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I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach.
– Henry David Thoreau
And after two years and two months in his simple cabin by Walden Pond, Thoreau made the decision to leave.
Thoreau's determination to move back into town is the basis of a two-act play by Morenci Area High School students, scheduled at 7 p.m. Nov. 15 in the drama room.
In his final two days at Walden, the man destined to become one of America's great philosophers discusses the reasons for his Walden experiment and speaks of his vision of America's future. All the while, his convictions are constantly challenged by his good friend Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Don't think of this philosophical musing as a stuffy exchange. There's plenty of humor tossed in as Thoreau explains his thoughts and Emerson holds them up for examination.
Michael Johnathon, the author of "Walden: the Ballad of Thoreau," describes the play not as a biography but rather a conversation and intellectual argument between a pair of old colleagues who love and respect each other greatly.
The play is unique, said director and English teacher Char-Lene Wilkins, in that the script and production materials are offered free of charge to schools and colleges in conjunction with the Earth Day 2008 project. Financial support of the project is provided by five companies and organizations.
Tickets will be sold without the need to pay royalties, and proceeds will benefit the high school Green Earth Club (GECKOs) and the journalism class.
"In an age of global warming, bio-fuels, hybrid cars and oil wars," Johnathon writes, "the play can introduce students to Thoreau as well as environmental concerns in their own home towns at a time when, frankly, they need it."
Two other characters join Thoreau and Emerson. Joshua Barnett, a worker at the Thoreau family pencil shop, plays the common man who possess a great deal of common sense. Many of the intellectual arguments between Thoreau and Emerson are reflected in the Barnett character.
A female perspective is offered through Rachel Stuers, an expressive woman in her 20s who is said to have "the gleamings of feminism long before it was acknowledged by society." Her tone offers somewhat of a challenge, but not outright rebellion.
When Thoreau died, Johnathan said, he was better known for the manufacture of the pencil than for any words he wrote with one.
His aim with the play is to make sure students today know Thoreau for his ideas and discover their relevance to contemporary life.


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Packaging machinery module
The Pic-N-Place module is designed to pick products efficiently thanks to a color-coded docking station and it can operate on a continuous basis without interruption.
Standard-Knapp's Pic-N-Place module picks the product from the infeed conveyor and gently places it into the bottom of the empty case. This module can be easily retrofitted onto existing 939S and 949S Versatron case packers. Standard Knapp's 2-axis servo controlled Pic-N-Place module features a variety of heavy-duty grippers for soft handling and optimum control of the entire pack of product. Engineered to grab a product in the most secure position or spot, the Pic-N-Place module acts similarly to a human's arms offering smooth operation. The gripping action and the distance the product travels into the case is set from the human machine interface (HMI). The color-coded docking station provides easy change over, a slide-on lock, and couplings designed for positive, no error connections. The Pic-N-Place module is engineered to run constantly and built to last for decades.
– Edited by Control Engineering. See more motors, drives, and motion control products.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Snowmen has debuted in Australia, averaging 697,000 viewers in the five major capital cities. It came second in its time-slot, was the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's top-rating drama of the day and the twelfth highest rating programme of the day overall. These ratings do not include regional or time-shifted viewers.
Media Links: TV Tonight


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ENERGETIX Bingen's passion is to design, develop, manufacture and market magnetic jewellery. Millions of customers throughout the world wear our jewellery, which combines beauty and wellness in an incomparable manner. Almost nobody can resist the power that radiates from ENERGETIX Bingen jewellery. It enables many people to find new happiness and daily relief.
Our designers draw their inspiration from current trends and the wishes of our customers. International collaboration produces sensational creations in typical ENERGETIX Bingen style, creations that are received with enthusiasm worldwide. A new and wide-ranging collection of fascinating high quality magnetic jewellery is created every year.
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CLEVELAND, OHIO -- The Sherwin-Williams Company announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Consorcio Comex, S.A. de C.V., a leader in the paint and coatings market in Mexico with headquarters in Mexico City. Sherwin-Williams will pay approximately $2.34 billion, including assumed debt, in an all-cash transaction. Completion of the acquisition is subject to certain conditions and customary regulatory approvals.
Founded in 1952, Comex is a privately held business with operations in Latin America, the U.S. and Canada. In 2011, Comex had total annual sales of U.S.$1.4 billion. The Company manufactures and sells architectural and industrial coatings in Mexico through 3,300 points of sale operated by 750 concessionaires. In the U.S., Comex sells paint and coatings products under a variety of brand names through 240 company-operated paint stores. In Canada, the company markets multiple brands of paint and coatings through 78 company-operated paint stores and approximately 1,500 independent paint dealers.
Comex, like Sherwin-Williams, places heavy emphasis on supplying high-quality architectural paints and coatings. The company's product assortment also includes various industrial, protective and specialty coatings. Comex operates eight manufacturing sites in Mexico, five in the U.S. and three in Canada and has more than 7,200 employees.
"Sherwin-Williams and Comex Group are an ideal fit in every respect - geographically, strategically and culturally," said Christopher M. Connor, Chairman and CEO of Sherwin-Williams. "This transaction will significantly increase our presence in markets where our store count is low, it builds upon our strategy to grow our architectural paint business in the Americas and it brings a high-quality, dedicated team of employees to Sherwin-Williams. We are proud to welcome such a well-respected company and their employees into the Sherwin-Williams family."
Marcos Achar Levy, CEO of Comex, commented, "We are very pleased and excited to join the Sherwin-Williams team and look forward to making a major contribution to the Company's ongoing success across the Americas. We have respected Sherwin-Williams for years, and are delighted to now be a partner. Comex and its committed employees know Sherwin-Williams well, and I am confident that joining the Sherwin-Williams family will provide an outstanding future for our employees and customers."


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My pride in being Irish has taken a beating over the past few years. Government corruption and clerical child abuse shook me to the core. When the recruitment ban on public sector jobs left me unemployed almost two years ago, I emigrated to the UK like so many of my peers. But while there I missed the good parts of being Irish – the people, the sense of humour, the music and literature. Our unique worldview. It wasn't long before I returned – wary this time, but with my eyes wide open.
Although I was lucky and managed to find work, again I was tested – again by the government. The lies in the lead up to the IMF takeover and the spectacularly unfair subsequent budget made me wonder why I'd returned at all.
However, a wonderful Christmas at home with my family and friends made up for a lot. One of the many highlights was receiving the re-issued Soundings anthology. It reminded me of the fun I had while growing up in Ireland. A memory of happier times proved to be a great antidote to negativity. So I decided to compile a list of the quintessentially Irish aspects of my childhood to anchor myself in what being Irish truly means to me.
1. Ulster bank's Henry the hippo
I'll never forget the joy I experienced when I went into the Ulster bank in the Main Street in Castlebar and exchanged five pounds of my Communion money for a hippo-shaped money-box, a notebook, a folder, a pen, a pencil, a key ring, a ruler and stickers. Turns out it was the only good deal I was to receive at the hands of an Irish bank so needless to say it left a lasting impression.
2. Fancy paper
From a very young age I was keenly aware that I was never going to be the prettiest, brightest or sportiest girl in my class. But I had one thing no one else did: a bumper set of stationary my aunt sent me from Birmingham, just before fancy paper collections became the Next Big Thing. Fancy paper the only form of currency worth anything in the playground so my set of duplicate pages and envelopes enabled me to strike the canniest of deals, and before long I became the Don Corleone of St. Angela's National School. Good times.
Last I heard, the powers-that-be were very keen to get the red stuff taken off the market due to its carcinogenic ingredients. Just as well I made the most of its availability when I was a kid by drinking gallons of the stuff then.
4. The projected stories that taught me Irish
I loved learning Irish at primary school. It started with Mrs Waldron sticking cardboard cut-out words on a velcro background in junior babies and then progressed to the awesome 'projector', a word that I thought meant the cartoon-like stories that our new vocabulary was based on, not the apparatus itself. Like I said, I wasn't the brightest bulb in the chandelier.
5. Mála
Sure, plasticine is fun, but even more fun is the fact that we have our own word for it.
6. Token collecting
My childhood version of being taken to Hamley's in Dundrum was perusing the catalogue of products you could get if you collected tokens from empty Kellogg's / Monaghan milk packaging. But the king of them all was the Maxol catalogue. From my first Casio watch to the sewing machine that my mother used to make my clothes, it was the Maxol catalogue that facilitated all the landmarks of my early consumer history. However, my budding materialism soon corrupted me; I became devious, inventing reasons to go on long car journeys so my Dad would buy more petrol and get more stamps. I soon realised that no matter how many I had, they were never enough. Taught me a lot, those Maxol stamps did.
My mother was a hippy who never took a parental hard-line until it came to teaching me to read. I was a lazy little fecker so the poor woman had her work cut out. My salvation came in the form of my first English reader school book, Anne and Barry. I delighted in the adventures of those crazy kids and didn't want the books to end. When I was introduced to their Irish language equivalent Áine agus Barra, my life felt complete. My bibliomania has been steadily hurtling out of control since then. Thanks, Mum and Anne and Barry! [link: http://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/Anne-and-Barry-books-Remember/%5D
These are the things I shall remember the next time a Government announcement has me reaching for my passport. It may be hard to believe at times, but there are still some things that can't be taxed or devalued. And never can be.
Regina de Búrca hails from the West of Ireland. She has been a Liverpool FC fan since the age of four. She writes books for teenagers and has a MA in writing for Young People from Bath Spa University. She currently lives in Dublin. Twitter: @Regina_dB


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Remote Deposit
Alaska USA Remote Deposit is the fast, easy, and secure way to deposit checks to your account, using the Alaska USA app for Android™ and iPhone®. Make deposits nearly anytime and anywhere.
Accept the agreement
To begin using the Remote Deposit service with your account you must accept the Service Agreement that is presented. Tap the "Accept" button to agree to the terms.
Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.


