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Strange things happen on Halloween!
November 1st, 2010
As part of the Halloween festivities and general good cheer….Ed Templeton's sweet wife Deanna decided to up the ante on all the Toy Machine riders costumes at a signing by going as none other than Satan's own disciple David Gonzalez…haha! Good work Deanna. You just need the fake blood and chicken wings hanging out your ass pocket to complete the attire.


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Dr. Ben Carson got a tough lesson in the past week on how quickly the angry and divisive world of cable TV can chew you up.
The 61-year-old Baltimore County resident has been in the media spotlight as a darling of the right since early February, when he addressed the National Prayer Breakfast with what some interpreted as a lecture to President Barack Obama. But last week, Carson's TV image and the discussion about him shifted dramatically — for the worse.
He became engaged in a TV discussion on race that included back-and-forth name calling — and he offered a critique on same-sex marriage that included such extreme rhetoric that he now has Johns Hopkins colleagues calling him out and medical students petitioning to have him removed as a graduation speaker in May. Most of it played out before millions on highly partisan Fox News, where he has recently been treated like a member of the home team.
It started with Toure Neblett, a commentator on liberal MSNBC, describing Carson as a man of "unserious ideas" who was being "embraced" by the Republicans because he was "helpful in assuaging their guilt."
Neblett — who is African-American —called Carson the GOP's "new black friend" and described him as getting a fast pass to the "head of the line" after his speech at the prayer breakfast because he's shown a willingness to be used by the right. In his March 22 commentary, Neblett imagined bumper stickers for white Republicans saying, "How could I be racist? I would have voted for Carson."
Tuesday afternoon, Carson appeared on Fox News with show host Megyn Kelly to fire back.
"They feel that if you look a certain way, then you have to stay on the plantation," the Hopkins doctor said of critics like Neblett. "You know, I've heard some people refer to me as an Uncle Tom. Well, obviously they don't know what an Uncle Tom is."
Later Tuesday on Sean Hannity's prime-time show, where Carson has more or less been a regular since the prayer breakfast, he was again interviewed about Neblett's commentary.
"Some people refuse to say it, but I will say it: He's lying," Carson said of Neblett. "I think when people don't have anything to talk about and they can't attack you on your character, then they start calling you names. … Because everything for them is about race."
Except Neblett never used the term Uncle Tom or any of the "plantation" rhetoric in his "new black friend" commentary. It was Carson who injected such hot-button language about race into the discussion last week. And it is Fox that regularly puts Carson in a racial context with headlines like "The Race Card," which was used for yet another segment on the surgeon last week.
But things got worse at the very end of the conversation when Hannity asked Carson about gay marriage.
"Marriage is between a man and a woman," he replied. "No group, be they gays, be they NAMBLA, be they people who believe in bestiality, it doesn't matter what they are. They don't get to change the definition."
The comparison of gays to members of the North American Man/ Boy Love Association and those who engage in bestiality has set off a backlash of criticism in the media, online and at Hopkins.
"We have been trying to have an open discussion about this issue, and obviously we support his [Carson's] right to free speech," said Todd Shepard, co-director of the Johns Hopkins Program for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality. "But what he said is not about opening up discussion. It's about shutting it down by scaring people.".
In an interview Friday, Carson stood by the intent of his remarks while apologizing if he "offended anyone" with his "choice of words" and use of NAMBLA and bestiality as examples..
"I think people have completely taken the wrong meaning out of what I was saying," he said. "First of all, I certainly believe gay people should have all the rights that anybody else has. What I was basically saying is that as far as marriage is concerned, that has traditionally been between a man and a woman, and nobody should be able to change that."
"Now perhaps the examples were not the best choice of words, and I certainly apologize if I offended anyone," he added. "But the point that I was making was that no group of individuals — whoever they are, whatever their belief systems — gets to change traditional definitions. The reason I believe the way I do, I will readily confess, is because I am a Christian who believes in the Bible."
