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You are currently browsing the tag archive for the 'Networking' tag.
So what is the GDC, and what is it all about?
Learning new technologies, Career development, Recruitment advice, Networking….
The GDC or Graduate Development Community is a social network for degree students & recent graduates to come together in one place.
If you are not already aware, the London Technical Community is positively buzzing with a large number of users' groups aimed at pretty much any technology you could be interested in, specialist or general. Users' groups started in the early days of mainframe computers, as a way to share sometimes hard-won knowledge and useful software and have thrived ever since.
As an example I run a user group aimed at Java developers (it's called the LJC, you can find out more at www.londonjavacommunity.co.uk) through this community we organise regular presentations for Java developers of all levels from Graduates to Senior Technical Architects and Development Managers to get free introductions to the latest technologies from key figures in the industry. The LJC acts as a platform to assist people in learning, networking & career development, feel free to read our members feedback: http://www.meetup.com/Londonjavacommunity/about/comments/?op=all
My background is in technical recruitment. I have many connections with UK based companies and have throughout my career spent a lot of time trying to understand the technical recruitment process and what companies are looking for from candidates of every level. Much of the feedback I have had when it comes to Graduates is that there is a gap between what is taught in Universities and what is used in Industry. I am hoping to use a combination of my industry connections and personal experience to help bridge that gap through anyway possible.
To become a member please visit our official Community site – http://www.meetup.com/Graduate-Undergraduate-Development-Community/
I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible.
Barry Cranford


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The Everyday Hero Behind Taco Bell's Doritos Locos Taco Passed Away
It was while whipping up one of his signature taco salads that Todd Mills had the greatest highdea of all time: Taco shells made from Doritos.
He excitedly pitched the concept to Frito-Lay, but was rejected with a "thanks, but no thanks," according to his wife Ginger.
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"Todd being Todd, he never asked for anything," a friend told USA Today. "He said, 'I just want my tacos.'"
Sadly, Mills passed away on Thanksgiving of brain cancer at the age of 41, leaving behind his wife and two daughters.
"We are honored to have had his support through the Doritos for Taco Shells Movement on Facebook," Taco Bell said in a statement, "and we admire his strength and optimism during his recent battle. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Todd's family during this time."
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking supporters to post photos of themselves enjoying tacos in Todd's honor.


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For states requiring two-party consent for recordings, we can help you navigate the requirements to ensure your program is conducted appropriately.


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An insider's view of what is really happening in the Harris County Criminal Courts
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Investigating the Investigation Investigating the Other Investigation
The long story short is that despite Lykos' triumphant "Hey I didn't get indicted!" press conference yesterday, where she denied investigating the 185th Grand Jurors, she, in fact did. On SATURDAY, October 22nd, First Assistant Jim Leitner called Chief Investigator Don McWilliams at home and ordered him to run all the background information he could on the Grand Jurors. On SATURDAY, October 29th, that investigation expanded into researching not only the Grand Jurors, but also Judges Marc and Susan Brown, and Judge Mike Anderson.
Lykos' response is that this is not an investigation. I guess that would depend on what your definition of "is" is, wouldn't it? Or something like that.
I'm sure that Lykos supporters will once again scoff at the paranoia behind this story and how it really is no big deal, but to them, I will once again pose the following question:
If any other Defendant or subject of an investigation was caught researching the men and women of a sitting Grand Jury or Jury, would there be a cause for concern or at least an air of potential retaliation in the works?
What exactly differentiates that type of behavior when the District Attorney is the one doing it as opposed to a "common criminal"?
ANSWER: Absolutely nothing.
73 comments:
- Scott C. Pope said...
Someone should remind big jolly of this. He's got his head in the sand....or somewhere dark and dank.
- February 1, 2012 at 6:47 PM
If those background investigations included running NCIC/TCIC, you'd probably have a crime.
- February 1, 2012 at 6:47 PM
Lykos is such a LIAR! It's the same vindictiveness that caused her to go after Amanda Culberson. There needs to be another investigation into this. I sure hope she was asked about this in the Grand Jury.
This is also her motive behind getting Leitner to obtain transcripts of the Grand Jury questioning of witnesses. Wonder if anything will become of that and if not, why not?
She would have gotten Joe the Investigator to do it but he still has trouble logging onto the computer. Bet he got some nice 8 X 10 glossy photos of Grand Jurors.
- February 1, 2012 at 6:50 PM
If he ran them on TCIC/NCIC then he broke the law. Can someone do an open records request with DPS to see who was run on that day?
- February 1, 2012 at 6:56 PM
Just curious, is double jeopardy a factor with a GJ?
