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High-Definition PCIe Capture Card - HDMI VGA DVI & Component - 1080P
Capture an HD audio-video source, through a low-profile or full-profile PCI Express slot
Product ID: PEXHDCAP2
- Support for HDMI, DVI, VGA, and component input sources, lets you record from virtually any device
- H.264 encoding ensures wide device compatibility with exported video files
- Brilliant picture quality with support for capturing resolutions up to 1080p at 30 frames per second
- Dual profile card with low-profile and full-profile brackets included
- NTSC and PAL systems supported
- Supports 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratio
- Supports 2-channel stereo audio (HDMI / RCA)
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This all-in-one PCI Express capture card lets you record 1080p HD video and stereo audio to your computer system. With multiple video inputs including HDMI, DVI, VGA and component, the capture card can record original content from various sources such as computers, camcorders, security systems, POS terminals, and servers. With H.264 encoding, this is the perfect solution for capturing high-definition video for editing, compiling, and archiving.
You can install the card into any low-profile or full-profile PCIe slot, including fixed workstations such as 2U or 4U rack-mounted servers or media centers. Installing your capture device internally through PCIe ensures a secure and reliable way to capture video.
Capture video in 1080p HD
You can capture the same quality delivered by your video source, by recording video in high-definition 1080p at 30 frames per second. Unlike some capture devices that can only record at low-resolution 480p, this capture card matches the output of most consumer A/V equipment.
Now, you can capture the output from your computer, server, or POS station when creating software training and tutorial videos, without having to put up with inferior video quality.
H.264 encoding for wide device compatibility
The software that's included with the capture card encodes in H.264 -- the most widely adopted video codec in the world. Although the card is designed specifically for Windows® computers, H.264 encoding ensures the video files you save will be compatible with almost any video player such as such the media software on your PC, Mac, iOS and Android™ devices, with no editing or converting required.
H.264 is also widely supported by most software titles including Adobe Premiere® and Windows Media® Encoder. Plus, the software not only lets you capture and export videos, but it also lets you take screenshots, schedule recordings and instantly stream your video source over the Internet using online services such as Twitch®.
Flexible input solutions for convenient compatibility
With multiple A/V input options, the capture card lets you record video from a wide variety of sources including HDMI, DVI, VGA, and component. You can also use this capture card with A/V adapters to record other video sources such as SDI using our SDI to HDMI converter(SDI2HD). Support for a variety of A/V devices is ideal for archiving analog video footage into a digital database.
The device also includes easy-to-use software that's compatible with NTSC and PAL systems, making it a must for professional video archiving applications where source media can change from project to project.
The PEXHDCAP2 is backed by a StarTech.com 2-year warranty and free lifetime technical support.
Note: This capture card will not record digitally encrypted content.
Computer System Requirements:
- Operating system: Microsoft® Windows® Vista / 7 / 8 / 8.1 (32/64-bit)
- CPU: i3 dual core 2.8GHz or higher
- Memory: 2 GB
- An available PCI Express slot
- Record video for training and tutorial purposes from a variety of video output technologies
- Stream live video feeds online, with streaming services such as Twitch.tv
- Capture HD video game play at 30 frames per second, while playing on a different display using the ST122HDMILE HDMI splitter
- Convert analog video to digital, in professional video archiving applications
Product Numbers
Tech Data
Ingram Micro USA
UPC Code
Technical Specifications
|Warranty Information
|2 Years
|AV Input
|Chipset ID
|Mstar - MST3367CMK-IF-170
|Industry Standards
|Video Encoding: MPEG4/H.264
|DirectShow Compatible
|Audio Specifications
|16-Bit 48000Hz, HDMI 2Ch Audio or RCA Stereo input
|Maximum Digital Resolutions
|1,757,807 Hours
|Supported Resolutions
|TV: 1080i/p, 720p, 576i/p, 480i/p
PC: 1920x1080, 1440x900, 1280x1024, 1280x960, 1280x720, 1024x768, 800x600
|Connector A
|1 - PCI Express x1 Male Output
|Connector B
|1 - DVI-I (29 pin) Female Input
|OS Compatibility
|Windows® 10 (32/64), 8/8.1 (32/64), 7 (32/64), Vista (32/64), XP (32/64)
|20~80% (non-condensing)
|Operating Temperature
|0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
|Storage Temperature
|-5°C to 40°C (23°F to 104°F)
|Physical Characteristics
|Product Height
|0.8 in [2 cm]
|Product Length
|4.7 in [12 cm]
|Product Width
|4.7 in [12 cm]
|Weight of Product
|2 oz [58 g]
|Packaging Information
|Package Height
|1.7 in [42 mm]
|Package Length
|5.8 in [14.8 cm]
|Package Width
|8.1 in [20.5 cm]
|Shipping (Package) Weight
|12.9 oz [365 g]
|What's in the Box
|Included in Package
|1 - PCIe video capture card
|1 - DVI-D to HDMI adapter
|1 - DVI-I to VGA adapter
|1 - DVI-I breakout cable
|1 - low profile bracket
|1 - quick install guide
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Product Support
- [MStar MST3367CMK] HD PCIe Capture Card.zip Version: 18.104.22.168
- Windows Video Capture Software.zip Version: 18.104.22.168.0.1
Data Sheets
Frequently Asked Questions
Before You Buy
You can use a video capture device to capture or record an audio and video output signal to a connected computer. You can use USB, ExpressCard, or PCI Express technology to connect a video capture device to a computer system. StarTech.com has video capture devices that can capture audio and video from sources such as HDMI, DVI, VGA, S-Video, component, or composite. The captured signals are usually recorded with software that is included with the video capture device. Some software will also stream the captured signals online.
Select a capture device that features the audio and video connections you want to use. These can be identified on the product page, under the Technical Specifications tab. Whenever possible, you should avoid using adapters or converters with video capture devices as they can cause issues or negatively impact the quality of the audio or video signals being captured.
When looking at a video capture device that requires software to use, it is important to consider the operating system you want to use it on. You can find this on the product page under the Technical Specifications tab, which only lists supported operating systems.
Consider what resolution and refresh rate you require. You can find the supported resolutions and refresh rates on the product page, under the Technical Specifications tab in the Performance section.
Video capture device usually use drivers and software to record audio and video. Both the drivers and the software can be found on the product page under the Support tab. Different software will have different features so it's a good idea to review the software to make sure it is a good fit for your intended usage. You can do so by looking at the manual for the device, also located on the Support tab. StarTech.com only supports the software included with the video capture device.
HDCP stands for High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection. This system protects high definition video from being intercepted, modified, or recorded between the source and the display. All StarTech.com devices adhere to the HDCP standard, so they do not record HDCP-protected content. HDCP content that is being blocked often appears as a blank screen or a screen with an HDCP error shown on it.
Certain video capture devices allow you to stream video feeds online with streaming platform such as YouTube. For more information, review the product manual or watch our video on this subject. You can find a link to the video in the description. If at this point you have further questions about a Startech.com video capture device contact our technical support team for further assistance.
Although you may be able to plug in all of the connectors used for video standards associated with video capture cards/cables, you may still encounter issues that may prevent the video from being captured correctly.
About copyright protection
Some video sources implement copyright protection when you are plugging into a non-display device. Examples of copyright protection include the following:
High Definition Content Protection (HDCP). This type of copyright protection is included with DVI and HDMI® and can appear as a video error or blank screen. HDCP may also appear on the screen.
Analogue Content Protection (ACP). This type of copyright protection is included with analogue video (for example, composite, s-video, or component). ACP can appear as a brightness pulsing up and down.
Copyright protection cannot legally be bypassed, and StarTech.com does not offer any products that do so.
Using video adapters
It is possible to passively convert video signals to different connector types, but the video standards will not always match between the video source and video destination. You may need to actively convert from one video type to another to ensure that the correct conversion is being made. When a passive converter is not available, most video standards can be converted with active converters.
Examples of incompatible passive conversions include the following:
- VGA source to composite or component (RCA) video, or composite or component (RCA) video to VGA.
- Composite (RCA) source to s-video.
- VGA to DVI-D and DVI-D to VGA.
Note: S-video to composite can be passively converted. DVI-I/DVI-A and VGA can be used bidirectionally.
About output resolution
If your video source has the ability to change resolutions (for example, a computer), it may be possible to send an incompatible resolution. To verify that the correct resolution is being used, navigate to www.StarTech.com and click the Technical Specifications tab for your product. Make note of the Industry Standards and Maximum Resolution specifications.
In the operating system's display management, you can adjust your video source to match or go below the maximum resolution and if possible, the refresh rate of your capture card.
Due to High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP), it is not possible to record from certain gaming consoles. HDCP content (for example, movies) are protected, but the console itself may or may not have permanent HDCP enabled on the HDMI output.
For more information about consoles and their permanent HDCP enforcement, consult the following table:
|Permanent HDCP
PlayStation 3
|PlayStation 4
Optional. You can change the settings in the menu.
Wii U
XBox 360
|XBox One
You can use a video capture card with consoles that do not have permanent HDCP enabled.
Certain StarTech.com video capture cards are compatible with DirectShow and will work with many third-party video capture applications that are compatible with DirectShow. For more information on DirectShow compatible video capture cards, refer to the following FAQ: https://www.startech.com/faq/video-capture-cards-directshow.
Although third-party software might work with this video capture card, StarTech.com does not officially support or endorse the use of third-party applications.
No, you cannot use this capture card to turn your video camcorder into a webcam. This capture card does not use a DirectShow compatible driver, which is a requirement for many of the software applications that enable you to use your video camcorder as a webcam.
For a list of video capture cards that you can use to turn a video camcorder into a webcam, refer to the following FAQ: https://www.startech.com/faq/video-capture-cards-webcam-capable.
This video capture card cannot record from more than one input at the same time.
Note: Although the USB2HDCAPS can be connected to multiple computers on the same network, only one device can capture video at a time.
How to
To confirm that Windows detects your expansion card, complete the following:
- Press the Windows key+R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter.
- In Device Manager, under the appropriate heading, confirm that your expansion card is listed and that there isn't an exclamation mark next to it. For example, a USB controller card would be under Universal Serial Bus controllers.
Your expansion card is listed according to the name of the chipset. To determine the name of the chipset of your expansion card, navigate to www.StarTech.com and look on the Technical Specifications tab for your product.
- Open a web browser and navigate to https://www.youtube.com/live_dashboard.
- Under Encoder setup, copy the Server URL from the bottom of the page.
- Add a slash mark and your stream name or key to the end of the URL (for example, rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2/USERACCOUNT-8033.d1fj-m8d7-ds8y-41qj).
- Copy the RMTP link (you will need it to complete step 8).
- Open Stream Catcher.
- Click Settings > Streaming Settings.
- In the Streaming Protocol Type drop-down menu, click RTMP.
- In the Streaming Public URL field, paste the link that you copied in step 4.
- On the Stream Catcher home page, click the blue record icon.
A Windows 10 update may prevent a Capture Device from being detected by your Computer. Enabling access to your Camera and Microphone will resolve this issue.
To enable access to your Camera:
- Click the Start icon.
- Click the Settings icon.
- Click the Privacy tile.
- Click Camera.
- Locate the slider that says Let apps use my camera. Toggle this slider to the On position.
To enable access to your Microphone:
- Click the Start icon.
- Click Settings icon.
- Click Privacy tile.
- Click Microphone.
- Locate the slider that says Let apps use my microphone. Toggle this slider to the On position.
When you troubleshoot issues with a video capture device, there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue:
Video cables
Video source
Video capture device
To test your setup components, try the following:
Use the video cables, source, and capture device in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup.
Use a different video cable, source, and capture device in your setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup.
When you test your cables, it is recommended that you do the following:
Test each cable individually.
Use short cables when you are testing.
When you test the video cables and source with the video capture device, make sure that the following is true:
Other video destinations work with the same video source. For more information, visit http://www.startech.com/faq/video_capture_cards_source_compatibility.
Adapters and extenders are kept to a minimum.
The video source is not copyright protected (for example, HDCP).
The video standard (for example, NTSC, PAL, HDMI, and so on) of the video source matches the Technical Specifications of the video capture device.
To check if the video capture device is detected in Windows®, complete the following:
Press the Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter to open Device Manager. Check to see if your device is listed under Sound, video and game controllers.
Do one of the following:
If you do not see the video capture device in Device Manager, for more information, visit https://www.startech.com/support/faqs/technical-support?topic=expansion-cards#pci-pcie-cannot-boot-os-or-detect-windows
or https://www.startech.com/support/faqs/technical-support?topic=expansion-cards#usb-cannot-detect-windows.
If the device is listed with an error, follow the instructions on the Support tab on the StarTech.com product page to reinstall the drivers.
When you test the video capture device on your computer, make sure that the driver and capture software is installed on your system for your adapter. Some cards may be able to support third party software, however, support is limited. For more information, visit https://www.startech.com/faq/video-capture-cards-third-party-software.
Note: The USB3HDCAP requires a compatible USB 3.0 card.
Before you begin to troubleshoot StreamCatcher, make sure that you have tried to troubleshoot the video capture device by referring to the following FAQ: www.startech.com/faq/video_capture_cards_general_troubleshooting.
If you are unable to display or record video, complete the following in Device Settings:
Make sure that the input that you are trying to record or display is selected in Video Source.
Make sure that the video standard is set correctly for your region (for example, NTSC for North America, PAL for Europe, and so on).
If your audio is not working, make sure that you selected the correct audio source in Audio Source.
If the recorded video is poor quality, navigate to Record Settings and change the following settings to best suit your setup:
Record Resolution
- High
- Low
Record Mode
- VBR (Variable Bit Rate) adjusts the bit rate based on the complexity of the video and saves space.
- CBR (Constant Bit Rate) maintains the same bit rate regardless of complexity and offers the best recording quality.
Record Quality
- The VBR quality level increases from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest quality level.
- The CBR quality level goes from 2 Mbps to 16 Mbps, with 16 Mbps being the highest quality level.
If you are experiencing any issues with streaming, make sure that the following is true:
The target IP address is correct.
The correct protocol is selected.
You tested a low resolution and low bit rate to get the best performance.
Compliance and Safety
Compliance Letters
Safety Measures
- If product has an exposed circuit board, do not touch the product under power.
- If Class 1 Laser Product. Laser radiation is present when the system is open.
- Wiring terminations should not be made with the product and/or electric lines under power.
- Product installation and/or mounting should be completed by a certified professional as per the local safety and building code guidelines.
- Cables (including power and charging cables) should be placed and routed to avoid creating electric, tripping or safety hazards.
* Product appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice.
* Same day shipping is only available for orders shipping within the United States.
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High-Definition PCIe Capture Card - HDMI VGA DVI & Component - 1080P
Product ID: PEXHDCAP2


