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Gene Simmons: Axl Rose Needed a 'Good Beating'
Gene Simmons is never at a loss for words, so in a recent interview when asked what he thought about Guns N' Roses and what they could have been, the Kiss bassist-singer was very open.
Simmons tells Music-News.com that GN'R had the opportunity to be even bigger than they ever were, if not for on individual: "Guns N' Roses could have been the best band in the world and the reason they're not is because of Axl Rose." He continued, "I mean, the drugs, the heroin, the alcohol and all that. But ultimately, it falls on Axl's shoulders."
So what could have changed that? Simmons suggested a good old fashioned pummeling, saying, "A good beating would have helped." He followed up, saying, "I mean, when you misbehaved as a little kid and continued to do it, there was somebody there to give you a 'what for' [while making a swatting motion with his hand]. Then when you become a grown-up, who's there to set you straight?"
When asked what advice he'd offer up to Guns N' Roses, Simmons didn't get too personal, saying, "You get to sleep in the bed you make. It's simple. If you're lucky enough to be accepted on stage by the audience, if you're lucky enough to be able to write a song, if you're lucky enough to have charisma onstage, that's the beginning." He continued, saying, "And then you've got to be able to deliver night after night after night. And not everybody is designed to run a marathon. Because to be a rock star for decades means you're running a marathon."
Watch the full interview with Gene Simmons below and let us know what you think about his opinions.


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Real Musicians in Fiction Films
It's a special pleasure to have friend, super-cinephile, and editorial comrade Adrian Martin visit me in Buffalo for a few days this week. I'm enjoying every minute of the non-stop movie talk. Adrian and I will head to Northwestern University in Chicago later in the week for a panel discussion on "film criticism and its relationship to academia." — G.
Having been an amateur musician all my adult life, I'm always intrigued when films — specifically fiction films — feature real musicians.
I'm especially interested by films that take the documentary presence of real musicians — and their music-making abilities — and put it into interaction with the fiction. When done imaginatively this documentary charge can accomplish things — can be used to signify — in certain special, resonant ways that wouldn't quite be possible otherwise. Let me give you a couple of examples to indicate what I mean.
(1) In 1980, Paul Simon wrote and starred in a little-known film called One-Trick Pony, directed by Robert M. Young (Nothing But a Man, The Plot Against Harry). Simon plays a down-on-his-luck musician, once successful during the 1960s counterculture era, but now reduced to touring with his band in a beat-up van, playing small gigs or opening for newer, younger acts. His band, on both the record and in the film, contains several gifted 70s jazz/rock musicians like Tony Levin, Steve Gadd, and Eric Gale.
As the film opens, Simon and his band perform the title song at the Agora Ballroom in Cleveland. The mise en scène studiously captures both the vocal and instrumental labors of the group (there's a significance to this dual attention), with close views of the kick drum and guitar fretboards: this is a group with musical talent. Also, when the scene begins, we are mid-set, and every band member is in full concentration, dripping with sweat: this is a serious, industrious group.
They finish the tune to a lukewarm reception and file off stage into the dressing room. The audience begins to chant, and the headliner, the band it really came to see — the B-52's — bounds on stage and opens the set immediately with the ebullient "Rock Lobster". Simon briefly watches from the wings, then turns away. As we will learn, he and his band feel only contempt and resentment for all the "new stuff" of that musical moment — punk, new wave, and disco — all of which they throw together into the same commercial, novelty-seeking category.
But here's the revelation of the scene: While we hear Simon's song performed in its entirety, the B-52's only get a minute or so in the film. The camera focuses on no instrument players, we see brief medium shots of only the singers, Fred Schneider in his eye-catching and "feminine" bright yellow pants and purple T-shirt (Simon has on good old-fashioned "masculine" American blue jeans), and the two women in beehive do's. But there's something, thanks to the unique powers of cinema, that all of Simon's intentionality as writer and performer can't erase: the irrepressible, explosive, punkish energy of the B-52's in performance, evident instantaneously from the visible, documentary evidence captured automatically by the camera.
(2) Straub/Huillet's The Chronicle of Anna Magdalena Bach (1968) is surely one of the richest, most thought-provoking fiction-documentary hybrids in the history of cinema. The film documents by means of documents — notated scores, letters, engravings, drawings, maps — not all of them "authentic" (e.g. Anna's diary, which forms the core of the voiceover narration). The documentary quality is enhanced by the way in which the filmmakers respect the wholeness and integrity of the musical performances by recording and filming them in their entirety, without cuts, a practice that defies industry norms in both cinema and music.
The result of these sustained, single-take musical performances by actual musicians — prime among them the recently deceased Dutch harpsichordist Gustav Leonhardt, who plays Bach — is the way in which our concentration becomes sharpened and focused on the smallest details of music-making: its labors, its gestures, its accidents.
Straub commented on this in a 1968 interview with Filmkritik magazine:
They say when people saw Le déjeuner de bébé or L'arroseur arrosé by Lumière, they didn't cry out: Oh! bébé is moving, or l'arroseur is moving. They said, the leaves are moving in the trees. The bébé who moved they had already seen in the magic lantern. What was new for them was precisely that the leaves were moving. The "leaves" in the Bach film are the fingers and hands of the musicians and the unbelievable gestures of Leonhardt…
I also see echoes of this respect accorded the work of music-making in the films of Aki Kaurismäki. Recall the bands that perform in The Man Without a Past or The Match Factory Girl, for instance. Their performances are not recorded in single, unbroken takes but he uses real musicians and records them live, so their fingerings, movements and gestures match the music that issues from the screen. Why is this important? Not because we desire some kind of literalism, but because it recognizes the activity of musical performance as something that is important, worthy of attention in itself. In other words, at these moments, music doesn't exist to serve the images or the narrative, but becomes something truly autonomous.
(3) There is a 5-minute musical sequence in Howard Hawks' Ball of Fire (1942) that gives us a striking contrast between 'theatrical' and 'non-theatrical' modes of cinema.
The Gene Krupa Orchestra, featuring Krupa on drums, performs its signature tune "Drum Boogie" with Barbara Stanwyck singing. (Her voice is dubbed by Martha Tilton, who comes remarkably close to the actual singer in the band at the time, Anita O'Day.) The orchestra is on a nightclub stage, and we see the performance from afar, with a large audience. But after the song concludes, Stanwyck calls Krupa up from behind his drum kit way up on top of the bandstand, and they both come down into the audience. She pulls up a table; Stanwyck and Krupa sit down; she gives quick instructions to the audience, now crowded around the table, on what vocal parts they should sing. She counts off, and, as the camera watches from a mere foot away, Krupa plays the tune again, this time on a matchbox with two matchsticks. He spins intricate syncopated rhythms, all the while, miraculously, not letting the matches catch fire until the very end, when he climaxes the performance with a little burst of flame.
By staging the same tune in two arrangements — one theatrical and the other non- or anti-theatrical — we find ourselves witnessing a lesson in the powers of intimacy of the cinema, bolstered by the documentary event of Krupa's presence and performance experienced at impossibly close quarters.
Any examples of the use of real musicians in fiction films that you find interesting? I'd love to hear them.
Some recent reads:
-- Amos Vogel has died at 92.
-- Cinema Scope's 50th issue has a special feature called "50 Filmmakers Under 50," with a capsule essay on each by a different film critic. Also in the issue: an interview with J. Hoberman; and Jonathan Rosenbaum's "Global Discoveries on DVD" column. Related: Hoberman on Luis Buñuel in The Nation.
-- "How To Rip DVD Clips": Jason Mittell at the Chronicle of Higher Education.
-- Ignatiy Vishnevetsky on Hong Sang-soo's use of space.
-- Adrian's column at Filmkrant: "Across the Great Divide".
-- Jonathan Rosenbaum has a post on Straub/Huillet's Écrits.
-- Catherine Grant rounds up four issues of the journal Image [&] Narrative.
-- Zach Campbell: "Workers, Potters," part one; part two; and part three.
-- Srikanth Srinivasan on Alec Guinness' white suit, one of his "records of material objects in the cinema."
-- Three recent pieces on Carmelo Bene: Nick Pinkerton at Moving Image Source; Celluloid Liberation Front at MUBI; and Ara H. Merjian at Artforum.
-- Recent discoveries: Nicholas Rombes' The Happiness Engine; and Fredrik Gustafsson's Fredrik on Film.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Seller: wheelsnbitsltd (111,932) 98.8%, Location: Omagh, Tyrone, Ships to: Worldwide, Item: 122807075688 Telescopic Wheels Brace Wrench for 17mm 19mm 21mm 23mm nuts with two sockets covering the most popular sizes What do you get in the pack!!!! 1: Telescopic Wheels brace with rubber gripped handle 2: Sockets 1 for 17mm & 19mm nuts an 1 for 21mm & 23mm sockets The size the wheel brace extends is from 14inchs (36cm ) to 21 inch (53) help slackening of nuts. This helps tension / slackening the nuts without hurting your back etc. With it's telescopic design this is a handy tool to keep in any car van 4x4 SUV etc etc for it is easy storage for when you need it most. Just a note of warning!!!!! Many Tyre depot's often fit nuts with air wrench and are often over tightened so please be careful not to damage the tool nuts or even yourself when slackening these type of nuts. Please note all items are shipped from the UK. We ship world wide any item shipped within the Europe will not need to pay any duty on the item. We mark all none European items as a gift with low value but please note that any tax need to be paid into your country is not included in the price of this item but this only applies to none European countries. Condition: New, Brand: Wheels N Bits, Manufacturer Part Number: 26435545


