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Friday, July 15, 2011
Friday TV Comments From New Hampshire
We are opening up the blog for general NASCAR TV/media comments on Friday because there are a lot of things going on all day long.
NASCAR President Mike Helton will meet with the media on a video conference at 9AM ET from New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Expect many of the questions and quite a few of his answers to include the word "Kentucky." I am told this live video should be streamed on the NASCAR.com website.
The traffic disaster has overshadowed the race and continues to fester with no offer of refunds to fans with tickets who never made it to the track. SMI is offering a ticket exchange to other SMI races this season or the Kentucky Speedway Cup race in 2012.
Who knows what other questions may be asked or announcements also made at that time. We will update this post with those topics.
SPEED goes on the air at 11:30AM ET Friday and stays on the air all day long. Adam Alexander is going to anchor from the booth and John Roberts from the infield. Expect to see a ton of familiar faces throughout the day, including Darrell Waltrip on his last weekend out at the racetrack for a while.
The complete Friday TV line-up, including announcers, is listed on the left side of this page.
To add your comment about the Friday coverage or other news topics, just click on the comments button below. We will be answering questions and updating news on this post. Thanks for stopping by.
28 comments:
- Anonymous said...
Happy Race Day Planeteers. YAY Mr. Helton <3 Shall be interesting to see what the dealio is all about :).
- July 15, 2011 at 12:06 AM
- GinaV24 said...
Happy Friday, everyone. I may be able to catch the live stream but will be at work so I won't be catching any TV action until I get home tonight.
I wonder how mad Helton will be - NASCAR doesn't do a good job in my opinion when they have to answer questions about anything they don't like.
I'll check in here to try and read the updates.
- July 15, 2011 at 8:27 AM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Helton would not say if there would be a Cup race in Ky next year. Was not happy with SMI guys.
- July 15, 2011 at 10:36 AM
- Sophia said...
Did Helton watch Trackside the night before the race when Bruton said to CAR POOL 6,8 or TEN to a car? This was mentioned by many on Twitter & on local tv sports show. IMO JD, that PROVES BS knew there would not be enough parking. The end.
Nobody's addressed that either in NASCAR circles including the trackside hosts??!? nor why SMI will not give back cash refunds. Not at home so no access to SPEED & slow DSL for net.
I bet nothing happens to SMI. too powerful.
- July 15, 2011 at 11:41 AM
- Erica104 said...
Goes to show it was always about getting the ticket money in hand without any thought of the fans. They wonder why things are the way it is. Now Bruton has the money in hand he ain't going to give it up also he is not convincing anyone else to accept his exchange. He needs to really resolve this before it gets worse. He needs to stop being greedy and monopolizing most of the tracks on the circut. Taking Kentucky money to make up for other track losses I don't think the fans care. Especially since most probably spent what they didn't have just to attend.
Do right by people they will do right by you.
Plus horrible coverage of the race I understand Kyle Busch is 1st in rankings but there are other drivers I would like to see covered in the field. To hear them beat Kyle Busch's name like a drum beat sorry I'm not brain washed yet. The coverage has gotten worse stop trying to compete and get the respect of the football and basketball commentators. NASCAR is unique to itself, it is suffering from trying to make it into a football contender. They spent millions why not spend a few more and do this right. I guess they all have a lot of money to waste. I love Ralph Shaheen's coverage of Loudon two years ago, with Wally and Kyle in the both. They need good interesed commentators in the both who are excited about racing.
I would love to know do concentrating on one driver through a 3-4 hour race brings up the ratings, and get fans in their seats I would like to know?
- July 15, 2011 at 12:10 PM
- glenc1 said...
Still at work but headed home early to catch qualifying. Did Helton talk about anything else?
Not surprised NASCAR is not happy that SMI put them in the position to have to answer those pesky questions. Notice that the ISC tracks couldn't wait to offer special discounts to people with KY tickets. That had to be painful to SMI.
I had sorta forgotten this, but the year before Richmond expanded its seating (which now, of course, they don't need...) they sent us a letter telling us very specifically that they were going to be very restrictive in how they let people tailgate. They had to prove they'd be able to park as many cars as they wanted to expand to. I think it may have been to get the county or state to approve it. Of course, people are very savvy, and as soon as the parkers have moved far enough away, everyone just rearranged their vehicles (I've seen some extremely determined & clever people....) But still--it enabled them to add more vehicles. They also said they would require people to have tickets to be in the lot, but I don't know if they ever started checking as we stopped going around that time. But when you think, KY had 10 years to figure it out...that's just really bad.
- July 15, 2011 at 1:33 PM
- GinaV24 said...
thanks for the update, JD.
- July 15, 2011 at 1:57 PM
- Spencer said...
Kyle P. just made a burn toward ESPN and Danica.
- July 15, 2011 at 2:34 PM
- James said...
Talk about a dog and pony show, what was that this morning? We are looking into the events of last weekend at Kentucky? This was the BIG announcement, David Poole is spinning in his grave! The rest of the media must have been in shock! The basketball player got more press time than Bruton! Maybe there is "real" power in a tweet?
- July 15, 2011 at 2:36 PM
- GinaV24 said...
Glen, we had a massive issue the last time we went to Richmond. The police were running the parking lot enforcement and causing more trouble than it could ever possibly be worth to go there again so see a race.
Of course the public lots in NH are no joy either. We always park on someone's lawn. I'd rather pay to park than get locked into a lot and take 3 hrs to actually get to the road.
- July 15, 2011 at 3:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
I did not listen to Mike Helton. As with the fools in Washington, I could care less about "talk". All that matters is action. I tried to listen to the beginning of both the Cup practice and for the NNS. I turned both off after a few minutes. With the Cup parctice, Durrl and Larry Mac were going through the blather we've heard a hundred times. Ditto for Petty with the NNS crowd. I'll have the last half of Cup qualifying on with the sound turned down while I do other things. Just think,I believe the baton gets passed to Espn/ABC for the next race????
- July 15, 2011 at 3:21 PM
- Roland said...
Kyle Petty was the star of Nationwide practice. He was dishing it out and was right on the money. Especially when talking about how JJC and other female drivers dont get the attention that Danica does. That was the highlight of Speeds friday.
- July 15, 2011 at 3:46 PM
- Anonymous said...
Thanks for the comments JD. The old ears really perked up when you said this would be DWs last weekend at the track. Will really be a blessing if we can return to watching qualifying and all the other good stuff like Trackside. We have'nt watched these shows all season because we just cannot handle that much silliness and bs. He should team up with Bruton Smith...they are both full of it.
- July 15, 2011 at 4:12 PM
- Charlie said...
Watching Sprint qualifying and it seems Adam is having his usual day.
Adam listed the only four drivers that have been to every Cup race in New Hampshire. He got it wrong.
Larry Mac had to correct him.
When Brad K was on the track qualifying Adam said he had the fastest record last year but not this year. Larry Mac had to correct him. Brad went and beat his time he had last year and did set a new record.
I hear Raceday is going to feature Kyle B. Oh, boy.
I don't understand why Espn does not want to hire DW for the rest of the season. He is Mr Nascar. Without him being on Espn ratings may suffer.
- July 15, 2011 at 4:40 PM
- Jonathan said...
I saw the highlights of the interview on Speed.. I was just waking up but Helton looked p'd off and mentioned somthing about the 2012 schedule. Wonder if there thinking about taking away a race from Kentucky
how are they going to make that better in one year???? I just dont see how that happens
- July 15, 2011 at 5:53 PM
- Anonymous said...
The hole was dug deeper today. My new name for him is Mr. BS :(. I love my SMI friends so as much as I want to boycott probably won't. But have a horrible taste in my mouth after his presser :(.
- July 15, 2011 at 6:11 PM
- James said...
If you want a HOOT, read the column from MikeMulhern.net about the Bruton Smith press conference
- July 15, 2011 at 6:24 PM
- Charlie said...
Since Bruton says No Refunds to the 15,000 to 20,000 fans that did not get to see the race, and it looks like Nascar is ok with that, does that mean a track could turn away or not allow 12% of the fans to get to their seats and not have to worry about any refund but just keep their money?
I use to own a business and I would have loved to have the power to take a customers money and not have to give them anything in return. Profit, profit.
- July 15, 2011 at 7:09 PM
- Sophia said...
I've been calling BS BS because his initials fit him. Nothing but a money grabbing carnival barker just like I said when this all came about.
THIS is how you become a billionaire..leverage your money by screwing little people. WOW.
No class at all when asked why he wouldn't refund the money "we don't want to".
SPEECHLESS after that.
- July 15, 2011 at 10:47 PM
- Sophia said...
AACK! Just read Mike Mulhern's column on arrogant BS. Holy smokes, now i'm ever more honked off.
BS ego is so big, I bet his house doesn't have any door ways in order to give him room to walk around.
Throwing other owners & fans under the bus "stuck on i 71" ...only God knew how bad things were be. BS is such a liar it is pitiful nobody has the spine to SAY THAT. Sorry :(
Wow. just. wow.
- July 15, 2011 at 11:08 PM
- fabmaster said...
JD or someone, can you provide a link to the BS video?
- July 15, 2011 at 11:42 PM
- RPM said...
Serious question, albeit off topic.
Why does The Daly Planet boycott Inside NASCAR? You cover every other major NASCAR TV program on the air, yet you ignore the most outspoken NASCAR program on the air. Name 1 show besides Inside NASCAR that airs unedited radio chatter and video? If you want to hear what is really being said on and off the track, there is only one program that delivers.
The show underwent a retool for season 2. Was there any mention of it? New host, new format, anyone? JD?? Bueller???
I know it's on a subscription network and not everyone is a subscriber, but if you are going to call this a legitimate critique of NASCAR TV coverage, you have to include ALL the major NASCAR TV coverage. It's taped in the NASCAR HOF Studios for crying out loud.
It seems after Season 1 you shyed away from covering the show at all. Does this mean the discussion limited to ESPN, TNT, SPEED and FOX? I don't think you should be covering "Channel 42's Raceweek" or "Bubba's Racin' Podcast", but the ratings should be enough to give credence to coverage. BTW, what are the ratings? Never seen them here so I don't know. Where can I find a good NASCAR TV blog? j/k
Sorry to get off topic and I'm not trying to plug or induce anyone to subscribe just to see the show, but I feel Inside NASCAR needs to be included in the discussion.
- July 16, 2011 at 3:21 AM
- Anonymous said...
Nothing surprises me any more but Bruton's behavior is nothing short of disgusting. I hope the Nascar fans remember. I could name a number of Billionaires who have donated tens of millions to various charities on an ongoing basis. I was fortunate on several occaisons to have a beer with one of them. He was a down-to-earth, humble guy who took a chance, starting with nothing. Tens of thousands of people today have good paying jobs because of him. Bruton is an egotistical bully who should be ashamed to show his face after what he did. How would you like to do business with him?
- July 16, 2011 at 5:28 AM
- saltsburgtrojanfan said...
Well Well Well
Bruton Smith is tellin us to go screw about the Kentucky race.
Why cant he admit he made a mistake. And give the fans their ticket refunds.
Vince is absoluely, positively correct. Bruton Smith is an @$$. The only thing that he ever had that was good was Humpy Wheeler, and he let him go.
The only tracks owned by Smith that are competitive are Charlotte, Atlanta and Bristol.
I suggest all you fans who had tickets for the race and did not get in to file a lawsuit. Bruton should get old lady justice hammered down.
Hey did you Know Bruton Smith's initials are BS. A lot of BS came out of his mouth these last couple of days.
Bruton will never hear the end of the fiasco.
I wonder if he worships Wicca with BZF, he must be doing so.
A POed ex-fan who will stick up for all mistreated fans
- July 16, 2011 at 7:46 AM
- AncientRacer said...
I was away from all this until yesterday so I did not really know about the traffic stuff, but I did listen to Helton. Now, I fear overkill. Tons will be spent on traffic and next time at Kentucky the crowds will not be there. This was the first time so you have to consider that impact. Just the reverse of the Space Shuttle thing. For years now you could go watch a launch and have the place nearly to yourself. For this last one, though, they said a million people showed up.
- July 16, 2011 at 9:13 AM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Said it last year. Will not have Showtime in my house/office. Sorry, we all have personal choices to make and many of the programs on the network are simply not for me.
Pretty simple, no Showtime...no Inside NASCAR. Sorry.
By the way, the show has gone from one hour to thirty minutes with most of it edited highlights. I would not be surprised to see the series end after this season.
I'm sure they provide some good content, but in my opinion which I a have voiced since NMG made this deal they chose the wrong platform/network to deliver this content.
Just because Showtime has the money to pay does not mean it was the right thing to do.
Hope that answers your question.
On another note, there was no live video of the Bruton presser and I canot find any video posted on YouTube.
- July 16, 2011 at 1:46 PM
- Anonymous said...
RPM--I *do* believe the new format was mentioned on here. Based on previous conversations even with the old format I don't think many folks were interested in the show. And with it being shorter now I don't think that would draw others. IIRC, from the previous articles when the show first started, most folks who watched already had Showtime in their package. There may have been 1 or 2 folks who switched for a minute to check it out but it wasn't a lot of folks.
I get a good enough feel between folks tweeting what's being said on the radios, write ups from the reporters, what's aired on TV, etc. I've never had a "need to know more" feel from any of that. I can put the F Bombs in what's being said myself. So the show isn't a draw for me just for that. Now the ORIGINAL show definitely. But if they're trying to sell a show because you can hear F Bombs there's something seriously wrong there.
AR--yup the entire town is about 230 folks. If they give into his demands & the folks don't show then the taxpayers will be beyond ticked off. I think he's banking on them balking thus using that to get Vegas it's 2nd date.
- July 16, 2011 at 2:22 PM
- KY1WING said...
Sorry to weigh in late on the KY issues. Been away from the TV and computer for a while. Was going to say that I just got home from the race (live normally 45 minutes from the track), but that would be piling on.
Couple of points I hope folks don't forget about this - although traffic flow and control was the most offensive and the one getting all the attention and what everyone is focusing on, there were other failures - not enough toilets and not enough concessions - that fall squarely on the shoulders of SMI.
They can talk up a pitiful interstate system as being the primary cause of last weekend's woes, but I-71 didn't create these two problems. Not enough food, drink (at a track that doesn't permit carry-in coolers, no less) and porta-potties is nothing but either poor planning, poor execution or both on the part of SMI.
Have to wonder why?
They can say they underestimated the traffic and maybe they did, but I'd think with years of experience at seven different tracks, hosting tons of events over the years at each, plus acquiring this track which has run races there for numerous years and knowing how many folks are coming (which they did-said it was a sellout, and they should know), they pretty much know how much food and drink will be purchased and how much they'll need to expel and what it would take to handle each.
So how did they miss this boat, a boat totally under their control, this badly? And from stories I've heard from those who did make it there in time (so the incoming traffic tie up was not a factor in their weekend) it was pretty bad.
Also, haven't heard of anyone reporting on "the plan". Was last weekend a result of a poor plan executed properly, a good plan executed poorly or a poor plan executed poorly? Can't make that call until someone other than SMI looks at "the plan" and to date I've not heard anyone pressing on that issue.
We have a saying around here, "He knew it was a snake when he picked it up.". Mr. Smith knew what it was and the surrounding infrastructure when he bought the track well over a year ago. Did I-71 suddenly get pitiful in the week leading up to the race so SMI couldn't react? Don't think so. So why didn't the plan address those deficiencies they now attribute to causing last weekend's debacle?
Plus, since the race one of the things he's asking for is an airport. Someone please ask him how taking up more surrounding land for something like that is going to help 5,000-20,000 more folks get in next year?
This along with a lot of other things about this just doesn't line up.
Hope someone presses the matter, but so far it doesn't look like it's going to happen.
- July 16, 2011 at 11:04 PM


