text:
|2011-04-29, 09:49
|Link #21
Senior Member
I haven't read or watched much shoujo (outside of the mahou shoujo type, anyway). However, from what I've read on this thread, and from what I've heard some of my anime-watching friends say on the topic, it seems to me that shoujou romances tend to basically be gender-bended versions of the sorts of romances found in shounen works, and in shows like Toradora and Shakugan no Shana in particular.
We're all familiar, I'm sure, with the tsundere who's "crispy/abrasive on the outside, creamy/sweet on the inside". It seems to me that the jerk with the heart of gold is more or less the male equivalent to that.
Then we have our meek milquetoast male lead who tries to win over the tsundere and/or continually puts up with her abuse. It seems to me that the female lead in shoujos who tries to reform the jerk with a heart of gold, and who puts up with his abuse, is more or less the female equivalent to that meek milquetoast male lead.
In both cases, it's not exactly my conception of a good healthy romance, but then I'm not exactly sure why mistreated nice guy/tsundere is any less offensive than mistreated nice girl/jerk with a heart of gold. From what people are saying on this thread, they seem to be mirror images of one another, every bit as much as Haruki/Kyonko is the gender-bended mirror image of Haruhi/Kyon.
Perhaps Japanese anime/manga fans in general (males and female alike) find the idea of winning over a hard case (be it tsundere or jerk with a heart of gold) to be enticing and challenging?
Just something to think about.
There's also what Vexx wrote here, of course...
However, it's glacial pace is why I eventually did stop watching Kimi ni Todoke, as much as I liked the first fifteen or so episodes of it.
|2011-04-29, 10:55
|Link #22
Join Date: Sep 2010
Then grounding the child for throwing a tantrum is just unacceptable violation of individual rights. That must be corrected
Followed by those crazy asian mothers who make their children study. The horror. Take them all to jail for ruining the child's life
And worse, hitting the child's hand for constantly lying. Thats assault and battery, the parent should be thrown into jai.
All these have the same basis.
"MY viewpoint is the right one and the ONLY right one"
This is the ultimate failure of recognising other viewpoints are correct for people that are not YOU. My stand to this is simple. Those who make up that society is ultimately responsible for it and are the ones who make any decisions for it.
|2011-04-29, 11:23
|Link #23
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
I just pointed out that the baby analogue doesn't really fit when talking about cultures. Shaking a baby is proven to be damaging to a baby, so if that happens, authorities should be called so that the situation can be resolved, but since cultures don't have authorities, it is not a good comparison.
All cultures have something good in them (or otherwise they wouldn't exist, or would quickly die out), but there is no such thing as a perfect culture, that's really what everyone is trying to improve.
Japanese feminists, for example, tries to improve things, and it's mainly from them that I've shaped my view on anime and manga, along with some of my own discoveries and experiences (also called bias); some are feminist, some are not, and some simply strive to give a image of the real world.
Furthermore, while there are some general consensus amongst feminists, not everyone agrees on everything. What I've used is by own basis of feminism, but it's hardly the only version of it.
I mean, some find porn and sex work degrading and should be banned. Some find them empowering. Some find stay-at-home mums inherently degrading, others find that as long as it was choice made by the mum it's alright. This can go on forever, and sometimes there's war between the different view points.
One of the things that makes the question "Is shoujo manga inherently anti-feminist?" so hard to answer is because there are so many different types of feminism, and different ways they are implemented.
And I never said that my view point was the only right one. Can you come up with where I said it, and counter arguments to my arguments? Or can we agree to disagree? Because I can certainly not speak for anyone else but myself.
|2011-04-29, 11:45
|Link #24
Join Date: Sep 2010
If said japanese feminists are really a large group then change will come because the society itself dictates it. If said japanese feminists are a small group then obviously society in general has not accepted the message and will not accept that message until the majority of the society as a whole does so.
|2011-04-29, 11:53
|Link #25
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Then I'm sorry that I expressed myself in such a way, and I apologise and I will educate myself better to not do it again.
I know that I threw my hands in the air in exasperation when the US decided to force the Middle East to conform to their norms, as I knew that there were already many local feminists working on it, so it's kind of embarrassing that I did the same.
|2011-04-29, 12:00
|Link #26
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 60
Absolute cultural relativism is as "stupid" as the other end of the spectrum. *Nothing* is immune from critique or from having to defend itself to examination, from inside or outside.
Parallel societies are like a group of coworkers or housemates... no one is immune from peer review of the basics that most societies have a consensus on (like the "Golden Rule" which pops up in almost all sustainable religion/philosophy).
OTOH... change forced from outside doesn't stick as well, but that isn't what the topic of this thread is about. Its about analyzing whether certain factors *exist* in branches of a particular literature. As I pointed out earlier, the Western equivalent of shoujo ("trashy" romance novels) is even more sexist or even misogynist in its depictions of fantastic romance. They're both escapist literature... whether they actually encourage some conformist attitudes or are simply diversionary is harder to judge.
Last edited by Vexx; 2011-04-29 at 12:15.
|2011-04-29, 12:15
|Link #27
Join Date: Sep 2010
If you say japan has to defend its own culture, then i would say they would laugh at you because you're not "them" and talk is cheap. Action is not.
Many times there will be someone who says "Having X in country Y is wrong". My answer is simply this. Then move there and participate in their society and change it, if you can. If not, volunteer to adopt any and all children of country Y and show them how their culture is terrible and let said children have a chance of living free of the culture's horrible portions.
As expected, i have never found one willing to take on the latter. The former works only if the person already desires to go there. Yet most are more then happen to continue empty talk.
|2011-04-29, 12:20
|Link #28
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 60
If a neighbor is behaving in ways that appall the other neighbors, they simply will not be left in a vacuum.
And I'll say again... the thread is not about *forcing change* on shoujo, but about analyzing attributes of it in a literary sense. You seem intent on changing the thread topic.
|2011-04-29, 12:25
|Link #29
Join Date: Sep 2010
|2011-04-29, 13:00
|Link #30
I mean say, stuff like treating women as property or racial segregation would be considered pretty hideous things by many a modern society. But wait, actually that hasn't been reviled for that long in human history... It doesn't mean we can't have a bone to pick with it, even though we shouldn't call most notable peeople who lived 200 years ago a racist and sexist bastard since they grew up in a society with those values. We shouldn't condemn the people, but the ideas are fair targets.
This is far different from say food between different culture. One may think it may be disgusting to eat certain kinds of animals, but it'd be silly to get up and arms about it as trying to have something objective about that is silly.
As for the original question? Not really, relative to the rest of the medium.
|2011-04-29, 18:16
|Link #31
Knight Errant
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Age: 29
Hang on, there's never a time you would ever shake a baby. We're not talking about differing views on child discipline or anything like that.
What we're talking about is that some Shoujo Manga, are disturbingly sexist. The only time I ever see the same plotlines are in Male Rape Erotica, which I think is indicative of how degrading some of it is.
Now I'm not talking about girls competing over whether they're better at cooking, or Yamato Nadesico, I can accept any of that as cultural differences. But when fiction glorifies what is essentially Rape as an act of love, and idolises dysfunctional male behaviour, I think there's a problem with the literature.
I don't however think this is a problem with Japanese society, the lions share of Shoujo is innocuous at best. I'd saythe female leads are a bit weak and annoying, but hey, as Triple_R said, a lot of Male shounen leads are basically milquetoasts too.
But there is a difference. In the shounen example the girl is "Tsundere" IE both Tsun and Dere, both hostile and also soft side. By the end the male, to an extent, tames the girl and she softens up a little. Generally it's pretty healthy, as both people are basically the same at the end.
In the Shoujo case it's usually: Guy is a jerk, he's got a "troubled past" (not a soft side), the girl then serves him and hopes to change his mind about women, if she starts off spunky she usually gradually becomes more submissive and "adult". Meanwhile the guy basically isn't as much of a jerk, but he's still pretty much the boss. IE the message is basically "act submissive, and your guy will stop being a jerk", which in real life never works, and results in thousands of abusive relationships where the girl keeps having the hope that she can "change" the guy by just being a better wife/girlfriend.
But milder versions, like in Kimi no Todoke, or Nodame Cantabile are fine in my book, if occasionally a little dull.
On the flip side, I think it's a bit ridiculous that every female character has to be analysed in terms of "being a role model for girls". Even villains, only male protagonists ever get that treatment. We never talk about whether Chewbacca, Darth Vader or the Emperor make for good male role models, whereas if any female character displays poor behaviour, or whatever, there's always a "Is this a proper message to send to today's young girls?" I think female characters should be free to be portrayed as flawed, villainous or whatever. It does become problematic when certain stereotypes are too ingrained, but we should maintain a sense of perspective.
Last edited by DonQuigleone; 2011-04-29 at 20:17.
|2011-04-29, 19:59
|Link #32
Lolli for loli :D
In the case of most tsunderes in shoujo manga (that I've read), the tsundere is only hostile verbally. His actions indicate otherwise. He'll call the girl an idiot when he gets mad at her yet also be the one to throw himself in front of a truck for her. Actions ALWAYS speak louder than words. Takuto from Full Moon Wo Sagashite (my #1 favorite ani/manga character) is a perfect example of this. He's tsundere as the day is long, foul-mouthed, a little insensitive, and doesn't always think before he snaps at Mitsuki (usually out of jealousy or frustration) but he
Major spoiler is major!!
In stories where the boy is cold to the girl simply because he's jealous that she's crushing on someone else or simply because he's afraid to trust people but the girl wins his heart by being a friend to him and he becomes a warmer person?
I see nothing wrong or anti-feminist about this trope that I call "Taming the Untamed". I think it's sweet. Then if said friendship turns into love because of that, that's quite nice. Sometimes the situation can even be boy-to-girl, boy-to-boy, or girl-to-girl, and STAY "friendship" Which is also nice. Some of the series that show this are not shoujo, but I'm using them to illustrate this point:
Taming the Untamed.
Spoiler for Fruits Basket:
Spoiler for Princess Tutu:
Spoiler for Soul Eater:
Spoiler for Gakuen Alice manga:
Spoiler for Chrno Crusade:
Spoiler for Mamotte Loliipop manga:
Now, the four romantic cases of "Taming the Untamed" here, will, if you notice, have the boy falling for the girl first when from her point of view, she's only being a friend to him. I see nothing wrong with this. It's not anti-feminist because the girl is pretty much thinking, "It's sad to see someone like this. He should have someone to talk to.", not "I'm so in love with him!! He's mean but I bet if I love him well enough, it'll fix him".
See the difference?
As for the real question in this thread: Just like everything else, it's a mixed bag. You've got really horrible wtf anti-feminist shoujo like Shinjo Mayu and Yuu Watase...and you've got really awesome 'GIRL POWER' shoujo like Arina Tanemura, Naoko Takeuchi, etc.
Last edited by Chiibi; 2011-04-30 at 14:14.
|2011-04-30, 14:59
|Link #33
Excessively jovial fellow
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: ISDB-T
Age: 31
As far as I can tell every single poster in this thread is male and almost everyone has a deeply flawed understanding of what feminism actually means.
Warning signs that you might be a conservative patriarchal douchebag:
- You think that patriarchal patterns and/or exploitation of women are a-ok just because they're fictional
- You think that deeply sexualized portrayals of women in fiction are "feminist" just because the women in question are "badass" (see Revy, the Major, etc)
- You think that portrayals of women in fiction that strongly reinforce patriarchal gender roles are "feminist" just because the women in question can take care of themselves (see the protagonist of Saiunkoki Monogatari)
- You think it's pretty cool to collect scantily-clad figurines of women
- You think the fact that you like yuri and/or yaoi means that you have a progressive view of gender roles
There is no feminist anime. At all. There are some series that are somewhat progressive when it comes to gender role issues, but if you think the answer is Ranma 1/2 (which is extremely patriarchal) you'd be wrong. Think Wandering Son, instead. There might exist feminist manga or doujin, but I haven't read any so I can't comment.
Manga and anime in general is extremely conservative when it comes to gender roles and feminism, which is unsurprising considering the opinions of the Japanese general public. Manga and anime fans in general are also extremely patriarchal and conservative when it comes to gender issues, which is likewise unsurprising since it's sort of hard to combine the fascination most of them seems to have with lolis, animated tits and girls with animal ears with any sort of real interest in gender studies.
|2011-04-30, 15:22
|Link #34
Lolli for loli :D
Incorrect. Dead incorrect.
I f**king hate stupid generalizations like that.
|2011-04-30, 15:40
|Link #35
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
I'm a woman. And have you seen Saiunkoku Monogatari? While it isn't the most feminist story, it isn't anti-feminist either. Just like how VB Rose and 1/2 Prince aren't anti-feminist. They just kind of hovers between, sometimes being feminist, sometimes not, and sometimes they are trapped by the setting.
Oh, and Shuurei does much, much more than take care of herself. Unless kicking the emperor back into shape and uncovering corruption in the government AND becoming the first ever female governor are just about taking care of herself. She has ambitions, and she does everything she can to fulfil them while living in a explicitly sexist society.
Anyway, this link might be of interest. Disclaimer: I don't agree with all of it, but it shows that I'm not the only one who recommend Saiunkoku.
But it is as I say, many different people will have many different feminisms (just read up on porn/anti-porn feminism, house-spouse and anti-house-spouse feminism, religious feminism versus anti-religious feminism, there's millions out there!).
|2011-04-30, 17:33
|Link #36
Excessively jovial fellow
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: ISDB-T
Age: 31
|2011-04-30, 17:37
|Link #37
Also a Lolicon
Join Date: Apr 2010
1. I think people are overanalyzing when think everything is trying to send some message good or bad.
2. I would have to agree that most people in this thread do not understand feminism. Most people period do not understand feminism. I would say I'm in this category as well.
3. I think its better to ask whether shoujo manga is more or less feminist than seinen manga. Or more/less fem than Hollywood movies. We need a point of reference to compare shoujo manga too.
4. TheFluff. What is feminism? We should know that before we continue.
5. I think that a more quantifiable way to measure feminism is to count the ratio of main female strong characters to the number of main female weak characters. Please note I specifically said female [strong character] as opposed to [strong female] character. Badass female characters are not necessarily strong characters.
6. What is a female strong character test imho:
a. She must have a goal (beyond getting hooked with a guy)
b. flaws (beyond being attracted to complete jerks)
c. try to overcome those flaws to achieve her goal
d. (if applicable) she isn't saved, she is helped
isn't perfect, suggest something better if you want
|2011-04-30, 18:08
|Link #38
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Spoiler for Saiunkoku spoilers:
Last edited by Irisiel; 2011-04-30 at 18:42. Reason: love, not law, damn it spell check!
|2011-04-30, 18:09
|Link #39
Lolli for loli :D
*serious rage*
And you take it a step further mentioning "terrible taste".
I haven't been this insulted since.........rawr, can't even remember.....
*Anyway, girls like cute things.
*Lolis are cute. They are very sweet and doll-like in appearance, especially when they dress in elaborate outfits. Nobody bats an eye if a girl is admiring a doll in a dress. You really think "dolled-up" loli anime characters look any different to us? Hardly!
*Girls can like lolis just fine, the same way they like dolls, puppies, and little children.
Last edited by Chiibi; 2011-04-30 at 18:35.
|2011-04-30, 18:29
|Link #40
Knight Errant
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Age: 29
I'm not sure if the old adage: "The internet: Where the women are men, the men are 10 year old boys, and the children are FBI agents" is really true anymore.
I will say I'm a man, and I love it.
I'm not an old man like my avatar though. He's just crazy cool.
But anyway, my definition of a work that has reasonably good depictions of females:
a) the girls are like real life girls.
b) the girls talk to one another about things beside men.
c) If it's romantic, the girls get as much out of the relationship as the guy does, but is not dependent on him.
I can't think of many rules to add over that. Simple is best.
Last edited by DonQuigleone; 2011-04-30 at 18:49.
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Forumwarz is the first "Massively Single-Player" online RPG completely built around Internet culture.
You are currently looking at Flamebate, our community forums. Players can discuss the game here, strategize, and role play as their characters.
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|Homosexual Buddhists
These monks are literally flaming. You don't want to miss it! Reserve set at 15mil.
|Posted On: 04/25/2010 8:08AM
|View BobTheSqueakyWea...'s Profile | #

