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Friday, 30 April 2010
The Keiser Report - Episode 38
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 30th, 2010.]
The Mystery of Poland's Presidential Plane Crash Deepens
"The question should be: was it something that was planned earlier or was it a decision that was taken in the aftermath of the crash," says Greg Phillips, a former NTSB crash investigator.
Four days before the crash, jets of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk safely landed on the same tarmac in Smolensk. According to unconfirmed reports, Prime Minster Putin's security detail equipped the airport with an additional navigation system, MMLS (Mobile Microwave Landing System), before the landing which was dismantled after the visit was completed. In Poland the revelation fuels speculation about the crash.
Russian authorities who lead the investigation have not yet answered if the report is true and if so why the same navigational equipment was not provided for the pilots of the Polish Presidential plane.
Who owns the black boxes?
According to the largest Polish opinionated daily Rzeczpospolita, Polish Prosecutor General, Andrzej Seremeta, stated that Polish investigators would obtain from Russian authorities "transcripts of cockpit voice recorders, not the voice recorders itself".
This raised eyebrows of some US aviation experts.
Interesting information. It's not hard proof of foul play but, as per usual, if there is nothing unusual going on here then we should see the release of the flight data information and a reasonable explanation for all these questionable actions. More info here.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 30th, 2010.]
DEBUNKED ! History Channel's Documentary: "The 9/11 Conspiracies: Fact or Fiction?"
(Story sourced from Debunking the Debunkers blog.)
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 30th, 2010.]
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Swedish Expert says CO2 is Not the Main Cause of Global Warming
Goldberg stressed that man should separate the concept of climate change from environmental issues. He holds that climate change is natural and caused by the sun activity, but the urban heat island effect and environmental problems are mainly caused by human activities and behavior. In an exclusive interview with People's Daily Online, Goldberg explained his ideas.
History of climate on earth
"We could have an ice age any time," Dr. Goldberg says, "Over the past one million years, we have experienced eight ice ages. Eighty percent of the last million years was ice age. We are lucky to live in this short inter-glacial period."
"If we go down to the last 4000 to 3500 years in the Bronze Age period, it was three degrees warmer than today on the northern hemisphere at least," Goldberg explained.
Please check out the whole story at the link. This Goldberg guy is talking a lot of sense. Later in the interview he explains how the melting Artic Ice is due to ocean current changes and that we will see a return of the ice very shortly. The man predicted the ultra cold northern winter of 2010.
From the information related here, logically, barring any increase in the Sun's temperature, we will see a fall in global temperatures.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 29th, 2010.]
Seeing is Believing (CO2 is not a pollutant)
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 29th, 2010.]
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
We have been told that federal authorities have interviewed, on video, a prominent individual with specific knowledge of the possession of this type of weapon.
This won't be in the news.
Things are going very badly for the establishment in terms of pushing for War versus Iran, hiding overall corruption and keeping everyone in the dark about 911. The best way to start new wars and slam the lid down on the information breakout (since disinformation tactics in the age of the Internet are presently failing) is to stage a massive nuke, chemical or bioweapons event that will allow for draconian measure to be implemented.
These measures would likely see a round up of "anti-US" agitators and the partial shut down of Internet communications.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 28th, 2010.]
The Keiser Report - Episode 37
Up-to-date info about the Goldman Sachs situation and the rigged market system.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 28th, 2010.]
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
7/7 Families Call for Victim Inquests to Examine Intelligence Services
They will also press for a separate inquest into the deaths of the four suicide bombers who set off the blasts on Underground trains and a London bus, as a mark of respect for the 52 innocent lives lost.
Lawyers acting for the families and some survivors will argue at the High Court on Monday that the inquests into the July 2005 attacks should be heard by a jury so that "matters cannot be swept under the carpet".
I'm sure the victims family members would be interested to know that the physical evidence we have, plus the holes in the official story, indicate that 7/7 must have been an inside job. The attacks were not merely the result of "intelligence failures":
Also check out this link for additional information.
And see this photo (+ analysis) of the bomb damaged train.
Readers should note the following:
The London Police claim the bombers were photographed at the Luton station, then rode the 7:40 train to King's Cross, where they were photographed again. But according to the actual train timetable, the 7:40 train was cancelled that day and even had it not been cancelled, would not have arrived in time for the men to be photographed at King's Cross at 8:26. [Full details]
The only way to stop this on going terror "game" is to expose it.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 27th, 2010.]
Fight the Derivatives Cancer with a Wall Street Sales Tax, Plus Bans on Hedge Funds, Credit Default Swaps, and Synthetic CDOs
Webster Tarpley is right on the money here: radical reform is needed immediately. It is time to BAN, VOID or DISMANTLE harmful financial institutions and debt instruments. When the mess is cleaned up, old Laws need to be reinstated, and no more bailouts issued.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 27th, 2010.]
Computerized Front Running and Financial Fraud
Market commentators are fond of talking about "free market capitalism," but according to Wall Street commentator Max Keiser, it is no more. It has morphed into what his TV co-host Stacy Herbert calls "rigged market capitalism": all markets today are subject to manipulation for private gain.
Keiser isn't just speculating about this. He claims to have invented one of the most widely used programs for doing the rigging. Not that that's what he meant to invent. His patented program was designed to take the manipulation out of markets. It would do this by matching buyers with sellers automatically, eliminating "front running" – brokers buying or selling ahead of large orders coming in from their clients. The computer program was intended to remove the conflict of interest that exists when brokers who match buyers with sellers are also selling from their own accounts. But the program fell into the wrong hands and became the prototype for automated trading programs that actually facilitate front running.
Check out the last paragraph or two about what happened to the legal records concerning who actually owns Keiser's trading program today. Hint: the building in which the records were stored was destroy about 9 years ago (along with papers dealing with the Enron scam) !
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 27th, 2010.]
German troops in Afghanistan call on Angela Merkel to Explain Why they're at War
Some troops have taken to wearing the cloth accessory that states - ironically - 'I fight for Merkel' in a bid to persuade the German Chancellor Angela Merkel to explain exactly what they are fighting and dying for.
Four more troops were killed, and five badly injured, in Afghanistan last week.
We're fighting in Afghanistan because of the 911 false flag terror attack. The war is completely unnecessary.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 27th, 2010.]
Monday, 26 April 2010
Freedom Watch - Suspicious Timing of Financial Reform Bill
I agree. This whole reform act is suspicious considering that so many of the Congress and Obama personnel are directly connected to the big banks. I don't trust this at all. Looks like the civil case being made against Goldman Sachs is designed to ensure no criminal charges are brought up.
Plus, I know The Judge is anti- legislation (he, like myself, does not want to see the banks bailed out), but I would argue some banking regulation is needed -like reinstating the now rescinded Laws that were passed after the Great Depression.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 26th, 2010.]
Keiser Report №36: Markets! Finance! Scandal!
ESSENTIAL financial news here. This episode is particularly entertaining (and informative).
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 26th, 2010.]
Genetically Modified Soy Linked to Sterility, Infant Mortality in Hamsters
After feeding hamsters for two years over three generations, those on the GM diet, and especially the group on the maximum GM soy diet, showed devastating results. By the third generation, most GM soy-fed hamsters lost the ability to have babies. They also suffered slower growth, and a high mortality rate among the pups.
It never hurts to test things -especially new food or drugs. This is what science is about - unbiased investigation.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 26th, 2010.]
Sunday, 25 April 2010
Dr. Bob Bowman Takes us Inside the Secret Star Wars Program, Iran, 911 & Corrupt Military/Politicians
A very interesting discussion.
Go to these links for the remaining portions of this interview: here, here and here.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 25th, 2010.]
Saturday, 24 April 2010
Keiser Report No35: Markets! Finance! Scandal! - "The Banana Republic Without Bananas"
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 24th, 2010.]
Friday, 23 April 2010
Oklahoma City Bombing - The Timothy McVeigh Tapes Debunked
There's more to this attack than meets the eye. The NBC doco on McVeigh is disinformation.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 23rd, 2010.]
Oklahoma City Bombing: Bomb Damage Assessment and TV News Footage
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 23rd, 2010.]
Murrah Federal Building Survivor Talks with Alex Jones
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 23rd, 2010.]
Next bubble: $600 trillion?
Defaults now beginning to occur in a number of European cities prefigure what may end up being the largest financial bubble ever to burst – a bubble that today amounts to more than $600 trillion.
The Bank of International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland, now estimates derivatives – the complex bets financial institutions and sophisticated institutional investors make with one another on everything from commodities options to credit swaps – topped $604 trillion worldwide at the end of June 2009.
To comprehend the relative magnitude of derivative contracts globally, the CIA Factbook estimates the 2009 Gross Domestic Product, or GDP, of the world was just under $60 trillion.
Derivative contracts, therefore, have now reach a level 10 times world GDP, meaning even a 10 percent default in derivatives would equal world GDP.
The small 800-year-old town of Saint-Etienne in France has just defaulted on a $1.6 million contract owed to Deutsche Bank. The city entered into a complex currency swap arrangement to reduce the cost of borrowing some $30 million.
To cancel all 10 derivative contracts Saint-Etienne currently holds would cost the town approximately $135 million, more than six times the amount initially borrowed, largely because no bank or institutional investor would want to purchase contracts that are now on the losing side of the bet.
Saint-Etienne is only one of thousands of EU municipalities that bought into derivative contracts as a way to cut the costs of municipal borrowing.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 23rd, 2010.]
Thursday, 22 April 2010
When False Flags Don't Fly
Those who have studied history know that nothing invigorates and empowers an authoritarian regime more than a spectacular act of violence, some sudden and senseless loss of life that allows the autocrat to stand on the smoking rubble and identify himself as the hero. It is at moments like this that the public—still in shock from the horror of the tragedy that has just unfolded before them—can be led into the most ruthless despotism: despotism that now bears the mantle of "security."
