought he was finished and the Park manager did not agree. After several meetings with them, the contractor completed the required improvements. The prototypes jobs that are scattered around the County; prototype maintenance building, covered basketball courts, and corporate shelters are moving along. Four basketball courts are making progress; the steel has been erected at West Park and has arrived at Osswald Park which will also be erected within the next week or so. North Broward Park and Franklin Park contractors have staged their work so within two or three months that will be completed. The corporate shelters at CB Smith and Markham have broken ground and a roof has been placed on the one at CB Smith. One of the maintenance facilities at Tree Tops Park has begun. A contract has been awarded at Vista View Park to MBR Construction and they have received their first notice to proceed, therefore, construction will commence shortly. The Design Build Two (DB2) job has received proposals from three shortlisted firms and staff is putting together a matrix that will back to the Selection Committee, after which they will begin negotiations on an agreement. Miramar Pinelands is at about the same stage as the DB2 job. Sharon Kent noted the last Park listed on a project report, Lafayette Hart Park states budget concerns, Was that not covered in the Bond issue? Bob Harbin answered no was not, the biggest concern is with the homeowners and the community center. Parks will try to appropriate money in next year's budget to do some capital improvement. If the Park is annexed in the future, a City would have concerns about additional operating costs.
Old Business
Shelly Turetzky reviewed the Strategic Planning and the PAB By-laws. Starting with the Strategic Plan, recently the Office of Public and Governmental Relations, which oversees the Advisory Boards requested an update of specific performance measures that each advisory board were going to use in order to measure their accomplishments for that year. A committee was formed with Sharon Kent, Bill Spute, and Guy Roper to develop a strategic plan to provide to the PAB. The PAB has reviewed this plan and staff is looking for their approval in order to move this forward. Staff would also like to discuss how to divide the various goals and objectives in the strategic plan and how they will get accomplished. The PAB needs to keep in mind that should business be transacted between members, the meeting must be Sunshined. Many of the items discussed may be matter-of-fact observations of the Park or research that does not require give-and-take between PAB members. Marc Kiar motioned to approve the Strategic Plan, Terry Danger seconded, all were in favor. Patrice Eichen stated if any of the members have questions whether there is an issue of Sunshine Law, they can contact Mr. Harbin's office or The County Attorney's Office for clarification. The Sunshine Law does allow for meetings which fact are gathering, therefore, if two members are out somewhere getting this type of information, it does not need to be Sunshined. However, if two members are out and are tasked to get information to bring back before the PAB and if members are discussing recommendations that would require a Sunshine Ad. Sharon Kent stated that if a member is out visiting a Park as a part of this measure, there needs to be some type of follow-up report done. Volunteers are needed to do assignments and take on some of these responsibilities in order to keep our goals. This may need to be addressed on the next agenda, that's up to the Board. Mr. Harbin suggested forming a committee to assign volunteers to do certain tasks. Sheila Rose said that part of the observations and secret shopper missions and other items identified in the strategic plan measures might prove more successful by asking for volunteers for particular tasks. It may be the committee will come up with a way of asking for volunteers. The Board may be able to cull down some of the items and send out an e-mail to board members asking for volunteer to do a project particular task, on a quarterly basis or whatever is determined by the PAB. Terry Danger noted that Objective Three states the PAB is to implement a response mechanism and report it by 12/31/08. Terry Danger motioned to change the date to 3/30/09, Jack Mathison seconded, all in favor. Ms. Rose motioned to approve the By-laws, Jack Mathison seconded, and all were in favor. Mr. Morgan asked if there are any volunteers for the performance measures committee. Ms. Rose stated that if Sharon Kent heads-up the committee she would volunteer, Ms. Kent agreed. Mr. Mathison also volunteered to be on the committee.
Mike Harlan reviewed the proposed Amusement Ride and Apparatus Policy. This is the same draft that was presented and discussed at the November meeting. Basically, this policy allows up to three kiddy rides in the parks system, it disallows non-kiddies rides and super amusement rides. Alanna Mersinger asked if this is acceptable to the County attorney and the vendors that are involved. Mr. Harbin stated that it was, Ms. Eichen, Mr. Harlan, vendors and other staff members were all involved with drafting the policy. Ms. Eichen said this policy protects property, businesses, persons with small companies against a company that may come in the equipment and leave it unattended, risk management was involved and a compromise by all was achieved. Ms. Rose asked how this was going to go forward from here. Mr. Harbin said the County Commission was waiting for the PAB recommendation and it will go before them for approval. Ms. Kent motion to approve the proposed draft policy, Mr. Mathison seconded, and all were in favor.
Martin Gross, project manager, presented the Carpenter House master plan. Mr. Gross reviewed the plans, which is to do extensive restoration work, exotic removal and its replacement with native plants. The site was zoned for Government Use and was amended to Recreation Open-Space. Mr. Gross went on to describe the site. Mr. Morgan stated that the PAB has seen this master plan before and asked if anything has changed. Mr. Gross stated there have been no changes. The site was presented to the Hollywood Parks Advisory Board recently and it was received favorably. Ms. Kent motion to accept the master plan, Mr. Danger seconded, and all were in favor.
