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Table of Contents
The NetBSD port for amd64, i386, alpha, mac68k, macppc, and many others can execute a great number of native Linux programs, using the Linux emulation layer. Generally, when you think about emulation you imagine something slow and inefficient because, often, emulations must reproduce hardware instructions and even architectures (usually from old machines) in software. In the case of the Linux emulation this is radically different: it is only a thin software layer, mostly for system calls which are already very similar between the two systems. The application code itself is processed at the full speed of your CPU, so you don't get a degraded performance with the Linux emulation and the feeling is exactly the same as for native NetBSD applications.
This chapter explains how to configure the Linux emulation with an example: the installation of LibreOffice Linux RPM.
The installation of the Linux emulation is described in the compat_linux(8) man page; using the package system only two steps are needed.
Configuring the kernel.
Installing the Linux libraries.
Installing Linux applications like LibreOffice
If you use a GENERIC kernel you don't need to do anything because Linux compatibility is already enabled.
If you use a customized kernel, check that the following options are enabled:
option COMPAT_LINUX option EXEC_ELF32
or the following options if you are going to use 64-bit ELF binaries:
option COMPAT_LINUX option EXEC_ELF64
when you have compiled a kernel with the previous options you can start installing the necessary software.
Usually, applications are linked against shared libraries, and for Linux applications, Linux shared libraries are needed. You can get the shared libraries from any Linux distribution, provided it's not too old, but the suggested method is to use the package system and install the libraries automatically (which uses SUSE libraries). When you install the libraries, the following happens:
A secondary root directory is created
which will be used for Linux programs.
This directory is
The Linux programs in emulation mode will use this directory
as their root directory and use files there. If a required
file is not found, it will be searched with
/ as root directory.
For example, if a Linux application opens
/etc/ld.so.conf, it will first be
searched in
/emul/linux/etc/ld.so.conf, and if
not found there in
The shared libraries for Linux are installed.
Most applications are linked dynamically and expect to find
the necessary libraries on the system.
For example, for LibreOffice,
if you go to the
/usr/pkgsrc/misc/libreoffice6-bin and give the
make depends command, pkgsrc will fetch
and install all dependencies for
Both operations will be handled automatically by the package system, without the need of manual intervention from the user (we suppose that, by now, you have already begun to love the package system...). Note that this section describes manual installation of the Linux libraries.
To install the libraries, a program must be installed that
handles the RPM format: it is
rpm, which will be used to extract the
SUSE libraries. Execute make and
make install in the
/usr/pkgsrc/misc/rpm/ directory to
build and install rpm.
Next the
suse131_base package must be
The SUSE RPM files can be downloaded by the package system or, if
you have a SUSE CD, you can copy them in the
/usr/pkgsrc/distfiles/suse131 directory and
then run make and make install
after going to the
With the same method install
The final configuration is:
pkg_info -a | grep susesuse_base-13.1nb3 Linux compatibility package suse_compat-13.1 Linux compatibility package with old shared libraries suse_x11-13.1nb7 Linux compatibility package for X11 binaries
If we examine the outcome of the installation of the Linux
libraries and programs we find that
/emul/linux is a symbolic link pointing to
/usr/pkg/emul/linux, where the following
directories have been created:
Please always refer to
/emul/linux and not
The latter is an implementation detail and may change in the
How much space is required for the Linux emulation software? On one system we got the following figure:
cd /usr/pkg/emul
du -k /emul/linux/... 399658 /emul/linux/
LibreOffice, the program, has been
installed in the usual directory for package binaries:
/usr/pkg/bin. It can be run just as any
other program:
Some Linux programs rely on a Linux-like
filesystem. The NetBSD procfs filesystem can emulate a
/proc filesystem that contains Linux-specific
pseudo-files. To accomplish this you can mount the procfs with
the "linux"-option:
mount_procfs -o linux procfs /emul/linux/proc
In this example a Linux-like proc filesystem will be mounted to
/emul/linux/proc directory. You can also
let NetBSD mount it automatically during the booting process of
NetBSD, by adding the following line to
procfs /emul/linux/proc procfs ro,linux
Linux plugins for Mozilla-based browsers can be used on native NetBSD Firefox builds through nspluginwrapper, a wrapper that translates between the native browser and a foreign plugin. At the moment, nspluginwrapper only works reliably on Mozilla-based browsers that link against GTK2+ (GTK1+ is not supported). nspluginwrapper can be installed through pkgsrc:
#cd /usr/pkgsrc/www/nspluginwrapper
#make install
Plugins can then be installed in two steps: first, the plugin has to be installed on the system (e.g. through pkgsrc). After that the plugin should be registered with the nspluginwrapper by the users who want to use that plugin.
In this short example we will have a look at installing the Macromedia Flash plugin. We can fullfill the first step by installing the Flash plugin through pkgsrc:
#cd /usr/pkgsrc/multimedia/ns-flash
#make install
After that an unprivileged user can register the Flash plugin:
$ nspluginwrapper -i /usr/pkg/lib/netscape/plugins/libflashplayer.so
The plugin should then be registered correctly. You can check this
by using the
-l option of
(nspluginwrapper -l). If the plugin is listed,
you can restart Firefox, and verify that the plugin was installed
by entering about:plugins in the location
The following articles may be of interest for further understanding Linux (and other) emulation:
[chap-linux-further-implementing-linux-emul-on-netbsd] Implementing Linux emulation on NetBSD . May 2004.


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America's Wild Rivers Coast to the Heart of the Dunes, Oregon's South Coast presents an unspoiled coastal experience filled with windsurfing, fishing, and exploring the most accessible and spectacular beaches in Oregon.
AMERICA'S WILD RIVERS COAST - Starting with the Trees of Mystery in California and stretching North to Port Orford, Oregon, America's Wild Rivers Coast offers 101 miles of nature's best. As you travel along historic Highway 101, you'll not only discover some of the most spectacular shoreline and best beach access in Oregon, you'll also glimpse towering forests and have the opportunity to experience some of the last remaining wild rivers in America. Fabulous fishing, hiking and exploring can be found in almost every city.
Because of its superior weather and recreational opportunities, Brookings is a well-known vacation and retirement area. The spectacular Salmon Run Golf Course is making the area popular with golfers, but the area is still best known for its salmon and steelhead fishing. Boat charters for ocean fishing can be found in the Port of Brookings-Harbor. The harbor and the port offer the safest bar crossing in Oregon. The nearby Smith River, along with the Chetco, Pistol, Winchuck, and to the north the Rogue, Elk and Sixes Rivers also offer outstanding fishing.
Eighteen miles East of Brookings-Harbor is the famed Kalmiopsis Wilderness, 197,000 acres of rugged solitude and rare wildlife. The Chetco Ranger Station in Brookings can provide complete information on hiking and camping in this region.
Between Brookings-Harbor and Gold Beach, north on Highway 101, you'll come face-to-face with some of the most stunning coastline in America. There are numerous beach parks to explore.
At sunny Gold Beach the roar of the mighty Pacific, the legendary Rogue River, wide open spaces, fresh salt air, uncrowded beaches, vast forests, incredible hiking trails, and rugged mountains all invite you to relax and explore.
From May through October, jetboats offer excursions up into the "Wild and Scenic" sections of the Rogue, giving passengers a close up view of wildlife and river life. The salmon and steelhead fishing in the area is second to none, and an excellent group of licensed guides is available. Ocean charters for fishing and sightseeing are ready for your call.
Gold Beach offers one of the best selections of motels with oceanfront or river views. A variety of restaurants with varied dining to please every appetite are also located in town. A Visitor Center can be found at the south end of town (on Highway 101) with complete area information to help plan your visit.
Historic Port Orford is the oldest town site on the Oregon coast and is the northern gateway to America's Wild Rivers Coast. The area is steeped in history, recreational opportunities, and scenery.
With the only open water port in 600 miles and two wild rivers, commercial and sport fishing, diving, windsurfing, and beachcombing opportunities are plentiful. Port Orford is also one of the best whale watching spots on the Oregon coast.
Several parks, including Humbug Mountain State Park, offer excellent camping. Port Orford Head State Park, originally an active Coast Guard station, is now a day use historical park. Tours of the Cape Blanco lighthouse and historic Hughes House are well worth the time. Check with the Port Orford Visitor Center (on the beach in downtown) for maps and information.
Next stop heading north, located at the mouth of the Coquille River, is charming Bandon-By-The-Sea. Many visitors consider Bandon the hidden pearl of the Southern Oregon Coast because of its scenic beauty, rich opportunities for recreation and relaxation and the warmth shown by its people.
It is home to breathtaking beaches, a river teeming with fish, four of the world's premier golf courses, quaint shops and galleries, and delectable restaurants. Go crabbing and fishing right from the waterfront, stroll the expansive boardwalk, experience the thrill of hooking the big ocean fish and the excitement of America's largest wild animal petting park. For all that Bandon has to offer, it remains charmingly undiscovered and unspoiled.
Just a little farther north are Coos Bay, North Bend and Charleston, known as "Oregon's Adventure Coast" to fun-loving visitors. With miles of unspoiled beaches and a multitude of recreational activities, your next adventure kicks into high gear. From kayaking to hiking to riding the Dunes, you'll find endless opportunities for adventure.
Natural beauty abounds here. Visit the grounds of a turn-of-the-century lumber baron's home, Shore Acres State Park, to see the famous crashing waves and the renowned botanical gardens. Catch a charter boat to see the migrating whales or take advantage of the year-round fishing. Go crabbing on the docks and have it cooked for you Oregon Coast style. Check out a working myrtlewood factory or the Steve Prefontaine Gallery.
Museums, antique shops, theatres, restaurants, and the coast's largest enclosed shopping mall offer you a chance to wind down and enjoy the local flavor of Oregon's Adventure Coast. Boardwalks in Coos Bay and North Bend offer dramatic bay views and unique events and 24-hour gaming at The Mill Casino Hotel beckon thousands of visitors each year.
Heading North on Highway 101, just across the landmark McCullough Bridge, you'll find the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, with acres and acres of rolling sand dunes to explore. Stop at the Dunes Reedsport headquarters for complete information. The 40 miles of towering dunes along Oregon's South Coast offer numerous opportunities for adventure and solitude. Formed by the ancient forces of wind, water and time, these dunes are like no others in the world, and are the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America.
The Reedsport area is the "Heart of the Dunes," and offers miles of undisturbed beaches, marvelous sunsets, abundant wildlife, and numerous lakes and streams. A diversity of hiking trails can take you along the ocean, through the dunes, estuaries, and via majestic old-growth tree groves to spectacular waterfalls.
Here's an area that lets you experience it all... from quaint shops and dining in an historic downtown, to quiet walks on the beach at sunset, to the excitement of catching your own dinner of clams, crab or fish. And while you are on the beach, be sure to look for the majestic gray whale that migrates along the coast in the spring and winter.
The award-winning Umpqua Discovery Center, located on the Umpqua River, is a must-see in Reedsport. Its exhibit wing, Tidewaters & Time, surrounds you with the sights and sounds of nature as you journey back through history meeting the Kunich Tribes, fur traders, European settlers, and the pioneers that settled this tidewater town.
The Reedsport/Winchester Bay area also offers the opportunity to explore the tallest dunes in the state, to windsurf, play golf, go fishing, kayaking and kite-flying. It is also one of the few areas that allow ATV (All Terrain Vehicles); beach access and rentals are available.