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DEKALB – When there are ghosts in New York City, people call the Ghostbusters. When there is an animal emergency in DeKalb County, they call Dan Berres.
Berres, who has been a warden of the DeKalb County Animal Control Department for 15 years, has many stories to tell and pictures to prove some of the bizarre animal situations he has seen. He has saved ducks, rescued lost dogs, and driven with a tiger in the back of his van.
"Dogs slip through doors and gates. We want to get them home," he said. "We're not out there looking to take people's pets away from them. We're not the dog catcher running around with nets. That's a perception and a misconception that people often have."
Berres and his partner, Jenny Eisman, patrol the entire county and are on call 24/7. They respond to at least three calls each day.
"We're a team," Eisman said. "We work together, and we always know what the other is doing."
MidWeek reporter Katrina Milton stopped by Berres' office in the DeKalb County Health Department to learn what life as an animal control warden is like.
Milton: What do you do?
Berres: The designation of a warden means that you have the control of a county. An officer would be in a city or town. We enforce laws pertaining to the Animal Control Act and county ordinances. …It's basically animal and rabies control. We make sure that all the dogs are vaccinated and register them to make sure that they are protected from rabies. We also uphold animal rights in the county, investigate animal attacks, and send samples to the lab for testing. We pick up stray animals, stray dogs, in unincorporated areas. Our holding facility is the Malta vet clinic. We hold them for a maximum of seven days, then they either go to a humane shelter or a foster or rescue organization. If they are too sick or injured, then they are euthanized.
Luckily, not too many have to be put down; most of them find a spot in a place that can help them find a home.
Milton: Tell me some of the things that you don't do.
Berres: Right now, there are no laws pertaining to cats, so we don't really handle cats. We handle wildlife in emergency situations and when we have the time and the resources. We get calls about opossums stuck in window wells and ducklings in sewer grates. We get them out and take them to Oaken Acres Wildlife Refuge and Rehabilitation Center in Sycamore. They have a license to handle and rehabilitate; we do not. We also do not handle nuisance animals, such as raccoons in attics. We refer them to pest control. …People also call us about rats and mice, and we don't handle rodents. We don't do a lot of big things, but we do a lot of little things, we try to resolve conflicts and emergencies.
Milton: You mentioned a tiger.
Berres: It was somebody's pet and they got arrested. They didn't have a permit. It started out that somebody was driving through Sandwich in a pickup truck with a window cap that was open. When the truck stopped, a tiger popped its head out of the window, and the guy behind him called 911. They called me at 2 in the morning, saying, "Oh, yeah, we have a tiger." I came to pick up the tiger and it was in the back of my van. It was the scariest ride of my life.
…I think that the tiger went to the Phillips Zoo and now is somewhere in Colorado.
Milton: What is your favorite animal?
Berres: I like dogs. I like big dogs, German shepherds. Personally, I love all animals, but dogs are my favorite.
Milton: Have you ever thought of having a dog for your department as a service dog?
Berres: Well, yes. My dog was a search and rescue dog, and I had to put him down last week. …His name was Carter. I worked with him for quite a few years.
Milton: I'm sorry to hear about Carter. Working with animals must be really emotional for you. Is it difficult at times?
Berres: Yes, it often is. Some of the things that I've seen turn my stomach, especially cases of abuse and neglect. It's been 15 years, and I still think about and can picture some of the animals I've seen. Some cases are really sad, but others, like the ducks, are happy. But we usually get called for the bad.
Milton: What is an average day like for you?
Berres: You never know from one minute to the next what might happen. It could be a snake left in the basement, or a tiger, or duck that's been shot with a blow dart. We helped bring a duck that was shot with a blow dart to rehabilitation. I often show pictures of that duck, and everybody assumed that it died, but it was released back into the wild.
…I get into the office around 8 a.m. I check the phones, listen to messages. I look to see if we received any faxes regarding animal bites from the local hospitals. Then I prioritize what I have to do next, from going out on calls to patrolling areas.
Milton: What made you become an animal control warden?
Berres: Well, I've always been interested in law enforcement. I was in the auxiliary with the Sycamore police, and then I was a part-time ordinance officer. I think that they call them community service officers now. When Sycamore decided to have an animal control officer, that was me. When the county warden decided to leave, I was recruited over. I never really set out to be with animals, it kind of just happened that way. And I'm happy for it.
Milton: What is your motivation?
Berres: Well, it's often different. I've always been interested in law enforcement, since that's how I got started. And we are enforcement officers. Doing this job is good because we can not only protect the public from dangers, but we can also help animals. Our main motivation is to resolve conflicts between humans and animals, so that neither one is hurt. That's satisfying, when you can actually accomplish that.
Milton: Do you have any advice for people now that spring is coming?
Berres: Make sure that you keep tags on your dogs. I'm a big advocate of tags and microchips, because we have a scanner. Without a tag or chip, there is no way to identify pets. …Also, I want to remind people that bat season is approaching. If somebody has a bat in their house, make sure to call us. Bats are the number one rabies carrier, and they can be very dangerous.


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Truck Rollover Warning, Outline
"A Truck Rollover Warning sign may be used to warn drivers of vehicles with a high center of gravity, such as trucks, tankers, and recreational vehicles, of a curve or turn having geometric conditions that are prone to cause such vehicles to lose control and overturn. When the Truck Rollover Warning sign is used, it shall be accompanied by an Advisory Speed plaque indicating the recommended speed for vehicles with a higher center of gravity."
center of gravity, flip, kadvisoutline, rollover, tractor trailer
Federal Highway Administration Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, 2003 Edition (including 2004 and 2007 revisions) (Washington, DC: United States Department of Transportation, 2007)


text:
While supplies of water and electricity are in good shape, Mayor Don Wesely today reminded residents that it is still a good idea to use these resources wisely and conserve when possible during the current heat spell.
"As we look at situations in other parts of the country, we realize how fortunate we are to have adequate supplies of water and electric power," said Mayor Wesely. "At the same time, we can't take these important resources for granted and be wasteful. Conservation is important for our environment and for our pocketbooks."
While electricity use in Lincoln is at record levels, Terry Bundy, Administrator and CEO of the Lincoln Electric System (LES), says there is no problem with supply. Information on conserving energy is available at the LES downtown office, on the web at www.les.com or by calling 473-3720.
Jerry Obrist, Chief Engineer with the Lincoln Water System (LWS), says Platte River flows in western Nebraska are below normal, but river flows and groundwater levels in the Ashland area along the Platte are normal for this time of year. LWS has recently completed several construction projects to meet increasing water demand. A ten million gallon reservoir near 75th and Vine streets is now operational. A pumping station near 84th Street and Pine Lake Road has also been completed, with additional pumping stations being planned for the rapidly growing areas in the western and northern (north of Highlands) areas of Lincoln.
The Mayor's Water Conservation Task Force has information on drought-tolerant plants and grasses that use little water and on indoor and outdoor watering. Brochures are available at nurseries, LWS offices and the County-City Building. The information is also available on the city web site at www.lincoln.ne.gov. Obrist says outdoor watering should be done during the coolest part of the day, and gardens, small trees and shrubs should be the first plants watered.
Media Release


text: Wireless Communication products are dedicated to the support of wireless communication standards and designed specifically to support wireless communication applications in a variety of markets. The benefit of a module is that RF circuitry is already designed, functioning and sometimes pre-approved with the various regulations governing wireless communications transmissions globally. Technology includes WIFI or WLAN 802.11, Bluetooth or PAN 802.15, ZigBee, GSM, GPS and LTE. Applications are Communications, IoT, Military and Industrial Communications.查看全部


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Could primitive extraterrestrial life have traveled the universe in tiny spacesuits and colonized alien planets? Perhaps, according to a team of Japanese scientists who used electron beams to turn insect larvae's natural secretions into a protective "nano-suit" that allowed the young bugs to survive in a vacuum for a whole hour.
The nano-suit, a 50-to-100-nanometer layer that allowed the soft-bodied insects to survive a vacuum that should have instantly killed them, was described this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The scientists tested a number of different bug larvae in high vacuums in a scanning electron microscope and soon noticed something strange was happening. While most of the bug larvae shriveled up and died -- just as a human would if he or she hopped out of a spaceship without wearing an astronaut's spacesuit -- the fruit-fly larvae seemed able to survive for 60 minutes in what should have been unbearable conditions.
The researchers studied the critters' surfaces and found that, when exposed to the electron beams, the extracellular substances secreted onto the fruit fly's body formed a protective layer of polymers that acted like a thin astro-suit, a few tens of nanometers thick. Fruit fly larvae that didn't get the electron-beam treatment died in the vacuum. Clearly, the radiation was key to getting those secretions to fuse together into armor -- a little like 3D-printing a suit straight onto the bugs' bodies.
Other species of bug larvae don't excrete those substances, however -- so the electron beams won't do any good. Instead, the scientists immersed the larvae in a 1% solution of Tween 20 (a nontoxic compound used in biological experiments) and then subjected the bugs to electron or plasma irradiation. The Tween 20 would act like the fruit-fly secretions and form the ultra-thin body armor.
All the creatures treated in this way survived the vacuum, including the flatworm Dugesia japonica, the ant Pristomyrmex punctatus and a sand-hopper called Talitrus saltator. They even seemed to grow up into normal, well adjusted adults, in spite of that early trauma of dealing with the void.
So if these bugs could survive such long periods in a vacuum, could they travel through space? Where would they get their spacesuits?
As it turns out, the authors point out, "energetic electrons and plasmas are known to occur commonly throughout the universe, including on planet Earth." So that means these nano-suits could be created just about anywhere that life forms. And if they have those suits, and were somehow able to get space-borne -- maybe tossed up by an asteroid collision -- then perhaps these tiny creatures could survive long enough to seed other planets.
The authors do little to dissuade readers of this notion.
"Ever since Darwin, many [hypotheses] for the early evolution of life have been proposed, including the Panspermia hypothesis, which advocates that simple life forms can travel widely throughout the universe," they write.
Believe it or not, there are also perfectly practical reasons to explore nano-suits for bugs. When scientists want to study these creatures in high detail under a scanning electron microscope, they have to observe them in a vacuum, because any air molecules bouncing around in the chamber would cause the electrons to scatter, ruining the image.
Thus, the critters imaged in these microscopes are very dead -- and it's a major roadblock for scientists who want take high-resolution snapshots of subjects while they're still alive. (I learned about this recently from UC Irvine biologist Catherine Loudon, who came up against this very problem while studying the secrets of natural bedbug traps.)
If there were an efficient way to allow tiny animals to survive in that chamber, it would be a major boon for scientists like Loudon, yearning to examine their subjects up close, but still in vivo.
Follow me on Twitter @aminawrite.