- February 1, 2012 at 7:11 PM
- Murray Newman said...
Anon 7:11,
No, a Grand Jury investigation does not invoke "jeopardy" in a criminal matter.
I think that the commenters at 6:47 p.m. and 6:56 p.m. have excellent points. DPS needs to see if the names of the Grand Jurors were run by McWilliams and/or any other person on the D.A. Office staff. That would seem a relatively simple thing to figure out.
- February 1, 2012 at 7:23 PM
Why would such an investigation not be an Abuse of Official Capacity under 39.02 of the Penal Code? Seems to me that using a DA investigator to dig up dirt or intelligence on people one perceives to be political enemies is hardly a legitimate purpose or duty of the DA's office.
- February 1, 2012 at 7:37 PM
I just hope that the Grand Jurors who served on the 185th do something about this little foray into their private worlds. None of those pussies at the DA's office are going to do shit except sit around and moan and squawk about what should be done, yet they're not going to do a fricking thing to get that crazy bitch to pay for what she's done.
If I could, I would. But I'm a lowly non-lawyer and don't know what or how to get the ball rolling. If I had access to the means of checking this stuff out or had friends at DPS, you bet your booty I'd be leading the charge.
If Mike Anderson had a set of nuts, he'd be the first one to step up and get that narcissistic bitch. Or Devon should. YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WIN UNLESS YOU PLAY DIRTY.
- February 1, 2012 at 7:39 PM
If there is a minimal indication that HCDAO employees ran NCIC checks on the Grand Jurors, then a new Grand Jury investigation needs to begin and Special Prosecutors appointed. This is serious.
It won't be hard to tell if the Chief Investigator ran criminal histories as that is not something he has occasion to do very often.
An open records request for all of his computer transactions during the time period involved will show exactly what he did and whether it was done on duty.
As a matter of fact, Lykos assigned the Chief of the Grand Jury Division to stand watch every Tuesday and Thursday near the door of the Grand Jury just to report to her who came and went as a witness. (And to intimidate the jurors). Per Texas Tribune figures, that ADA makes $132000 per year which is over $68.00 per hour. Assuming he was on his post for 6 hours a day, that's $400 PER DAY! of taxpayer money being used by Lykos to spy on the Grand Jury. We're talking a FELONY Abuse of Official Capacity folks if he was only there for three days.
Use the same numbers for the Chief Investigator on the time he spent "not investigating" the Grand Jurors, Judges, and others.
The potential of this becoming a much bigger problem for Lykos is huge.
PS: Lots more will likely come out after Amanda Culberson or others file lawsuits.
- February 1, 2012 at 7:44 PM
- Thomas Hobbes said...
I think Lykos already acknowledged that criminal histories are routinely run on grand jurors as part of the vetting process. You should expect to see evidence of that and there should have been no reason to run them again in October.
- February 1, 2012 at 7:52 PM
- Thomas Hobbes said...
Thinking about this, however, there are some other names for which there would have been no valid reason to run criminal histories at any point in this cluster.
- February 1, 2012 at 8:05 PM
Running TCIC/NCIC for inappropriate reasons can create trouble with the Feds. Ask Abercia.
- February 1, 2012 at 8:24 PM
An open records request won't reveal anything on this. TCIC/NCIC is, by its nature, non-public. Its quite easy to find this information out, but it will need to be done as part of a law enforcement investigation, or pursuat to a court order (e.g., if a civil lawsuit is brought a court order could obtain limited information).
DPS or the FBI can easily see who ran the information for the grand jurors. And it will be that simple. And, because that information is not maintained by the HCDAO, Lykos can't do anything to erase these records. Lykos and crew didn't learn from Nixon - the cover up is worse than the crime.
- February 1, 2012 at 8:33 PM
For those of you who are not part of the criminal justice world, TCIC/NCIC is a state and national database that tracks criminal and other information regarding citizens. DPS maintains the state database, and the FBI maintaines the national database. Because the potential for abuse is so high, there are very strict rules about the proper purposes for which people can use these databases.
If its being used for a legitimate law enforcement purpose, then its fine. The State can justify using it to look up the potential criminal records of jurors to make sure that the jurors had no disqualifying criminal records. We share that information with defense lawyers during jury selection so that they are also aware of who may have convictions.
The grand jurors were likely ran through TCIC/NCIC before they started their service. However, there would be no legitimate purpose to run them afterward if they were not parts of a legitimate criminal investigation.
- February 1, 2012 at 8:38 PM
How will your friend Big Jolly defend this one? Remember this classic line from the 90's "I did not have sex with that. Woman," ? Newsflash to Pat, having your chief investigator run background checks on grand jurors and judges IS an investigation just like a man putting his penis in a woman's mouth IS sex.