The Baltimopre Sun also obtained a copy of a petition circulating on Hopkins medical campus Friday aimed at getting Carson, who is about to retire this summer, removed as speaker for the diploma ceremony at the School of Medicine this year.
"At the time of his nomination, Dr. Carson was known to most of us as a world-class neurosurgeon and passionate advocate for education," the petition says. "Many of us had read his books and looked up to him as a role model in our careers. Since then, however, several public events have cast serious doubt on the appropriateness of having Dr. Carson speak at our graduation."
When asked about the petition Friday, Carson said, "I've caught wind of it, and I've sent back a message that this is their graduation, their big day, and if they think me being there is going to be a problem, I am happy to withdraw."
In contrast to what had been until last week a steadily rising tide of calls for Carson to seek political office after he retires from Hopkins, Grace Wyler, who covers politics at Business Insider, wrote, "Carson's venture into gaffeland Tuesday indicates that his career in politics might be over before it even began — and demonstrates the danger Republicans face when they fall in love with a 'candidate' who has yet to be vetted by a single voter."
Like MSNBC on the other end of spectrum, Fox wins ratings by pushing a hard-line ideology and creating conflict. Part of the set of ideas Fox peddles to its audience is that the media and government are hopelessly liberal and anyone who voices a conservative point of view can expect to be vilified. Both Kelly and Hannity played those cards this week in opening interviews with Carson by voicing their outrage at the way in which they say Carson is being "targeted" by the left — and then repeating some of the very things said to ensure a hot reply.
It would probably be presumptuous of me to lecture Carson on the ways in which a skilled TV production can exploit a guest to serve its own agenda rather than the guest's.
But in the name of the greatness he achieved in the Hopkins operating room over the years, I would urge Carson to try to remember — the next time he sits down with Kelly or Hannity and they tell him through their phony TV smiles how it's him and them against the liberal world — that "one may smile and smile and be a villain."
It's not Kelly and Hannity who are being called out by colleagues and named in petitions by graduating medical students. It's Ben Carson in the final days of his Hopkins career.

subset: commoncrawl


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LAWRENCE, Kan. – Ashley Williams pounded home a rebound of blocked shot in the 97th minute to give the University of Kansas (1-0) a tough 2-1 overtime win over visiting UC Santa Barbara (0-1) on Friday evening.
Williams scored after Haley Yearout's first shot was stopped by a diving Makenna Henry at the left post. Henry, however, couldn't control the save and the ball rolled to her left where Williams was waiting and the Jayhawk put it home at the 96:34 mark.
After a scoreless first half, Kansas got on the board first in the 52nd minute when Jamie Fletcher hit a perfect through-ball that was blasted home by Caroline Kastor.
The score remained 1-0 until 64:00 mark when the Gauchos tied things up. Taylor Gehring took a free kick from about 35 yards out and directed it towards the right post. Sophomore Miranda Cornejo rose above a crowd to head the ball past Jayhawk goalkeeper Kat Liebetrau.
Both teams had goals waved off. Kansas had goal disallowed because of offside late in regulation and UCSB had one negated in the overtime period.
The overtime goal was one of the few balls that Henry couldn't get to. The junior had eight saves on 10 Jayhawk shots on goal. The Gauchos had just one shot on goal and that was Cornejo's header. Overall, Kansas outshot UCSB 19-6 and had 5-2 advantage on corner kicks.
Santa Barbara will remain in the Midwest to play at the University of Missouri on Sunday in a match that will kick-off at 11:00 a.m. (PDT). The Gauchos will return home for their first home match on Friday, Aug. 24 at 7:00 p.m. For ticket information click here.


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The Human Rights Council (the Council) is the main body of the United Nations dealing with human rights. It is mandated, among other things, to promote universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. The Council is also tasked with addressing situations of violations of human rights, including gross and systematic violations, and make recommendations thereon.
* At the current session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Russia has tabled a resolution seeking to promote "traditional values" as a basis for human rights.