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BR Odette BO Curtain 52x108 Ivory
Details https://www.belk.com/p/beautyrest-br-odette-bo-curtain-52x108-ivory/710061915779052108IVY.html
Orig. $88.00$66.00Sale 66.00
Additional Information
Bring elegant tranquility into your home with the Beauty Rest Odette Blackout Window Treatments. These gorgeous curtains and valances combine versatile fabrications and a blackout lining to create the ultimate sleeping environment. With a modern take on traditional style, the Odette curtain and valance feature a unique interlocking geometric jacquard design. Panel offers back tab and rod pocket hanging options. Tabs and pockets measure 3-in. and are recommended with up to a 1.5-in. rod for maximum styling.
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50-in. x 84-in.
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- 100% Polyester
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- Imported
This item is part of the collection: Odette Blackout Window Treatments
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Information for family historians worldwide, including Australia, UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Europe, South Africa etc. There are also links to my locality-specific genealogy blogs. Explore all the options in the tabs below, in the sidebar and at the bottom of the page, and on my main Web site.
05 June 2011
Netbooks, Windows 7 and Genealogy
Will my genealogy software work with Windows 7 Starter? I use The Master Genealogist v.7, SecondSite v.2.1.10, TMG Utility v.7 and Treepad. I have not had time to research this question, so I am hoping that you will help me to make a quick decision! I would love to hear (via a comment below) what you think of Netbooks (any recommendations for or against particular brands or models?), Windows 7 Starter, and any 'tech tips'. Thanks!
9 comments:
I have a 2 Toshiba NB200 Netbook. Very light and compact. It is 2 years old so there'd be new netbooks out now, but I can recommend the Toshiba ones. It's been a great little co puter. TReplyDelete
It takes Windows XP, so I cant comment on Windows 7.
Best of luck with whatever you decide.
Thomas MacEntee here - my ASUS Eee Netbook is 2 years old, with Windows XP and I still run all my presentations on it as well as use it as a teleprompter during webinars. It is my only non desktop, having given up the heavy laptop. The nice thing about my ASUS is it has a 9 hour battery! And it is priced at about $325 US if I purchase it on Amazon.com.
I also run all my software - RootsMagic, Legacy Family Tree, Family Tree Maker, even Skype with a headset!
I don't know abt Win7 but my ASUS with XP has an amazing battery life and runs TMG v 7 without a whimper. I have had three ASUS netbooks - got one the first week they came out and have only upgraded to get more gigs.
My last one was bought at a runout sale and cost a little over $200 once I deducted the 10% tax refund I got at the airport.
Sometimes pictures on Skype may be jumpy if using a free wifi connection but otherwise no probs connecting to free wifi in airports, hotels, cafes, friends homes etc. Did have an issue in Italy because I couldn't uderstand the Italian login instructions for McDonalds free wifi!
I also back my photos up to the netbook each day so I have them on camera card plus in one other place.
Although I love my tablet I think I'll still travel with the netbook when I want to do genie research.
I would consider travelling with a portable external HDD so that precious data can be backed up on the go.
Cheers, Jill
My Toshiba NB200 is about 18 months old and runs presentations and all the software I need. It has XP. I've just come back from the Coffs Harbour Expo, where all the presentations in one of the roooms were run off a netbook without any problems. Just make sure it has a connection for a projector (can't think what the name of the connection is). I assumed my netbook didn't have one and it was months before I actually looked and found it there. The only drawback with it was when I connected it to a large monitor for demonstrations, and the screen resolution is so small that it looked bad on the lovely big monitor. So I use the laptop for that.
My new fullsize laptop is now about a month old and has Windows 7 64 bit. It runs everything I need as well, including TMG. Reports to Word do not work but this will be fixed in TMGv8. It does NOT have the connection for a projector, only a HDMI output, so I needed to buy a new cable. I think most new projectors and monitors have an HDMI input but older ones probably won't.
I don't know how old your laptop is but when you replace it you will not be able to get XP on it, so if you are willing to bite the bullet now you may as well start getting used to Windows 7. My previous laptop that died was Vista, which has similarities with Win7 and so it wasn't a great leap, and there ARE many improvements that I miss when I go back to my XP netbook.
I own a Toshiba netbook, about 4 months old now, with WIN7 Starter. I love it! Great battery life - 8-9 hours because I have it set to go to sleep when I'm not actually using it, so a full charge can last me 3-4 days of off and on useage. When being used heavily, like at an all day conference or for doing research, it will work 6 or 7 hours before needing to be charged. I run the latest version of Family Tree maker with no probs whatsoever. The only thing I've not been able to run is something in Windows Media Player - seems there are some parts missing that allows it to handle a variety of formats. I bought a portable DVD player that plugs into the USB/power slot to expand its abilities. Good sound too! Much better than my friend's Dell laptop!ReplyDelete
Yes Judy! My new Acer Aspire One Happy netbook with Windows 7 starter works brilliantly with TMG.ReplyDelete
I also use the Utility but not the other 2 applications (but have other things on as well). Love the battery life, weight, and the price! When I bought mine I got it for less that $400. This is the one I got (hopefully the link works), and I love it! http://www.oo.com.au/Acer_Aspire_One_Happy_N551_Net_P53283C1397.cfm
It only has 1GB of RAM, but can be upgraded to 2 - which I intend to do.
Thank you all for those extremely helpful comments. Officeworks have an Acer Happy-N55DQ for $359 & a Toshiba NB500 for $297. I will give them a close inspection when I am over that way later this week. I don't think they stock Eee to I'll have to look elsewhere for those.ReplyDelete
For my purposes, weight is the major issue. When I am in the UK I won't want to leave the computer in B and B's or my room at York Uni. I'll want to put it in a small protective case and carry it around with me, slung over my shoulder or in my day-backpack. Unless someone can convince me that there is a vital difference in other specifications, I will choose a 1.2kg Netbook over a 2kg model. A largish keyboard is also desirable. I would rarely run it on battery for more than 3hrs, so that is not a major consideration in my case. Thanks again for all your comments.
- Anonymous08 June, 2011
I have a netbook with XP and run my Genealogy programs just fine, no issues.ReplyDelete
I ended up buying the Acer Aspire One 'Happy' netbook. I love it. It's only 1.2kg and fits in my handbag, so it's perfect when I am travelling. Its keyboard and battery life are great too.ReplyDelete
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Nana's Kaleidoscope Quilt is a traditional patchwork beauty with aspects of several gorgeous sets pieced together here for a prismatic look and warm home comfort. Mix and match with the original fabric shams for coordinated appeal or surround with clean whites to have the many colors pop and show off. Matching Nana's Kaleidoscope Shams available as options.
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Read this blog post to learn how to remove the Bitcoin miner malware from your computer system and how to prevent it from mining BitCoin on your PC.
A mining malware has been detected by malware researchers to infect the computers of victims after which run a process in the background of computers and heavily use your CPU resources to mine for the cryptocurrency BitCoin. The bad news is that it mines the crypto at the expense of your hardware and it may slow it down and even damage it permanently beyond repair. If you believe that your computer has been infected by Bitcoin Miner malware, we recommend that you read this article and learn how to remove this miner malware from your PC.
|Threat Name
|Bitcoin Miner Malware
|Trojan Horse / miner.
|Main Activity
|Infects the PC while unnoticed and mines for the cryptocurrency BitCoin.
|Signs of Presence
|A new registry entry created and files dropped in Windows' system folders.
|Via malicious e-mail spam. Via fake installers and other fraudulent software.
|DOWNLOAD REMOVAL TOOL FOR Bitcoin Miner Malware
What Harm Can Bitcoin Miner Malware Trojan Do to My PC?
In this digital age, Trojan horses can be very significant not only to your computer, but to you as well. Since most users keep their important files on computers, all of their crucial information becomes at risk. This means that your personal ID number or other financial data that you may have used on a computer infected by _ Trojan can be compromised and used for malicious purposes. This is the primary reason why this threat should be dealt with immediately.
The reason why Trojans, like the Bitcoin Miner Malware Trojan are a significant threat, is that it has multiple different malicious functions that are utilized on your computer. The features of a Trojan may vary, depending on what type it is, but it is safe to assume that the _ Trojan can do the following on your PC:
- Steal the passwords from the computer and obtain the keystrokes from it via Keyloggers.
- Destroy data on your computer, like delete files. This may even result in damaging your Windows.
- Remotely monitor your activity. This means that whatever you do and see on your screen, the hacker who infected you can also see.
- Disable your Windows operating system via a DDoS attack (Denial of Service).
- Use your system's resources (CPU and Video Card) to mine cryptocurrencies, like BitCoin.
- Harvest system data and login information automatically from your web browsers.
- Install other viruses on your computer which may cause even more damage.
- Display fake tech support screens that can lure you into a scam.
How to Spot and Fully Eliminate the Bitcoin Miner Malware Trojan?
The primary method which you can use to detect a Trojan is to analyze hidden processes on your computer. This is achievable by downloading process monitoring apps, like Process Explorer. Contudo, you will have to have a trained eye on how to detect the malicious processes and how to remove those without damaging your computer. This is why, as a swift solution, a Trojan-specific removal tool should be used, according to security experts. Such removal software will automatically scan for Trojans like Bitcoin Miner Malware and get rid of them quickly and safely while protecting your computer against threats in the fut
Booting in Safe Mode
For Windows:
1) Hold Windows Key and R
2) A run Window will appear, in it type "msconfig" and hit Enter
3) After the Window appears go to the Boot tab and select Safe Boot
Cut out Bitcoin Miner Malware in Task Manager
1) Press CTRL+ESC+SHIFT at the same time.
2) Locate the "Processes" aba.
3) Locate the malicious process of Bitcoin Miner Malware, and end it's task by right-clicking on it and clicking on "End Process"
Eliminate Bitcoin Miner Malware's Malicious Registries
For most Windows variants:
1) Hold Windows Button and R.
2) In the "Run" box type "Regedit" and hit "Enter".
3) Hold CTRL+F keys and type Bitcoin Miner Malware or the file name of the malicious executable of the virus which is usually located in %AppData%, %Temp%, %Local%, %Roaming% or %SystemDrive%.
4) After having located malicious registry objects, some of which are usually in the Run and RunOnce subkeys delete them ermanently and restart your computer. Here is how to find and delete keys for different versions.
For Windows 7: Open the Start Menu and in the search type and type regedit –> Open it. –> Hold CTRL + F buttons –> Type Bitcoin Miner Malware Virus in the search field.
Win 8/10 users: Start Button –> Choose Run –> type regedit –> Hit Enter -> Press CTRL + F buttons. Type Bitcoin Miner Malware in the search field.