Acts of terror and violence never benefit the average man or woman. They only ever benefit those in positions of power.
This is why Nero fiddled while Rome burned: it gave him a chance to throw the Christians to the lions and rebuild the capital of the Roman Empire in his own image.
This is why Hearst and the warmongers of the emerging American Empire were delighted by the destruction of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor: it gave them the excuse they needed in order to rouse the public into supporting the Spanish-American War.
This is why Israel attacked the U.S.S. Liberty in 1967 during the Six Day War, strafing and torpedoing it relentlessly for hours in a vain attempt to send it to the bottom: the Israelis believed that the loss of the Liberty could be blamed on Egypt and draw the Americans into war.
This is why there are hundreds of documented examples of governments staging attacks in order to blame them on their political enemies. In every civilization, in every culture, in every historical period, authoritarians have known that spectacular acts of violence help to further consolidate their own power and control. And sadly, throughout history there have been all too many willing to allow attacks to occur, to pretend that attacks have occurred or even to attack their own population in order to further their political agenda.
To think that such staged provocations and false flag attacks no longer occur would be as unrealistic as believing that human nature itself has changed, that powerful people no longer seek to increase their power, that influence is never used for deceit or manipulation, that lies are no longer told to satisfy greed or slake the thirst for control. It is to believe that our society is immuned from those things that we have seen in every other society in every other era. In short, it is a dangerous delusion.
The people are once again learning the power of this delusion. They are learning the extent to which they have been lied to. They are once again studying their history.
The Russians are learning how the FSB was caught planting bombs in Moscow in the 1990s during a terror scare that swept Putin into power and stirred the public into supporting the Second Chechen War. They are learning how their autocratic ex-President came to power campaigning on the graves of those his old FSB cronies had killed.
The Israelis are learning how Mossad has been caught time and again posing as the very Muslim terrorists they claim to be opposing. They are learning how Israel uses the specter of terror to further extend their blank cheque drawn on American funds to expand their police state at home and maintain their hardline stance, the world's sixth-largest nuclear superpower supposedly threatened by the possibility that one of their neighbours may one day obtain a single nuclear weapon.
The British are learning how their SAS officers were caught dressing up as Arabs in Iraq, driving around with trucks full of munitions, shooting at police to stir up ethnic tensions and insure that permanent bases could be built in the region. They are learning how Haroon Aswat, the supposed mastermind behind the 7/7 bombings, was working for British Intelligence.. They are learning how British military intelligence took part in IRA bombings.
The Indians are learning how the Mumbai attack was helped by an U.S. Agent who is cooperating with investigators so that he won't face questioning by foreign authorities.
The Canadians are learning how their own provincial police dressed up as protestors in 2007 and threatened violence against other police in order to force a crackdown on peaceful protests.
And the Americans are learning that there were multiple bombs found, dismantled and taken out of the Alfred P. Murrah building on April 19, 1995. They are learning that Timothy McVeigh had written a letter to his sister in which he claimed to be in the Special Forces for the U.S. Army. They are learning the bombing was being directed by FBI informants, just as the 1993 World Trade Center bombing was. They are learning about 9/11 and the Gulf of Tonkin and Operation Northwoods and their own Army Counterinsurgency Manuals that teach officers how to commit false flag attacks to blame on their enemies.In short, the people are learning the truth.
And now we see the same build-up to a false flag event taking place that we saw in 1995. At that time the U.S. had a corporate media desperate to fling mud at anyone concerned by the actions of their government, and it had a government that was desperately unpopular in the face of growing dissatisfaction. Today we see the exact same factors at play.If anything, the situation today is worse than it was in the run-up to the Oklahoma City Bombing, with media consolidation meaning that groups of concerned citizens like the Oath Keepers are being attacked by the controlled minions on both the left and the right. And now it is not just the militia that is being demonized by the establishment: it is veterans and gun owners, third party supporters and libertarians, anti-war protestors and human rights campaigners, people who are upset with the government giving trillions to the banks that have engineered our current financial crisis in the first place. In short, everyone is now a potential terrorist, according to the governmental and media agencies that deign to limit our range of acceptable opinion and control dissent.
Even the word 'terrorist' means something more than it did back in 1995, after the false flag anthrax attack allowed the passage of the Patriot Act, after the boogey of Al-CIAda gave the NSA the opportunity to announce that they were collecting everyone's emails and everyone's telephone calls, after the former Homeland Security Secretary came out and admitted that the
Bush administration had made up terror threats in order to scare the people into supporting the government, now we know what the real definition of terrorism is. It is governments scaring their own populations into line.
But there is something else that's different now from what it was in 1995. The people are learning something else about terrorism: they are not terrorists for speaking out against their government. They are not terrorists for wanting the government to stop selling their children into servitude to pay bankers their bonuses. They are not terrorists for pointing out that the FBI and the CIA and Mossad and MI6 are behind every major terrorist event.
The people are not terrorists because they do not want to see more death. They do not want more destruction, the spilling of the blood of their fellow citizens is not in their interests. Death and destruction only ever serves the governmental and financial and industrial interests who always grow in power and wealth in the wake of every tragedy. Time and again, the people pay with their lives, and the governments and the banks and the war machine only grows and prospers.
The people do not want terrorism because it does not benefit them. It only benefits the existing power structure.
And this time, if there is another staged event to blame on the government's enemy of the day, the people will know who to blame.
A must read article !
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 22nd, 2010.]
A Short Sale Story You Wont Believe! Does our Government really want to clean up this mess?
Basically, IndyMac Bank (now OneWest Bank), is holding clients hostage, demanding a promissory notes, or they will proceed to foreclosure. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out why they were doing this. What advantage could there possibly be for them to proceed to foreclosure?
Yesterday, I figured it out. You see, IndyMac was taken over by the FDIC and sold to OneWest Bank in March/2009. Guess who the investors are behind OneWest? George Soros, Michael Dell, Steve Mnuchin (former Goldman Sachs executive), and John Paulson (hedge-fund billionaire).
Now, listen to the deal they got from the FDIC..
Basically, they purchased all current residential mortgages at 70% of par value (70% of the outstanding loan amounts). They purchased all current HELOCS at 58% of Par Value!!!
Next, in order to "sweeten the pot", the FDIC stepped in and guaranteed the following: For any residential mortgages where OneWest experiences a loss, the FDIC will step in and cover anywhere from 80%-95% of the loss. The loss is calculated using the ORIGINAL LOAN BALANCE, not the amount that OneWest paid for the loan. Let's use my clients situation as an example:
If the Loan Amount is $478,000, plus 6 months of missed payments, for a grand total of $485,200. OneWest pays $334,600 for the loan. We have an all cash offer of $241,000, net to OneWest. So, let's do the math, shall we?
The net loss, according to the FDIC formula is the ORIGINAL LOAN AMOUNT minus the amount of the offer. In this case, $485,200-$241,000, or $244,200. Next, the FDIC, according to their Loss Share Agreement, writes a check to OneWest for 80% of the so-called "net loss". So, in this case, OneWest gets a check from Uncle Sam for $195,360 (.80 X $244,200).
Add the $195,360 to the sales price of $241,000, and you get a grand total of $436,360. Remember, OneWest paid $334,600 for the loan. So, OneWest puts $101,760 in their pocket, thanks to the FDIC. Folks, that is over $100k of our hard-earned tax dollars!
So, you ask.Why does this program hurt short sales? Because, our brilliant government offers this SAME PROGRAM FOR FORECLOSURES! The only difference is, the government picks up 80% of the tab on all of the extra costs associated with a foreclosure (BPO's, upkeep, utilities/maintenance, legal fees, etc.)
So, If I'm OneWest, why would I want to waste my time negotiating through a Short Sale, when I can make the same amount of money (if not more) by just letting it go to foreclosure? And we wonder why nobody can get a Loan Modification? Why would OneWest approve a loan modification for this guy, when they can foreclose and make over $100k? And, to add injury to insult, they have held this loan for 6 months! Not a bad ROI, huh?
What infuriates me the most is that in my particular case mentioned above, they have the guts to hold my client hostage for a $75k promissory note, after they are already making more than $100k on the sale!!! This is his primary residence, 1st Position loan, and OneWest has NO RECOURSE! Imagine if they could make $100k, then get a deficiency judgement! Talk about making some big bucks!
Can you say "GREED"?
The scary thing is that over 50 banks have Shared Loss Agreements in place with the FDIC. Some of them include: Bank of America (go figure), CitiMortgage, Wells Fargo, etc.
This entire agreement between the FDIC and OneWest can be found on the FDIC website. It's all there, for the world to see! They have it all layed out. All of the formulas, worksheets, etc.
Now, it's up to us to bring it to the attention of our elected officials and the media. Enough is Enough!
Wait, it gets better.The FDIC just announced that it needs to start borrowing money from the U.S. Treasury in order to replenish it's deposit insurance fund (the same fund being used to pay all of these banks in the Loss Share Agreements). Go Figure!
Reprinted story from Frank Bernardo-October 21, 2009
What a scam. US citizens ARE bonfide victims of the bankers.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 22nd, 2010.]
Obama Now Pushing Sneaky Wall Street Bailout
Of course, that's not how his team is spinning things. On the White House Blog, Jen Psaki claims that "under the Senate bill, the taxpayers will never be asked to foot the bill for Wall Street's irresponsibility." But that's simply not true.
"If you liked the bailouts in 2008, you'll love the Dodd bill," Sen. David Vitter (R.-La.) tells HUMAN EVENTS. "Congressional Democrats and the Obama Administration want to create a permanent bailout mechanism all while spouting their rhetoric of getting tough on Wall Street, but if you look at who is already lining up to support their 'reform' measure it's a who's who of the big banks that have already received the taxpayer bailout the first time."
More scamming !!