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Spanish Teacher Fired for Calling Student Racially-Charged Term in Awful Translation Screwup
You really do need to be careful about the words you use.
A teacher in the Bronx, New York has been fired for calling a student a "Negro," although she claims the whole matter is nothing more than a misunderstanding during a language lesson.
Back in 2012, Petrona Smith, 65, was giving a lesson in how to say colors in Spanish. Smith who is black and from the West Indies, says she was merely using the word "negro" because that's how you say "black" in Spanish.
A student at the bilingual PS 211 school reported Smith, who was fired.
Smith tried to clear up the matter by telling authorities how she was teaching the kids how to say different colors in Spanish. She also claims she told her students that "negro" was not negative jargon in this scenario, while going on to explain that someone with black skin would be called "moreno" in Spanish.
Her attorney said the whole matter is nothing short of preposterous:
They haven't even accounted for how absurd it is for someone who's black to be using a racial slur to a student. Talk about context! There's a lot of things wrong here."
Smith is also accused of calling her students failures, an accusation she says is the result of more miscommunication that occurred when she asked kids who failed a test to move to a different part of the classroom.
Smith, who claims she can't find work since she was let go, is now suing for wrongful termination.


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#RSL Tweets of the Day (@RealSaltLake)
Off to Columbus for the weekend!
@codyarnoux hope to see you in an #RSL kit again someday. Good luck!
@Kwamekazi oooo another #rsl to follow. Welcome to Salt Lake and welcome to the team!
Colby Groneman @colbyutahman3
Good luck at crew stadium Saturday. Fly safe today. #3points #RoadStreak @NickRimando @natborchers @WillJohnson08 @javi_mo11 @Paulojr23RSL
RSL News Stand "A/V Club"
(AUDIO) ESPN700Sports: RSL General Manager Garth Lagerwey – Interview – June 27, 2012
(AUDIO) RealSaltLake.com: RSL Insider, Presented by AT&T: RSL at Columbus Crew Preview - June 27, 2012
(VIDEO) MLSsoccer.com: The Daily 6/27 - MLS teams thru to Open Cup Semis & Philly Unveils Soumare
(VIDEO) FIFA.com: Pele: The greatest of them all
(PHOTO) Prost Amerika: Photo Gallery: American Women Train in Utah Heat
(AUDIO) FutbolMLS.com: TIro Libre: Hector Jimenez (LA) y Fernando Cardenas (NE)- Entrevista- June 27, 2012
RSL News & Notes
RealSaltLake.com: Real Salt Lake Acquires DF Kwame Watson-Siriboe from Chicago Fire in Exchange for 2014 MLS SuperDraft Pick
The Salt Lake Tribune: RSL signs defender from Chicago Fire to provide depth
Deseret News: RSL acquires DF Kwame Watson-Siriboe from Chicago Fire in exchange for 2014 MLS SuperDraft pick
RSL Soapbox: Arnoux and Estridge depart, Watson-Siriboe arrives in squad shuffle
Under The Crossbar: Shifting sands of squad seize Estridge, Arnoux as Watson-Siriboe steps in
MLS News and Notes
Standard-Examiner: MLS rankings; Real Salt Lake drops to No. 4
MLSsoccer.com: Set piece work pays off for Toronto on trip to Montreal
MLSsoccer.com: Recap: Rampant Toronto throttle Impact 3-0 in Montreal
MLSsoccer.com: Impact boss Marsch on TFC: "They had more heart"
MLSsoccer.com: FCD Notebook: Perez the missing piece in misfiring offense
MLSsoccer.com: Columbus preparing to make major signing, possible DP
MLSsoccer.com: Busy week behind the scenes for recovering Whitecaps
MLSsoccer.com: Wild shots, failure to execute leave Crew looking for goals
MLSsoccer.com: Fantasy Fixes: Players you should pick up in Week 17
MLSsoccer.com: Pick 'Em: MLSsoccer.com editors pick mid-week 17 match
MLSsoccer.com: Kick Off: LA's Beckham left off Great Britain Olympic Team
MLSsoccer.com: United irked by lack of defensive nods on All-Star ballot
MLSsoccer.com: Horst's first MLS tally puts some extra spring in his step
NBC Sports: ProSoccerTalk: Unwrapping the new DPs in MLS; first up is Marco Di Vaio
NBC Sports: ProSoccerTalk: ProSoccerTalk's weekly Panic Quotient
Soccer America: MLS Rewind ...
Soccer By Ives: MLS Notes: D.C. United to play PSG; Crew, Revs each cut three and more
Soccer By Ives: Soumare completes long road back to MLS, fills needs for resurgent Union
Prost Amerika: Indiscipline Overshadows Sounders Good News
Under The Crossbar: Guest Post: Power Rankings Round-Up, Week 16
MLSsoccer.com: USOC: Quakes frustrated by refereeing, inability to score
MLSsoccer.com: USOC: Brace may be coming-out party for Chivas' Correa
MLSsoccer.com: USOC: Sounders hope gritty win at San Jose carries over
NBC Sports: ProSoccerTalk: U.S. Open Cup semifinal dates and pairings
US and International Soccer News and Notes
NBC Sports: ProSoccerTalk: Jozy Altidore seems confused about exactly why he didn't start for the U.S. team
FIFA.com: Van Marwijk resigns as Dutch coach
FIFA.com: Wambach: Nothing like the Olympics
FIFA.com: Football defying the odds in the CAR
Soccer By Ives: Thursday Kickoff: No Olympics for Beckham, Barca seal Alba deal, and more
The Original Winger: Report :: David Beckham Left Off Stuart Pearce's Team Great Britain Olympic Team Roster
RSL Soapbox: A fan guide from U.S. Soccer for the USWNT match on Saturday
Bleacher Report: USMNT: 10 Bold Predictions for the Future Under Jurgen Klinsmann
NBC Sports: ProSoccerTalk: Offshore drilling, Euro 2012: Spain 0 (4-2 on kicks), Portugal 0
NBC Sports: ProSoccerTalk: Andrea Pirlo, changing perfection, and Germany-Italy: Thursday's Euro 2012 playlist
Goal.com: Klinsmann: Germany deserves to win Euro 2012
Goal.com: Chiellini: I feared Euro 2012 was over for me
Goal.com: 'I wanted life to give me this opportunity' - Fabregas elected to take crucial penalty
Goal.com: Ramos attributes his semifinal penalty chip to being 'a little crazy'
FIFA.com: Fabregas the hero as Portugal head home
UEFA.com: Spain survive test of nerve to reach final
UEFA.com: Italy ready to stand up to Germany
UEFA.com: Proud Ronaldo rues Portugal's luck
Soccer America: Nerveless Spain ousts Portugal on penalties
Soccer By Ives: Euro 2012: Spain tops Portugal after Ronaldo-less PK round to return to final
Soccer By Ives: Euro 2012 Semifinals: Spain vs. Portugal
SBNation: Portugal Vs. Spain, Euro 2012 Semifinals: Final Score, La Roja Victorious 4-2 On Penalties
SBNation: Germany Vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals: Lines, Odds And Picks


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Nearly every division is still up for grabs, as only the AFC East leading New England Patriots look like an early lock for postseason play. The surging Panthers, Eagles and Ravens are worth watching as the season begins its final stretch, while the Jets and Browns appear to be on their last legs.
Here's What Else We Learned:
Justin Tuck Eats the Skins Alive: Although the Giants have little to play for, Justin Tuck, who came into the game with just 2.5 sacks for the season, devoured the Washington offensive line for four sacks in a 21-17 New York win.
U.S. & World
Eric Decker Gobbles Up Chiefs: Peyton Manning lit up the usually stingy Kansas City defense for five touchdowns and 403 yards, but Eric Decker may have shined the brightest in Denver's 35-28 win this week. With an eight-catch, four-TD day, Decker led the Broncos to their second win over the Chiefs in three weeks and helped Denver take sole possession of first place in the AFC West.
Foles Stays Perfect as Eagles Fly Higher: The Eagles have soared their way into the NFC East playoff picture. Foles threw three TDs and the Eagles' defense held on against a solid Arizona offense in a 24-21 win. 5-1 when Foles starts, the second year QB now has 19 TD passes this season and not a single interception. Philly is tied for the top spot with Dallas, as the NFC East continues to be one of the most intriguing divisions in the NFL.
Patriots' "Miraculous" Play-Calling Questioned: Tom Brady did his best impersonation of the X-Men's Professor X this week against the Houston Texans and don't think they didn't notice. After the game, Houston defensive end Antonio Smith questioned how the Pats were one step ahead in terms of play-calling all game. ''Either teams are spying on us or scouting us,'' Smith said after the game. ''I don't know what it is.'' In the 34-31 New England win, Brady connected with eight different receivers during the game, with Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman adding more than 100 yards receiving apiece.
Simms Can't Help Jets' Ailing Offense: The 5-7 Jets have no momentum and possibly the worst quarterback situation in the NFL. Geno Smith completed just four passes in the first half this week and was benched in favor of backup Matt Simms. The 23-year-old Simms wasn't much better, going 9 -18 with an interception in a passionless 23-3 defeat to rival Miami. With the victory, the Dolphins find themselves 6-6 with a playoff berth still possible.
Cam Newton, Panthers Have Super Bowl on Their Mind: The Buccaneers have been that bad this season, but Cam Newton and the Panthers have been that good. Behind a three-TD performance from their enigmatic QB and four sacks from their defense, Carolina won their eighth game in a row. Now 9-3, the Panthers have a Super Bowl on their mind. ''There is no roof, no sky,'' defensive end Greg Hardy told The Associated Press after the game. ''We're going up. Every person on this team, every coach on this team has the same mentality right now. I feel like it's contagious.''
Ravens Beat Steelers in Turkey Day Clunker: Two TDs reversed by replay, coaches on the field during play and crucial mistakes capped a drama-filled Ravens win on Thanksgiving. Justin Tucker kicked five FGs against the Steelers, helping out Joe Flacco and Ray Rice, who at times seemed stifled. Now 6-6. the defending Super Bowl Champion Ravens still have plenty of ground to make up to catch the 8-4 Bengals in the AFC North.
Peterson, Vikings Hammer Down Bears: This game probably gave thousands in Chicago and Minnesota a massive migraine. The back and forth affair was fueled by Chicago's balanced offense and the sheer determination of Adrian Peterson on the ground. With 211 yards rushing, Peterson drove his team down the field in a game they could have lost several times. Alshon Jeffery (12 catches, two TD, 249 yards) and Josh McCown were stellar for the Bears, but kicker Robbie Gould couldn't nail the winning FG in OT. With Peterson securing the load in OT, Vikings kicker Blair Walsh kicked the winner for a 23-20 Minnesota win.