text:
Question from U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.):
Since December 2009, the Cuban government has been holding an American development worker, Alan Gross, hostage for helping the Jewish community in Cuba get uncensored internet access. The UN's Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions has held Gross's imprisonment to be arbitrary. The U.S. should pressure the Cuban government to release Alan Gross. However, the Cuban government should not be rewarded with any unilateral concessions for Gross's imprisonment - whether before or after Gross's release - for this will only endanger American lives in the future and encourage further hostage taking. If confirmed, would you commit not to reward the Cuban government for the arbitrary imprisonment of Americans?
Answer from U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) :
If confirmed, I will do everything in my power to protect the safety and security of American citizens around the globe, including in Cuba. Alan Gross is a 63-year-old husband, father, and dedicated professional with a long history of providing assistance and support to under-served communities in over 50 countries. His incarceration is unjust and his release is a humanitarian issue. If confirmed, I will continue to use all appropriate diplomatic means to secure Mr. Gross' release.
The Agency for International Development's democracy programs are pivotal to helping Cuba's civil society gain access to new technologies, basic support for the marginalized families of political prisoners, training for independent journalists, labor activists and other targeted groups. We have read reports regarding of previous efforts to halt the democracy programs, which are authorized by law. If confirmed, would you continue to support the Cuban democracy programs?
If confirmed, I will continue U.S. policies that promote democracy, freedom of expression and assembly, and human rights in Cuba. It is the Administration's view that we should help those who work for positive change in Cuba, including human rights and pro-democracy activists, independent journalists, and broader civil society. The Cuban democracy programs are one element of the strategy to support these objectives. If confirmed, I will seek ways to increase the independence of the Cuban people so that they may freely determine their own future.
While State and Treasury have worked with me to streamline procedures to make sure people-to-people programs are truly benefiting the Cuban people, reports of trips being hosted by the government and meeting with the neighborhood watch committees (CDRs), continue to take place. The President's policy states that these programs were designed to foment the Cuban people's "independence" from the regime; but in fact, the itineraries are controlled by the regime on the island.
Would you work to uphold the Administration's original intent of these trips and ensure they are not being used for tourism purposes, which is against US law, or for the benefit of the Cuban government?
If confirmed, I will continue to support the Administration's desire to increase purposeful travel; support private enterprise and civil society in Cuba; enhance free flow of information to, from, and among the Cuban people; and help promote their independence from the Cuban state. In May 2012, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) amended the "Comprehensive Guidelines for License Applications to Engage in Travel-Related Transactions Involving Cuba" to require additional information from people-to-people license applicants, including information on how their proposed travel would enhance contact with the Cuban people and/or support civil society in Cuba and/or help promote the Cuban people's independence from Cuban authorities. The Administration continues to assess implementing procedures to ensure that benefits to Cuban civil society of U.S. travel outweigh any potential benefits to the Cuban government.
If confirmed, I will ensure that the Department of State continues to work closely with the OFAC and refer to OFAC any potential violations of which the State Department becomes aware.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Self-publishing can sound like an easy step to bestsellerdom.
The American author Hugh Howey is the latest to fly from obscurity to fame with his post-apocalyptic hit Wool, which began as a digital ''novelette'' in 2011 and grew into a novel after thousands of online rave reviews from readers.
With 50,000 sales a month, Wool reached No.1 on the Amazon science-fiction bestseller list as an e-book.
20th Century Fox bought film rights, and Howey finally agreed last month to sell print rights to a traditional publisher while retaining electronic rights and profits - a first in the industry.
He joins Britain's E.L. James, whose Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy went from a free fan-fiction website to become the fastest-selling books in history, and American Amanda Hocking, who has sold more than a million copies of five fantasy novels since self-publishing the first as an e-book in 2010 and being picked up by print publishers.
In Australia, Matthew Reilly's international career as a thriller writer took off after a Sydney publisher spotted his self-published book in 1997.
Queenslanders Rachael Bermingham and Kim McCosker sold 2.5 million print copies of their self-published 4 Ingredients recipe book after publishers rejected them.
The rapid rise of e-books and e-reading devices, as well as print on demand, has made self-publishing easier and more affordable for anything from commercial fiction to business and self-help guides, private memoirs and family photo books.
In the US, 253,626 print and e-books were self-published in 2011, a growth of 287 per cent since 2006, according to data-collector Bowker.
Thorpe-Bowker's Australian figures show 2788 publishers released just one title in 2011, representing 67.5 per cent of all ''publishing entities'' and 14 per cent of titles produced. Many were self-publishers, it concluded.
''We've had more than 50 per cent increase in the past 12 months in people who want to know about the opportunities and companies we would recommend for self-publishing,'' said Maree McCaskill, the chief executive of the Australian Publishers Association.
''A lot of people think they are the next J.K. Rowling. They say, 'How do I get published? My book is much better than hers but publishers won't look at a new author.'''
Howey says he knows ''hundreds, if not thousands'' of self-published writers who are making $50,000 or $60,000 a year.
Mark Coker, the founder of Smashwords, a US distributor of self-published e-books, says, ''The stigma of self-publishing is disappearing. Each week, indie [self-published] authors are hitting the e-book bestseller lists at all the major e-book retailers, as well as lists maintained by The New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, GalleyCat, and Digital Book World. A year ago, this was rare. A year from now, it'll be commonplace. The future bestsellers of tomorrow are the indie authors of today. Indie authors are poised to take more market share in 2013 as the next generation of writers turns its back on traditional publishing.''
However, Coker also warns, ''In the self-publishing gold rush, more money will be made in author services than in book sales.''
Self-publishing companies are proliferating, including offshoots of mainstream publishers and booksellers such as Amazon's CreateSpace and Dymocks's D Publishing.
It's easy to see benefits in publishing your own book: avoid the disheartening slog of proposal and rejection; publish your brilliant words without an editor's interference; keep the profits rather than receive a measly 10 per cent royalty.
More writers are self-publishing because technology and economic downturn have hit the book industry and made publishing companies more cautious. Advances are smaller and contracts harder to get.
Terence Tam, the founder of BookPal, a 10-year-old self-publishing company in Queensland, said, ''Ninety-nine per cent of manuscripts are rejected by publishers so we help weed out books and give them an opportunity to get published.''
Tam sees new opportunities and has partnered with a small publisher interested in picking up self-published books that do well.
However, self-publishing can be expensive, technically challenging and take a long time. Commercial success is rare in a market crowded with amateur efforts.
A former Australian rock'n'roller, Dr Robert James, unsuccessfully approached publishing houses 30 times before self-publishing his eight metaphysical thrillers with CreateSpace.
He says he has sold about 3000 books in the US and 200 in Australia on Amazon, where he makes $10 a copy after costs. But he says, ''I'm broke and I need to sell more books''.
Like most self-publishers, he has learnt distribution and publicity are tough without a big company behind him.
Sydney's Pnina Jacobson and Judy Kempler self-published their book of Jewish recipes and life stories One Egg Is a Fortune in 2011 to raise money for aged care.
They employed a professional food stylist, photographer and designer, and their handsome book has won six awards. But after ''a huge investment'', they have yet to break even and are surprised at how hard it is to get attention from media, distributors and bookshops.
''We don't have the connections,'' Kempler said.
Ben Hourigan, IT manager at a Melbourne magazine company, self-published Kiss Me, Genius Boy, the first part of his 150,000-word romantic comedy, to impress a woman to whom he'd claimed to be a novelist.
He has sold about 200 copies but has also built a freelance editing business that includes helping other writers to self-publish for a fee plus 25 per cent of their net revenues.
''Even though Amazon and Apple present it as an easy process, it's far from easy,'' he said.
He likes the control of self-publishing and accepts the ''slow process'' of selling books.
''It's to do with building a profile,'' he said. ''If anyone writes to me about my book or posts on Facebook I ask them to put their comments on Amazon.''
Newcastle digital communications worker Rob Towner's self-published picture book Romy's Garden Adventures: Christmas City was Amazon's No.1 downloaded children's e-book, among the top 10 children's books and top 100 titles last month.
The catch? Towner was giving it away as a pre-Christmas promotion. Now buyers have to pay $2.99 for the e-book or $11.95 for the paperback.
He has had ''a tonne of success using alternative channels of communication'', and his site comes first when you Google ''kids author''.
''It's not about making money or sales,'' he said. ''It's about the love of telling a story.''