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 22nd, 2010.]
The Oklahoma City Bombing
The important thing to note is that the information and testimony presented here has come from many reliable sources. There is physical evidence that shows the official story is false. It is also very clear that a cover-up is in operation- the security videos of this attack remain hidden because of "National Security".
Plus, you have to ask yourself from which country the "Middle Eastern" men originated, as reported by witnesses. Were they Iraqis or really from some other country ? No matter, the operation required inside help.
For a more detailed analysis of the case, including interpretation of the audio and seismic records, see this page. The physical evidence here reveals that the Oklahoma City Bombing was inside job.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 22nd, 2010.]
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Max Keiser on Alex Jones Radio - Financial Fraud, Goldman Sachs, Insidious Conditioning towards a Debt based Society
Max and Alex talk about the widespread fraud and corruption in the financial system plus conditioning of the population towards a debt based society - includes predictions for future calamities.
Only knowledge and education will protect the people from these manipulations !
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 21st, 2010.]
Is Goldman Obamas Enron - No it's Worse
President Bush's connections to Enron were well-hyped during the company's accounting debacle that rippled through the economy. Time magazine even had an article called, "Bush's Enron Problem." The Associated Press ran with the headline, "Bush-backing Enron makes big money off crisis." David Callaway wrote that Enron for Bush was worse than Whitewater for Clinton.
This is why I doubt the sincerity about getting tough on the Goldman Sachs in recent days. I would bet anything that there is more going on here than meets the eye. This is a theatre show for the population.
I think the possibilities are:
1.) a fine for Goldman but no criminal charges (SEC action),
2.) a short term acceptance of regulations,
3.) a Republican party filibuster of any regulatory legislation that happens to make the Democrats and Obama look good,
4.) a massive Government attack on Goldman Sachs whereafter the company is deliberately imploded (along with the stock markets). Goldman Sachs "assets" and leading personnel would be moved to another shell where the games continue.
The reason for this last ploy is to scare people about big institutions failing. In the chaos Government "interference" here will be portrayed as the cause of the economic drama (hence a reason to keep a deregulated banking system).
All these outcomes will help Obama's Administration look good for the mid-term elections. After all, according to the article above, Obama and his crew are in the pockets of the bankers. If the Administration does nothing they risk losing whatever credibility they have left. The banking cartel cannot allow the economic debate to switch to those voices that want real wholesale reform.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 21st, 2010.]
Propaganda: Iraq says Local Al Qaeda Leader Has Been Killed
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said al Qaeda's Iraq leader, Abu Ayyub al-Masri, and Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, the purported head of its local affiliate, the Islamic State of Iraq, were found dead in a hole in the ground inside a house after it was surrounded and stormed by troops.
The deaths could be a major setback to the stubborn insurgency at a time when Iraq is emerging from the sectarian slaughter unleashed after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion but still struggling to end suicide bombings and other attacks.
WhatReallyHappened.com's Mike Rivero points out that this is propaganda:
Killing Abu Omar al-Baghdadi is a real trick when you consider that this article claims he was arrested (after being reported killed) back in 2009, and this article admits Abu Omar al-Baghdadi is just a made up fictional creation!
Everyone must come to realise that 911 was an inside job and the "threat" of Al Qaeda (or victories against their alleged agents) is a tool being used to fool the population into accepting the War on Terror. The truth about 911 will bring an end to this madness ...
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 21st, 2010.]
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Alex Jones On the Edge with Max Keiser
Alex Jones runs through likely threats, such as an economic collapse and nuclear false flag terrorism, that we may face in the near future.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 20th, 2010.]
Chossudovsky: Obama, not Osama, is Threat No.1 to Global Security
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 20th, 2010.]
RECAP: The Mysterious Collapse of WTC Seven: Why NIST's Final 9/11 Report is Unscientific and False
However, the public discussion of the destruction of the World Trade Center did not occur in a scientific context, but in a highly charged political context. America had just been attacked, it was almost universally believed, by foreign terrorists who had flown hijacked planes into the Twin Towers, and in response the Bush administration had launched a "war on terror." The idea that even one of the buildings had been brought down by explosives would have implied that the attacks had not been a surprise, so this idea could not be entertained by many minds in private, let alone in public.
No Girder Shear Studs: NIST's explanation as to how fire caused Building 7 to collapse starts with thermal expansion, meaning that the fire heated up the steel, thereby causing it to expand.
A steel beam on the 13th floor, NIST claims, caused a steel girder attached to Column 79 to break loose. Having lost its support, Column 79 failed, and this failure started a chain reaction, in which all 82 of the building's steel columns failed. [51]
Without getting into the question of whether this is even remotely plausible, let us just focus on the question: Why did that girder fail?
It failed, NIST said, because it was not connected to the floor slab with sheer studs. NIST wrote:
In WTC 7, no studs were installed on the girders. Floor beams . . . had shear studs, but the girders that supported the floor beams did not have shear studs.
This point was crucial to NIST's answer to a commonly asked question: Why did fire cause WTC 7 to collapse, when fire had never before brought down steel-framed high-rise buildings, some of which had had much bigger and longer-lasting fires? NIST's answer was: differences in design.
One of those crucial differences, NIST stated repeatedly, was "the absence of [girder] shear studs that would have provided lateral restraint."
But this was a fabrication on NIST's part. How can we know this? All we need to do is to look at NIST's Interim Report on WTC 7, which it had published back in 2004, before it had developed its theory of girder failure.
This report stated that girders as well as the beams had been attached to the floor by means of shear studs. [52]
We have here as clear a case of fabrication as one will see, with NIST simply making up a fact in order to meet the needs of its new theory.
The entire NIST investigation appears to be a deliberate attempt to avoid looking at the specific evidence showing WTC7 was explosively demolished. Apart from this avoidance they also provided an obviously false story about how fire alone could have brought down the building. In doing so they blatantly lied about a number of things.
NIST appears to be acting as an accessory after the fact in an act of Treason. The prima facie evidence clearly shows 911 was an inside job and yet NIST looks to be deliberately obfuscating the data.
There is the crime of misprision of treason- the failure to report Treason to the relevant authorities. The penalties for such a crime is seven years jail, a fine or both. Because 911 is such a great crime I would expect any judge to recommend the maximum possible sentence.
(Remember, only the truth about 911 will end the war on terror.)
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 20th, 2010.]
Monday, 19 April 2010
The Case for the Impeachment of Barack Obama
These days, when I mention the book's title, people sometimes ask, half in jest, whether I'm referring to the current president, Barack Obama.
Sadly, it is time to say, just 14 months into the current term of this new president, that yes, this president, and some of his subordinates, are also guilty of impeachable crimes--including many of the same ones committed by Bush and Cheney.
Let's start with the war in Afghanistan, which Obama has taken full ownership of with an escalation that will bring the number of US troops in that country (not counting mercenaries hired by the Pentagon and CIA) to 100,000 by this August.
The president has authorized the use of Predator drone aircraft for a program of bombing conducted against Pakistan which has illegally expanded theAfghan War into another country without any authorization from Congress. These pilotless drones are known to kill far more innocent bystanders than enemy targets, making them fundamentally illegal on principle as weapons. Furthermore, this wave of attacks in Pakistan is a war of aggression against another nation if the word "war" is to have any meaning at all, and as such it is illegal under the UN Charter. Indeed initiating a war of aggression against a country which does not pose an immediate threat to the invader is described in the Charter and in the Nuremberg Tribunal Charter as the gravest of all war crimes.
The president, as commander in chief, has also, in collusion with Attorney Eric Holder, blocked any prosecution of those who authorized and perpetrated torture against captives in the War in Iraq, the War in Afghanistan, and the so-called War on Terror--notably Federal Appeals Court Judge Jay Baybee, and Berkeley Law Professor John Yoo, who as Justice Department attorneys authored the legal briefs justifying torture-- and has in fact continued to permit the application of torture against captives. All of this is in clear violation of the Geneva Conventions, which as a signed set of treaties, are part of the law of the United States. Under those treaties, failure on the part of those up the chain of command to halt or to punish those who commit torture are themselves guilty of the crime of torture.
The USA is the rogue nation and Obama's lot has taken over command of the ship.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 19th, 2010.]
Gen McChrystal: No Proof Iran Sending Fighters or Weapons to Afghanistan
At the same time McChrystal did note that some weapons and ammunition have crossed the border from Iran to Afghanistan and that some Taliban may have even trained inside Iran, but that they were not "operationally significant" amounts.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates had last month accused Iran of supporting the Taliban behind the scenes, despite Iran's formal ties with the Karzai government and long history of animosity.
McChrystal speaking the truth here. No anti-Iran propaganda ! Amazing.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 19th, 2010.]
TIME Magazine Lists Flouride as "Environmental Toxin
A report from TIME.com lists among other household Items – Flouride- as an "Environmental Toxin". The article starts out, saying:
Chemicals in plastics and other products seem harmless, but mounting evidence links them to health problems — and Washington lacks the power to protect us
Of course, activists and scientists have for years been aware of Flouride's toxicity, but propaganda and Big Pharma have sought to keep these facts from the general public by showing flouride in a favorable light through the controlled media.
The article went on to say that "Government studies support current fluoride levels in tap water, but studies on long-term exposure and cancers are ongoing".
What It Is: A form of the basic element fluorine
Found In: Toothpaste, tap water
Health Hazards: Neurotoxic and potentially tumorigenic if swallowed; the American Dental Association advises that children under 2 not use fluoride toothpaste
What You Should Know: Government studies support current fluoride levels in tap water, but studies on long-term exposure and cancers are ongoing
So, What are the lethal levels for humans?
As of April 7, 1997, the United States FDA (Food & Drug Administration) required that all fluoride toothpastes sold in the U.S. carry the following poison warning:
WARNING: Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional help or contact a poison control center immediately.
