text:
Top Items:
Joe Holley / Houston Chronicle:
Cornyn: Congress will not allow default — Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the Republican whip, said in Houston Thursday that Congress will not allow an impasse over raising the debt ceiling to result in the federal government defaulting on its spending obligations. — "We will raise the debt ceiling.
Katie Glueck / Politico: John Cornyn: 'We will raise the debt ceiling'
Reid Pillifant / Capital New York: Republican leaders emerged from their caucus retreat in Williamsburg …
Michael O'Brien / First Read: GOP to seek three-month extension of debt limit
Jed Lewison / Daily Kos: Paul Ryan says House Republicans are considering a short-term debt limit hike
Z. Byron Wolf / ABCNEWS: Sen. John Cornyn: 'We Will Raise the Debt Ceiling'
Extreme Liberal / Angry Black Lady Chronicles: The Slow, Steady Demise of the Republican Party Continues
Robert Schroeder / Political Watch: Most say not raising debt limit would mean crisis: poll
Brett LoGiurato / Business Insider: REPUBLICAN SENATOR: 'We Will Raise The Debt Ceiling'
Ed Morrissey / Hot Air: Cornyn: We're going to raise the debt ceiling; Update: House to push debt limit to ... April 15?
Rachel Weiner / Post Politics: Sen. John Cornyn: 'We will raise the debt ceiling'
Jennifer Rubin / Right Turn: The real story on the debt ceiling fight
Ian Millhiser / ThinkProgress:
The Republican Debt Ceiling Gambit Is Unconstitutional — House Republicans are backing away from their threat to plunge the United States into a catastrophic budget default and will instead pursue the somewhat less reckless strategy of passing a three-month increase in the debt limit.
Discussion: Post Politics and The Maddow Blog
Rachel Weiner / Post Politics: Is "No Budget No Pay" constitutional?
Charles Krauthammer / Washington Post:
A new strategy for the GOP — It has become conventional wisdom that Republicans are suffering an internal split that President Obama is successfully exploiting to neuter the Republican House. It is not true, however, that the Republican split is philosophical and fundamental.
Discussion: The Plum Line, The Maddow Blog, americanthinker.com, Talking Points Memo, msnbc.com, Weekly Standard, PostPartisan, The Week, Right Turn, Mediaite, neo-neocon, Taylor Marsh, Prairie Weather, Betsy's Page, Economist's View, Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, The Right Scoop, Vodkapundit, Post Politics, FreedomWorks blogs, Hot Air and New York Times
Greg Sargent / The Plum Line: GOP takes off the suicide bomb vest
Steve Benen / The Maddow Blog: The GOP's new debt-ceiling condition
Thomas Lifson / americanthinker.com: Obama's Goal Is to Break the Republican Party
Steve Benen / msnbc.com: A new hostage, every three months
John McCormack / Weekly Standard: House GOP: We'll Raise Debt Limit for 3 Months if Senate Agrees to Produce a Budget
Rachel Manteuffel / PostPartisan: PostScript: Krauthammer and picking GOP battles
Jennifer Rubin / Right Turn: Political reality and GOP survival in Obama's second term
Meenal Vamburkar / Mediaite: Charles Krauthammer Advises GOP: 'Don't Force The Issue When You Don't Have The Power'
Betsy Newmark / Betsy's Page: Cruising the Web — Look for an important ruling from the D …
Mark Thoma / Economist's View: 'It Appears That the Strategy has Worked'
Keith Hennessey / Wall Street Journal: How to Wage the Debt-Ceiling Fight
Joe Weisenthal / Business Insider: Finally, Conservatives Are Telling The GOP The Hard Truth About The Debt Ceiling
Stephen Green / Vodkapundit: Fore More Years... Krauthammer on the GOP's civil war:
JBorowski / FreedomWorks blogs: End the Debt Ceiling Shenanigans
Jonathan Weisman / New York Times:
House G.O.P. Agrees to Lift Debt Ceiling for 3 Months — WASHINGTON — Backing down from their hard-line stance, House Republicans said Friday that they would agree to lift the federal government's statutory borrowing limit for three months, with a requirement that both chambers of Congress pass …
Discussion: American Prospect, American Spectator, The People's View, Trail Blazers Blog, Paul Krugman, The Page and msnbc.com
Jamelle Bouie / American Prospect: Obama Emerges with a Win on the Debt Ceiling
Quin Hillyer / American Spectator: Debt Ceiling Punt
Alexandria Baca / Trail Blazers Blog: Hensarling to Senate: Pass budget or forfeit pay
Mark Halperin / The Page: The Leverage — Republicans are now talking about raising …
Zachary Roth / msnbc.com: GOP caves on debt ceiling fight — for now
Rosalind S. Helderman / Washington Post:
House Republicans agree to vote on bill to raise debt limit for 3 months — Video: President Obama said today in a White House press conference that he won't negotiate with Republicans on the federal debt ceiling. Post economic policy reporter Zachary Goldfarb stops by to explain which bills …
John Wonderlich / Sunlight Foundation Blog: How the Parties Flip-Flopped on the Debt Ceiling
Suzy Khimm / Wonkblog: The House GOP's new debt-ceiling plan
Chris Cillizza / The Fix: The politics of the debt ceiling — in 1 chart
Libby Spencer / The Impolitic: GOP's slow-mo cave on debt ceiling
James Downie / PostPartisan: Conservatives try but can't quite let go of extremism
Jennifer Rubin / Right Turn: House Republicans play it smart on debt ceiling
Henry Decker / The National Memo: House Republicans Announce Vote On Three-Month Debt Limit Extension
Jonathan Chait / New York Magazine: Republicans: Okay, Maybe We Can't Shoot the Hostage, But Maybe We Can Slap Him Around or Something
Natalie Jennings / Post Politics: White House 'encouraged' by GOP debt vote
John Parkinson / ABCNEWS: Paul Ryan: GOP Mulling Short-Term Debt Limit Hike
Daniel W. Drezner:
How the current GOP thinks like revolutionaries — and why that's a bad thing — In an exit interview with the Wall Street Journal, outgoing U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said some provocative things about the state of America's political system and how that affects our standing in the world.
Discussion: The Maddow Blog, The Hill, Portland Press-Herald, A plain blog about politics, Washington Wire, Right Turn and The Agonist
Steve Benen / The Maddow Blog: Support for gun control up, support for GOP down
Molly K. Hooper / The Hill: Rank and file tell GOP leaders to keep sequester, shutdown 'on the table'
Portland Press-Herald: Charles Krauthammer: Republicans could use debt ceiling to bargain for a budget
Jonathan Bernstein / A plain blog about politics: What Kind of Crazy Are the GOP?
Steve Hynd / The Agonist: House GOP Blinks Once On Debt Ceiling
Jake Sherman / Politico:
House Republicans plan debt ceiling vote
House Republicans plan debt ceiling vote
Discussion: Washington Monthly and Slate
David Weigel / Slate: House Republicans: We'll Pass Three-Month Debt Limit Increase
Brian Beutler / Talking Points Memo:
GOP De-Escalates Debt Limit Fight
GOP De-Escalates Debt Limit Fight
Discussion: The Moderate Voice, Bloomberg and The Caucus
David Lawder / Reuters:
Republicans seek three-month debt limit increase, Senate budget
Republicans seek three-month debt limit increase, Senate budget
Discussion: Hot Air, Guardian, The New Republic, Washington Examiner and The Hill
Michael Cohen / Guardian: Obama's 'Pat Geary strategy': calling Republicans' bluff on the debt ceiling | Michael Cohen
Joel Gehrke / Washington Examiner: WH doesn't rule out short-term debt limit increase proposed by GOP
Russell Berman / The Hill: Ryan: House GOP discussing short-term hike to debt ceiling
Russell Berman / The Hill:
House GOP to vote next week on three-month increase to debt limit
House GOP to vote next week on three-month increase to debt limit
Discussion: Crooks and Liars
Aaron Blake / Post Politics:
Stephen Colbert's sister will run for Congress — Stephen Colbert may have "run for president," but his sister is actually going to run for Congress. — Elizabeth Colbert-Busch's soon-to-be-official campaign has informed South Carolina Democratic Party executive director Amanda Loveday …
Discussion: The Political Carnival, Roll Call, Taegan Goddard's …, Gawker, Mediaite and The Raw Story
GottaLaff / The Political Carnival: Stephen Colbert's sister to run as a Dem in South Carolina House race... against Mark Sanford
Joshua Miller / Roll Call: Colbert's Sister, Businessman Running in S.C. Special
Neetzan Zimmerman / Gawker: Stephen Colbert's Sister Joins Race for Congressional Seat Vacated by South Carolina Senator Tim Scott
Samantha Kimmey / The Raw Story: Stephen Colbert's sister plans to run for political office
Alex Isenstadt / Reuters: No joke: A Colbert running for House
Alexandra Jaffe / Ballot Box:
Sister of Stephen Colbert to run for Rep. Tim Scott's seat
Sister of Stephen Colbert to run for Rep. Tim Scott's seat
Discussion: CNN
Stephen Colbert / CNN: Colbert to run for Congress
Ruby Cramer / BuzzFeed:
Stephen Colbert's Sister To Run For Tim Scott's House Seat
Stephen Colbert's Sister To Run For Tim Scott's House Seat
Discussion: Jezebel
Hayes Brown / ThinkProgress:
New Study Highlights Threat From Far Right-Wing Groups In U.S. — A new study from a think tank connected to the West Point Military Academy highlights the threat of violent far-right movements in the United States, leading to the conclusion that, while diverse in in their causes …
Discussion: The Impolitic, Washington Monthly, The Agonist, Mediaite, Alan Colmes' and Shakesville
Libby Spencer / The Impolitic: Domestic threats — An organization connected to the West …
Ed Kilgore / Washington Monthly: Can "Patriots" Be Terrorists?
Steve Hynd / The Agonist: Singing the song of angry men
Melissa McEwan / Shakesville: Prepare the Fainting Couches
Rowan Scarborough / Washington Times:
West Point center cites dangers of 'far right' in U.S.
West Point center cites dangers of 'far right' in U.S.
Discussion: National Review, Infowars, Weasel Zippers, Booman Tribune and protein wisdom
John Fund / National Review: A New Anti-Terror Front? Yes, the Government Thinks It's 'Right-Wing Extremists'
Kurt Nimmo / Infowars: DHS Says Gun Owners Are Terrorists
ZIP / Weasel Zippers: Bad News: West Point Counterterror Center Thinks Conservatives Pose A Domestic Terror Threat...
Gordon Russell / New Orleans Times-Picayune:
Ray Nagin indictment: First New Orleans mayor to face corruption charges — A federal grand jury on Friday indicted former Mayor Ray Nagin with 21 counts of corruption, alleging that while in office, Nagin took cash bribes and gifts from two city contractors and used his power as mayor …
Discussion: TalkLeft, Politico and The Raw Story
Jeralyn / TalkLeft: Former NOLA Mayor Ray Nagin Indicted
Kevin Cirilli / Politico: Ex-New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin indicted
Stephen C. Webster / The Raw Story: Prosecutors hit former NOLA Mayor Ray Nagin with 21 corruption charges
Gordon Russell / New Orleans Times-Picayune:
Ray Nagin, former New Orleans mayor, charged with taking bribes while in office
Ray Nagin, former New Orleans mayor, charged with taking bribes while in office
Discussion: Taegan Goddard's …, New Orleans Metro Real … and Washington Free Beacon
Jeff Plungis / Bloomberg:
Naked-Image Scanners to Be Removed From U.S. Airports — The U.S. Transportation Security Administration will remove airport body scanners that privacy advocates likened to strip searches after OSI Systems Inc. (OSIS) couldn't write software to make passenger images less revealing.
Discussion: Techdirt, TalkLeft, The Raw Story, Hot Air and The Daily Caller
Mike Masnick / Techdirt: TSA Dumps Rapiscan Naked Airport Scanners After Failure To Make Them 'Less Revealing'
David Ferguson / The Raw Story: Naked-image full-body scanners to be taken out of U.S. airports
Mary Katharine Ham / Hot Air: TSA to remove nudie scanners from airports because they couldn't make them less nekkid
Josh Peterson / The Daily Caller: TSA to remove naked-body scanners from airports
Hugo Martin / Los Angeles Times:
TSA ends contract with Rapiscan, maker of full-body scanner
TSA ends contract with Rapiscan, maker of full-body scanner
Discussion: Angry Black Lady Chronicles, The Atlantic Online and Eschaton
Imani Gandy / Angry Black Lady Chronicles: TSA Terminates Contract With Rapiscan: No More Creepy Scans at the Airport
Megan Garber / The Atlantic Online: The TSA Has Ended Its Contract With Airport Scanner Maker Rapiscan
Up next for Obama: A looming Democratic divide — As President Barack Obama approaches his second inaugural on Monday, he presides over a party that has largely papered over its divisions for the past four years thanks to the president's commanding popularity.
Discussion: New York Times, Capital New York, The Week, Firedoglake, Washington Monthly, msnbc.com, First Read, Lynn Sweet and CNN
Jennifer Steinhauer / New York Times: Democrats Are Split Over How to Shape Approach to Gun Bills
Azi Paybarah / Capital New York: Audio: Cuomo, on a call with Democratic officials, talks Democratic
The Hardball / msnbc.com: Let Me Start: Democratic Divide
First Read:
First Thoughts: Different attitude greeting Obama's upcoming inaugural
First Thoughts: Different attitude greeting Obama's upcoming inaugural
Discussion: The Moderate Voice, Outside the Beltway, Taegan Goddard's … and Business Insider
Joe Gandelman / The Moderate Voice: NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll: Obama Popular, GOP Plummetting, Congress Disdained
Doug Mataconis / Outside the Beltway: GOP, Tea Party Hit New Lows In New Poll
Adam Peck / ThinkProgress:
NRA President Blames Obama For 'Hundreds' Of Death Threats … On a right-wing talk show on Thursday, David Keene, the president of the National Rifle Association, blamed President Obama and the left for what he says have been hundreds of death threats made against him and his family.
Discussion: Daily Kos and The Raw Story
Barbara Morrill / Daily Kos: It's official: NRA president loses his ever-loving mind
David Edwards / The Raw Story: NRA president: Obama and 'the left' to blame for 'hundreds' of death threats
Ernest Istook / BREITBART.COM:
Discussion: Weasel Zippers and The Gateway Pundit
Ben Smith / BuzzFeed:
Sandy Hook Conspiracy Theories Edge Toward The Mainstream — "By far the hottest topic of the moment." Ignore it and it won't go away. — There are two kinds of conspiracy theories: The ones about the Illuminati and about mysterious "chemtrails," which lurk forever in the online twilight zone …
Discussion: snopes.com, The Week and Glenn Beck
Mark Hemingway / Weekly Standard:
Whoops: PolitiFact's 'Lie of the Year' Turns Out to Be True — Last month, PolitiFact selected its "Lie of the Year." Given PolitiFact's dubious record of singling out Republicans for lying far more often than Democrats, you probably could have guessed the winner of this particular sweepstakes was a Mitt Romney campaign ad:
Discussion: Reuters
Glenn Kessler / Washington Post:
Is Lance Armstrong the world's biggest liar? — "[This was] one big lie that I repeated a lot of times." — It is fair to say that in more than three decades of reporting, The Fact Checker has never written a sports story. But The Fact Checker has written a lot about people who stretch the truth …
Ed Morrissey / Hot Air: 28 Pinocchios for Lance Armstrong?
Brent Schrotenboer / Associated Press:
Lance Armstrong to Oprah: Story was 'one big lie'
Lance Armstrong to Oprah: Story was 'one big lie'
Discussion: The Heritage Foundation, The New Republic, Infowars, msnbc.com, Taylor Marsh and American Power
Bill Gifford / The New Republic: Lance Armstrong: No More Mr. Nice Guy
Robert Gifford / msnbc.com: NOW Today: Belief to betrayal
Donald Douglas / American Power: How Fallen Stars Earn Forgiveness ... or Not ...
David Brooks / New York Times:
The Next Four Years — President Obama's second inaugural comes at an interesting moment, what you might call the end of the era of the Grand Bargain. Throughout his first term, Democrats and Republicans didn't achieve a Grand Bargain on spending and taxes, but there was a sense that history was moving in that direction.
Discussion: New York Magazine, Wonkblog, Washington Monthly, Mother Jones, No More Mister Nice Blog and msnbc.com
Jonathan Chait / New York Magazine: David Brooks Now Totally Pathological
Ezra Klein / Wonkblog: Is the Republican Party Obama's fault?
Kevin Drum / Mother Jones: Let's Get One Thing Straight: It's Republicans Who Are Picking Fights, Not President Obama
Steve M. / No More Mister Nice Blog: OBAMA FOLLOWS THE ADVICE OF DAVID BROOKS, GETS CRITICIZED FOR IT BY ... DAVID BROOKS
Lydia Saad / Gallup:
Americans Call for Term Limits, End to Electoral College — Virtually no partisan disagreement on these long-discussed constitutional reforms — PRINCETON, NJ — Even after the 2012 election in which Americans re-elected most of the sitting members of the U.S. House and Senate …
Discussion: Firedoglake, Hot Air, CNN, Politico, The Hill and The Daily Caller
Ed Morrissey / Hot Air: Shocker: Americans want term limits and end to Electoral College after re-electing a bunch of incumbents
Ashley Killough / CNN: Poll: Three-quarters support term limits
Katie Glueck / Politico: Poll: 75 percent want Hill term limits
Caroline May / The Daily Caller: 3 out of 4 Americans favor congressional term limits
Matea Gold / Los Angeles Times:
Seeking to harness Obama's campaign resources for a second term — An ambitious new political organization is being built out of the machine that propelled him back into office, with the hope of supporting his policy objectives. — President Obama's reelection campaign is reinventing itself …
Discussion: Talking Points Memo, The Maddow Blog, Politicker, BuzzFeed, TechPresident, Mother Jones, Daily Kos, The Hill, Politico, Ballot Box, Prairie Weather and Mediaite
Colin Campbell / Politicker: Obama Campaign to Transform, Still Wants Your Money
Zeke Miller / BuzzFeed: Democrats Explain "Organizing For Action"
Miranda Neubauer / TechPresident: First POST: OFA 4.0 … WEGOV — TIMELINE — ONLINE ORGANIZING
Cameron Joseph / Ballot Box: Bill Burton heads to Global Strategy Group
Tommy Christopher / Mediaite: Obama For America Activate! OFA Joins President To Fight For Gun Proposals
Obama unveils 'Organizing for Action'
Obama unveils 'Organizing for Action'
Discussion: The Plum Line, CNN, msnbc.com, BuzzFeed and The National Memo
Jamelle Bouie / The Plum Line: Can the new, relaunched OFA help Dems in 2014?
Paul Steinhauser / CNN: 'Obama for America' to morph into 'Organizing for Action'
Morgan Whitaker / msnbc.com: OFA 2.0: Obama for America converts into nonprofit group
Zeke Miller / BuzzFeed: Obama Campaign To Reorganize Like Karl Rove Group
Shut Up & Blog — Sen. Rand Paul slams Christie for NRA comments, Sandy aid — Today on The Laura Ingraham Show, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) gave a wide-ranging interview, during which he attacked New Jersey Governor Chris Christie for his criticism of the NRA and his grandstanding on Sandy aid …
Discussion: Politico, The Fix, Los Angeles Times, Hot Air, Mediaite and Post Politics
Katie Glueck / Politico: Rand Paul rips Chris Christie for NRA attack
Aaron Blake / The Fix: Chris Christie is playing with fire
Michael Muskal / Los Angeles Times: Chris Christie rips NRA's anti-Obama ad; Rand Paul rips Christie
Allahpundit / Hot Air: Rand Paul hits Chris Christie for criticizing NRA ad, grandstanding on Sandy relief bill
Meenal Vamburkar / Mediaite: Rand Paul Rips Chris Christie For Going After NRA, GOP: Won't 'Play Well' In GOP Primary
Felicia Sonmez / Post Politics: Chris Christie condemns NRA ad