text:
QT-RK-UTIL-CANAM : Farm Quad / Utility Quad Agricultural registration
£ 266.58 inc VAT | € 330.56 inc VAT | $ 339.89
Our universal fit road legal kit can be used for both agricultural registration of farm quads and for PLG registration via the MSVA process.
We have the only kit on the market that meets the EC2002/24 regulations for a light 4 wheeled vehicle.
The kit contains a new handlebar switchgear which fits next to your original with controls for indicators, hazards and horn. It has a green LED in the top which flashes to tell you that your indicators are on.
Also included are 4 flush mount indicators or motorcycle style stick-out indicators
To complete the conversion a horn, indicator relay and numberplate lamp (if required) are included in the kit.
Don't get caught out. No-matter what you are told, if you use a 4 wheeled vehicle on a road that can do more than 15mph, a speedometer and lighting kit is required.
Related Products
No Related Products


text:
This is not an offer for credit and should be used for estimation purposes only based on the information you provided. You should not base your decision on this estimate alone. Title, registration, tax and other fees, and personal circumstances such as employment status and personal credit history, were not considered in the calculations.
Aggressive throwback styling taken to a place altogether new. No need to shine this machine. Just get on and tear up the nearest street.
A great leap forward in the dark arts.
It was one of the early Dark Custom™ motorcycles. A dark pioneer of raw, blacked-out, stripped-down custom aggression. It's been moving forward ever since. Check out the beefy suspension. Custom details like the rolled leather seat and jaw-dropping pipes and wheels. All the details are dialed in tight. The Iron 883™ motorcycle. Welcome to the state of the Dark Custom™ motorcycle art.
Front - 100/90B19 57H
Rear - 150/80B16 77H
As Shipped - 540 lbs.
In Running Order - 562 lb.
Laden - 25.7 in.
Unladen – 28.9 in.
1st - 10.41
2nd - 7.436
3rd - 5.531
4th - 4.584
5th - 3.931
Insurance Qoute
Get an insurance quote from H-DPlease make sure to add Dealer #1552


text:
Few people know better about the potency of political advertising that Alexandra Kerry, who watched her father's presidential campaign decimated in 2004 by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.
The Republican group used a series of searing television ads to proclaim doubts about Senator John Kerry's medal-winning exploits during the Vietnam War.
Eight years later, his elder daughter sees the same thing happening again to President Obama, so she has taken the surprising step of launching her own super PAC.
Dubbed by supporters as an "anti-super PAC super PAC," We the People has a novel goal: to raise money to promote pro-Obama commercials made not by professionals, but average citizens.
The aim is to try to counteract the anti-Obama ad campaigns fueled by GOP-led super PACs as he faces a tight race against Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
"It's the only legal way to help other people tell their stories," Kerry told the Globe as she previewed an announcement of her effort being made this week.
Asked to elaborate, she added: "I think that there's a reason that there are campaign spending limits, and I think the traditional super PACs have been enabled to be somewhat irresponsible with their spending and message. I thought it was interesting to create one in a way that used its resources and its access to power in a different way."
That different way is a website - AdYourVoice.com - to post videos that are subsequently judged in a contest to win a $10,000 honorarium.
While an amateur filmmaker already has access to YouTube, AdYourVoice.com is a clearinghouse for the pro-Obama spots.
"I think there's a huge amount of creativity out there," said Kerry, who went to the American Film Institute after graduating from Brown University. She now has her own company, Locomotive Films, produces movies and television commercials, and she also works on alternative and online advertising for a New York company.
"There are great ideas that people send to me and they just don't have the access to promote them. We hope this is a vehicle to do that."Glen Johnson can be reached at email@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @globeglen.


text:
25th January 2012 : Restaurant Of The Year (2011) : The Spice Pavilion
In a landslide victory, The Spice Pavilion became the 2011 restaurant of the year - and very well deserved it was too as it shot to the top of our review table!
Our visit to present their award was no exception: food and service as you would expect, even with a large group of 19 people, which they had the sense to split over 2 tables and put through as 2 orders.
There were a lot of smiling faces around the tables at the end, especially after they all learned of the 25% discount on Wednesday nights!
Brian Tilley presents their certificate:
-- Gavin
(* updated in last 14 days)


text: If there was any confusion where New York's uberwealthy were scrambling to dump their money in December ahead of the now official tax hike on the wealthiest, we now know: some two hours north on the Long Island Expressway, or the Hamptons to be precise. Bloomberg reports: "Home prices in New York's Hamptons, the resort towns on the Long Island coast, rose to the highest on record as deals at the upper end of the market surged before expected tax increases for sellers. The average price of homes that sold in the fourth quarter jumped 35 percent from a year earlier to $2.13 million, the highest since Miller Samuel Inc. begin tracking Hamptons sales in 1999, the appraiser said today in a report with brokerage Douglas Elliman Real Estate. It was only the second three-month period that the average purchase price topped $2 million, said Jonathan Miller, the New York-based firm's president." Notable new Hamptons resident: Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein just bought this 32.5 million dollar 8k square foot, 7.3 acre home.