Potentially fatal dose = 5 mg of fluoride per kg of bodyweight.
Ingestion of fluoride can produce gastrointestinal discomfort at doses at least 15 to 20 times lower (0.2–0.3 mg/kg) than lethal doses. [7][8] A 2-year-old, for example, may experience gastrointestinal distress upon ingesting sufficient amounts of flavored toothpaste. Between 1989 and 1994, over 628 people—mostly children—were treated after ingesting too much fluoride from their toothpaste. Gastrointestinal symptoms appear to be the most common problem reported. [9]
In 1986 the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for fluoride at a concentration of 4 milligrams per litre (mg/L), which is the legal limit of natural fluoride allowed in the water. In 2006, a 12-person committee of the US National Research Council (NRC) reviewed the health risks associated with fluoride consumption[12] and unanimously concluded that the maximum contaminant level of 4 mg/L should be lowered. The EPA has yet to act on the NRC's recommendation.[13][14] The limit was previously 1.4 – 2.4 mg/L, but it was raised to 4 mg/L in 1985.[15]
Excessive flouride consumption in studies has been shown to be the culprit in the following;
A weakening of bones, leading to an increase in hip and wrist fracture
Adverse effects on the kidneys
possible liver damage
Chromosomal damage and interference with DNA repair
a correlation between increased fluoride and low IQ
suppressive effects on the thyroid
While it is refreshing to see the truth about flouride being published in the mainstream media, it is disappointing to see, that when most people are told about the devastating effects of flouride in our drinking water, toothpaste, and other household items – they ignore the facts, or even categorize these facts as just another "Conspiracy theory".
Looks to me like flouride is not any good. The big problem is trying to deprogram people from thinking that it is harmless. Since flouride does not have any immediate detrimental effects we assume it is not causing damage.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 19th, 2010.]
Foreclosure Rates Surge, Biggest Jump in 5 years
RealtyTrac Inc. said Thursday that the number of U.S. homes taken over by banks jumped 35 percent in the first quarter from a year ago. In addition, households facing foreclosure grew 16 percent in the same period and 7 percent from the last three months of 2009.
More homes were taken over by banks and scheduled for a foreclosure sale than in any quarter going back to at least January 2005, when RealtyTrac began reporting the data, the firm said.
The stock market might be up but it's full of funny money. The real economy is still stuffering. It does not look like there is a recovery happening if you consider this data.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 19th, 2010.]
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Invisible Empire Official Trailer
The new film by Jason Bermas.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 18th, 2010.]
After Getting Bailed Out By American Taxpayers, General Electric Pays ZERO U.S. Taxes, Pretending that All of Its Profits are Overseas
Specifically, it was given $139 billion in FDIC guarantees and used the Federal Reserve program supporting it's commercial paper (see this).
So you'd think that GE would return the favor by paying American taxes, right?
Wrong. GE paid no U.S. taxes for 2009.
As CNN points out:
GE had plenty of earnings last year -- just not in the United States. For tax purposes, the company's U.S. operations lost $408 million, while its international businesses netted a $10.8 billion profit.
Unfortunately, GE is not alone.
As I wrote in November:
The Washington Post notes:
About two-thirds of corporations operating in the United States did not pay taxes annually from 1998 to 2005, according to a new report scheduled to be made public today from the U.S. Government Accountability Office...
Big business maketh the rules in the US.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 18th, 2010.]
Friday, 16 April 2010
9-11 Molten Steel Forensic Evidence & Eyewitness Accounts
The forensic evidence here is damning. 911 was an inside job. The ONLY way you can get that sort of melting, short of a blast furnace, is to use incendiaries such as Thermite. Incendiaries = inside job.
Visit the Architects and Engineers for 911 Truth website and sign their petition (donate to the cause if you can) ! We need a new criminal investigation into the attacks NOW so that we can bring about an end to the wars in the Middle East.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 16th, 2010.]
"What did and did not Cause Collapse of WTC Twin Towers in New York"
Discussion of "What Did and Did not Cause Collapse of WTC Twin Towers in New York" by Bazant, Le, Greening and Benson, Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, Vol. 134 (2008), [1]
I have read subject article by Bazant, Le, Greening and Benson (BLGB) with great interest and would like to make the following observations:
There is no need to describe the destruction of WTC1 using differential equations. Simple math + observations of videos prove the BLGB model and paper wrong.
The BLGB debunkers are clearly debunked. Check out the paper at the link. Their collapse models don't make any sense as pointed out by Bjorkman.
The BLGB disinfo team contends that the lighter upper parts of the towers crushed the stronger lower sections, that were more massive, and did not significantly deform. Video from the day shows the upper sections disintegrated very early in the demolitions. The theory postulated by BLGB is unsubstantiated fantasy.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 16th, 2010.]
Obama Staffer Wants 'cognitive Infiltration' of 9/11 Conspiracy Groups
Cass Sunstein, a Harvard law professor, co-wrote an academic article entitled "Conspiracy Theories: Causes and Cures," in which he argued that the government should stealthily infiltrate groups that pose alternative theories on historical events via "chat rooms, online social networks, or even real-space groups and attempt to undermine" those groups.
As head of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Sunstein is in charge of "overseeing policies relating to privacy, information quality, and statistical programs," according to the White House Web site.
This sort of COINTELPRO-type operation is to be expected. So long as the 911 truth movement sticks to presenting the scientific evidence of the inside job to the people then it will be nigh impossible for the establishment to effectively counter it.
The COINTELPRO operatives must also see any actions they take against 911 truth as helping the traitors responsible for the crime. These operatives, who are not necessarily bad, will soon find out, after a bit of research, that they are helping destroy the USA and failing to protect the country. To the COINTELPRO agents - do what you can to help our cause (either resign or make your disinfo intentions very obvious) !
Remember, only the truth about 911 will end the war on terror.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 16th, 2010.]
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Scott Ritter on Iranian Nuclear Program
Although the video quality here is relatively poor the information is excellent and as relevant today as it was 3 years ago. Nothing has changed. Check out the video. We cannot allow the official propagandists to sell another unnecessary war to the people, like what we saw with Iraq.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 15th, 2010.]
Analysis of the Feb 2010 IAEA report on Iran
Paragraphs 2-13 are about the enrichment plants in Natanz. According to the report, they continue to enrich uranium under IAEA safeuguards, and there has been no diversion of nuclear material for non-peaceful uses -- so in short, Iran is in full compliance with its NPT obligations. The report specifically says that there have been 35 surprise inspections there too, just to be clear.
The first paragrah specifically mentions the period of time when Iran voluntarily suspended enrichment as a good faith gesture under the terms of the Paris Agreement. Since it leave out some context, here is a brief review of what happened: If you remember, under the terms of that agreement, Iran's good faith gesture was supposed to be reciprocated by an EU-3 offer to negotiate with Iran on the nuclear issue in good faith, in a manner that recognized Iran's right to continue enrichment. The Iranians made it clear from the start that the right to enrichment had to be recognized, and the temporary suspension of enrichment was not supposed to become permanent. The suspension was supposed to last for 6 months. Instead, the EU-3 first dragged their feet for 2 years without making any offer, and then when Iran announced the restart of enrichment, they gave Iran an offer that independent analysts called an empty box in pretty wrapping which demanded that Iran permanently give up enrichment. Then the EU3 had the gall to accuse Iran of "violating" the Paris Agrement when Iran refused. So in short, Iran showed flexibility, and was cheated. Those who argue that Iran should suspend enrichment don't seem to remember that we've been down that road before.
Despite what US and European leaders have been saying, Iran has not violated any treaties or laws. In fact they have been very open about their nuclear power program and enrichment activities.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 15th, 2010.]
Keiser Report: Special Greenspan Bubble edition
Essential and very entertaining economic news.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 15th, 2010.]
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Ahmadinejad Urges UN Chief Ban Ki-Moon to Probe 9/11 Attacks
"The minimum expectation from your excellency is to set up an independent and trusted fact-finding group to comprehensively investigate the real factors behind September 11," Ahmadinejad said in the text of the letter carried by official news agencies.
They did not say when the letter was sent.
The hardliner, who in March dismissed 9/11 as a "big lie," said in the letter that the attacks "were the main pretext for attacks" by NATO on Afghanistan and Iraq.
The truth about 911 will end the Wars in the Middle East.
I hope that Ahmadinejad directs Ban Ki-Moon to the scientific proof we have from the World Trade Centre "collapses" showing they MUST have been explosively demolished. There are more than a thousand architects and engineers that can help to explain this evidence if need be.
At the very least this move is great international publicity for the movement.
Although there is massive censorship surrounding the subject in the Western media we now have a world leader who is strongly FOR a new investigation.
(thanks to John B. for the story !)
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 14th, 2010.]
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Evidence that Depleted Uranium is intended as a Weapon of Genocide
This article is meant to demonstrate why this is not the case. The radioactive waste is intentionally used to depopulate and economically cripple the nations that the United States government declared war on. A declassified memorandum from 1943 explains how radioactive material can be used as a gas warfare instrument.1 It mentions that:
As a gas warfare instrument the material would be ground into particles of microscopic size to form dust and smoke and distributed by a ground-fired projectile, land vehicles, or aerial bombs. In this form it would be inhaled by personnel. The amount necessary to cause death to a person inhaling the materialOf course, Depleted Uranium fits this description. According to the Pentagon, upon hitting it's target, 70% of the Uranium vaporizes2, and turns into microscopic particles that enter it's victims body. More that 50% of Depleted Uranium particles found in veterans are smaller than 1.5 μm.3
is extremely small. It has been estimated that one millionth of a gram accumulating in a person's body would be fatal. There are no known methods of treatment for such a casualty.
Another document, from 1948, shows that the plan evolved, and began resembling what we now know as Depleted Uranium.4
The United States began looking for ways to weaponize radioactive material. It's top priorities were:
• 1 — Weapons to contaminate "populated or otherwise critical areas for long periods of time."