text:
Dear talented go-getter,
Do you want to go through your life not knowing what it's like to strive for the worst? Yeah, neither do we! Well, here's our chance!
How Low Can Your Logo? We are testing your capacity to willingly create that which you spend your entire life trying not to create: the worst logo ever. Participants have the chance to conjure up design demons from the darkest nether regions of their inner world and be purged of them forever. The process looms with graphic doom and will undoubtedly leave the best among us contorted in pain. But may the lowest of the low-brow win! The logo lancelot with the worst design will surely bask in the glory of industry infamy for generations to come.
All entries will be judged by the populace. The logos with the most "thumbs-down" (the good kind of bad) will move on to round two. The reigning champions will be crowned by our high-brow, never so-disreputable judges.
The winner will receive these fine awards from our sponsors:
- One (1) Laserdisc player. One (1) copy of Robot Monster (1953), considered to be one of the worst of the worst films ever. Two (2) pairs of 3D glasses. One (1) bag of popcorn.
- 1 Year Subscription to Print Magazine.
- 1 Year Subscription to How Magazine.
- 1 copy of each Graphic Design Referenced, Women of Design, Flaunt and The Word It Book from UnderConsideration.
- 50 18"x24" 2-color prints from The Half and Half.
- 100 letterpressed business cards from Copper Dog Press.
- Infamy.
To know what makes the best worst logo has yet to be discovered. We suspect the champion will be excruciatingly obvious. Read the brief and attack.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Welcome to The Granary. This truly luxurious, spacious and beautifully designed and furnished barn conversion enjoys an enviable rural location within an acre of landscaped gardens and four acres of mown paddocks, all set in the heart of glorious Cheshire. Just 1. 5 miles away lies the picturesque village of Audlem – scenic towpath walks along the Shropshire Union Canal link the village with Nantwich where canal day boats can be hired – whilst Stapeley Water Gardens, Bridgemere Garden World and Tropical Oasis are all under 6 miles. The historic city of Chester, with its designer shopping and 110 acre garden zoo, and Liverpool, home to the Albert Docks, Beatles Museum and so much more, are both within an hour's drive as are The Potteries, Alton Towers, Waterworld, and Ironbridge Industrial Museum, as well as fascinating National Trust properties including Little Moreton Hall, Tatton Park and Styal Mill. Llandudno and Snowdonia make excellent day trips. Riding 2 miles. Shops 1. 5 miles, pub 0. 5 miles.