New Business
The next item is the Chair and Vice Chair nominations for the 2009 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Mr. Morgan asked if there are any nominations. Ms. Rose nominated Quentin Morgan to retain the seat as Chair, Ms. Mersinger are seconded, and all were in favor. Ms. Mersinger nominated Sheila Rose to be a Vice Chair, Terry Danger seconded and all were in favor.
Matt Berman with SWIM Central presented a PowerPoint presentation that was created in conjunction with the Children's Services Council regarding drownings in Broward County. SWIM Central is celebrating 10 years of water safety and effectively decreasing drowning numbers in Broward County. About three months ago, staff was asked by asked one of the program's funders, the Children's Services Council, to do an investigation. Mr. Berman went through the PowerPoint presentation providing statistics on the drownings as it relates to demographics within the County. Ms. Mersinger asked in the case of a child being submerged for 2 to 3 hours, was a missing person report submitted. Mr. Berman stated that in one case the police were in the home taking a report and the child was in the pool. After the report's findings, the question is where we go from here. One common factor in many of the cases was that Children Protective Investigative Services had already been to the home and that may be the starting point. A survey was created and will be delivered to the Broward Sheriff's Office, once a case is initiated, they will fill it out and give a carbon copy to the parents and the other will go to the Children's Services Council and for a 60 day period, they will document and generate some numbers. The hope is also that the fire department will also implement a safety program by making sure fences are put up around the pools, door alarms are installed, make sure broken locks are fixed. All of these cases have one thing in common, not one pool had a fence. Many are a Section 8 renter and are subsidized by Broward County; therefore, perhaps an ordinance needs to be passed by the County Commission making the owners of these properties responsible for installing a fence around the pool. Stephen Lawson said that maybe if the property is Section 8 the ordinance should restrict pools at that location completely. Mr. Berman said in 2003, legislation was passed that every new pool constructed had to have a pool fence. Existing pools were grandfathered in. Ms. Rose asked for clarification on the pool fence legislation, she believes that the legislation refers to fencing around the yard not the pool. Mr. Berman stated he understands the legislation to be a fence around the pool. He will verify that. Mr. Danger stated that the real problem is the foreclosed homes with dirty pools. Ms. Mersinger said legislators should be petitioned to ensure that code enforcement officers are making pool safety a priority rather than fining for overgrown lawns. Ms. Rose referred back to Section 8, her interpretation of the building code is that as long as the core of the yard is fenced and audible detectors are on any exit of the house that suffices. Mr. Harbin stated he had wanted to share this report with the PAB to see the performance measures this program has accomplished. Staff is very proud of this program. When the Swimming Pool Challenge Grant came up the PAB recommended to the Board of County Commissioners $4 million in additional funds and from there 18 additional pools were constructed, heated and were within walking distance of a school.
Next Meeting
Ms. Rose said the next meeting is January 7, 2009 and the location is to be determined. Laura Frank will advise in the near future.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 a.m.


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Rants on Cycling and on Life:
Photos of people and bicycles that pass in front of my camera
I saw Seasons a few weeks ago. It was good, but not as good as Roam. The theme was nice, but I expected it to really up the anty with the riding and filming techniques, and it didn't quite deliver.
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Outstanding AB by Jay.
Nice AB Bruce!
LET'S GO BOYS!!! I'm not counting us out of this one yet.
Go Reds!
"I'd walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball." - Pete Rose
that has to be one of the best AB's by Bruce this season.. didnt pull off the ball and went with it..
Rolens shoulder has to be still bothering him, he let go with his front hand on that swing
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Framework: CN141 – cn141_0306_v3
3 - Primary or Horizontal Divisions
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Part of series: CN141 Concepts 141 – Stacked Steps/Foundations
Series Keywords: foundation, step, progression, hierarchy, functional dependencies, elevations
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The Border Wall: The Last Stand at Making the US a White Gated Community."This is the second article in a Truthout series looking at US "immigration" policy and Mexican border policy through a social justice lens, focusing on the lower Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, Texas, area. Mark Karlin, editor of BuzzFlash at Truthout, visited the region recently to file these reports. The first installment was "
An Iron River of Guns Flows Across the Border
A phalanx of US law enforcement and military personnel patrol the Mexican border for undocumented migrants and drug traffickers, but there is comparatively little effort to keep firearms, which are increasingly military-style semi-automatic weapons, from entering Mexico. Indeed, while the flow of the Rio Grande River separates most of Texas from Mexico, guns stream into Mexico in an "iron river" from the United States.
Unlike the green waters of the "Great River," which begins in Colorado and starts its flow south through the state of New Mexico before reaching the Mexican border near El Paso, the iron river of illegally trafficked guns flows due south, along a four-state border (including desert, mountain and urban terrain), with few obstacles to derail its deadly course.