subset: commoncrawl


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Do you still think of lotteries and casinos as essentially harmless enterprises? If so, you owe it to yourself to attend tomorow's Crucial Conversation luncheon: "When government promotes gambling: A budget solution or state sponsored exploitation?"
National expert Les Bernal of the nonprofit advocacy group, Stop Predatory Gambling will have some hair-raising stories to share that may cause you to reexamine some of your beliefs on this issue. Please join us for this important event.
Some seats are still available. register today. If you want to attend but not eat, are having trouble registering, or have any other questions, call Rob Schofield at 919-861-2065 or email me at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Hope to seee you tomorrow!


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For the Seventh Annual (2013) Hudson-EPPC Summer Movie Series, James Bowman, Resident Scholar at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and movie critic for The American Spectator, presented six movies on the theme "Why We Fight: War Movies and War, Then and Now" — and examined how American culture has influenced and been influenced by World War II and subsequent conflicts. From a focus on patriotism, duty and community, all of which require people to submerge their individuality "for the duration" and for the greater good, we can see how movies will change their emphasis to focus on the psychology of individual soldiers and the trauma they must endure. The result, even in movies that are not overtly anti-war, is a questioning not only of the patriotic imperative but of the military culture itself—something which has come to seem both esoteric and unnecessary.
All movies in the series were screened on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings between June 19 and July 24, 2013, at Hudson Institute's Washington headquarters. Each session began with a brief introduction, and each film was followed by a discussion with the audience.
The July 24, 2013 screening was The Hurt Locker (2008), directed by Kathryn Bigelow, written by Mark Boal, and starring Jeremy Renner, Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes, Anthony Mackie, David Morse, and Evangeline Lilly.


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...here's my hand
a ghazal for the year's turn
sometimes watch your thoughts: leaves floating by on a stream
other times, hunt your thoughts down, be a predator
the witness knows which thoughts pass, which to devour
in winter earth's summer colors fly into sky
a fleet sunset blooming, light cultivating cloud
gold, purple, red—our color-hungry eyes are fed
young moon brighter and brighter in deepening dusk
the slim curve brimming with night, someone bear witness:
three small birds swoop down to drink the moon's reflection
a dust mote in god's light, call it a galaxy,
a universe, call it me, how else would god see?
whirl on tiny one, small world, trust immensity
silent as sunlight, in this timeless way I move
whose hands hold the strings that pull the tides, rock my bones?
my feet are wind in the grass, watch me disappear
beloved friends, the world ends again and again
with each death, each year, each turn of an ancient wheel
beginning takes fierce courage, wild faith, here's my hand.


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/Film Interview: James Ponsoldt Talks Sex, Booze, and Nostalgia in 'The Spectacular Now'
Posted on Wednesday, December 18th, 2013 by Angie Han
In an age when the phrase "teen drama" suggests hardscrabble dystopias or lovelorn werewolves, what's extraordinary about The Spectacular Now is how ordinary it is. The leads are two kids that could be from any town in America, and their romance is neither epic nor star-crossed. Stories like this one surely play out dozens of times a day all over the world.
But despite that ordinariness, or more likely because of it, The Spectacular Now is also one of the best teen dramas of recent years. Under the direction of James Ponsoldt (Smashed), The Spectacular Now is a pitch-perfect depiction of adolescence, warm and funny and sad without ever veering into forced sentimentality.
It's a tough balance to pull off, and during a recent press stop in New York I got the opportunity to ask him how he managed to get it right. We also talked about why the kids in The Spectacular Now drink so much, how he took advantage of Kyle Chandler's Coach Taylor image, and which Arrested Development star he'd love to work with. Hit the jump to read the full interview. (Some spoilers for The Spectacular Now follow.)