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Bicycle? I want a tank! A steamroller might be nice too.
Bill Murray would approve.
I. Hate. Reading. Sentences. Like. This. Cause. It. Takes. Forever. To. Say. Them. In. My. Head.
This is zombie weekend, a weekend where I was absolutely guaranteed to spend $30 on shirts, and not one winner made me want to spend $10... what the freighttrain?
Suddenly the interlude of Mulan's I'll make a man out of you comes to mind... "I'm never gonna catch my breath. Say good-bye to those who knew me. Boy, was I a fool in school for cutting gym"
If there ever was a zombie invasion, I've already accepted I'll be that person.
If I only had a bike.
A core rule established by Zombieland, very very important.
I love the crudeness of the design...pun intended.
I like the graffiti style on this design. I could see it spray-painted around a city as a guerrilla marketing campaign for biking and fitness.
This shirt is perfect for Zombie Jesus Day!
The artist bio confirms my fears hahah.
edit: writer to artist oops.
EDIT: Nevermind... The artist bio stole my joke.
Y'know, I wouldn't have immediately pegged this one as a Walmazan design, It's an unexpected (but welcome) new style for him.
The fella doesn't look that out of shape to me. This shirt needs more "plumpness."
Congrats Wences! I can't wait to wear this one.
Yaaay! Walmazan! Picked up one for my fiance. Defnitely one of the best zombie shirts Ive seen in awhile. Cardio will save us all.
Congrats, Walz!
What's with the green ooze on the zombies? I don't see Slimer anywhere...?
Anybody seeing a resemblance to the Beatles famous Abbey Road album cover? Guy in the front is with a white suit and the three in the back in dark color suits? Except in this case the guy in the white suit remains unzombifyed.
Don't forget to Limber up too!
I get it! He's got s**t for brains!
Congrats walamazan! I have to debate on picking this one up. I love it, but I also have so many woot shirts already....I'll get back to you.
Also, if I get this I'll feel guilty if I don't exercise while wearing it.
Cutting the head off a zombie is a great way to defeat it, but when they have no neck, you're pretty much up stick creek.
Remember the double-tap, people.
Congrats Wences! I was pulling for Outbreak but this is perfect for my wife. Great shirt for the gym I'm happy for you.
Designer zombies in new season's green. Really like the color scheme walmazan. These sorts of designs show of your diversity.
chucky3456 wrote:This is zombie weekend, a weekend where I was absolutely guaranteed to spend $30 on shirts, and not one winner made me want to spend $10... what the freighttrain?
The first one that sold out quickly was nice
I'm So Surprised That, ....
Someone Posted This Shirt On ebay For $10 Already??? REALLY???...lol
>> check it out... <<
>> Oops click on this ... <<
I hate running (yet I'm training for a half marathon). Perhaps I need to buy this shirt for motivation.
Rotten = Green
Oh so knarly snot = Green
Spinach in a can = Green + Ooze
Zombie = Rotten Knarly Oozing Green
Run/Ride away ≠ Repeat fire explosive projectile Weapon + Enormous Ammo Cache
Solution = The High Ground + Machine Gun + Grenade Launcher + Too Much Ammo + Prayer + Non-Zombie Friends + Luck + ?...
Oh forget it, I'll take this bicycle with one flat tire and no seat......
Congrats Walmazan! Although to be honest, I'd be thinking car... or cupcake. I always think of food at the wrong time.
thank gawd for no blue monsters today!!!!!! B^)
I haven't looked, but did anyone submit a zombie-Jesus themed shirt for the derby? Seeing as how it is Easter weekend and that whole zombie-esque, raised from the dead thing Jesus had going on. I feel it would have been a winner, at least in my book it would have been.
Embrace the flying Spaghetti Monster & All Hail Discordia
20 - shirt.woot
19 - woots
2 - Belongings of Cthulhu
No need to tire yourself out running. Unless they are the infected variety of zombie, a leisurely stroll would do.
He's gunna need more than a Double Tap if he can't run!
This isn't a t-shirt. It's an ad for....
It looks like gym class. There's always someone who can't handle learning the Thriller dance.
If true, then I will totally survive. I have TWO bikes.
Anyone else notice that most, if not all our avatars (to the left) have a zombie-ish look to them?
wOOt was promoting zombie takeovers worldwide and I didnt even notice....
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text:
Simmering Divide Over ENDA's Broad Religious Exemption
Congress has returned to Washington after its month-long summer recess, and as a historic Senate vote draws nearer on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, lingering divisions over the legislation's religious exemption could set the stage for a battle between advocates in the months ahead.
During a panel discussion in New York City last week hosted by Freedom to Work as the first part of its "ENDA Situation Room" series, a bipartisan panel met to "plot a path forward" for the bill, which has languished in Congress for decades. But that path forward rapidly became mired in a debate over whether ENDA's religious exemption as written would open the door to LGBT discrimination in places far beyond churches and synagogues, and whether narrowing ENDA's religious exemption would cause shaky Republican support to collapse entirely.
According to Tico Almeida, president of Freedom to Work, the religious exemption as written has proven popular among Republicans who might not otherwise support ENDA and is the "sweet spot of both law and politics."
"I think it is the best of all of the options because it provides clarity," Almeida said. "It creates a 100 percent match with the entities that are exempt from Title VII religious provisions [of the Civil Rights Act]. So we have 40 years of case law, we have 40 years of precedent, we have 40 years of experience that will let religious employers know whether they are covered by ENDA."
Almeida bears a special relationship with the current religious exemption: He helped write it. As chief counsel for ENDA in the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2010, Almeida was one of two individuals who helped craft its current language. The bill states that ENDA "shall not apply to a corporation, association, educational institution or institution of learning, or society that is exempt from the religious discrimination provisions of title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964," which prohibits workplace discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
But while Almeida has fervently defended the language, several prominent organizations have said it's just not good enough.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Lambda Legal, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and the Transgender Law Center released a joint statement in April "expressing very grave concerns with the religious exemption in ENDA."
"It could provide religiously affiliated organizations -- far beyond houses of worship -- with a blank check to engage in employment discrimination against LGBT people," the statement continued. "It gives a stamp of legitimacy to LGBT discrimination that our civil rights laws have never given to discrimination based on an individual's race, sex, national origin, age, or disability. This sweeping, unprecedented exemption undermines the core goal of ENDA by leaving too many jobs, and LGBT workers, outside the scope of its protections."
They argue, for example, that the religious exemption as written could allow for a Catholic hospital that employs people of other faiths to still be able to fire or refuse to hire an LGBT person.
Even at last week's "ENDA Situation Room," Evan Wolfson of Freedom to Marry -- the organization on which Almeida has modeled Freedom to Work -- said he had "grave concerns" with the religious exemption.
Critics of the religious exemption have continued to walk a fine line between applauding ENDA's advancement with bipartisan support, while also insisting the provision must be addressed. But as Almeida and groups lobbying Republican members of Congress insist, narrowing the religious exemption would sacrifice Republican support and eliminate any possibility of ENDA's passage.
Perhaps nowhere is this more apparent than in the case of Utah's Sen. Orrin Hatch, who shocked many when he became one of three Republicans on the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee to vote in favor of ENDA. Hatch wasn't at the committee markup to explain his vote, but has since said it was directly influenced by ENDA's current religious exemption.
"Orrin Hatch voted for ENDA in committee specifically because of the exemption. He has said publicly if it changes even a little bit it switches back to no," Almeida stated.
And that will no doubt be the case for the handful of Republican senators LGBT advocates are lobbying who remain crucial to reaching 60 votes in the Senate. According to Gregory T. Angelo, executive director of Log Cabin Republicans, their GOP targets for "yes" votes on ENDA include Sens. Rob Portman (Ohio), Jeff Flake (Ariz.), Dean Heller (Nev.), Pat Toomey (Pa.) and Kelly Ayotte (N.H.).
"Making sure those protections are there is something that is paramount to [Senate Republicans]," Angelo said during last week's panel.
Regardless of the debate, the religious exemption as written has a track record of success. When it was adopted with a 402-25 vote in 2007 as an amendment in the House proposed by Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), it received the backing of not only Democrats like Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank and Tammy Baldwin, but Republicans like John Boehner, Eric Cantor and Paul Ryan.
Despite the reality that Republican support is necessary for ENDA's passage, and that Republicans on Capitol Hill have attached themselves to ENDA's religious exemption with Hatch leading the charge, a fight is brewing for when ENDA is taken up by the full Senate this fall.
"While the focus now, rightly so, is on moving the ball forward legislatively, ENDA's sponsors are likely to once again face the question of whether to include a narrower, more appropriately tailored religious exemption," said Ian Thompson, a legislative representative for the ACLU. "We're laying the foundation now to help make that happen."
From which senator such an attempt may come remains unclear. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), the chamber's first out member and a co-sponsor of ENDA, said in an interview with Michelangelo Signorile that she too shares concerns voiced about the religious exemption.
"But it's very clear when the coauthors and others were coming together in preparation for introducing the bill, that it would have a lot fewer cosponsors if that language wasn't in. Legislating is about compromise. And it's one of the compromises that were made," Baldwin said. "It's a starting point in the U.S. Senate."
Thompson said the ACLU remains committed to seeing the exemption narrowed while moving forward strategically positioned for success.
"The immediate goal is to make more members of Congress, and the broader LGBT community, aware of the problems with ENDA's current exemption," Thompson said. "Doing that work now and into next year positions us well for 2015 and the start of the 114th Congress."