text:
City of CoronaHome Menu
City Calendar
This calendar of events is organized chronologically and provides basic information on events taking place within the City, or sponsored by Corona-based organizations.
Are you viewing this on a Mobile device? Click here to view City Calendar in List Format
Leela Learning Center
- Date: 01/22/2020 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Location: Corona Public Library
650 South Main Street
Corona, California 92882
- Introduction:
Ages 10 - 17
Meets in the Computer Learning Center

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The ISBN is a 10 or 13 digit number that is unique to a particular title, author, edition, and publisher. It can be found on the back cover of each book.
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Annotations of the South Texas College of Law (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 2, March, 1970
Description: "Official Publication of the Student Bar Association, representing the students of South Texas College of Law" that includes local, state and campus news along with advertising.
Date: March 1970
Creator: Lowe, David
Item Type: Refine your search to only Newspaper


text:
This "Shotcaller" feature appears in Complex's June/July 2011 issue.
When Axel Alonso joined Marvel Comics as a senior editor in September 2000, the company was on the brink of bankruptcy and in danger of folding. Along with then editor-in-chief Joe Quesada, he led a revival, creating the mature Marvel MAX line, attracting talented indie creators like Matt Fraction, and overseeing the ultra-important Amazing Spider-Man and X-Men series. The turnaround led to Walt Disney's 2009 acquisition of Marvel Entertainment for $4.24 billion. This January, Alonso was promoted to editor-in-chief as Quesada moved on to chief creative officer. Complex sat down with the man charged with running Marvel's publishing house to talk digital comics, diversity, and doubters.
Interview by Justin Monroe (40yardsplash)
Complex: What pressures do you feel taking over as Marvel's editor-in-chief?
Axel Alonso: We always joke that working for Marvel is like working for the Yankees. Anything less than the championship isn't acceptable. On the publishing side, we are the market leader, and it's surprising when we have any competition in any way, shape, or form.
You've openly admitted that you don't have encyclopedic knowledge of comics. What is your response to people who don't like your promotion?
The definition of a dumb editor-in-chief is someone who goes into a room thinking that they're the smartest about everything. This is a collaborative thing. You've got some incredibly capable people at Marvel, who all specialize in things. There's nobody more qualified in orchestrating an event than Tom Brevoort. No one. Knowing that and allowing him to flourish where he needs to flourish, and allowing younger editors who are finding their own voices to flourish, that's my challenge.
How do you balance back-stories and keeping characters fresh?
You have to boil down these characters to their immutable truths and figure out what their essential stories are, and then be willing to have people yell at you when you do something new and it contradicts that one obscure story from their past. A long time ago, I was under pressure to have the Hulk kill someone and I wouldn't do it, because once the Hulk crosses that line, once Bruce Banner wakes up covered in blood wondering what the hell happened and realizes his alter-ego killed someone, it changes him. He has a responsibility to deal with this, to atone for it. It's arguable that if he knows that he can kill again, he will make sure he's not around to do that.
Single comics can cost cash-strapped readers as much as $3.99 nowadays. How do you address this?
I think the thing to stress is that the people who are writing and drawing and coloring your comics are, in most occasions, the crème de la crème. These people are not underpaid for what they do. You get what you pay for at the end of the day. What people resent is when they spend $3.99 or $2.99 on a comic book they don't think was worth the money. Obviously there are limitations to what we can do on the print end, there's printing costs and all these other things. The wild west of new media is that at some point soon I hope we're able to find a way to distribute these comics at an affordable price point, possibly with added-value material, that can make the download of a comic book a very attractive option and a very affordable option for the reader.
Do you think print will ever be obsolete?
I cannot imagine a situation in which the print aspect of our business is obsolete. I know that there are books that I will need as a hardcover for my shelf, I need the experience of holding it in my hands. That said, I don't need that for everything.
What are some interests that inform you as an EIC?
I'm a hip-hop head. It's all I listen to. I grew up on R&B. The way I kept from getting my ass kicked in school was being good at basketball. Then I went to see a band called Black Flag and discovered punk rock. I didn't grow a Mohawk, but the attitude was something I got into. It gave me a sense of cynicism. I didn't enjoy Rambo, I didn't like Chuck Norris, I didn't like Journey until I was 40. I think that attitude has carried into my comics, whether it's in Truth, the black Captain America book, or Rawhide Kid, the gay cowboy, or X-Force: The Hostile Takeover.
Do you still listen to hip-hop?
I fell in love with Drake's music last summer. I'm all over Lupe Fiasco's latest record. Clipse is my favorite. My favorite DJ of all time is Pete Rock. When Pete Rock came through these offices, people said they've never seen me smile that brightly; it was literally like watching God part the clouds and come on down.
Why do you think the comic industry has been so slow to reflect the diversity of its readers?
We're very mindful of this, and I think we've made incredible inroads with it. One thing that people don't know is how well-represented Hispanics and blacks are, at least in the artistic ranks. There are so many incredible Hispanic artists in this industry right now, from Humberto Ramos to Paco Medina. Joe Quesada's Cuban, I'm half-Mexican, and it goes without saying that we're interested in having voices represented from across the spectrum. We certainly have more female writers than we've had in the past, but the key thing is these people need to emerge. We need to believe in them, and we need to be able to sell them. I finally got my Mexican superheroes, the luchador-inspired Zapata Brothers (right), a few years ago, and that felt good. But it has to come organically. It's not something you can force.
You have a reputation for being great managing writers and artists. What is the key to that?
The most important thing is that you have each other's trust, that you [as a creator] understand when I'm coming back to you with notes, I'm doing it because I'm aiming the same direction as you, to make this thing the best it can be. I like to go into it as egoless as possible—best idea wins. The best relationships I have are people that trust that type of feedback and trust me that I'll back down when I realize that I'm wrong. If I can't take a bullet for you, maybe I shouldn't work with you.
Are there creators for whom you think you're a bad editorial fit?
There are creators in this industry who I have enormous respect for who I don't think I have any business editing. I don't think I have anything to bring to them. And quite frankly, I may not have the right type of references, literary, pop culture-wise, to be able to really give them the type of feedback that they need on their work. I think it's important to realize what your weaknesses are as well as your strengths.
You've brought a lot of indie creators like Matt Fraction and crime writers like Duane Swierczynski to the big leagues at Marvel. What are your concerns when you do that?
The main thing I can say is, you don't want to give them a poisoned chalice. I really believe what you wanna do with a writer—with an artist as well—is take into account their body of work and what type of genre they're most comfortable with and play to their strengths, not their weaknesses. You don't wanna just give them the first job that comes across your desk, you don't wanna solve your problem of the day with them. Chris Hastings, who writes The Adventures of Doctor McNinja...call me crazy, but his first job ain't gonna be PunisherMAX, you follow me? Deadpool, yes. PunisherMAX, no.
As EIC, you can't be as hands-on editing individual books as you used to be. Do you miss that?
The hardest part of becoming editor-in-chief was giving up my babies, my books. Giving up PunisherMAX, giving up Deadpool—that was difficult, because I really enjoyed doing that. I've been told that there are a couple people who'll be deputized to keep me from sneak-editing on the side. That said, I don't think my days of editing are behind me. Where there are new writers, especially, I think I'm going to have to roll up my sleeves and get involved to help them transition, if nothing else, to the way we do things.
Universe-wide event stories like Civil War and Fear Itself (right) tackled zeitgeist issues like the sacrifice of civil liberties and fear mongering. Are there any other societal issues you want to address?
We're aware of things like the recent spate of teen suicides. And there have been a number of stories pitched to comment on it. We haven't published most of the stories because we didn't think that they were appropriate; they didn't handle the subject matter in a manner that we thought was the Marvel statement, and that will be coming. But again, being topical for the sake of being topical, that's bullshit. Be topical because you have something to say, or—even better—because you feel that you may have something new to say. Again, the solution to a problem like [teen suicide] can't be found in a superhero beating up a bully. The message is something fundamentally different than that.
Marvel's first collaboration with another Disney company since being acquired by the Mouse was an NBA preview pairing NBA icons and superheroes together for ESPN The Magazine. What else might the Disney relationship produce?
I hope that we just continue dialogue with sister companies the way we have. We have our own catalogue of amazing characters, then you've got Disney with theirs, then we've got Pixar out there. I was surprised that our first endeavor was with ESPN, but it was a perfect marriage. NBA icons and superheroes, it just fit hand-in-hand. Honestly, I don't know right now what's going to happen. Maybe one day there will be a Deadpool Vs. Goofy: This Time It's Personal. Who knows! I'd love to see it.
Having such a close relationship to the PunisherMAX series, what is your opinion of the three Punisher movies?
I didn't like any of them.
Thank god! As a huge Punisher fan, I had to ask.
If you're not capturing the vibe of what Garth Ennis did in PunisherMAX, or even what Jason Aaron is doing right now in PunisherMAX—which I think is a fucking masterpiece, by the way—you're making a mistake. Frank Castle is not a hero. Frank Castle is a damaged individual, a man who's being pushed past the brink. I think if you made a movie about a damaged individual living in a world where he might be your best hope, you might be on the right track. As I tell any Punisher writer, Frank Castle's heart is not a heart, it is a muscle that pumps blood into his body. That is it. His mission is very simple: take out as many bad guys as I can before I inevitably die. He's not about saving people. Saving people is a byproduct of what he does. He is about punishing people. It is as simple as that. He fuels his body for the war, that is it. I saw this amazing British film called Dead Man's Shoes, which captures the spirit of the Punisher. Hell, I'd even say that Tony Scott's Man on Fire with Denzel Washington is more in line.
I heard that there might be a fourth Punisher film. The sad thing is I know I'll cross my fingers yet again and go see it.