text:
In Naughty Bear: Panic in Paradise, players will take on the role of Naughty Bear who is once again shunned and outcast by the inhabitants of Perfect Island. This time the bears depart for the luxury holiday destination of Paradise Island but didn't invite poor Naughty Bear along. Armed with a hit-list of bears that have wronged him, Naughty is going to make them pay, one by one.
Naughty Bear Panic in Paradise takes everything fans loved about the first game and brings an entirely new level of naughtiness. Thanks to a completely over-hauled combat system, brand new leveling up system, equipment customization with thousands of combinations, and over 30 mission set across 11 distinct areas of Paradise Island, there is a whole new world for players to explore and unleash their inner-naughty in as many ways as they can imagine.
Release Region: United States
Release Date: October 9, 2012
Publisher: 505 Games
Also available on: Xbox 360
Naughty Bear: Panic in... at IGN
Naughty Bear: Panic in... at GameSpy
Naughty Bear: Panic in... at GameStats


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The Horror, the Horror
Monster-movie sequels from the 1930s, '40s, and '50s vary widely in tone and quality, but echo the insecurities of today.
Like the monsters at the black heart of Universal's storied horror franchises, the sequels spawned by "Frankenstein," "Dracula," "The Mummy," et al. will not die. "Dracula Untold," currently in theaters, is just the latest resurrection—very much in the vein of "The Wolfman," a recent reboot starring Benicio Del Toro, and the trilogy of Mummy films with Brendan Fraser that began 15 years ago. But such latter-day iterations are merely the most recent examples of a phenomenon that began shortly after these characters first appeared on screen in Universal pictures of the 1930s.
That legacy has been richly honored in the DVD era, but never more so than now—with the release of "Universal Classic Monsters," a boxed set of 30 films made between 1931 and 1956. (The collection of 21 discs lists for $200 but is readily available for less than half that online. And it should not be confused with similarly titled, but less inclusive, sets released previously.)
Though some movie lovers might be tempted to regard such an amalgamation as too much of a bad thing, interesting parallels and divergences are revealed when these films are considered in toto. Naturally, principal characters recur (though the actors beneath the heavy makeup differ), and broad plot arcs tend to repeat themselves—the citizens of Frankenstein Village and Vasaria frequently form torch-bearing mobs not long before the credits roll—but the tone of these films varies widely. Some, including "Werewolf of London" (1935) and "Dracula's Daughter" (1936), unfold with deadly, often numbing, earnestness. Others are played primarily for laughs, like "The Invisible Woman" (1940)—starring a deliciously ripe John Barrymore not long before his death—or the "Abbott and Costello Meet . . ." films, made from the late 1940s to the mid-1950s. Yet others merge genres so clumsily that all value is lost—"The Mummy's Hand" (1940), addled with shtick, being the worst offender.
Conversely, "Invisible Agent" (1942) effectively melds elements of H.G. Wells's "The Invisible Man" with wartime espionage, reflecting the concerns of its era while capitalizing on the studio's patrimony. It opens with Frank Raymond (John Hall), a grandson of the inventor of the invisibility serum, repulsing an ambush by Axis agents (Sir Cedric Hardwicke and Peter Lorre, no less) intent on gaining the formula. He later seeks them out in Europe, where invisibility aids his efforts on behalf of the Allies. A few too many comic turns (in the manner of a low-rent "To Be or Not to Be") muddy the suspense, but a surfeit of double-crosses keeps us guessing about which, if any, Europeans can be trusted.
A decidedly different twist on the standard formula comes from "Son of Dracula" (1943), which blends elements of European folklore with Southern gothic traditions long before Anne Rice ever did. Directed by Robert Siodmak from a story by his brother, Curt—both refugees from Nazism—this iteration finds Dracula (here known as Count Alucard; spell it backward) played by the least gifted but most versatile of horror actors, Lon Chaney Jr. Having been lured to the New World by a neurotic heiress (Louise Albritton), the count sets down stakes at Dark Oaks, a plantation deep in the bayou, where the town physician and a visiting scholar of Carpathian culture (character actors Frank Craven and J. Edward Bromberg) unexpectedly defeat the Transylvanian interloper. Several other surprises (among them a good number of still-effective frights) further enhance the film, as does the novelty of the mise-en-scène.
Most of the sequels in this set, though, stick closer to their origin stories. And the best of them (excepting 1935's "The Bride of Frankenstein," so esteemed it requires no further mention) is "Son of Frankenstein" (1939), a film that marked Boris Karloff's third and final foray as the Monster—and much later proved the primary inspiration for "Young Frankenstein," Mel Brooks's priceless parody of the genre. Given how underused Karloff is here, it's understandable he opted to break with the role. Instead, the film's attention is almost equally divided among three well-drawn characters portrayed by three actors who immeasurably enriched Hollywood movies during these years: Basil Rathbone, sympathetic and vulnerable as Baron Wolf von Frankenstein; Bela Lugosi, at once compelling and repugnant as Ygor (a role he reprises in "The Ghost of Frankenstein" three years later); and Lionel Atwill (a frequent presence in these pictures), beetle-browed and crafty as Inspector Krogh. Their work, combined with Jack Otterson's eye-popping art direction (a low bow to German Expressionist films of the 1920s), makes riveting viewing even now.
And fans of such fare are likely eager to follow the roundelay of actors inhabiting these celebrated monsters. See Frankenstein's creature morph from Karloff to Chaney to Lugosi (awful in the part) to Glenn Strange. Or watch Dracula transform from Lugosi to Chaney to John Carradine and back to Lugosi. The Mummy, too, undergoes similar changes: from Karloff to Tom Tyler to Chaney to Eddie Parker. Only Lawrence Talbot, aka the Wolf Man, was immune; Chaney played him four more times after creating the part in 1941.
All these films can be enjoyed passively, even on nights when trick-or-treaters aren't interrupting. But something more than entertainment connects them to us. Though they were made across a quarter century, those years were a period of insecurity abroad and scientific and technical progress at home. Is it too much to suggest that our own times parallel them in ways both unsettling and familiar?
Mr. Mermelstein writes for the Journal on film, television and classical music.


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Movie Review
Iron Man 3
Rated PG-13 for intense sci-fi action/violence and brief suggestive content. 2 hours, 20 minutes.
Publication date: May. 3, 2013
Review by Tyler Hanley
Released: (2013)
That's not to take anything away from Christopher Reeve's Superman, Christian Bale's Batman or Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. But Downey deserves extra credit for transforming arrogant billionaire Tony Stark into a likable everyman. In fact, much of Marvel Studios' recent big-screen success can be traced directly to Downey's crowd-pleasing turn in the first "Iron Man" (2008).
This ambitious third installment in the "Iron Man" franchise offers Downey another opportunity to shine. He continues to add layers to an already complex character and infuse the often somber genre with comedic charm (this is a comic-book movie, after all). Despite a somewhat slow start and occasional plot missteps, "Iron Man 3" ultimately soars thanks to its charismatic leading man and director Shane Black's man-on-wire balancing act of humor and action.
After helping defend Earth from a horde of alien invaders and nearly dying in the process (as seen in 2012's "The Avengers"), Tony Stark is content tinkering in his Malibu mansion and sharing a bed with his girlfriend/personal assistant Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow). But he's quickly reminded of the pitfalls of being a high-profile superhero with the introduction of two new adversaries: Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce), a fellow tech genius and founder of A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics); and a shadowy Osama bin Laden-esque terrorist known as The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley).
The Mandarin serves up ominous threats while Killian's machinations include the use of "Extremis," a dangerous new technology. Meanwhile, Tony begins to suffer anxiety attacks based on his near-death experience in New York. Tony's mettle is quickly tested when a brazen attack with ties to "Extremis" leaves one of his closest friends clinging to life. As the conflict escalates, others are thrown in harm's way, including Pepper and U.S. President Ellis (William Sadler).
The visual effects and action sequences are stunning, especially when Tony's Iron Man armor(s) take flight. The costuming, however, is more hit-and-miss. In one scene, Colonel James Rhodes (Don Cheadle, reprising his role from "Iron Man 2") emerges from his "Iron Patriot" armor wearing a polo shirt and blue jeans -- not exactly the sort of attire one would generally wear when strapped into a mechanical suit for hours on end. Then again, The Mandarin, with his ringed fingers and muted green garb, looks terrific.
A nice surprise in "Iron Man 3" is the way the character of Pepper Potts is developed. Not only does Paltrow deliver a wonderful performance, but Pepper proves increasingly strong and resilient. Pearce is also a welcome addition to the cast with his blend of sleaze and toughness. And Kingsley demonstrates his thespian skills yet again as the enigmatic Mandarin.
Iron Man, with Downey playing pilot, continues to launch Marvel into the cinematic stratosphere.
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The 34th Annual Palo Alto Weekly Short Story Contest is now accepting entries for Adult, Young Adult and Teen categories. Send us your short story (2,500 words or less) and entry form by April 10, 2020. First, Second and Third Place prizes awarded in each category. Sponsored by Kepler's Books, Linden Tree Books and Bell's Books.