The biggest point of entry for guns illegally transported to Mexico to arm the cartels is, allegedly, the Gateway International Bridge crossing in Brownsville, but that is difficult to confirm. In fact, guns enter into Mexico along almost the entire (nearly 2,000-mile) border length, mostly through small-time traffickers who hide the contraband in their cars, vans or trucks. Firearms are basically legally unobtainable in Mexico for citizens, but perhaps as high as an estimated 90 percent of the armed weaponry used in narco-violence in Mexico originates in the United States, according to US traces, although some argue that the figure is much, much lower, with significant small arms also coming in from other countries.
The result of the United States' lax regulation of guns is literally deadly. A variety of estimates, combined with official but imperfect Mexican figures, put the drug war death toll at 40,000-55,000 over the last five years. Many of the victims were likely killed with guns originating in the United States.
Into the Juarez Valley, With the Highest Murder Rate in Perhaps the World
The gruesome impact on Mexico is ghastly, as Texas Observer reporter Melissa Del Bosque describes in an article on the Juarez Valley: "To reach the deadliest place in Mexico you take Carretera Federal 2, a well-paved stretch of highway that begins at the outskirts of Juarez, east for 50 miles along the Rio Grande, passing through cotton and alfalfa fields until you reach the rural Juarez Valley, said to have the highest murder rate in the country, if not the world."
Del Bosque reveals a grim symbol of the toll of the war on drugs, which is fueled by American guns and a multibillion-dollar consumer market for cocaine, marijuana, heroin and meth in the US:
For decades, this lucrative smuggling corridor, or "plaza," was controlled by the Juarez cartel. In 2008, Mexico's largest, most powerful syndicate - the Sinaloa cartel, run by Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman - declared war on the Juarez cartel and moved in to take over the territory. The federal government sent in the military to quell the violence. Instead the murder rate in the state of Chihuahua exploded. The bloodshed in the city of Juarez made international news. It was dubbed the "deadliest city in the world." So much blood was being shed in Juarez that few outside the region noticed the violence spilling into the rural valley to the east, where killings and atrocities began to occur on a daily basis. Police officers, political leaders and community activists were shot down in the streets. By 2009, the valley, with a population of 20,000, had a shocking murder rate of 1,600 per 100,000 inhabitants - six times higher than its neighboring "deadliest city in the world" - according to government estimates.
Mexican President Felipe Calderón, who has generally given the appearance of cooperating with the US war on drugs (only recently expressing that perhaps an emphasis on reducing drug consumption in the United States - or legalizing drugs - might be a more effective alternative) has become publicly desperate about the gun arsenal the United States is sending his way. In fact, in February, MSNBC reported that Calderón, "unveiled a 'No More Weapons!' billboard made with crushed firearms."
"He urged the United States to stop the flow of weapons into Mexico," the report continued. "The billboard, which is in English and weighs 3 tons, was placed near an international bridge in Ciudad Juarez and can be seen from the United States."
"Dear friends of the United States, Mexico needs your help to stop this terrible violence that we're suffering," Calderón pleaded in English during the unveiling of the billboard. "The best way to do this is to stop the flow of automatic weapons into Mexico." (Although some critics of Calderon, it must be noted, say that he is using the US gun supply problem to deflect from the government's role in the bloodbath in Mexico.)
The National Rifle Association Ensures Even People on the Terrorist Watch List Can Buy Guns
The source of the iron river of guns into Mexico begins far away, (as Truthout noted is also the case for the catalysts behind the border wall). The iron river's headwaters are in Washington, DC and in state capitols across the nation, where the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the firearms industry have ensured that weak gun laws enable even people on the terrorist watch list to buy guns.
Calderón, in Juarez, asserted that "the current period of violence in Mexico began in 2004 after a US federal ban on the sale of assault weapons expired." According to the El Paso Times, "[H]e said that strong pressure from the U.S. weapons industry still exists and that he regretted the lack of political will in the U.S. Congress to renew the [assault weapons] ban." (Critics of Calderon again argue that this represents an opportunistic strategy to divert attention from the Mexican government's and military's involvement in the surge of killings, a great number of them civilian deaths.)
The NRA's successful defeat of an extended national ban on assault weapons has apparently played a significant role in the availability and use of increasingly military-style weapons among the cartels. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) -- as referenced in a court case -- "firearms have been increasingly more powerful and lethal in recent years ... [A]round 25 percent of the firearms seized in Mexico and traced in fiscal year 2008 [were] high-caliber and high-powered such as AK and AR-15 type semi-automatic rifles, which fire ammunition that can pierce armor often used by Mexican police."
The link between the NRA and the gun industry - including manufacturers, gun dealers and "collectors" - makes them inseparable and a virtually indomitable force in Washington DC and state capitols. Whatever legal interpretations of the Second Amendment might come down from the courts, it is clear that semi-automatic weapons did not exist at the time of the American Revolution.
Mexican Cartels Are a Profitable End Market for US Gun Manufacturers and Sellers
"Militarization defines the U.S. gun market today - from assault weapons to armor-piercing 50 caliber sniper rifles," says Tom Diaz of the Violence Policy Center and author of "Making a Killing: The Business of Guns in America."