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g6749, Reviewed February 2012
Increasing numbers of homeowners are inquiring about low-impact environmental approaches to lawn care. This has generated many questions and concerns from lawn care operators and turf managers. Using natural or environmentally friendly products seems to be the direction many are taking to maintain their lawns.
Historically, before managers had an extensive list of chemicals to choose from, keeping turfgrasses healthy was the best defense against weeds, diseases and insects. Soil fertility and organic matter were considered especially important. Early publications emphasized healthy plants as an important aspect of pest prevention. In time, increasing demand for higher quality lawns led to unsustainable management practices. What was once the norm (sustainable practices) has since become the alternative method of lawn care. However, with growing awareness of environmental issues associated with current practices, many turf managers are starting to reconsider this approach to turfgrass maintenance, especially in sports turf, parks and recreation areas. Lawn care operators are seeing increased interest from clientele for organic solutions. In many areas, new regulations in the lawn care industry have caused shifts in the types and amounts of products available for home lawns. With interest on the rise, one frequently asked question will be, "What can one expect from a natural lawn care program?"
Soils are the foundation for a healthy lawn; they are a living, dynamic, biologically active resource that provides nutrients, water and oxygen to your lawn. Natural lawn care promotes the life and health of your soil. Several natural lawn care products add proteins that are beneficial to the soil microbes. Through a combination of specific products and cultural practices, a natural lawn care program promotes an optimal relationship between plants and soil.
Homeowners and clients need to understand that regardless of the type of care a lawn receives, there is no such thing as a perfect lawn. Lawns maintained with natural products can become stronger and healthier. In essence, all education about organic lawn care stresses the integration of good cultural or management practices. By going organic, you will rely more on lime, natural fertilizers and other natural products than on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to correct a problem. It does not necessarily mean you will never resort to synthetic products; but you will use smaller quantities of these products and only when needed. You may need to use synthetic pesticides occasionally on organic lawns to correct a large problem or spot-treat a smaller problem. Through use of natural products and good cultural practices, natural lawn care can reduce your total inputs for lawn maintenance and contribute to improved water quality in your community. So it is important to learn what works and how to go about it.
This publication provides an introduction to natural lawn care but by no means covers the subject completely. Two thoughts run through this guide:
Then simply follow good cultural practices and incorporate key organic fertilizers or minerals. Other beneficial products can be added based on your soil test or problems that need correction.
Area measurements and mapping a lawn should be the first step in any home lawn care program. It is essential to know the area of your lawn in square feet to make accurate applications of fertilizers and other lawn care products. The most commonly used units of measure for turfgrass area are acres and square feet. Most home lawns can be measured in units of 1,000 square feet.
Calculating the area of an odd-shaped lawn can be accomplished by breaking it down into simple geometric figures as follows (see Figure 1).
Geometric figures:
Figure 1
The area of this lawn can be calculated as the sum of the areas of six rectangles, minus the area of a semicircle.
Accurate applications of fertilizers and lawn care products are important to the health of your plants and to the quality of the environment. Applying too much synthetic fertilizer or pesticide to your lawn can cause foliar burns and injury or have negative environmental effects. While applying too much of a natural lawn care product is usually not injurious to your lawn, it can be economically infeasible. Applying too little of fertilizers or lawn care products can result in a low-quality lawn that is deficient in what it needs and prone to pest problems.
The only way to know how much fertilizer or lawn care product is being applied to your lawn is to calibrate your application equipment. Calibration begins with knowing the total area of your lawn and making sure you apply the correct amount of material for that area as recommended by the manufacturer. Always read and follow the product label.
Homeowners have a wide variety of spreaders to work with, including drop-type spreaders, rotary spreaders, some spreaders that are listed on the product label and many that are not (Figure 2). Rotary spreaders are the best option for applying lawn care products. They make applications easier because you do not need to worry about coming back precisely on your previous wheel marks. Rotary spreaders also require fewer passes to cover your lawn.
The best approach for homeowners does not necessarily require the actual calibration of a spreader, but rather a more common sense approach to applying lawn care products. First, you need an accurate measurement of the area of your lawn so that you can purchase the correct amount of lawn care product. For example, if your lawn measures 10,000 square feet and the lawn care product label states that the contents of one bag cover 5,000 square feet, you need two bags of this product to cover your lawn. Second, you need to distribute that material evenly over the total area of the lawn. Even distribution is usually assured with multiple passes in different directions over your lawn. Therefore, place your spreader on a light setting and continue to make passes over your lawn, changing directions with each pass until all the required material has been applied. This may require several trips over your lawn, but you can be certain that the distribution of the material is uniform. In time, as you become familiar with your spreader and the products you use; you can fine-tune your spreader to reduce the number of trips required.
Most fertilizer and lawn care product packaging includes tables with suggested settings for various brands of spreaders. Keep in mind that those settings are usually for one pass over the lawn. These application tables also assume a 3-mile-per-hour walking speed. To give uniform applications, consider cutting the setting by half to one-third, making two to three applications to avoid skips.
Figure 2
Two common types of fertilizer spreaders are drop spreaders, left, and rotary spreaders, right.
Weed, disease and insect problems and poor turfgrass performance are often symptoms of an incomplete or deficient soil system. Pests are typically kept in check with pesticides, and poor turfgrass performance is routinely dealt with by adding more synthetic fertilizers and additional water. But the underlying problem may be related to either biological or abiotic (nonliving) components of that soil, or a combination of both.
Turf is healthiest in a biologically balanced soil — one in which bacteria account for slightly more than half of the biomass. Bacteria thrive in soils that contain residues high in carbohydrates, such as sugars and starches. Organic fertilizers such as vegetable and animal meals and compost made from food waste or manure contain the carbohydrates necessary to sustain a bacteria-dominated soil.
Applying carbohydrates and proteins, ingredients usually not included in many synthetic fertilizers, is part of a "feed the soil" philosophy. Maintaining a balanced, healthy soil system ensures that the essential nutrients we apply are used efficiently (Figure 3).
Figure 3
An excellent indicator of a healthy soil is the existence of earthworms or earthworm castings.
Before applying fertilizer or lime, you have to identify deficiencies in your soil. A routine soil fertility test (pH, neutralizable acidity, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, organic matter and cation exchange capacity) is recommended under the following circumstances:
Taking a soil sample
Additional note to soil testing
Minerals are best applied in the spring or fall according to soil test results. However, applications of minerals will help many soils regardless of soil testing. Interpretations of soil test results may not always be clear, and you may require the advice of your local extension center.
Calcium (Ca) helps give plants structural rigidity, which is extremely important in trafficked areas. Calcium also regulates root and shoot growth and the development of several important enzymes.
Magnesium (Mg) functions as a crucial component of chlorophyll, activates many essential enzymes and plays a role in protein synthesis. Consistent availability of calcium and magnesium is critical to the health of turf plants.
Calcium and magnesium can be added to the soil by liming, which naturally releases ions into the soil solution at a relatively slow and sustained rate. This release rate is typically more effective and efficient in a biologically active soil system. Having a constant and adequate supply of nutrients available to turf plants is important and difficult to accomplish without sufficient exchange capacity in the soil. Without adequate storage capabilities in the soil (exchange capacity), shortages can occur that may trigger symptoms not necessarily indicative of a nutrient deficiency. Regular applications of compost teas (see below) can slowly build an exchange mechanism in the soil.
Soil pH can be adjusted with lime (to raise pH) or sulfur (to lower pH). Most plants consume significantly more calcium than they do magnesium, reducing the soil's supply of calcium at a much faster rate. Dolomitic lime (a readily available form of lime in Missouri) has a calcium-to-magnesium ratio of approximately 2-to-1. Over time, dolomitic lime can then cause an undesirable buildup of magnesium in our soils and should be avoided. Therefore, your best approach to adjusting soil pH is to use calcium carbonate lime (pelletized), available in 40- to 50-pound bags. The most important application for sulfur is to lower soil pH when needed.
Plants use nitrogen (N) for many functions. Without nitrogen, plants cannot make amino acids, proteins, enzymes, chlorophyll or nucleic acids. These components are essential for plants to grow and function properly.
Applying the correct amount of nitrogen is important, but almost impossible to determine because a plant's daily needs fluctuate. The optimal amount of nitrogen today could be excessive or inadequate tomorrow. The peaks and valleys of nitrogen availability typical of many synthetic fertilizer programs cause the plant to react in several ways. When nitrogen is inadequate, plants elongate roots. When nitrogen is excessive, plants absorb far more than they need, causing excess succulent growth that increases the potential for disease and insects. In a balanced soil, mechanisms exist to buffer and regulate the amount of nitrogen available to plants.
Applications of compost or natural organic fertilizers complement the functions of soil organisms, and they, in turn, regulate the amount of nitrogen available to plants. This is not to say that soluble nitrogen should never be used, but if it is the only source of nitrogen applied, soil microbe activity is likely to be suppressed to a point where nutrient regulation is inadequate.
Phosphorus (P) is a nutrient that plant roots can have a hard time finding without the help of soil organisms. Many turfgrass experts believe that established grass does not need a lot of phosphorus because it is used mainly for germination, flowering, seed production and initial root development. Phosphorus is, however, an extremely important element for turf plants and all other living organisms.
Most soils contain adequate levels of phosphorus for plants, but little may be available if soil organisms are relatively inactive. Availability of phosphorus, along with many other nutrients, increases when organic residues are introduced into the soil and the total amount available exceeds the amount of phosphorus contained in the residues alone.
Potassium (K) is an extremely important nutrient for turf, especially if the plants have to endure many summer stresses — both natural (heat and drought) and man-made (traffic). Potassium gives plants the strength to stand upright and is often credited with disease resistance.
Most soils contain large amounts of naturally occurring potassium, but the vast majority of that potassium is bound to soil particles and organic matter and is unavailable to plants. Some of this bound potassium can, like phosphorus, be released through the activities of soil organisms.
Avoid using muriated potash (potassium chloride), as it increases the salt content of the soil. Sulfate of potash is the recommended source for potassium.
Biostimulants typically contain amino acids, humic and fulvic acid or other stimulants that may enhance the action of plants' own hormones. Biostimulants can be applied as needed to help correct minor problems related to levels of organic matter as determined by a soil test. Annual applications of biostimulants will not harm your lawn, and may improve it.
The amount of fertilizer applied to any lawn depends on soil type and characteristics, such as pH, organic matter content and cation exchange capacity. In new housing developments where top soils have been removed, low levels of organic matter and essential nutrients make lawn maintenance a challenge. It is in these situations where more of all soil nutrients (organic fertilizers, minerals, plant proteins, compost teas) is needed to return these soils to a healthy, biologically active condition. Table 1 lists various types of organic fertilizers that can be used to supply nutrients. Table 2 lists various sources of minerals. Table 3 provides a list of biostimulants.
Table 1
Organic fertilizer sources.
Table 2
Mineral sources.
Table 3
Tables 4 and 5 provide standard application schedules for cool- and warm-season grasses. If you have special requirements for nutrients, choose a product from Tables 1 or 2 that best fits your situation to correct those deficiencies.
Table 4
Cool-season grasses: Application schedule for organic fertilizers.1
Table 5
Warm-season grasses: Application schedule for organic fertilizers.1
Blends of turf-type tall fescues or a mixture of tall fescues with a small amount of Kentucky bluegrass are recommended choices for cool-season grasses in Missouri (See Overseeding section below for rates and ratios). Some diseases can be completely avoided by selecting grass species that are not susceptible to certain pathogens. For example, summer patch is a severe problem on Kentucky bluegrass but has little effect on tall fescue. An area historically prone to summer patch disease can be planted to tall fescue to reduce that potential. Likewise, within species of grasses, selected varieties can offer more disease resistance than others. Varieties of Kentucky bluegrass may show a higher level of tolerance to rust disease and perhaps be selected as part of a blend or mixture of seed. Even though these grasses are termed disease resistant, it does not mean that they are 100 percent disease free. Selecting varieties with higher disease resistance will reduce your potential for turfgrass diseases and becomes the first step in a line of cultural practices to manage turfgrass diseases.
As you consider reseeding or overseeding, also consider using endophyte-enhanced grass seed whenever available. Endophytes are fungal organisms that live symbiotically within the cells of the grass plant and reproduce during cell division. They create a bitter-tasting toxin that repels most insects and kills many of those that continue to feed. Many varieties of cool-season grasses contain endophyte, especially tall fescues. You can contact your local extension center for grass species and varieties that have been recommended for Missouri.
Mowing is the most important, intensive cultural practice that lawns are subjected to over the growing season. Improper mowing puts turfgrasses under stress and increases their susceptibility to weeds, diseases and insects. Therefore, proper mowing practices such as a sharp blade and correct mowing height equals fewer inputs (less expense) for a homeowner or professional grounds manager.
Optimal cutting heights for cool-season grasses, such as blends of turf-type tall fescues, range from 3 to 4 inches, and Kentucky bluegrass should be mowed at heights from 2.5 to 3.5 inches. Cutting heights for warm-season grasses, like zoysia, can range between 1.5 and 2.5 inches. Refer to the mower operator's manual for information on setting the cutting height.
Seasonal variation in mowing height was once thought to be highly beneficial and is still considered beneficial by some. However, current recommendations are to select a single mowing height for the entire season. We know that mowing cool-season grasses a little taller in the summer months can have benefits through summer stress periods (deeper roots, better cooling effect). Taller grasses will also conserve moisture, somewhat reducing irrigation requirements. We also know that increasing the mowing heights in the spring and fall allows the turfgrass to compete more successfully against weeds (up to 80 percent control of annual weeds). Therefore, select the tallest, acceptable mowing height for your species of grass and maintain that height during the entire season. This provides benefits throughout the season by improving competition against weeds and reducing summer stress.
Clippings should be uniformly distributed rather than deposited in clumps. Mowing the lawn when the grass is dry and using a properly sharpened mower blade will spread clippings evenly. If some areas produce excess clippings, simply mulch those in with a second pass of the mower.
Mowing creates wounds through which fungi can enter the turfgrass plant and infect it. Leaf cuts made by a sharp mower blade are cleaner and heal faster than the tearing and shredding caused by a dull mower blade. A dull mower blade inflicts more and bigger wounds that increase the potential for infection by turfgrass diseases. Having a sharp, spare mower blade allows you to switch blades when needed and prevents delays in mowing when getting your mower blade sharpened. Always follow proper procedures for safe removal, replacement and sharpening of mower blades.
Observe freshly mowed leaf tips in your lawn or grass clippings collected on your mower deck immediately after a mowing to determine the quality of cut. Jagged edges where the leaf blades were cut by your mower indicate that the mower blade may be dull. Use this as an indicator of when to sharpen mower blades.
During hot summer months it is best to mow later in the day to minimize additional stresses on your grass. It is also best to change directions of mowing each time you mow.
Frequency of cut should be determined by the "one-third rule" of mowing. You should make sure that no more than one-third of the leaf growth is removed during a single mowing. During the spring, cool-season grasses can be mowed every five to six days. However, lawns maintained naturally will typically have four to five fewer mowings per season due to the uniform, controlled growth of a natural lawn.
MU publication G6959, Don't Bag It Lawn Care, describes how you can have a beautiful lawn without collecting your grass clippings. Observing the "one-third rule" as you mow will allow clippings to filter through the lawn canopy and decompose quickly. These grass clippings can return as much as 30 percent nitrogen and 50 percent potassium to the soil and will not contribute to the thatch level for tall fescue lawns. Grass clippings also contribute to the organic matter in your soil, improving the water- and nutrient-holding capacity of the soil. A soil rich with biologically active organic matter typically has fewer broadleaf weeds.
Nearly all diseases require water for their development. Some disease problems such as pythium blight, brown patch and dollar spot are accentuated by extended periods of free moisture. In turfgrasses, such periods can be caused by dew, guttation fluids and frequent irrigation or rainfall. Guttation is the formation of water droplets containing exudates of sugars and proteins at the tips of grass leaves. These exudates serve as an excellent food source for diseases. Remove dew and guttation fluids from grass leaves by dragging a hose across the surface, using a whipping pole, or briefly irrigating only long enough to wash the dew from the surface. Following these methods will spread the concentrated dew or guttation over a larger surface area, causing the turf canopy to dry faster.
Improper irrigation alone may create a disease problem that could have been prevented. Avoid frequent irrigation that results in extended periods of free moisture. Avoid late evening watering that extends free moisture period throughout the night. Cool-season grasses can be allowed to have drying periods (near wilting) to disrupt the growth cycle of fungi. Cool-season grasses can go into a temporary state of survival (dormancy) when they do not receive water. Even though the lawn has a straw color, it is not dead. Only in extreme drought conditions will a lawn move beyond dormancy and into desiccation. Less water use and less mowing are advantages to a dormant lawn. Recovery will occur when adequate rainfall begins.
Irrigation in the early morning not only limits extended periods of dew and guttation (reducing disease potential), but irrigation is also applies water at a time of day when temperatures are low (reducing evaporation) and winds are calm (for better distribution of water). A rule of thumb is to avoid puddles and runoff during irrigation, put the water where it is needed, and irrigate only what your particular soil type can absorb in one cycle. Lawns need 1 to 1.5 inches of water a week either from rainfall or from irrigation, if you choose to water on a weekly basis.
When checking moisture in the soil, use a screwdriver or pocketknife to dig a little soil from the surface. If the soil sticks to the screwdriver (or knife), you have sufficient soil moisture.
Aeration is a practice of pulling soil plugs to open the soil surface for better movement of air, water and nutrients. It is a practice that also helps to reduce compaction and thatch (when it exists) by spreading soil plugs on the surface. Soil plugs are crumbled and fall freely into aeration holes as well as spreading some soil into the thatch layer where soil microbes can feed on thatch debris. Aeration on tightly compacted clay soils may be necessary twice a year initially (March and September). However, after several years of natural lawn care, it is usually sufficient to aerate the soil once a year (September) or even less frequently.
Aeration is the best way to begin a fall fertilization program. Applications of fertilizer after aeration will move nutrients immediately into the root zone of your lawn. This practice has shown excellent results in the density and color of cool-season turfgrasses on their way to recovery from summer stresses.
Aeration is also an excellent practice before fall overseeding. If lawns show some thinning from a stressful summer, overseeding is recommended to maintain the density desired for a quality lawn. Aeration prior to seeding will help ensure better seed/soil contact for improved germination.
Aeration equipment can be found at local rental stores or garden centers. Many lawn care providers also offer aeration services at a reasonable cost. A machine that pulls a half-inch-diameter plug 3 to 4 inches deep on 4-inch centers will do an excellent job. Machines that force hollow tines into the soil are better than pull-type drums with tines. Not all machines will meet these specifications. However, any amount of aeration is better than no aeration to kick off fall fertilization and overseeding. When using aeration equipment for fall overseeding, it is only necessary to penetrate the soil about an inch with multiple passes.
Thatch problems are relatively rare in fescue lawns and in low-input or organically maintained turf because most of the inputs are as beneficial to soil organisms as they are to turf. Compost and organic fertilizers stimulate the biological activity needed to control thatch. Healthy soils generate large populations of organisms that consume thatch as fast as it is created. However, certain types of turfgrass species like Kentucky bluegrass and zoysiagrass are more prone to thatch development, and annual evaluations for thatch are necessary for these species to maintain a high-quality home lawn.
A thick lawn mowed tall (3.5 to 4 inches) provides the best natural weed control. Overseeding of cool-season grasses should occur in September to maintain the density required for competition against weeds. Lawns showing some thinning from summer stress can be overseeded with half the amount of seed used in a normal establishment or renovation. Normal seeding rates for turf-type tall fescue blends range from 7 to 9 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Mixtures of tall fescue with Kentucky bluegrass in a 95-to-5 ratio should be seeded at the same rate for a normal seeding. Therefore, overseeding rates for these grasses should range between 3.5 and 4.5 pounds per 1,000 square feet. As with fertilizers and other lawn products, applying seed at a half rate in two directions provides better distribution of the seed than applying all the seed in a single pass.
Keep in mind that it is always important to have good seed/soil contact for better seed germination. Covering seed with a light layer (¼ inch) of good quality compost is another way to help germination and improve the soil. When seeding small bare areas, avoid using straw because it contains weed seed. A good commercial mulch, such as PennMulch or Straw Net, is weed free and can be used instead.
Keep soil moist for several weeks until seed germinates. Light waterings (1/8 to 1/4 inch) three to four times a day may be needed to keep soil surface from drying out and affecting seed germination.
Begin mowing as soon as grass reaches desired height (3 to 4 inches) to promote tillering and improve density. Mowing grass frequently in the fall will also mulch down fallen leaves and prevent smothering of turfgrasses.
Turfgrass pests (weeds, diseases, insects) occur for a reason. It is often related to a weakness in the turfgrass plant or some deficiency in the soil (often related to microbial activity). Identification is the first step in pest management. However, instead of looking how to control the pest immediately, ask instead, "Why is it there?" Most turfgrass pest problems can be controlled by selecting resistant varieties of turfgrass species, following best management practices, and maintaining a healthy, balanced soil. The following information will provide key steps in pest management.
Weeds are, by definition, plants out of place. Weeds have a natural tendency to fill in if sun, water and nutrients are available without competition. If there are any positive aspects to consider, weeds do protect the soil from erosion and help to conserve water by shading the soil. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that a weed is "a plant whose virtues have not been discovered." Dandelions are excellent producers of organic matter. Clover is a legume that can fix free nitrogen from the atmosphere and share it with turfgrasses. Clover root systems are extensive and contribute significant amounts of resources to soil organisms.
What makes a plant a weed is the intolerance of a homeowner, turf manager or lawn care operator. Perhaps our preconception of that perfect lawn needs to change and our zero tolerance for weeds should be reconsidered. Consider that most synthetic herbicides do not provide 100 percent control and that many lawns will receive multiple applications until that goal is reached. Part of developing a sound natural lawn care program may be learning to live with a few weeds.
Several points need to be mentioned when discussing weed control strategies for natural lawn care. Integrated programs that combine these strategies will provide greater weed control success.
Table 6
Common conditions that promote certain weeds.
Compost tea has been used for centuries to enhance plant performance, but it has been only recently that its strong disease suppression characteristics have been recognized. Most of the organisms delivered to plant leaf surfaces by compost tea will parasitize, antagonize or steal food from disease organisms to the point that they can no longer compete. Tea that infiltrates into the soil will protect plant roots in much the same way. With the addition of specific components, compost teas can also reduce insect problems (see below). Making effective tea does require as much attention and care as making good quality compost. Tea made from poorly made compost will not have the strong disease suppression characteristics.
To make compost tea, fill a five-gallon bucket or trash container with water, and let this sit for at least 24 hours. Place 2 cups of good-quality compost (earthworm castings, homemade compost, city compost, etc.) in a fine-mesh bag (e.g., socks or pantyhose). Tie a knot and place the bag with the compost into the bucket. Place the bucket outside in the sun for two to three days, and stir two to three times per day. After this period of infusion, you have a great product for foliar feeding of your plants. After making the tea, you can add molasses, sugar, liquid seaweed or garlic (Mosquito Barrier). Place the wet compost from the bag around any plants that need feeding.
Now apply the tea using a watering can or Ortho-Dial-N-Spray applicator. Set the dial on the 6-8 ounce setting and apply to all plants in your landscape. Tea can be applied to leaves, bark or soil. It is best to apply tea from 6 to 9 a.m. Tea can be applied weekly or as needed, but each batch must be used within about 24 hours.
Soil biology is an important factor in disease development. Proper pH (6.3 – 6.4) and a good nutrient balance alleviate stress and can make the difference between a turf that resists infection and one that does not. Eliminating other stresses (scalping, drought, etc.) also helps to provide a stronger plant that can resist infection.
Proper nitrogen management is especially important (Table 7). High nitrogen levels increase the susceptibility of cool-season grasses (Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, fine fescue and bentgrass) to leaf spot, Rhizoctonia brown patch and Pythium blight. Low nitrogen levels increase turfgrass susceptibility to dollar spot and red thread. Low potassium levels in the soil reduce turfgrass tolerance to high temperatures and drought stress, which can increase the potential of diseases such as summer patch. Low pH is often associated with diseases such as brown patch as well.
Knowledge about soil fertility, as it relates to turfgrass diseases, can help guide an individual in the way to manage a lawn. Also from a disease standpoint, supply enough nitrogen so that proper mowing is required on a weekly basis. Sometimes a light application of a natural fertilizer (0.5 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet) will produce enough active leaf growth that disease symptoms are no longer visible.
Knowing some of these simple guidelines may alter some of your standard practices of the past with one goal in mind — reduce disease potential. Follow some of the recommended cultural practices listed below for control of specific disease problems.
Table 7
Cultural practices to reduce turfgrass disease potential.
Well over 90 percent of the world's arthropods have a neutral or beneficial effect on human activities. In turf, that percentage is even higher; only a few insects cause significant economic damage to our turfgrasses. A recurring theme throughout this publication is the need for a balanced soil and healthy plants. Healthy turf and plants can tolerate higher numbers of damaging insects or simply outgrow whatever damage is incurred. There is ample evidence that healthy soil initiates a chain reaction of biological, physical and chemical phenomena that effectively control many damaging insects or at least limit the amount of damage they can cause.
Insects and other invertebrate pests that damage turf generally fall into one of four categories: root feeders, stem burrowers, sucking-type insects and leaf eaters. Root feeders include white grubs, ground pearls, nematodes and mole crickets. Insects such as billbugs and annual bluegrass weevils burrow in stems and often damage the crown. Chinch bugs, greenbugs, mites, mealybugs, and spittlebugs are important juice suckers, and the leaf eaters include armyworms, cutworms, sod webworms, and other turf-eating caterpillars. Almost all of these insects are most damaging to turf during the immature stage (larva or nymph) of their life cycle.
When insect problems develop, our first reaction is often to identify the pest and spray an insecticide. We need to realize, however, that these insecticides can also eradicate many beneficial organisms. Use of insecticides can have a detrimental effect on earthworms and saprophytic organisms (soil microbes that feed on organic matter) that typically aid in the decomposition of thatch. This can happen when homeowners apply insecticides for grub control thinking they will eliminate their mole problems. Although this treatment does decrease the activity of moles, it is because their primary food source (earthworms) is depleted.
Excessive amounts of thatch can also weaken or stress the turf and inhibit infiltration of water and nutrients into the root zone. Excess thatch, more prevalent in Kentucky bluegrass and zoysiagrass, can provide habitat for many insects, such as chinch bugs, billbugs, cutworms and webworms. Thatch should be controlled as needed.
Various botanical and biological products offer effective control, but timing is as important in their use as it is with conventional insecticides. Proper identification of the insect and knowledge of its life cycle are keys to effective control. Nearly all insect pests have natural enemies, and care should be taken to protect these natural resources (Table 8).
Table 8
Botanical and biological controls for certain turfgrass insects.
While most people have never seen a mole, they are well aware of the damage moles cause to lawns and flower beds. Moles live most of their life underground and are highly specialized animals for their subterranean way of life. Their fleshy snout serves as a highly sensitive organ of touch and smell to seek out numerous food sources. They possess well-developed claws that have a specialized bone attached to the wrist, which aids in digging. Moles construct networks of feeding tunnels in the soil surface. Many of these tunnels are built after rains when moles are in search of new food sources. Digging of surface tunnels normally proceeds at a rate of 1 foot per minute and they tend to feed and rest on two-hour cycles, 24 hours a day. This part of their daily activity is what makes trapping and baiting so successful.
Trapping is still one of the most efficient means of controlling moles. Success relies on following a few simple steps. If you have the network of shallow tunnels used for feeding, then you can do some effective trapping. First, you need to locate active feeding runways. Second, select a trap to place on this runway. There are several types of traps to choose from. Follow the instructions of the manufacturer to set the trap. The Nash trap (wire hoop type) and the Victor Out O' Sight trap (scissors type) are effective but can be difficult to set. The Victor Harpoon or Gig type of trap has been the most successful trap in use at the MU Turfgrass Research Facility.
The University of Missouri intends no endorsement of products named here nor criticism of similar products that are not mentioned.
Identifying active tunnels
With a small stick or broom handle, poke holes through the top of various tunnels around the network of mole tunnels. Holes that are plugged within two or three hours will indicate which runways are active feeding tunnels at that time. These are the tunnels where you want to set traps or place baits.
Most products available to homeowners through nurseries and garden centers work as repellents and are based on castor bean oil as the active ingredient. Many have been tested on the eastern mole and appear effective on that species, which is the predominant species in Missouri. These products need to be sprayed (garden hose-end applicator) or applied as granules (through a spreader) at regular intervals to maintain a barrier that repels these small mammals. The repellent-type products are marketed as natural and safe, but information about effectiveness is mixed. Mole-Med has changed its name to Chase due to new ownership and is available in both liquid and granular form. Other repellents include Scoot Mole, Shotgun Mole and Gopher Repellent, Mole Max, Mole-Out, Whole Control and Schultz Garden Safe Mole Repellent.
More recent products include several baits that seem to be effective if applied properly to active feeding runways. Wear rubber gloves whenever handling and placing baits in tunnels.
Two products called Kaput Mole Control (Lesco) and Moletox Baited Gel (Bonide) are water-based gels containing warfarin (0.025 percent) as the active ingredient and flavored like their primary food, earthworms. They are both packaged in syringe-type applicators with which to inject the bait into the tunnels.
The latest mole bait registered is Talpirid (Bell Laboratories), a bromethalin-based product that looks, feels and reportedly tastes like earthworms (20 wormlike baits per box). It is the only mole bait that has submitted efficacy studies to the Environmental Protection Agency. MOTOMCO Mole Killer is a bait similar to Talpirid, but in a more affordable package of eight worms.
A granular bait is Mole Patrol Bait. Mole Patrol is a ready-to-use, pelletized bait highly palatable with unique attractants. This product contains chlorophacinone, a historically sound anticoagulant of the rodenticide industry. Some studies indicate 100 percent control of moles.
Natural lawn care does not provide instant results. Think long-term (several years) instead of short-term care.
Natural lawn care is not just about using natural products or organic fertilizers. It becomes an annual process and not just a list of individual lawn care events. Over time, we are building and promoting a balanced soil of organic matter and a healthy population of soil microorganisms while following good cultural practices to promote healthy plants.
Natural lawn care, like any lawn care program, is not perfect. It may take a little extra effort to pull a weed from time to time or to use a synthetic herbicide to spot treat broadleaf weeds. This may be a small price to pay for the satisfaction of knowing that your lawn is being maintained naturally, responsibly and in an environmentally sound manner.
"Keeping It Simple" is the best approach to natural lawn care. It does not require a large product inventory to maintain a lawn. Following best management practices while incorporating a few key lawn care products is all it takes.
Measuring your lawn and testing the soil are the first pieces of information you need to know about any lawn. Then simply follow good cultural practices — mowing, fertilizing, watering and overseeding. Applying minerals once in the spring or fall with three applications of organic fertilizers (some containing corn gluten) will provide a good natural lawn. Other beneficial products can be added based on a soil test or as dictated by your lawn.
Protecting surface and groundwater quality is a serious environmental issue. Following a natural lawn care program is one way that homeowners, lawn care operators and professional turfgrass managers can protect the groundwater and improve their environmental stewardship.
Order publications online at http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/shop/ or call toll-free 800-292-0969.