• 2 — Munitions combining high explosives with radioactive material "to accomplish physical damage and radioactive contamination simultaneously."
• 3 — Air and-or surface weapons that would spread contamination across an area to be evacuated, thereby rendering it unusable by enemy forces.
Again, Depleted Uranium fits the bill.
I think the writer here is correct. It has been obvious for a long time that D.U. is highly toxic and potentially lethal- if ingested. One must assume that the most reasonable explanation for its widespread use today is as a weapon of long-term elimination.
Those people who have allowed this situation to occur are foolish in the extreme. D.U. munitions must be banned and those who authorised their use must be prosecuted.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 13th, 2010.]
Dylan Ratigan MSNBC Exposes Federal Reserve Con [MUST SEE]
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 13th, 2010.]
AFRICOM Backs Bloodshed in Central Africa
Across the continent a new rebellion in western Congo has reportedly engaged Belgian paratroopers and UN "peacekeepers" in alliance with the DRC government. With massive casualties and more than 200,000 civilians forced to flee western Congo the United Nations and western media have covered up the new rebellion. Meanwhile, AFRICOM under the Obama administration has major base constructions and secret deployments across Central Africa, with NATO, Dyncorp and Special Operations Command shipping Ugandan grunts to the U.S. wars in Somalia, Afghanistan, Darfur and Iraq.
With the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) engulfed in bloodshed and terrorism due to the secretive occupation and expansion by the Rwandan regime of Paul Kagame, Congo's President Joseph Kabila has received support from Belgium and the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) to crush a growing rebellion sparked by resistance forces in far Western Congo. But the United Nations Observers Mission in Congo (MONUC) has downplayed the new rebellion and hidden massive military and civilian casualties
There's a lot to read here but the bottom line is that Western powers play a major role in supporting various groups and corrupt governments so that resource profits flow away from the general population. I'm sure those individuals manipulating the conflict here consider the general population to be entirely expendable.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 13th, 2010.]
Monday, 12 April 2010
911 Letters-To-Editors Work to Spread the Truth
A published LTE often starts a dialog with other readers who write their own LTEs and the back & forth exchange among letter writers increases readership of the paper, especially if the subject, like ours, is controversial. One LTE, or a series, gets the subject out in front of the public. The more people become aware of the 9/11-truth issue, the more this leads to discussion on the street.
The subject of your letter should focus on the destruction of the three World Trade Center buildings. Most people are not aware of the collapse of World Trade Center Building 7. Mention that there is growing scientific evidence that explosives planted in the buildings before 9/11 caused the three collapses. Then point out that the official government reports didn't even consider the possibility of explosives in the Twin Towers, and didn't consider explosives in WTC 7 in a realistic manner, and are therefore incomplete at best. It is not necessary or prudent to point fingers. This will only lead the uninformed or in-denial readers to label you a "conspiracy theorist."
You can list a number of examples of evidence such as the free-fall acceleration of WTC 7, the hundreds of people who witnessed explosions, the tons of molten metal found at the rubble of all 3 buildings, the fact that burning jet fuel and office fires do not get hot enough to melt structural steel, the fact that never before or after 9/11 has any similar steel-framed building ever collapsed because of fire, and the particles of the nano-thermite composite explosives found and documented by scientists in the dust which covered lower Manhattan.
I also recommend writing directly to the author of any mainstream story that deals with 911 or the war on terror. Often journalists will be more responsive to letters that fall within their area of investigation.
Plus you can fish for media attention using other issues --such as financial fraud, election rigging, the criminal nature of the Wars in the Middle East-- as a tool to get their attention.
And finally remember to hammer them with hard, documented facts wherever you can. Correct any errors. If the Newspaper (or TV or radio station) has a Code of Practice, refer to it and hold them accountable. It does stir up trouble- I know from experience.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 12th, 2010.]
Dawn Johnsen withdraws as nominee to head Justice Dept. Office of Legal Counsel
Dawn Johnsen's withdrawal — a setback for the Obama administration — was announced late Friday by the White House on a day the capital's legal and political elites were absorbed in the news that Justice John Paul Stevens would retire from the Supreme Court.
The Senate Judiciary Committee had recommended Johnsen's confirmation on party-line votes. But several Republicans objected to her sharp criticisms of terrorist interrogation policies under President George W. Bush, and the full Senate never voted on her nomination.
Party politics be damned - where is our justice ? Time to vote out, or depose, all those who scuttled this nomination.
Someday soon there will be a revolution of sorts and, under the glare of unrelenting transparency, politicians who obstruct justice will have to answer to the people.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 12th, 2010.]
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Farewell Interview with Dr. Paul Craig Roberts- Media & Government Censorship Stopping Real reform.
As Roberts takes time out from the infowar we will continue the fight to get the word out about 911. I am 100% confident that eventually EVERYONE will realise the truth about these attacks.
We will educate and inform all comers about the evidence and the key issues. We will fight the propaganda and censorship using the hard evidence and our own skills at communication. Already millions know what has occurred thanks to online campaigning. We have the evidence and we have the tools. We will never give up !
(~Remember: Only the truth about 911 will stop the war on terror~)
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 11th, 2010.]
Bernanke: We Must Raise Taxes and Cut Services • Sane People: No, We Only Need to Stop Endless Bail Outs, Imperial Adventures and Fraudulent Schemes
But why aren't our government "leaders" talking about slashing the military-industrial complex, which is ruining our economy with unnecessary imperial adventures?
And why aren't any of our leaders talking about stopping the permanent bailouts for the financial giants who got us into this mess? And see this.
And why aren't they taking away the power to create credit from the private banking giants - which is costing our economy trillions of dollars (and is leading to a decrease in loans to the little guy) - and give it back to the states?
If we did these things, we wouldn't have to raise taxes or cut core services to the American people.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 11th, 2010.]
First Oxygen-Free Animals Found
Although it was not possible to extract the animals alive in order to show that they could live without oxygen, the team was able to incubate the eggs in anoxic conditions aboard on the ship.
The eggs hatched successfully in a completely oxygen-free environment.
"It is a real mystery how these creatures are able to live without oxygen because until now we thought only bacteria could do this," said Professor Danovaro, who heads Italy's Association of Limnology (the study of inland waters).
"We did not think we could find any animal living there. We are talking about extreme conditions - full of salt, with no oxygen."
This is great news for the exo-biologists.
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 11th, 2010.]
Saturday, 10 April 2010
Thinking Clearly about The 911 Forensic Evidence - when you have Eliminated the Impossible, whatever Remains Must be the Truth.
People who are unfamiliar with the scientific evidence, that proves the World Trade Centre buildings were destroyed using explosives on 911, commonly make the mistake of ASSUMING that it would be "impossible" to rig these structures for demolition.
This is not true: it would be difficult, but NOT impossible.
However, it is IMPOSSIBLE to find Molten Steel, Thermite traces, plus actual fragments of high tech explosives in the rubble pile, and to have the freefall collapses of these buildings, WITHOUT the presence of chemical incendiaries/explosives of the sort commonly used by the military and demolition companies.
The bottom line is that the forensic evidence proving the inside job is unimpeachable.
Moreover, we also know that the building security was compromised before the attacks, and that workmen had access to the core of the Twin Towers during the months leading up to the attacks- whilst an "elevator modernisation" program was undertaken. There was plenty of time to thoroughly rig the buildings.
We have both the physical proof of foul play AND a clear opportunity in which to prepare the buildings for destruction.
There is no mistake, 911 WAS an Inside Job. To conclude otherwise is not logical.
By Spookypunkos
[Posted at the SpookyWeather blog, April 10th, 2010.]


text:
Kim Kardashian is hitting the bottle again.
The buxom peroxide blonde says she's going back to her natural brunette locks now that the summer is over.
"I'm dying [sic] my hair back dark," she wrote on her blog. "Bye bye blonde, see u next summer!"
U.S. & World
The shapely reality show stunner spent about a month as a blonde after first debuting the lighter look on the red carpet at the Teen Choice Awards in Universal City, Calif., on Aug. 9.
"I'm really a blonde this time!!!" she wrote on her Twitter page. "Stepping out on the red carpet as a blonde!! Ahh!"
The "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" star claimed she had a blonde do in April when she posted photos of her as a blonde on the Web - but she later confessed she was wearing a wig.
Kardashian recently split from her boyfriend, NFL player Reggie Bush.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Disney animator Heidi Jo Gilbert created a Wicked storyboard video, set to the tracks from Wicked, the musical, hoping to convince her bosses to make Elphaba the next Disney princess. Our reaction: Holy Hell, this is amazing. UPDATE: Youtube pulled the clip but if you go to her site you can watch the original (not embeddable) video. Thanks!
Heidi Gilbert via TDW


text:
Tagged: Pirates
Introducing the 2011 MLB Some-Stars Teams…
Every year. Every year, I join in a chorus of statistical slaves railing against the fan vote, this year witnessed by Derek Jeter (14th in WAR* among AL shortstops, with a paltry 0.2) getting a starting nod. Jeter is at least chasing 3,000 hits. There's even less explanation for Josh Hamilton (1.6 WAR, 12th among AL outfielders.)
But this year, I'm not stopping there. The whole selection process is pretty silly. Bruce Bochy used his managerial picks to give Ryan Vogelsong an All-Star nod, which raised a lot of eyebrows around the league. But Vogelsong (1.9 WAR, 20th among NL starters) isn't even the worst offender. Jose Valverde made the squad despite a 0.4 WAR (38th among AL relievers,) as did Brandon League, who is tied with him.
And then there's Jay Bruce, whose 0.9 WAR ranks him 39th among NL outfielders.