text:
(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
Contact us for information about using this image.
This is a copy of a letter that George Washington wrote to a man in Dublin, Ireland. Washington says that he is honored that the Irish gentleman's son was named for him. Washington also acknowledges a gift of linen fabric. In the 18th century, Ireland produced the finest linen. At that time, linen fabric was used for many types of clothing. This letter shows how polite and formal correspondence was at that time. Men often signed their letters using some combination of humble and obedient servant. The fact that the newspaper thought fit to print this copy of a letter from George Washington shows how revered Washington was after the Revolutionary War ended.
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Extract on George Washington's farm, and state of America article published in the Hampshire Gazette
Washington Memorial
"The Illustrated American Biography; Containing Correct Portraits of The Principal Actors in American History"
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Votre titre Audible gratuit
Playing Possum
"Playing Possum": Sookie Stackhouse brings enough birthday cupcakes for her nephew's entire class but finds she's one short when the angry ex-boyfriend of the school secretary shows up.
"Dahlia Underground": Venerable vampire Dahlia Lynley-Chivers survives an attack by an anti-vampire terrorist group, only to show them they tried to blow up the wrong bloodsucker.
"Two Blondes": Harris dispatches Sookie Stackhouse on a weekend getaway with an errand to a strip club that involves more than Sookie bargained for.
"Death by Dahlia": Harris takes vampire Dahlia Lynley-Chivers to a lavish party that turns deadly. And with so many different creatures of the night in attendance, Dahlia will have a hard time identifying the most likely suspect.
"If I Had a Hammer": An original story featuring Sookie, JB, Tara and Sam
"Playing Possum" was first published in the anthology An Apple for the Creature, edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner. "Dahlia Underground" was first published in the anthology Crimes by Moonlight: Mysteries from the Dark Side, edited by Charlaine Harris. "Two Blondes" was first published in the anthology Death's Excellent Vacation, edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner. "Death By Dahlia" was first published in the anthology Down These Strange Streets, edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois. "If I Had a Hammer" was first published in the anthology Home Improvement: Undead Edition, edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner.
Autres livres audio du même :
Ce que les membres d'Audible en pensent
- Kindle Customer
- 16/09/2013
Where is Johanna Parker!?!
Is there anything you would change about this book?
The narrators! Johanna Parker is the voice of Sookie Stackhouse. So very disappointed by this and doubt that I will finish listening to it. Amanda Ronconi is just wrong and she mispronounces names. At least listen to previous audiobooks or read the series to learn how they should be pronounced!
Would you be willing to try another book from Charlaine Harris? Why or why not?
I have every other book
Who would you have cast as narrator instead of the narrators?
Johanna Parker
9 sur 9 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.
- Paranormaly Yours
- 07/03/2016
Interesting mix of good and not so good...
Playing Possum is an anthology of short stories that Harris has written over the years, all centering around the Sookie Stackhouse Series. Three out of the five stories are staring Sookie herself, and the other two stories surrounding Dahlia the vampire, a side character in the Sookie Universe. Because each story was written at different times for other anthologies, they each have a different narrator. Here are my thoughts on each story and its narrator.
Playing Possum was the first story read. Now to be fair, the narrator was not introduced at the beginning, or end so I had no idea who read this one. After I finished the book I did some research, and found out that Angela Dawe is the narrator for this story.
Sookie and her second cousin Hunter star in this thrilling tale of a psycho ex-boyfriend that tries to kill them all! Sookie was asked by Hunter if she would make cupcakes for his class party, and while she is there, all hell breaks loose! The school secretary has unresolved issues with her ex-boyfriend, who apparently is off his rocker. When he shows up at the school meaning harm, Sookie's super powers are activated, and the ride begins. Any story that involves Hunter is a great story! Hunter is such an adorable little boy, that not only has Sookie's ability as well, but also has the maturity that needs to come along with it. Sookie fans will truly enjoy this one, now on for the narrator...
Angela Dawe as Sookie, NO! I'm not sorry to say that I am a huge Johanna Parker fan. Johanna has been the voice for Sookie for the entire Stackhouse series, and did a fang tastic job! To use someone else as Sookie is just an insult, and although I did try my best to give her a fair shake, Angela fell short of my expectations. And YES, I did have expectations because we are talking about Charlaine Harris, and Sookie!
Dahlia Underground was about a vampire nest out of Rhoades where The Summit took place in Book 7, All Together Dead. The hotel that The Summit taking place at got blown up in an attempt to kill all the vamps attending, Dahlia emerges from the rubble, and is on the hunt. This story ends up capturing my heart, and bringing a character from the Sookie Universe front and center that I don't even remember that well. Dahlia's character is really rough around the edges, but does have some humanity left in her enough to connect and bond with her rescuers, and leave a happily ever after ending.....awe.
The narrator was Natalie Ross. Second strike! I did not care for Natalie Ross at all. I mean, we are talking about a 400+ year old vampire. The tone of this woman's voice was just all wrong for the character, and the story in my opinion. Next please!
Two Blondes another thrilling tale starring Sookie and Pam. Pam takes Sookie on a girls weekend vacation, or so Sookie thought. During the long car ride to their destination, Sookie finds out from Pam the real reason they are going out of town. The story fit right into the feel and essence of the Sookie world, and I loved it!
Narrating this story was a well known narrator to me, Amanda Ronconi. I must admit, I love me some Amanda Ronconi, but did she have what it takes to fill some big shoes? The answer should be obvious to anyone that knows her....YES! Although Sookie does have a heavy southern drawl, and Amanda doesn't, it was alright, I was alright, everything was good. It's not the tone, or accent of the narrator, it's the attitude, the spark, the "IT" factor, and Ronconi possess it! Now I wouldn't go as far as saying better than Parker, but an acceptable and satisfactory stand in for. Excellent choice Harris.
Death by Dahlia tanked me on the whole Dahlia world. I was unimpressed with the characters, the story line, and yes the narration as well. Nicola Barber delivered a better job as Dahlia than Natalie Ross, at least I thought, but didn't increase the value of the story for me. Bummer.
If I had a hammer was an excellent come back from the previous story Death by Dahlia! It was all about my favorites, Sookie, Sam, Tara, and JB. Tara had just had the twins, and they needed more room, so they recruited the help from Sookie and Sam. During the renovation, a bloody hammer is discovered, and that coupled with a supe as a nanny and BAM, a great hit! I loved the story in it's entirety, and it left me wanting more. I forgot how cool the Sookie Universe is, and this short sucked me right back in as if it never left me. Big props for this one Harris! The narrator was again Amanda Ronconi. I am so glad because after the other disappointments, I don't know if I could have stood for another. Thank you Ronconi for doing a great job with Sookie and her friends.
4 sur 4 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.
- Andrea N.
- 10/08/2016
Narrators are awefull!!
Would you try another book from Charlaine Harris and/or the narrators?
I love Charlaine Harris but who ever was narrating the first story was aweful! I couldn't stomach it and stopped listening after 2 minutes.
How did the narrator detract from the book?
What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?
2 sur 2 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.
- Canine Counsel
- 07/08/2018
I tried to listen to this twice, but the narrator ruined one of my favorite authors. Why did you change?
1 sur 1 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.
- Tammie Patrick
- 18/05/2016
Not impressed.
I truly hated the people that read them. They didn't even get names pronounced right.
1 sur 1 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.
- Naniphy
- 19/02/2016
Love 💟 it
l love all of Charlaine's books. I hate to stop listening or reading them. I recommend all of her books.
1 sur 1 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.
- Gwendolyn
- 28/08/2013
Three out of five ain't bad
I didn't like the 2nd story, 'Dahlia Underground' and the 4th story 'Death by Dahlia'. I kept looking at the summery on Audible because I couldn't believe that those stories were written by Charlaine Harris. I was equally put off with the narrators for both stories. The way they talk is very distracting and keeps you from being able to lose yourself in the plots. The first story was good, but I really loved the 3rd story, 'Two Blondes' and the last one 'If I had a Hammer' Amanda Ronconi's narration definitely adds to the appeal. Over all I think this makes it worth purchasing.
1 sur 1 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.
- Joanne
- 21/12/2018
Great to meet up with Sookie
got a 4 star cause was great to hear more Sookie stories! wish the whole book was about her and her friends
- Crystal Wilson
- 13/01/2018
Loved the stories
The stories were great but the narration sucked. Not only was there no Johanna Parker, there were too many differing voices. It robbed the stories of their character.
- Amazon Customer
- 29/08/2016
Repeat Stories
of the short stories included, 3 (1/2 of them) are included in other collections. DISAPPOINTING!


text:
Quote from: PhiMuAmberkins on March 25, 2007, 01:49:14 PMHow's UALR Rev? I'll be at Fayetteville in the Fall...finally got all my stuff taken care of and *hopefully* will be graduating soon. On a advice/question/something actually pertaining to this thread note, I'm so incredibly confused about grading curves. My school doesn't curve grades, so I've never experienced this at all. Anyone care to explain? There are as many different curves as there are law schools. The ones I am familiar with are the mean/median curves. Some schools range from a B+ (top schools) to I have heard a low curve of C-!The way a mean/median curve works is that the entire class must come out to a mean/median of say 3.0. At my school it works like this: After the exam the prof reads all the tests, they then assign a grade to them. They then take all the grades and add them up, if that does not hit the mean/median of 3.0 for the entire class, they re-grade them. And start taking off points. This is where you can loose points for arbitrary reasons, nothing more than to get the grades to fit into the curve. You may have done A work, but be at the bottom of the A pile, so you get moved to B+ to make the curve work. It can be very aggravating. For there to be X amount of As there will need to be Y amount of Cs to get the curve to come out at 3.0. The curve can save you, or it can kill you, and there is not a lot you can do about it. There are no right answers on law school exams (and you dont loose points for being wrong either). The exams are completely subjective, so your grade will vary with how the professor sees your answer. Its a very different system than undergrad, knowing the material is NOT enough to get an A, there is luck, and knowing the prof to contend with.
How's UALR Rev? I'll be at Fayetteville in the Fall...finally got all my stuff taken care of and *hopefully* will be graduating soon. On a advice/question/something actually pertaining to this thread note, I'm so incredibly confused about grading curves. My school doesn't curve grades, so I've never experienced this at all. Anyone care to explain?
Rev - Could you please tell us what you feel are the reasons as to why you're in the percentage of the class rank that you are? Do you feel its a direct correlation to the amount of work/study time, or do you think its academically exceptional people outdoing the others. Do you think that achieving a top 10% class rank was/is possible for you? If you had it to do over what would you have done to secure better grades? Different study tactics, worked alone, worked with a group, studied less, studied more, etc...? Thanks in advance.
Hey Rev, Great Information. I appreciate it it all. I am also looking at UALR as my top choice. A couple of questions, though. What are the housing prices there. I am looking for some good ol affordable housing. I have seent the info about Barrister Place, but at $450, it is a little more than I want to spend. I would prefer to be around $250/ month. I know might be ridiculous, but I would like to try before I go and get a one bedroom. Also I wont be able to visit before the middle of the summer, so I would also like to know about the library? Work out facilities? Non-law extracurriculars? Lastly, How well are you aware of the job prospects in Houston. I have read that Fayetteville have more jobs outside of Ark, whereas Lil Rock work more in the state. I am not from Ark and I would prefer not to stay in the state. I want to go back home. Thanks in advance.
Rev-I'm starting at UALR this August and I'm way excited. What kinds of places do OCIs there? Is it only the big firms from LR? Also, what are you doing for the summer? Is it easy to find a paying legal job for the summer?Thanks for your help! (Thanks to Matthies, too, for starting this thread)


text:
The following procedures have been established to insure that library staff at all levels respond appropriately in the event of a request by law enforcement to produce library records (e.g., items checked out, ILL requests, computer use, etc.).
If a person or persons asks to see library records, under Georgia Law 24-9-46, circulation and similar records of a library which identify the user of library materials are confidential and many not be disclosed except:
- To members of the library staff in the course of business
- Upon written consent of the user of the library materials or the user's parents or guardian if the user is a minor or ward
- Upon appropriate court order or subpoena
If a law enforcement official approaches you requesting information from Library records, request to see identification and refer the inquiry to the Library Administration in your Library.
- If they do not have a court order, subpoena or warrant, inform the law enforcement official that a user's library records are not available expect when a court order in good form has been presented to the library. You should not answer any questions other than your name and address. Immediately direct the law enforcement official to Library Administration.
- If they present a SUBPOENA, immediately direct either the person or the paper to the Library Administration. A subpoena for documents will be titled a Subpoena Duces Tecum.
If it is after hours and no one is in Library Administration, direct the person or take the subpoena to the highest ranking administrator or manager available. If the subpoena is delivered during evening or weekend hours, place the subpoena in the department head's mailbox and note the day and time of receipt on the back of subpoena. It is important to realize that subpoenas do not demand immediate action.
The Library Director or other administrator will contact the Office of General Counsel.
- If they present a WARRANT do not interfere with their search or seizure. Immediately inform the Library Administration. If no one in Library Administration is available, notify the highest ranking administrator or manager available.
The Library Director or other administrator will contact the Office of General Counsel.
When the law enforcement people leave with library property they will leave a receipt concerning the items removed. Please pass this on to Library Administration.
If the warrant has been issued under the provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (US PATRIOT Act amendment), additional provisions apply:
- Staff are prohibited from disclosing that an information request has been made, or that records have been produced.
- In such a case, you may not tell the person(s) about whom the information is requested, nor speak to coworkers, the media or other government officials about the inquiry. Such requests may only be reported to a higher authority within the University.
What happens next?
Library Administration will notify Office of General Counsel (OGC).
Contacts at OGC are:
Chris Kellner, Associate General Counsel, Phone: 404-727-6012 or
Kathy Siemon, Senior Legal Assistant, Phone: 404-712-2750 or
Office of General Counsel, Phone: 404-727-6011


text: My mom custom makes harnesses, dresses, and jackets for dogs. Am I allowed to "advertise" for her on here? I know that isn't allowed on some boards, so I don't want to do anything against the rules. I didn't see anything about it on the rules page, but I could have missed it.