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MOSCOW (AP) — Hackers broke into a prominent Russian opposition leader's Twitter and email accounts, sending his followers abusive messages.
Alexei Navalny's spokeswoman, Anna Veduta, warned his quarter of a million Twitter followers early Tuesday that the stream of nasty notes was fake.
Late Tuesday night, she confirmed that Navalny had regained control over his Twitter account.
"I missed you all terribly, and also life without Twitter is HELL," he tweeted. "You have no idea what is going on and you have to get your news from the INTERNET!"
Among other things, the hackers had written "Alexei Navalny is a crook and thief 2.0" in his profile.
"I'm disbanding my sect, but I'm not going to give you your money back because I need it to party in Mexico, so you can all go to hell," one tweet read.
Navalny is a graft-fighting lawyer and popular blogger who has tapped into Russians' anger over the corruption that pervades public life. After he described President Vladimir Putin's political party as the "party of crooks and thieves," the catchphrase stuck.
Navalny has solicited donations to support the work of his website and a team of lawyers who study government tenders for evidence of corruption. He claims the government has withdrawn scandalous tenders for various goods and services worth millions of dollars after they were exposed by his site.
The 36-year-old opposition leader has been at the forefront of major anti-Putin protests in recent months. His home and office were raided and he was interrogated several times as part of a probe into violence at a May 6 opposition rally.
Navalny linked the hackings to his personal computer and iPad being seized by police in a raid on his apartment on June 11. In a Facebook message verified by The Associated Press, he wrote he was "sure that the hacking was performed with the help of seized hardware" and pledged to demand that the hackers be found and charged.
But government investigators on Tuesday brushed off Navalny's accusations of being instrumental in the hacking.
Faced with a choice of unfollowing the opposition leader or putting up with a flood of abusive tweets, Navalny's followers seem to be opting for the former. Their number dwindled from more than 258,000 early Tuesday morning to fewer than 254,000 late afternoon Moscow time.
The hacking of Navalny's account follows the lawyer's election to the board of directors of Russia's largest airline, Aeroflot, on Monday.
Navalny was nominated by tycoon Alexander Lebedev, whose holdings include 15 percent of Aeroflot. Navalny's nomination was also supported by proxy advisory firms who work for minority shareholders.
Navalny first made his name a few years ago by using his rights as a minority shareholder to gather evidence of corruption at state-controlled oil and gas companies and banks. Cases he filed against some of the biggest names in Russian business have made little progress in court, but he exposed some seemingly outrageous practices.


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Hi Beauties!
I promised a post dedicated to Autumn as when I am on holiday I tend to go wherever is warm weather but this month I am in UK working and planning my winter holidays :)
|Spending my Autumn in Norwich
I am now ordering new outwear, the weather is very mild at the moment but we are starting to use jackets and coats, so here it comes my wishlist:
Biker Jackets:
Trench coats:
Wool coats:
Which one do you like more?
Happy Sweet Autumn !
|Norwich in Autumn