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Highest honors for quantum computer pioneer
Experimental physicist Rainer Blatt from the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI) in Innsbruck, Austria, will receive the Stern-Gerlach Medal of the German Physical Society. The medal will be presented by Germany's Research Minister Anette Schavan in Berlin on Tuesday 27 March 2012. It is the most prestigious and important award in the field of experimental physics, awarded by the biggest physics society in the world. Rainer Blatt is the first Austrian scientist given the honor to receive this award.
Rainer Blatt is being recognized for his work in the fields of metrology and quantum information processing with electromagnetically stored ions. In its decision the German Physical Society states that "The experimental demonstration of basic building blocks and algorithms of a quantum computer, teleportation of quantum states of matter, the first realization of quantum bytes and the simulation of quantum systems have opened up new scientific research fields and paved the way for future quantum technology." The Stern-Gerlach Medal is the highest honor of the German Physical Society in the field of experimental physics and it is made of pure gold.
Pioneer of quantum computer research
A future quantum computer uses the particular nature of quantum mechanics, which will make calculations possible that are not feasible in classic data processing. In trailblazing experiments Rainer Blatt showed that trapped ions offer a unique experimental platform to encode, process and measure quantum bits. All quantum logical operations are realized by a complex series of laser pulses. A well-known example of quantum algorithms is teleportation; Rainer Blatt and his research group succeeded in producing entangled states, which they then used for quantum algorithms. They started by entangling two ions, in 2008 they entangled eight ions in one quantum byte and now they have pushed the record to 14 entangled ions.
In another experiment Rainer Blatt and his team of scientists showed that trapped ions can also be used in a digital quantum simulator. This research area is based on the propositions of Richard Feynman, who suggested simulating states and dynamics in a highly controlled quantum system to better understand complex many-body systems. If scientists can tailor the quantum state of a many-body system, this quantum technology could be used for applications such as the atomic clock which uses entanglement of ions to achieve an even higher grade of precision.
Inspiration for others
The work done by Rainer Blatt's research group at the Institute for Experimental Physics of the University of Innsbruck and the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences has inspired researchers beyond the field of Quantum Optics and Quantum Information influencing research in the fields of ultracold atoms and condensed matter physics. "His work provides the basis for future technological application of quantum information," writes the German Physical Society.
The award ceremony will take place during the 76th Annual Meeting of the Society in Berlin, which will be attended by over 6,000 physicists from all over the world. The German Physical Society, whose tradition dates back to 1845, is the oldest national physics society in the world, and with 61,000 members, also the biggest.
More information: A detailed CV of Prof. Rainer Blatt can be found at iqoqi.at/people&v=i&i=290995
Provided by University of Innsbruck