It's tricky. How do you sell people on sticking to the life of a psychotic, or a sociopath? Maybe that's unfair, Frank's not a sociopath, he does have a moral core. Frank would never put his own well-being above that of a civilian. So there is a code there, but that's hard to translate to the screen. He's not lovable and I think we like our heroes to be lovable. I would work for free on a cinematic or cable TV version of PunisherMAX. I have a much harder time wrapping my mind around a Marvel Punisher, a guy that would team up with Captain America. He's a bit of a square peg in a round hole—he kills people! They gotta take him down. It's as simple as that.
With regards to the musical Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, given that it's become somewhat of a public menace, do you think if Spider-Man existed he would be bent on taking this down?
Spider-Man's too good-natured to really do anything about it but I think he would be disappointed. He'd probably offer a hand to the production company. It's funny to me because I'm often asked if I've seen it. No one hates musical theater more than me; it's my natural enemy. I had two opportunities to go see the Spider-Man musical, and—no disrespect to anybody involved in the production—you pay me $500 to go, I'll go, but I just can't sit in the theater and watch people break out into song. Maybe I would take that bullet for my son if he really wanted to see it, but I'd have to have a couple of glasses of red wine before.
The death of Johnny Storm/Human Torch (right) was very successful. What is Marvel's policy of death in comics and what do you do to ensure they're organic and not mere publicity stunts?
Our fans are smart enough to know this character is going to come back, the question is of when. They're trained to know that this door can open and close. What people are buying into is the moment, the drama and the theater, the feelings it inspires in them. If that Fantastic Four issue had come out and that moment had read false, people would have killed the story, we would have heard nothing but hatred. People were primed not to like it, but I think that the authenticity of that moment, and the beat that the creator hit in that story, how they made the reader feel, was the important thing. Will Johnny Storm be back? Probably, at some point. Who knows when. Then again, maybe not. Maybe the Fantastic Four proves to be more popular without him for a while. Maybe he comes back, maybe another one comes back—that's the beauty of comics. In that sense, there's no such thing as a policy. It's more that we're gonna roll the dice and see how people respond. But really, the bottom line is that no one here ever anticipated the way that was gonna go. Killing Johnny Storm? I mean, come on. We thought maybe ten thousand more copies if we were lucky. That took everyone by surprise, and I think that's a testament to how well the creators, the writers, and artists pulled off that moment. I was moved by it. I thought that they staged it beautifully, it resonated.
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As anyone who has taken or prepared for the GMAT realizes, there is a finite amount of general knowledge that we must do our best to master. There are however countless manifestations of questions that test this knowledge and therefore exposure to lots of questions from each general topic is highly beneficial to our preparedness for the as-of-yet-unseen manifestation we will surely encounter come test day.
In algebra, the more we practice with manipulating equations, simultaneous equations and quadratics, for example, the more likely we will be to recognize when the given information is sufficient to solve for x or not. In a geometry question, we are more apt to be able to solve for the area of a triangular region within a mixed shape if we've trained ourselves to spot vertical angles, similar
triangles, the diagonals of squares or whatever the case may be for the particular scenario. And on the list goes. We also know that certain topics are tested more often that others and thus, though all topics matter, spending more time on the higher frequency areas gives the most payoff come test day. The two key words here are knowledge and recognition. Those two components allow us to execute most effectively.
When I took my most recent official exam in June 2013 (click here to read Amphibious Assault, a post about my water-logged testing experience), one question caught my attention. The question caught my attention not because I got it right or wrong, but because I knew I wasn't answering it as effectively as possible. This problem is a classic example of how the GMAT is not only a challenge to your knowledge but also about how well you recognize when the knowledge you have is being tested. The lesson for you here is that even someone like me, who has been teaching GMAT non-stop for 4 years and scores in the high-700s, will get stumped on the occasional problem. The key is to not let one problem prevent you from getting your best score, and to always use your knowledge AND recognition in concert!
Here is a similar question to the one I saw on the test:
Take a moment and try it if you like. I'll wait…
Okay, done? Good.
At first glance, I thought I'd FOIL (multiply first term of each, followed by the two outside terms, the two inside terms and lastly the second term of each). But alas, that second part is not in parentheses but under a radical. I rapped my fingers on the desk for a bit. Then I scratched my head. I rubbed my chin in 'thinker' fashion. More rapping of the fingers. No epiphanies to speak of. Um, FOIL? No, already ruled that out.
I was looking good on time, so I didn't want to throw this one away, and I was feeling a wee bit stubborn so I did the only thing I could think of at the time – I used the brute force method.
That is, I approximated the value of as 2.2 and did the math long hand. Here is what I came up with:
I calculated the approximate value of to be .9.
Finally, multiplying the two terms yielded
3.2 × .9 ≈ 2.9
In order to compare to the answer choices, it is useful to convert the answer choices by substituting in the approximations of , , and for the given values:
The problem with the method I used thus becomes apparent. None of the answer choices match up to the answer I found. If I use the closer approximation for of 2.236, then the second choice becomes 2.76. If I use the closer approximation for of 1.414, then the third choice is 2.83. But this is not confidence inspiring enough for me. The reason my answer was not closer to one of these is that I used the approximation of 2.2 for in the calculation. And the square root I took of the first term was thus an approximation of an approximation. Not very precise. And when the answer choices are this close, precision is the order of the day.
I chose the second answer. I didn't feel great about it. But after what must have been at least five minutes, it was time to let go and move on.
Post-test, I contacted my trusted colleagues at the Bell Curves Command Center and pitched this question. When I was presented with the better approach, I had one of those 'duh' moments. Of course that's how to do it! Well, hindsight is always 20-20 and much seems obvious in retrospect. The math was not dreadfully difficult. I just had to apply a simple manipulation.
Ready? Here it is…
Set the equation equal to y and square both sides.
Yup. That's it. Let's go through the steps:
Finally, we take the square root of both sides to answer the question asked:
So it looks like I answered this one incorrectly. I still got a high score on the section, in part because I didn't let this one question impact my execution elsewhere, but it irked me nevertheless that I let this one get away. Why? Because it didn't have to be that way. I should have heeded my own advice, advice that I give to my students and that served me so well throughout the rest of the test. Along those lines, there are some valuable insights to take away from this particular question:
Takeaway #1 – Approximation is approximate:
Well of course it is! But seriously, If you make an approximation, your answer will not be accurate. So if the answers are too close, this is not the best method to use.
Okay so we ruled out approximation. Then what? Are we supposed to remember the value of radicals out to four significant figures and take the square root of a decimal to a very exacting degree? No. The GMAT exam may be written by evil overlords, but that's just not their style.
Takeaway #2 – Beware of seemingly intense calculations:
If we are going for an exact numerical answer and we find that the method for getting it involves some very grueling mathematical calculations, that is probably not the right method to use. Look for a different one.
Alright, so we've ruled out approximation AND using exact math based on the decimal values of radicals. So far, this only covers what not to do. But what DO we do? For starters, we should listen to this advice. While I was sitting there pondering this question, I should've forced myself to look for an alternative beyond grinding out the answer. I should have searched my database of knowledge points and recognition insights for alternative strategies. Instead, after I'd decided I could grind it out with the calculations I never looked back.
But, what would've been that alternative method? The alternative would've come from a basic math identity, one I've used countless times before but overlooked in search of something more "fancy":
Takeaway #3 – if a = b, then a2 = b2
By extension, this means that if , then a = b. The challenge with this question was that the radical sign seemed to prohibit us from properly manipulating what was within it. But by applying this identity, we lose the big radical sign over the first term and become more empowered to solve. Therefore, using this identity would've allowed us to turn an expression into an equation. We can often manipulate equations much easier than expressions.
Note: DO NOT automatically assume that if a2 = b2 then a = b. Remember that any positive value has both positive and negative real roots and thus the sign of the intended root cannot be known for sure.
Okay, so now we're cooking. We've got the squaring method in place. We then FOIL and get the exact answer in radical format and we're good to go. I leave you with one last takeaway:
Takeaway #4 – You gotta know when to hold 'em, Know when to fold 'em… -Courtesy of Kenny Rogers
If you have the time to spare on a question AND you have a good feeling that you might be on the path to the right answer, go for it. If you are behind on your target pacing time OR if after giving it a minute or two you have absolutely no clue, let it go and move on.
Do note in my account that I mentioned having spent five minutes or more on this question. I spend a lot of time with students on the importance of proper pacing strategy, discipline, and the need to exercise caution before spending too much time on a question. My disproportionate attention to this question does not contradict this line of thinking because I
a) Was ahead of my allotted time based on the pacing strategy that I devised for myself on the basis of my expected test performance and
b) Believed, prior to ending up with an answer too close to two answer choices, that I had a reasonable shot at making my method work
Yes, on the second of these points I was wrong. And when you take a test, sometimes you ARE wrong. It happens. But it's one thing to expend the effort when you think you might be on the right track and it's an entirely different thing to expend the energy on a question just because you're too stubborn to let it go and/or if you are in full knowledge that you really have no clue what you are supposed to do to solve it. My situation, at least initially, corresponded to the former. And yes, I probably spent another minute or two after discovering the difficulty of choosing between two close answers. But again, I had the time to spare.
In closing, remember that taking the test is not an exact science. There is more than one way to skin a CAT, so to speak (no I don't skin cats, but it's a fitting expression here). But the more we know and the more insights we are exposed to, the more equipped we are to make the best decision possible in the heat of the moment.
For information on Bell Curves courses or tutoring that could help you take the next step in your GMAT score, visit us at gmat.bellcurves.com.