"The design and marketing of military style firearms by the US gun industry dovetails perfectly with the desires of Mexican traffickers who want lethal, reliable, affordable, and readily available weapons fit for an army."
It is important to remember that the gun industry is a manufacturing/retail sector Chamber of Commerce-style business, but with the extra dimension of having a grassroots lobby of gun owners - primarily aging, white males - who see any regulation as an infringement on their maleness and what they regard as their Second Amendment rights. As Diaz points out, it is an industry looking for new expanded markets that can increase their profitability as the percentage of US consumers who own guns declines. One of the industry's key "innovative" products is military-style weapons, and the Mexican cartels are a large, lucrative end consumer.
The NRA opposes not just major forms of gun control (bans on handguns, for examples), but even the most sensible laws and regulations that assist in law enforcement. Most recently, it has taken up a year-long struggle against its nemesis, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), against reporting requirements for high-volume, federally licensed dealers in the four-state area contiguous to Mexico who make multiple sales of assault weapons to a single customer.
This requirement was deemed necessary by the ATF because gun tracing has revealed that most firearms enter Mexico in the hands of what are called straw purchasers. These are individuals recruited by cartels to buy guns in states like Texas (or even farther north) pretending that they are personal purchases, when, in fact, the intent is to resell them for a large commission to the cartels in Mexico.
The reporting of multiple sales of highly lethal long guns to individual purchasers assists in identifying potential straw purchasers. ATF's field offices in the four-state southland border region confirmed to Truthout that paperwork for multiple sales of certain long guns to the same person, a document known as form 3310.12, is currently being required for designated dealers in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
But even this requirement does not enable law enforcement officials to vigorously obstruct the illegal trafficking to Mexico. That is because, as one ATF agent told Truthout, the form doesn't solve the problem of an individual straw purchaser who purchases guns from multiple dealers or who buys them over the five business day reporting requirement limit. Nor does it deal with the gun-show loophole, where collectors can sell guns without any reporting requirements, or the issue of multiple sales of assault weapons outside of the four-state region. (Assault weapons rarely originate in California, the ATF agent said, because of the state ban there.) Nor does it remove the handcuffs that have been put on ATF and local law enforcement which prohibit many potential systemic, nationwide enforcement efforts and measures to stop gun crime.
NRA and Gun Industry Oppose Minimal Regulations to Reduce Illegal Firearms Bound for Mexico
Indeed, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the NRA continue to push litigation against the minimal four-state multiple assault weapons reporting tool, even though it will help in reducing the number of guns crossing into Mexico.
When a federal district judge ruled in favor of the ATF regulation in January, the NRA quickly indicated that it would continue to fight to nullify the reporting requirement.
"We disagree with the judge and an appeal will be forthcoming," ABC reported NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam said when asked about the ruling."This is more proof that the Obama administration is intent on blaming gun owners and the Second Amendment for a problem that is rooted in Mexico."
Over the years, the NRA has conducted a withering and successful effort to neuter the gun-crime prevention authority of the ATF. That is the reason that the NRA-controlled Senate has not confirmed a director of the ATF since 2006, leaving the agency under the leadership of a series of acting directors.
One must understand that the NRA adheres to an Ayn Rand view toward gun law regulation: it shouldn't exist in an idealized "free market," even if it prevents criminal activity and violence. It opposes a UN effort to limit small-arms trafficking among nations. In the mid-1990s, NRA head Wayne LaPierre even compared ATF agents to Nazi storm troopers, calling them "jackbooted government thugs." It so enraged former President George H.W. Bush that he renounced his membership in the NRA.
Most recently, the NRA has used California Republican Congressman Darrell Issa to conduct a crusade against the ATF based on its so-called Fast and Furious operation aimed at following straw purchasers to their cartel buyers in Mexico in order to identify the kingpins. Some guns "got "loose, and one of them was used to kill a Border Patrol agent. So, now, Issa and the NRA are lambasting the ATF in order to weaken gun regulation even further.
The only result of such a partisan witch-hunt would be even more guns finding their way to Mexico and more deaths there. Fast and Furious actually grew out of a Bush administration program called Project Gunrunner. It is worth noting that Representative Issa - who became chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in January of 2011 with the openly stated goal of hounding the Obama administration with subpoenas - voted for a House amendment that would have prohibited the ATF's multiple-assault-weapon reporting requirement for the Southland states from being enacted. Issa has also bragged of his "A" rating from the NRA.
Weak US Gun Laws Enable Murders in Mexico, Washington Post Says
"Lax U.S. Gun Laws Enable Killing in Mexico" the Washington Post headlined an editorial this year, countering Issa's assault on the ATF:
Fast and Furious was a well-intentioned, misguided response to - and not the cause of - the proliferation of illegal guns in Mexico. To stanch that flow, the Obama administration and Congress should heed the pleas of Mr. Poire Romero [a senior Mexican law enforcement and security official] and his countrymen by reviving the assault weapons ban and closing the gun show loophole that makes it far too easy to sell weapons without a background check. The White House and lawmakers should work to enact a federal firearms trafficking statute and call for stiffer penalties for illegal straw purchases. Lawmakers also should confirm a chief for the ATF and give the beleaguered agency enough money and personnel to fulfill its mission of keeping illegal guns out of the hands of criminals on both sides of the border.