text:
Holiday Headaches: Part 2
By Angel Perkins
The holidays come with cheer, bows, hot cocoa, tinsel and loved ones. The latter are a blessing … as long as you all get along. Nerves are often rubbed raw when relatives come uninvited or for extended stays. Relatives can also cause headaches because of not knowing what to buy for them. The simple task is often difficult, not only because the person may already have everything imaginable, but because that person is ridiculously picky, or because the gift, regardless of how well-intended, will never impress. Some people you could buy a Mercedes for and they would be unhappy because it was the wrong color. Others are happy with a left-over ham sandwich.
In-laws are especially tricky, because regardless of your feelings for them, you have to assure their gifts equal what you're giving your own parents and when you ask your spouse for ideas that will meet his or her approval as well as his/her family, they answer with the always-helpful: "I dunno."
Those are the same spouses, that once you race aisle after aisle mumbling to yourself "Necktie? Hankies? Maybe a gift card — no. Too impersonal. Cologne? But what brand? A belt, but one that's not too big. Now, which belt buckle would he like? Okay, okay. Tool section." and when you bring home that "perfect" gift, asks you, "What did you get him/her THAT for?"
Family can also be a headache during the holidays if they are early, late, controlling, indifferent, snoring during church, or telling you how to do everything the RIGHT way. Same goes for in-laws.
Some rules of thumb to follow to assure the holiday goes smoothly, at least when it comes to family:
• Be a sleuth and pay attention all year long. — What perfume are they wearing? What is their favorite color, music group, type of clothing? Do they complain about something you could replace for them? Note these things and have it ready when it's time to shop.
• Be politely dishonest. — Depending on how they normally arrive to planned parties and dinners, plan accordingly and tell them 15 minutes to a half-hour earlier or later than everyone else is planning to arrive.
• Be blunt about what you and yours want. — You can't complain that Uncle Joe buys you that bottle of liquor every year if you haven't told him you went sober five years ago. Tell people what the kids, yourself and spouse have on their "wish lists" but only give certain ideas to certain people so gifts aren't duplicated. Also, give options on both ends of the checkbook so they have selections from all price ranges to consider for their recipient.
• Remember that kids are kids. — They don't want to open clothing unless they specifically asked for it. Little Billy WILL, at the very least, roll his eyes and sigh when he opens the knitted mittens Aunt Betty made him. If she likes to give things that are handmade, suggest beforehand that she box a dozen cookies as a gift made from love.
• Don't talk about personal things. — This is the tricky one. Keep conversation light. Talk about TV shows, music, the newest technology, the neighbors escapades, but not anything that would cause the "pin-drop" moment when everyone is holding their breath to see what a reply will be to something said inappropriately.
• Choose to be deaf. — Regardless of what is said that irks you, choose to not hear it. Imagine windshield wipers sluicing off mud or bird droppings and wash the words out of your mind. You will have to plan ahead for this and in anticipation of a touchy subject, make a mental list of conversation switches.
For example:
THEM — "When are you going to get married? You know there is a nice boy down the street from Edna's house that is single. Maybe I can get you two together."
YOU — "Why don't you just let me be happy single. I like meeting new and interesting people. You are always on me!"
YOU — "You know who shouldn't have gotten together? That (insert any Hollywood couple here) deal was unbelievable! Am I right?"
YOU — "You know there is a series based on people who found out their spouse was a serial killer/bigamist/spy/fugitive. Sometimes you just never know!"
If playing deaf won't work, stuff your mouth with food until you are no longer annoyed, or until they leave and try not to bite your tongue completely off.


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BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:Norfolk Public Library Calendar Creator METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20140320T113226 DTSTART:20140630T103000 DTEND:20140630T233000 SUMMARY:Toddler Time DESCRIPTION:Toddler Times are stimulating programs centered on rhymes\, music\, movement and books. (Toddlers\, Ages 2- 3)\n\n2nd Floor Program Room\n\n\n\nHours & Location\n X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:
Toddler Times are stimulating programs centered on rhymes, music, movement and books. (Toddlers, Ages 2- 3)\r\n 2nd Floor Program Room


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A Dover man, identified as Shannon Johnson, 21, was arrested by Dover Police Aug. 26 and turned over to Harrington officers to face drug and weapons charges.
Johnson was a passenger in a car that was stopped Aug. 16 in Harrington, said police department spokesman Lt. Earl K. Brode. After the traffic stop, Johnson allegedly jumped out of the car and ran away, leaving behind the driver, identified as Erika Deputy, 21, of Dover.
A search of Deputy's car turned up 15 grams of marijuana and a .22-caliber handgun, Brode said.
Harrington Police charged Johnson with carrying a concealed deadly weapon, possession of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana with an aggravating factor and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Johnson was jailed at the Sussex Correctional Institution, Georgetown, in default of a $15,000 secured bond.
When arrested, Deputy was charged with carrying a concealed deadly weapon, possession of marijuana with an aggravating factor, possession of drug paraphernalia and operating a vehicle with improper window tinting.
She was jailed at the Sussex Correctional Institute in a $5,201 secured bond for the drug and weapons charges and an additional $5,000 cash bond for a charge of violation of probation.