Meanwhile, Bochy snubbed his own third baseman, Pablo Sandoval, who leads all NL third basemen with 2.0 WAR. Sandoval isn't alone; he's tied at the top with Chase Headley, who also wasn't voted in. Neither were Ryan Roberts (1.9) – who wasn't even on the printed All-Star ballot – or Aramis Ramirez (1.6). That's right, the NL's starting third baseman, Placido Polanco, ranks fifth. The reserve third baseman, Chipper Jones, ranks tenth.
The second base situation in the AL is almost as bad. Robinson Cano (2.4, 5th among AL 2B) was voted the starter, and Howie Kendrick (3rd with 3.1) is the backup, leaving Dustin Pedroia (1st with 3.7) as proof that even big-market players aren't exempt. He'll have company watching the game; the Rays' Ben Zobrist is 2nd with 3.6 WAR, and also didn't receive a nod.
David Robertson is tied with his bullpen mate, Mariano Rivera, to lead all AL relievers with a 1.5 WAR, but he'll be sitting at home, also.
But it is what it is, and most of the guys who belong there end up there, one way or the other. But would it kill Major League Baseball to rectify this situation somehow? Maybe give the General Managers a vote? Maybe SABR? I don't know; but I do know that something needs to change. The guys who earn All-Star nods must be allowed to play in the All-Star Game.
I'm all for the idea of the fan vote: Fans should be able to watch their favorite players take the field in July against one another. But if a player out-performs every other player at his position, he should be on that field.
As is my tradition, I've taken the liberty of creating my own All-Star team, based on statistics, while maintaining current MLB rules (i.e. at least one player from each team**).
So, without further ado, my own choices for the 68 Major League All-Stars:
C: Brian McCann (ATL)
1B: Joey Votto (CIN)
2B: Rickie Weeks (MIL)
3B: Chase Headley (SDP)
SS: Jose Reyes (NYM)
OF: Matt Kemp (LAD), Andrew McCutcheon (PIT), Ryan Braun (MIL)
SP: Roy Halladay (PHI)
Cole Hamels (PHI), Cliff Lee (PHI), Clayton Kershaw (LAD), Jair Jurrjens (ATL), Jonny Venters (ATL), Craig Kimbrel (ATL), Eric O'Flaherty (ATL), Mike Adams (SDP), Carlos Marmol (CHC), Ian Kennedy (ARI), Daniel Hudson (ARI), Matt Cain (SFG)
C Miguel Montero (ARI), 1B Prince Fielder (MIL), 2B Danny Espinosa (WSN), 3B Pablo Sandoval (SFG), SS Troy Tulowitzki (COL), OF Shane Victorino (PHI), OF Michael Bourn (HOU), OF Matt Holliday (STL), OF Carlos Beltran (HOU), 1B Gaby Sanchez (FLA), 2B Brandon Phillips (CIN), OF/1B Lance Berkman (STL), 3B Ryan Roberts (ARI)
C: Alex Avila (DET)
1B: Adrian Gonzalez (BOS)
2B: Dustin Pedroia (BOS)
3B: Alex Rodriguez (NYY)
SS: Asdrubal Cabrera (CLE)
OF: Jose Bautista (TOR), Curtis Granderson (NYY), Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS)
DH: David Ortiz (BOS)
SP: Jered Weaver (LAA)
Justin Verlander (DET), CC Sabathia (NYY), Josh Beckett (BOS), James Shields (TBR), David Robertson (NYY), Mariano Rivera (NYY), Jim Johnson (BAL), Aaron Crow (KCR), Sergio Santos (CWS), Felix Hernandez (SEA), C.J. Wilson (TEX), Gio Gonzalez (OAK)
C Matt Wieters (BAL), 1B Miguel Cabrera (DET), 2B Ben Zobrist (TBR), 3B Kevin Youkilis (BOS), SS Jhonny Peralta (DET), OF Alex Gordon (KCR), OF Denard Span (MIN), OF Brett Gardner (NYY), DH Victor Martinez (DET), OF Matthew Joyce (TBR), OF Carlos Quentin (CWS), 2B Howie Kendrick (LAA)
* I calculated WAR by averaging bWAR and fWAR.
** Yankees 6, Red Sox 6, Braves 5, Tigers 5, Diamondbacks 4, Phillies 4, Brewers 3, Rays 3, Reds 2, Dodgers 2, Mets 2, Padres 2, Giants 2, Cardinals 2, Angels 2, Royals 2, Cubs 1, Rockies 1, Marlins 1, Astros 1, Pirates 1, Nationals 1, Blue Jays 1, Rangers 1, Mariners 1, Athletics 1, Twins 1, Indians 1
For all intents and purposes, the Astros have always had an ace. A dominant pitcher who could be given the ball every fifth game and be expected to shut down the opposing team as often as not. In 2001, a skinny, unseemly right-hander from Weir, Mississippi was called up in May and asked to do just that. Less than a month later, he was entered into the starting rotation, and the team won the next eight games he started, with him collecting the W in six of the eight games.
He went 12-2 as a starter that year, with three complete games including a shutout. He threw 127.2 innings as a starter, with 130 strikeouts, 17 walks, a 2.82 ERA, and a 1.03 WHIP. He was second in Rookie of the Year voting, fifth in Cy Young voting, and 22nd in MVP voting.
Eight seasons later, Roy Oswalt is the undisputed ace of the Houston rotation, but in 2001 – despite the tremendous year by Wade Miller – the ace was Shane Reynolds, who went 14-11 with a 4.34 ERA. Not ace-type numbers, but Reynolds had been the de facto ace since his 16-win campaign in 1996. Though Darryl Kile and a young Mike Hampton also pitched well for that team, Reynolds was clearly the leader.
Before Reynolds' emergence, most people would probably have pointed at veteran Doug Drabek. Before that, Pete Harnisch. Mike Scott. Nolan Ryan.
Other teams, on the other hand, have trouble defining an ace. Specifically, the Pittsburgh Pirates – an intradivisional foe – have had a string of seriously bad luck with their aces.
In 2006, after a 14-win campaign, Ian Snell was annointed with the "ace" title. Entering the 2009 season, he has only managed 16 wins in the two years since then. In 2007, Tom Gorzelanny was the 14-game winner on the roster, and now he finds himself in minor league camp.
It seems that, as an organization, the top of the Pirates' rotation has been befuddling at least since Oliver Perez's Dr. Jekyll-and-Mr. Hyde act from 2004-2006. This year, their hope lies in the left arm of Paul Maholm.
Maholm is a sinkerball pitcher who has gone 19-24 over the past two seasons with 244 K and 112 BB in 384 IP. Over that time, he has an ERA of 4.31 and a WHIP of 1.35. His DIPS was 4.26 and his DICE was 4.18. By almost any metric, saber or otherwise, he's at best an above-average pitcher.
And last month, they awarded him with a three-year, $14.5m contract to avoid arbitration.
That's a lot of money for a guy who had 2.7 Value Wins a year ago. So does Maholm have ace-type stuff, or is he merely benefitting from being part of a weak pitching staff?
Maholm's VORP in 2008 was 40.8 – 30th in the majors among pitchers with a minimum 100 IP. Roy Oswalt's 43.3 was just five spots ahead at 25th. It was almost double the next-highest VORP on the team, reliever John Grabow with 22.3, and far away above Zach Duke, who had the second-highest VORP among Pirates starters in 2008 with 5.3.
Compare that to Gorzelanny in 2007, whose 41.5 VORP was 31st in the majors and just 0.2 ahead of rotation-mate Ian Snell. In 2008, Gorzelanny's VORP had tumbled to -13.2; in other words, worse than a replacement-level player. Snell's was "better" at -3.9, but hardly good. There is some indication that Snell, at least, was the victim of bad luck, as his BABIP was a hefty .360, compared to Maholm's .298.
But Pirates coaches believe Maholm has the mental makeup of an ace, which can of course be important. Pitching coach Joe Kerrigan, who used to work with the Yankees and the Red Sox, told Sporting News "If you've seen him throwing on the side, see his understanding of the
game, the understanding of his craft — pitching — you can tell he has
a great idea," Kerrigan said. "He's a coach's dream. The effort he puts
into the side sessions, his bullpen sessions, is translated into the
That's great, but it doesn't exactly make him an ace.
Maholm has been coolly efficient this spring, going 2-0 with a 0.46 ERA, 12 K, and 1 BB in 19.2 IP. He's run out of innings in games well before hitting the maximum pitch count set aside by his coaches this spring.
Considering the rapid falls from grace many of the Pirates' other "aces" have seen in recent years, it's definitely too early to give Maholm the title – and as of right now, he is being vastly overpaid – but there's certainly room for hope for the Pirates, who need as much as they can get.
NL Central Predictions
I've never done a set of preseason predictions based on statistical analyses before, at least not on any real scale. There are so many questions when you start, not the least of which being "Whose stats do I even include??" A quick look at three random teams' statistics from 2008 shows an average of 33 batters per team, combining for an average of 5,524 at-bats. Some of those players began the season in the minor leagues. Some began the season – or ended it – on completely different teams. Or on the DL.
Because none of these things can be predicted, I realize that trying to project a Major League Baseball season in early February is a bit… er… "ambitious," let's say. But I wanted to do it anyway, so I felt the need to establish some ground rules.
The methodology employed was fairly simple. I predicted a 25-Man roster for each team, based on offensive performance, but bearing actuals in mind, as well. For instance, though Jason Kendall ranked #3 on my list of Brewers catchers behind Vinny Rottino and Jesus Salome, I fully realize that he will be the starting catcher in Milwaukee.
The 25-Man rosters included starters and five bench players – including a catcher, two outfielders, and two infielders who could – at the very least – combine to play all infield positions. I then calculated the Runs Created for the roster (starters, bench players, and starting pitchers), based on the players' statistics from the past three seasons. To create a uniform number of games played, I then broke this into RC27 and multiplied by 162 to get the Projected Runs for the season.