Due to the NRA's tight rein on Capitol Hill and state capitols, The Washington Post published another editorial, this one in 2011, that more directly targeted responsibility for the river of blood that results from the iron river of guns to Mexico: "The gun rights lobby has spent considerable time and energy in pursuit of one goal: crippling the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It has largely succeeded - and with dire consequences."
Modest law enforcement recommendations to facilitate the reduction in the flow of guns to Mexico - such as those included in a report authored by US Sens. Dianne Feinstein, Sheldon Whitehouse and Chuck Schumer - are all vigorously opposed by the NRA through intimidation and campaign contributions on Capitol Hill.
It Is Easy to Buy Guns in Texas That Are "Cheaper Than Dirt"
Not far from the main Brownsville bridge into Mexico, you can stop at a store that advertises, "Guns, Beer and Fireworks." All you will need is money for the beer and fireworks and a driver's license for the guns. Or, you might want to go on a shopping spree at a firearms store just north of Brownsville's Boca Chica Boulevard, where they advertise guns that are "cheaper than dirt."
Perhaps, some would argue, the generally large number of estimated guns traveling from the US consumer and illegal markets to Mexico is exaggerated. Charles Bowden, a legendary writer on the borderland, and Molly Molloy, a tenacious recorder of the deaths in Juarez from her position as research librarian for Latin America and the border at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, both believe that many more guns come from other sources, including firearms that the US allows American arms dealers to sell directly to the Mexican military and law enforcement agencies.
Indeed, according to CBS News, many State Department-approved, military-assault-style weapons sales result in arming the cartels due to the cross-pollination between corrupt segments of the Mexican army and the cartels. Even the National Shooting Sports Foundation's Larry Keane told CBS News, "There have been 150,000 or more Mexican soldiers defect to go work for the cartels, and I think it's safe to assume that when they defect they take their firearms with them."
It has also been argued that the Mexican army has played a significant role in the shooting of civilians, and that, at least in some cases, they used guns sold to them by US companies. Furthermore, Bowden and Molloy make the case that even if a lot of guns stopped coming from the United States, the cartels and the Mexican government have billions of dollars to find other suppliers.
Bowden and Molloy, who shared with Truthout their concerns that the issue of guns being supplied from the United States should not divert attention from the Mexican government's role in the ongoing Mexican killings, may very well be correct.
But regardless of whether the number of guns from the US is 90 percent, 70 percent, or even 50 percent or less of the cartels,' Mexican military's and "law enforcement's" firepower - and regardless of whether these same parties who kill civilians have vast financial resources to buy firearms from other nations - at the current moment, isn't it the moral obligation of the United States to limit its role in enabling the war-zone number of killings in Mexico?
This is one of the tacit deals that underlies US drugs and gun policy: we buy the drugs from Mexico, and the cartels buy many of their guns from us via straw purchasers and other illicit acquisition or with State Department sanction for the military and police. Disregard the political rhetoric; this is the reality in this grim exchange of goods, whatever "the collateral damage."
There is another route for the United States to take. Joan Burbick, professor of English and American Studies at Washington State University, concludes her book, "Gun Show Nation," with this alternative to current American gun policy:
How much easier it is to believe in the politics of the gun, and to fight for our right to be armed, than to step in front of the gun and build social and civil institutions that sustain our society and promote economic and political justice. The gun is ultimately a shortcut, a strategy to sidestep consent. Our will to engage in democracy is what is at stake. The question remains: Can we put aside the lethal politics of the gun and take up again the challenge of democracy?
That would be indeed be a worthy model we could provide to Mexico, instead of being the source of an iron river of guns that leaves such a deadly and gruesome toll in its wake.
The next installment of Truthout on the Mexican Border will be "The US War on Drugs in Mexico is a Grim Geopolitical Farce."
This article is not covered by Creative Commons policy and may not be republished without permission.


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1) Take the fight to the Giants - The Reds need to regain some focus and avoid having the pressure of disappointing the home fans. Best way is to get out to an early lead, and keep adding on! (so easy!)
2) Latos going 5 innings or more with 2 runs or less - The Reds simply cannot be counted on to score 5 runs in this environment. I think the hoss will be looking for scalps tomorrow.
3) Votto needs to choke down - enough choking up! wth?
4) The attitude of the team needs to pick up. I think there was visible let down after Tuesday and they let it carry into game 4. Not again. It's time to hit the reset button.
5) Fans need to 'hang with'm' during any early rough patches. The Cincinnati sports fan psyche is a very delicate thing and needs to stay loose and positive!
6) Leadership - Rolen & Votto need to clean it up in the field and finish some rallies at the plate.
I don't know what else. Trying to change the focus from eating our guts out about life as a poor Cincinnati sports fan. Not going to work. It's totally corrosive. If you're going to the game tomorrow, have courage, cheer your heart out, and bring us home some winnin'! WE CAN DO THIS! JUST SAY NO TO SAN FRANCISCO!