text: Server Help :: View topic - Vehicle module by Bak- Questions Server HelpCommunity forums for Subgame, ASSS, and bots FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Statistics Register Profile Login to check your private messages Login (SSL) Server Help | ASSS Wiki (0) | Shanky.com Vehicle module by Bak- Questions Server Help Forum Index -> ASSS Questions Printable version dead lock on starting zone :: Problem compiling modules Author Message Guest Offline Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 6:19 am Post subject: Vehicle module by Bak- Questions This is the perfect module for the project I am using, but not so perfect in the fact it doesn't work properly. Wondering if anyone has used it, and had it working. Issues: 1) Fixed the ship change from being coded on 1.4.4 to compile on 1.5. 2) Errors with the ?in function when you are not near a vehicle in crashes - Its a problem in the attach funtion - Commented out the attach function and it works 3) When you enter a vehicle, then go back to where it was when you go in, you can get into it again and then there are 2 vehicles. You can do this once, the second time you try it doesn't work. Back to top Guest Offline Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 8:35 pm Post subject: Here is where the code fails if anyone can see anything obvious, I don't do much work with C. Code: Show/Hidelocal BOOL tryAttach(Player *p, tdvector *tdv) { int x; BOOL rv = FALSE; printf("[v] looking up players in proximity to %s. %d found\n",p->name,tdv->count); for (x = 0; x < tdv->count;++x) { Player* mounted = findPlayerWithName(tdv->data[x].name); if (mounted) { printf("[v] checking %s\n",mounted->name); int deltaX = p->position.x - mounted->position.x; int deltaY = p->position.y - mounted->position.y; int radius = getRadius(p->arena->cfg, tdv->data[x].ship) + 16; // plus one tile lee-way if (deltaX * deltaX + deltaY * deltaY < radius * radius) { // this is our turret!!! if (tdv->data[x].state == STATE_OCCUPIED) { if (strchr(tdv->data[x].disallowAttachShips,'1' + p->p_ship) != 0) { chat->SendMessage(p,"%ss are not allowed to attach to that vehicle.", shipNames[p->p_ship]); } else if (getNumAttached(mounted) >= tdv->data[x].maxTurrets) { chat->SendMessage(p,"There are too many turrets attached to %s.",mounted->name); } else { if (p->p_freq != mounted->p_freq && tdv->data[x].disallowEnemyAttach) chat->SendMessage(p,"Enemies are not allowed to attach to that vehicle.", shipNames[p->p_ship]); else { forceAttach(p, mounted); rv = TRUE; break; } } } } } } return rv; } and here is forceAttach where it may or may not also be a problem. Code: Show/Hidelocal void forceAttach(Player *p, Player* mounted) { int pid2 = mounted->pid; /* only send it if state has changed */ if (p->p_attached != pid2) { struct SimplePacket pkt = { S2C_TURRET, p->pid, pid2 }; net->SendToArena(p->arena, NULL, (byte*)&pkt, 5, NET_RELIABLE); p->p_attached = pid2; DO_CBS(CB_ATTACH, p->arena, AttachFunc, (p, mounted)); } } local Player* findPlayerWithName(const char* name) { Player* rv, *p; Link* link; pd->Lock(); FOR_EACH_PLAYER(p) { if (strcmp(p->name, name) == 0) { rv = p; break; } } pd->Unlock(); return rv; } Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Server Help Forum Index -> ASSS Questions All times are GMT - 5 Hours Page 1 of 1 Jump to: Select a forum Random Spam----------------AnnouncementsTrash TalkZone Hosting / Advertising Assistance----------------General QuestionsASSS QuestionsBot QuestionsLVZ/LVL Questions Coding----------------ASSS Custom ProjectsMisc User AppsNon-Subspace Related Coding You can post new topics in this forumYou can reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forumYou can attach files in this forumYou can download files in this forum View online users | View Statistics | View Ignored List Software by php BB © php BB GroupServer Load: 17 page(s) served in previous 5 minutes.


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We agree with Bradley Cooper: Ben Affleck was robbed.
Speaking to the Today show Thursday morning Cooper, who was nominated for an Oscar for his epic performance in Silver Linings Playbook, interrupted his congratulations interview to say, "But I do have to say, real quick, I do have to say, Ben Affleck got robbed." And he's right. Argo — the actor's third feature directing effort — is incredible, and we're not just saying that because it's based on a Wired story. It's really that good, and he should've received a Best Director nomination for it. So should have Quentin Tarantino for Django Unchained and Kathryn Bigelow for Zero Dark Thirty. But even though it's heartbreaking – not to mention fairly shocking — that they weren't recognized, their snubs might be a good thing.
And that's not just because Affleck's snub gives new meaning to the film's joke line, "Argo, f*ck yourself." The real reason? One of the above directors probably lost their slot to Benh Zeitlin. Chances are you may not have heard Zeitlin's name, you've probably heard of his film — Beasts of the Southern Wild. Set in a place known as the "Bathtub" Beasts is a crazy fantasy drama about a 6-year-old girl named Hushpuppy (played by Quvenzhané Wallis, a first-time actress who Thursday morning became the youngest woman ever to be nominated for Best Actress) whose Louisiana bayou community faces an influx of prehistoric animals known as Aurochs (the "beasts"). It's a beautiful flick, but its director's Oscar nod signals not only acknowledgment by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of a well-told story, but also of a DIY director willing to make a less-than-conventional movie almost through sheer will.
Zeitlin, the subject of a glowing Los Angeles Times profile this week for the radical notion of living amongst the people he champions in his film instead of Hollywood, is part of the growing New Orleans movie-making movement, which post-Katrina has seen an influx filmmakers (2012 was a record-breaking year for the town with some $670 million being spent on TV, film, and commercials being shot in the area). And Beasts, which was made for about $1.5 million from a nonprofit, is an excellent example of what indie filmmakers can do in the city. Not to mention the collective Zeitlin is a part of, Court 13 – so named because of the abandoned squash court where they first set up shop – is the kind of anti-studio studio that the Academy should be championing (find out more about Court 13 in the featurette below). (Or maybe the more tech-savvy, indie minded voters were able to push a little more support behind Zeitlin in the e-voting fracas?)
Either way, Zeitlin's nomination is a huge victory for independent filmmaking and folks like Affleck, who is still going to get the chance to make many more great movies, and Bigelow, who already has one Oscar to her name, are going to be fine. But the nomination for Zeitlin is huge – even if he is going up against heavyweights like Steven Spielberg (Lincoln), Ang Lee (Life of Pi), David O. Russell (Silver Linings), and slightly-less-heavyweight Michael Haneke (Amour). There's a chance he could still rock the boat and beat them all.
What else rocked our world during the Oscar nominations? Read on.
2012: The Year Everyone Learned to Adapt
After Best Picture, the hardest-fought race this year might be who takes home an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Argo, Life of Pi, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Lincoln and Silver Linings Playbook were all adapted from other texts. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner's script for Lincoln is probably the best of the lot, but man, picking a favorite story out of these five films is like picking a favorite child – it's nearly impossible.
The Best Actress Winner is Probably Going to Break Our Hearts, No Matter What
This field pretty much includes everyone awesome — Jessica Chastain for Zero Dark Thirty, Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook, and the aforementioned Quvenzhané Wallis for Beasts of the Southern Wild. While it would be unreal to see someone like Wallis become the youngest Best Actress winner ever, especially for such a great performance, but over here we're also very big fans of Chastain's steely cool as CIA operative Maya and Lawrence's brand of heart-wrenching crazy. Not to mention Emmanuelle Riva in Amour and Naomi Watts in The Impossible are nothing to scoff at either. This one will be the biggest nail-biter when the Oscars air Feb. 24.
Life of Pi For All the Technical Awards
Ang Lee's Life of Pi is second only to Lincoln in the total number of nominations it got – it had 11 compared to the 12 given to Steven Spielberg's film. And let's just say this – it can have all the technical awards it wants. It's beautiful. As much as we'd like to see an award (any award) go to Avengers, in the VFX category, Pi has it bested. And it was definitely better than The Hobbit in that category. It can get little gold men for production design and cinematography too. HOWEVER, if it runs off with Best Picture, atheists everywhere will probably be having a silent cry.
Christoph Waltz is Beyond Amazing, But Where's Leonardo DiCaprio and Samuel L. Jackson?
A funny thing happened during the Oscar nominee announcements this morning – after each Best Supporting Actor nominee was named, presenter Emma Stone deadpanned, "He's won before." The whole lot – Robert De Niro, Alan Arkin, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tommy Lee Jones, Christoph Waltz – all have Oscars already. So, even though Waltz was in-freaking-credible in Django Unchained (easy as good as he was in Inglourious Basterds) it would've been nice to see one of his co-stars – Samuel L. Jackson or Leonardo DiCaprio, both of whom have never won an Oscar – get a nod.
Wreck-It Ralph is Facing Off Against ParaNorman
Ok, this is stressful. ParaNorman is a wonderful film from the fine folks at Laika Entertainment. But Wreck-It Ralph was a smart, funny feature that really found a way to give videogames some serious heart. And both of them are up against Tim Burton's Frankenweenie and the other great female archery movie of the summer, Brave. Nerds totally united in the Best Animated Feature category, and now they have to battle it out like they're in the Hunger Games. Consider us torn.Go Back to Top. Skip To: Start of Article.