text:
Re: Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite's recent statement that Puerto Ricans are "foreign citizens''
Here we go again: A member of the U.S. House of Representatives, sworn to represent all U.S. citizens, making another insensitive, uninformed careless statement that offends a large group. It shows not only irresponsible leadership, but the statement also has the color of bigotry, inappropriate for a person in Ginny Brown-Waite's position. This was followed by her arrogance when questioned about her statement, and accompanied by the arrogance of her underling, Charlie Keller, for calling it "nitpicking" when there was a public outcry.
For Keller's insensitivity, we could care less. He is an unknown who does not represent us. But she does, though not for much longer, if we can help it.
Some people would be willing to hear an apology from the representative. I suspect many of us will not be satisfied with one. The reason is simple: Bigots and arrogant people do not normally apologize, and when they do everyone knows it's not coming from the heart, thus not sincere. If we remember her earlier statements regarding Muslims, and her arrogant demeanor following them, we have a better idea of whom we are dealing with. That time she showed not only cultural insensitivity, but also the same degree of arrogance.
I would like to remind Brown-Waite that members of this group of "foreign citizens" are moving to this county every day. The group is growing by leaps and bounds with almost all of us taking residence in District 5. We are mostly of voting age and thousands of us "foreign citizens" with a higher degree of education than those of us who came to the mainland in the early 1900s to work the farms and factories in different Northern states. I cannot say much about the Guamians, for I have not enough information about them, except that they obtained their citizenship in the 1950s. Nor do I know how many of them live here, and for me to make comments without enough information would be just as ignorant as anybody else doing so about Puerto Ricans or any other group.
Brown-Waite's caustic comments about Muslims, the French and Puerto Ricans, together with her stance against immigrant workers, make it clear that our congresswoman does not represent all in her district. Immigrant workers come here like all of us came - to make a decent living doing work that, for the most part, North Americans are not available or willing to perform.
She wants a wall erected at the Mexican border to stop men and women who come to work for North Americans who employ them. They are the ones who put fruits and vegetables on our dinner table (at lower prices, by the way). With their honest labor they not only help to feed us, but they also feed their children back home.
Culturally, our representative is a failure, along with her spokesman Keller. I respectfully recommend to Brown-Waite that she inform herself about the subject when she is about to issue a statement. Culturally, as well as historically, a person of her stature should have not allowed an ill-informed, insensitive source to speak for her.
First, she should have looked for Puerto Rico on a map. Then she should have followed by studying its people, its history, etc. She would have learned how Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory (1898) and how (in 1917) Puerto Ricans, not necessarily by choice, became U.S. citizens. Since that time those "foreign citizens" have fought and spilled their blood defending the U.S. flag.
Brown-Waite has become an embarrassment to her political party, to the U.S. House of Representatives, to her congressional district and to herself. I call on my Muslim friends, Hispanic brothers and sisters and all immigrants from any Hispanic country who reside in District 5, to please remember her name and her attitude the next time you vote. Let us stand together and say "never again."
Carmelo Delgado is a native of Puerto Rico, the author of a book of poetry about Martin Luther King Jr. and a retired New York State parole officer. He lives in Brooksville. Guest columnists write their own views on subjects they choose, which do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.