text:
Jeanine Swatton has not received any gifts yet
Hi, Jeanine:
I am both a singles and doubles player at 3.5. Appreciate playing with different partners. I also play with a mixed doubles group, and we are always in needs of players. I live in the Park Ridge area, with memberships at Tam in Niles and River Trails in Arlington Heights. If interested in playing at a mutually convenient time and court, please let me know. My mobile is 312-968-9199 or leave a comment on my page (Mike Maggio).
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Asstalking is sweeping the continent.
This time it's my Rumer Willis. Rumey has managed to nail down a few roles here and there. Suddenly it's gone to her head, and now she's insisting that her 3 famous parents have nothing to do with her success. That she is getting jobs on talent and not on connection.
Say what you f-ck?
"You can't do anything about who your parents are. I think everyone has opportunities and everyone has doors that are open to them in different ways. If you're talented you'll get work. If you suck then you won't. In the end, talent is all that matters because you could go and get an audition, but if you go in there and you suck you're not going to get a job."
Oh Rumes, talent has nothing to do with it.
Not anymore.
Amazingly Rumer is able to say this with a straight face while on press tour for a movie called Sorority Row that also "stars" Audrina Patridge.
Please. Shut your ass mouth, keep your head down, and we'll let you keep working as a supporting actress on straight to dvd releases for as long as you want.
Rumer was in London yesterday promoting Sorority Row.
File photos from Wenn.com