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Thursday, October 05, 2006
Memo to M Fans: Make Noise
"Dear Michigan Ticket Holders,
We are sure that you are as excited as we are about Saturday's football game against Michigan State University.
We are counting on our fans to create the strongest possible home-field advantage. Your support, enthusiasm – and NOISE – will help give the Wolverines an edge."
How sad that the AD has to write Wolverine fans and - in CAPS - remind them to be loud? Do you think Gator fans get these from their AD? What about fans in Nebraska? Or Oregon? I'm going to go out on a limb and say no.
To those of you who disagree with us about the lack of consistent crowd noise in A2 and our absolute loathing of the Key Play "tradition," tell you what, you should stop reading now. Go check out the naked cheerleader chick or sign our "birthday card." Because we're of the opinion that, if the AD is writing to encourage noise, it ain't loud enough. So we're going to keep writing about it until the AD doesn't have to send out such "noise reminders" before a big game against our in-state rival. Call us picky.
And to those who wrote after our last "noise diatribe" saying U-M fans don't do the "key play" thing anymore in the Big House, check out the YouTube clip below from the Wisconsin game. And these shots are all from the student section! Sweet Mother of Ufer!
If you agree with us, please pass this on to as many U-M season ticket holders as you know (especially students, shame on them!). If you disagree, thank goodness this blog is free, eh?
P.S. And to purchase any of our fine "Loud Out" t-shirts, check out the MZone store.
17 comments:
Look at the :31 second mark where a guy grabs another girls keys and fondels them like a set of balls! Worst!
- October 05, 2006 5:52 AM
I never understood this philosophy. Make fun of the students for not being loud, then make fun them from doing something that makes ADDITIONAL noise. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
Why not just remind us (and by "us" I mean the 10% of your readers who are current students even though anyone who reads Michigan blogs probably knows how and why to make noise) that keys are not an adequate substitute, but still a perfectly fine complement, to a loud voice?
If I'm not hoarse by the 3rd quarter I'm not doing my job. We're all on the same team here.
- October 05, 2006 7:18 AM
- MGOBLUE94 said...
If I am not hoarse by the 1st Qtr ... I am not doing my job. Wisky game I was sole provider of noise at times in Section 44 and Section 1.
Here's what I did with my keys: Buy a $5 soda drink, then used my car keys as a knife to cut the bottom off the plastic cup to make a Megaphone so that I was even louder and more directed! Try it this weekend, I am taking a pocket knife this weekend though.
- October 05, 2006 8:02 AM
- Scott said...
I've been a grad student at Duke for 3 years now and last Saturday was the first time that Duke had a home football game that didn't overlap with a Michigan game. It's free for students so I thought I'd go check out the first quarter (I was on campus anyway.) It just so happens that on kickoffs, the Duke students shake their keys. It was a sad sight and it reminded me why it needs to end at Michigan.
Clapping is louder than key jinggling. Stomping on bleachers is louder than both. Key jinggling prevents students from being as loud as they can.
- October 05, 2006 8:02 AM
- MGOBLUE94 said...
Here is another thing I don't get! Everyone, except student section, will stand during halftime to watch the band play, but sit during the game.
Okay old foggies sit down, but that doesn't excuse from opening your trap and making some noise!
- October 05, 2006 8:04 AM
As some have figured, I'm a Michigan transfer turned Clemson fan. Last year, in our 3OT loss to Miami, Clemson fans recorded the (unofficially) loudest college stadium noise ever at 127dB beating out LSU's 125dB. I'm still a Michigan fan, have been to the Big House a few times, and find it is the only place where the two words "majestic" and "pathetic" describe the same thing.
Down here at Clemson, our biggest problem is getting rid of the "woo-hoo!"-ers... they'll probably never go away, but at least they're making more noise than a keychain (www.banthewoohoo.com)
You've got a major issue up there, and someone needs to put a stop to it. Someone rip up the cheerleader's "key play" sign and substitute one that says: "yell damnit!"
BTW: The Atlanta Clemson Club and the Michigan Alumni Atlanta Chapter, shared a bar last saturday for our televised games. I have to add that southern-transfer Michigan fans are MUCH more vocal than the northern counterparts. If that sign thing doesn't work, charter a plane to get them up there for a game.
- October 05, 2006 8:19 AM
You know, I have never seen the keys come out during a game, or heard them. I've been going to games since the horrible, evil Colorado game. I sit in the south endzone. Maybe I'm just lucky that the key tradition isn't followed down there.
I will say that it sucks that Michigan moved the visitors from the bottom of the bowl to just below the scoreboard. Now, instead of heckling the visitors when they leave, I have to listen to them the whole game. I was really hoping that they would have been back down in front this year, just so I could see the Vandy girls.
- October 05, 2006 8:28 AM
We, of course, lost to fOSU last weekend, but I was proud of us Hawk fans when Herbstreit said Kinnick was MUCH louder than fOSU's game at Texas.
- October 05, 2006 8:39 AM
Really I think you should start and advertising donation portion for your site. That way you can place television spots on Whorish Ann's local stations. Think about it that would be an excellent tv ad and it might wake up the students/fans.
- October 05, 2006 8:51 AM
I don't know what's worse, too quiet or too loud at the wrong times. Spurrier has repeatedly told the audience during his call in show and TV highlight show to be quiet when we have the ball, but keep up the shouting when they have the ball. I can understand our fans being pleased at a great offensive play by the Cocks, but STFU when we go into the huddle and come to the line!
- October 05, 2006 9:40 AM
- Pat Mobley said...
I think it's really a waste of time to focus on eliminating the keys. You need to spend all your energy on encouraging noise. Make videos of old folks sitting on their hands and sorority girls talking on their cell phones on defensive third-and-ones, telling those around them to be quiet (I've seen this happen). So what if I waved my keys in the air while I jumped up and down and screamed at the top of my lungs? I always took it upon myself to try as hard as the players were trying on every play and my enthusiasm spread throughout my little area of the student section. Just get people to yell, and let them wave their keys.
- October 05, 2006 9:52 AM
I sit in section 37. Three rows behind me is a guy who gets really loud and into the games. The morons around me actually spend most of the game complaining about him to the ushers to get him to quiet down. Last game, some dolt even made a point to "intervene," telling the guy that if he didn't quiet down, "there was going to be trouble." Now, I'll admit that it can be a bit much sometimes, especially when the guys is hollering during TV timeouts when no one is on the field. But still, I'd never been so embarrassed to be a Michigan fan. If you want to watch the game in silence, stay home.
- October 05, 2006 10:26 AM
- Kraut said...
Look ... key are not supposed to be used to make loud noise. That's the whole damn point. They are for "key" plays when Michigan is on offense (like a 3rd or 4th down conversion). When I was there (92-95), that's what we used the "key" play for. Somehow it has somehow been morphed and currently makes NO sense.
Regardless, though, the students aren't the problem ... it's the 70+ year-old alumni in the expensive seats ...
- October 05, 2006 10:33 AM
I wonder if this noise problem is a generational thing, I never fail to embarrass the heck out of my son at football games. Even the local high school games. I don't think he understands the concept of the "12th man"..
- October 05, 2006 11:50 AM
At Michigan, the AD tells people to be loud at football game.
Here at MSU, we get e-mails from football players, coaches and sometimes even the university president begging students not to riot afterwards.
- October 05, 2006 12:45 PM
wake up. most of the students in this video are yelling while they shake their keys. I agree the Michigan Stadium could be louder, but keys are not the enemy. you are fighting the wrong battle.
- October 06, 2006 8:53 PM
- Yost said...
Most? ALL the fans in the student section should be making noise.
And keys are "the enemy." Keep the keys in your pocket, cup your hands around your mouth and yell. It's much louder. Try it some time.
- October 07, 2006 2:37 AM


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Ladies & Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones
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Price: $75.00
Filmed in Texas in 1972 over four nights of the "Exile On Main Street" U.S. tour, "Ladies & Gentlemen" was premiered at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York on April 15, 1974, and released into selected cinemas across the country shortly afterward. It was billed at the time as "…the most powerful rock film ever made" and is considered by many fans to be the finest Rolling Stones performance ever captured on film. All packaged in an individually numbered box that includes:
- Ladies & Gentlemen DVD
- Stones in Exile DVD
- An exclusive third disc, featuring rare and never before seen footage from their Dick Cavett, show appearance, assorted interviews & footage from the Australian "Exile on Main Street Tour"
- An exclusive Rolling Stones scarf
- A reproduction of the original Ladies & Gentlemen film poster
- 2 35mm film cells from Ladies & Gentlemen
- A 60-page book with never before seen photos