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When atheists are form filling, how do they answer the question "what is your religion?"? For most of my life I have written "No religion" or "Atheist". But when I was a 17-year old schoolboy in the 1950s applying to get into St Peter's College at Oxford University I encountered this question and I answered carefully by writing "C of E". All the undergraduate colleges were nominally Christian with heads called Masters.
My response proved to be a useful device because everyone in England knows that C of E stands for the established Church of England---yet it was not what it meant to me.
For me it stood for Critic of the Establishment.
Phew. I can only add that by good fortune at the interviews I was never asked questions about religion. I had been so sheltered from religious practice that, as I recall, I was 15 before I saw the inside of a church, and only then because out of curiosity one day I went inside one just to see what the interior looked like.
Views: 3044
"Orthodox," eh? Not a Conservative Heathen or maybe a Reformed Heathen??? [chuckle!] Wouldn't you just love to see a radio button on a form for ANY of those choices!
"None" unless Atheist is an option.
If there were some secularist organizations in my community that stand to get funds if I answer 'secular humanist', then I'd answer that. But that's not my religion, it's my ethical / philosophical value system.
Like most here, I'd answer "None". That is generally because there is a list given to choose from and Atheist is not on that list..I guess because it is not a religion. If there is the ability to write in an answer, I generally say "None" or "Not Applicable"..I have also used the ever-popular "Nunya"..as in "Nunya Business".
Its a problem because I hate writing "Atheist" because atheism is not a religion, but in certain cases I want to make my position clear. Some write none just because they do not belong to a certain church but they are believers. When I am admitted to a hospital I want it to be known that me writing "none" doesn't mean that I'll accept any religious man to pray by my bed side.. So I have started writing "none, non believer" I feel that makes it clear without implying atheism is a religion.
Thoughtful response. Atheism is not a religion, so "none" is an honest and accurate answer to the question "what is your religion".
Order of preference if choices given: atheist, agnostic, freethinker, none, no preference. My favourite non answer is Jedi.
Thank you for telling us this story Beth.
I am appalled if not surprised at your experience, Beth. It may not be especially polite, but sometimes letting the hospital know you have a figurative "round in the chamber" with the safety off is what it takes to keep them from subjecting you to unwanted proselytism. That hospital staff is complicit in such actions makes it all the worse. And, of course, this once again reminds me of a favorite quote:
"Mr. MacClure," Kiku said softly, "as a distinguished predecessor once said, in dealing with certain types you must step on their toes until they apologize."
-- Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast
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Deb Blackmore necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 73 diseños de 15 diseñadores freelance.
I am a recently certified life coach trained in Integral Life Coaching at New Ventures West Inc. in San Francisco. My career has been in organization and management development and I am making a transition to a more personalized approach to human development. I intend to develop a small, local practice since I prefer face-to-face coaching. I will be eligible to list my website and profile with my "community of practice" at New Ventures West for referrals, so a similar style and professional approach is desirable. I am a writer and also a sailor, so the "inner compass" metaphor has great meaning for me.
Unlike many life coaches, I am not aiming at managers and executives, except perhaps those who would like to leave their corporate life and move into second careers or retirement. I would like to reach "mid-lifers" who may be parenting young adults, caregiving, adapting to empty nests, downsizing their homes and focussing on their purpose and fulfillment in life.
I would like to use the motif of a nautical compass rose, perhaps in a stylized form. The method of integral life coaching I employ is based on four "quadrants" representing mind, body, relationships and environment. The "inner compass" I refer to is also a representation of quadrants of north, south, east and west. It would be great if somehow the quadrants "pop" from the compass rose.
I am a sailor and enjoy using sailing imagery and metaphors in my coaching. My website will likely use a turquoise, watery color scheme and I may use photos of me sailing as a salute to those who follow their passions, whatever they may be. Water is also good imagery for "flow," which is a state that people experience when they are deeply engaged in what they are doing.
There are other "inner compass" websites that I found in my google search. I want to distinguish myself by making this reference more than a passing line. Everyone has an inner compass and if they become aware of where it points them, they can take advantage of valuable guidance and balance.
I am a low-key, rather bookish person and I was attracted to the training offered by New Ventures West because it has a strong foundation in philosophy. I would like to project a very professional, not sensational, image as a coach.
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Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Fr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde
There is shock and horror all around, and the usual bleating from the faithful, "How could it be true! He baptized my children! He was so delightful! He was such a great preacher! He was always kind to the poor! He was one of the best priests I've ever known!" Then there is the denial, "Those accusers must be exaggerating! There is a sinister plot! It's the bishop's fault! He has it out for Father Sliptalot! We mustn't judge before Fr. Foolabout has a chance to answer for himself! He never really took a vow of poverty anyway! That woman he was with--he was counseling her! That's all! She is a crazy drunk and addict! Those men who remember being molested--that sort of thing went on in boarding schools! It's no big deal! The other priests are jealous of Father Jekyll."
I don't understand how people, who are otherwise pretty canny professionals, seem to understand so very little about male psychology. Why is it possible for Fr. Jekyll to turn to the dark side and become the monster Mr. Hyde? It's because men have that membrane between the two lobes of their brain that allows them to compartmentalize stuff. Men can be objective and separate out different parts of their existence and behavior. This allow us to concentrate better than women, but not to multi task as well as women. It also allows us to get on and do nasty things if we have to without being emotionally involved. So the male hunter has to get food for his family and he sees mama deer with Bambi. He shoots them both and brings home the bacon. A woman would cry and say, "But you can't shoot that darling little fawn while he's nursing his mama!!" Bang! "Fuhgeddaboudit. I gotta eat" says the brute.
The same ability to compartmentalize allows a man to wear a uniform and play a role in society more routinely and effectively than a woman. Most men do this all the time without thinking. Dad puts on a business suit and goes out into the world to do business with his business persona firmly in place. Dad puts on his work clothes, his uniform, his persona and gets on with the job. This does not mean that he is always a fake and that his work does not involve his personality or that he is some sort of automaton. It's just that one part of his brain is kicking in and the other parts of him are blocked. He's compartmentalizing.
A priest has to do this big time. He's always putting on a uniform. He wears the clericals. He wears a cassock. He puts on vestments for the liturgy. As he does so he enacts the part of the priest. He's doing his job. This does NOT mean he's a phony. It doesn't mean he's not real or not a good man or not a good priest. It's simply part of the job. However--should that man be struggling with a dark side of his personality the uniform and playing the part of the priest can become an alternative reality. He can start believing that the holy priest he is presenting to the world is actually the same as his real personality. In other words, if a priest is struggling with some dark secret, then the alternative priestly persona becomes a secure refuge, and the darker and more obscene the secret, the more perfect the priestly persona has to be. See how it works? The worse my dark secret, the better I have to pretend on the outside to show everyone (and especially myself) what a good person I am. That's why the ones who crash and burn are always, "The best priest I have ever known!"
Meanwhile the poor guy is compartmentalizing like mad. He's pushing away all the dark stuff, not dealing with it, denying it ever happened or saying, "I slipped up. It won't happen again." He locks it all down and keeps up the show. Unfortunately, his religious superiors, his parishioners, colleagues, family and friends too often collude with the deception because they also want to believe that Father Wonderful really is as wonderful as he appears. So they overlook the danger signs as 'little foibles' or 'obvious faults'. They did this with Fr. Cunningham (who I knew from my time in England). He was (in my experience) a leery, rather creepy drunkard and snob who was involved much too closely with the secretary of the parish. But everyone said, "He was a benevolent and boozy old coot who had a roguish eye for the ladies." Seems he had an eye for the laddies as well.
He (and his order) were compartmentalizing big time and so you end up with Fr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Do you remember that scene in C.S.Lewis' The Great Divorce? A large, pompous fellow (I forget his name--call him Stanley) is talking to the shade of his wife and he's playing the great dramatic scene of self pity and self importance. Meanwhile the wife (who is a humble soul) is talking to a little dwarf that the big man Stanley holds on a chain. The pompous fool says to her, "Don't talk to him. Talk to me my darling!" She replies that the dwarf is who she wants to talk to because it is the real Stanley. The pretend Stanley had taken over and the real Stanley was shrinking. Finally the fake Stanley give a final pull on the chain and the real Stanley disappears forever. So it is when a false persona takes over the real person.
Please don't get me wrong folks. I'm not saying all priests are like this. I'm simply saying that some are, (just like many lay people are) and when this twisted dynamic of compartmentalizing and faking it takes over (no matter who it is) things gets very messy for everyone. Also, please understand that while some people do this big time, many more do it on a lesser scale. Other men do it for a time, and then get over it and grow up.
What makes it all the more complicated is that the priest really is supposed to grow out of himself and 'grow up into the full stature of Christ Jesus'. We really are supposed to fill the vestments and become the 'alter Christus' that we are called to be. To do this we have to pretend sometimes. We have to try hard by God's grace. We stumble and fall and get up again, but what we can't do is compartmentalize our dark side, deny our wrongdoing and justify our sin. That way lies destruction.
Instead, like all of God's children, we priests have to acknowledge our sin, turn to Christ, plead for mercy and allow God's grace to somehow work that transformation in our souls before Mr. Hyde takes over and Fr. Jekyll disappears forever.
29 comments:
I did not now this. It makes such sense. I think that is what is missing in the culture of the day; just plain ol' sense.ReplyDelete
We don't need celebrity priests; high-brow clergy, even lay people who think they have crossed every liturgical 't' and dotted every 'i' in the mystery of faith! We need to get back to the simple, the way of the saints who really show us the road to salvation, only too often we ignore them for the popularity of those who are here with us now.
How often they let us down. All we can do is pray. And never stop.
Oh how well I know it! Very good analysis. I think a lot of us men can relate to what you say.ReplyDelete
This is an excellent post. I cannot say more.ReplyDelete
These stories are demoralizing, to say the least. In spite of all the scandal surrounding the priesthood in the last twenty years, there are still too many people who place priests on pedestals.ReplyDelete
I appreciate your thoughtful post, Father.
"No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true."ReplyDelete
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Many years ago, I studied psychology and one of the few concepts that I still recall( because I knew that I indulged in it myself) is 'rationalisation'. Finding persuasive reasons to excuse yourself for behaviour that you know to be wrong/sinful. Once you begin to rationalise, you can end up in big trouble because you can often use the same reasoning (e.g. obedience to superior orders, the unusual pressures associated with fame etc.) to excuse yourself for more and more extreme behaviour until the excuse fits every sin and failing which are no longer 'my fault' but due entirely to external pressures.ReplyDelete
I am deeply saddened by this news, and commit Fr. Corapi to my prayers.ReplyDelete
Thank you Father for such a clear-thinking essay. I am so sad about this whole saga and I feel so stupid.It really wasn't his CDs that were helping me through some rough patches, it was truly our Merciful Lord who just wanted me to come home. As he said, "There will be many false prophets".ReplyDelete
Thank you Father, for the most clear explanation I have read of this sad news. Years ago I watched a very funny video online of an explanation between men's and women's brains. Men's brains are composed of many little boxes that never touch each other, and include one that contains nothing, so men can say truthfully that they are thinking of nothing. It was a hilarious presentation but your thoughts make perfect sense in light of this video. We lay people need to pray daily for priests and have Masses offered for them, because the Devil, like a roaring lion, prowls about the world...especially to ruin our clergy and scandalize the faithful.ReplyDelete
I think this is a crummy argument and that you have done a great disservice to men, a bad as we already appear to women (who already think we have too many pat "explanations") and to society as a whole. Thanks a heap.ReplyDelete
Mycroft, don't be so pessimistic. I'm not talking about the ability to compartmentalize. That's actually a masculine strength as I pointed out.ReplyDelete
I'm talking about when it goes wrong and becomes sick, and I made it clear that I was not talking about all priests or all men.
Very interesting, but what does it have to do with Fr. Corapi? Fr. Corapi doesn't compartmentalize. He is very clear about who he was, who he is at the moment (by the grace of God), and who he could be at any moment if he doesn't avail himself of that grace. I have heard him say many times that he fights the fight every day and that we could find him dead one day in a crack house but for God's grace.ReplyDelete
Also, what makes you think you now know the truth about Fr. Corapi? Surely you can't be referring to that hit piece by Fr. Sheehan from SOLT? You should read Bishop Rene Gracida's comments on this hit piece which he published yesterday. Bishop Gracida was one of the best bishops we have had in the last 30 years or so. He was the bishop of Corpus Christi who established SOLT in his diocese. In my opinion, he has more character and credibility than anyone else associated with this matter.
As for Fr. Sheehan - just about a week ago he claimed that they were impeded from getting information because of Fr. Corapi'lawsuit and the investigation was terminated when Fr. Corapi submitted his resignation. At the time he expressed regret about Fr. Corapi's decision and said they would support him in this transition while taking care to protect his good name (NCR). Now a week later they claim to have all this information, declare him unfit to be a priest,and post all these awful things about him which absolutely destroy his good name. Whether they are true or not - Fr. Sheehan has seriously violated the Eighth Commandment. The things he said about Fr. Corapi were not things that should have been made available to anyone who didn't have a need to this information. He has damaged Fr. Corapi's good name. The matter is grave. If Fr. Sheehan had sufficient reflection and full consent of his will then he committed a mortal sin. It is interesting that he posted that piece and within the hour became unavailable for the next 18 days. There is much more to this. If you think you now know the truth you are sadly mistaken.
"But you can't shoot that darling little fawn while he's nursing his mama!!" Bang! "Fuhgeddaboudit. I gotta eat" says the brute.ReplyDelete
Gave me a good hearty laugh. Thank you Father.
- Anonymous3:44 PM
You wrote in part:
"So now we have the truth about Fr. Corapi"
However the key sentence in the SOLT statement is:
"SOLT's fact-finding team has acquired information from Fr. Corapi's e-mails, various witnesses, and public sources that, together, state that, during his years of public ministry"
Curiously SOLT did not state whether the "acquired information" is true. Nor did SOLT mention if Corapi was guilty of the original accusations. Nor did SOLT indicate whether Corapi had admitted guilt to either the original or the subsequent accusations. I am also unaware of any judicial finding in this case either Church or civil.
I find myself most uncomfortable with this situation.
God bless
Richard W Comerford
Is it possible for a woman to have a male brain, or vice versa ? I'm asking because basically every time I read a description of "how men think vs. how women think" I pretty much always identify with the male side of things. ( I am straight, BTW.)ReplyDelete
Richard- who is compartmentalizing now? It's pretty hard to say that, after examining the e-mails of a priest and finding sexting images of himself sent to the accuser, that he isn't guilty of at least some level of violation of his vows. Or, for that matter, his bank account. Will we ever know the full truth? I doubt it, but the truth we do know is enough to condemn him.ReplyDelete
Father, I have "known" you since I worked for Catholic Answers and read your excellent articles for "This Rock."ReplyDelete
I must say, I think you are a bit hard on males. Most people who know me only online assume I am a male--I jokingly say, it's because I am logical. There are very real differences between men and women, but I think the Casey Anthony case proves that many women can also "compartmentalize." And I am quite sure that ALL human baings can rationlize virtually ANYTHING they do.
I, too, don't think the Fr. Corapi story is over. If the allegations are true, I imagine they have more to do with drug relapse, coupled with a shameful lack of oversight by superiors. I do wonder what happened in the past few weeks that allowed SOLT to reach a definitive conclusion about the accusations, since Fr. Sheehan made it clear that the investigation had no so much as assessed the credibility of the accuser at last report.
In any case, I appreciate the realism and humor in your article. The fact is, none of us, male or female, is immune from a fall from grace, and we all stand in need of prayer.
- Anonymous6:50 PM
"and finding sexting images of himself sent to the accuser"ReplyDelete
No. That claim did not appear in the SOLT statement.
"that he isn't guilty of at least some level of violation of his vows."
Corapi has taken no vows.
"Or, for that matter, his bank account."
Nor did SOLT in its Statement claim to have accessed Corapi's personal financial data.
"Will we ever know the full truth? I doubt it"
The defendants in Corapi's civil action will have to file a reply to each of his accusations unless they reach a prior agreement with Corapi. I imagine that SOLT, in justice, will be placed under enormous pressure to substantiate the non-accusations in its statement. We may very well learn a lot - more perhaps than we wish.
"but the truth we do know is enough to condemn him."
As followers of Jesus Christ we never condemn Corapi or Hitler or even the New York Yankees. Kindly note that Corapi has not admitted guilt to either the first set of accusations or the second set of "non-accusations". Nor has any authority, Church or civil found Corapi guilty of any charge or accusation.
God bless
Richard W Comerford
Very insightful as well as charitable. Thank you, Father! and may God bless and keep you.ReplyDelete
Mr. Comeford,ReplyDelete
"Father has taken no vows"? REALLY?
He is a priest. All Catholic priests are required by Canon Law to live in simplicity, even if they don't take vows of poverty. Corapi's *known* lifestyle, as Fr. Longenecker is talking about, could hardly be called simplicity.
What about that popular picture of him with the dead bear? It was taken, the story goes, at a posh hunting resort for the elites that he is a member of (the story at the time was that his membership was paid by benefactors).
I'm sad that people are characterizing the SOLT statement as a "hit piece", determined to continue calumniating Fr. Sheehan in spite of protestations of "never criticize a priest" in Corapi's case.
I can't believe people are still grasping at straws to defend this man and simultaneously condemn SOLT, Bishop Mulvey, etc. As for Bishop Gracida, also note that in the same blog post, Gracida insists it's been years since he's had direct contact with Corapi, contradicting Corapi's claim that he's following Gracida's advice. The rest of what Gracida says is rather scandalous--a retired bishop challenging the decisions of the current chancery and the superiors of the Society? Just diminishes my respect for Bishop Gracida.
Fr. Longenecker,
Thank you so much! This is a very good explanation, and it is indeed what all of us men do when we sin, whether priests or not.
I call it the "Arthur Dimmesdale" syndrome.
- Anonymous9:22 PM
"All Catholic priests are required by Canon Law to live in simplicity, even if they don't take vows of poverty."ReplyDelete
Canon 282 calls Diocesan priests to "Simplicity of life and aversion to vanity." However Corapi has not yet been accused by his Superior of failing to live simply.
"Corapi's *known* lifestyle, as Fr. Longenecker is talking about, could hardly be called simplicity."
This is what the lawyers call "hearsay". Others call "gossip".
"What about that popular picture of him with the dead bear?"
There is something in Canon Law about dead bears too?
"the story at the time was that his membership was paid by benefactors"
I would not know. This "story" is hearsay or gossip. Corapi has not been accused of joining a club.
The reason why there is due process in both Canon and Civil law is to prevent trial by rumor mongering.
God bless
Richard W Comerford
Whatever the truth is, and maybe only time will tell, or maybe we will never know, it doesn't alter the fact that Fr. Corapi has helped many people with his teachings, myself included. Whether some of his stories were true or not they got his point across, and that was what mattered. He was a gifted speaker - a little unorthodox, preaching orthodoxy - and I still hope things turn around for him.ReplyDelete
Mr. Comerford,ReplyDelete
You can't have it both ways. His superiors *have* accused him of living against a vow of poverty. You claim he doesn't have a vow of poverty. I say, "It doesn't matter; he's a priest, so he's bound to simplicity." Now you claim he's living in simplicity. Do you even know what simplicity means in the Church???
How is an obviously dyed goatee hearsay? Dyed hair, esp. on a priest = vanity.
How does a total of $3 million in lawsuit winnings, which is well documented, constitute hearsay?
How does Corapi's own talk of travelling millions of miles with female employees constitute hearsay?
Father Longnecker,ReplyDelete
Thank you for your insight. Aside from the right/left brain analogy, We lost a credible teacher of the faith, someone who seemed to articulate the understanding dynamics of the intricate pieces of mystical theology. He wasn't afraid to tackle the hard subjects, to arouse us out of our comfort zones, to shake us sometimes out of our complacency. He rooted for us, he wanted us to BE good Catholics who could defend the faith. He dispayed an authentic love of the Holy Eucharist, having the privalege to be ordained by our Holy Father. I wonder at what point did he begin to backslide personally. He apparantly had too much freedom without enough accountability or something that was able to sustain a double life. He had already had experienced the great fall, being homeless, loosing everything, had been there and done that(it seemed). So why go back? Why return to an end so barren? So we were convinced he never wanted to put his hands in those fires again. He seemed at times he was preaching to always confirm this conviction to himself. He was piercing, and on Sunday nights on EWTN I used to receive an hour shot of anti-relativism that would help me in a world of watered down Christianity and Catholicism. I am very sad for him personally, and for all of those who benefitted from his ministry. I have lost a hero in my life, one of several actually lately. I listened as the scandals were braking and Father Corapi spoke with such profound emotion saying that it was personal to him and that he wanted to work hard to pray and sacrifice for his fallen brethern. It is becoming so painfully clear that any of our hero's can fall, any blessed one. The lesson for me is to stay rooted in the truth, the scriptures, and recognize that we do have to pray for all those deceived by the devil. He IS all the things described by Father Corapi as relayed in the scriptures. We as laity need to pray for the grace to remain rooted in our faith, pray for our own daily conversions, and pray for our fallen priests, brothers and sisters. We are living in a time of great sensory temptation. Us laity need to reinstitue prayer rooms, or corners where we gather to pray, to intercede and when we fall, have the courage to confess our own sins, the things we hide from God too. God is not finished with Father Corapi, I pray though one thing. A friend of mine 60 years of age with a brillant mind, many difficulties in his life including a 4th failed marriage, suprizingly took a gun and shot himself. The devil not only wants to take this priest down, I believe he wants to bring him to despair ultimately and take him out. Please pray for the protection from Heaven so that God can work with the soul of this priest who needs healing and an experience of God's love. I pray also that God will send help to all those who faith in God has been shaken by this fallen pastor....
John, you seem a little fixated on Corapi's beard. ;-) As I said in another thread, I was once monstrously distracted during a homily by a presumably holy abbot who was wearing a very bad toupee. I didn't think his faculties should be suspended.ReplyDelete
This kind of nitpicking criticism is what drives good priests crazy. The laity feel free to scrutinize and comment on EVERYthing Father Whoever does. It's a wonder we HAVE any priests.
- Anonymous12:20 AM
"His superiors *have* accused him of living against a vow of poverty."ReplyDelete
No. They have not.
"You claim he doesn't have a vow of poverty."
SOLT claims that Corapi has not taken any vows nor has any of its other members.
"How is an obviously dyed goatee hearsay? Dyed hair, esp. on a priest = vanity."
I do not follow the color of a man's hair. More importantly he has not been accused of misconduct in this matter.
"How does a total of $3 million in lawsuit winnings, which is well documented, constitute hearsay?"
I have not seen the judgement. An alleged award of $3-million does not mean that there has actaully been a payout. If there was an award in that amount and there was a pay out then normally 1/3 would go to the lawyers. 1/3 to the IRS and 1/3 to the plaintiff. And what Corapi did with his alleged award I have no idea and it is none of my business.
"How does Corapi's own talk of travelling millions of miles with female employees constitute hearsay?"
You mean like the Holy Fathers who are attended by Nuns? Yeah, lot of gossip about those situations too.
Again the reason there is due process in Canon Law is to prevent trial by gossip.
God bless
Richard W Comerford
Father, well written, but I would say the second-last paragraph is the most important part, especially the first two sentences. Modern priesthood in North America assumes a culture of therapy and wellness which implies that when the priest is not 'on duty' he puts his feet up and becomes just like everybody else. Unfortunately for him ('unfortunately' if that is what he wants) he is never 'off duty'. The laborer or office worker can indulge his vices in his home, but the priest cannot.ReplyDelete
Dear Padre,ReplyDelete
Quick correction:
You wrote: "That's why the ones who crash and burn are always, 'The best priest I have ever known!'"
This is not true, many maybe most of accused priests were more often than not theological liberals. This was due in large part to widespread homosexuality that pervaded many rectories. The incompatibility between the homosexual lifestyle and Catholic moral teaching led many priests down the road to dissent. The truth is bad priests are usually those who teach and preach badly, live their "vocation" in a 9 to 5 fashion, and are more interested in worldly things than Catholic virtue.
Good Day