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Peter Frank Edwards
Humble rice pudding gets a serious makeover with the addition of flavorful, fat-grained Carolina Gold rice and a glassy, sugared brûlée crust.
- Yield
- Makes six 6-ounce servings
- 3 cups milk
- 3/4 cup Carolina Gold or other long-grain white rice
- 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped and reserved
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- Pinch of ground cloves
- 6 tablespoons natural cane sugar or granulated sugar
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease six 6-ounce ramekins and place on a rimmed baking sheet.
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring the milk to a low simmer over medium heat with the rice, vanilla bean and reserved seeds, and salt. Raise the heat to medium and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and the mixture is thick and creamy, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and discard the vanilla bean. Add the heavy cream and granulated sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves. Cool slightly, then stir in the egg yolks, butter, nutmeg, and cloves until the butter melts.
- Divide the pudding evenly between the prepared ramekins and bake for about 20 minutes, until slightly puffed but still soft in the center. Remove from the oven.
- Preheat the broiler or prepare a small kitchen torch. Sprinkle each pudding evenly with about 1 tablespoon of the natural cane sugar.
- If using a broiler, place under the broiler in the upper third of the oven until the sugar caramelizes, rotating the baking sheet to evenly brown, 1 to 2 minutes. If using a kitchen torch, torch each pudding individually to caramelize the sugar, being careful to keep the torch at the distance recommended by the manufacturer. Serve warm.
Reprinted with permission from Sara Foster's Southern Kitchen: Soulful, Traditional, Seasonal by Sara Foster. Copyright © 2011 by Sara Foster. Published by Random House. All Rights Reserved.
Sara Foster is the owner of Foster's Market, the acclaimed gourmet take-out store/cafés in Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and the author of several cookbooks including The Foster's Market Cookbook, winner of the Best Cookbook Award from the Southeast Booksellers Association. She has appeared numerous times on Martha Stewart Living Television and NBC's Today show. She has also been featured in magazines such as More, House Beautiful, and Southern Living, and is featured regularly in Bon Appétit.
Related Video
Nutritional Info
- Calories486
- Carbohydrates56 g(19%)
- Fat26 g(40%)
- Protein8 g(16%)
- Saturated Fat15 g(75%)
- Sodium388 mg(16%)
- Polyunsaturated Fat1 g
- Fiber0 g(0%)
- Monounsaturated Fat8 g
- Cholesterol200 mg(67%)


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Howard reflects on two appearances on Letterman
CHICAGO -- David Letterman announced his retirement from late-night television this week.
It would be a highlight for anybody to appear as a guest on the Late Show, normally reserved for actors, actresses, musicians and politicians. But Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has appeared on the show twice: once as a guest in April 2007, months after being named 2006 National League Most Valuable Player, and once to perform the Top 10 list from the Phillies dugout during the 2010 postseason.
"It was a great experience, just being able to go in there," Howard said Saturday morning. "It was a lot of fun. A lot of fun. I really don't remember too much about the questions or anything like that. I just liked the whole experience."
Howard's Top 10 list was Reasons to Watch the Baseball Playoffs. No. 8? One lucky viewer will win a free Tommy John surgery. No. 7? We just had the Phillie Phanatic clipped, wormed and neutered.


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Linda Chavez, The New York Post 2/28/14
A new debate has arisen among prominent conservatives over whether passing an immigration overhaul would be good or bad for Americans, with columnist George Will weighing in on the pro-reform side and talk-show host Laura Ingraham arguing against. This is a good thing. Until now, few prominent conservatives have been willing to venture into the pro-immigration reform camp, which meant that the arguments advanced in favor of reform tended to be dismissed by grassroots conservatives. Now maybe the actual arguments will get proper attention.
Three issues are central to the debate: border security, assimilation and the economic effects of immigration. Those on the right who oppose reform focus especially on the first two. But the facts don't bear out hand-wringing on either one.
The border has never been so secure. The flow of illegal immigration into this country is at a 40-year low, and deportation rates are higher than at any time in our history. Conservatives can — and should — claim some credit for this. We now spend more on securing our borders than we do on all other federal law-enforcement efforts combined. And President Obama has deported more illegal immigrants than any president before him: 2 million since he took office.
Recently, in his column, Will made the case that conservatives may be underestimating the assimilative power of the American experience. In response, Ingraham argued that "20.8 percent of Americans don't speak English at home," noting that the percentage is up about 3 points since 2000. But her data don't actually make the case that present-day immigrants, mostly Hispanics, are assimilating at slower rates than previous groups, as she apparently believes.
Immigrants — from Germans and Italians of earlier years to Chinese and Mexicans today — have always chosen to speak their mother tongue at home in the first generation. German immigrants not only spoke German at home, but also supported German language education in public schools where large concentrations of German speakers lived. And early in our history, a vote in Congress to print the Congressional Record in both English and German narrowly failed. As late as 1980, more than three million Americans spoke either Italian or German at home.
Today, immigrants and their children make up 25 percent of the American population. It should be no surprise then that many of these families speak their native tongue at home, especially because so many of these families live in multi-generation households.
What really matters — the true test of assimilation — is what happens in the second and third generations. And here, Will is right. English is the primary language of second- and third-generation immigrants, including Hispanics. English is the language they use primarily or exclusively at work (93 percent, according to surveys by Pew Research), and it is the language for news and entertainment among Hispanics, increasingly even for immigrants.
As for the economic impact of immigration, Will has all of the facts on his side. Immigration provides a net positive increase to GDP. No reputable economist disagrees; the question is only how large. Without immigrants and a growing population, our economy will stagnate, especially as the population ages.
Ingraham points to the economic boom of the 1980s and 1990s, ignoring the inconvenient truth that those decades were among the highest in illegal immigration, which peaked in the mid-'90s. Immigrants came by the millions during that period to take jobs Americans shunned in agriculture, meat processing and the service and hospitality industries. Those jobs still go wanting, despite high unemployment.
The majority of Republicans favor immigration reform, including a path to legalization for the more than 11 million illegal immigrants living here now. Conservatives need an open and honest debate on this important issue — but until recently, very few conservatives have been willing to wade into the rough waters. As one who did so early and consistently, I welcome other conservatives to join the growing ranks of those of us making a conservative case for the importance of reforming our broken immigration system.
The best way to stop illegal immigration is to create a viable way for those who want to contribute to our economy and become American to do so legally.


text: Hello, I would like to have a tutorial for using Postfix and OpemEMM. The problem is that OpemEMM is made to work with Sendmail and my Server has Postfix. I am a newbie and I do not know how to do it. Could you make a tutorial for doing that? Thanks