To project Runs Allowed, I broke down the pitching staff (12 pitchers, including five starters and a closer) using statistics from the previous three seasons, and calculated BaseRuns. I then used 1458 (162 games x 9 innings) divided by IP to create a multiplier for the BaseRuns projection, which I then used to project Runs Allowed.
Then, I used the Pythagorean Theorem (with a multiplier of 1.81) to determine an expected W-L%. Simple enough, but there are some issues with my methodology:
1) Because I am multiplying all statistics for minor leaguers, rate statistics will remain largely unchanged. For instance, if a player had 100 hits in 300 at-bats at the AAA level, he was a .333 hitter. In multiplying both hits and at-bats, he becomes 75/225 – still a .333 hitter.
2) Players are not currently weighted as starters and backups. At present, I am only weighting by average number of games over the past three seasons, adjusted for level. For instance, J.R. Towles is listed as the Astros' starting catcher, but only receives 211 AB in 65 games. Quintero, his backup on my list, is credited with 230 AB in 75 games. This is also true of starting pitchers and relievers in terms of innings pitched. This is somewhat offset by adjustments on team totals – I used RC27, multiplied by 162, to determine Runs Scored, and multiplied team runs allowed to cover 1458 IP (9*162) to determine Runs Allowed. Teams are now evaluated as a unit. In the future, I would average the number of at-bats per position in the division and do a similar adjustment for individual players.
3) The likelihood of one 25-man roster playing for an entire season is practically nil. Because roster moves are tough to predict, I'm content simply to allow this for now.
4) 25-Man rosters were chosen by me, using a few factors. First, I went with the most offensively-sound possibilities, using my own analysis, with some consideration given to actuals. For instance, despite Jason Kendall's projections falling third of the four Brewers catchers I projected, I know he will be the Opening Day starter, and so I have slotted him into their roster. I used whatever information I had available, which is incomplete at times. Where Rule 5 draftees are concerned, I did my best to predict who would make the roster, and who would be returned. This is subjective, though a lot of attention was paid to the projections. Additionally, I included at least one left-hander for all bullpens, even if that weakened the bullpen overall.
Since the methodology is consistent from team to team, for now I am content with it. At the end of Spring Training, once rosters are set, I will do a new set of projections with some adjustments to my method.
1. Chicago Cubs (908 R, 674 RA): 103-59
Catchers: G. Soto, K. Hill
Infielders: D. Lee, M. Fontenot, R. Theriot, A. Ramirez, B. Scales, M. Hoffpauir
Outfielders: A. Soriano, K. Fukudome, M. Bradley, J. Fox, R. Johnson
Starting Pitchers: C. Zambrano, R. Harden, R. Dempster, T. Lilly, S. Marshall
Relief Pitchers: C. Marmol, K. Gregg, A. Guzman, C. Gaudin, N. Cotts, A. Heilman, L. Vizcaino
2. Cincinnati Reds (739 R, 697 RA): 87-75
Catchers: R. Hernandez, R. Hanigan
Infielders: J. Votto, B. Phillips, J. Keppinger, E. Encarnacion, A. Rosales, D. Richar
Outfielders: C. Dickerson, W. Taveras, J. Bruce, N. Hopper, D. Anderson
Starting Pitchers: A. Harang, E. Volquez, B. Arroyo, J. Cueto, M. Owings
Relief Pitchers: F. Cordero, H. Bailey, M. Lincoln, J. Burton, R. Ramirez, A. Rhodes, D. Weathers
3. Houston Astros (759 R, 723 RA): 86-76
Catchers: J. Towles, H. Quintero
Infielders: L. Berkman, K. Matsui, M. Tejada, M. Saccomanno, G. Blum, D. Newhan
Outfielders: C. Lee, H. Pence, J. Michaels, D. Erstad, M. Bourn
Starting Pitchers: R. Oswalt, W. Rodriguez, B. Moehler, M. Hampton, B. Backe
Relief Pitchers: J. Valverde, W. Wright, D. Brocail, L. Hawkins, G. De La Vara, C. Sampson, G. Geary
3. Milwaukee Brewers (750 R, 710 RA): 86-76
Catchers: J. Kendall, V. Rottino
Infielders: P. Fielder, R. Weeks, J. Hardy, B. Hall, M. Lamb, A. Escobar
Outfielders: R. Braun, M. Cameron, C. Hart, T. Gwynn, L. Cain
Starting Pitchers: S. McClung, M. Parra, Y. Gallardo, J. Suppan, D. Bush
Relief Pitchers: T. Hoffman, J. Julio, D. Riske, C. Villanueva, T. Coffey, E. Morlan, R. Swindle
5. St. Louis Cardinals (762 R, 725 RA): 85-77
Catchers: Y. Molina, J. LaRue
Infielders: A. Pujols, A. Kennedy, K. Greene, T. Glaus, J. Hoffpauir, B. Barden
Outfielders: S. Schumaker, R. Ankiel, R. Ludwick, C. Duncan, J. Mather
Starting Pitchers: C. Carpenter, A. Wainwright, J. Pineiro, T. Wellemeyer, K. Lohse
Relief Pitchers: C. Perez, T. Miller, R. Ring, B. Thompson, R. Franklin, C. Manning, J. Motte
6. Pittsburgh Pirates (726 R, 811 RA): 74-88
Catchers: R. Doumit, R. Diaz
Infielders: Adam LaRoche, F. Sanchez, J. Wilson, Andy LaRoche, B. Bixler, A. Boeve
Outfielders: B. Moss, N. McLouth, S. Pearce, E. Hinske, A. McCutchen
Starting Pitchers: P. Maholm, Z. Duke, I. Snell, J. Karstens, T. Gorzelanny
Relief Pitchers: M. Capps, T. Yates, J. Grabow, P. Dumatrait, V. Vazquez, R. Ohlendorf, E. Meek


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Omaha, Nebraska is a member of of Douglas County and is located in the Midwest part of the U.S. The following area code(s) affiliated with Omaha are 402 and the zip code is 68108, The total population of Omaha, Nebraska is 501,171 with 245,389 males and 255,782 females, based on the U.S. Census. 33.65 is the median age of the total population in Omaha with 32.5 being the median age for males and 34.8 being the median age for females.
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VIP Touchless Car Wash Detail Center & Fast Lube
6215 Grover Street
Omaha, NE 68106
VIP Touchless Car Wash Detail Center & Fast Lube
2612 South 90th Street
Omaha, NE 68124
Dr Dent Ming Auto Beauty Center & Dr Dentist
4835 South 97th Street
Omaha, NE 68127
Brentwood Touchfree Auto Wash
8007 S 84th St
La Vista, NE 68128
Symphony of Suds Express Car Wash
3422 North 72nd Street
Omaha, NE 68134
*We may or may not be affiliated with the companies listed.
[gnews location="us" local="68108″ num="5″ list="OL"]
|Omaha Demographics
|Total Population
|White Population
|Black Population
|Hispanic Population
|Asian Population
|Hawaiian Population
|Indian Population
|Male Population
|Female Population
|Median Age
|Median Age of Males
|MedianAge of Females
|West North Central
|Land Area
|3.10954 sq mi
|Area Code(s)
|Time Zone
|Central (GMT -06:00)
|Economy and Politics
|Avg. House Value
|Household Income
|No. of Businesses
|No. of Employees
|Q1 Payroll
|$24.59 million
|Annual Payroll
|$106.26 million
|CBSA Type
|Congressional District
|Congressional Area
|410.54 sq mi
|Reported Crimes
|Violent Crime
|Property Crime
|Car Theft
69341 69352 69357 69358 69361 69363


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Please everyone; take a deap (ha, ha, I like that spelling. I must have been thinking of Johnny Dep). Let's start over; take a deep breath, relax and then exhale toward Wolcott New York because I am about to go insane. My worry stone has imprints in it from rubbing it so much, I'm out of Lorazipam and now have even MORE wrinkles on my forehead. Too much is happening too fast and of course with me there is always a wee little glitch in everything. Not too bad this time but always a wee glitch.
As I've told you, there are probably about 7 towns in this county but it is amazing how roads compare from location to location. I grew up here and lived here until around 21 and I would say that I knew where all the towns were and how to get to them and even what shortcuts. They were all two-lane highways, mostly countryside. All were pretty much straight and perpendicular to each other. So I moved to Los Angeles and refused to drive. I'm sure you have seen on television what the highways are like. Once you are in a lane, you stay in that lane and you move at about 75 miles per hour. Too bad if you get a flat tire. Actually, Los Angeles is a bit like Boston.
So I move to Maine and it takes a few years to not get lost all the time. You get used to the fact that the roads are arcs and circles going around rocks and trees and up and down hills and that everyone drives in the middle of the road because for some reason the roads are made with a hill in the middle (to have the water run off?) but people travel pretty much at a reasonable speed. Just watch out for turkeys and cows crossing the road.
Then I move back to the exact same place I started out from. Same roads. Same towns. Same countryside with straight and perpendicular roads only now everyone is is a BIG hurry. And, I keep getting lost! Trees are larger or missing completely. New houses have been built, old ones painted, curves straightened out. Point is you plan a time limit to get somewhere and are always late! I know where I am but I don't know how to get there! You get halfway there and you wonder how the heck you got to that place and why you are going in that direction. So, guess who was late for jury duty (all though, just in time to have my name called to be interviewed). Then I ask to affirm rather than swear and they start asking all these questions that don't make any sense. And, you have to tell all this personal information and everyone can hear it. Jeeze, even my Dentist was there! The limit was when the attorney stated "now remember, this trial is just for rape, not forcible rape. We are not judging if the rape was forced". I wait for one of the pod people in the courtroom to say something. Not a thing! So I say "excuse me but how could you consider it rape if it wasn't forced?" All hell breaks loose, everyone in the courtroom starts laughing and rolling on the floor. When things calm down the Judge tells me that I am not to ask the attorney questions, I am to ask the Judge questions. Anyway, I wasn't chosen so that's over with.