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Aviva Premiership: Burgess: I have no regrets
Rugby Union convert Sam Burgess explains that Stuart Lancaster didn't have as much involvement in his switch from League as many people think. October 30, 2014 (01:56)
Jan 20, 2016 Tom Hamilton reacts to the news that Conor O'Shea will leave Harlequins at the end of this Aviva Premiership season. (01:25)
Oct 28, 2015 Tom May says that the increased salary cap for Premiership teams will move them towards a level playing field with their French opposition, and help the development of young English players (01:24)
Six Nations : Wales will finish second in the Six Nations after a record-breaking win over Italy. (00:00) | Mar 19, 2016
Six Nations : Scotland ended a 10-year winless streak against France to record back-to-back Six Nations victories for the first time in three years. (00:00) | Mar 13, 2016


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Cam Newton accomplished almost everything one could want at the college level: he led his Auburn Tigers to a perfect 14-0 record and a BCS national title and won a slew of awards - including the Heisman Trophy - all in one year as a starter.
So, with nothing left to prove - and to get out from under the stain of a pay to play scandal - the dual-threat signal caller has declared his intention to forgo his remaining eligibility on The Plains and will enter himself into the NFL Draft, reports ESPN.
"This decision was difficult for me and my family," Newton said in an interview with the Associated Press. "It's been a blessing for me to be a part of something so great. Any time you win games it's a big deal, but for this school to win a BCS national championship, what a way to make people happy. Auburn is a special place that I can call home."
The 6-foot-6, 250 pound Newton beat teams with both his arms and legs this past season, throwing for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns while rushing for 1,473 yards and registering another 20 touchdowns on the ground. He set school record for rushing, passing and total offense and set the Southeastern Conference record for rushing yards as a quarterback in a single season.
Newton likely projects as a first-round selection in the April draft and there are several teams in the top half of the first round - Carolina, Arizona, San Francisco, Tennessee, Minnesota and Miami - that are all in need of a solution at the quarterback position.
Suggested Reading: ESPN, CNNSI, Bleacher Report


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Search thousands of articles, studies, trainings and projects on every aspect of trails and greenways.
Find articles, awards, studies, agencies, organizations, trainings, and featured trails by state.
The American Trails Business Directory puts you in touch with trails professionals whether you need to build, protect, promote or discover a trail.
Our publications deliver state-of-the-art information on all aspects of trails and greenways. We cover news, legislation, action items, trainings, success stories, events, people making a difference, creative funding ideas, the latest resources, information on products and services you need.
Search answers to common trail-related questions. Or, email us a question and we'll put you in touch with the resources and people to find the answers you need.