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These are my recently thrifted pair of pants which I love to death at the moment! The colors, the shape and the fabric which is perfect for hot summer days, how could one not love them? Seeing these photos makes me realize indeed how colorful I was yesterday and boy, do I love it! We went for a walk in the evening, drank and eat goodies at the terrace downtown and then some more walk - all in all a lovely day!
The delicious frozen smoothie I savored
And this is ...Boris. I found a bunch of stray kittens near a building and I had to take photos of them; this one was the funniest. His face is perfect for the name Boris, frowny and grumpy, don't you agree? I wish I could've taken some of them home, but I have a hamster and that would've been a problem.
Wearing: thrifted pants, Stradivarius top, vintage shoes and bag, random brands and Meli Melo bracelets.


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A.C. Wall and Floor Tiling70 Feedback reviews, 100% positive
My name Andrew i've been building bathrooms/kitchens for 14yrs. I have construction diploma level 2 wall and floor Tiling (ceramics,stone,mosaic). City&Guilds Pumbing level 2 (first fix second fixs) working with gas/elec engineers, i also have City&Guilds Maintenance... read more
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By ranga_59 on 21st Feb, 2019
Oliver Donaghey Tiling32 Feedback reviews, 100% positive
I am a tiler with over 20 years experience. I am hard working, conscientious, have great attention to detail and I like to provide customers with clear and practical advice. I like to go the extra mile to get a job done and make sure my customers are happy. I pride myself in... read more
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By sue38913 on 17th Jan, 2019
Vlad Gilch49 Feedback reviews, 100% positive
We are small company with 10 workers, over 10 years experience in domestic and commercial construction sites. We specialise in painting decoration, tiling and carpenters/jointers works. read more
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Alex & Rad Construction Ltd58 Feedback reviews, 98% positive
Alex & Rad Construction is a company made up of professional builders with over 20 years experience. We provide a warranty and quality services.We undertake any projects beginning with small jobs to basis up to large projects like a full house refurbishment . read more
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Deluxe Building and Maintenance59 Feedback reviews, 98% positive
I'm an independent builder and decorator with 8 years experience, I specialize in tiling and decorating, I carry out my work with the highest standard, I'm a reliable and honest person looking to do every job to the best of my abilities, no job its too small. read more
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SB tilers42 Feedback reviews, 100% positive
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LM Solutions LTD16 Feedback reviews, 94% positive
We are very high skilled and experienced professionals providing the only high standard jobs, based in London. Our specializing are interiors - from the floors, over the painting, wallpapering, tiling, plastering to a complete bathroom refurbishments, or fine art... read more
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MJH Tiling & Decorating16 Feedback reviews, 100% positive
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Charles Bell Refurbishments229 Feedback reviews, 100% positive
*Please note. With thanks to Mybuilder I'm not taking on any more bathroom refits until 7th January 2019, although I can do small jobs. I am happy to quote for projects required after this date. Kind regards, Charles (Bathroom specialist) read more
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Decorum Property Maintenance160 Feedback reviews, 95% positive
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Knights Property Solutions Ltd106 Feedback reviews, 99% positive
Knights Property Solutions LTD have completed many jobs throughout London and the South east within residential properties, commercial buildings and Industrial factories. We always and will continue to leave the customer feeling satisfied and happy with the job that we... read more
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DF Construction30 Feedback reviews, 100% positive
Hi, we're DF General Construction LTD (DFGC). Whatever the size of the project, we strive for maximum quality and customer satisfaction. We work to very high standards when undertaking our work and understand the importance of our client's expectations, from conception to... read more
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handymanfixinglondon56 Feedback reviews, 100% positive
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AG GROUP Building and Roofing Specialists77 Feedback reviews, 100% positive
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text:
BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- An entrepreneur in the Republic of the Congo is launching what he says is the first African-designed smartphone and tablet.
Verone Mankou said his company's VMK devices will run the Android operating system and will cost $170 for the smartphone and $300 for the tablet computer, the BBC reported Thursday.
"Only Africans can know what Africa needs," Mankou said at a technical conference in Johannesburg, South Africa.