Then at 7:30 is the Town Supervisors Meeting. Another Lorazipam. Big mistake because it was a very, very long boring meeting mostly about hiring someone to cut the weeds in the bay this summer, buying a new truck and which account to take the money out for each. Finally, at the end it was the unanimous decision to hire me as the Town Historian. HOORAY!!!!! And, to make it even better, I'll make $.69 per hour!!! I was elated but didn't have a hard time going to sleep.
This morning first thing I had to go into the town hall with my social security card and my driver's license. Driver's license – no problem but the last time I saw my SS card was years ago when Paul's bank that employed him was purchased by a company in India and there was a chance that he would have to go over there for a couple of weeks and I was darned if I wasn't going over with him. So I got the SS cards, the Birth Certificates (which took a few weeks for me because I was born at a Military Base) and the questionnaires together, clipped them and put them on his desk for when he had a chance to go with me to get our pictures for our passports. Of course, Paul didn't even remember India much less where the folder was. Now, his office and the upstairs bathroom which are his are not entered by me unless there is an emergency. He puts his dirty clothes in a basket by the door, I plug my nose, reach in to get them and quickly close the door and that's it. So, no SS card. I took the piece of paper that your SS card is ripped from and my letter from the SS with what I will be getting which luckily had my number on it into the town hall and they took it. For now. And that doesn't help with our birth certificates.
Then since my Mother had a stint inserted last week I went over to see her for a while and my whole day is shot.
I have homework to do on a web course that I am taking that is due soon.
Saturday my daughter is taking us to dinner for our anniversary and we are going shopping.
Sunday I'm going with a friend to see Hamlet.
Next Sunday is a Handling Seminar that is about 3 hours away.
Remember that this is an Agraphobic speaking that never leaves the house. SEND CALM PLEASE!!!


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I may as well pitch a tent at the corner of 57th and 7th, because I'll be more or less living at Carnegie Hall this week. Tonight, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, the hall is given over to the glorious Cleveland Orchestra, about which an English music presenter once legendarily asked, "Where is the Cleveland Orchestra from?" (An anecdote told in Charles Michener's in-depth profile of the orchestra, running in the New Yorker this week.) The regal Radu Lupu plays the five Beethoven piano concertos, and Franz Welser-Möst piles on some brawny twentieth-century repertory — Shostakovich's Eleventh Symphony, Roy Harris' Third, Birtwistle's Night's Black Bird, Dutilleux's Second Symphony, and the Berg Three Pieces, plus Schubert's Unfinished. On Saturday afternoon, I'll see Pelléas et Mélisande at the Met. That's enough for one week, surely.
I have a handsome old score of the Beethoven concertos. It once belonged to the superb horn-player Alan Civil, who was in the Royal Philharmonic under Beecham and later in the Philharmonia and the BBC Symphony. He also played the solo on the Beatles' "For No One." His Daily Telegraph obiturary read in part: "Once on a train bound for Leeds he sat opposite a young girl who was wearing headphones from which hissed a sound unacceptable for a long journey. When asked to turn the volume down she refused, adding that it was a free country. Alan proceeded to take his horn from its case and to play Mozart loudly. The girl then left the carriage to the applause of the other occupants." The obituary also said, "It would be unrealistic to gloss over the fact that Alan Civil enjoyed a drink."


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This vacant lot is approved for an attached villa condo with a SINGLE garage and balcony. The adjoining lot is approved for a DOUBLE garage villa. Plans must be submitted to the condo board for approval before building. BRING YOUR OWN BUILDER! The Ridgestone is a wonderful 45+ Adult community composed of 48 Villa units, 20 Garden Suites, and 17 independent living apartments at the Lodge - A Living In Place concept. Shopping and restaurants are within walking distance and the Hospital and Long Term Care are across the street from the community. Curling, skating, fishing and community clubs are also in the neighbourhood. Big box stores are 15 minutes away and Kananaskis recreation is just a short drive west.
Elke Babiuk, 403-998-2735 at CIR Realty, #130, 703 64th Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2H 2C3


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Egon is my very handsome and very hairy cat. Like many long haired cats, Egon has a tendency to shed giant tumbleweeds of soft fluffy down on a daily basis--something not every cat owner might appreciate. A handspinner or knitter, on the other hand, sees the lighter-than-air fluffballs floating by and thinks, "that's softer than angora, warmer than wool and it's from the tidiest animal I know!"
...and so after a recent cat-brushing sesh with Egon I sat down at my spinning wheel and spun up a peachy 2-ply fingering weight yarn from my beloved kitten. Then I began knitting a little friend for him.
Egon is a huge fan of his mini-self!
(Details at the bottom of this post on how you can win a copy now and be the first to knit it!)
If spinning and knitting aren't your forte, but you have feline friends, you will definitely want to pick up the new book, Crafting With Cat Hair. This amazing book covers the best ways to collect and prepare your cat's hair for awesome felting projects, like a felted cat cameo pin, or a miniature needlefelted kitty friend!
If you love cats as much as we do, leave a comment here by December 15th at 5pm PST and we will choose six winners at random to receive a free copy of the Minikitti knitting pattern and a cat-related prize (it won't be the Crafting with Cat Hair book, but it will be good) courtesy of Random House! Winners will be announced here on December 18th. Thanks for visiting!


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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Nov. 10, 2011) – Beef O Brady's is kicking off Friday night's Trifecta of ETSU athletic events with a free pregame tailgate, starting at 5:45 p.m. at the north end parking lot of Summers-Taylor Stadium.
Friday night marks the season opener for ETSU women's basketball as the Lady Bucs host Tennessee Tech in the Preseason WNIT – while right next door in Brooks Gym – the Buccaneer volleyball team kicks off Senior Weekend with a rematch of last season's Atlantic Sun Championship against Lipscomb.
If two home games at the same time weren't enough to keep the Buccaneer faithful occupied, then they can head over to Summers-Taylor Stadium to see the ETSU men's soccer team take on Stetson in the semifinals of the A-Sun Tournament. The Bucs defeated the Hatters, 1-0, in last year's championship game. Game time for all three events is set for 7 p.m.
Beef O Brady's wants to bring all the Buccaneer fans together before the Trifecta of fun begins with a pregame tailgate, so fans are encouraged to show up early for the free food prior to the events.
In addition to the Beef O Brady's tailgate, Wendy's will be providing free food to students who attend the women's basketball game, while the first 100 students through the gates receive a free T-shirt prior to the WNIT tipoff. During the ETSU/TTU game, one lucky fan will also be given the chance to win $100 cash, courtesy of Johnson City Honda.
Meanwhile, over in Brooks Gym, Friday is "Middle School Night" meaning any middle school student who attends the match receives admission for only a Buc ($1).
With Friday being Veterans Day, those who have and are continuing to serve our country will be honored at all three events.
To purchase tickets to any of these games, please call the ETSU Ticket Office at (423) 439-3878.
For those who can't attend any of these events, fans can follow all the action on Twitter @ETSUAthletics and via live stats on Gametracker. The men's soccer and women's basketball game will be aired live on A-Sun.TV, while the Lady Bucs game will be broadcast on WXSM-AM 640 The Extreme Sports Monster.
For more information on Buccaneer athletics, visit www.ETSUBucs.com.


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Dangerous debut: MFA grad says hello to Birdie
"I had the idea of a character, Birdie, who's an actress who stopped being able to tell when she was acting," says author and 2003 UVA MFA graduate Jenny Hollowell.
Birdie, the young protagonist of Hollowell's first novel, Everything Lovely, Effortless, Safe, is a liar. But she's also a Hollywood actress– a career that, coincidentally, involves a form of lying.
Birdie's struggle moves from conservative Virginia to wild and extravagant Los Angeles– just like Hollowell– although we never really know where Birdie or her 36-year-old creator draws the line between fiction and reality.
"She was the seed of an idea in my last semester at UVA," says Hollowell. "I tried to start a story with her, but it was never completed. I didn't want to do a short piece with her– she felt like somebody I'd need some time to get to know."
It took graduation and a move to New York City to return to Birdie's unwritten tale. Hollowell admits that her own experiences in Los Angeles and New York formed questions for this now former television advertising freelancer.
"I was taken by the fact that our culture is simultaneously so obsessed with fame and reality show contestants– the idea of getting famous seems to have so much traction in our modern lives," she says. "At the same time, we also seem very focused on religion and the hope it provides. Those two things living side-by-side so comfortably were confusing to me."
Over three and a half years, Hollowell pushed and prodded the concept of fame, and her UVA education paid off, as critics praised the novel for its lyrical prose.
"People find all different ways to seek out that sense of feeling known, important in some way," Hollowell notes. "Whether you're doing that through spiritual life or through the desire to become famous, the core desire that drives that is pretty similar."
And although Hollowell's own upbringing rivals that of Birdie's– raised in Virginia by religious parents and breaking out to California to realize some dreams– she says she actually finds a bit of herself in each of the novel's character: from the evangelical Virginia parents to the naive, troubled actors Birdie befriends in Hollywood.
Yet Hollowell claims to live in a world far removed from the narcissistic, jaded stylings of Hollywood– and if her years with Birdie taught her anything, it was to embrace the everyday victories that come with a creative career.
"Nothing beats a great day of writing," says Hollowell. "It sounds like the nerdiest thing in the world, but the biggest rewards for writers are the ones that happen at your desk, when you look down at your page and think you've just written the best sentences you will ever write."
Jenny Hollowell reads from her first novel, Everything Lovely, Effortless, Safe, at noon Friday, March 18, at the UVA Bookstore.