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Here's a sneak peek into the behind-the-scenes work here at SP: Practically every email thread among the five of us, whether it's about blog biz or work gripes or righteous feminist anger, eventually turns into a discussion of dresses. What can I say? We like dresses, and I think part of the reason we cohere so well as co-bloggers is that we have similar ideas about how internet goof-off time should be spent: baby animal pictures, clips of Morgan Freeman in The Electric Company, and looking at pretty dresses. Oh and looking at shoes.
Pretty dresses are not without their political dimension, to be sure. There's the cult of femininity, and class issues inherent in clothing purchases, and the problems of the fashion industry, and the narrow ideas of what's "attractive" and "appropriate" in clothing (which, as Snarky pointed out in the recent fashion thread, are strict for most women but even stricter for marginalized groups within that group). But there's also room for those of us who like dresses to just get excited about dresses. So when a commenter stopped by to alert me to the new store Lucie Lu, I thought "you know what? It's so rare that there's a new plus size store with cute stuff. I'm going to review this place on the blog. We can unpack the semiotics of dresses later."
Lucie was nice enough to send me a few things to review for you, and somehow they got through last week even though the mailman only fought his way to our house twice and only pried open our iced-over mailbox once. And even though I barely got dressed in the last week, I managed to put them on! Below the cut, some thoughts on this new store for those of you who like dresses or pictures of dresses.
Lucie is a former buyer for B&Lu, a store whose strengths and weaknesses we discussed in a previous post. My hit rate with B&Lu is probably 50%, but the half I keep I love — quality has varied, but they've reliably carried clothes with a bit of an edge but not a Torrid "ten pages of Twilight t-shirts" sort of edge, young but not Size Appeal "as many cutouts as possible as fast as possible" young. I have found that they've been going more juniors-y lately, though, just as I've been nearing 30. (Though to be fair, their last crop of new clothes has some much better stuff — don't worry, I'm not quitting you, B&Lu.) Anyway, I have a feeling Lucie was responsible for sourcing a lot of the B&Lu stuff I kept and loved. She seems to have an eye for prints and detailing.
Here's the dress that made me send a link around to my cobloggers saying "HELL YES": the Audra dress in teal. Honestly, I kind of want this in the eggplant color too. The vintagey print is something that is hard to find in plus clothes. I am already having fantasies of wearing it to meet agents with the book proposal I haven't written yet.
This is a faux wrap and the bit under the bust on the left side is a little wonky — I'm going to put in a stitch or two and it'll be perfect, but if you don't think a $42 dress should need any alterations, verbum sapienti. Good news for tall girls, though; I'm 5'7″ and, as you can see, the dress hits me just below the knee. I think you could be up to 5'10 or 5'11" before it started getting unprofessionally short, and even then it would probably look cute as hell. And the (synthetic) fabric is reasonably nice for this price point — not super luxurious or anything, but definitely not chintzy. I didn't feel like I had to wear a slip to be comfortable. An important point on sizing: this is a 3x and it fits perfectly, even though my measurements are consistently an inch or two under the 2x measurements on the size chart. And even in the 3x, I think that at a 38F I am the MAXIMUM bustiness possible for this dress (it's the interaction between the waistband and my bustline that makes the wrap a little off). Since 3x is the largest size available in this style, this means that if you typically wear bigger than a 16W in dresses, you're out of luck for this one. (On the other hand, inbetweenies could probably be perfectly at home in a 1x, and having to tell people "sorry, the store where I got this has nothing that will fit you" has been a common and bittersweet experience with my B&Lu dresses.)
Here's the Eau Claire dress in lilac. This one, you'll be pleased to know, fits roomily and goes up to 5x, which is listed as a 54″ chest. (I'm not sure why some of the size charts have more measurements available than others — I think, given my experiences with the other dress, that they must be listing the actual garment's measurements instead of the suggested measurements for the person wearing it. This is a bad idea, because while most fatties who shop online know our own measurements — we have to — we don't always know the relative stretch factors of every type of fabric.)
The reason I am wearing a shirt under this is twofold: One, this is really what I wore yesterday, and it was cold as balls out, plus a bird got stuck in our chimney (third one this week!) and we had to turn off the furnace until we got him out. I am wearing essentially an entire stagehand's uniform underneath the dress. Two, it is super duper low-cut. For sure I would have worn it without a camisole when I was 22, but if you are a grown-up and not trying to seduce terrible older men I definitely recommend layering up. Other than the low cut, though, this is hip — I love big screen prints like this one — while still being sophisticated. Oh, and I guess it's also a bit clingy so that's another reason for the shirt — but it's soft-clingy, not flimsy-clingy. I suppose it's not "flattering" in the Stacey and Clinton mold, but it is comfortable like pajamas (hence why I was wearing it yesterday, when I was still stuck in my house by epic snow and technically did not HAVE to get dressed) yet still looks very cute. I don't care that much about "flattering" (which nearly always means "makes you look less fat").
So, how does Lucie Lu stack up to other plus size clothing shops online? Well, the main criticisms I heard of B&Lu were that there weren't enough natural fibers and that the size range didn't go high enough. If you care a lot about natural fabrics you are still out of luck with Lucie Lu — this stuff is definitely made out of Vaseline and dead dinosaurs, or whatever they make synthetic fabrics from. This doesn't bother me a bit but I know it bothers some people. Sizes go up to 5x, but like B&Lu they run small and don't offer everything in 4x and 5x. And even with a number of pieces going up to 5x, there are still some — like the Audra dress — that nearly size out even people who still shop in straight size stores. (I'm a pretty solid plus, but the majority of my clothes still come from Old Navy's and Target's straight sizes, and I am at the top of the Audra's size range.)
In my personal opinion, stylewise the clothes are miles above most stores, on average. There are some dresses that are just not my thing, but when I discussed them with stitchtowhere from Fatshionista, she liked the same ones I didn't dig — and she's one of the most stylish people I know. I don't like any of the skirts, but again, that's a personal style preference — and I'm excited to see what could be non-mommish but not overly juniors-ish jeans. I generally find Lane Bryant and Avenue too matronly and Torrid and stores like Casual Plus and Size Appeal too cheap and young. There are happy mediums — but there aren't lots of them. SM and I joke about how we need there to be a store called "Forever 32" that's equal parts trendy and grown-up; Lucie Lu has the potential to be one of the few Forever 32s available in plus. But a store for hip plus clothes that aren't just for teenagers is only a valuable resource if they actually fit plus-sized people. If you wear a 4x or larger by their size chart and like the stuff, make a noise in the comments! Newer shops will sometimes listen.
(One more tiny thought? More clothes on models! Fat models! The current ones at least aren't fake-plus; they look to wear a 2x or so, but B&Lu was briefly using real and fabulous fat women to model and we loved it. And while most styles at Lucie Lu can be seen on models somewhere, the model pics are only posted on one color of the same style, so you have to go looking for them. This may change as the store is around for longer.)


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Revolutions Per Minute has been up and running for just over 3 months now and the response has been fantastic!
We've already showcased a brilliantly diverse group of Indigenous musicians and bands from across Turtle Island and all over the world. But this is only the first phase of RPM and we're working on some amazing new improvements to the site—and looking to build an international community of Indigenous artists and music fans.
We're finally having the RPM Official Launch Party in Vancouver on October 25, 2011. Should be a great night. And it's a FREE show!
Here are the event details:
RPM Official Launch Party
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
The Media Club
395 Cambie St.
Vancouver BC
Coast Salish Territories
Hosted by Ostwelve. Live performances by Haida duo Sister Says, Squamish Nation hip-hop artist Discreet Da Chosen 1, and all-female Cree rock band Vancougar.
RSVP on Facebook: RPM.fm – The Official Launch Party