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Emily Couric: One year later
Nestled within the Woolen Mills village, Riverview Cemetery is set on a hill overlooking a ribbon of the Rivanna River winding behind Pantops Shopping Center. Walking here, one can hear the traffic on Interstate 64. Yet it is peaceful: with nearby Monticello Mountain to the East, the Blue Ridge is barely visible in the West.
Near the center of this cemetery is Emily's grave– a stately granite memorial flanked by a pair of small rectangular stone containers holding red and white geraniums. Shaded by a nearby Cedar of Lebanon tree reaching out its branches like arms, the memorial stands in front of a mature boxwood hedge. The pungent scent of the boxwood endures.
Emily's struggle with cancer ended last fall just as we collectively began to grapple with how to live in the world after the events of 9-11. One of the greatest tributes to Emily is that so many people felt the loss of this remarkable woman. The manner in which she engaged people and politics may be her greatest legacy, and it is certainly the lesson she leaves me still to ponder.
It was also autumn when I, a third-year law student, met Emily, who had just published her book on women lawyers. On a local attorney's recommendation, I invited her to speak to the UVA Law Women about what made women lawyers successful. I don't remember her words, but I do remember her full-of-life smile and her ease in talking with the women. Relatively new to town, she was soon appointed to the School Board and became a "public figure."
After my own election to the City Council, Emily became School Board Chair. The school superintendent had given school and city officials copies of Within our Reach by Lisabeth Schorr, an optimistic but pragmatic book describing successful approaches to dealing with the educational, health, and social needs of the most deprived children. I joined Emily one afternoon at her house on Rugby Road where we drank tea on the porch and talked about the book, education, and Charlottesville's children.
"Can we really make a difference ?" she asked. She was committed, she was analytical, and she was interested in what I thought. We were both optimistic.
Working with the School Board, I quickly discovered more of the Couric charm. At one meeting, Emily supported an increased appropriation of several million dollars for school renovation. She looked at me with that smile and said, "You've been so supportive of the public schools. I assume we can count on you to approve the funding ..." It was difficult not to concur on the spot and give Emily everything she wanted. She had a way.
When Emily left the School Board in 1991, I thought she was tired of public service and, given the demands of public office, who could blame her? But within a year or so, with another book on lawyers published, Emily was exploring a run for the state Senate seat. She contacted me, and I agreed to call several political friends on her behalf and also to introduce her to Democratic senators in Richmond.
One was a colorful former sheriff from a rural area, who asked Emily to meet him in the parking lot at Shoney's, then located in Albemarle Square. As she got out of her car to go into the restaurant, she heard a voice shouting her name, and the driver in a nearby parked Cadillac motioned her over. She immediately realized that the appointment would be conducted in his automobile. She got in the passenger seat, where he interviewed her for an hour. She got his endorsement and wholehearted support. Emily was adaptable.
In Richmond, the venue was not Cadillacs but busy legislative offices during the session of the General Assembly. I recall asking a Senate Democratic leader if he would meet with her. "Can she win?" he asked unsmiling. "I think so," I replied, "and I know you'll like her and be impressed." He was.
But before that meeting I protectively told Emily, "I'm nervous about introducing you because I'm afraid he'll try to take over, get the special interest money guys involved and make you promise things you shouldn't." I thought I was the pro and Emily the novice. The truth is, her political instincts were far superior to mine. And besides, Emily was incorruptible and naturally agile. She couldn't be conned into positions she didn't want to take.
Going door to door with Emily was also an interesting experience. During her last election, we spent an hour or so in my neighborhood.
"Oh, you look just like your sister," said one neighbor, a retired nursery school aide. "I watch her every day on the Today Show."
Emily smiled that great Couric smile. Some political friends said they thought Emily must feel envious of her famous sister. But as Katie said at the funeral last year, "The truth is I've always been and forever will be so proud to say, 'I'm Emily Couric's sister.'"
Emily entered the Senate in 1996 with two other women Mary Margaret Whipple and Patsy Ticer and the three of them immediately had an impact on the committee overseeing environmental matters. Their thoughtful and articulate questions transformed it from a hostile climate for conservation to a committee open to passing important legislation.
The first year Emily was in the Senate, I worked with her on a bill that gave citizens notice of water pollution permits that would affect them. Even though she was new to writing laws, Emily took the language the legislative staff had drafted and crafted it further. Later, when she developed legislation to protect citizens' wells from leaking storage tanks, a legislative staff member described her as "dogged, tenacious, and persistent."
When she was ill, he reflected on their work together. "There were times," he wrote, "I feared picking up the phone knowing it might be you asking how the bill was coming along or whether all the agencies were in line and supporting the legislation. I woke up deep into the night in a cold sweat thinking I might have left something out which I knew you would catch and ask me why it wasn't in there."
It was true: where many legislators attempted merely to manage the flow of bills, especially their own, Emily was thorough and thoughtful. While others hurried through their visits with constituents and lobbyists, Emily seemed relaxed even when she was ill.
As an environmental colleague said, she was probing and thorough, but she was charming, in the very best sense of that word. She listened to you and she made you feel that what you had to say was important. And even when she disagreed with you, she disagreed in a respectful and gracious way.
A few of Emily's closest colleagues and friends have joked that she was perpetually late. Yet despite the many appointments I had with her, I don't remember her tardiness. Maybe that's because in both substance and charm, she was worth the wait.


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Available ebook formats: epub mobi pdf rtf lrf pdb txt html
David P Elliot was born in Reading in the UK and, apart from 8 years in the Police Service in the 1970s, he spent almost 30 years in the IT industry before leaving to concentrate on his first love, writing.
His debut novel 'CLAN', to which 'The Gathering' is a sequel, is a historical, supernatural thriller, first published in December 2008 and so far has sold in 16 countries, as well as being translated into German and can be downloaded as an audio book in MP3 or iPod formats narrated by the author.
He has 3 grown up children and 3 grandchildren one of which inspired the novel.
He now lives in Faringdon UK, with his partner Monika, a native of Munich.
'Pieces of Fate' his second book is an anthology of short stories in the 'Tales of the Unexpected' mode and is available in paperback or as an e-book, with the individual stories available only in e-book form.
He is also working on developing 'Clan' as a feature film.
You can find out more at www.davidpelliot.com


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Item #3012
80 days. Hearts of Gold is a high quality heirloom that can be grown in short season climates! These very productive plants produce fruit that is dark orange, firm-fleshed and aromatic. Round, 3 pound fruits up to 6" in diameter.
This packet sows 10 mounds.
Seedling Image
Days to Emerge:
Seed Depth:
Seed Spacing:
Mound Spacing:
When to sow outside: 1 to 2 weeks after average last frost, and when soil temperatures are at least 65°F.
When to start inside: Recommended for cold climates. 4 to 6 weeks before average last frost. Seedlings don't transplant well-use paper or pulp pots and transplant pots directly into soil after gently removing the bottoms.
Harvesting: Harvesting at the right time is very important with melons. Commercial growers harvest before melons are ripe, forcing them to ripen off the vine, but the last few days of ripening on the vine put a lot of sugars into the melon. Consequently, melons taste significantly better when vine ripened. How do you know when melons are ripe? Use these indicators: 1) The color between the surface netting is brown, not green. 2) A ripe melon will have a pleasant, fruity aroma at the blossom end. 3) A crack will form on the stem right near the point of attachment. This is called the "slip stage," and in a few days, the melon will detach from the vine with little effort and pressure. If it is somewhat difficult to detach the fruit from the vine, the melon is not ready yet. Do not allow to over?ripen.
Artist: Carolyn Crawford
Item #3012
1.00 grams
What is Soil?
Soil is a diverse mix of substances, teeming with life and composed of minerals, decayed plant and animal matter, water, and air. It…More…
Provide Diversity
Why do large monoculture farms use so many pesticides? Because, their huge fields of a single crop are like big neon signs to…More…
To take a small, dormant capsule of life and unlock its culinary and/or…More…


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Amazon used to send subscribe and save items out right away. Recently they started only sending them out once a month.
For example take a case of 160 Pampers Size 4 Cruisers. The Amazon price is $46.99 less the $2 coupon. With Amazon Mom the subscribe and save price is $37.59 less the the $2 coupon.
However on my account at least it says "Add to your next monthly Subscribe & Save delivery: Feb. 16" so it will be more than a month until I actually get the diapers.
The solution though is actually quite simple. Place the order for the diapers. Then just click here to manage your subscriptions.
On the left of the item it will say, "1 unit every 6 months. Change " However if you click on change it will not let you change the month to anything earlier than February.
At the top of the page however it says, "Your monthly Subscribe & Save delivery day is the 16th day of the month. Change "
Change this day to the 17th (or any day that is at least 7 days from now).
Then go back to "1 unit every 6 months. Change " January will now be an option and you'll have your diapers within a week.
You can change the dates as often as you'd like!


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During a congressional hearing yesterday with embattled BP CEO Tony Hayward, Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) apologized to the oil executive for what he called a White House "shakedown" that led to the creation of a $20 billion escrow account that will go to compensate victims of the Gulf oil spill. The remarks set off a firestorm of criticism across the capital and the opinion pages, even as Barton backpeddled on his remarks under pressure from members of his own party. Did Barton miscalculate or were his remarks indicitive of a larger sentiment?
- The White House attacked Barton's statement, casting it as out of touch. "Congressman Barton may think that a fund to compensate these Americans is a 'tragedy', but most Americans know that the real tragedy is what the men and women of the Gulf Coast are going through right now. Members from both parties should repudiate his comments."
- The Wall Street Journal defended Barton's characterization of the deal, but expressed concern about the escrow account deal might mean in the future. "Meanwhile, BP's agreement sets a terrible precedent for the economy and the rule of law, particularly for future industrial accidents or other corporate controversies that capture national outrage. The default position from now on in such cases will be for politicians to demand a similar "trust fund" that politicians or their designees will control."
- Kevin Drum of Mother Jones thinks that this is a case where knee-jerk partisianship can be a boon to Democrats. "But as Dems push ever harder, the natural GOP instinct to (a) protect business and (b) instinctively oppose everything Democrats do, is going to surface," he says. "Keep up the BP-bashing a little bit longer and eventually, just out of reflex, Fox News and the Republican Party will be calling for Obama to make payments to them. Should be fun."
- The National Review's Daniel Foster agreed with the sentiments, if not the phrasing, of Barton's remarks. "Oh, and for the record, I agree in part with Rep. Barton that the establishment of the escrow fund — over and above the claims process that is already in place, and run by an Obama administration hack sold as an "independent third party" — is, if not illegal, than at least extra-legal, and another example of Democrats' selective disdain for the rule of law when it gets in the way of a government-run redistribution scheme. But, what a stupid way to say it, Rep. Barton! Apologizing to BP????? 'A tragedy of the first proportion???' Yeeesh."
- Josh Marshall of Talking Points Memo believes that the furor over Barton's stance obscures how widely-held his views are within the GOP caucus. "Everybody's reacting to Barton's statement. But the House Republican Study Committee put out a pretty much identical statement yesterday about the Escrow account and President Obama yesterday. And more than a hundred members of the House Republican caucus belong to that group. That makes it much more of a Republican position than what Barton said."