"Apple is huge in the United States, Samsung is huge in Asia and we want VMK to be huge in Africa."
The devices will be sold in 10 other West African countries besides the Republic of the Congo as well as Belgium, France and India.
The VMK products will be produced in China, leading some to charge dishonesty in claiming as "African" products produced elsewhere and simply branded locally.
Mankou responded to the criticism on his company website, saying that while the smartphones and tablets were manufactured in China for cost reasons, the design and engineering was entirely African.
"We are somewhat offended by the disregard of those who persist in denying the authentication of our products, despite evidence," he wrote.
"Most of those critics are either Afro-pessimistic (who argue that 'nothing good can come from Africa'), or just (future) competitors."
Unlike some other devices being sold as "African" in origin, there were no products matching the VMK devices in other countries under different branding, the website said.


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Burkhardt breaks down his job, Mets' chances
Kevin Burkhardt is entering his eighth season as SNY's Mets field reporter, a role that has earned him local and national critical praise. A former car salesman in New Jersey, Burkhardt recently accepted a job as host of FOX's new MLB pregame show, after spending the winter as one of FOX's NFL play-by-play voices. He will split his time this year between FOX and SNY.
With Opening Day approaching, MLB.com recently caught up with Burkhardt for his thoughts on all things Mets.
Kevin Burkhardt is entering his eighth season as SNY's Mets field reporter, a role that has earned him local and national critical praise. A former car salesman in New Jersey, Burkhardt recently accepted a job as host of FOX's new MLB pregame show, after spending the winter as one of FOX's NFL play-by-play voices. He will split his time this year between FOX and SNY.
With Opening Day approaching, MLB.com recently caught up with Burkhardt for his thoughts on all things Mets.
MLB.com: Does it seem like your time with SNY has flown by?
Burkhardt: Yeah, I mean this is my eighth year, which is kind of crazy. I feel like I just got the job in some ways -- it was such an exciting thing when I got that call. I grew up in a family full of Mets fans so it was pretty neat, and eight years later, here I am. It has gone by quickly, and hopefully this year, I'll get a taste of maybe a little bit better baseball. We'll see what happens.
MLB.com: What's it like working with SNY broadcasters Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling on a daily basis?
Burkhardt: We like to call it a four-man booth. Even though I'm out roaming around somewhere, they kind of take me in like a family member. We have a lot of fun. We have a lot of good conversations where I'll start one, and we'll interact a little bit because I'm the guy in the clubhouse. They're really not, so I can offer a little bit of a different perspective than they can.
We have fun. I think that the personalities that you see on air are who we are off it. So when we're out, away from the ballpark, that dynamic is pretty much what you see on the air. We actually like each other. We bust each other's chops all the time, and I think that works well for the broadcast.
MLB.com: What do you like about this Mets team, and what areas maybe need improvement?
Burkhardt: I like the pitching a lot, even with Matt Harvey out. I think everything came together for Dillon Gee last year. Getting away from that shoulder surgery, having the second half that he did, he's a father now -- I just feel like it's all coming together for him. Jon Niese, as long as he can get going here -- he's had a tough camp -- I think Niese is fine. You know what you're going to get from him, a good left-hander. Zack Wheeler is hoping to take the next step forward like Harvey, and maybe we'll see Noah Syndergaard in June or July. So I really love the pitching. I'm not worried about Bobby Parnell, he showed he can do the job last year.
I'm just worried about the offense. Last year, they led the league in strikeouts. If you do that and don't hit a lot of home runs like they didn't, that's a problem. So they need to find ways to score runs, and that's what I need to be convinced of.
MLB.com: How much do you see Curtis Granderson and Chris Young helping?
Burkhardt: Granderson helps a lot. He's going to hit home runs -- he's done that this spring -- and I think having that protection for David Wright will really help. The one thing to keep in mind is that Marlon Byrd had 21 home runs when they traded him last year in August, so it's not like they didn't get any production from right field. They got a lot, so they need more than Granderson, and I think that's where Chris Young comes in. He's had a great camp, he's hit the ball hard. They need him to have a good year. They need Ike Davis to have a good year. If they do that, then they'll be able to win some games.