text:
Just wanted to let everyone know that the Doc has my wife and I setup to induce her labor tomorrow morning at 5am. So looks like we will be having our beautiful little daughter within the next day or so. Hopefully sooner in her case. I'm definitely on her side. Anyways keep us in your thoughts and prayers that everything comes smoothly and a healthy birth.
This will be our second child as our first is a little boy ( little over 3-1/2yrs ). We are all excited for her to finally come and join the rest of the family.
Pictures will soon follow for this cute little butterfly.
Weak Revenge
Strong Forgive
Intelligent Ignore
You got 'em.
Alt-248 on the number pad = °
X 10 from me congrats and best wishes
Sent from my iPhone using My fingers
Mountains cant stop me
they have tried
Awesome man. My wife and I will keep you in our prayers and I can't wait to see some pics when you get a chance. Im sure having a son is amazing (I hope to know someday) but being the daddy of a little girl is just something totally different...
I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.
Matthew 7:7
Congratulations, you all will be in my prayers as well.
Good news there mate!!! I wish you and the family all the best
VXL P2de, rusty MMP Orion vortex, mid '90's P2de
I wish you all the best of luck! There is something to be said about daddy's girl, mine is my little side kick
rusler vxl, rusler xl-5, jato 3.3, losi 5ive T
Hoping all goes well for you guys!
Congrats and best of luck! I will have to say, my wife was a scheduled induction for our second and everything was so much smoother than a surprise labor in the middle of the night with the first!
Congratulations! Best of luck from me!
Slash VXL
Rustler Hobbywing
Summit 1/16 VXL
Hope all goes well!! Good luck and congrats!!
Thanks guys it means a lot. We just got into the hospital. They had some issues this morning, so hopefully we get to see her real soon.
Weak Revenge
Strong Forgive
Intelligent Ignore
hope everything is alright!
so this one time I ate a lipo.......
Congrats! I still remember the day my son was born two years ago. Since I'm an EMT too, wanted to get experience in catching him and cutting the cord. Never got my stork pin though.
The Super Derecho
Sorry to hear about the complications, but keep us posted!
Slash VXL
Rustler Hobbywing
Summit 1/16 VXL
Thanks again guys. Everything went perfect.
Taylor Grace born at 8:28, 6 lb 13 0z, 20 in long.
Mom is doing great and so is daddy. I'll post some pics soon.
Weak Revenge
Strong Forgive
Intelligent Ignore
Congratulations on the new addition to your family.
May she grow strong, healthy & happy.
Look out for the tree/crunch!
LiPo? Naw NITRO!!
Here are a couple of pics from yesterday.
Updated pics when little girl s up and moving.
Weak Revenge
Strong Forgive
Intelligent Ignore
She's a cutie! Congrats again
Congratz! Daughters are really special.
Slash 4x4
Stampede 4x4
Stampede 2WD
So glad to hear it all went smoothly with no complications. Birth is one of those things most people think is border line a guaranteed to be safe and yet if you look at the statistics, it VERY often is not. Any little person that makes it in to this world safely is truly a miracle. Congratulations to you and your family and a big 'ol "way to go" to your wife...
Congrats, now get some sleep
Congratz bud!! Happy everything worked out and was a nice and healthy baby with no complications!!
R4lly GT8 | Backsl4sh | Sl4sh MT | Sl4sh | P4de
Congrats!!!! Glad nothing went wrong, when did you get to take her home? Get your sleep while you can.
I blame it all on speedpede09
Congrats Digger.Hope everything go smooth.Nothing like having a new baby in the family.(Priceless)
Congrats! Having three daughters myself I know how each one can be so special. You and the wife get some well deserved rest your going to need it!
Nice work Digger! One of the creations outside of rc that leaves me in a state of awe consistently! Wow, a well round family of 4. Have a blast keeping up with the kids.
I'm not a hatchet man! I'm a maggot!
Thanks guys. I have to add some updates of my little beauty.
Little Gnome. LOL
Daddy Time. =b
Weak Revenge
Strong Forgive
Intelligent Ignore
Thanks Double-G.
Taylor & her big brother Korbin. Getting ready to go to the doc for checkup.
Weak Revenge
Strong Forgive
Intelligent Ignore
Sorry for the delay but CONGRATS! man.
Congrats digger! All the best to the family
VXL P2de, rusty MMP Orion vortex, mid '90's P2de
Glad to hear Momma and daughter are happy and healthy....
Looks like your sons got a new baby sister to watch out for....
Now, the fun part... Raising her right.... She's got to get her first RC as soon as you can find one... But for the time being, I suggest this below...
All Lives Matter
United We Stand, Divided We Fall
^ the COOLEST thing I've ever laid eyes on! Where did you find that??
Thanks guys we are so proud of her and the little guy. I couldn't imagine anything without them. That is awesome looking Nitronaught. LOL
Weak Revenge
Strong Forgive
Intelligent Ignore
I havent updated pics of her in a while. I'm a proud Daddy so here are a couple more. She is just so adorable, and my boy is so handsome. I love these little kids.