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Today's XKCD puts the success of Amazon.com into some perspective. Because I can't do any better than Randall Monroe's hilarious alt text:
"Amazon.com took a surprise early lead with 'Time required to transport a package from Iquitos, Peru to Manaus, Brazil' but then lost it at 'Minutes to skeletonize a cow'."
Time to pick up your game if you want to take over the world, Jeff. [XKCD]


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Looking at the Job Processor Queue, there were multiple instances of this message....
"Unable to retrieve File version for id" <number>
This happened because the user checked the files into vault.
On checkin, the CAD visualization files were configured to be created by the Job Server. But before they were created by the Job Processor, the user deleted the CAD files from the Vault.


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Mike Adams
June 19, 2012
As the Health Ranger, I'm on the record strongly opposing soda consumption. Years ago, I wrote the popular self-help guide, "The Five Soft Drink Monsters," which helps soda addicts get off sodas and transition to healthier drinks like tea or water (http://programs.webseed.com/The_Five_Soft_Drink_Monsters__TV.htm). Yet even I think the sudden wave of interest in nanny-state cities like New York and Cambridge wanting to ban soda sales is pure insanity.
For starters, I'm trying to wrap my head around the idea that states are increasingly decriminalizing marijuana even as they are moving toward criminalizing sodas. Before long, if a New York police officer happens upon a gang banger smoking a joint and drinking a Big Gulp soda, the kid will be arrested for the soda, not the joint!
What this is going to lead to, if we're not careful, is the Department of Homeland Soda Security (DHSS), with 50,000 new agents roaming the streets, groping your genitals (just like the TSA) in order to see if you might be carrying "illegal soda" in your pants. "Is that a 16 oz. soda in your pants, or are you just happy to see me?"
How to turn everything into a crime
This police state / nanny state insanity has got to stop in America. The TSA, for its part, has never caught a single terrorist, yet the agency itself has terrorized tens of millions of Americans. It has become the source of fear and terrorism in America.
The Department of Homeland Security, for its part, has only been effective at raising domestic paranoia and turning normal behaviors into suspected crimes. So now, to top it off, we get these completely insane privacy-invading, micro-managing nanny bureaucrats like Bloomberg and now Cambridge Mayor Henrietta Davis who think that they can solve all the world's problems if we just give them enough power to dominate and control our lives.
It starts with criminalizing soda "possession," followed by arrests of people caught with "intent to distribute" soda. From there, it escalates into two guys who talked about distributing soda and are now being charged with "conspiracy to distribute an illegal substance," which is of course a felony. Can you imagine these people winding up in the joint, next to a violent rapist who asks, "What are you in for?"
It doesn't even stop with soda. As the nanny state insanity escalates, before long you're facing prison time for using too many sheets of toilet paper in a public restroom monitored by TSA security cameras manned by government perverts and pedophiles (who else?). Before you know it, you've got government "mattress inspectors" conducting warrantless searches into your home, confirming you haven't removed the safety warning tag off your mattress. If the government has its way, the average person will commit a dozen crimes before leaving the house in the morning, and then the police state goon squads can selectively enforce all their arcane, ninnying laws against political enemies or those who speak out against the government.
That's what this is coming to. Be careful any time you surrender power to the State. You're just begging to be censored, suppressed and have your rights stolen away by all the liberal "do gooder" Big Government worshippers who think a perfect world is one in which citizens are utterly enslaved and completely dominated by well-intentioned bureaucrats.
The real contradiction: Big sodas are illegal unless they contain aspartame
The real hilarity in these soda bans becomes apparent when you realize the bans don't apply to diet soda! So as long as your 16 oz. soda contains the brain-damaging chemical known as aspartame (http://www.naturalnews.com/Infographic-Top-10-Worst-Sources-of-Aspart…), the state allows you to drink as much as you want!
So it's not really a ban on all the harmful ingredients sodas contain such as phosphoric acid, a highly acidic substance that causes kidney stones and bone mineral depletion. Pepsi's lawyers recently admitted this acid is so powerful it can dissolve a mouse and turn it into a gel-like substance (http://www.naturalnews.com/034602_Mountain_Dew_mouse_dissolved.html). This acid is present both in regular sodas and diet sodas.
The soda ban, it seems, is really just a ban on sodas made with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), which has suddenly become the enemy of choice in an irrational world of nutritionally illiterate bureaucrats. Sure, HFCS is bad for your health and promotes diabetes and obesity, but aspartame promotes seizures and blindness, and it remains perfectly acceptable to Mayor Bloomberg. After all, what would New York City be without a few seizure cases on the sidewalk?
What's really extraordinary is what Bloomberg did not ban. There is no ban on cancer-causing sodium nitrite in hot dogs, sausages, bacon and beef jerky. So you can eat your way to pancreatic cancer with the full approval of the Mayor, but if you dare sip a drink of some corn syrup, then all of a sudden you're a bad person.
There was no ban on MSG, either. So you can eat your way to obesity, diabetes and hormone disorders, wolfing down MSG snack chips and jerky treats, and the Mayor is fine with all that.
So it's not about protecting the health of the people, you see. If that were true, he would ban the far more dangerous foods and snacks sold throughout New York City. It's really about scoring political points by appearing to be the "protector" of the citizens.
And this, my friends, is the most dangerous role of government: Be on red alert any time you hear, "We're from the government, and we're here to protect you from yourself."
We're from the government, and we're here to protect you from yourself!
These are quite possibly the twelve most dangerous words ever uttered in America. Because from this illogical and liberty-crushing premise, the government can justify any and all invasions of your privacy. It can surveil your home power usage through Smart Meters. It can install chemical sensors in your toilet to see if you're using recreational drugs. It can (and does) read your email, monitor your phone calls and scan your back yard using high altitude military spy drones. It's all done for your own protection, didn't you know?
Such is the mantra of every police state: We're monitoring you for your own protection!
If you diverge from the currently accepted, politically-motivated pattern of "normalcy," you suddenly become an enemy of the state. Are you trying to grow medicinal herbs in your own yard? That's not acceptable! The bureaucrats destroy the garden! (http://www.newson6.com/story/18802728/woman-sues-city-of-tulsa-for-cu…) and (http://www.prisonplanet.com/all-over-america-government-control-freak…)
Are you home schooling your children and keeping them away from vaccines? You're an enemy of the state, didn't you know? And the state will bring guns to your home, kidnap your children, and force them to be vaccinated at gunpoint. (http://www.naturalnews.com/022267.html)
Are you buying ammunition for preparedness? You're "hoarding ammo!" And clearly, that makes you a nut job even though the largest hoarder of ammo is the United States government itself, and the Department of Homeland Security specifically (http://www.naturalnews.com/035649_DHS_ammunition_domestic_war.html).
See, once you abandon liberty and allow the government to micro-manage everything in your life, you are no longer a free citizen living in a free society. You're just a subservient slave to the system. And the system — the government — is run by insane people on a power trip. They are never satisfied with their power and seek to dominate and control every little detail of our lives to the point of total enslavement.
Maybe it's time to ban stupid government bans
There is one thing we should ban, however: government bans that target the People.
It's time to end all the stupid, politically-calculated, freedom crushing bans that have been put in place by federal, state and local governments. No more banning industrial hemp farming or even medical marijuana use. No bans on food choice. No bans on home gardening. No bans on owning gold, or ammo, or even legal firearms.
Corporate bans, in contrast, make perfect sense, since corporations have no souls, no compassion, no ethics and no morals. Corporations must be banned from dumping toxic chemicals into the river, selling poison and calling it food, or ripping off senior citizens with complex financial scams. If there's anywhere that regulations and bans are needed, it's in the world of corporations, not the world of individuals.
Heck, maybe it's time to just ban big government and get back to a society based on liberty. There's already a blueprint for such a society; it's called the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and these documents specifically say that all powers not granted to the federal government are reserved to the states, or to the People. Virtually every federal regulatory body operating in America today operates in outright violation of the Constitution, including the DEA, ATF, DHS, TSA, FDA, USDA, FTC, FCC, and even the failed Department of Education.
Because if we're really going to talk about banning things in America, we should probably start by banning all the rogue, out-of-control federal agencies that prey upon the American people as tyrants. Instead of banning soda, in other words, maybe we should just ban tyranny in America.
This article first appeared on NaturalNews.com.
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Posts Tagged 'fiction'
The Room And The Briefcase: part 2
'The Room and the Briefcase' is the concluding part of an extract from Kristian Johns's forthcoming book '11:47′, available next year. Parts 1&2 of the story will be available for download directly to Amazon Kindle devices soon. Read part 1 here.
Kyle's 'work' phone had woken him from dozing on the sofa, but he never ignored a call. Not when there was money to be made.
There was no background noise on the line, which meant the caller was indoors, but then again, Kyle never got the kind of calls people made out in the street or on a train. The caller sounded like they had a chest infection or something.
"Hello?" Kyle repeated
"How much for you to visit?" The voice on the other end belonged to an older guy. Kyle could tell these things.
Sounds like the only visit you need is from a doctor.
"Three hundred. I'll negotiate on overnights but I'm generally not an overnight kind of guy, y'know? You got a name?"
"We have a deal."
"OK, dude, what are you looking fo—"
Kyle looked at the phone and arched his eyebrows. "Well, you're rude," he muttered while trying to tame his curly brown hair and wondering if he could get away without showering. A sniff of his t-shirt told him not.
His phone beeped with a text telling him the address, and instructions to arrive in an hour.
He texted his best friend Ian: Got a job. U gonna still be up in a couple of hours?
Almost immediately the reply came back: Sure. Come ova if u want. Have half a cold pizza n beer J
Fifteen minutes later, still damp from his shower, he took one last look in the mirror at the boyish face and slim body that drove so many older guys wild, and satisfied, grabbed his jacket and keys. It was Wednesday night, and midweekers were few and far between lately, so it was a good thing.
Might even go regular? He thought, swiping his wallet over the reader at Pimlico tube station and heading down to the cool, painted concrete of the tunnels below.
He arrived ten minutes early at the address in Kensington. A pretty fucking nice address at that. Kensington's one of those places where you're walking down a street lined with townhouses and you suddenly twig that none of them have been converted into flats yet. This was where money lived.
He's loaded. Should have said five hundred. Dammit.
The door opened almost as soon as he pressed the bell, which startled him slightly — like the guy had been waiting there. The guy was a well-dressed man in his mid-fifties, wearing a double breasted grey suit with a blue shirt and tie. For some reason he was carrying a briefcase, and Kyle wondered if he'd only just arrived home. He offered his hand
"Hi, there. I'm Kyle, we spoke about an hour ago?"
— and you're minted and ugly so I'm being polite and hoping this goes regular. Sad fuck.
The man looked momentarily down at Kyle's hand, and then jerked his head in an 'in-you-come' gesture.
Minted, ugly, rude. But minted.
Kyle stepped inside and followed the silent, shuffling man down and immaculately tiled hallway and into a plush living room. They sat on the couch. The man kept hold of his briefcase.
"I usually get the money thing out the way first. Makes it less awkward at the end. That cool?"
The man nodded and produced an envelope from his blazer pocket. Kyle didn't feel the need to check. The guy had a townhouse in Kensington for fuck's sake.
For some reason, the guy gave Kyle the creeps, and not just because he didn't talk. It wasn't out of the ordinary for a first-timer to clam up. No, this guy was a different kind of creepy. To anyone else, he would have appeared nervous, sitting there, breathing like a phone pest, clutching his briefcase like it was welded to him. But not to Kyle, whose years of experience as an escort —
— had given him an uncanny ability to read people. Kyle always felt a sense of power when he was with clients, but this guy exuded a powerful aura of control. It made him feel…dislocated…vulnerable.
"So. What do you like to do?" Kyle asked, dismayed to hear an edge to his voice; a slight tremor that turned his vowels to ridges.
The man's eyes fixed on Kyle's and his face cracked into a humourless grin and Kyle's skin prickled with unease as he realised he'd forgotten to text Ian the guy's address like they always agreed.
"Uhm…you like coke? I have some on me. It's good for relaxing. Makes you feel like the king of the world." said Kyle, cursing inwardly as he fumbled his wallet and dropped it on the floor.
The man continued to smile at him, like he found Kyle amusing.
Have a line and focus. He isn't the one in control here. You are. Always remember that.
"Is it OK to do it on the table? It looks —
— just chop the fucking line and stop babbling!
"—expensive. I wouldn't want to—"