MLB.com: If you had to pick one of those players you mentioned, who is the most important Met in 2014?
Burkhardt: I think it's Ike Davis, I really do. We've seen it a bit -- he had those first couple months before he hurt himself a few years ago in Colorado, he was over .300, he had seven home runs, he looked awesome, and then he had that crazy ankle injury when he was trying to catch a popup. We saw even a couple years ago when the average wasn't there, he hit 32 home runs. That's a major threat. And to have that for a team that doesn't necessarily hit a ton of home runs is huge. If they can get that from him, I don't even care what his batting average is. If he just goes out there and hits home runs and gets off to a start where he's not hitting .100 in April, I think it's huge. It's a huge difference for him.
That position and the shortstop position were black holes for the Mets last year. If they get any kind of production there, I think their offense could be decent.
Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyDicomo.


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Earnings Give Market Rally Big Test This Week
The stock market rally will face a significant test this week as Alcoa kicks off earnings season. Alexandra Scaggs reports. Photo: Getty Images.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the the ... welcome back to the new sub I'm Kelsey Havre ... the current stock market rally faces its biggest test this week as earnings season kicks off the Dow Jones Newswires Reporter Alexandra Scaggs is here with more so ... a lot of people be on earnings this week Nancy A Alcoa reports ... on ... units expected to post lately earnings last year ... the question is can it be where these paintings corporate and versus expectations for thirty days have ratcheted down ... any loads of plants so if they come in at expectations or perhaps yes ... then what is that really think I'd I think that would really show that growth is slowing more than people ... think that way and that of more than people thought it went ... on ... in our ... it really is king and expectations came in this kind of his expectations have been coming down ... the big thing coming down slightly less than usual Henan the first quarter we had a pre rally there is a lot of optimism out there ... so analysts expectations may actually be little that high ... if you think about it and that's also not a good sign because they're expecting a loss from last year for nothing compared to its recent trading becoming picking up the hill and a full screen here for a walk us through what companies are going to be watching ... the ten ... days of time on the materials friend which means that it's really linked to global growth ... on it it makes a lot of it than just raw materials that other companies to use make their products ... so that's kind of weather earlier ... earlier signs of a guess what direction the economy is going into the sun first one report and it is at the unofficial kickoff to the event the following season and what what was coming coming in much better than expected adding that could come back again to kick in and of the things that some good signs that an outlet for land another leg up I think you know ... who knows how much farther we have to become considerably eleven percent year to date ... by ICT think that that would really ... reinforce the rally that we've just gotten ... married and the Fed minutes are coming out later this weekend and that's really very closely watched what can people be looking for their people ... be looking for signs on bank ... then ... they're kinda wanna see signs the Kiwi is can it continue this bond buying program the Fed has faced massive stimulus for the economy ... on the talks about rationing and back ... on their way of looking at a time when the concert to see that ... they think that stock investors really want to see that that that that is committed to keeping markets liquidity and keeping the economy coming Axel took some three stocks that are yet to be watching on we did myself that I know that's one just quickly ... summarize what people should really be looking for itself in the reckoning be looking for ... just where were this with this and results come in verse expectations on ... you know I there can be looking ... at the results out of Europe and China and scrapes because people are still vacant Senate hearing on ... those materials that no bank is about the power to be in focus ... they will do well in the end of the BTP Martin a nonstarter for it ... and ... it's funny actually financials better bright spot if you're looking at expectations ... over the coroner financials are the only area where analysts of actually raised their estimates on the coming in against kind of loan low results from last year so it should make for easy comparison ... at financials can potentially be a standout for this earnings season ... with a laugh but often those of us do that yet and yet it's here at the end of this week ... either coming in on Friday ... and and and is one of the battered ... one of the area's it's expects to be a bit better ... I think the thing the secretion became fed up with everybody can check out more at ten thirty on the markets have ... been have a lot more on earnings season that kicks off and everything you're gonna need to now


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In his anonymous online rants, federal prosecutor Sal Perricone took a lot of chances -- trashing federal judges, criticizing his boss and encouraging gun owners to go to former Mayor Ray Nagin's house, for instance. But his most ill-advised comment may have been one in which he suggested James Carter, a former City Council member and now a top adviser to Mayor Mitch Landrieu, had committed a crime.