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Things are looking up for the local sharemarket
Australian shares are expected to climb higher when market trading gets under way this week, confounding many traders who think that stocks are expensive and the market is on borrowed time.
''We haven't had a correction in almost two years now,'' said Watermark Funds Management chief investment officer Justin Braitling. ''It is unheard of to have a market advance without some sort of a correction for such a long period.''
The local market is tipped to gain 13 points, or 0.2 per cent, on Monday, according to the SPI Futures. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 rose 1.47 per cent last week to 5525 points, after managing close to a 13 per cent return over the course of the financial year to June 30, 2014.
''Corporate profits remain key to driving equity markets onward and upwards from what are in most places all-time highs,'' said Threadneedle chief investment officer Mark Burgess.
But a 10 per cent pull-back is not being ruled out. ''Low interest rates are forcing investors to take more risk,'' said Mr Braitling. ''For instance, CBA shares, at about $82, while there is little risk in the business, are overvalued by about three times book value.''
The last time the Australian sharemarket had a big pull-back was in the third quarter of 2012.
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Preliminary test results indicate a third Nevadan has contracted the West Nile Virus, the state Health Division said Wednesday.
The man lives in Churchill County. State Health Officer Bradford Lee said the victim is over 50 and appears to have contracted a severe form of the illness while in Nevada.
Additional test results for positive confirmation of the mosquito-borne illness are expected in one to two weeks. Earlier reports of people with the virus include one in the Reno area and one in the Las Vegas area.
On Monday, health officials said three dead birds found over the weekend in the Reno area tested positive for the virus; and the Clark County Health District confirmed that a dead hawk found in the southeastern Las Vegas Valley had the virus.
In addition, the state Agriculture Department on Monday released test results for samples collected in Humboldt, Washoe and Clark counties, and confirmed the presence of the virus in Humboldt.
The agency said three horses have tested positive for the virus, including one in Churchill County that was destroyed after it became severely ill.
Officials began urging horse owners last year to vaccinate their animals when the likelihood of the disease arriving in Nevada seemed evident. Mules and donkeys also should be vaccinated.
Tests conducted on dead crows found in Carson City and Lyon County and on mosquitoes trapped in Lyon, Mineral and White Pine counties confirmed the disease's presence in all of those areas last week.
Health officials are reminding people to take preventive measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitos. That includes use of insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, making sure house screens fit properly and draining any standing water around homes where mosquitos might breed.
On the Net:
Washoe District Health Department: www.co.washoe.nv.us/health
Nevada Department of Agriculture: www.agri.state.nv.us
National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov


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For the first time in 17 days, the Clippers played a game at home.
It was smooth at times and choppy at other times, the jolt of energy early on waning as the game against the Houston Rockets at Staples Center progressed.
But with five players scoring in double figures, the Clippers defeated the Rockets, 106-96, on Wednesday night.
The Clippers had returned home from an eight-game, 13-day trip early Tuesday morning, tired and weary but content having gone 4-4.
They scored 46 points in the first quarter against the Rockets and opened a 23-point lead in the first half, making the game look easy.


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Having had the pleasure of seeing the B&F sound system live last year in Dublin with Rankin Joe, Steve & Dom I'm dissapointed to see that Ireland isn't listed as a country you've played in your "on tour" page of this site!
Was a great gig, have fond memories of a certain Irish baffer giving a wicked rendition of Satta Massagana live and impromptu!!
Surely we deserve a mention with the others?
Big ups.


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Celtic Frost
May 2006
Released: 2006, Century Media Records
Rating: 4.0/5
Reviewer: Lord of the Wasteland
It has been a long time coming—sixteen years, in fact—for the mighty Celtic Frost to finally release an album of new material. Tom Gabriel Fischer (AKA Tom G. Warrior) first mentioned that he was working with Martin Eric Ain again after collaborating on the 1999 reissues of two Frost classics, TO MEGA THERION and INTO THE PANDEMONIUM, but other than an occasional blip and a rustic mp3 sample, things remained fairly quiet. This lull may have been intentional on Fischer's part, thinking that fans would let their guard down—and at the same time, their expectations—so he could swoop in with a blitzkrieg of an album that would knock everyone on the asses.
Well, the new Celtic Frost opus, MONOTHEIST, does just that. Looming like a sinister black cloud, the buzzing, doom-filled riffs and darker-than-thou lyrics are as strong as those found on 1985's breakthrough album, TO MEGA THERION. At the same time, some of the "avant-garde metal" that became synonymous with the band upon releasing 1987's INTO THE PANDEMONIUM remains but to a far lesser degree. There is certainly experimentation here and remnants of Fischer's industrial-tinged late '90s project, Apollyon Sun, rear their head but the accessible, commercially-driven focus of COLD LAKE is, not surprsingly, nowhere to be found. The wrist-slitting Gothic angle is also here, this time deeper and more depressing than ever with female vocals accompanying the music, and, of course, Fischer's occult-based lyrics dominate. His vocals run the gamut from a low, Gothic croon to his instantly-recognizable half-speaking/half-singing growled snarl (yes, the "oohs" and "ughs" are still present). MONOTHEIST is the logical offspring of the mindset the band was in during its peak but with enough modernizations that keep it sounding fresh and certainly not dated. In essence, it sits somewhere between the raw brutality of MORBID TALES, the thrash-y middle ground of TO MEGA THERION and the experimentation of INTO THE PANDEMONIUM but with a dense, blackened, almost industrial chill that hangs over everything, surely thanks to Peter Tagtgren's co-production. Celtic Frost always defied expectations and never rested on their laurels whether it brought them success (INTO THE PANDEMONIUM) or failure (COLD LAKE). Despite a lengthy absence, the band retains this characteristic and surges forward into the 21st Century to bring a new generation and long-time fans a monster of an album that will once again leave some people scratching their heads, some bowing in appreciation and others throwing barbs all at the same time.
Within the first twenty seconds of the mammoth opening track, "Progeny," Fischer unleashes not one but two of his patented "oohs!" that will put long-time fans at ease over MONOTHEIST's direction. "Progeny" is the epitome of heavy. Sure, the track fluctuates from a speedy, crushing rhythm to a slower, doom-y drone but this track crushes from beginning to end. Fischer's riffs are distinct, choppy and biting, building a solid foundation for his distorted vocals to run over. Ain unleashes a vicious bass line on "Ground" as Fischer gleefully spits out such wickedness as "I'm your shit, your verbal smut…you tied my limbs and buried me alive…you watched me die with smiling eyes." These first two tracks will surely have Hellhammer/MORBID TALES-era fans smiling from ear to ear! The painfully slow dirge of the Hell-ish "A Dying God Coming Into Human Flesh" is a showcase of the influence that Celtic Frost had on today's doom and Goth metal bands. The influence on My Dying Bride, Moonspell, etc. is immediately recognizable. The versatile vocals of Ain and Fischer and teh latter's guitar personify the dark, evil atmosphere that has shaped these bands' sounds. Ain's barely-there Gothic croon and cleanly sung warble are breathtaking to hear and open the track before Fischer takes over with a distortion-filled howl ("I am dying in this living human shell/I am a dying God, coming into human flesh"). Taking the role of Claudia-Maria Mokri here, Xandria's Lisa Middlehauve lends her operatic vocals to "Drown In Ashes" as Fischer channels his best Sisters of Mercy/Bauhaus imitation on this uber-Goth miasma that hearkens back to the experimentation of tracks like "Mesmerized" from INTO THE PANDEMONIUM. "Obscured" takes a similar road with Simone Vollenweider, Fischer's collaborator from the Apollyon Sun days, handling harmony vocals alongside his pained, spoken-word delivery. The doom riffs and vocal combination lend an air of such dreary hopelessness that the track should come with a prescription for anti-depressants ("I think that I'm all alone/I can feel the pain pull me down again"). The lyrics of "Os Abysmi Vel Daath," based on a book of Aleister Crowley's Thelemic laws, are pure torture to read as Fischer captures an atmosphere of eternal torment and misanthropic sorrow. Picture Milton's Paradise Lost or Dante's Inferno and it doesn't even approach the evil incarnate that Celtic Frost has captured with this one track. The wails of Middlehauve (or is that Vollenweider??) add just the right creepy touch, too. To further the religious themes, "Ain Elohim" (Hebrew for "Eye of God") is anything but. Not wholly blasphemous, the malevolence towards religion and an affinity for the occult has long been a lyrical theme of Celtic Frost, so early fans of the band can once again rejoice in knowing all things holy receive a solid skewering. The final three tracks of MONOTHEIST are a suite entitled "Triptych." Even the grimmest of Black metal bands will shake in their boots upon hearing Ain croak through "Totengott" (German; translation = "Dead God"). Like "Black Sabbath," an air of ominous doom is invoked as Ain screams, grunts, shrieks and moans his way through the foreboding musical landscape. The Luciferian themes continue through "Synagoga Satanae," a brooding fourteen-minute stroll through Hades that lumbers along at a sometimes frustrating pace. The sheer length will find you looking at your watch but, with lyrics in English, German and Latin, it also boasts choirs and a shroud of marauding evil that has Tagtgren's creative ear written all over it. The final piece of the trilogy, "Winter (Requiem, Chapter Three: Finale)," is a classical instrumental that incorporates all the swells of such past works as "Oriental Masquerade" and closes the book, not only on the three-part "Requiem" trilogy, but also on the latest chapter in Celtic Frost's career.
I wasn't sure what to expect after all this time but I am pleasantly surprised, though not wholly satisfied, with the end result. Admittedly, MONOTHEIST is an overwhelming blow that took a few spins to really sink in and I was originally put off not only by Fischer's choice of a dense, low-fi production but also the effects used on his and Ain's vocals. Fischer isn't the best singer but he has his own unique style and it suits him well. The industrial-effects used to enhance/distort each voice on many of the tracks is a tough pill to swallow and one that many who were put off by Fischer's Apollyon Sun stuff will find offense with again. Still, after sixteen years, did anyone expect Celtic Frost to pick up where VANITY/NEMESIS, or even INTO THE PANDEMONIUM, left off? The fact that MONOTHEIST has taken the better part of four years to come to fruition could explain why the structure of the album seems a bit disjointed. Celtic Frost has never been a band easy to pigeon-hole—part of their appeal to me—but the smattering of styles here seems like they didn't really know where to go with what they had. The eclectic, artsy-fartsy stuff is thankfully played down but with one song nearing a quarter-hour and others wavering between industrialized sludge and meldodramatic Goth, one has to wonder where exactly the band's mind is at circa 2006. Sixteen years is an entire generation to be away from music as a collective entity and with so much that has happened, not just in metal, but music as a whole, it's difficult to make up for lost time. MONOTHEIST clocks in at nearly seventy minutes and surely some of the dead weight could have been trimmed to furnish a sleeker beast rather than just throw everything out there all at once. "Less is more" and MONOTHEIST would have benefited by adhering to this show biz mantra.
To a certain degree, MONOTHEIST is set up to fail. The near-mythic legacy left by Celtic Frost has generated a buzz where, not unlike Judas Priest's ANGEL OF RETRIBUTION, the bar has been set so high and expectations so immense that anything less than mind-blowing will leave many fans disappointed. Over the course of their career, Celtic Frost's albums have all been radically different, yet served a purpose and each seems to have its own fanbase. MORBID TALES laid the roots for Black metal (there would be no Darkthrone without this album). TO MEGA THERION solidifed the band's underground cred. INTO THE PANDEMONIUM saw the band stretch their creative mind and brought a whole new audience to their music. COLD LAKE came served with a big helping of crow and nearly buried Celtic Frost under its own pomposity and facetiousness. Finally, VANITY/NEMESIS was an act of contrition that failed to bring the band its fans' redemption or forgiveness. So where does MONOTHEIST fit? Well, as before, many fans will instantly dismiss it for being "too modern," while another faction will get all huffy thinking this is just another band trying to recapture some of its former glories. Some will get off on the slow, brutal riffing while others will cry the praises of its diversity and experimentation. Still others will revel in the fact that Celtic Frost has thrown everything into a blender and spit out this rich patchwork of music that only they can do. MONOTHEIST is as much an accomplishment in artistic eclecticism as it is an exercise in patience but no one can deny that this album will be one of the most talked about and anticipated releases of the year. Nothing less could, or should, be expected from Celtic Frost.
KILLER KUTS: "Progeny," "Ground," "A Dying God Coming Into Human Flesh," "Os Abysmi Vel Daath," "Domain of Decay," "Ain Elohim"
Track Listing
1. Progeny
Tom Gabriel Fischer—Vocals/Guitar
Next review: » Celtic Frost - Morbid Tales
Previous review: » Celtic Frost - Into The Pandemonium (Vinyl)