The man's voice was husky, but still went through Kyle like a gunshot. He tried to hide his juddering hands as he knelt over the spotless glass table and shook out more coke than he should have. He chopped two fat lines, pulled out a well-rolled note and snorted. He handed the note to the man, feeling the burn and gagging slightly as the coke hit the back of his throat. The rush was almost immediate — he always bought top-drawer stuff.
The client barked a deep, phlegmy cough as he finished his own line and returned to the sofa, still holding the briefcase.
Fortified by the coke, Kyle knelt up behind the man and began kneading his shoulders. The man inhaled a deep, wheezy lungful as he slumped under Kyle's expert fingers.
"That feel good, mister?"
The guy nodded.
Course it does, you limp-dicked old fart. You've probably come in your y-fronts already. Easy money.
Kyle reached for the hand holding the briefcase, "Why don't you put that down so you can relax with me on the —?"
"NO!" shouted the man, jumping up, his suit jacket half-off his shoulders. His eyes flashed, and Kyle felt his fear crack open again.
"Okay! Okay!" Kyle held his hand out in an 'easy there' gesture but the man stepped back again, his eyes flashing.
"Don't you dare touch it! Don't you DARE touch this case!" He hugged it in a pose that might have looked absurd if it hadn't been for his vicious expression. His face was turning a deep shade of purple and his eyes bulged. He tugged at his collar with his free hand.
"Dude, calm down, I wasn't going to…are you O—"
The man thudded violently to the floor before Kyle could finish his sentence. Gooey blobs of phlegm splattered from his mouth as he fought desperately to catch a breath. The hand holding the briefcase let go and grabbed at his shoulder. The noise was awful, a rasping, desperate sound like nails down a blackboard
He's having a heart attack. He's having a goddamn motherfucking heart attack.
Kyle knew he should do something —
— you're a rent boy who's given him drugs.
— call an ambulance, anything, but he was glued to the spot, mesmerised by the horror of watching another human being dying, knowing he should do something, pick up the phone, call out, anything, but torn by the fear of the consequences.
— call a fucking ambulance. Flush the coke and call an ambulance
The man gaped at Kyle with eyes shot through with fear, confusion and blood. He pawed feebly at it the briefcase before his body was wracked with a final, violent spasm, and then he lay still.
Kyle stood rooted to the spot. A wild jumble of thoughts clattered round in his mind: I should check if he's dead I should call an ambulance I should flush the coke and then call an ambulance I should try and give him the kiss of life I should grab my shit and get the fuck out of here I should see what's in that briefcase.
The briefcase the man had been so ferocious about protecting.
I should see what's in that briefcase.
He knelt over the man, heart pounding so hard he swore he could see his t-shirt rippling. He gingerly put his ear close to the man's mouth. No breath. Not even a whisper.
He slid over to where the briefcase lay upside down on the smooth, varnished wooden floor and flipped it over. It was nothing special: just your bog standard department store job, black leather, with a cheap, gold combination lock on each side of the handle.
"What's so important that you couldn't let this out of your sight, eh?" Kyle asked the dead man, searching in his own bag for the screwdriver he always carried around with him on jobs. Police didn't take kindly to knives. At least if he got stopped and searched he could say he was borrowing it.
A few well-placed jabs, a couple of turns of the wrist and the locks sprang open. It was then, Kyle understood.
He'd often wondered what a million pounds looked like. And now he reckoned he had a fair idea.
He pulled out his phone and dialled Ian.
**EXCERPT FROM TRANSCRIPT OF USB RECORDER FOUND ON THE BODY OF MATTHEW WRIGHT. DATE: June 26th 2011**
(Shuffling noises, metallic sound, probably from chains. Sound of a man crying)
(Male voice): He didn't come today, or yesterday, or the day before that. But my today and yesterday might just be someone else's today. I don't know. I've tried to count the seconds and get some sense of time but I can't concentrate. I don't know if he's coming back. I keep blacking out. I'm so hungry. So goddam FUCKING HUNGRY!
(Screams, shouting, chains rattling)
(Sound of crying lasting approximately two minutes.)
Every time I wake up it's from the same nightmare. I hear the sound of the door in my dreams. It scares the shit out of me, but scarier still is the sick way in which I want to hear it. I just want to hear the door open again. I keep…
(Muffled crying)
…I just keep waking up and seeing it open, but I know it's not really open because he's not there. I miss him. It sounds so fucking stupid but I miss him. He's a monster. He's a FUCKING FUCKED UP MONSTER
(Chains rattle on each word, as if speaker is pulling at them for emphasis)
…but he's the only human being I think I'll ever see again. Oh God, how long till I go? How fucking long till I just black out and don't wake up. PLEASE. Oh, God, please.
(Crying for approximately thirty seconds. The next two minutes of the audio is also muffled and could not be understood)
…of my fucking life. Oh God, I'm so sorry, I'm so, so fucking sorry. Tell John I'm so sorry. And tell him I love him.
BBC NEWS WEBSITE: DATE: 7TH JULY 2011: TIME: 11:47am
It has today been confirmed that the remains of a further five victims have been excavated from the basement of the Kensington address where 53-year-old Geoffrey Hamilton was found dead from a heart attack last week. A postmortem on Hamilton's body has since established the presence of cocaine in his body at time of death.
In a dramatic twist, the corpse of a young male chained to the floor in the basement of the property. Although official cause of death has not yet been made available, it is suspected that the victim, named as 27-year-old sales executive Matthew Wright, died from multiple fractures to the back of his skull. Speculation that Wright may have taken his own life by repeatedly striking his head against the floor has neither been confirmed nor denied.
In a statement issued by the Metropolitan Police today, Detective Chief Inspector Chris Reynolds said:
"We can confirm that we are still in the process of excavating the basement at 45, Barrington Gardens, SW7 and have so far recovered five bodies in addition to those of Geoffrey Hamilton and Matthew Wright. All are believed to be male and we are awaiting the results of DNA testing to determine their identities."
The funeral of Matthew Wright is expected to take place next week, when the body is released by coroners.
The Room And The Briefcase: part 1
'The Room and the Briefcase' is an extract from the forthcoming collection '11:47′, available next year. Parts 1&2 of the story will be available for download directly to Amazon Kindle devices soon.
The room is about ten feet by six, and the ceiling is low — only about eight feet separate it from the floor. There are no windows, which gives the room a damp, humid smell, underpinned by another odour, like meat that's been left in the fridge too long. I haven't heard any sounds from the outside world, so I'm assuming the room is underground, but I don't know how far.
The room was white once, but it hasn't seen a decent coat of paint in years — possibly decades — and the walls and floor are concrete. There are dark, mottled patches everywhere, each roughly the size of a person. He's had a go at painting over them, but you can see the stains coming back through the peeling paint like mould.
The room is empty apart from me, and I'm chained to the floor opposite the heavy steel door that serves as his entrance and exit. He's positioned me so I have no choice but to look at him when he comes in. He likes that, you see. He's always dressed smartly, like he's just come from the office, and he's always carrying a briefcase. He never talks.
There are two thick metal rings buried either side of me and I'm shackled to them, crucifix-style by heavy chains. There's enough play in them for me to sit up, scratch my face and stuff like that, but the cuffs are inlaid with rows of sharp spikes which have pierced my skin and will rip my wrists to ribbons if I try to pull them out. I black out occasionally, and when I wake up, I always find there's fresh blood seeping from the wounds — like I've been struggling in my sleep.
The cuts are infected now, and there's a faint rotten smell coming from them. My contacts fell out long ago and my mouth feels hot and putrid. I smell sour with sweat. My clothes are hanging off me and when I wake up from my blackouts, the floor is hard against my now jutting bones. My face is a scratchy mass of beard and my hair is lank and greasy. The days of haircuts, perfectly trimmed stubble and hard effort at the gym just to fill out my t-shirts seem so far away now – and so pointless.
I don't know how long I've been here. It must have been a while, because the faces of the people I love are becoming fuzzy in my mind. I try to recall John's face, but as soon as I get a clear picture, it melts away. I try to remember if I told him I loved him that morning, or if I texted him something soppy and alcohol-fuelled later when I was out drinking after work, but I can't check, because my phone's been taken. I hope I told him I love him. I miss him. I wonder if he's trying to find me.
Panic is supposed to subside over time, isn't it? It's not true. The fear is relentless. I'm full of adrenaline every waking second, waiting for the sound of the door. My whole life now revolves around waiting for the sound of that door come and to rip apart the constant silence. That's probably why I keep blacking out. I guess your body is only designed to cope with so much stress before it shuts down. Unconsciousness is a relief to be honest. I mean, I have dreams, but they're all about being in this room anyway. Sometimes I wake up and don't realise I'm still dreaming, and sometimes when I'm awake, I question whether I'm conscious. I wonder if I'm going insane.
There's a screeching sound from the door as he pulls back the heavy bolt on the other side, and despite the fact I've been waiting for it, a thunderbolt of fear slashes through me. My bones jump beneath my sagging skin, bile rises in my throat — although there's nothing in my stomach to throw up — and my pulse hammers in my veins.
And then he's there in the doorway — an unattractive guy of about fifty, with greying temples and a paunch. He's wearing the grey suit today, with a cornflower blue shirt and a patterned tie. He's got two suits — one grey and one navy — and about four ties. He sticks to white and blue shirts. And of course he's got the briefcase. Always with that fucking briefcase.
He shuffles, slightly hunched over, into the middle of the room, sets the briefcase down and walks back out. He's disappeared from view, but I hear a faint clanking, whizzing sound, like a rope against a pulley. I suspect he has some sort of dumbwaiter system, because he always returns with a tray.
He checks to make sure his briefcase is still there, and shuts the door. Although it's already silent in here, the sound still feels like it's been sucked out of the room; like the air's tighter somehow. He walks towards me.
I often wondered what it would be like to stare into the eyes of a madman, and now I know. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. If that's true, this man has no soul. There's nothing there behind his eyes. Absolutely nothing.
At first, when I still had the strength to get angry, I used to scream abuse at him. Brutal, primal things I never even imagined myself saying in my head, let alone out loud. I'd vow to get free and tear him limb from limb. I'd spit, kick and bite, scream at him like nothing human until my throat was in shreds, but he never reacted. He just stood there, observing me with this kind of… muted curiosity until I wore myself out.
Later on, I switched to begging with him, asking why I was there, what he wanted from me. I'd describe where I lived, what I did, the kind of person I was, hoping to connect with whatever last scrap of humanity he may have had. But he just watched silently as I slowly wore down and broke; until there was nothing more of the 'me' I used to be. Until I was just a whimpering slab of meat, sobbing and flinching whenever he came near me.
Now I stay silent the entire time he's here. My trembling gives me away, but I'm damned if I ever let him see me cry again. I'm not in a position to make resolutions — I'm going to die here, I know that now — but I've promised myself one thing: I will never cry again in front of that monster.
He carries on now like he's tending to a mannequin and not a human, pulling down my trousers so I can defecate into a bedpan. Once I'm done, he pulls them back up and begins spooning stone-cold porridge from the tray into my mouth. His breath stinks like cold chips, and every time he inhales, I hear a rattling, wheezing sound. The spoon clatters like a tuning fork against my teeth.
When he's finished feeding me, he goes and sits on top of the briefcase and just watches, head tilted slightly to the side as if he's pondering something. At first — back when I had a spirit — I tried to stare him out, but I never won. I refuse to look directly at him now, but I won't turn my head away. Instead I fix on the spot on the wall just beyond his left ear, and wait till he's done. Sometimes he'll sit there for a few minutes, sometimes much longer. The only sounds are the thundering of my heart and his rattling breaths.
He gets up after a few minutes, and immediately I'm a mannequin again to him. I'm invisible as he picks up the briefcase and heads to the door.
I don't know why, but for the first time in what must be weeks, I speak to him. My voice is alien, dry and unfamiliar, yet resolute, echoing off the bare walls.
"I'm not afraid of dying."
He stops in the doorway and turns his head slowly to the left, but he doesn't look at me. And for the first time ever, I hear him speak:
"Not yet."
After the door shuts, after the bolt shrieks into place, and after counting to a thousand to make sure he's gone. I break down.
I cry for me. I cry for the memory of sun on my face, the feel of a hot shower on my skin. I cry for the smell of John's aftershave, for sex, eating chicken salad, and the loss of my dignity. I cry for the little things, like fresh sheets and the cold side of the pillow on Sunday mornings when John goes out for a run. I cry for my life and my meaningless achievements. I cry for an end to all this.
He was wrong. I'm not afraid of dying — I'm afraid it won't come soon enough.
Another blackout. I've fallen onto my left wrist and the barbs inside the shackles have bitten deep. My forearm is hot, swollen and bloody. I stretch my good hand into my jeans pocket. After all this time, I still can't believe he missed it when he took my stuff, but there it is, small and metallic in the palm of my hand:
A USB recorder.
I press the button and begin to speak…