text:
Luminary Cobalt - 6x36
Sold Out
|Custom made to order. Usually takes 3 weeks to arrive.
|6" x 36"
|Recommended Fuel Cell
|30 Hr Ecolight Liquid Burner
- Fire-Safe
- Reusable
- For use with economical and reliable Fuel Cells
- Long-lasting and durable
- Unscented
- Wind-resistent
- No dripping or wax mess
- Never burn away your investment
- Perfect for ambient design
It is this combination of affordability and longevity that has made the Stone Luminary popular for so many applications and industries. From interior designers to wedding and event planners, restaurateurs to business owners, anyone seeking an elegant solution will find this product enhances the ambience of any environment.


text:
Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC
Fifth Revised Volume No. 1
Contents / Previous / Next / Main Tariff Index
Effective Date: 01/01/2009, Docket: RP09-97-000, Status: Effective
First Revised Sheet No. 770 First Revised Sheet No. 770
Superseding: Original Sheet No. 770
Exhibit C
Transportation Quantities
To the service agreement under Rate Schedule AFT-ES between Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC
(Algonquin) and __________________________________ (Customer) concerning transportation
MAXIMUM DAILY TRANSPORTATION QUANTITY (MDTQ): __________ Dth
Dth Period
MAXIMUM ANNUAL TRANSPORTATION QUANTITY (MATQ): _________ Dth
PARTIAL QUANTITY REDUCTION RIGHTS: Customer elects to partially reduce Customer's Maximum
Daily Transportation Quantity by ____________ dth and Maximum Annual Transportation Quantity
by ____________ dth, maintaining the existing Maximum Daily Transportation Quantity to
Maximum Annual Transportation Quantity relationship, as of __________, or any subsequent
anniversary date, upon providing _______ [Notice period to be not less than the notice period
required to terminate the entire contract] year(s) prior written notice to Algonquin.
Algonquin and Customer agree that, if this Agreement qualifies as a "ROFR Agreement", (i) the
foregoing contractual right to partially reduce Customer's Maximum Daily Transportation
Quantity is in addition to and not in lieu of any ROFR right to reduce Customer's Maximum
Daily Transportation Quantity on a volumetric basis upon termination or expiration of this
Agreement and (ii) only the partial reduction pursuant to the foregoing contractual right to
partially reduce Customer's Maximum Daily Transportation Quantity is subject to the ROFR
procedures specified in the General Terms and Conditions of Algonquin's Tariff and Customer
may retain the balance of the Maximum Daily Transportation Quantity without being subject to
the ROFR procedures.
Signed for Identification
Algonquin: ___________________________________________
Customer: ____________________________________________
Supersedes Exhibit C Dated ____________________________


text:
Pat Robertson - Alzheimer's - Reaction
Disability advocate: Robertson wrong to justify divorce for Alzheimer's
Category: Religious News
Dead Girl's Wish
SEATTLE (AP) — One year after 9-year-old Rachel Beckwith's death from a car crash inspired people around the world to donate more than $1 million to a charity in her honor, and her mom is in Ethiopia this week visiting the water wells Rachel's philanthropy made possible.
Rachel had hoped to raise $300 to bring clean water to an African village when she asked her friends and family to give money to the group "charity: water," instead of buying her presents. She was close to that goal in July 2011 when she was killed in a 13-car pileup on Interstate 90 near her Bellevue, Wash., home. Support for her cause surged and nearly 32,000 people donated $1.27 million by the time the charity closed her campaign in October.
Her mom, Samantha Paul, her parents, her pastor and some leaders from charity: water arrived in Ethiopia this week. They were greeted with a parade, welcome parties, signs, poems, speeches and an invitation to plant a tree in a new community park named for Rachel


text:
Mako Capone - Roll Up Slow (Mc Eiht Cameo)(Mike Capone Takes You On A Day In His Life In Compton)[User Submitted]
Cee reports "Mako Capone having sex with the bitch mc eiht & chill of Comptons Most Wanted is fighting over and takes you on a drive by from an O/G's perspective..Real Compton nigga shit"
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


text:
Some photos from my recent trip to Thailand. See more on my Visual Diary and be sure to check back more often as I will try to update it on a regular basis from now on.
Some photos from my recent trip to Thailand. See more on my Visual Diary and be sure to check back more often as I will try to update it on a regular basis from now on.
I want to Thailand so baaaad! It looks amazing even in pictures :)
this photo's doesn't look like you were in Thailand however, they look great like any other photo's you took! E. :)ReplyDelete
ooh la, pascal grob's visual diary being regularly updated...dream come true~ReplyDelete
Your recent photos display honest achievement and personal discovery. Beautiful~
Slowly your vision and the song in my mp3 blend together. ♪
great photographs. I missed the Visual Diary updates very much... because I like your pic so bad.ReplyDelete
I like the feel in these photos. And it's amazing how you managed to take the photos without anyone in them!ReplyDelete
Thailand is definitely on my to do list of countries I want to visit, it seems like such a unique place :)ReplyDelete
oh that reminds me, the person pointing out how you managed to take these without anyone in them is why i find them especially interesting. such a transition from your earlier stuff but still uniquely yours. i like what you do.ReplyDelete
Ur pictures amazing as always....!!! Best regards;) xxx from Barcelona, u have lots of fans here!ReplyDelete
Very nice pictures.. and nice to se holiday photos from thailand that aren't just noodles and beaches!ReplyDelete
Woo hooo, you visited my country or are you actually Thai?!
I felt an electric shock when I saw the word THAILAND, I don't know why.


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Hi All,
just wondering if anyone could get their hands on the 2014 17m Cabrinha Contra or Best TS?
I am looking for a kite that I can have fun with in lightwind (freeride and jumping around, not racing) and I'm about to pull the trigger on a Turbine or a Cloud... would be great to hear how the Contra or TS compares to those or the other usual suspects (Naish Fly, Dyno, Zephyr, Fat Lady, etc.)
Comments, thoughts, suggestions are welcome...


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NSA Funding Bill Passed By Senate Intelligence Community Gives Agency Extra Cash To Hunt 'Insider Threats'
from the because-you-can't-be-'protected'-unless-you're-discovered,-amiri dept
An earlier attempt to defund NSA programs via amendments to the Defense Dept. appropriations bill went nowhere (but by a much narrower margin than many expected), and now it's up to both the House and Senate to push bills through reauthorizing the NSA's budget.
The Senate Intelligence Committee has already given its thumbs up to NSA spending, advancing a bill that contains a little something extra for its favorite agency.
The Senate Intelligence Committee has advanced legislation to reauthorize funding for the National Security Agency and surveillance programs.The NSA's budget is currently $10.2 billion (which we know thanks to leaked documents). This additional funding will be earmarked for barn door closing and witch hunting.
The bill includes new funding for technology to combat "insider threats" and leaks of classified information.
The committee approved the legislation in a 13-2 vote late Tuesday.
The bill would empower the director of national intelligence to make improvements to the government's process for investigating people with security clearances, such as Snowden.The phrase, "throwing good money after bad" comes to mind. An intelligence agency of this size and reach should have been prepared for this eventuality and maybe, just maybe, shouldn't have been so willing to outsource everything from system administration to the background checks themselves. Giving the NSA more money in order to help it guard against an eventuality like Snowden's massive disclosures is basically rewarding it for running a leaky ship.
The bad news is that the government doesn't know how to approach the "insider threat" issue. Any nuance is obliterated by a horrible combination of bureaucracy and paranoia, which results in the government suggesting that an employee's "dissatisfaction with US policies" or financial problems indicate he or she is a possible "insider threat."
According to the press release issued by the committee, the bill will also include some sort of protection for whistleblowers provided, of course, they go through official channels.
[Institutes] new statutory protections that protect the ability of legitimate whistleblowers to bring concerns directly to the attention of lawmakers, inspectors general and intelligence community leadersThat's the press release wording, so we'll have to wait until the text of the bill is made public before we'll be able to judge the merits of this claim. The administration has talked a strong game about transparency but has prosecuted more whistleblowers than all other administrations combined. Requiring whistleblowers to go through official channels in order to be afforded any legal protections just makes it that much more difficult for any true whistleblowing to occur. Official channels are in place to discourage whistleblowing rather than accommodate it, no matter what assurances might be included in the legislation. Besides, any bill that aims at both rooting out "insider threats" (many of whom may just be whistleblowers) and protecting whistleblowers is at odds with itself.
The bill passed 13-2 out of committee. Even without a roll call of those votes, it's safe to assume the nays came from Ron Wyden and Mark Udall, which should be an indicator of the bill's indulgence of the NSA's desires and the presumably weak whistleblower protections that accompany it.
Filed Under: budget, funding, insider threats, nsa, surveillance, whistleblowers