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This week, a best-of edition. Yeah, it works with horoscopes, too, when you make them up like we do:
This week, a best-of edition. Yeah, it works with horoscopes, too, when you make them up like we do:
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): The National Society of Douchebaggery will contact you for its annual honor.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): You've said you would kill for a good piece of cheesecake, but the sad truth is you wouldn't do more than break someone's leg.
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): You'll stumble across the meaning of life, but unfortunately, you won't be able to figure out a way to charge people for it.
ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): You've never been successful at the game of love, but at least you've figured out that the rules are similar to those of "Clue."
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): You claim you never asked for all this crap, but there's your signature on the crap-request forms.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 21): You're starting to get the feeling you keep getting nominated for the Pulitzer Prize just so the judges can mock your "Lord of the Rings" fan fiction.
CANCER (JUNE 22-JULY 22): Stop telling everyone you're popular with guys. Only your breasts are popular with guys.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Just because ambulances go by you at high speeds does not mean they want to race you.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): For centuries, fire was considered a source of strength. Remember this as you're thrashing around on your kitchen floor.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 23): The stars want to know if you'll try that trick with the fireworks and can of gasoline again. They love when you do that.
SCORPIO (OCT. 24-NOV. 21): A pint of Jack Daniels is not the solution to your problems. Try another pint.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): Don't stress that you haven't heard from that guy you went out with three weeks ago. Neither has his parole officer.
— Madam Sarah


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More election fraud cases filed in Iowa
A citizen of Bosnia and two Canadian citizens have been charged with election fraud and fraudulent practices for allegedly registering and voting in Iowa without U.S. citizenship.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation says it issued a citation to appear in court for 28-year-old Tehvedin Murgic, of Clive. The DCI says he is a citizen of Bosnia and registered and voted on Nov. 2, 2010.
Murgic's attorney did not immediately return a call.
Arrest warrants were issued for 66-year-old Laurie McCarroll and 53-year-old Leonard Blower, both of Shenandoah. The DCI said they are Canadian citizens who registered and voted in a school election in September 2011.
The DCI said it believes they are no longer living in the United States.
Their cases were not listed on Iowa online court records.


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Gov. Jerry Brown is selling his ballot initiative to raise income and sales taxes temporarily as a simple choice: raise taxes, or see schools cut.
This tax-for-schools pitch is politically powerful. But the details of Brown's budget proposal undermine that argument.
California has a school funding guarantee, Prop 98. It is famously complicated. And while it is supposed to provide a minimum base of funding for schools, in practice it has been something more like a ceiling on funds. Since it was enacted in 1988 (and amended in 1990) by voters, school funding in California has declined when compared to other states.
U.S. & World
Brown's budget further eviscerates the weak Prop 98 protections. Prop 98 is supposed to guarantee a certain share of the budget for schools. But in the event that his tax initiative loses, the governor is proposing to count more than $2 billion debt payments to cover school bonds as part of the Prop 98 guarantee, instead of money that goes into the classroom.
This move comes on top of an accounting maneuver last year that carved $5 billion out of the state general for local governments -- and thus may have lowered ("may" because nothing is ever certain with Prop 98) the amount of money going to schools through the Prop 98 guarantee.
These actions are a problem not only for schools but for Brown's hope of passing a measure. This game with school funding is one reason why the California Federation of Teachers is supporting its own tax initiative as an alternative to Brown's. Another is that the initiative would devote school dollars to covering previous promises to schools, instead of boosting current programs.
The situation also shows how badly California needs a brand-new budget system. instead of a formula based on a share of the budget, California should base school funding on educational needs -- the costs of the teachers, materials, schedules and facilities necessary to educate children in the best way we know how.
Let us know what you think. Comment below, send us your thoughts via Twitter @PropZero or add your comment to our Facebook page.


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[Transcribed and annotated by Derek B. Scott, Professor of Critical Musicology, University of Leeds.]
"The Dogs of War" are loose and the rugged Russian Bear,
Full bent on blood and robbery, has crawl'd out of his lair;
It seems a thrashing now and then, will never help to tame
That brute, and so he's out upon the "same old game."
The Lion did his best to find him some excuse
To crawl back to his den again, all efforts were no use;
He hunger'd for his victim, he's pleased when blood is shed,
But let us hope his crimes may all recoil on his own head.
We don't want to fight but by jingo if we do,
We've got the ships, we've got the men, and got the money too!
We've fought the Bear before and while we're Britons true
The Russians shall not have Constantinople.
The misdeeds of the Turks have been "spouted" thro' all lands,
But how about the Russians, can they show spotless hands?
They slaughtered well at Khiva, in Siberia icy cold,
How many subjects done to death will never perhaps be told,
They butchered the Circassians, man, woman, yes and child,
With cruelties their Generals their murderous hours beguiled,
And poor unhappy Poland their cruel yoke must bear,
Whilst prayers for "Freedom and Revenge" go up into the air.
May he who 'gan the quarrel soon have to bite the dust,
The Turk should be thrice armed for "he hath his quarrel just,"
'Tis sad that countless thousands should die thro' cruel war,
But let us hope most fervently ere long it will be o'er;
Let them be warned, Old England is brave Old England still,
We've proved our might, we've claimed our right, and ever, ever will,
Should we have to draw the sword our way to victory we'll forge,
With the battle cry of Britons, "Old England and Saint George!"
Historical notes
"We've fought the Bear before" refers to the Crimean War, 1854-56. The "misdeeds of the Turks" probably refers to the carnage following Serbia and Montenegro's struggle for independence in 1876. The Russians had attacked the city of Khiva (now part of Uzbekistan) in 1873. The Russo-Circassian War was of long duration (1763-1864) and became part of a larger Caucasian War. The eastern sector of Poland had been occupied by Russia since the Congress of Vienna, but was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1864.
Biographical and musical notes
Gilbert Hastings MacDermott (1845-1901), the son of Irish working-class parents, became one of the biggest stars of the music halls, and was billed as the "Great Macdermott." His enthusiastic singing of this song resulted in the word "jingoism" being added to the English language. He followed it up with another song by G. W Hunt, "Waiting for the Signal" (London: Hopwood & Crew, 1878). The Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78 also prompted the production of other music, for example, "The Lion and the Bear," words by Vivian Grahame, music by Gerard Carlton, (London: Howard, 1978), an anti-war song, "By Jingo," words by John F. McArdle, music by D. Gribbin (Liverpool: Pillow, c. 1877), a dance, "The Russo-Turkish War Galop," by A. Aulad Ali (Junr.) (Dublin: Pigott, 1877), and a descriptive piece for the piano, The Balkans, by Jules de Sivrai (London: Chappell, 1878).
The British government was concerned about Russia extending its power into the Balkans and wished to support the Ottoman Empire (as had been the case in the Crimean campaign). In early 1878, battleships were sent to protect Constantinople (Istanbul) from Russian occupation. The Russians signed a treaty in March, but Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro became independent of Ottoman control.
Related Material
- "God Bless the Music Halls": Victorian and Edwardian Popular Songs
- Max Beerbohm remembers MacDermott
Hunt, G. W. Macdermott's War Song. London: Hopwood & Crew, 1877.
Created 8 May 2008
Last modified 24 March 2017


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Following our 7am news media breakfast at RootsTech 2011, we toured the exhibit hall before it was open to the public. It is amazing that 150 volunteer FamilySearch crews are stationed throughout the world using equipment shown below:
Using this method, the crew is able to digitize 1 million images per week! FamilySearch is now doing beta-testing on having those images available almost immediately, without indexing. David Rencher had asked us if we preferred to have images with indexes years from now, or have the images posted online to browse right away. Naturally we all favored the immediate access to images online ~ a quicker alternative to ordering microfilm and then cranking through each roll in search of our ancestors.
Happy family tree climbing!
Myrt :)
Your friend in genealogy.