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by Brian DeCandia, sports information graduate assistant
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – In an effort to keep Baldwin County youth active and interested in sport, Georgia College basketball and women's basketball coach Maurice Smith partnered with the Early Learning Center Pre-Kindergarten staff to host a field trip. The Bobcats hosted the trip for the youngsters this past Friday morning, Nov. 5 at Georgia College's Centennial Center.
"This was a great chance for the kids to meet some of the basketball athletes here at Georgia College," said coach Smith. "This was good to get the youngsters involved in our basketball programs. It was really all about fun for these kids and it was a great role model program because they look up to our players and our players can realize how fortunate they are to have young children in the community that look up to them."
The kids came and did activities with members of both the men's and women's basketball teams. They played "chase the Bobcat," which is a simulation of Duck, Duck, Goose. They also played "shoe mountain," which has all the kids put their shoes in the middle of the court and they have to make a tricky pass, then find their shoes and get them on before anyone else does.
Senior forward Josh Hurst (Athens, Ga.) put on a show for the kids with some highflying dunk theatrics. Overall it was a great day for the community and for Bobcat basketball.
Both teams open up at home Nov. 17 with the women at 5:30 against USC Aiken and the men to follow against Carver Bible College.
The Georgia College Department of Athletics, back-to-back winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 10 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at www.twitter.com/GCSUBobcats and www.facebook.com/gcbobcats for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit www.GCBobcats.com for more information, and to nominate your favorite former Bobcats and Colonials to the GC Athletics Hall of Fame.


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National News
HIV Cases in Minnesota Rise in 2002
April 16, 2003
New infections among African immigrants in Minnesota drove up the state's HIV rate by 6 percent, according state Department of Health data released Tuesday. Health officials said there were 65 new cases of HIV among African-born immigrants in 2002, compared to 46 new cases in 2001. This is particularly alarming because African immigrants comprise less than 1 percent of Minnesota's population but accounted for one-fifth of new HIV infections last year, officials said. Also of concern to health experts is that more than half of the new cases were among women.Adapted from:
Health officials believe that many HIV-positive African immigrants suffer from stigma about the disease in their home countries, and this leads them to fear admitting they have the virus. "Unlike the rest of Minnesota... they have not been exposed to educational and prevention messages for the past 20 years," said Tracy Sides, an AIDS epidemiologist at the health department.
As a result, the health department in December began sending African-born educators out into the community to provide prevention information and offer HIV testing. "We go everywhere and do presentations," said Elizabeth Namarra, a health department liaison to African community organizations. "People open up and ask questions. It used to be a high stigma, but now everyone wants to learn," she noted.
More reassuring were the 2002 HIV data among white gay men in the state, officials said. New cases dropped 7 percent last year, after a spike of 130 new cases in 2001. However, health experts fear that decline could be temporary, since a syphilis outbreak in the gay community last year could forecast an increase in HIV. Health officials said half of the new syphilis patients were also HIV-positive. Minnesota had 82 new cases of syphilis in 2002, up from 49 the previous year. The outbreak has continued for the first three months of 2003, with officials reporting 20 new cases.
Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul)
04.16.03; Josephine Marcotty
This article was provided by CDC National Prevention Information Network. It is a part of the publication CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update.


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Original URL: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/02/14/mwc_samsung_10in_galaxy_tab_tablet/
Samsung intros 10in Android tablet
Vodafone gets first dibs
Posted in Personal Tech, 14th February 2011 09:57 GMT
MWC 2011 Samsung has taken the wraps off a 10in Galaxy Tab slate, this one running Android 3.0 Honeycomb. Vodafone has the exclusive.
Beyond these points, the 10in, 1280 x 800 Tab's spec largely matches that of its 7in predecessor. The camera on the back is 8Mp, but who's going to be taking snaps with a monster 246 x 170 x 11mm snapper?
The Tab ticks all the right communications boxes: 2.4GHz and 5GHz 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 - has Samsung tired of Bluetooth 3.0, we wonder; so many of its other mobile gadgets use it - and HSPA 3G.
The tablet weighs a nice 599g but still packs in a 6860mAh battery.
No word yet on availability or pricing - a lot, we'd say, given the price of the 7in model - but the 10in Tab was launched "in partnership" with Vodafone, so guess who's got first dibs on the slate. Vodafone's participation will get the up-front price down, thanks to its airtime subsidy, but the contract cost over two years will be significant.
Come on, Samsung - Wi-Fi only models, please. ®


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4-27-07 -- A new-look lineup paid immediate dividends for the Texas Rangers on Friday night.
Sammy Sosa hit his 595th career home run, Mark Teixeira and Brad Wilkerson both had two-run shots and the Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3.
Sosa followed Teixeira's two-run drive in the third with a shot to center against Blue Jays starter Josh Towers. It was the seventh home run of the season for Sosa and his first hit in 11 career at-bats against Towers.
"Like I always say, Sammy has got knowledge," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "He remembers what you did to him.
"He came out of spring training and he made adjustments. He still was a little bit off on the breaking ball but the more they throw it to him, the more he's going to lay off it. And the more they try something early in the game, it ain't going to work on him late. He's a good student, he really is."
Washington doesn't want to put too much pressure on Sosa to produce.
"If he gets 20 to 25 (home runs), that's fine with me," Washington said. "I'm not looking for Sammy to pop 30 or 40."
But Sosa's early season surge may force Washington to revise his prediction.
"He said that before I was doing things in spring training," Sosa said. "Now I'm going through the season and making adjustments every day, his mind has got to change."
Sosa is within five of becoming the fifth player in major league history to hit 600 or more home runs. He homered twice at Cleveland on Thursday, giving him home runs in a major league-record 44 stadiums.
"The numbers are going to be there," Sosa said. "I'm not really thinking about that. I'm just trying to play every day, trying to fight for my at bats."
Teixeira and Sosa combined for the Rangers' first back-to-back home runs of the season.
Texas scored all of its runs in the third. Ian Kinsler led off with a single and scored on Wilkerson's third homer.
"You can't give up five-run innings," Towers said. "It's really hard to bounce back from that."
Akinori Otsuka struck out the side in the ninth for his third save in as many chances.
The Rangers entered play Friday batting just .234, third-lowest in the major leagues. Washington responded by shaking up the batting order, moving Michael Young to second, Teixeira to third and Sosa to fourth for the first time this season. Hank Blalock batted fifth, just the third time this year he's batted in that spot.
"It doesn't hurt to switch the lineup up when the team is struggling as bad as we have been," Teixeira said. "It can only be a positive when you switch it up like that. Whatever we can do to get our offense going, to give it a jump start, we're going to try it."
Washington sensed that the switches led to an improved attitude among his batters.
"It was like kids in a candy store," he said.
Robinson Tejeda (3-1) gave up three runs and five hits in 5 1-3 innings for Texas. He struck out seven and walked one.
"This kid has the stuff to be a pretty good starter in the major leagues," Washington said. "At some point, if he continues to progress the way he is, he's going to move out of that fourth slot and start pushing his way towards the top."
Toronto's Lyle Overbay hit a solo home run in the fifth, his second, and rookie Adam Lind hit a two-run shot in the sixth, his first, but the Blue Jays still lost for the first time in four games.
Towers (1-3) gave up five runs and five hits over 4 2-3 innings. He walked none and struck out a season-high seven.