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Fifty-seven Years of Darkness
In caves around the world, animals and other creatures have adapted to endless night. Cavefish, for example, have lost their eyes and pigment, evolving a greater power in other senses.
In 1954, Syuichi Mori, a biologist at Kyoto University, put flies into a cave of their own. He took eggs from ordinary flies of the species Drosophila melanogaster put them in milk bottles, which he placed in pots and covered in dark cloth. There they lived in utter darkness. He tended to the flies, generation after generation, dividing them into three separate lines. Meanwhile, he reared three lines of flies in normal light for comparison.
Raising flies is not an easy business. They can pick up infections and die in droves. Over the years, all the normal lines of flies died out, as did two of the dark-bred flies. But Mori managed to keep the last line of flies alive in the dark, and after his death, other Kyoto researchers kept the flies going. And today, they are still living in the dark, 57 years since their ancestors last saw light. That's 1400 generations–which would be some 30,000 years if it were humans living in dark.
Keeping organisms in such weird conditions is one of the most interesting ways to learn about evolution. Scientists create a set of conditions and then allow organisms to grow, breed, and mutate. Mutations that let some individuals survive better and have more offspring become more common in the population due to natural selection. Other mutations can spread thanks to the luck of the genetic dice.
Mori wondered what sort of changes would occur in his dark flies. Would they lose their internal clock, controlling the daily cycles of their bodies? Would they stop responding to light? Would they evolve in other, unexpected ways?
In some respects, the flies haven't changed much. They still have normal eyes, for example, complete with pigments. Last year, Michio Imafuku and Takashi Haramura reported that the dark flies still had their body clock. If they exposed the flies to three and a half hours of light, the insects became active and sluggish in a 24-hour cycle.
But the Japanese scientists have also found some differences. The bristles on the dark flies became unusually long, for example.
That change might simply be a fluke of rearing flies from a few related insects. To find out if the flies had experienced natural selection, Naoyuki Fuse and colleagues applied modern technology to this venerable invertebrate dynasty.
As they report in PLOS One, there are some tantalizing clues that the flies have indeed adapted to life in the dark.
For starters, the researchers observed how well the flies reproduced. After all, that's what natural selection is all about. They counted up the eggs that the flies laid, either in the dark or the light, and compared their success to their ordinary relatives. The researchers found a major difference: when kept in the dark, dark-bred flies laid 373 eggs, plus or minus 20. Ordinary flies laid 293 eggs, plus or minus 73. Somehow, in other words, the dark-bred flies had become better at breeding in the dark.
To start hunting for the cause of this change, the Kyoto researchers sequenced the genome of the dark-bred flies and compared it to a genome from normal relatives. They found 220,000 spots in the genome where the DNA had mutated (a single nucleotide polymorphism). In addition, there were 4700 places where a stretch of DNA had been inserted or deleted.
A lot of those mutations may not have had any effect on the flies. So the researchers began to sift through the changes for ones that had good evolutionary potential. They found some promising candidates. For example, a gene for a light receptor had acquired a particularly devastating change called a nonsense mutation, which prevents the fly from making a functioning protein. A gene involved in metabolism disappeared. Once the flies were cast into darkness, flies without these proteins may have done better than the ones that held onto them.
The scientists also looked for stretches of DNA that showed signs of having experienced natural selection. Each fly carries two copies of each chromosome, and each chromosome is sprinkled with its own set of mutations. Here and there, however, the DNA on the chromosomes is identical. This close matching is sometimes the result of genes spreading quickly through a population thanks to natural selection. The scientists found 241 new mutations in these identical stretches–potentially giving the flies an advantage in the dark. One of those genes is involved in breaking down toxins. The scientists speculate that flies ordinarily use light to help break down toxins. The dark flies may have evolved a way to do so without the light.
Perhaps Mori envisioned his flies becoming like cavefish, pale and blind in their bottles. That didn't happen. But now scientists can probe his flies far more deeply, reading their entire genome. And while they may not show obvious signs of evolution, subtler ones may be present by the hundreds.
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Presuming the major work of natural selection is not to make us better, but to keep us from getting worse, he would have easily observed his dark acclimated flies do more poorly in the light. Too bad his control group died out, so this comparison would now need be made to wild flies.
Interesting thing to look for would be whether the eyes evolve into a some sixth sense such as magnetic field. The sensors for magentic fields are the retinal lights sensitive cells themselves in animals that sense magnetic fields. Flies that can sense magnetic fields will have an advantage.
I am not an evolutionary biologist, but it does seem like the simple version of evolution has significant holes as a theory. For example, over time, some species change in ways that have absolutely nothing to do with reproductive success.
There also seems (for reasons I can not understand) to be a strong and universal bias towards explaining (no matter how contorted and unlikely) any feature or characteristic of a species in terms of how that feature helps that creature survive longer and/or reproduce more. This is done without any supporting data, and sometimes it is even done in direct contradiction to the data that is available.
These are some of the things that make my suspect that there is much more going on, and that there is much more complexity, than any evolutionary theory I am aware of.
You need to read more: founder effect, genetic drift, neutral theory.
That's why the experimenters, after observing changes, began a battery of tests to find out, if they could if the changes were adaptive or random.
Regarding your first point, there are many changes that are likely to be the result of genetic drift. A variation does have some probability of surviving to the next generation even if it confers no advantage (as long as it doesn't confer too much disadvantage).
The degree to which this explains natural variation is a classic question in evolutionary biology, called the Neutralist-Selectionist Debate. See:
Regarding your second paragraph, there is an unfortunate tendency toward "just so" stories of evolution, especially in pop science writing. Just because an evolutionary explanation exists does not mean it is the truth; alternate hypotheses should be tested against each other.
Regarding your third paragraph, evolutionary theory is a model; so is Newtonian physics. Reality is always more complex. The complexity of reality doesn't invalidate the model, it enriches it.
Just trying to set my gauge here….
How many genomic changes would we expect to see from one fly to its direct offspring?
[CZ: The scientists note that the mutation rate in Drosophila is between 1/10 to the 9th to 1/10 8th per nucleotide per generation. For more on the number of expected mutations, you can go straight to the paper, which has a length discussion under the "Genome history of the dark-fly" and is open access.]
Feel sorry for the flies
There is another similar experiment going on with bacteria and the evolution of different strains emerged from a common clone. That was mentioned in one of the latest books of Dawkins (probably the "greatest show on earth").
Scientist could show that some bacteria change their metabolic system according to the amount of AA available on the grow jar. Bacteria multiply faster than flies and the process of replication is simpler , that may have helped the arise and analyses of different strains as well.
Very temping to think that the longer bristles were favored in the absence of light. Hopefully further work will answer that question.
The changes after 1400 generations seem fairly small, and I'm curious if that may be due to the fact that there isn't a lot of competitive pressure on these flies.
It's interesting that this sort of thing can be traced and detected… imagine if we were to eventually do this with larger animals?
I think it would be interesting to find out what those 241 mutations are and how exactly do they give the flies in the dark the advantage.
So this is science? This has been going on scince the dawn of government. Treat us like mushrooms, keep us in the dark and feed us bullshit. Sounds very familiar. People have been the flies for quite a long time.
This article was very interesting and I learned many things about fly generations that i did not know before, for example A lot of those mutations may not have had any effect on the flies. So the researchers began to sift through the changes for ones that had good evolutionary potential. They found some promising candidates.
I found this fascinating that they could and would blind themselves because of their environment, but i wonder do they stay in the cave all the time.
This is not the first time in history that this experiement has been done. Fernandus Payne's classic 1910 paper in the Biological Bulletin entitled "Forty-nine Generations in the Dark" performed essentially the same experiment in order to test Lamarkian evolution. I find it very odd that the current work does not cite this classic paper especially given that Payne's project is widely known to be instrumental in T.H. Morgan's choice to focus on Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism for research in genetics.
See the original paper here: http://www.biolbull.org/content/18/4/188.full.pdf+html
See also a discussion of the role of the original "Dark Fly" experiment on the history of Genetics here: http://www.jstor.org/stable/228840
Cruel. A total disrespect for life.
"The researchers found a major difference: when kept in the dark, dark-bred flies laid 373 eggs, plus or minus 20. Ordinary flies laid 293 eggs, plus or minus 73. Somehow, in other words, the dark-bred flies had become better at breeding in the dark."
Perhaps the lack of light, caused a lack of visual stimuli, leading to less fly lounging as they see no interest to fly too. So the flies just end up running into each other while flying, and thus as the only available stimuli… they smash
"The scientists speculate that flies ordinarily use light to help break down toxins. The dark flies may have evolved a way to do so without the light."
Or perhaps they have different pathways that are used when needed, such as the pathway for glucose metabolism, gluconeogenesis, or fatty acid oxidation.
Its like once we see a differentiating statistics, we automatically can't wait to wine and dine Darwin and bring him home to momma


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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
October means pumpkins, and there's plenty of local spots to pick out the perfect specimen for carving or decorating.
Jim Devantier's Pumpkin Farm, 6922 Nash Road, Wheatfield, goes a step more. The farm not only has pumpkins in all shapes and sizes, but also has a host of things for children to do and opportunities for family photos. Youngsters can feed the goats or meet a cow named Nellie, a pair of pigs, a turkey, rabbits and chickens. There's a corn (not sand) box to play in, a haunted house, a wagon ride and a bit of history.
The sign says Nashville, N.Y., not Wheatfield. Nashville was the former name of that area of Nash Road north of Niagara Falls Boulevard. (photos by Walter Bissett)


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Have you ever seen Twin Peaks? Both the movie and the series have fascinated me with their thrilling dark mysteries and strange action. Watching these photos made me realize how much I love my hair (narcissistic much?) and how I don't think I will ever change this vibrant red with any other color!
Also, here are some stuff I got from sales and thrift shops these past few weeks, isn't that green blazer exquisite? Can't wait for Fall to be able to wear it!
Zara blue blazer, Stradivarius socks (are they not cute?) and summer hat bought at a flea market.
As for me, I am wearing: self-made skirt, H&M top, no name necklace and bracelets, Army of Mice bag, Mei shoes


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MADISON — Autumn is just around the corner, and with it comes another launch of Wisconsin's Fall Color Report.
The report has been posted at TravelWisconsin.com. Visitors can click on an interactive map to find out where foliage has started to change color and how far along the change is.
The map draws upon observations from more than 100 fall-color reporters across the state. Officials from visitor bureaus, tourism organizations and state parks and forests can update their area's status as conditions change.
The report also has tabs showing nearby events and lodging, travel tips for scenic drives and local travel information.
You can access the report on a computer, smartphone or tablet. You can also sign up to have the report emailed to you every Thursday in time to make weekend plans.