text:
I saw a tweet asking why do we educate computer scientists to get developers and compared this to structural engineers and stone masons. I believe this is a good question with a flawed premise. The flaw is in thinking that a developer's job is as simple and limited in variations as that of a mason. Almost every problem attacked by a developer requires that they bend their tools and materials in a new way. This requires that everyone on a team communicate and at least on some level understand each other's hurdles. This is not an environment what you create a spec and throw it over the wall. Even then, I would believe that a structural engineer needs to understand materials and how they are connected in order create new designs.
There is also the question of what do each of these titles mean? What is the job that each really does? Both titles have a wide range of meanings. Computer scientists to my way of thinking are defined as theory and design driven. How can you really understand a theory unless you understand its practical application? Likewise I think developers create better solutions if they understand the theories that govern the environment that they leverage.
Of course all of this brings us back to traditional argument of users needing to understand software development. It isn't the details of each job that you need to be familiar with. You should know enough of how different team members work in order to appreciate when you are told its difficulty or relay requirements at the proper detail level.
In the end I think we all benefit from knowing how our work affects those that we work with. Living in a bubble only leads to disaster.
This year is already accelerating into overdrive. Business is rocking and the time for the March meeting of the Chicago IT Architects Group has crept up on me all to quickly. This month we have Paul Ford discussing Collective Intelligence. Be sure to register and join us on March 20th.
TechNexus 200 S Wacker, Suite 500 Chicago, IL
Tim is a Solutions Architect for PSC Group, LLC. He has been an IT consultant since 1999 specializing in Microsoft technologies. Along with running the Chicago Information Technology Architects Group and speaking on Microsoft and architecture topics he was also contributing author on "The Definitive Guide to the Microsoft Enterprise Library".