So tiny and colorful
Pink & girly
First smile
Nuff said.....
Easter Sunday, couldnt get either one to cooperate for a pic. LOL
Her Sunday dress....just a few hours ago.
These 2 beautiful kids and wife ware what keep me going and RCing.
Weak Revenge
Strong Forgive
Intelligent Ignore
You have some BEATIFUL children there Digger.
Spend as much time as you can with them.They grow fast.Before you know it the oldest will be asking for the car keys.
and the yougest will be bringing a bf in for you to meet and for sure you won't like him. it all happens in the blink of the eyes. congrats on the new Baby
how many rc trucks does one person need lol


text:
Private life?
Clinton wants his private life back. His personal behavior is his
alone, and his family's. It's a moral outrage that a prosecutor wants to
turn a private matter into a public one. Ken Starr's power is wholly
Welcome to the early 19th century, when people actually did have
lives because the government dared not intrude. Family was autonomous
so too were extended families. Homes were sacred spaces. Businesses were
private property. Neighborhoods managed their own affairs without
There were no spooks listening in on phone calls, reading our mail,
investigating our politics, monitoring our income and stealing up to
of it for "public policy." There was no army of social workers telling
how to raise their kids. There was no war on tobacco or drugs. These
all private matters.
Heads of households, pastors, and community leaders were the social
authorities, not politicians. The president had no agencies to regulate
business, tell property owners whom to hire and fire, much less pretend
manage the national and world economy.
There was no "sexual-harassment" law. People who didn't like their
didn't sue. Instead, they sought out a new job. Discrimination on any
whatsoever was not a crime but a sacred right. There were no laws that
punished people for their choices and associations so long as they
harm anyone.
It was a system called freedom, and it made possible the most
and humane society in human history. We owe our current prosperity to
remnants of the old system.
But Bill Clinton represents something different, an ideology whose
tenet is that private life shouldn't exist. All behavior is public
The State has an interest in managing all aspects of it. What choices
freedoms we have are ours because the State grants them. Children don't
belong to the family but to society. Businesses are public property. Our
thoughts and motivations — even our jokes — are the business of courts
But now Clinton, in high-flown libertarian rhetoric, attempts to tap
the seething resentment the public has for big government and demands
the Administrative State he heads and loves leave him alone. In his
new-found worldview, he alone enjoys the right to conduct his affairs as
sees fit.
He says no one has a right to know what he is doing with his
His friends cannot be subpoenaed and forced to rat on him to the feds.
"Even presidents have private lives," he says. He means ONLY presidents
have private lives.
Can someone please welcome Bill to the late 20th century? The power
intrusions of the government now frying him are the same power and
intrusions the rest of America is forced to endure every day.
Every penny we spend is subject to investigation by the tax police.
business owner can take a step on his own property without consulting
federal agencies. Even in our own homes, we are not free to decide what
kind of paint to put on the walls or the size of our toilet tanks.
Recall that Bill would not be in this fix were it not for the
advent of sexual-harassment law. On the day of his speech, thousands of
cases are roiling through the courts that will result in million-dollar
fines against bosses accused of far less. Managers' lives will be ruined
a subordinate's lewd remark or provocative picture displayed on a desk.
This is a law that Bill defends and champions. His own wife, now
that her personal space is invaded by government power, is the icon of
feminist movement that has long claimed that the personal is the
Bill is inviting all of us to reject the authority that Starr is
exercising. Bill didn't like the questions Starr was asking and
even refused to answer them. Why should he? Hey, he's thinking, it's a
It might be possible to be more sympathetic to Bill's predicament.
Let him
repeal the sexual harassment laws in which he is now entangled. Let him
strip the CIA, the IRS, the FBI, the ATF, and the NSA of their power to
on our private lives.
Let Bill light a bonfire on the White House lawn made of the federal
and a hundred years of the Federal Register. Let him grant to every
American the broad rights to private life that he demands for himself.
Until then,
we are entitled to regard his speech as the plea of a tyrant caught in
his own
Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr., is president of the Ludwig von Mises
in Auburn, Alabama.


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Made for Goodness: And Why This Makes All the Difference (Large Print / Paperback)
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Over the years the same questions get asked of Desmond Tutu, the archbishop, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and veteran of the moral movement that ended apartheid in South Africa: "How can you be so hopeful after witnessing so much evil?" "Why are you so sure goodness will triumph in the end?" This book is his answer.
Now, more than any other time in history, our world needs this message: that we are made for goodness and it is up to us to live up to our destiny.
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"Archbishop Desmond Tutu is the author of Made for Goodness - written with his daughter Mpho Tutu, also a priest in the Anglican communion - … [a] reflection on faith, forgiveness and reconciliation."
"By giving the audience glimpses into his prayer life and other spiritual disciplines,…Tutu offer[s] a series of poignant reflections that speak about [his] lifelong quests to choose righteousness in a world gone awry."