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- Measures 2.4" W X 3.9" H (6 X 10 cm)
- Perfect size to make your luggage stand out
- Laser engraved on front and digitally printed on the back
- Personalise your bags by writing your name, email, address and phone number with a permanent marker at the back
- Includes 8"L red PVC strap.
- Does LetterNote take wholesale / retail orders?
Yes, we do. Contact us at email@example.com
- How long does it take to for my order to arrive?
We process all orders within 2-3 working days. Shipping can take between 5-10 working days depending on your location.
- Why have I received only a part of my order?
Based on the items that you have ordered, the availability and location of inventory, we may ship your order in parts. We will inform you when we are shipping your order in parts.
- How much does shipping cost?
Since shipping costs vary for products and locations, the best way to calculate is to add the items in your cart and calculate the shipping costs by
- Where do you ship from?
Depending on your location, we ship from our manufacturing and inventory locations in USA and India.
- Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship to over 50 countries around the world. If your country is not listed in our shipping options, please email us at email@example.com and we will try our best to get the products across to you.
- How can I track my order?
You would also get a confirmation email when your order is shipped with the order tracking details.
- Customs duties and Fees?
Please note that your order may be subject to duties, customs fees or other associated fees. We do not pay any duties, customs fees or other associated fees. These fees are the responsibility of the customer. Please check your country's customs rules.
- Can I cancel/modify an order?
Orders once placed cannot be cancelled / modified as we start processing the order as soon as it is received. Exceptions can be made at the sole discretion of LetterNote. Please contact us quickly if you want to cancel, or modify your order.
If you are completely satisfied with your LetterNote purchase, you can request a 100% full refund or store credits.
- How to I return an item and get the refund?
You can return any item in its original, unused condition within 15 days of delivery. Please email us at firstname.lastname@example.com or submit a request through our contact form. Once we received the items, we will process the refund. We do not cover the return shipping cost.
- Damaged Items
If you have received a damaged item, we will send a replacement at no extra cost. Please email us at firstname.lastname@example.com or submit a request through our contact form.
- Exceptions to our Return Policy
Items that are not in their unused, original state cannot be returned.
We work hard to get your orders to you pronto.
- For all orders delivery time is 7-10 working days.