text:
A jovial shoutout to insider-joke stupidity, disguised as a greeting—for when you care enough to send the veritable jest.
Jerry joked with George that, when Clare, the woman Jerry was then dating, fell asleep, her stomach stayed awake and talked to Jerry—the voice overblown and jolly, like a caricature of a human being: "Hel-looooo!" followed by "Talk to meeee!" or "La-la-laaa." Jerry and George laughed it up with Kramer, who also picked it up (Elaine just put it down)…until Clare found out about it and, disgusted, basically told Jerry It's me or the voice. And, just like that, Jerry's hel-lo became a good-bye.
This is the voice of one talking behind another's back. That someone you are talking about walks into the room right as you and a friend are talking about them, and up goes your voice, silly big, the "o's" booming out of one side of your mouth, Hel-looooo! The gusto of the faux greeting will leave the butt of your joke thinking that nothing but kind things are going on here.
Don't let one too many know what's going on here. The fewer who are in on your joke, the better, as Elaine pointed out when, hearing "the voice" for the first time, she asked Jerry what it was:
Jerry: "Oh, it's just this stupid thing."
Elaine: "Well, I'm sure it's stupid."
At some point the stupidity of your joke will be revealed. And it is at this point that, as George, Kramer, and Clare illustrated, unless you abandon the joke, your friends will likely abandon you. Unless, of course, that sort of thing doesn't bother you—in which case, by all means, carry on:
"Fare thee welllll! La-la-laaa."
From "The Voice"
Episode 2, Season 9
Seinfeld Disc 1, Volume 8
Timecodes for the scenes: 1:06 (Jerry and George initially), 3:02 (Kramer and Jerry), 3:50 (Elaine to Jerry), 6:50 (George, at work, to Jerry), 9:10 (George and Jerry, at the café, to Kramer), 9:50 (Jerry to Clare), 13:24 (Jerry, again to Clare, saying good-bye), 14:20 (Jerry and George, the latter souring on the voice), 14:45 (Jerry to Elaine), 15:10 (Jerry saying good-bye in the voice to Kramer), 20:55 (Jerry to Clare, at the end), 22:05 (Jerry, George, and Kramer at the end)


text:
Oseltamivir is taken as a pill twice each day for 5
Zanamivir is inhaled through a device called a Diskhaler.
This inhaler device delivers the medicine to the lungs, because that is where the
influenza (flu) virus multiplies. It is inhaled twice
a day for 5 days.
Oseltamivir and zanamivir are medicines
known as neuraminidase inhibitors. They help prevent influenza A and influenza
B viruses from multiplying in the body by interfering with the production and
release of virus from cells that line the respiratory tract. This may slow the
spread of the infection within the airways and lungs.
Oseltamivir and zanamivir may be used
to treat flu caused by both the influenza A and B viruses.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved oseltamivir
to prevent flu in adults and children age 13 and older.
Zanamivir is approved for use to prevent the flu in adults and children age 5
and older.
Oseltamivir and zanamivir may help prevent or treat the flu.1, 2
Using one of these medicines typically shortens the course of influenza A or B
by about 1 day.1, 3
Zanamivir may prevent flu among household members when a
member of the family is infected.4
Oseltamivir and zanamivir may not be as effective for people who do not
have a fever or do not have severe flu symptoms. And more study is needed to
find out how well these medicines work to prevent the flu in people who have
severely impaired immune systems.
All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.
Here are some important things to think about:
Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:
Call your doctor if you have:
Common side effects of these medicines include:
Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not
available in all systems.)
Oseltamivir and zanamivir work best when started within 48 hours of your first flu
Some people who have
asthma or
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and use
zanamivir may experience reduced lung function and have trouble breathing.
If you have these conditions, talk to your doctor about whether you should use
this medicine.
Although influenza viruses A and B have not yet developed
resistance to oseltamivir and zanamivir, resistance is possible
with increased use of these medicines.
Medicine is one of the many tools your doctor has to treat a health problem. Taking medicine as your doctor suggests will improve your health and may prevent future problems. If you don't take your medicines properly, you may be putting your health (and perhaps your life) at risk.
There are many reasons why people have trouble taking their medicine. But in most cases, there is something you can do. For suggestions on how to work around common problems, see the topic Taking Medicines as Prescribed.
If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant, do not use any medicines unless your doctor tells you to. Some medicines can harm your baby. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements. And make sure that all your doctors know that you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
CitationsShun-Shin M, et al. (2009). Neuraminidase inhibitors for treatment and prophylaxis of influenza in children: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ. Published online August 11, 2009 (doi: 10.1136/bmj.b3172).Hsu J, et al. (2012). Antivirals for treatment of influenza: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Annals of Internal Medicine, 156(7): 512–524.Jefferson T, et al. (2012). Neuraminidase inhibitors for preventing and treating
influenza in healthy adults and children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (1).Monto AS, et al. (2002). Zanamivir prophylaxis: An
effective strategy for the prevention of influenza types A and B within
households. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 186(11):
Last Revised:
July 9, 2012
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Christine Hahn, MD - Epidemiology
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
To learn more visit Healthwise.org
© 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.


text:
Sentence lengthened due to graphic nature of images
MADISON, Wis. — An Altoona man was sentenced in federal court Friday to 12 years in prison for distributing child pornography.
Shannon Van de Veer, 40, will serve a 12-year prison term followed by 25 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the child porn offense in February, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office statement.
The statement said Van de Veer's sentence was increased because of "the nature of the images he possessed." U.S. District Judge William Conley also said Van de Veer was a danger to the community.
The case is part of a program, Project Safe Childhood, that fights child sexual abuse nationwide. More information on the program can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc.
The Altoona Police Department, Menomonie Police Department, Eau Claire Police Department and the Chippewa Valley Regional Computer Forensics Lab assisted in the investigation against Van de Veer, according to the statement.


text:
Vastu for Chemical Industries, Chemical Industries, Chemical Factories, Vastu advice for Chemical Factories, Chemical Industry in India, Chemical Industry in India, Chemical Industry in Delhi, Chemical Industries Worldwide, Vastu for Industries, Vastu for Factories, Vastu for Industrial Growth
Industrial Vastu or Vastu Shastra for industries or factories is a topic that needs no introduction. Industrial units that function using the principal of Vastu Shastra are proven to be much more successful in terms of administration, human resources and production. Industrial Vastu therefore plays a significant role in determining how an industry / Factory will perform in the future. Moreover, it has been observed that a lot of labor problems have been avoided using the right Vastu principal at the right time. The Vastu principal, when used appropriately can be of huge help to the owner of the industry as well. Thus, we can decipher that irrespective of the size of the industry, be it a small manufacturing unit or a large scale industry, Vastu principal play a very important role in determining the success of any industry.
Benefits of Getting Industrial Vastu done:
- Maximize Industrial Production
- Improve Product Quality
- Revitalizing Business and Profits
- Remove Governmental Obstacles & Departmental Problems
- Successful Liaison with the Government
- Business Growth
- More Orders and Sales
- Recovering Growth in Business Relationships
- For Getting Big Orders
- Recovering Blocked Payments and Creating More Orders


text:
Along with the new members packing your facility right now, your club is probably also packed with flu germs and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).
The flu is a bigger concern than is MRSA, due to its seasonality, says Peter Sheldon, vice president for Coverall Health-Based Cleaning System, Glenview, IL. However, he says, "That is not to understate the threat posed by MRSA, which is growing everyday, and because it is a multi-drug resistant organism, it presents greater dangers for those who contract it."
Flu viruses can survive on surfaces for up to 72 hours. MRSA is spread through contact with someone's skin infection or personal items that have touched infected skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A surface does not have to be sweaty, wet or even physically touched to become infected. A dry surface (body-contacted with no sweat) can be a transmission site, and particles in the air from coughs and sneezes can settle on equipment, too.
"News of an outbreak of any pathogen can damage a club's reputation and, in turn, its customer retention and profits," says Michael Gardner, sales manager at 2XL Corp., Broadview, IL.
However, the risk of MRSA in health clubs has been overblown mostly due to sensational journalism, says Bruce Sherman, president of GymValet/B & Specialty Concepts Inc., Beachwood, OH.
"Yes, it should be a real concern," Sherman says about MRSA, "but the mechanisms and reality of transmission need to be better explained to health club participants and health club owners, directors and managers."
Don't let the beginning of the year member rush stop you from maintaining a proper cleaning schedule and emphasizing the importance of cleaning to staff and members, says Michael H. Hane, market development director of GOJO Industries' health and fitness department. That sanitation plan should address all germs, involve thoroughly cleaning all surfaces, offer ample cleaning supplies for members and encourage everyone in a facility to practice good hygiene.
Reassuring members that your facility is clean is key, especially since studies show that club cleanliness is one of the top five reasons a member stays or leaves a club, Gardner says.
"We do not live in a sterile world," Sherman says.
"A few germs are good for us. If someone is an overzealous 'germ-o-phobe,' they may not want to hang out at the gym. For everyone else, a little education, common sense and preventive behavior will go a long way towards living and exercising as healthfully as possible, even at the gym."


text:
Although most cases of
influenza (flu) get better without causing other
problems, complications sometimes develop.
Possible complications
of flu include:
Next Section:
Previous Section:
Last Revised:
July 9, 2012
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Christine Hahn, MD - Epidemiology
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
To learn more visit Healthwise.org
© 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.