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Lisa Cyr and Mallory Knodel
Publisher: APCNews 13 July 2012
From June 28th to July 1st 2012, grassroots organisations from the US, Canada and Mexico, came together at the Allied Media Conference in Detroit, Michigan to "cultivate strategies for a more just and creative world." Alternative media organisations, rights groups, queer and trans activists were among a variety of progressive and advocacy organisations who came together to share concrete tools and strategies on transforming their communities through media-based organising.
Sessions ranged from highly technical talks on wireless mesh networking for short range calls in times of disaster, to hands-on mapping and self-organised data gathering, to workshops on filmmaking, digital stories, and radio clips, to community activism through civic-hacking and hip hop as a pedagogy of liberation. There was something for everyone – children, women, elders, queer and trans people, people of colour, disabled, Spanish-speaking and more.
As an organisation that promotes the strategic use of technology to create a more just world, APCers felt right at home in this energised, innovative and inspiring space.
APC member May First/People Link hosted a People's movement assembly, a day-long event for members and allies of their network, including LaNeta, another APC member, where participants collaborated together in an outcome-focused discussion on "internet tools needed for our movements." The results of this consensus-building excerise will be published by May First/People Link in time for its annual membership meeting this September.
APC hosted two workshops to bring awareness to important emerging issues around access to the internet and secure online communications. As governments and private actors are restricting community access to resources and increasingly finding ways to store information about us, these topics resonated strongly with AMC participants from a human rights perspective.
Presenting open spectrum as a solution to bringing affordable internet access to those around the world, APC and New America Foundation's Open Technology Institute (OTI) explained the basics of open spectrum and wireless connectivity for development – what it is and why it is important for enabling human rights such as freedom of expression, freedom of association, access to information, health, education and government services.
The second workshop, Securing our online communications, was co-hosted by APC and OTI and raised important questions around privacy and security by posing controversial statements for discussion such as, "As a user, it is ultimately my responsibility to ensure my security online" and "You cannot have security and trust online as long as there is anonymity." Many misconceptions about security and privacy were addressed in the discussion between participants. Also, a stronger sense of community responsibility for the safety of all online users was reached. This was then followed by a hands-on session led by OTI on specific methods and tools for improving one's own and community's online security.
While the conference was largely comprised of US organisations, APC was a welcomed addition to the conference for bringing an international perspective. While knowledge- and skills-sharing was one of the conferences's main foci, its vibrant and progressive character was perhaps the most memorable, and the new relationships formed between participants, who were joined by their passion for creating a better, more sustainable and equitable world for all.
"Find out more about the AMC":http://amc.alliedmedia.org/


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Division III baseball: Solether goes distance in Elmwood victory
By ANDREW WILLIAMS
Staff Writer
BLOOMDALE — Elmwood sophomore Trevor Solether admitted he was battling some nerves when he took the mound in the first inning of the Royals' Division III sectional semifinal against Delta on Saturday.
That didn't last long, though.
After fighting through a bumpy first inning, Solether took dead aim at the Panthers' lineup. He allowed one unearned run on six hits, while compiling seven strikeouts and not issuing a walk in seven innings to lead Elmwood to a 10-1 victory.
The Royals, who improved to 9-11 on the year, advance to the sectional final at Swanton (9-7) on Thursday at 5 p.m.
It was Delta who had the upper hand early on as Andrew Stickley and Jeffrey McQuillen hit back-to-back singles with one out in the top of the first. Elmwood second baseman Dylan Hall couldn't handle a line drive off the bat of Cody Matthews and Stickley scored from third base on the error.
Solether struck out the next two hitters to end the threat and kill just about any momentum the Panthers would have in the game.
"I was locating all my pitches really well," Solether said. "I didn't have my curveball really in control, but I was spotting my fastball really well today."
After sending six batters to the plate in the first inning, the Panthers (7-12) never sent more than four in any inning the rest of the way and Solether recorded the complete game in 106 pitches.
"I was really nervous at first. First big game I've ever been in," he said. "I just focused on throwing the ball to the glove, throwing a lot of strikes, depending on my defense and went up there and had confidence."
Delta's Blake Gladieux got off to a good start on the mound, only allowing a pair of singles through the first two innings thanks to Elmwood's aggressiveness at the plate.
That all changed in the third when Tayte Lentz singled to right, Phillip Buckingham legged out a bunt single and Dylan Hall hit an RBI single to center to start off the inning. After Jacob Wise grounded out to first, Brett Jones smacked a two-RBI single to left that ended Gladieux's day.
The sophomore suffered the loss, giving up three earned runs on eight hits in 21/3 innings.
Tyler Stone and Solether each singled off reliever Wyatt Bronson and eventually scored, as did Nolan Kerr, who reached on a walk.
The Royals sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning, scored seven runs on six hits and grabbed a 7-1 advantage.
"We just started staying back instead of getting out on the front foot and swinging early at everything," said Elmwood assistant coach Kile Eichenaur, who filled in for 26-year veteran Kyle Reiser who was attending his daughter's college graduation. "When you have an inning like that it's a lot of fun. It just keeps rolling after that."
Pitching with a lead, Solether went to work and shut down Delta's offense. He faced just three hitters each in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings, giving up three singles and never allowing a runner to make it past first base.
"Give them credit. Their pitcher threw well today," Delta coach Damon Mattimore said. "He shut us down from there on through after we had little rallies there in the first.
"We should have scored a couple more runs. We had runners in scoring position in the second and third, just couldn't get it done. The kid stepped up, threw strikes and got us out."
Wise walked to start the sixth for the Royals and scored on a wild pitch from Anthony Demaline. After Jones reached on a throwing error, Elmwood's victory was punctuated by Jacob Firsdon's two-run home run to center.
Stickley and McQuillen each tallied two singles to lead Delta, while Solether finished with three singles for the Royals.
Delta 100 000 0 — 1 6 2
Elmwood 007 003 x — 10 10 1
WP — Solether. LP — Gladieux. top hitters: (Del) Stickley 2-1B; McQuillen 2-1B. (Elm) Hall 1B, RBI; Jones 1B, 2 RBI; Solether 3-1B; Firsdon HR, 2 RBI; Lentz 1B, RBI.
records: Delta 7-12; Elmwood 9-11.
Williams, 419-427-8407
Send an E-mail to andrewwilliams


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Check out Jim Cramer's latest trading recommendations on "Action Alerts Plus".
NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- The acquisition of NYSE Euronext ( NYX), parent of the New York Stock Exchange, by the Intercontinental Exchange ( ICE) is a good one, Jim Cramer told Debra Borchardt at TheStreet.com Thursday. He said the merger creates a powerful company at a time when scale means everything. Cramer said that on one hand it's ironic that ICE, a 12-year-old upstart, is able to buy one of America's most iconic companies. But on the other hand the action is in derivatives and that's why ICE is valued higher than NYX. He said that only those at Nasdaq OMX ( NDAQ), parent of the Nasdaq, are likely not happy with the deal, as it, too, will need to grow in order to keep pace. To sign up for Jim Cramer's free Booyah! newsletter, with all of his latest articles and videos, please click here. -- Written by Scott Rutt in Washington. To email Scott about this article, click here: Scott Rutt Follow Scott on Twitter @ScottRutt or get updates on Facebook, ScottRuttDC


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Keisha Castle-Hughes and fiance DJ Jonathan Morrison plan to settle in America after their summer wedding.
Morrison said the timing of the move depended on the availability of work.
"We definitely want to leave this year," Morrison said. "Hopefully by the middle of the year we'll be gone. If we do go over we're probably going to move there permanently."
Getting visas is expected to be easy as Morrison's mother is a US citizen.
Morrison said being close to Hollywood made sense for furthering his fiancee's career. "I think it's better because you don't have to send the audition tapes halfway across the world."
Morrison said he hoped to write a screenplay and also look for work.
The couple's wedding plans were mostly set, with rumours they will tie the knot at exclusive Puketutu Island on the Manukau Harbour.
A confidentiality deal has been signed with a women's magazine, but Morrison confirmed they would marry this summer. "We're looking forward to it."
Castle-Hughes' next feature film, Amos' Wake, is in post-production this week, and Morrison said producers hoped to screen it at the Cannes Film Festival in May.
Another Castle-Hughes project, a two-hour action-thriller pilot Rewind, is also in post-production.
And Castle-Hughes features in the new series of Almighty Johnsons which is believed to have begun shooting this week.