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First American Financial Corporation Prices Senior Notes Offering
January 24, 2013, Santa Ana, Calif.,
First American Financial Corporation (NYSE: FAF), a leading global provider of title insurance and settlement services for residential and commercial real estate transactions, today announced the pricing of a public offering of $250.0 million of its 4.30 percent senior notes due 2023.
The offering is expected to close on Jan. 29, 2013, subject to customary conditions, and is being made pursuant to the company's shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The notes will be general senior unsecured obligations of the company and will rank equally in right of payment with the company's existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness.
The notes were priced at 99.638 percent to yield 4.345 percent. Interest will be paid semi-annually on Feb. 1 and Aug. 1, beginning Aug. 1, 2013. The company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the notes to repay all borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes.
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, and U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., are acting as the joint book-running managers for the offering. Copies of the prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus for the offering may be obtained by contacting J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10179, Attention: High Grade Syndicate Desk, 3rd Floor; telephone: (212) 834-4533; or by contacting Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, 1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd., NC 0675, Charlotte, NC 28262, Attention: Capital Markets Client Support; telephone: (800) 326-5897. An electronic copy of the prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus for the offering may also be obtained at www.sec.gov.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The securities being offered have not been approved or
disapproved by any regulatory authority, nor has any such authority passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the prospectus supplement or the shelf registration statement or prospectus.
About First American
First American Financial Corporation (NYSE: FAF) is a leading provider of title insurance and settlement services to the real estate and mortgage industries, that traces its heritage back to 1889. First American and its affiliated companies also provide title plant management services; title and other real property records and images; valuation products and services; home warranty products; property and casualty insurance; and banking, trust and investment advisory services.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this press release, including the closing date of the offering, the net proceeds to be generated thereby and the use of such proceeds, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Risks and uncertainties exist that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the anticipated results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements include: interest rate fluctuations; changes in the performance of the real estate markets; volatility in the capital markets; unfavorable economic conditions; and other factors described in the company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.
Access the powerful online services available only at First American.
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How It Works
toyota innova-crysta Overview
toyota innova-crysta 2.4 vx mt 7 seater SPECIFICATIONS
toyota innova-crysta 2.4 vx mt 7 seater Feature
toyota innova-crysta Variants
Compare Toyota Innova Crysta with similar cars Compare Now
toyota innova-crysta Expert Review
Since mid 90s, Toyota Kirloskar Motors is manufacturing sedans and SUVs that gained high popularity in India. Be it the iconic Toyota Qualis, the stunning luxury sedan Corolla Altis, the everyday use MPV Innova or the sporty SUV Fortuner, Toyota has provided cars for every needs. With an aim to replace the hit Toyota Qualis, the Japanese automaker launched the Innova in early 2005. Since then, various facelifts came into the market, first in 2009, second in 2011 and third in 2013. In 2016, Toyota decided to revamp the Innova and launch the latest version with a new name. The dream came true on May 2016 with the launch of Toyota Innova Crysta. As compared to the older Innova, this has got an all-new style and head-turning features, both at the exterior and interior. Toyota Innova Crysta has 3 trim levels of G, V and Z and 6 colour options of Garnet Red, Avant-Garde Bronze, White Pearl Crystal Shine, Grey, Silver and Super White. MYNEWCAR.IN recommends the Z variant due to it top notch safety features, as we care for you.
Here is what makes the Toyota Innova Crysta shine-
toyota innova-crysta Image Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
For the first time in India you can book a car online. Pay the 'Booking amount' by clicking "BOOK NOW" button. You can pay by using your Credit/Debit card or Inter-bank transfer. Incase you prefer the Cheque payment mode - please inform us the best suitable time and our authorised dealer partners will be happy to collect the cheque from your address
Our 'After sales team' will contact you to confirm your booking details withing 24hours of the booking. MYNEWCAR will co-ordinate will the dealer and will act as your personal concierge to keep you updated untill your car is delivered. The balance payment will be paid to the dealer at the time of delivery
For cancellation - please write an email to MYNEWCAR on 'firstname.lastname@example.com' with your booking details. MYNEWCAR will refund the full booking amount within 2 working days if cancellation is done within 48hours of booking online on our website. If cancellation is done after 48hours from online booking or if the booking amount is paid directly to the dealer; MYNEWCAR team will co-ordiate will the dealer to process your refund.
The car will be delivered by MYNEWCAR Authorised Dealer partner in your respective city.
Yes. The purchases will carry appropriate warranty as provided by Authorised dealers. MYNEWCAR's 'After sales team' and our partner dealers will provide after sales services.


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University of Colorado history professor Tom Noel said Denver has an opportunity to recreate the National Western complex and surrounding area as a year-round tourist draw, much like Fort Worth, Texas, did with its historic stockyards.
In addition to its rodeo events, the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District features Wild West gunslingers riding on horseback through streets peppered with Western-themed shops and restaurants, the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Texas Stageline and a vintage railroad running into the district from Grapevine, where the Gaylord Texan is located.
"It seems to me there's a golden opportunity for Denver to it in the city right there," Noel said. "We're really blowing a chance there."


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Why choose JavaScript?
Selected Cloud & Mobile Apps Developed by Letzgro
Oz Nazilli: Efficient in the Use of Their Time
I had the opportunity to work with Letzgro's Android team while completely rewriting our WagJag mobile app at Torstar Digital. I am happy to say that the team has exceeded my expectations. They are very efficient in the use of their time, and they would have even finished the project early and under budget if it wasn't for circumstances out of their control. They also have no hesitations in working late to get things done, which is definitely something I appreciated as someone who had a 7 hour time difference with them. In short, I would recommend Letzgro to anyone who's looking to get some serious coding work done.
Thanks guys
Caitlin MacGregor: Open for Collaboration
Our partnership with Letzgro was essential to the successful launch of Cream.HR. There was no other scenario that would have enabled us to deliver the new platform the way we did. As a startup company, we had no choice but to move forward with a limited budget, and Letzgro allowed us to move forward and take our business to the next level. The lines of communication were very open and there was a lot of collaboration between our product manager and Letzgro's product manager in Toronto.
More Testimonials
Eric Rogness: Truly Wonderful Experience
Working with Letzgro has been a truly wonderful experience. I can give a job to them and get back excellent results the first time, with minimal back and forth. Letzgro's project managers and development teams demonstrate superlative communication and excellent execution and quality assurance throughout projects.
Alexei Dunayev: Quality and Timely
I've contracted Letzgro to deliver several important projects and I was impressed with their proactive approach. I found Letzgro developers both professional and skilled, and was very satisfied with their delivery on the technical requirements of the project. I would also like to mark the excellent work of my project manager Roman and his excellent communication skills. I found his detailed status reports useful and timely, and not only did he describe all the work done by his team, but also filled these reports with constructive suggestions to improve the product. His responsibility and devotion gave me confidence in the successful delivery of the project. It was a pleasure working with the Letzgro team and I would recommend this company to anyone who is interested in quality and timely delivery of complex technical projects.
Thomas O'Malley: Always Top Notch
I identified Letzgro being strong development talent shop at first glance, and their recommendations and guidance on each stage of the development only proved it. Working with Letzgro is a pleasure, I am impressed by their professionalism. The work they do is always top notch. Project managers ensure continuous communication with developers, and their transparency leaves no place for doubt when it comes to the excellence of the work on the project.