text:
Celebrating illustration, design, cartoon and comic art of the mid-20th century.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Forbidden Love
"Mr. Barstow, who taught Latin and otherwise acted like a drone, had a secret passion.. one the school board would have looked upon with distinct disfavor"
Its not what you think. That misleading teaser had me thinking those 50's Cosmo editors were willing to broach the topic of teacher/ student romance, but it turns out Mr. Barstow's sweet on the newly arrived Typing and Office Practice teacher, Miss Wells. Hey, I had to find out!
This illustration, by the undisputed master of "the clinch", Jon Whitcomb, is especially refreshing for being so atypical of much of his work. Take a look at my Jon Whitcomb Flickr set for some examples of what I mean.
Also in the same issue of Cosmo is another installment of Jon Whitcomb's page, where the artist amuses us with anecdotes from his work day.
This time, Whitcomb relates how a new model brought in to pose with her handsome counterpart was unable to fake a passionate kiss. Whitcomb says "I stood in front of Miss A. and demonstrated" how to kiss Mr. R.
Now that sounds like a particularly amusing scenario! You can read the whole thing here. Click the "All Sizes" tab for the largest scan.
2 comments:
Leif, when you wrote "you can read the whole thing here" I thought you meant the love story, not Whitcomb's article. I can't tell you the number of times when one of your illustrations has gotten me hooked on the beginning of a story (as they were intended to do) only to run into a brick wall when I can't turn the page. Those old stories were corny and melodramatic but you can tell they were from a more literate era,and some of them have have great opening teasers As a result, Today's Inspiration is sometimes "Today's Frustration."ReplyDelete
You're not the first person who's requested "the rest of the story', David. I can imagine your frustration but I do enough scanning as it is! All you intrepid readers will just have imagine how it all came out. I'll give you a hint: they fall madly in love and live happily ever after. The End. ;-)ReplyDelete


text:
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Accretionary Wedge Carnival #31: Geological Surprises and the Abyss of Time
Jazinator is hosting the 31st Accretionary Wedge, asking:
What geological concept or idea did you hear about that you had no notion of before (and likely surprised you in some way)?
Part of my wedge entry comes from an earlier blog post (self-plagiarism?), but I was actually talking about something else at the time, the discovery of my first fossil.
From Geotripper in May of 2009:
"It took only a split second to take me back forty years to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, where a 10 year old boy was on his first trip to the beautiful national park. But I had found out something strange at the small visitor center there. The ground I was walking on at more than 8,000 feet had once been on the bottom of the sea! Say what? How could that be? I was already at an age where I had figured out that Noah's Flood couldn't account for this. Where was all the water that it could even cover Mt. Everest and all the other mountains of the world? It was clear that something had happened, but I wasn't quite in a place where I could understand the idea of vast uplift across an entire region. I spent days musing about this, enough that the memory is clear after all these years."
It was years before I revisited the problem of marine rocks at the tops of mountains and high plateaus (I had all those teen years to get through), but it made a huge impression on me that the Earth's crust was so mobile that it could lift mountains and plateaus out of the sea. It was one of the life-long mysteries (hey, 10 years to a 20-year-old is half a lifetime!) that plunged me into a career as a geologist and teacher. It might seem almost a mundane observation once a geologist has explored the depths of the crust and mantle and the full breadth of geological history, but a first realization is a powerful thing.
A human life is a series of discoveries that replay the discoveries of mankind in compressed time. Those who came before us paved the road for our understanding, allowing us to comprehend in a few days or months what took others decades or centuries to discover (I teach the basics of plate tectonics in 40 minutes or so, when it took the greatest geological minds 50 years to discover and accept the concept). When I read of James Hutton and John Playfair discussing the geology at Siccar Point (below) in Scotland in the late 1700's, I realized that a similar revelation was the foundation of an entire new science:
"What clearer evidence could we have had of the different formation of these rocks, and of the long interval which separated their formation, had we actually seen them emerging from the bosom the deep? We felt ourselves necessarily carried back to the time when the schistus on which we stood was yet at the bottom of the sea, and when the sandstone before us was only beginning to be deposited in the shape of sand or mud, from the waters of a superincumbent ocean. An epocha still more remote presented itself, when even the most ancient of these rocks instead of standing upright in vertical beds, lay in horizontal planes at the bottom of the sea, and was not yet disturbed by that immeasurable force which has burst asunder the solid pavement of the globe. Revolutions still more remote appeared in the distance of this extraordinary perspective. The mind seemed to grow giddy by looking so far into the abyss of time...."
To those students, geologists, teachers and bloggers who haven't contributed to the Accretionary Wedge before, think about it! I know I have a few students who blog on geological topics. If you don't blog, but would like to contribute, I would be more than pleased to host your entry as a guest-blogger on Geotripper. Jump in!
7 comments:
Another great post.
It also brings to mind something I've been wondering regarding the Dardanelles off highway 108. One of my favorite places to go backpacking is Carson-Iceberg Wilderness for the solitude, beauty, and volcanic formations(see some of my pics of the area here: http://www.panoramio.com/user/3189284?comment_page=1&photo_page=1 ). As a layman interested in geology, I am wondering why this formation stands out so starkly? It has always been a bit of a mystery to me, and I just assume it's because the Dardanelles just happen to be made of stronger volcanic stuff than what surrounds them.
- February 14, 2011 at 9:49 PM
- Garry Hayes said...
The Dardanelles are volcanic necks and other eroded volcanic features from a volcanic center near the Sierra crest around 10-12 million years ago. The flows covered much of the summit region, and some flowed down river canyons up to 60 miles, the Stanislaus Table Mountain at Sonora and Jamestown being an outstanding example.
- February 15, 2011 at 5:25 PM
Thanks for the answer!
I'm often in the foothills for work and the Stanislaus Table Mountain is truly a site to behold. I find it to be most striking as one travels northeast along highway 120 and east along Obyrnes Ferry Road as one rises above Tulloch Reservoir. Just spectacular.
About my Dardanelles summit attempt, when I was trying to get to the top, I was blocked by the mountaineers plague, Whitethorn. About 300 feet from the top I had to turn around. My legs just couldn't take anymore scratches. I got some wonderful pictures of the Dardanelles Cone and Butte though. Plus, I did an excellent day hike to a saddle beneath the Dardanelles Cone, which offered an outstanding view to some of the peaks near Pacific Valley off highway 4.
Again, love the site, and thanks for the unexpected answer.
- February 15, 2011 at 10:51 PM
- Garry Hayes said...
Glad to help! Thanks for the comments! I have a little article with aerial photos of Table Mtn on my images site: http://geotripperimages.com/Stanislaus_Table_Mtn.htm
- February 15, 2011 at 11:00 PM
Those photos are great. They give an excellent perspective of the flow, far better than what one can see from the ground.
Just curious, but do geologists have any idea of the size of the vents the lava flowed from? Are there still remnants of these vents? I also find the difference between say volcanism evinced by Carson-Iceberg Wilderness--its much older feel--versus the activity of Lassen.
- February 16, 2011 at 9:19 PM
- Jim L. said...
Thanks for the great entry. This gets me excited about my upcoming trip to the Grand Canyon. I hope to have these all compiled shortly.
- February 24, 2011 at 9:14 AM
- Garry Hayes said...
KC, you've just about reached the margins of my expertise about the geology of the volcanics at Sonora Pass! I posted a bit (http://geotripper.blogspot.com/2010/05/other-california-other-side-of-sierra.html) that included a resource for some current research out there.
- February 28, 2011 at 12:23 PM