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Current Weather
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Solunar Information for Weikert, PA
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Boeing is on track to launch its new astronaut taxi to the International Space Station (ISS) next month.
Watch a meteor smack the blood moon during the lunar eclipse
Astronomy - January 24, 2019, 3:47:18 PM EST
This weekend's stunning lunar eclipse seems to have come with a little extra flash, thanks to a brilliant coincidence — a burst of light at about the time totality began, marking the end of a meteorite's journey to the moon.
Blue Origin's New Shepard launches NASA experiments, aces rocket landing
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Blue Origin's privately build New Shepard spacecraft has aced its biggest mission yet, and this time the spacecraft flew for NASA.
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As the world celebrated the start of 2019, scientists with NASA's New Horizons spacecraft partied with them.


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2007-06-14 / Columnists
Pets, Pets, Pets
Right now, the odds are awful. One in four dogs over the age of two will die of cancer, and many more will suffer from it. So many popular breeds are particularly susceptible to certain forms of the dreaded disease. Morris Animal Foundation is determined to better the odds big time for man's best friend.
In April, Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) launched a Canine Cancer Campaign, hoping to raise $30 million to cure cancer within a dog's lifetime- the next 10 to 20 years. Pfizer donated $1.1 million, the Golden Retriever Foundation pledged $500,000 more, and Camp Bow Wow, a national doggy day care/camp franchise network just joined the challenge. With MAF coordinating global research opportunities, each new breakthrough may also lead to insights for cancers in other species, including humans.
Denver-based, Morris Animal Foundation, established in 1948 by visionary veterinarian Dr. Mark Morris Sr., is dedicated to funding humane research that protects, treats and cures companion animals and wildlife. So far, 1,300 animal studies in 100 countries have had the support of MAF monies approaching $50 million.
With previous grants, MAF has contributed $7 million for 100 canine cancer studies that have led to advances in diagnostics and treatments, but the cure is still somewhere on the horizon. This 5-year initiative has many facets: partnering 14 leading veterinary schools with elite academic institutions; clinical trials, lifetime risk assessment studies; prevention by identifying genetic factors; a tumor tissue bank, and an endowment to guarantee funds for future studies.
Pfizer's gift will help create a national canine tumor-tissue bank in Bethesda, Maryland. MAF and the AKC Canine Health Foundation provided the initial funds. The plan is to collect more than 3000 samples of canine cancer tissue, including osteosarcoma, lymphoma, melanoma and other malignancies, which will aid veterinary researchers in understanding the relationships between human and canine cancers.
MAF's first multi-center project is examining bone cancer in dogs and kids. Osteosarcoma affects about 10,000 dogs (mostly large breeds) and also nearly 1,000 children. The disease is similar in aggressiveness and skeletal location of tumors. Pediatric oncologists feel that protocols that prove useful to dogs may someday help children.
With their genome mapped and documented pedigrees, purebred dogs hold keys to the cancer puzzle. Certain cancers are breed specific- Scotties are prone to bladder cancer; Boxers to brain cancer. Pinpointing gene markers offers clues to cancers we share with our pets. The Golden Retriever Foundation's donation will explore why lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma are so prevalent in their beloved breed. Hopefully other breed clubs will follow their generous lead.
Patricia Olson, DVM, PhD., the president/ CEO of Morris Animal Foundation, was formerly the director of Guide Dogs for the Blind, where in an 8/05 Veterinary Medicine interview, Dr. Olson said: "that many disciplines can come together to make life better for both animals and people. Physicians, nurses, trainers, veterinarians, geneticists and many others worked collaboratively to improve the lives of guide dogs and, in doing so, improved the lives of blind Americans."
This cooperative approach is now the genius behind the MAF Canine Cancer Campaign. Additional support will come from the Children's Oncology Group, the Animal Cancer Foundation and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. The progress toward a cure is mind boggling. Visit www.CureCanineCancer.org or www.morrisanimalfoundation.org to peek at the remarkable MAF studies complete and proposed and at the amazing list of participating researchers.
Better the odds. Do the math. Morris Animal Foundation (877-DOG-CURE) truly appreciates a donation of any size, but raising $30 million by 2012 is a huge goal. There are 44 million dog-owning households in the US. If even 1 percent of all dog lovers contribute $50 or more in honor of a pooch past, present or future, that would raise $22 million toward the total needed to combat canine cancer. The results for all will be priceless.
+ "Come on down" to Babylon Town Shelter (643-9270) Lamar St. W. Babylon to meet "Bob Barker" a senior citizen mix with a dash of Pointer in Cage 43. The poor fellow, found in Pinelawn Cemetery, has been waiting since Jan. for someone kind to adopt him. This "Bob Barker", like his namesake, deserves to retire in comfort. "Mistress", a lovely 1-year-old tabby in C-7, who tries to play with the kitten above her, is another victim in our disposable society, surrendered because her former owners had a baby on the way and a new puppy. See more photos on the shelter's Petfinder site.
+ Males: the veteran crew- "Beach Boy" the athletic black Lab mix Cage 5; "Rusty" a Husky/Akita Cage 35; "Noah" a small Chow mix Cage 9; "Grizzly Adams" a Golden/Chow Cage 7.
+Female: a Husky with beautiful markings Cage 67.


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Addressing a "God Not Guns" rally of ministers near the Capitol a couple of weeks ago, House Majority Whip Tom DeLay offered this explanation for the Littleton, Colo., killings: "I got an e-mail this morning that said it all. The student writes, 'Dear God: Why didn't you stop the shootings at Columbine?' And God writes, 'Dear student: I would have, but I wasn't allowed in school.' "
The view among Republicans is that adolescent violence is inevitable given the decline of religion. Indeed, until the early 1960s' Supreme Court decisions on school prayer, displays of the Ten Commandments were common. And back then, crime was much less prevalent than today. So, the House voted to undo the "damage" by allowing states to mandate the posting of the Ten Commandments in schools and other public facilities.
In social science terms, the Republicans believe there is a correlation between the influence of religion and obedience to the law. The Ten Commandments prohibit murder, so exposing people to them could tend to discourage lethal violence. The absence of religious faith and norms, on the other hand, might incline someone toward homicide. The argument has particular force in the context of Columbine, where the gunmen asked two girls if they believed in God, and when they answered affirmatively, shot them dead.
The correlation is not implausible, but a correlation is not the same thing as a cause. If we were to discover that none of the killers in the various school shootings were in the habit of eating pancakes for breakfast, we would have established a correlation. But no one would argue that the kids killed because they didn't eat enough pancakes–much less that the answer to school violence is a national campaign to get children to eat pancakes every day. Once you find a correlation between A and B, you still have to demonstrate that one causes the other.
I n this instance, though, conservatives are claiming to have found a cause without even showing a correlation. Why not? Maybe because they can't. The United States is the most religious of all the industrialized nations. Forty-four percent of Americans attend church once a week, compared with 27 percent in Britain, 21 percent in France, 16 percent in Australia, and 4 percent in Sweden. Yet violent crime is not less common in the United States–it's more common. The murder rate here is six times higher than the rate in Britain, seven times higher than in France, five times higher than in Australia, and five times higher than in Sweden. Japan, where Christianity has almost no adherents, has less violent crime than almost any country. There are a few advanced nations that have high rates of church attendance and low rates of violent crime–Ireland, Italy, and Belgium–but they're the exceptions.
Within the 50 states, there is no evidence that a God-fearing populace equals a law-abiding populace. The Bible Belt has more than its share of both praying and killing. Louisiana has the highest churchgoing rate in the country, but its murder rate is more than twice the national average. The same pattern generally holds in the rest of the South. Tom DeLay's Bible-toting state of Texas has a murder rate triple that of Massachusetts, which is "ungodly" enough to have elected two openly gay members of Congress. New York, the very symbol of godless depravity, is perfectly average when it comes to extralegal slaughter. In Washington state, where Sunday morning slugabeds are more common than anywhere else in America, murder is 38 percent less common.
House Republicans have also failed to notice that the school shootings have not occurred in hotbeds of secular humanism–say, Berkeley, Calif.; Cambridge, Mass; or New York City–but in towns that Norman Rockwell and James Dobson would be proud to call home. Pearl, Miss.; West Paducah, Ky.; Jonesboro, Ark.; Edinboro, Pa.; and Springfield, Ore., are not exactly Madalyn Murray O'Hair country. Littleton was fertile ground for evangelical churches.
If there is any apparent correlation between the prevalence of Christian devotion and law-abiding conduct, it's the opposite of the one claimed by Republicans: Religion and violence seem to go hand in hand. That doesn't mean faith actually causes murder. But it does suggest that when Republicans contemplate the Ten Commandments, they should pay more attention to the ninth, which prohibits false witness.