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Wednesday, September 03, 2008
I guess it's fitting that in the Fall, plants die. And while I expected the demise of Al, the Space Plant (may he rest in peace), I certainly didn't expect my cactus, Bob, the Succulent (isn't that fun to say?) to die as well. This is par for the course. People who know me also know that I cannot keep plants alive. Apparently I have a quota on the living things thing. One husband, two kids, two dogs, two cats, two guinea pigs and 24 Girl Scouts are all I'm allowed.
There was a time in my life, when to discourage my friends from giving me plants, I kept a hanging something by the sink in the kitchen. It died, because that's what plants do in my presence. Even though it had plenty of light and access to water (being next to the sink and all). I kept that dead plant for two years to remind myself not to take on any more. People thought I was a psychopath, but it worked.
Imagine my surprise to find Bob lying on his side, life eaking from his prickly body. I killed a cactus. I may be the only person on earth who can kill something that can survive in Hell-like conditions. I wonder what that says about me?
I guess the Summer of Plant Weirdness is finally over. All I have to look forward to next year is seeing what strange things come up in the Spring. Personally, I can't wait.
The Plant Assasin
Posted by Leslie Langtry at 7:52 AM
17 comments:
- Keri Ford said...
Maybe you gave the cactus too good of a life and it just couldn't survive in the heaven like conditions (you know, since he was born expecting to be treated terribly).
Hey! You killed him with kindness!
- September 3, 2008 at 8:47 AM
- Leslie Langtry said...
Keri, Hmmmm....I wonder if there's a way the Bombay's could kill someone with kindness... food for thought. Just, apparently, not for the cactus. ;)
- September 3, 2008 at 9:22 AM
- Gemma Halliday said...
Aw, poor Bob!
(By the way, I love that you name your plants. I totally used to do that... then they all died on me. It was too depressing.)
- September 3, 2008 at 9:27 AM
- Leslie Langtry said...
Gemma, I think you make a valid point. Maybe in naming my plants, I'm dooming them to a certain death?
- September 3, 2008 at 10:05 AM
- Terri Osburn said...
The one constant in my house is no plants. I can't keep them alive. Not sure why. I have been able to keep two plants alive in my office but they usually have to droop completely over before I remember to water them.
This is just a guess as I know NOTHING about plants, but maybe Bob needs a bigger pot? I really did think it was impossible to kill a cactus. And poor Al. When he went he really went.
- September 3, 2008 at 10:23 AM
- Hellie Sinclair said...
I've killed my cactus, Leslie. I mean, I only need to water it once a month and clearly I did it wrong. I don't think cactuses really have a will to live... They probably want to come back as a Bird of Paradise or something....
I do have an African Violet though, who seems to like me, and so far I've managed to not kill it. Going on about 5 years now, I think.
- September 3, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Alas, poor Al the Space Plant. Maybe you'll find some kids of his come spring?
I've killed a cactus before. I was rather surprised. I've got some kind of plant now that I water once a week. It's hanging over my tub. It seems to be thriving which is even more surprising than my killing a cactus. *g*
- September 3, 2008 at 12:12 PM
- Maureen said...
I have the same problem with plants. I have concluded that it is not my fault but the problem is that the plants cannot yell at me like the kittens do at night for the food. The kittens, my children and my husband realize that I need to be reminded of things since there is just so much that needs to be done.
- September 3, 2008 at 1:30 PM
- Estella said...
Poor Bob!
Maybe he didn't like the name you gave him.
- September 3, 2008 at 3:29 PM
- Leslie Langtry said...
I wonder if plants commit suicide? I just wish he'd stop looking at me like that.
- September 3, 2008 at 4:00 PM
- catslady said...
I too have killed a cactus and I'm guessing it's because I always over water the darn things lol.
- September 3, 2008 at 4:19 PM
- Shel said...
You're not alone Leslie. My friend got me a cactus because you cannot kill them, but kill it I did...
It's a good thing I do not have kids.
- September 3, 2008 at 6:03 PM
- Elisabeth Naughton said...
Hee hee. I'm a plant killer too. Ithink I'm down to one - maybe two - living plants in the house. The only reason they survive is because the DH takes care of them.
I have a 36 yr old Christmas cactus sitting on my desk. It was a cutting from the cactus my grandmother gave my mother, when good ol' grams flew out west to spend the month with my mother before I was born. Needless to say, the Christmas cactus was a peace offering because they didn't get along so well during that month. The funny part about this story is that damn cactus generally only flowers in November (around my birthday), but every flippin' time I've been pregnant, it's flowered at unusual times (like in the spring or summer, when I've GOTTEN pregnant). The last time it happened (4 yrs ago) I thought there was something wrong with the plant, then wammo...a week later I found out I was pregnant. Needless to say...that plant is on it's last legs. I've stopped watering it. The DH thinks I'm being cruel, but there's NO way I'm letting that thing flower again. (Secretly, I think he's watering it. And yes, we have issues to discuss...)
- September 3, 2008 at 6:38 PM
- Christie Craig said...
You have my sympathies.
May Al rest in peace.
- September 3, 2008 at 7:37 PM
- Leslie Langtry said...
Elizabeth, you might have something there with your pregnancy test cactus! Make some cuttings before it dies! Just don't glue googly eyes on it. It's just too weird. I should've known it was a bad idea when Christopher Walken suggested it...
- September 3, 2008 at 8:38 PM
- Unknown said...
Maybe you baby your plants to much, you give them to much TLC. This could be your problem. Maybe a little less water may help. I have a plaint in my living room that I can't remember to water ofter and it is doing very well.
- September 3, 2008 at 10:20 PM
- Jenyfer Matthews said...
mshellion reminded me of something I've noticed before - I have known any number of people who claim they kill plants, but can grow African violets just fine, while I can grow just about anything BUT an African violet! Give me an African violet (or any similar plant) and it'll be dead inside a few months. What's up with that?
RIP Bob
- September 4, 2008 at 1:10 AM


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Want a Client? Adopt a Highway
Along the nation's highways there are hundreds, possibly thousands, of Adopt-A-Highway signs. They acknowledge individuals, businesses and organizations that help beautify the highways. But guess what? The people and groups advertised on the signs are not always the ones who do the work.
They hire contractors, and some of those are landscape companies. This has the potential to be a lucrative add-on business for landscapers, or an opportunity to start a new sideline.
Forty-nine states have Adopt-A-Highway programs. California's is one of the most extensive. In that state, participants can remove litter on a 2-mile stretch of freeway, remove graffiti from one or more highway structures, plant seedling trees or shrubs or control weeds on 5 acres of land, or plant wildflowers on 3 acres. In turn, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) puts up a sign with their name on their section of the highway acknowledging their work.
"Any business, organization or individual is welcome to join the program," says Alfonso Sanchez, Adopt-A-Highway coordinator for Los Angeles and Ventura counties (District 7). "The only groups we don't allow are people who advocate hate and organizations that promote alcohol or tobacco." According to the Caltrans Web site, there are more than 4,000 participants in the program in California.
Participants, often private businesses, adopt a highway both as a public service and for the advertising. One-quarter of them hire contractors. Contractors may do it partly for public service, but there is also money in it.
Not only does highway cleanup seem a natural add-on for a landscape company, it can also work the other way around. One of California's biggest Adopt-A-Highway contractors started with cleanup, and later added a landscape division because of the contacts it made.
"We are a landscape company," says Tony Decker, whose family owns Adopt-The-Highway Company as well as the parent company, Landscape Maintenance of America. The company, operating out of Gavilan Hills and Loomis, in California, was a boon to the family's six sons — all of whom work for either the adoption company or the landscape company.
The highway cleanup portion of the company has up to 35 employees at any given time. "We clean up litter all over the state," Decker says, so crews either work out of the two offices or just commute to job sites from home. Each crew is made up of two to five people, depending on how much litter each highway accumulates and how long a stretch of highway is contracted.
Each crew, led by a crew chief, has a company pickup or van. But that isn't for litter pick-up. Crews place the litter in bags, and the state does the rest.
"The bags are set along the highway," Decker says, and Caltrans picks them up. But Adopt-The-Highway Company works in three states, and in Arizona the sponsor pays extra for the contractor to pick up the trash bags.
What is surprising is how lucrative highway cleanup can be. Decker says it varies quite a bit, because each sponsor contract is negotiated separately, and each highway has varying amounts of litter.
"Some jobs are done quarterly, some monthly," he notes, and contracts are based on the amount of litter in a 2-mile stretch of highway. His company averages about $250 per month for an average 2-mile contract, but that can go up to $750 per month if conditions dictate. When you start adding up the number of miles of highway in the nation, there's a lot of money to be made.
"Volunteer groups do a lot of the work still. For them it's community service, and yet they get the marketing benefits of the highway sign," Decker points out. He calls each Adopt-A-Highway sign a "mini-billboard" that is an effective advertisement.
Part of Decker's company's job is to design and install custom highway signs. They also do all the Caltrans paperwork, including obtaining the Adopt-A-Highway Encroachment Permit required for him to represent a client on the shoulder of the highway, and provide liability insurance for the workers as required by the states. All the sponsor has to do is pay for the service.
Decker notes that he contracts with companies ranging from huge corporations to mom-and-pop businesses. Automobile dealerships and restaurants are big highway sponsors, and one of his biggest contracts is with a multiple Burger King franchisee.
"We market it," Decker says. He has an active sales campaign and does a lot of cold calling of businesses trying to sell them stretches of highway. His company also does landscape maintenance, vegetation control, tree plantings and wildflower planting — some of which can also be purchased under Adopt-A-Highway programs. Check out the company's Web site, www.adoptahwy.com, to see how it operates.
Decker says it just doesn't make any sense to those companies to have their employees risking their lives along the highways just for a promotional tool. Safety is a big concern for Adopt-A-Highway. The company hasn't had anyone killed, but then, it provides safety training to employees to avoid mishaps. Cleanup employees work against the traffic and don't work in large groups.
Decker says these are considered good jobs. He has had some employees for 10 years; some people just like the independence of working on their own in remote areas, though his company also contracts stretches of the busiest freeways in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
More importantly to the company, the highway cleanup contracts have led to vegetation maintenance jobs for the landscape division along the same stretches of highways. The landscape company has expanded and now also performs commercial and industrial construction.
Caltrans offers highway sections on a first-come, first-served basis. Slots in Los Angeles and Ventura counties are 80 to 90 percent filled, says Sanchez, and even rural areas are becoming filled. There's a waiting list for the most popular sections of the freeways, where up to 250,000 cars can pass daily. These include the 405, 101 and parts of the 10 in Los Angeles.
Any participant can hire a contractor — and sometimes they have to. Sites with steep slopes, high traffic volume or poor visibility, or where litter has to be removed more than 12 times a year are usually done by contractors. And usually only contractors are allowed to use motorized equipment on the state's right-of-way.
Contractors can be hired for any type of adoption, and to do all, or only some, of the work. To qualify, they have to meet the Adopt-A-Highway program's insurance and licensing requirements.
"You need $3 million in liability insurance," says Sanchez. The encroachment permit, which is good for five years and can be renewed, is free. A contractor doesn't have to be bonded. Caltrans will supply and install the Adopt-A-Highway signs, or the contractor can do it. The state supplies, collects and disposes of the litterbags, and provides a safety orientation for group leaders.
California's program began in 1989. Since then, according to the Caltrans Web site, more than 15,000 shoulder-miles have been adopted. Participants have collected litter from more than 4,000 locations (nearly 250,000 bags of trash every year). They have cleaned graffiti from more than 300 freeway walls and structures, and planted trees, shrubs and wildflowers at 375 different sites. They also maintain the historic mission bells along El Camino Real.
According to the Caltrans Web site, the program saves California taxpayers an estimated $15 million per year. And it's growing. "Vegetation control is coming on big," says Sanchez. "We don't have the resources to keep the weeds pulled. The program is so successful, it is expanding in Los Angeles and Ventura counties to on- and off-ramps and park-and-ride lots as well."
For more information on the Adopt-A-Highway Program refer to "Caltrans Adopt-A-Highway Program Guidelines and Coordinators Handbook" or visit the Adopt-A-Highway Web site at http://adopt-a-highway.dot.ca.gov/. Other states have their own Web sites as well.
Don Dale and Janet Aird are freelance writers who reside in Altadena, Calif.
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© 2020 Penton Media Inc.