text:
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Re: st: Re-assigning local macro values within loops after each iteration
Nick Cox <firstname.lastname@example.com>
Re: st: Re-assigning local macro values within loops after each iteration
Mon, 20 Aug 2012 21:42:32 +0100
Sorry, but this sounds like the same question, and so my answer is
essentially the same. A -forvalues- loop cannot be extended once it is
set going; it can only be exited.
A flavour of the code fragments here is that you are setting up a new
variable for each individual, which seems weird to me. I get the
impression that you are more used to programming in some other
language and are only part-way translating to Stataish thinking. In
Stata, a variable is also a vector, but Stata has many variable-scale
operations and functions. Also, in practice, it is quite difficult to
program moderate-sized problems in Stata unless you have successfully
programmed several smaller-sized problems; there are too many things
to learn at once. (I don't think, by the way, that Stata is a
difficult language; I would say the same of any other language.)
Yet another thing that may be causing difficulty is some confusion
over when to use -in-, the -if- command and the -if- qualifier.
A more positive piece of advice is from what I know of demographic
theory it is eminently suitable to matrix formulations, which suggests
that Mata not Stata would be a good vehicle for this.
On Mon, Aug 20, 2012 at 8:15 PM, Stephen Cranney
<firstname.lastname@example.com> wrote:
> Is there any way that I can retain the forvalues i = 1/`N' {
> syntax while using the while loop to make it continue generating after
> first generation? The `i' reference here is how I connect the child
> to not only the parent, so I would like to keep it if I could, but the
> parent's date-of-giving-birth to calculate the child's date-of-birth,
> etc. I have a hard time seeing how I can make these connections while
> relying on the while loop. Here's an example of the syntax I mean:
> replace generationnumber=generationnumber[`i']+1 if newvar`i'==1
> replace parentid= id[`i'] if newvar`i'==1
> replace birthdate= date[`i'] if newvar`i'==1
> replace birthmonth= month[`i'] if newvar`i'==1
> replace birthyear= year[`i'] if newvar`i'==1
> In response to the second concern, since each data point is a unique
> month/year/id combination, doubling it basically replicates the
> individual parent's characteristics (which I then change with
> reference to the `i' value that I want to retain). The Xnewvar
> variable I create deals with the problem of replicating the
> replications, so in the end I have, for example, 1000 observations for
> person 1, and 1000 observations for each of her children.
> Thanks again,
> Stephen
> On Mon, Aug 20, 2012 at 12:36 PM, Nick Cox <firstname.lastname@example.com> wrote:
>> The Catch-22 here is that telling us part of your problem and showing
>> us part of your code is not enough for anyone to get a complete
>> understanding of your problem, while telling us all of your problem
>> and showing us all of your code would not really help, as you would be
>> unlikely to get anyone to invest time in understanding it all.
>> That said, there is an important misunderstanding here. The effect of
>> local N = _N
>> forvalues i = 1/`N' {
>> is to set up a loop with a particular upper limit that is fixed when
>> the -forvalues- loop starts. Changing the number of observations after
>> the loop has begun makes no difference to that, unless you change the
>> number in such a way that the loop terminates for other reasons. In
>> effect, you are "compiling" the number of observations into your code
>> when the loop starts, so that's fixed code.
>> My suggestion is that you may find it easier to set this up as a -while- loop.
>> local notdone = 1
>> local N = _N
>> while `notdone' {
>> }
>> with code within the loop to change
>> local notdone = 0
>> as appropriate. That certainly permits the number of observations to change.
>> That said, I am curious about the line
>> expand 2, gen(newvar`i')
>> which doubles the number of observations, just because of one
>> childbirth. Sounds like something out of the Alien* films to me, but
>> nothing like human demography? Shouldn't that -expand- be limited to
>> expansion of certain observations?
>> Nick
>> On Mon, Aug 20, 2012 at 7:02 PM, Stephen Cranney
>> <firstname.lastname@example.com> wrote:
>>> I'm running a loop that loops over observations and generates new
>>> observations with expand when one of the observations has a certain
>>> value for one of the variables. (It's a population simulation that is
>>> simulating a new person when each childbirth=1, each observation is a
>>> month/year combination for a specific id). I initially set the macro
>>> at N= _N, but I want to re-set the macro every time it loops, this way
>>> the simulation can run past the second generation. As it is, it saves
>>> the initial _N value and terminates when that value is reached, but I
>>> would like to re-assign the macro so that it equals the value of _N
>>> after each expansion, allowing it to run into multiple generations
>>> until it terminates because of other parameters I've imposed.
>>> I have tried to place the macro within the loop to see if it will
>>> re-do it, but it does not seem to be working. My syntax so far:
>>> local N = _N
>>> forvalues i = 1/`N' {
>>> local N = _N
>>> if childbirth[`i'] == 1 {
>>> expand 2, gen(newvar`i')
>>> egen Xnewvar= rowtotal (newvar*)
>>> drop if Xnewvar>1
>>> drop if Xnewvar== 0 & generationnum!= 1
>>> drop Xnewvar
>>> replace generationnum=generationnum[`i']+1 if newvar`i'==1
>>> ** A lot of code that differentiates the new child's demographic
>>> characteristics from the parent's
>>> }
>>> }
* For searches and help try:
* http://www.stata.com/help.cgi?search
* http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
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text:
Magnitude of human suffering in Somalia demands more
TitleMagnitude of human suffering in Somalia demands more
Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Catherine Bragg, shared some worrying statistics on the situation in Somalia with the United Nations Security Council on August 10. She told members that in some areas of Somalia, under-5 mortality rates had peaked at 13 per 10,000 people per day. To put that into perspective Ms. Bragg said: "by the time I go to bed tonight, 13 children will have died in a community of 10,000 people."
Drawing much needed attention to "the most severe humanitarian crisis in the world today", Ms. Bragg noted that "Children are the most affected by the crisis … tens of thousands have already died and many more will die in the coming days unless aid is provided to them."
An estimated "100,000 people fleeing drought and famine, have reached [the capital] Mogadishu over the past two months alone in search of food, water and shelter," she added. To date, the total number of Internally Displaced Persons in Somalia is estimated at 1.5 million people.
Aid underway, slowly
In recent weeks some progress had been made in scaling up the response, Ms. Bragg noted. For example, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced the increase of its emergency operations in central and southern Somalia and UNICEF was boosting its support to existing feeding and stabilization centers.
Since 27 July, 97 tons of supplies had been airlifted to Mogadishu, Gedo and the Lower Juba, to treat some 34,000 malnourished children. Across southern and central Somalia, sanitation activities, had reached almost 340,000 people. Water interventions, such as borehole rehabilitation and water trucking, reached over 800,000 people.
But "the scaling up of activities is not a quick endeavour," Ms Bragg said. Humanitarian actors were still assessing the implications of the withdrawal of the Al Shabaab from Mogadishu. "It remains unclear how this new scenario will impact on overall security and the delivery of humanitarian aid."
In other areas under the Al Shabaab control, the UN and its partners continue to negotiate access with local authorities and communities to reach new areas and move closer to people in need. The ICRC is the only organization allowed to conduct food distribution in Al Shabaab areas since the suspension of WFP operations in January 2010.
Worse to come
According to the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit, the current situation already represents Africa's worst food security crisis in almost 20 years. Ms. Bragg warned that without a massive global response, thousands more would face starvation and death: "We have not yet dealt with the peak of the crisis as further deterioration is considered likely".
"We still urgently need $1.4 billion to save lives [in the Horn of Africa]. Donors have committed more than $1 billion to the response so far … we are very grateful, especially in these difficult economic times. But the magnitude of human suffering in Somalia today demands more."
For more information, have a look at the latest Situation Report from Somalia here.