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Did you read today's front page stories & breaking news?
From the Wires
TomTom reports fourth quarter and full year results
By: Business Wire
Feb. 12, 2013 01:30 AM
Financial headlines Q4 2012
Financial headlines FY 2012
Operational headlines Q4 2012
Outlook full year 2013
Key figures
Change percentages are based on non-rounded figures
1 Earnings per share adjusted for impairment, acquisition-related amortisation and restructuring charges on a post-tax basis in 2011 and acquisition-related amortisation on a post-tax basis and the €80 million tax benefit in 2012.
2 Excluding €512 million impairment charge booked in Q2 2011.
TomTom's Chief Executive Officer, Harold Goddijn
"We delivered financial results in the quarter modestly ahead of expectations with a high gross margin and strong cash flow.
"Early in 2012 we implemented a new product unit structure to increase development efficiency and reduce time to market by componentising our core map, navigation and traffic content and technologies. The year ahead will be a pivotal year as new products start to reach our customers. R&D investments will continue to shift to new technologies, away from legacy technologies, to increase returns."
Outlook 2013
We expect the macro-economic situation to remain challenging. In this environment Consumer will focus on broadening its revenue base consistent with its brand while limiting the revenue decline from PNDs. We expect our core PND markets to decline by 15–20% in volume year over year. Automotive revenue development will largely depend on the new car sales and take rates of our current partners. For Licensing we expect revenue to be broadly stable. Business Solutions is expected to continue to grow strongly.
For the group we expect full year revenue of between €900 million and €950 million. We expect to deliver adjusted earnings per share of around €0.20. Adjusted for the negative impact of deferred revenue related to PND introductions with lifetime maps in the European market, this would be €0.25.
Business review Q4 2012
Consumer released an update to the Android app, making it available to a broader range of smartphones.
We launched our new cloud-based Location Based Services (LBS) Platform and Developer Portal. The platform provides developers with the content and tools to create location-enabled applications. These applications include map display, routing, traffic and geocoding.
We launched the latest version of our real-time traffic information service in the US. With over 75 million probes in the US alone, HD Traffic 6.0 is able to report the location and length of traffic jams on highways more accurately than the previous version. During the quarter we signed a partnership with Telenav to deliver TomTom HD Traffic to Telenav's mobile navigation customers.
Automotive is affected by tough conditions for its customers in the European car market. It is progressing well with the execution of its modular strategy. We aim to sell OEMs and their tier one suppliers, easy-to-integrate maps, traffic and navigation components that provide low development cost, fast time-to-market and the best end-user experience for their customers.
Business Solutions grew its WEBFLEET subscriber base in the quarter by 33% year on year to 239,000 (Q4 2011: 180,000). The customer base passed the 19,000 mark, the largest in the fleet management services industry. Our partnership with Tracker is developing well and sales in South Africa grew markedly. Just after quarter end, we entered into an alliance with LoJack Corporation. The US based stolen vehicle recovery specialist will add WEBFLEET to its product offering and sell it through its extensive dealership network.
Financial review
Revenue split
Change percentages are based on non-rounded figures
Revenue for the quarter was €289 million which is 19% lower compared to the same quarter last year (Q4 2011: €357 million) and 6% higher compared to the previous quarter (Q3 2012: €274 million). The year on year decrease is mainly driven by lower Consumer and Automotive sales.
Consumer revenue for Q4 decreased year on year by 23% from €242 million in Q4 2011 to €187 million in Q4 2012. The year-on-year decrease is mainly the result of PND demand continuing to be less skewed towards the fourth quarter. PND sales in EMEA were relatively strong and we saw revenue from the SportWatch nearly double year on year albeit from a small base. Sequentially, Consumer revenue increased by €15 million or 9%, mainly due to our higher market share in Europe and seasonality in PND demand in the US.
The PND market size in Europe was 2.5 million units compared to 3.2 million units in the same quarter of last year. TomTom's European market share increased from 47% in Q4 2011 to 50% in Q4 2012. The North American market size was 2.5 million units compared to 3.7 million units last year. Our market share in North America was 19% compared to 27% in the prior year.
Automotive revenue for Q4 2012 was €44 million, which is a decrease of 21% compared to €56 million in Q4 2011 and 10% sequentially (Q3 2012: €49 million). The year on year decline reflects the tough conditions in the European automotive industry which continue to constrain new car sales.
Licensing generated revenue of €37 million in this quarter, a decline of 7% compared to the €40 million in Q4 2011, mainly due to lower revenue coming from third party PND vendors. Sequentially, revenue increased by €4.0 million or 12% (Q3 2012: €33 million) as a result of higher revenue from smartphone and internet customers.
Revenue for Business Solutions in the quarter was €20 million, representing an 8% increase year on year (Q4 2011: €19 million) and a 6% increase sequentially (Q3 2012: €19 million). The year on year increase is the result of the growth in WEBFLEET subscription revenue. The partner model for geo-expansion is increasing the relative contribution of WEBFLEET revenue in the mix.
Hardware revenue development reflected the decline in Consumer PND and Automotive hardware sales. Hardware revenue in the quarter decreased by 24% year on year to €191 million (Q4 2011: €250 million). Sequentially, Hardware revenue increased by 13% (Q3 2012: €169 million).
Revenue from Content & Services for the quarter was €98 million, an 8% decrease year on year (Q4 2011: €107 million) and a 6% decrease sequentially (Q3 2012: €105 million). Content & Services revenue accounted for 34% of revenue for the quarter (Q4 2011: 30%; Q3 2012: 38%).
Gross margin
The gross margin for the quarter was 53% compared with 46% in Q4 2011 and 55% in Q3 2012. The year on year increase is mainly due to the accelerated write-off of pre-paid third party service costs in Q4 2011 and one-off provision releases in the current quarter. Excluding the releases the gross margin for the current quarter was 51%. Foreign exchange currency movements did not have a meaningful impact on the gross margin compared to last year and prior quarter. The normalised gross margin in Q4 2011 was 48%.
Operating expenses
The restructuring program initiated in Q4 2011 has made a visible impact on the lowering of our cost base in 2012. Total operating expenses for the quarter were €130 million compared to €156 million in Q4 2011, representing a 17% decrease year on year. €14 million out of the €26 million decrease is explained by the restructuring costs recognised in Q4 2011. Sequentially, operating expenses increased by €11 million or 9.5%.
The year on year reduction in operating expenses in the quarter was mainly visible in the areas of Marketing (-31%) and SG&A (-23%). In R&D we continue to invest in our innovation projects which resulted in a modest decrease of 3.2% for the quarter compared to Q4 2011. The amortisation of technology and databases decreased by 19% year on year as the result of the accelerated amortisation of certain technologies in Q4 2011.
The sequential increase in operating expenses is mainly due to the timing of R&D projects, which led to higher R&D expenses, and an increase in the SG&A expenses mainly as a result of higher property and personnel expenses.
Financial results
The net interest charge for the quarter was €2.4 million compared with €3.8 million in Q4 2011 and €3.2 million in Q3 2012. Interest paid for the quarter was €3.5 million. The amortisation of transaction costs related to the term loan and revolving credit facility amounted to €0.8 million.
The other financial result for the quarter was a loss of €0.3 million compared with a gain of €0.7 million in Q4 2011.The loss was mainly driven by our hedge results.
In the quarter we had a normalised income tax charge of €2.6 million, representing an effective tax rate of 11.7%. Due to an €80 million one-off tax gain as a result of a settlement of prior year tax issues with the Dutch tax authority, the total tax result was a gain of €77 million (Q4 2011: gain of €4.6 million). The normalised tax rate in Q4 2011, excluding a €5.9 million one-off tax gain as well as the tax effect of the restructuring charges was 20.7%.
Cash flows
The cash inflow from operations for the quarter was €98 million compared with €138 million in the same quarter last year. The year on year reduction is mainly because the cash inflow from reduced working capital was lower in the quarter than in the corresponding quarter of last year.
The cash flow used in investing activities during the quarter was €15 million, an increase of €3.3 million compared to €11 million in Q4 2011.
Cash flows used in financing activities amounted to €48 million mainly reflecting the net effect of repayments made during the quarter net of the proceeds from our new term loan.
Debt financing
On 31 December 2012 we made the final repayment on the outstanding amount of the loan we entered into in 2008 and we drew down on the new €250 million term loan.
This new term loan is part of the forward-start facility arrangement we signed in April 2011. It additionally includes a €150 million revolving credit facility, which remained unutilised on 31 December 2012. Netted with the transaction costs, the carrying amount of this €250 million loan at year end was €247 million.
Our net debt position on 31 December 2012 was €86 million, down from €194 million at the end of 2011. Our leverage ratio was reduced from 0.9 at the end of 2011 to 0.5 at the end of 2012.
Balance sheet
As at 31 December 2012, accounts receivable plus other receivables were €268 million compared with €236 million at 31 December 2011. The increase is mainly attributed to the income tax receivable balance partly offset by a decrease in the trade receivables balance. The inventory level was reduced to €44 million from €66 million at the end of last year and €59 million at the end of previous quarter. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the quarter were €164 million compared to €194 million at the end of the prior year.
Current liabilities were €475 million compared to €845 million in the same quarter last year. The year on year decrease is mainly due to the full repayment of our previous borrowings partly offset by the current portion of our new term loan.
At the end of the quarter we had shareholders' equity of €838 million up from €742 million at the beginning of the quarter.
Consolidated income statements
¹ In 2011, 29,686 potential diluted shares were not taken into account as the effect would be anti-dilutive.
Consolidated balance sheet
¹ The 2011 borrowings were fully due in 2012 and hence the full amount has been presented under current liabilities.
Consolidated statements of cash flows
¹ Includes movements in non-current portion of deferred revenue presented under other long term liabilities.
Accounting policies
Basis of accounting
The condensed consolidated financial information for the three-month and twelve-month periods ended 31 December 2012 with related comparative information have been prepared using accounting policies which are based on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Accounting policies and methods of computation followed in the condensed consolidated financial information, for the period ended 31 December 2012, are the same as those followed in the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2012. Further disclosures as required under IFRS for a complete set of consolidated financial statements are not included in the condensed consolidated financial information. The consolidated and company financial statements of TomTom NV for the year ended 31 December 2012 have been prepared and audited but are not yet published. The quarterly condensed consolidated information in this press release is unaudited.
Audio webcast fourth quarter and full year 2012 results
TomTom is listed at NYSE Euronext Amsterdam in the Netherlands
About TomTom
Founded in 1991, TomTom is a leading provider of navigation and location-based products and services.
TomTom maps, traffic information and navigation technology power automotive in-dash systems, mobile devices, web based applications and government and business solutions.
TomTom also designs and manufactures its own location-based products including portable navigation devices and fleet management solutions, as well as GPS-enabled sports watches.
Headquartered in Amsterdam, TomTom has 3,500 employees worldwide and sells its products in over 40 countries.
For further information, please visit www.tomtom.com
This document contains certain forward-looking statements relating to the business, financial performance and results of the Company and the industry in which it operates. These statements are based on the Company's current plans, estimates and projections, as well as its expectations of external conditions and events. In particular the words "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "should", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested in the forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to: the level of consumer acceptance of existing and new and upgraded products and services; the growth of overall market demand for the Company's products or for personal navigation products generally; the Company's ability to sustain and effectively manage its recent rapid growth and its relations with third party suppliers, and its ability to accurately forecast the volume and timing of sales. Additional presently unknown factors could also cause future results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
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Planning a no-turkey Turkey Day? With these creative and delicious—decadent even—vegetarian and vegan Thanksgiving recipes for main dishes, the bird will not be missed.
A friend of mine has the tradition of eating sushi for Thanksgiving, but for the vast majority of us it's turkey, stuffing, and pie … oh my! As a vegetarian, I've had a lot of great Thanksgivings eating just the "sides," but with all of these creative and delicious—decadent even—vegetarian and vegan Thanksgiving main-dish options, why settle for eating just the mashed potatoes?
Plant-based protein-rich foods like seitan and tempeh have a delightfully hearty texture and, paired with warming spices, make excellent substitutes for bird. Vibrantly colored squash makes an eye-pleasing main, and even comfort foods like polenta make tasty, hearty additions to the feast. Naturally vegetarian sides like Curried Butternut Squash with Cranberries and Toasted Coconut and Fresh Cranberry and Ginger Relishmake the perfect complement!
My family's go-to vegetarian Thanksgiving dish has been the Kibbeh with Apples, Walnuts, and Feta ever since it appeared in Delicious Living a few years ago. A number of these recipes are vegan but check out these 10 stand-out vegan Thanksgiving recipes for more ideas.
Kibbeh with Apples, Walnuts, and Feta
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Black Rice, Roasted Carrots, and Dried Cherries
Braised Seitan with Onions and Fresh Herbs
Vegetable Cobbler with Fresh-Herb Biscuits
Blue Potato Gratin with Mushrooms and Chard
And dessert … where do I start? How about Apple Pie with Compte Cheese Crust?Or my hands-down new favorite: theseChai-Spiced Pumpkin Custards.