In doing so, Perricone violated a cardinal rule of federal prosecutors: He made reference to a federal investigation, one that was unknown to the public. He also casually trashed the reputation of a public official after an investigation that apparently bore no fruit.
Here is what Perricone said: "Oh, when is somebody going to ask Carter what his involvement was in the failed Algiers Landing project ... now there's a little story. And Landrieu appoints him to be a criminal justice commissioner???? Ironic."
Legal observers say the comment could be especially troubling to investigators from the U.S. Justice Department, who are attempting to assess the damage caused by Perricone's online activity.
Perricone's reference was to a large-scale development along the Algiers riverfront near Mardi Gras World that was proposed by Blaine and Barry Kern and a team of developers in 2006. The ambitious project, actually called Algiers Crossing, envisioned as many as 1,500 apartments -- some in high-rise buildings -- plus a hotel and various commercial uses in a stretch between Brooklyn Avenue and the levee.
Because of the increased density and the commercial uses, a zoning change was needed, and that meant approval from the City Council. The project was in Carter's district, meaning the decision largely fell to him.
Carter eventually went along with the zoning change, but only after mediating extended negotiations between the developers and a handful of neighborhood groups and clergy who initially opposed the deal. Among other concessions, those talks resulted in the creation of a "community benefits agreement" that would create a roughly $2 million trust that would be funded by the developers and parceled out by the groups that negotiated the deal.
Community development organizations would have applied for money to build low- and moderate-income housing, and possibly some commercial development, according to Valerie Robinson of Old Algiers Main Street Corp., who was involved in the negotiations. The area is one of the city's most blighted pockets.
The leader of the groups that initially opposed Algiers Crossing was the Rev. Arthur Wardsworth, pastor of Second Good Hope Baptist Church, where Carter was a deacon. The federal investigation apparently centered on whether Carter had a conflict of interest in negotiating the community benefits agreement, a question that was also raised pointedly by a local blogger at the time, though his posts are no longer online.
In the end, the riverfront project never got off the ground because the financial markets tanked. It's not completely clear whether the federal investigation petered out because federal authorities decided nothing untoward had happened, or because of the project's shelving, or for some other reason. Wardsworth, meanwhile, died in 2009.
Two sources with knowledge of the probe confirmed that the FBI did indeed investigate, and that Perricone was involved in the investigation as well.
But a number of people involved in negotiating the community benefits agreement -- which was at the heart of the matter -- say they weren't ever aware of a federal probe, nor do they know what would have prompted one.
"I have no idea what he's talking about," Carter said of Perricone's comments. He added: "I was never contacted by any law enforcement or anything like that. It's just bizarre to me. I've been overly ethical."
Robinson, of Old Algiers Main Street, who helped confect the community benefits agreement, was also named to the board that would dispense the money. Though the deal fell through, the board was constituted and a small amount of money was pumped into the fund, she said -- in fact, the board still meets once in a while.
Robinson noted that the groups that negotiated the deal "were told it was the most anyone had gotten in a CBA (community benefits agreement) in the city."
But there was nothing nefarious about it, said Robinson, who characterized the horse-trading as a garden-variety negotiation.
"I didn't ever see anything that didn't look like a development deal," she said.
Beryl Ragas of the Algiers Riverview Association, who was also involved in making the deal, offered a similar take.
"We had to make sure the community was going to be represented," she said. "We came out with a decent agreement for the good of the community."
The developers, who are hoping to resuscitate the project, likewise say they saw nothing untoward.