text:
Germany could never shake itself from the trauma of the First World War. The year was 1930, and even though Jazz clubs and racy nightlife augmented in Berlin during the latter parts of the Twenties, the Great Depression steamrolled over all of the capitalist nations of Europe. Stories of children starving to death again reached German ears.
The 'western' propaganda machine still fulminated that Germany was responsible for all of the evils of the war. Why was there no mention of the French Empire or the British Empire that controlled almost a quarter of the world's surface? All of this Allied war propaganda was untrue, and French troops still occupied the Ruhr region. The failed and twice failed, and even thrice failed, Weimar Republic coalition governments, still had to pay 'reparations,' or extortion monies to Britain, France and the United States. Germany won on the eastern front in WW I, and of course, there were no reparations towards Russia. The hypocrisy and lies never ceased.
The National Socialists, or the Nazis, could also see that the Socialists or really, the 'Social Democrats-Leftists-Reformists' in the Weimar government were pathetic, and most Germans had gotten quite sick of their cowardice and lack of direction. They were no different from the right-wing, militarist madmen that just wanted to wield power. The Nazis main rivals, the Communists, and at that time, the strongest Communist Party outside of Russia, were still split and battle-scarred from the defeated 1918 Spartacist Revolutions in both Berlin and in Munich. The other political opposition was the Center Party, or the 'Zentrum,' which represented German Catholicism.
The Nazi Party began to jump onto and embrace the most recent political changes. Instead of watching on the sidelines like a small splinter party within the fringes of political discussions, it began to make the strategic moves, stir its own news, and form its own political coalitions. From a radical fringe of southern German reactionaries that tried to create a Bavarian separatist-fascist state during the 1920s, the Nazi Party transformed itself into a German revolutionary party, while utilizing both street violence and secret party coalitions in order to construct its national transformation.
It successfully moved from the War of Position to the War of Maneuver. Or as a contemporary political scientist and Italian Communist under house arrest, Antonio Gramsci, had stated: the party successfully creates the counter hegemony to counterattack the state hegemony.
Hegemony is not about domination. I continue to read both Leftist and Libertarian writers that refer to hegemony as a type of political-imperial oppression over the weak and subjugated, with statements such as, 'the weakness or power of American hegemony.' These intellectuals forget that hegemony, as previously explained by Antonio Gramsci, is actually a cultural practice of understanding the world and doing something about it.
Within our modern existence, and where most of us command caged lives inside violent, industrialized cities, we ourselves form our own ideas about our environs, initiate discussions with like minded friends, join political or cultural associations, and even make our own political alliances or choices.
People construct their own worldviews, shape their own realities, and create their own cultures. Whether it is a particular religious worship, hanging out with a certain subculture of fashion and music, or even attending a political demonstration, people themselves make their own history. History is not just battles, presidents and laws; it also represents everyday humanity creating their own cultural expressions, temporary communities, or hegemonies, in order to comprehend the world around them.
Most humans are not dupes as some Leftists commentators like to rattle about incessantly. We are all philosophers in our very own individualistic ways. The Tea Party Conservatives were not the willing idiots of the Koch Brothers either, as some Democratic party hacks have ranted about recently. If there was no national anger already swelling about seeing their proud country decay into a Third World disaster, yet possessing the most violent empire in world history, then no amount of Koch brother money would have been able to set up their public protests.
For us Anarchists, this means that we also have to embrace the times and places that we both live in and suffer from. A few intelligent Americans are waking up to the American nightmare that fogs over people's lives, bodies, minds and emotions. Most citizens are too scared to fight, and we should leave them alone. But other angry and confused citizens are struggling out there. They want to hear another story besides the trite and pathetic lies vomiting out of the corporate news media and crap American television. We Anarchists have that other story. We do not need to form a cohesive political party like our Communist sect enemies, nor do we need to seize power, like some military officer caste; instead, we must have the courage to speak the truth when people ask, or when they complain to us about the way things are going politically.
I will continue my story on how the ultra-nationalist and reactionary Nazis became a national-revolutionary German party. When the Weimar state cowards and liars tried to push a bogus national referendum on making partial reparation payments, the Nazis rejected the vote fraud completely. Modern Germans did not like bullshit, and still do not like such games. Continue with your previous work or fight. The Nazis understood completely. Meanwhile, the National Socialists continued to incite even bloodier street fights against Communists and supposed collaborators with foreign occupying troops on German soil. They also began to move into other directions, such as fomenting the necessary political alliances, and often-contradictory ones.
Soon, the Nazis made overtures to particular German business owners and small business owners, or good capitalists that they liked. They successfully sloganeered that the problems of reparations and war guilt on Germany had destroyed business and opportunities in their own land. Meanwhile, the party press kept blabbering the anti-Semitic cant about manipulative Jewish stock jobbers turning the world capitalist economy upside down. The Nazis also played down their nationalist-class conflict patter.
Then, the National Socialists made overtures to the Prussian military caste, or the German military. This political alliance was not hard because the Nazis had the same desire for a continuation of war hostilities like the German high command. The Nazis even won some political positions inside a few regional governments.
With all of the street gang methods and political maneuvers towards the other gravitational pulls of power, the Nazis were still another right-wing political party moving on the national front. Their main base was Bavaria, which was the center of the German reaction and a very Catholic region. Finally, the Nazis made the right openings to the Catholic Church, and to its political appendage in Germany, the Zentrum.
Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Nazi party and not the most observant Catholic, arranged a meeting with the papal nuncio in Berlin, a man by the name of Eugenio Pacelli, who would later become Pope Pius XII during World War II. Right before the elections of 1933, the two parties, both the Zentrum and the Nazis united to form the strongest coalition party in Germany. The Nazi Party started ranting about the 'destruction of the German family and defending real family values.' The same year, President Hindenburg appointed Adolf Hitler as his chancellor. The rest is history.
Hegemony also works repeatedly in the United States. The Republican-Democrat deception is a perfect case to analyze. The two parties simply pick and choose their new 'political alliances' depending on what gets the election results. First, there is the Democratic 'base,' which tries to include both large, and small business owners, both labor union bosses and workers with union seniority. Meanwhile, it makes overtures to middle class African-Americans and to certain Latino populations, such as second generation Mexican Americans. The Dems do not stop there, but also seek alliances with certain socio-economic ethnic groups, such as urban Asian Americans that despise lazy state spongers, wealthy Jewish-American, Israel First supporters living in large urban cities, and college educated, yuppie hipsters. This contradictory hodge-podge also hopes to attract Conservative farm and rust belt workers and senior citizens feeling insecure about Social Security, and next, urban Gay and Lesbian populations.
The Republicans also have their absurd political concoctions. They have attempted to organize Christian Evangelicals that want a Christian Republic, and yet the Repubs attract freethinking Libertarians in the western states wanting the government out of their lives. This political assemblage has the support of the 'Don't tread on me' gun-Bible belt in the South, Mormons in the West, and large farmers in parts of New England. The party also contains a bunch of law and order followers calling for tougher laws, more prisons and more police, including staunch militarists, all of whom believe that the government has the sole right to bear arms – and to use them when it damn well feels like it. The party aims for the support of both business owners that live in gated communities and a few racist rednecks that live in trailer parks, and it hits on certain ethnic groups, such as Cuban Americans. If a historian were to examine the hegemonic alliances of both parties a hundred years earlier, in 1912, he or she would find very different and contradictory political bases on both aisles.
As long as there exists human civilization and urbanization, hegemony lives around us. We create our own culture, our own histories, and so therefore, we make up hegemonies, or our own political frameworks, even with all of their internal inconsistencies and absurdities.
We Anarchists have the easiest work load, unlike the other political party hacks and slaves out there hustling their weird ideologies and crap literature. Our destiny, or 'Fortuna,' takes some courage to act upon. Just bravely speak up or write the truth to power.


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Facility History
Madison Correctional Facility is located on the Madison State Hospital grounds, overlooking the Ohio River to the South and bordered by Clifty Falls State Park on the West. Construction of the Mediterranean cottage style buildings began in 1907.
On March 3, 1989, one building on the grounds became an adult male level one work camp that housed a maximum of 70 offenders. In the next few years, the male correctional facility acquired two more buildings. In 2004, drastic increases in incarcerated adult females brought the need to again change the purpose of the space to house minimum security adult females. This necessitated the need to acquire four more buildings, bringing the total number of buildings to seven.
Today, Madison Correctional Facility houses approximately 600 female offenders and has a 58 bed work release program for the surrounding community. Most of our offenders are involved in programming and work various jobs, both on grounds and off. We also opened a recycling center in early 2012. This center recycles cardboard, plastic, and cans for the State Hospital and Madison Correctional Facility.


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My laptop is on the verge of death and unbearable to use, and I am praying for the new one's daily arrival. Coping with a distorted screen and often unresponsive keyboard, I attempted to write about the politics behind the empire waisted gown, but the subject proved too complex to pursue amidst the technical complications, and I abandoned it in frustration (I will try to tackle it again for my post next month). So instead of a more scholarly offering, today I am falling back on a staple tactic of my earliest blogging days: when in doubt, make a list. This I think I can handle despite the cantankerous computer. I've tackled a variety of Austen rankings in my time, but I never have offered up my absolute favorite quotes from each of the novels, probably because it is an entirely partial and prejudiced endeavor. If I engaged in this exercise again next week, I would probably land on different selections. Nevertheless, here are the lines that currently stand out most prominent in my mind, ranked according to my momentary preference.
#6 – "Mr. Bertram," said she, "I have tidings of my harp at last. I am assured that it is safe at Northampton; and there it has probably been these ten days, in spite of the solemn assurances we have so often received to the contrary." Edmund expressed his pleasure and surprise. "The truth is, that our inquiries were too direct; we sent a servant, we went ourselves: this will not do seventy miles from London; but this morning we heard of it in the right way. It was seen by some farmer, and he told the miller, and the miller told the butcher, and the butcher's son-in-law left word at the shop." – Mansfield Park
I just love this line (Mary gets all the best in this book). It reveals something very quintessential about Austen world.
- Runner up: "Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery. I quit such odious subjects as soon as I can, impatient to restore everybody, not greatly in fault themselves, to tolerable comfort, and to have done with all the rest."
#5 – Her family had of late been exceedingly fluctuating. For many years of her life she had had two sons; but the crime and annihilation of Edward a few weeks ago, had robbed her of one; the similar annihilation of Robert had left her for a fortnight without any; and now, by the resuscitation of Edward, she had one again.
In spite of his being allowed once more to live, however, he did not feel the continuance of his existence secure, till he had revealed his present engagement; for the publication of that circumstance, he feared, might give a sudden turn to his constitution, and carry him off as rapidly as before. – Sense and Sensibility
I adore Austen's narrative voice, and this bit of commentary on Mrs. Ferrars beautifully critiques the character's absurdity. It makes me laugh every time I read it.
- Runner up: "Altogether, they will have five hundred a-year amongst them, and what on earth can four women want for more than that?–They will live so cheap! Their housekeeping will be nothing at all. They will have no carriage, no horses, and hardly any servants; they will keep no company, and can have no expenses of any kind! Only conceive how comfortable they will be! Five hundred a year! I am sure I cannot imagine how they will spend half of it; and as to your giving them more, it is quite absurd to think of it. They will be much more able to give you something." – Fanny Dashwood
4. "An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. — Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do." – Pride and Prejudice
There are so many fabulous lines and zingers in the book, but these three, short sentences strike me as both powerful and pivotal, excellently demonstrating the ruling dynamics of the Longbourn household.
- I have no less than four runners up for this novel. All are great:
- It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
- "I am happier even than Jane; she only smiles, I laugh." – Elizabeth Bennet
- "Kitty was no discretion in her coughs … she times them very ill." – Mr. Bennet
- "Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?" – Lady Catherine
#3 – "Whom are you going to dance with?" asked Mr. Knightley.
She hesitated a moment, and then replied, "With you, if you will ask me."
"Will you?" said he, offering his hand.
"Indeed I will. You have shewn that you can dance, and you know we are not really so much brother and sister as to make it at all improper."
"Brother and sister! no, indeed." – Emma
I had the hardest time choosing a single quote for Emma, as it is chock full of masterfully constructed text. In the end, I selected the above exchange rather than a single line, because the moment is magnificent.
- Runners up:
- "Never mind, Harriet, I shall not be a poor old maid; and it is poverty only which makes celibacy contemptible to a generous public! A single woman, with a very narrow income, must be a ridiculous, disagreeable old maid! the proper sport of boys and girls, but a single woman, of good fortune, is always respectable, and may be as sensible and pleasant as any body else." – Miss Woodhouse ("Badly done," Emma!)
- "You must go to bed early, my dear—and I recommend a little gruel to you before you go.—You and I will have a nice basin of gruel together. My dear Emma, suppose we all have a little gruel." – Mr. Woodhouse
#2 – "The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid." – Northanger Abbey
Mr. Tilney has maybe the best dialogue of any character Austen created. I chose this line because it is so quotable. I once seriously considered painting it over my bookshelves (crappy handwriting is all that stoped me).
- Runner up (from the same chapter): "My dear Eleanor, the riot is only in your own brain. The confusion there is scandalous."
#1 – "You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever." – Persuasion
The best words Austen ever wrote, totally ROCKED by Captain Wentworth. They make me want to jump up and cheer.
- Runner up: "My idea of good company, Mr. Elliot, is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company." "You are mistaken," said he gently, "that is not good company; that is the best." – Anne Elliot and Mr. Elliot
So what are your favorites? Do you take issue with any of mine? Let us indulge ourselves in frivolous debate! It will be great fun.