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Shona.mackin necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 120 diseños de 28 diseñadores freelance.
Wedding.com.au is an online directory in Australia, our aim is to become the number one online destination for anyone planning weddings in Australia by early 2012.
Our tag for the online directory - Australia's Ultimate Wedding Directory
We have recently removed our site tag.
We have been around since 2008 starting as a pure directory business, we are now branching out to become more consumer focused and are looking to add more value to people using wedding.com.au as a resource tool.
In 2011 we will undergo a full site redesign and getting the colours and logo design is the first step for us in this process.
When people visit our site we want them to feel like planning a wedding is easy, stress free and even fun.
Our in house focus is connecting people, helping brides/wedding planners find the most suitable suppliers and to help the businesses who advertise with us get more qualified business leads.
Brides, Wedding Planners, Wedding Parties, Mother of the Bride, Industry Advertisers.
Majority of site users will be women aged between 25 - 35
We would love our customers are competant and comfortable online, use facebook and are not afraid to buy on line or submit quotes
Clean, Sophisticated.
We have an internal debate on branding between contempory or for more of a classic monogram like stamp.
I like the idea of wedding.com.au being encapsulated in a circle signifying unity.
The design needs to be clean, so the detail does not get lost in print or on varied backgrounds
We match more suppliers to brides than any other site and our brand will be first to mind when people start researching their weddings online.
We are looking for a design that will appeal to Brides and wedding planners as well as supporting our advertisers.
Fresh, Clean, Modern, Classy, Fun
Our current colour is light champagne and we are open to look at the design in a more energetic colour to evoke some passion, fun and excitement. We are keen to keep a classic timeless feel to the logo to ensure the brand consistency in years to come.
Colours we have in mind - Blue. Think Tiffany Blue and white or duck egg blue with highlight colour.
(previously we had hot pink and chamagne, we have not loved the previous designs in these colours and are open to suggestion)
Our site purpose is make it easy for Brides to plan their wedding, find what they need and take out the stress.
The logo should be compatible to show effectively as a thumbnail in Facebook and Twitter or have an icon variation matched for social media use.
Thanks in advance for creating a stunning design for us.
If you have more questions to clarify what we are after please email me on firstname.lastname@example.com
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text: Steve Bowman, Outdoor Channel.com Brent's Bass to Bucks Part VIII Whether on boat deck or stand, right clothes keep you in game Brent's Bass to Bucks Part VIII (Courtesy Brent Chapman) This is the eighth and final in a series of eight articles on Bassmaster Elite Series angler Brent Chapman's best bow hunting tipsClick here for Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI | Part VIIIt doesn't matter what type of hunting or fishing you take part in, there are elemental rules that will help make you more successful by the end of the day.You can scout for weeks or months, make all the right moves and then when things start happening, if you aren't prepared it doesn't work out the way you planned. Brent Chapman pays attention to details. He spends February to August on the lakes and rivers of the country, then the rest of the time in a deer stand. One of the things he sees hunters and fishermen overlook consistently is how they dress. Click the image to see photos of Brent's Bass to Bucks"You have to be dressed properly,'' Chapman said. "Just like fishing at Grand Lake during the Bassmaster Classic this year. It snowed and rained and sleeted and it was in the 20s."I was never that cold out there fishing because I know how to dress for it. It's the same with deer hunting. The guy that's out there comfortably dressed and he's not freezing cold, he's more apt to stay in the stand. His toes aren't freezing cold or his hands aren't cold. So being dressed properly is a huge deal."One of my best friends is the throw-away hand-warmers. I go through a ridiculous amount of those every year. I buy then by the case. More of those are better than not enough. I go through them and they make the little toe warmers and all of that. "I've kind of found that I don't care what pair of boots it is, how it's made, I don't care if they tell you they'll keep you warm until it's 100 below. I have yet to find a pair that will keep your feet warm without some help. It's so hard for me to stay warm out there, so hand warmers and I are best friends."If you are dressed properly, there isn't a bad time to be in the woods. If you have a time to be in the woods, it may not be the best optimal conditions, but if you have an opportunity to be there you've got to be there.Everybody thinks the best time to fish is first thing in the morning and first time late in the evening. To me some of the best times of the day to catch big fish is between 11 and 1. "It floors me the more time I spend in the woods, especially in those weird times when you think they should be bedded down, or the rules say they should be bedded down, or on days when it's windy."I remember a time if it blew over 15 miles an hour I didn't go hunting. I've learned that is so not the truth. Those deer still have to live out there and they have to survive. There are days I get out there and don't have high expectations because maybe the conditions aren't right, it's too hot or too windy or raining. But those animals are still out there and yeah, maybe your odds aren't as good as if it's the optimal conditions, but some of the crummiest of days have turned out to be some of my best times. Same thing in fishing."Along with being comfortable is eating and drinking properly. Staying on the stand and being out there is crucial. I always take a little bit of food and water with me. I keep some of that in my pack, just little, dried, crusty boring granola bars."I'm an advocate about eating breakfast in the mornings, a good breakfast. If I come in in the middle of the day I try to eat good and then even at night because if you're out there and you get hungry or cold, then you're more apt to get off the stand."You can't catch a fish if your lure isn't in the water. You can't kill a deer if you aren't on the stand. Not being there because you are cold or hungry are variables you can control."Go to 2013 Deer Camp GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing. Sign Me Up


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America's organized Jewish community has long been united in its abhorrence of the dictatorship ruling Syria. Yet it has been notably hesitant and, at times, muted in reacting to the large-scale chemical weapons attack allegedly carried out by loyalists of Syria's president, Bashar al-Assad.
Despite the community's strong opposition to any use of nonconventional weapons, Jewish activists have sat on the sidelines of the intense debate, provoked by shocking footage showing scores of men, women and children apparently suffering from nerve gas poisoning in Syria.
"The Jewish community is cautious," acknowledged Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League.
Foxman said that he himself supports an American military move in response to the use of chemical weapons. But his organization, like most other Jewish groups, refrained from making public statements on the issue. "There is a sensitivity of not jumping ahead of the administration," Foxman said, tying this sensitivity to "the Jewish community's experience of being falsely accused of things it hasn't done."
These accusations date back to the 2003 American invasion of Iraq, when critics accused the Jewish community of pushing America to launch the military campaign in order to benefit Israel.
Despite the claims, the organized Jewish community never endorsed the Iraq War, and in fact, most rank-and-file American Jews opposed the move. Similar accusations were made in recent years, when discussing America's options for dealing with Iran's nuclear ambitions. In this case, many Jewish activists have emphasized the importance of keeping the military option on the table.
The August 21 attack on a suburb of Damascus, held by the rebels, killed, according to the opposition, more than 1,300 men, women and children. The worldwide condemnation that followed videos and photos of wounded Syrian civilians, including children who died in their sleep as a result of the apparent sarin nerve gas attack, has pressured President Obama to act. Many calling for military action cite his warning a year earlier that Syria's use of chemical weapons constituted a red line for the United States.
By August 27, Obama seemed poised to strike, ordering warships and an aircraft carrier to move to the region, and authorizing the Pentagon to come up with a variety of plans for a possible military strike aimed at punishing Assad. On August 26, Secretary of State John Kerry called the attacks a "moral obscenity" and said the fact that Assad used chemical weapons against his own people was "undeniable."
But the Jewish community, often among the first to respond to international human rights violations and war crimes, especially by Arab governments, stuck to a measured response as preparations quickened toward a military strike. Most Jewish groups avoided or delayed issuing public statements on the matter.
"The Jewish community has a long-standing record against the use of nonconventional weapons," said Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. "But just because we may think it is a moral issue to use force to curtail the use of nonconventional weapons, it doesn't necessarily mean it is always the wise thing to do."
While wholly rejected by Jewish leaders, the image of American Jews pushing the United States to wars that would benefit Israel, Saperstein said, has led the Jewish community "to be reticent about taking the lead on what should be done, but not about the need for something to be done."
The American Jewish Committee, while refraining from making public statements on the issue, provided the Forward with a statement expressing limited endorsement to a decision to strike Syria. The AJC focused on Obama's statement that using chemical weapons would trigger an American response, and said that since it now appears that Assad did use such weapons, "AJC believes that President Obama has no choice but to take action."
Otherwise, the group warned, the United States would lose its credibility in the region and would thereby send the wrong message to America's allies and foes.
"We're not eager to engage the Syria debate per se," the AJC's executive director, David Harris, said in an interview. Terming the Syrian issue "very complex and multilayered," Harris said his group is careful not to call for a "whole new campaign against the Assad regime."
Jewish activists not affiliated with the major organizations felt a greater sense of freedom. A letter signed by leading thinkers and foreign policy experts urges Obama to "use standoff weapons and airpower to target the Syrian dictatorship's military units that were involved in the recent large-scale use of chemical weapons."
The letter also suggests supplying arms to rebel forces and considering direct attacks against Assad's regime. Signatories include Jewish activists aligned with the neoconservative camp, such as William Kristol; conservatives, including Elliott Abrams; centrist Joseph Lieberman, and liberal Leon Wieseltier.
Complicating the Jewish response to this crisis is the community's consideration of Israel's interests. Even as the community's reluctance to take the lead in calling for military action has become clear, Israel has made clear its belief that the international community should take action.
Writing on his Facebook wall, Israel's economy minister, Naftali Bennett, called on "Jews of the world" to speak up.
"Don't remain silent" in face of the killing in Syria, the Cabinet minister exhorted. "The Jewish People, and I, as a minister in the government of the Jewish state, have a special duty to speak up, to yell, so the world will hear and stop ignoring what's going on in Syria."
In a call that could be seen as directed only at Washington, Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said on August 26 that "Iran is watching, and it wants to see what will be the reaction to the use of chemical weapons." These comments, alongside similar sentiments expressed by columnists supportive of the Netanyahu government, mark a shift in Israel's approach to the Syrian civil war, which has been raging for two and half years.
Initially, Israel made clear that it was not taking sides in the conflict. It limited its response to issues directly related to its own security — primarily the use of Syrian land for transferring advanced weapons to Hezbollah.
Israel's change of tone suggests that it now sees a lack of American response to the overt use of chemical weapons as something that would embolden the Syrian president and his allies in Tehran in a way that could be harmful to Israel.
According to press reports in Israel, the administration of the United States made clear to Israel that any military strike would be carried out without having American troops on the ground. This message could ease concerns in Jerusalem that an extensive military campaign in Syria could distract America's focus from Iran and its nuclear ambitions.
Meanwhile, even as it shies away from taking the lead on the military front, the Jewish community has increased its involvement in humanitarian help to victims of the civil war. The Jewish Coalition for Syrian Refugees in Jordan has raised and distributed more than $200,000 and is still raising funds in the community. The money has gone to support work done in the Jordanian refugee camps by the Red Crescent, World Jewish Relief, the International Rescue Committee and the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society.
Contact Nathan Guttman at email@example.com or on Twitter, @nathanguttman
Jewish Community Cautious as U.S. Attack on Syria Looms Large
Nathan Guttman
Nathan Guttman, staff writer, was the Forward's Washington bureau chief. He joined the staff in 2006 after serving for five years as Washington correspondent for the Israeli dailies Haaretz and The Jerusalem Post. In Israel, he was the features editor for Ha'aretz and chief editor of Channel 1 TV evening news. He was born in Canada and grew up in Israel. He is a graduate of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.