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UPDATE: McClellan also said Bush did coke. Did Politico not READ that part? Whatev. Some new excerpts of the Scott McClellan Bush propaganda ministry tell-all have hit the internet — I put my fave after the jump — that sort of underscore the thing that is so compelling about this guy. I mean, McClellan always seemed like a naive idiot. His observations in no way conflict with that. In fact, they're probably much better for it, since McClellan seems like the sort of guy in whose presence more corrupt men would feel comfortable committing serious felonies, because he's either totally stupid or a complete pussy, maybe both…And at the same time, other stupid people felt comfortable saying things dramatically revelatory of their own stupidity to him. I'm talking about Bush… [WSJ]
Bush clung to the same belief during an interview with Tim Russert of NBC News in early February 2004. The Meet the Press host asked, "In light of not finding the weapons of mass destruction, do you believe the war in Iraq is a war of choice or a war of necessity? "
The president said, "That's an interesting question. Please elaborate on that a bit. A war of choice or a war of necessity? It's a war of necessity. In my judgment, we had no choice, when we look at the intelligence I looked at, that says the man was a threat."
I remember talking to the president about this question following the interview. He seemed puzzled and asked me what Russert was getting at with the question.
This, in turn, puzzled me. Surely this distinction between a necessary, unavoidable war and a war that the United States could have avoided but chose to wage was an obvious one that Bush must have thought about in the months before the invasion. Evidently it wasn't obvious to the president, nor did his national security team make sure it was. He set the policy early on and then his team focused his attention on how to sell it. It strikes me today as an indication of his lack of inquisitiveness and his detrimental resistance to reflection, something his advisers needed to compensate for better than they did.
Most objective observers today would say that in 2003 there was no urgent need to address the threat posed by Saddam with a large-scale invasion, and therefore the war was not necessary. But this is a question President Bush seems not to want to grapple with.


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Draco and the Malfoys are an indie rock/wizard rock band formed in Woonsocket, Rhode Island in 2004 by half-brothers Brian Ross and Bradley Mehlenbacher. The band was inspired by the band Harry and the Potters, who were in turn inspired by the J. K. Rowling book series Harry Potter. Draco and the Malfoys music is simple unpolished indie rock with the Harry Potter books inspiring the lyrics, usually from the point of view of the fictional antagonist, Draco Malfoy.
Since the band's formation in 2004, they have released two full-length studio albums, one extended play release and have collaborated on four compilation albums.
Studio Albums
- Draco and the Malfoys
- Party Like You're Evil!
- It's A Slytherin World
- An Anthology of Slytherin Folk Songs
Extended Plays
- Family
- Draco and the Malfoys Celebrate... Piracy! (TBR)


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If he is like me he probably was not enjoying what he was seeing. In fact I wasn't ether. So if you were out partying the Canada's victory in hockey you really should feel fortunate you missed the Raptors. I watched 3 quarters and decided to watch the Closing Ceremonies from Vancouver. Canada won more gold medals than any country in the history of the Winter Olympics with 14. If the Raptors plan on winning they will need a much better effort like they had vs Cleveland. Bosh is not on this trip so he will not be there to save the day in Houston. The 119-99 win for the Oklahoma City Thunder was domination from the word go. It is a much different story from the embarrassment the Raptors suffered in this same place last season. That was on par with what the Celtics must be feeling in losing to the Nets recently. If you remember back to my season preview in the Dino Nation Blog, I picked the Thunder to make the playoffs in the West. I also picked Scott Brooks to be coach of the year. Both are looking solid and the Thunder showed why in this game. This is now one of the more talented and youngest teams in the NBA.
So rather than explain what was a total meltdown for the Raptors. Much like some of their epic losses early in the season. Instead I wanted to focus in on the fact this team without it's star is no where close to good enough. The entire Bosh 2010 thing has been done to death. However in the last few games you have got to see why. Chris Bosh is by far the best player on this team. Some have suggested this team can survive and remain competitive without him. If these games have not made it crystal clear that is myth and not reality, I honestly don't think you have been watching.
The 2 obvious people that would be expected to rise if Bosh is gone in 2010 would be Hedo Turkoglu and Andrea Bargnani. Hedo has had a train wreck of a first season in Toronto. Everything that defined him in Orlando has failed to clear customs in his move north. The guy who made so many big shots for the Magic has misfired more than made shots down the stretch of games. From day 1 that the deal was signed I was not a fan of it. But my issues were about term of contract and amount of money. Never did I expect Hedo to be so awful in the first few years of his deal. However he has just never seemed to be able to get on the roll with Raptors. It seems every great moment as few as they have been have been followed by injuries and other misfortune. I think it clear that Hedo at best is a secondary piece on this club. At worst he is struggling to find his offense and it has become painfully obvious the having Dwight Howard made him look far better on defense than he actually is.
How about the Raptors only first overall pick in their history Andrea Bargnani. Bosh in a much deeper draft class that featured many of the games stars was selected 4th. However to compare Bosh to Bargnani is pretty laughable. Don't get me wrong Andrea has come a long way and shows more and more signs of greatness. However that has been done in the large shadow that is cast by the Raptors 5 time all star CB4. When Bosh is not around Andrea has been inconsistent at best over his career. Should Bosh go for good, I am not convinced Andrea is ready for that. Andrea in the past more under Sam Mitchell than Jay Triano showed a lack of confidence. I fear should Bosh leave and the spotlight shifts to Andrea he will melt in it. Andrea also has not shown any kind of ability to be a rebounder on any kind of consistent level. The double doubles that Bosh makes seem routine are an event for Andrea. I am not confident Andrea will ever be ready to be a team's Batman. I am totally certain that is not going to happen next season.
Beyond that it would be a stretch to suggest anyone else. Jarrett Jack at times has tried to carry this team with no Bosh. He, much like T.J Ford tried to do in past years, turns up his offense with no #4 in the line-up. Jack can be a leader in the locker room and already is that. However as the guy to be top dog in terms of scoring and leading this on the floor is unrealistic. Demar DeRozan is still finding his way and is not as far along as a Bosh was when the Vince Carter Era came crashing down. When Vince Carter said he wanted out all eyes turned to Bosh. Even he took time to grow into the role of franchise player. I really still believe in Demar and see a bright future ahead for him. However is he ready to be the face of a franchise like a Evans in Sacramento or a Jennings in Milwaukee. The answer is no and that is no knock on the young man. He can still be great and even some day might be able to be that A guy to carry a team. However 2010/11 season is definitely not the time for that.
I would imagine some of you are saying but wait a second, the plan has always been to move Bosh in a sign and trade. That is true and I have no doubt Bryan Colangelo if forced to trade Bosh will do a much better job than Rob Babcock in moving Vince Carter. However even Bryan is not going to be able to bring back a player that is going to be able to carry this team as Bosh does.
Which leaves the Raptors no where without Bosh. I wonder what Chris thought about all the hockey madness on the streets of Toronto. Did it give him a view of what could be for him in Toronto if he could lead the Raptors to a title, or was it the ultimate reminder that no matter what he does here in Canada it will finish with a silver medal to hockey. Only Chris knows the answer to that. However Raptors fans you should have an answer to one question. What is that question. What would the Raptors be like if Bosh leaves? The answer to that is a team with no on court leader. A team that would have to struggle and fight for ever win. A team that likely visits the lottery more than the playoffs.
If Bosh can be convinced to remain the core group that is here with a commitment by MLSE to enter into the uncharted waters of being a tax team. Something that Bryan Colangelo has claimed the board is willing to do upon his recommendation. Seeing is believing thought, not that I don't believe Bryan. I do have a hard time believing that MLSE will do it thought. But the best way to sum this up is as simple as this in terms of this team being a contender in the near future.
Boshless = Hopeless
You may see that as being a little over dramatic. However that is how I see it. My track record on these things is pretty good. I was the one that told you first that Jarrett Jack would be this team's starting point guard. I was also the guy that said the Magic would play the Lakers last year. That happened too. Oh and I also said about my predictions for The Thunder this season. The point to this pat on the back festival to myself is pretty simple.
The Raptors can not afford to not re-sign Bosh and anything less would be somewhere between a complete disaster and a team that is scrapping and clawing to make the playoffs. Those days have got old for most Raptors fans. I think just like this country has got a new attitude about itself with the games in Vancouver. Raptors fans to must have a new attitude and hopefully MLSE as well. Raptors need to keep building and not once again fail and have to rebuild. After 15 years Raptors fans not only deserve but expect more. The time to demand it has come.