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May 3rd: Family Night
May 5th: Cinco de Mayo
May 14th: Mother's Day
May 26th: Graduation Celebration
May 29th: Memorial Day. School closed
Parent Reminders
Focus on Four Summer Extension for Ms. Yadira's Class registration is due.
Everyone please turn in Summer Letter of Intent ASAP. Check with Ms. Amber if you need a new form or more information.
Children's Garden of LaBelle News
Remember that Mother's Day is Sunday May 14th. Make sure you make her day extra special.
A mother holds a special place in the hearts and minds of her children. Mother's Day is May 14th and there is no better way to celebrate than with the whole family.
We're sure sleeping in on Mother's Day sounds nice and that having some alone time can make for an enjoyable day. But doesn't it sound like a better idea to make this holiday a family day? We encourage you to get outside and spend some quality time with your kids and loved ones.
Monday, May 15th: we will have "Muffins for Mom" the Monday morning after mother's day. Mom's please stop by and enjoy a bite to eat before heading out for your day. Thank you for all you do in your child's life. We love you Moms!
You are invited to our Family Night on May 3rd with Laura Centeno at 6:00pm. We will also have a Special Speaker from Habitat for Humanity.
May 26th Parents please join us on Friday May 26th at 10:30am in celebrating your child's accomplishments this school year. All classes will particiapte. All family and friends are welcome to attend. Bring your cameras!
Monday, May 29th the center will be CLOSED for Memorial Day.
"On Memorial Day we celebrate all American soldiers in a day of remembrance."
May 8th - May 12th This week honors those hard working, patient and understanding people whom we entrust our children to. Teachers help shape our kids in a positive direction, and affect who they are and who they become.
Thank you teachers for all you do!
Please see the list of ideas below on ways to express your appreciation for all their hard work!
The simple spoken words of "Thank you" can go a long way. Teachers are very grateful to feel that their work is valued and appreciated. Try a simple thank you next time you see your child's teacher, or better yet, write them a thank you card.
Every teacher can use some help in their classroom. Even if you think you are too busy with your work and home schedule all you really have to do is take an hour or so out of your day once a month to show that you care. And research has proved that it helps your child succeed in school. So, it's a win-win situation!
Technology makes it so easy these days to show that you are thinking about someone. As soon as you have a thought, you can simply send a quick text or email and instantly the other person can know that you are thinking of them. Try sending a quick note thanking them for a skill your child learned, or the wonderful craft your child brought home. Anything to show them that their work is valued and that you have noticed.
Teachers are always running out of classroom supplies. Usually when this happens they have to use their own money to pay for them. Ask the teacher what they are running out of, and offer to send some more in. They will appreciate it more than you know.
Who doesn't like it when someone brags about them? Anytime that you see an opportunity to boast about your child's teachers to another teacher, school staff member, or even the Director, then do it. Teachers spend all of their day in the classroom and many times no one realizes how great they are! Just a little shout out is all you need to do to make your child's teacher happy.
Be involved in everything that your child does that has to do with their education, your child's teacher will notice and be grateful. Listen to them, read at night, show up to every parent-teacher conference and ask questions. By doing so, you're showing your child's teacher that you know that their job is important and you're taking the time to reinforce whatever they have learned in school, at home.
This is by far the best way to make a teacher happy. When you show your child that you respect their teacher, then so will they. If a child sees you talking bad about their teacher to other people, then they will think that you do not respect them, and in turn they will not. Respect is an essential component of teaching and learning in the classroom. So make sure to always show them the respect that they deserve.
As teachers, we can appreciate this list. Most teachers are parents themselves and sometimes forget how important their job really is. At the end of day, the best way to keep a teacher happy is to let them do their job, show them they are valued with a simple thank you, and respect them for who they are and what they are doing for your child.
1. First peel the bananas and cut them into thirds.
2. Then dump some cereal onto your wax paper, smear the bananas in peanut butter, and roll the peanut butter bananas in the cereal. That's it! You're done!
Looking for a noisemaker that's more musical than your typical preschooler's banging and clanging? Try this quick arts and crafts activity that will produce a homemade paper plate tambourine! It's easy to make with supplies you probably already have on hand, and it makes a great toy. No wonder it's a classic!Click to find similar content by grade or subject.
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Wednesday, June 28, 2017
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I often wonder how John Wooden would have survived the current climate in college basketball.
If he were angry over tactics used by his opponent, would he threaten to kill him at a press conference, as John Chaney once did to John Calipari? Would he attract his own reality show, like Bob Knight? Would he do commercials for Chevy and American Express, like Mike Krzyzewski?
Would he be driven out of town at the first sign of program slippage, like Mike Davis? Would he have the stomach to deal with precocious teenagers with illusions of NBA grandeur? Would he stand for agents, shoe company reps and other various and sundry leeches hovering around his kids seeking profit? Could he deal with the intrusions of television upon his beloved game, and the overall crush of the modern media?
U.S. & World
My guess is no, which is why it's entirely fitting that he came along when he did. Whether the stars lined up according to some predestined plan, or if was just historical happenstance, Wooden thrived in an era in which a basketball coach could be a great teacher first, without an obligation to be a flamboyant front man for the program.
Wooden died Friday night at age 99.
Hollywood has provided us with an image of what a teacher is that doesn't completely square with reality. According to such portrayals, a teacher is someone who is bigger than life, so he or she can mesmerize the students with the power of their personality.
Wooden kept his pupils entranced with the power of his teachings, and his personality flowed like residue from that. He was bespectacled, erudite, dapper in a Midwestern general store kind of way and precise about how things should be done.
Certainly there are excellent teachers operating in the game today, but few who exemplify the profession as a spiritual calling. Wooden took an almost mystical approach to imparting the principles of basketball to his charges, approaching drills as sacred rituals to be honored. Each practice was a time of worship, and those who wavered would never find the final reward, which was victory.
The 10 NCAA championship banners hanging from Pauley Pavilion as a result of Wooden's influence don't get mentioned as much as his "pyramid of success." It is comprised of blocks named for individual qualities or necessities needed for success, such as "poise," "confidence," "initiative" and "loyalty," to name a few.
Obviously "self-control" isn't as in vogue as it was during Wooden's day, as evidenced by the antics of certain high-profile coaches. But the concept of a pyramid of success, in and of itself, indicates just how exact and methodical Wooden was in his approach to coaching.
Wooden's attention to detail was almost as legendary as the Wizard of Westwood himself. He instructed his players how to put on their socks and shoes in order to cut down on the incidence of blisters. He taught them how to dress and groom themselves in order to maximize their own self-esteem and at the same time properly represent UCLA. His practices were mentally, physically and emotionally draining, but they were also invigorating in the way all great educational experiences can be.
As beloved as he was, he did have detractors. The name Sam Gilbert has been the only stain on Wooden's illustrious past. Gilbert was a wealthy UCLA booster who became a sugar daddy to many of Wooden's players. Although Wooden never was accused of directly participating, he was criticized for not stepping in and insisting on a sanitized environment. After all, 10 championships don't happen without the acquisition of blue-chip talent. The pyramid of success, some alleged, would have meant little without the sphere of influence provided by the overzealous Gilbert.
But no man is perfect. Even if he did ignore Gilbert, it was likely because he was devoted to guiding his players. The good intentions of a good man and the bountiful results they bring often trump any missteps along the way.
Besides, other coaches had outstanding players and didn't come close to achieving Wooden's heights. Said the Wizard himself:
"You get a good run of players, a dominant player like (Lew) Alcindor, and people say you're supposed to win three championships and we did. But Ohio State was supposed to win three with Jerry Lucas and John Havlicek and that bunch, and it won only one. Kansas was supposed to win three with Wilt Chamberlain and one year they didn't even win their conference championship. … For the most part, we've done what we're supposed to do. There's no way you can have consistent success without players. No one can win without material. But not everyone can win with material."
Whenever you talk to any of his ex-players — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, Jamaal (then Keith) Wilkes, and the list goes on and on — they gush about him like he was a favorite uncle. He not only had a profound influence on his students then, but it continues today. The lessons learned were good for a lifetime, not just a four-year stint in college.
His coaching record speaks for itself. But his impact didn't end upon his retirement. If ever a humble, practical and unpretentious man could attain the status of royalty, it was Wooden. The UCLA faithful and basketball fans alike treated him like a precious natural resource, hanging on his every word, written or spoken. As a reservoir of wisdom, he was vast and never-ending.
He still is, and always will be.