"It's like any new project," said Barry Kern. "You bring 'em in and show it to people. It was a learning experience. ... I got a lot closer to a lot of the people in the neighborhood (during the negotiation). When you're talking about doing something of that scale ... it was long, that's for sure. But I didn't find it contentious."
Steven Lipkins of J.S. Karlton Co., a member of the development team, said he was likewise unaware of any shenanigans. He noted that the developers are trying to get the plan back on track.
"If there's something going on, fortunately, it wasn't with us," Lipkins said. "No one has ever called me and said the CBA is being looked at."
The feds' investigation of Algiers Crossing had been dormant for years when Perricone -- who, under his "Henry L. Mencken1951" alias was quick to accuse public figures of criminal behavior -- decided to mention it on NOLA.com in September.
U.S. Attorney Jim Letten has asked the Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility to investigate Perricone's online antics. Letten said he could not confirm or deny that his office oversaw a probe into Algiers Crossing.
Perricone, who retired last month after he was unmasked, believes he did nothing wrong. His lawyer, John Litchfield, said this: "Mr. Perricone's position is that no time did he violate any law, regulation or oath in connection with his work at the U.S. Attorney's Office. That would be true for this comment, as well as any other comment he made."
But legal observers have said the Office of Professional Responsibility might not see it that way. Bringing what had been a secret probe to light, in particular, could get Perricone in deeper trouble than he's already in.
"If he's repeating what's already in the public domain, no one's going to have much of a worry about it," said Stephen Saltzburg, a professor at George Washington University Law School and an expert on federal criminal procedure.
But leaking about an otherwise-secret probe "is going to be especially troubling to the DOJ," Saltzburg said. "One of their fundamental principles is that grand juries are secret, and that people shouldn't have their reputations attacked simply because at some point a prosecutor or a law enforcement agency looks at them. They look at a lot of people."
Bruce Green, a professor at Fordham Law School and a former federal prosecutor, said Perricone's comments could violate "a number of rules."
"To the extent he's revealing grand jury secrecy or investigative materials ... obviously, you can't do that," he said. "You can't disclose things for your own benefit or enjoyment."
A federal prosecutor who divulges grand jury material can be found guilty of contempt of court under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Saltzburg noted that leaks about federal probes "put the Justice Department in a very awkward position. That kind of leak has a stigma associated with it that's very hard to erase. When you don't know who's doing it, it doesn't have the same clout. But when you know it's coming from inside, that's different.
"The department doesn't usually clear people. And one of the reasons they don't announce they're clearing someone is that when you do that, you're essentially revealing that someone was under investigation."
Gordon Russell can be reached at email@example.com or 504.826.3347.


text:
How hard would it be to stipulate that a new member applicant has to send an email to the mods and get a reply before they can post?
This kd person (or whatever) would be easily recognisable.
At the moment he is the last to post to so many "unread posts" threads until the mods delete them all. This means that we don't read them and might be missing a genuine message.
Jus a thought.
kd 27 etc
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What's that old cliche? He could sell a ketchup popsicle to a woman in white gloves? Well, Mark Truesdell could probably sell an overweight kid with severe asthma on running for him.
Among other courses, the Rock Falls Rockets' cross country coach teaches economics and psychology. With his econ degree from Western Illinois University fresh out of the printer, he ran a successful sporting goods store in Sterling from 1991 to 2001.
But perhaps his best investment has been in kids ages 14-18. He took a Rockets program on the slow rise and turned it into a juggernaut. As a result, he will receive the Illinois Track & Cross Country Coaches Association's Class 1A girls coach of the year award Saturday in Oak Park.
Everyone remembers their first sale
Truesdell's first big sell when taking over as head coach 8 years ago was to fellow Rock Falls alumnus Mindy Porter on joining the team as his assistant.
"My first decision as head coach was go get Mindy Porter," Truesdell said. "I knew I had to get her the first year. She didn't know if she'd have the time. I told her, 'You've got the time.'
"I don't think I could put a value on what she's done for us. I don't see her as an assistant coach. I see her as a co-head."