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KLI Contest Focuses On Africa Business
The idea isn't only to generate more interest in doing business on the continent but to also identify feasible projects that can actually be financed by investors, the organizers say.
[Business News]
[Business News]
The African story isn't all upheaval and conflict even though those dominate International news headlines.
With strong commodity, fuel and mineral prices over the last few years, several African countries have seen robust income growth from exports.
Yet many African countries lack enabling environments for launching, incubating and growing new businesses. There are many opportunities for entrepreneurs that can identify the right markets to develop thriving businesses on the continent—that's a message that Knox Lawrence International, LLC (KLI), a New York-based private equity firm wants to promote through its annual business plan contest.
The theme of the 2007 Inaugural Africa MBA Business Plan Competition was "Microfinance Applications in Sub-Saharan Africa," and a four-person MBA team from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business edged out finalists from two other top programs –the Columbia Business School and the University of California's Berkeley Haas School of Business — for the $10,000 top prize from KLI.
The idea isn't only to generate more interest in doing business on the continent but to also identify feasible projects that can actually be financed by investors, the organizers say.
"This effort demonstrates our commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and business activity in the African market," says Kenneth Globerman, a KLI Vice President and competition chair. "I look forward to using this success as a springboard into 2008's Competition, making it even better than this past year."
Nana Baffour, a KLI managing principal, says
KLI began its competition earlier in 2007 by targeting students who were in their second year in MBA programs at leading U.S. Business Schools and who were interested in Entrepreneurship, Emerging Markets, and Microfinance. Student teams from many schools submitted plans.
KLI intends to hold the competition annually. Each year, the theme of the competition will consistently be Africa-focused, and it also will serve as a platform for the winners to implement their plan upon graduation.
Knox Lawrence International, LLC is a New York-based private equity firm focused on acquiring and growing middle market non-core subsidiaries of Fortune 500 and other large companies in sectors that are undergoing significant transitions, such as the utility sector. Knox Lawrence focuses its investment activities in the following sectors: IT Services, Business Process Outsourcing and Energy Services.
This year's announcement of the winners was made at
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- Ann GarrisonFebruary 22,2018 @ 08:03 PM
I think you have "Filtered HTML" turned on here. If you switch to "Full HTML," it will probably...
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Waka,Waka. It's time for Africa!
From forests to beaches, galleries to malls, tribal villages to island prisons, South Africa encompasses several distinct and beautiful worlds within its borders. Culturally diverse and scenically stunning, this country will take your heart by storm. Explore South Africa with RCI!The first image that comes to mind when you think of South Africa is the wild sweep of the bushveld, big cats lazing in the sun and elephants winding their calm way to a waterhole. Exotic and exciting, the safari is the experience that defines the wild and mysterious continent of Africa.
South Africa has more than 300 protected areas, but the proudest jewel in the SANPark crown is the Kruger National Park. Spread out over a massive 7523 square miles, with 517 species of birds and 147 species of large mammals, Kruger is a haven for any wildlife enthusiast. You can see all of the African Big Five (lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhino) at Kruger, but there's more to Kruger than just wildlife. There are several areas of archaeological interest such as Masorini and Thulamela, and for the passionate golfer, there's an unfenced nine-hole course at Skukuza.
South Africa has a host of other equally interesting parks and reserves. You can visit Table Mountain National Park if you want a peep at the zebras and the bonteboks, or visit the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site, where you can spot everything from a hippo to a turtle to a whale!
Several parks, including Kruger, allow you the option of a self-drive vacation, or a guided tour. But if you're setting out by yourself, make sure to read all the safety information first... the inside of a lion is probably not as appealing as the outside!
Raise Your Glass! - Robert Louis Stevenson once commented that wine was bottled poetry. But you don't have to be a connoisseur to enjoy the Cape Winelands. Surpassing scenic beauty, well-preserved architecture and the heavenly taste of South African wines means that there's something for everyone in a wine tour. From the beautifully preserved towns of Stellenbosch and Paarl, timeless and elegant in their serenity, to the soft colours of the valley in which Franschhoek nestles, this area has been the heart of the South African Wine trade for hundreds of years.
There are 17 'official' wine routes registered with the South African Wine Routes Forum (SAWRF), and each wine route has its own website. If you want to get a little off the beaten path, there are special interest routes like the Cape Route 62 wine route, said to be the longest wine route in the world, the Western Cape Brandy Route, and the Green Mountain Eco Route - the world's first biodiverse wine route, or you can create your own route, depending on your tastes and interests. In addition to the excellent wine on display, the Winelands are also known for their gastronomic delights. Several estates, like Buitenverwachting and Rust en Vrede have international award-winning chefs who can tickle your palate and get you drunk on the food as well as wine!
Flowery praises - From Heidelburg to the Storms River stretches the Garden Route, a veritable paradise of sun, sea and forest. Renowned for having the second mildest climate in the world, the verdant beauty of the Garden Route encompasses diverse ecological systems, from the Fynbos biosphere and Temperate forests of Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma to the marine reserves and soft coral reefs of the coastline.
The best way to explore the Garden route is by car. You can stop along the way at several scenic spots and tourist centres, from the bustling centre of George to the lagoon at Knysna, to the more upscale neighbourhood of Plettenberg Bay. Alternatively, for a more fun experience, you can also board the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe, Africa's last remaining passenger steam train, from George to Mossel Bay.
For the more adventurous, the deceptively tranquil Garden Route contains a variety of wild, heart-thumping experiences guaranteed to satisfy the adrenaline junkie in you. You can opt for a soaringly exciting canopy ride through the Tsitsikamma forest, or jump-start your adrenaline with a fall from the Bloukrans Bridge Bungy, the world's highest commercial bridge bungee. You can also go shark cage diving in Mossel Bay and experience the thrill of seeing the great white shark up close and personal in its natural environ. Tip: Don't watch Jaws the night before you undertake this adventure!
This city life! - For the more urbanly-inclined, South Africa's cities offer a wide variety of choices in terms of cultural experiences, shopping and entertainment. You can visit Soweto to see firsthand the site of the anti-apartheid struggle, or experience the vibrant colour of the South African tribes at Mpumalanga's Ndebele villages. You can satisfy the artist in you with a tour of Cape Town's art galleries, or simply worship the sun stretched out at Durban's sophisticated Golden Mile, finishing off the day with a throw of the dice at the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World.
Passionate, vivid, exotic and exuberant, South Africa is a feast for the senses. Whether you're travelling as a couple or as a family, you'll never run out of things to do and places to see. Pack your bags today and explore the Dark Continent with RCI!


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Subdivision Guillotine Unisex
This heather gray unisex tee features an artistic design inspired by the lyrics of "Subdivision". The back reads "So we're led by denial/ like lambs to the slaughter/serving empires of style/ and carbonated sugar water/ and the old farm road's a four-lane/that leads to the mall/ and our dreams are all guillotines/ waiting to fall."
About the Designer:
A Buffalo native raised in Saratoga, New York, Begley returned to her hometown to acquire her MFA from The University of Buffalo. She is a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellow and has exhibited her paintings widely through out the state of NY.
In addition to her career as a painter she is the Label Manager at Ani DiFranco's Righteous Babe Records, a place where art and commerce can coexist.Fabric: 100% Cotton
Size Chart: click here
Country of Origin: USA
Designer: Mary Begley


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Americans are getting fatter and fatter. At the rate we're going, in 18 years, by the year 2030, more than 4 of every 10, or 42% of Americans may become obese and 11% could be severely obese.
Obesity is more than being over weight. These terms are defined by the body mass index (BMI), a measurement that is closely related to both percentage body fat and total body fat:
- "Normal weight" means a BMI of 18.5–24.9
- "Over weight" means a BMI of 25.0–29.9
- "Obesity" means a BMI of 30.0–34.9
- "Severe obesity" means a BMI of 35.0–39.9
- "Morbid obesity" means a BMI of 40 or over
To calculate your BMI, click here!
One woman found out she was, at 425 lbs., too fat to fly. She was turned down by three commercial airlines for a flight from Hungary back to the United States. Stuck in Hungary, her already poor health worsened, resulting in her death and likely a lawsuit against the airlines.
Jill Reilly reports for the Daily Mail, Nov. 26, 2012, that on September 17, 56-year-old Vilma Soltesz (see photos, left and below) traveled with her husband Janos from New York to their holiday home in their native Hungary. It was a trip the couple made every year.
Vilma was already severely obese and in poor health from diabetes and kidney disease. She had lost a leg and used a wheelchair.
The couple had planned to return to New York after a month at the vacation home they owned in the Hungarian countryside, so Vilma could continue medical treatment for her diseases. Meanwhile, Vilma had put on even more weight while in Hungary, which her husband claims was water weight caused by her kidney disease and diabetes.
Janos recounted that on October 15, Vilma was kicked off her first flight. She was already seated on the KLM plane when they were asked to leave. The airline tried to fit her into the back of the plane, but they didn't have a seat-belt extension to secure her. KLM also told the couple the seat back could not take Vilma's weight.
After leaving the airplane, the couple waited in the airport for several hours and then were told to drive five hours to Prague for a Delta plane that could accommodate her as a disabled person.
But in Prague, Delta staff told the couple the airline's plastic wheelchair could not hold her weight and the staff also couldn't put her on the sky-lift elevator.
The couple were forced to return to their Hungarian holiday home until their New York travel agent managed to get them on an October 22 Lufthansa flight to New York via Frankfurt, which would be able to accommodate her size.
Although Lufthansa had set aside three seats for Vilma, a local fire department brought in to help move her, could not lift her out of the wheelchair into the plane seats.
After half an hour of trying to move her, the captain asked them to leave the plane. Lufthansa spokesman Nils Haupt said, "We had 140 passengers on board, and they had connections and needed to travel. The question was never the seat belt. The question was the mobility of the passenger."
Chuck Bennett reports for the New York Post that the couple again went back to the vacation home to make other arrangements as Vilma became sicker and sicker. Neither trusted the doctors in Hungary, especially because they wouldn't be familiar with her lengthy medical history, Janos said.
Two days later, Janos found Vilma dead, and buried her in Hungary.
Now the couple's attorney, Holly Ostrov Ronai, is considering a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the airlines accusing them of violating laws protecting the disabled.
It should be noted that Vilma's illnesses, especially diabetes, likely stemmed from her obesity. Extra weight takes a huge toll on our health, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, many types of cancer, sleep apnea, senile dementia, and other debilitating and chronic illnesses. Obesity is also one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide. On average, obesity reduces life expectancy by 6 to 7 years.
Read more on obesity-associated morbidity here.


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Bud Norris pitches Orioles past Pirates 4-2
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Baltimore starter Bud Norris gave up a solo homer to Andrew McCutchen, then settled in and helped the Orioles beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 on Thursday night.
McCutchen homered to right field in the first inning. The reigning NL MVP has reached base in all 10 of his games this spring and is batting .556 (15 for 27) with three walks.
"It's a great battle," Norris said. "He's a great player. We all know who he is, and what he's capable of doing. He's someone a lot of teams are going to have to deal with this year."
In five innings, Norris gave up two hits, walked two and struck out five. The right-hander retired five of the final six batters he faced.
Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano left in the sixth inning with tightness in his left groin. Liriano limped slightly as he walked to the clubhouse. He gave up four hits in 5 2-3 innings, walked one and struck out four.
Nelson Cruz drove in the Orioles' first run with a double to center field.
Orioles: Norris bounced back well after yielding three runs in 1 2-3 innings during his previous start against the New York Yankees. "Considering the way the Yankees (game) went, I was happy to get through five tonight," Norris said. "The ups and downs are really important and I felt pretty good out there. We're all trying to elevate that pitch count each time we go out there. I think I got to about 75, which is good, and hopefully I can build on that."
Pirates: The 30-year-old Liriano is slated to start on opening day, but that could be in jeopardy if his groin injury turns out to be serious. "I felt a little tight the whole game and didn't want to keep pitching like that," Liriano said. "I think it's going to be OK. We'll see how I feel tomorrow and go from there."
Orioles: Third baseman Manny Machado had his surgically repaired left knee evaluated in Los Angeles by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. A buildup of scar tissue recently set back Machado's rehab program. ElAttrache lifted all physical restrictions on Machado, but it's still up to the Orioles when he's cleared and ready to play. ... Outfielder David Lough (stiff neck, concussion symptoms) played for the first time in more than a week. He came off the bench in the sixth inning, singled and scored a run. Lough was cleared after his MRI and heart test results were negative. He isn't sure what caused the symptoms, but thinks they might have been triggered when he attempted an inside-the-park home run March 8 against the Boston Red Sox. ... After having a colonoscopy and endoscopy Thursday, infielder Alex Gonzalez might return to action Friday.
Pirates: Left-hander Jeff Locke (oblique) threw two innings in a simulated game and reported no problems.
Pirates right-hander Bryan Morris boosted his chances of making the team by improving his cutter and adding a two-seam fastball.
"I think (the cutter) has more depth right now than it had last year," Morris said, adding that the pitch will enable him to get more strikeouts.
He tinkered with a two-seamer toward the end of last season, and the new weapon has produced good results so far this spring. Morris, who is out of minor league options, is among four relievers fighting for three jobs in the bullpen. He has not allowed a run in his past four outings, including a scoreless inning against the Orioles.