text:
Ten Linux apps you must install
Here is the GNUs
No matter what your purpose is, when it comes to taking screenshots, Shutter is the only option. It is incredibly feature-rich and very fast – unless you enable the timer mode, of course. You can capture certain areas, individual windows, the entire desktop or even menus and tooltips.
Shutter isn't limited to just capture either, once the shot is taken, it can be transferred directly into the editor where you can add shapes or text, censor private information or crop some more if you got it wrong the first time. From there, you can even upload directly to a number of image hosts without leaving Shutter.
More info Shutter
On Mac OS or Windows, I will always use VLC Player for media playback. Under Linux, however, I have the option of using SMPlayer. Given that its back-end MPlayer is standard on just about all distributions, SMPlayer is highly compatible wherever you want to run it. Not only that, but it supports just about every possible format imaginable.
The real key to SMPlayer's success though, is its ability to remember settings on a per-file basis. It will remember where you stopped playing, and resume with the same audio track, volume or subtitle settings as before. Perfect.
More info SMPlayer on Sourceforge
Sponsored: Minds Mastering Machines - Call for papers now open


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Monday, May 13, 2013
The Melnyk Show Threatens To Cloud Sens/Pens Series
For everyone's sanity everywhere, let's hope this doesn't turn into the "Eugene Melnyk" show.
Round One for Ottawa was defined by Michel Therrien's "no respect" tirades, (or "no rispeck" as they came to be known on Twitter) and it seemed to snowball into a lot of people having an easy laugh at the expense of the proud Montreal organization with the Habs melting down both on and off the ice. Brandon Prust and P.K. Subban followed the lead of their unhinged coach with bizarre statements to the press and screaming at teammates on the ice. Even poor Carey Price, a very likeable and elite athlete, remained in an almost terrorized emotional state after the series, telling the media "I don't even go to the grocery store anymore. I hardly do anything anymore. I'm like a hobbit in a hole."
In short, it was endless distractions from within and without that prevented Montreal from getting back on track in that series. They probably wouldn't have beaten Ottawa anyways but it shouldn't have looked that bad.
Yet for Ottawa, the tables might be turning a little here as they enter Round Two against Pittsburgh. Suddenly the cameras and the microphones are rushing over to their side, almost entirely because Senators owner Eugene Melnyk has a "thing" with the Penguins.
Whenever Melnyk speaks, there's a fallout. He tried to ban Montreal and Toronto fans from the Ottawa rink and he was ridiculed everywhere. He's running some sort of secretive forensics investigation into Matt Cooke's accidental skate slash on Erik Karlsson's Achilles tendon - a story you all know too well for me to bother recounting here - and it's bringing Sens fans more grief from all corners.
Now he's attacking Penguins fans on Twitter with this beauty:
Now, I'm sure Melnyk is genuinely disgusted with the crap he gets in his Twitter feed. Anyone who's spent even 15 minutes on Twitter loses a little of their optimism for the human race. But Melnyk is just feeding the fire here, turning the focus onto him when he's got two perfectly capable hires in Bryan Murray and Paul MacLean who know what to say and when to say it during a playoff series.
This doesn't necessarily relate back to the Matt Cooke obsession he has, but it's all part of the same narrative. The conspiracy theory angle never works. Just ask the Vancouver Canucks how their never-ending beef with the officiating worked for them. Ask Michel Therrien how his "no respect" rants worked against his team. Playing the "eternal victim" is an unwinnable game.
The Senators story this season is incredible - overcoming injuries that would have destroyed most teams, and battling their way to the second round by taking down an original-six franchise that still has a huge grip on a large section of NHL fans in the capital city.
Ottawa players doesn't need Melnyk to come to their rescue right now. They don't need to talk about Matt Cooke after every game, every practice. They don't need it to be brought up. They have things under control.
Melnyk is a passionate, opinionated owner who's undoubtedly committed to NHL hockey in Ottawa. For that he gets everyone's eternal thanks. But there is a line that can be crossed where his intensity becomes a distraction.
Beating the Penguins will be tough enough for the Senators without Karlsson and Daniel Alfredsson having to answer questions about Melnyk after every game.
3 comments:
where is carkner to get closure ??
- May 13, 2013 at 7:02 PM
I don't think that there's anything wrong with Melnyk's tweet. The guy's allowed to express himself.
I think that your post is making a mountain out of a molehill. The hockey media has a Cooke/Karlsson story line, a Spezza comeback story line, a Penguins goaltending controversy, and a Stanley Cup favorite that doesn't look right story line.
A Melnyk tweet is not going to get to much attention. Especially when, in my opinion, it's the Pens fans that look foolish, if he's getting profanity filled tweets from Pens fans.
Some people would just ignore the tweets. That's fine too. It comes down to individual personality. Let Melnyk be Melnyk. #FreeMelnyk
- May 13, 2013 at 8:53 PM
I think Carnker is golfing now, courtesy of the Penguins.
Time for the Senators to show up, three more chances, or they might be as well. Andy needs to step up in a big way, an under .900 save percentage won't cut it against this team.
- May 15, 2013 at 3:24 PM