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John McAfee has made a point of living large and thinking big over his 67 years. He's been a drug addict, NASA programmer and software mogul.
Lately, he's captured the world's attention as an eccentric millionaire on the run in Central America, wanted for questioning in the death of his neighbour in Belize.
Now Mr. McAfee is busy making movies and tossing out some stellar names when it comes to the actor he'd have portray him in his "ideal" film.
"Christian Bale, Johnny Depp or Mickey Rourke would play the role, just to name a few," he told The Globe and Mail in an e-mail interview this week. And the director? "Martin Scorsese or James Cameron would be wonderful, in a perfect world."
The movie questions aren't hypothetical. There are, in fact, two features in the works about the controversial, colourful computer whiz from Virginia whose Silicon Valley enterprise McAfee, Inc. was purchased by Intel Corp. in 2010 for almost $7.7-billion (U.S.). This week Montreal's Impact Future Media announced it would be partnering with another Montreal operator, Equinoxe Films, to produce a McAfee-approved $28-million biopic tentatively titled Running in the Background: The True Story of JohnMcAfee. That announcement followed closely on Warner Bros. U.S. confirming it had hired John Requa and Glenn Ficarra, makers of the 2011 hit Crazy, Stupid, Love, to write, produce and direct the screen adaptation of the e-book John McAfee's Last Stand by Wired contributing editor Joshua Davis.
These days Mr. McAfee is residing in Portland. It's just the latest in a series of locales he's berthed in the last 10 weeks after Belize authorities named him a person of interest in the execution-style slaying of Florida contractor and restaurateur Greg Faull about 100 metres from Mr. McAfee's island home off the Caribbean coast of the small Central American country. The plan is to stay in the Oregon city for "a year or two." Having called Belize home for nearly five years, he told The Globe and Mail he now intends to remain in the U.S. where "I am looking at opening a school of social engineering. The McAfee School of Social Engineering has a nice ring to it. Beyond that, it is hard to say what life will bring my way."
According to Wired, Mr. McAfee sold estates in Hawaii, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas as well as a 10-passenger plane to ditch living "the traditional rich man's life" to settle in Belize in 2008. There he acquired two properties, one on the island Ambergris Cayes, the other near the town of Carmelita by the Mexican border, and eventually a harem of teenaged lovers (the age of consent in Belize is 16), a retinue of heavily armed guards and at least a dozen stray dogs. Mr. McAfee also started a number of businesses – a bar, (even though he claims to be a teetotaller since 1983 when he kicked a habit that included a bottle of scotch a day, cocaine and the psychedelic DMT), coffee distribution, cigar manufacturing, water taxi, ultra-light aircraft instruction and rental and a laboratory ostensibly dedicated to discovering plant-based antibiotics. In 2011, convinced that Carmelita wasn't merely an impoverished community of 1,600 but a major narco-trafficking transfer point, he bought a cement house there and installed floor-to-ceiling iron bars so it could serve as a jail.
In late April last year Belize's Gang Suppression Unit raided Mr. McAfee's compound near Carmelita, ostensibly because the unit believed he may have been manufacturing methamphetamine and "assembling a private army." (Mr. McAfee has said the raid was most likely prompted by his refusal to be extorted.) Whatever the reason, no illegal drugs were found but police confiscated 10 weapons and 320 rounds of ammunition. Just six months later, Mr. Faull's body was discovered with a single bullet to his head. Suspicion fell on the former Silicon Valley entrepreneur because Mr. Faull, having reportedly been bitten on at least two occasions by Mr. McAfee's dogs, had threatened revenge. Indeed, shortly before Mr. Faull's murder, four dogs on Mr. McAfee's estate had to be euthanized after reportedly ingesting poison.
Although Mr. McAfee proclaimed his innocence in Mr. Faull's death (and continues to do so), he and a 20-year-old girlfriend nevertheless disappeared from view quickly thereafter, initially hiding, disguised, in Belize City, then slipping into Guatemala where he was eventually placed in a detention centre. Guatemalans put him on a plane in early December to Miami. He then claims he drove cross-country to Portland, home of Chad Essley, his "official cartoonist" and webmaster for The Hinterland, Mr. McAfee's blog. The Hinterland also is the name of a graphic novel about Mr. McAfee, illustrated by the cartoonist, that Impact Future Media intends to publish later this year. Impact also says it's behind an Essley-helmed documentary on Mr. McAfee.
Mr. McAfee added he's "not losing sleep" over the Joshua Davis movie. "Josh does not know my story, and neither he nor Wired or Warner Bros. for that matter own my intellectual property. Impact Future Media has the story and [those rights], and they are the only company that has the permission to do a movie."
Meanwhile, Mr. McAfee said an offer he made earlier to reward $25,000 (in Belize currency) to anyone who could conclusively identify Mr. Faull's killer still stands, as does his offer to talk with Belize officials. With no charges filed, his country has no legal leverage to force his return. In the meantime, Mr. McAfee observed: "I'm definitely not hiding."