That's why, even though she can't make the trip Saturday, Porter uses the words "we" and "our" when describing what the award means.
"I knew that our day would come," Porter said. "Failure isn't an option with him. All of these things were within reach: Yes, you can go to state. Yes, you can do this. Once the kids start to believe it, it just takes off."
Exhibit A: Senior Paige Davis, a key cog on the girls team that placed fourth at state this past fall, the program's best showing in Peoria.
She was at a crossroads during spring of 2011, knowing she might not make the varsity volleyball squad as a junior.
Truesdell pulled her aside and pitched her on running cross country for the first time. He told her, with her help, they'd go to state.
"That right there was enough for me to be dedicated to run cross country," Davis said.
Exhibit B: Senior, Katie Anderson, with whom Truesdell took a more aggressive angle. When she was a freshman, he put her on the spot in front of a class chock full of juniors and seniors and told her she should run cross country.
"That was pretty scary," she said. "He saw my potential from track and was after me for a long time."
She gave in and ran her sophomore year. She went to state, just like Truesdell said she would.
Truesdell continued to single out both athletes on a regular basis. He isn't shy about giving his athletes tough love.
"He never lets kids settle," Porter said. "If they're capable of more, we'll push them to that level. If you're not performing up to your potential, you're going to get called out."
Earning interest
Davis returned a phone call for an interview Friday afternoon after – surprise – completing a run.
She has to keep at it, as she will run for Division-II Upper Iowa University in college under the direction of another Rock Falls grad, Nate Rucker. They're finalizing details on her scholarship, and Truesdell was a major resource in advising Davis on her decision.
Despite running on a bad knee – that was surgically repaired the Friday after the state meet – Truesdell ran with his athletes all but 2 days, when he resorted to biking. That's been his and Porter's policy since Day 1: being out there with their athletes every day, partly to inspire and partly to keep tabs.
"It hurt real bad, and it took a lot of cortisone shots to get through the season," Truesdell said. "When I first started the program, I figured if I'm going to push kids, I've gotta be there. If I'm gonna talk the talk, I've gotta walk the walk. But these days, I just want to be there with them. I'd go crazy if I'm not going and doing something."
Adding to his "cred" is the fact that Truesdell played D-I baseball for the Leathernecks.
"He worked hard in baseball every day," Davis said. "That hard-working mentality rubbed off on us. He gives you determination that you have to work hard at something if you want it."
When a runner sees Truesdell closing in their rearview, they can brace for some "inspiration."
"You know if he catches up to you, it's not going to be a conversation you want to have," Davis said. "But if he didn't pull me aside over and over again, I might not be running after high school."
Employee appreciation
Over the years, Truesdell learned to groom athletes who are wired just right to help crack the whip. Brandt Cole, a senior who placed 15th at state in November, is a perfect example.
"You need a couple of those," Truesdell said. "I can go to Brandt and tell him, 'I'm just a crabby old guy, and you're one of them. They'll listen to you.' You've got to groom those kids, so they can go talk to them."
It's always been about the kids for Porter and Truesdell, In fact, he felt "kind of embarrassed" when longtime Sterling track coach Tom DePasquale, now a full-time teacher's aide at Rock Falls, told him he'd been named coach of the year.
"I kind of found out the backwards way," Truesdell said. "He told me congratulations, and I said 'What are you talking about?'
"So I got on the Internet and my name is on it. So I figured, well, I'd better go."
It's a partnership
Rock Falls coaches' file
Mark Truesdell
High School: Rock Falls, Class of 1986
Teaches: Economics, government, psychology
College: Western Illinois University, completed economics degree in 1990; earned teaching certificate from Northern Illinois in 2003
Family: Wife of 19 years, Jennifer; son, Zac, in a junior at Sterling; daughter, Jenna, is a sixth-grader at Challand
Mindy Porter
High School: Rock Falls, Class of 1994
Teaches: Biology
College: Pre-med at Augustana College
Family: Husband of 7 years, Ben; sons Connor, 6, and Lucas, 3.