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NCSS Publications
All NCSS members receive a subscription to one of our acclaimed journals. You can download one free sample from each journal now at www.socialstudies.org/publications. The online Publications Archive is available to members only. NCSS members also receive substantial discounts on all publications and merchandise from our catalog.
Our flagship journal, Social Education, contains a balance of theoretical content and practical ideas for classroom use. Resources include techniques for using teaching materials in the classroom, information on the latest instructional technology, reviews of educational media, research on significant topics related to social studies, and lesson plans that can be applied to various disciplines. Social Education is published 6 times per year, September through June. "Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People" is published each year as an insert to the May/June issue of Social Education.
Middle Level Learning is a supplement that focuses on social studies in the middle grades. MLL is published 3 times a year as an online PDF. The current issue is online, and all MLL back issues are available to NCSS members only at the Archive of Publications. All members of NCSS have access to the online MLL.
For K-6 teachers, we offer the peer-reviewed journal Social Studies and the Young Learner. The goal of SSYL is to capture and enthuse elementary teachers across the country by providing relevant and useful information about the teaching of social studies to elementary students. SSYL is published quarterly, September through May. You also receive the September and May/June issue of the flagship journal, Social Education. ("Notable Trade Books for Young People" is published each year as an insert to the May/June issue of Social Education, so you will always receive that too.) And you have access to the online Middle Level Learning.
Members who choose the "Comprehensive" option (when they join or renew) also receive NCSS Bulletins, which are in-depth publications in book form. Bulletins focus on specific disciplines within social studies disciplines and pedagogy (such as service learning, teaching history in the middle grades, or teaching social studies to ESL students).
Current Professional News
The Social Studies Professional (TSSP) is the official newsletter of NCSS, featuring the latest news, new resource and professional development listings, and information on local and state meetings. TSSP is published 8 times per year (January/February, March, April, May/June, July/August, September, October, and November/December). It is an electronic publication available online to members at the Publications Archive. To learn more about our newsletter visit the TSSP webpage: socialstudies.org/publications/tssp
U.S. History Collection
The online U.S. History Collection is easy to search! It includes a collection of classroom activities, teaching ideas, and articles from Social Education, Middle Level Learning, and Social Studies and the Young Learner. Search by historical period, grade level, or key word. Anybody can browse the collection and read titles and abstracts–but you must be a member of NCSS to have access to the full articles. Check out the collection today: socialstudies.org/teacherslibrary
Annual Conference
The NCSS Annual Conference is a news-making event that brings social studies educators together from all across the nation. More than 400 sessions, workshops, and clinics, bring together top professionals in social studies education and highlight the central role of social studies in our schools—preparing 21st century citizens for college, career, and citizenship in a complex world. Awards are presented for teachers of the year, programs of excellence, and many other categories. Notable speakers give keynote presentations on each day of the Conference, which is held in a different city each year (Washington, DC every fifth year). Come to listen, learn, and celebrate. Members receive discounted registration rates for our Annual Conference. Submit a session proposal (December through early February) about your own best lesson!
Check out the conference webpage for the latest updates! socialstudies.org/conference
Internet Resources
The NCSS website is a portal to all that NCSS does as your professional association. As a member, you can access the Publications Archive, where you can download current and past issues of the TSSP newsletter, Middle Level Learning, and the journals Social Education and Social Studies and the Young Learner. As a member, you can search the U.S. History Collection by grade level, historical period, or key word and then access articles as PDFs. Connected is a new online network where members of NCSS can meet and communicate with one another through discussion e-groups. At Connected, you can
- post your profile or search the member networking directory;
- search and connect with people you've met so that you can stay in touch;
- post messages to discussion lists to keep topical conversations going; and
- share presentations, pictures, documents, videos or other content with your colleagues.
Click the following link to check out the new site and start getting CONNECTED: connected.socialstudies.org
Finally, as a member, you can update your own member record at any time. For example, if you move, you can change your mailing address. The NCSS website is under constant development and improvement, and we welcome your input!
Legislative Network
Through local, state, and regional council networks NCSS keeps members on top of proposed laws and regulations that affect the social studies profession. check out the latest legislative update at socialstudies.org/legislative-updates
Advocacy and Leadership: STANDING UP FOR YOUR PROFESSION!
NCSS Members are part of a professional association that asserts the voice of social studies teachers in our national life. For example, as curriculum standards are shaped nationally, NCSS is an active participant on the national standards panels. NCSS publishes National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies: A Framework for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment. NCSS publishes Position Statements that address (for educators, the media, and the public) important and controversial topics in the teaching of social studies. The NCSS Annual Conference showcases excellence in social studies teaching, kindergarten through college. Take a look at the NCSS Curriculum Standards and Position Statements on our website at: socialstudies.org/standards and socialstudies.org/positions.
Serve Your Profession
You have many opportunities to serve the social studies profession through this national association. Serve on a committee to help choose award and grant winners or advise NCSS on its operations. Help review session proposals for the Annual Conference. Serve on an editorial advisory committee for one of the NCSS peer-reviewed journals. Be a leading voice at one of the Internet discussion forums at Connected. Also, join your state council and develop your own leadership skills by representing your state council in the House of Delegates at the NCSS Annual Conference. Every member of NCSS is invited to cast a vote for members of the Board of Directors. Eventually, you could even be a candidate to serve on the NCSS Board of Directors. NCSS is your organization! It's your turn to step up to the plate! Click on the following links to learn about how you can get involved!
Join an NCSS Community (connected.socialstudies.org), associated group (socialstudies.org/groups), or state/local council (socialstudies.org/local). Connected is an online networking community for NCSS members, and its free. There may be additional fees to join associated groups or state, regional, or local councils. Please check out their websites for more information.
Volunteer to serve on an NCSS Operations or Awards Committee. For information, visit socialstudies.org/awards and socialstudies.org/about/committees. If you have questions about these groups or the application process feel free to contact Kristen at 301-588-1800, ext. 107.
Professional Development
NCSS provides its members with a number of professional development opportunities. Click the links below to see how NCSS can help support your professional growth. Lower prices for NCSS members apply to many of these items.
NCSS Summer Workshops NCSS annually offers summer professional development workshops. For a list of upcoming workshops visit the summer workshops webpage
State, Regional, and Local Conferences NCSS affiliate conferences offer great professional development and regional networking opportunities. NCSS compiles a list of affiliate conferences at socialstudies.org/affiliates/conferences
NCSS Annual Conference Every year, NCSS hosts an annual conference, where you can discover the new ideas, resources, techniques, and skills that will pay off in your classroom, school, or district, and invigorate your career. Read about this year's premier professional development event at annual conference
NCSS Awards and Grants NCSS annually recognizes teachers, researchers, authors, and other worthy individuals or programs. To learn about NCSS award and grant opportunities and application procedures, please check out the NCSS Awards and Grants webpages at socialstudies.org/awards
Postings of Announcements and Opportunities For NCSS members there is the newsletter The Social Studies Professional, which includes professional development listings. Read about it at Newsletter. NCSS also provides a webpage where anybody can post professional development opportunities of interest to NCSS members, at socialstudies.org/professionaldevelopment/opportunities.
NCSS giving opportunities help to support and strengthen the profession. To learn about the different NCSS funds and how to contribute please visit our website at: socialstudies.org/giving-opportunities.
Save on insurance with our members-only discounts. Enrollment in our group insurance plan provides substantial savings and numerous options such as professional liability insurance, TDA program, cancer coverage, Medicare supplement, and other options for NCSS members and their families. Get More Information on NCSS Insurance Programs
Information Services
NCSS assists you in locating and acquiring curriculum standards, recommendations and guidelines, articles from NCSS journals, and other social studies education related resources.
Member Discounts
NCSS members receive substantial discounts on all publications and merchandise from our catalog. Members also receive discounted registration rates for our Annual Conference.


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Last week there were six unique encounters between President Trump and U.S. journalists where the topic of illegal aliens and family border separations was brought up. It seemed odd at the time because the issue has not been a topic within discussion. These exchanges culminated in CBS correspondent Leslie Stahl asking the same question repeatedly during a 60 minutes interview on Sunday night.
Now things become clear. There are thousands of Honduran migrants traveling north to the U.S. border timed to arrive in conjunction with the mid-term election. Obviously an engineered narrative timed by the political left and media allies.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to withdraw funding and aid from Honduras if it does not stop a caravan of migrants that is heading to the United States, in his latest effort to show his administration's tough stance on immigration.
The message, driven home by Vice President Mike Pence who said he spoke to Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, could further encourage the Central American country to move closer to China because of what it sees as weak U.S. support.
Up to 3,000 migrants crossed from Honduras into Guatemala on Monday on a trek northward, after a standoff with Guatemalan police in riot gear and warnings from Washington that migrants should not try to enter the United States illegally. (read more)


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Vatican City, Aug 31, 2013 / 09:36 am MT ().- Pope Francis made a key appointment at the Vatican today, naming 58-year-old Italian Archbishop Pietro Parolin as his new Secretary of State.
"It is with trepidation that I place myself in this new service to the Gospel, to the Church and to Pope Francis," said Archbishop Parolin in an Aug. 31 statement, which was released by the Holy See Press Office along with the news of his appointment.
For the last four years, Archbishop Parolin has been serving as the Vatican's top diplomat, or Apostolic Nuncio, to Venezuela.
In the much-awaited appointment, Pope Francis has tapped him to replace current secretary of state, 78-year-old Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, appointed in 2006 by Benedict XVI. Cardinal Bertone, a canon lawyer and theologian by training, has continued to serve Pope Francis since his March 13 election.
Archbishop Parolin was trained at the Vatican's diplomatic school and has extensive experience working with the Secretariat of State both in Rome and abroad.
He served in Nigeria and Mexico before working in the Vatican Secretary of State from 2002-2009, where he served in the high-ranking position of Undersecretary for Relations with States.
"He knows how the Vatican works, and how the Catholic Church works around the world," commented Greg Burke, Senior Communications Advisor to the Vatican Secretary of State, following the appointment.
The Vatican announced that Pope Francis has also confirmed Archbishop Giovanni Angleo Becciu as Subsitute for General Affairs; Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States; Archbishop George Ganswein, Prefect of the Papal Household; Msgr. Peter Wells, Assessor for General Affairs; and Msgr. Antoine Camilleri, Under-Secretary for Relations with States.
However Archbishop Parolin's appointment as Secretary of State – the top Vatican post – is particularly important.
"Pope Francis will rely on him heavily for everything regarding international relations," Burke noted.
Archbishop Parolin has particular experience facing challenging diplomatic situations.
For many years, he led annual Vatican discussions of church-state issues with Vietnam's communist government. The eventual result was Vietnam's acceptance of a non-resident papal representative to the country.
Additionally, the archbishop has represented the Vatican at international conferences on topics such as human trafficking and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"Archbishop Parolin is going to be one of the most influential aides of Pope Francis," said Burke.
In addition to his native Italian, Archbishop Parolin speaks French, English, and Spanish fluently.
His professional experience was not the only reason for his appointment, said Burke.
"The Pope certainly chose Parolin for his diplomatic experience," he explained, "but above all because he's a good priest, who shares the same vision of why people should work for the Church: to serve Christ and serve others."
The archbishop entrusted himself to God's protection before such a "difficult and challenging mission," but he also expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for showing him "unmerited trust."
He pledged his "willingness and complete availability to work with [Pope Francis] and under his guidance for the greater glory of God, the good of the Holy Church, and the progress and peace of humanity, that humanity might find reasons to live and to hope."
Besides a deep devotion to the service of the Church, Archbishop Parolin seems to share something else in common with Pope Francis: the addition of a personal touch. At the end of his official remarks regarding his appointment, he added in Spanish, "And, as they say in Venezuela, 'May God bless you!'"
Tags: Vatican, Vatican Secretary of State, Archbishop Parolin
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Political analysts Phil Harriman and Ethan Strimling stopped in on the MORNING REPORT to discuss the new competition Senator Susan Collins will be facing for her senate seat. Director of the Maine Equal Rights Center Erick Bennett will run against her in a primary.
Does he have a chance of beating her? Or could his run give an advantage to Democratic challenger Shenna Bellows?
Strimling and Harriman also discussed the DHHS move away from downtown Portland. Is the move smart and is the LePage administration to blame?


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- Fabric pattern placement may vary on printed items
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