- February 1, 2012 at 8:38 PM
Oh Patsy! When you open your mouth you sure do put that orthopedic foot in it. I wonder what the next story will be out of our office. Inquiring minds already know....... Which Lykos hand picked Leadership Team member will be next answering questions about their actions????
- February 1, 2012 at 8:39 PM
Two phone calls to an off duty investigator to perform a cursory investigation of grand jurors, two sitting judges and two ex-judges implies far more than a google search that Lykos or Leitner could have done themselves in 5 minutes. I wonder if the chief investigator accessed data bases for credit histories, ncic/tic and jims. A public records request for all those things along with time sheets, reports, photos, emails, etc needs to be made. Not only that but the targets can all find out by checking with the credit bureaus to find out if their credit was run. Really stupid to lie about it. This reminds me of Nixon.
- February 1, 2012 at 8:46 PM
After today's back peddling the stain should be in Pat's drawers!
- February 1, 2012 at 9:15 PM
What about the investigator that was taking photos of the GJ when returning from lunch......Intimidation???? Who ordered that and why?
- February 1, 2012 at 9:17 PM
The Lykos/McWilliams statements:
- February 1, 2012 at 9:22 PM
If you take what McWilliams said in his statment as true, then neither Leitner nor "the boss [Lykos]" are as smart as "any 14 year-old." Well, Don McWilliams, I can't disagree with you about that. Lykos especially, has the social IQ of a spoiled 6 year-old child and is not even close to being as smart as a 14 year-old. And people, PLEASE know this: Lykos has NEVER tried a case. Yet she sits as the elected DA for the 4th largest jurisdiction in America. That, by itself, is a miscarriage of justice. Don, save yourself--you're a decent guy and a good cop--roll on Leitner and Lykos before you get rolled over by the bus that they are throwing you under!! And you know, Don, that if you accessed NCIC/TCIC to conduct searches on the grand jurors (for Lykos' political reasons) or any of the other folks (for any reason), you violated the law. Neither DPS nor the FBI will be amused by such an abuse. I hope it's not true, for your sake, Don. You know better. So does Leitner. Lykos, on the other hand, probably doesn't. In fact, I doubt Lykos even knows how to log on to NCIC/TCIC!!!!
- February 1, 2012 at 9:27 PM
Hastily called All Investigators meeting scheduled for tomorrow. Were told that is was at request of Leitner and Lykos so that they can tell them how much they appreciate their hard work.
No mention of Chief McWilliams being there....Hmmmmmm.
First time in three years this has occurred. Coincidence??
- February 1, 2012 at 9:28 PM
I agree with Jigmeister, why do you need to have the chief investigator do a cursory (imply google) check when Lietner or any of Lykos' political friends could have done that. It is an interesting chose of words, a cursory internet check. Sounds like Lykos wanted a cursory investigator's computer check which probably includes sources not readily available to the public.
- February 1, 2012 at 9:37 PM
Wonder why McWilliams didn't deny following and photographing grand jurors? Mr. Anon investigator, sounds like they are trying to shut the rest of you up before this gets out of hand.
- February 1, 2012 at 9:49 PM
It's time for her to resign. This is way over the line!
- February 1, 2012 at 9:49 PM
Wonder why McWilliams didn't deny following and photographing grand jurors? Mr. Anon investigator, sounds like they are trying to shut the rest of you up before this gets out of hand. She ain't worth it.
- February 1, 2012 at 9:50 PM
I bet Don didn't run NCIC/TCIC but instead used his accurint and other similar tools. Still extremely dirty, but not as easy to track perhaps. Although I hope whichever grand jury is going to take this one up is reading: subpoena those records, too.
In related news, if I quit real soon can I be appointed the next special prosecutor?
--Angry ADA
- February 1, 2012 at 10:17 PM
Investigation (Definition)
1. Examination: an examination or inquiry into something, especially a detailed one that is undertaken officially, or the act of undertaking an examination. Synonyms: study, examination, search, inquiry, exploration, analysis, research, survey, scrutiny, inspection, reconnaissance, recce, probe, review, enquiry.
So does THIS very elementary definition fit the bill?
Hmmmm, let's quit 'dicking around" Pat. You just f * * * * d up real bad. I am sorry but merely DEAD SERIOUS! THIS - now deserves the appointment and or better yet a Federal investigation - especially in light of the conflict of what the G.J. members perceived and said as much in their exit letter along with comments about photographs, and county cars.
If members of the sacred G.J. have intimated and now backed up by all this - there SHOULD be a REAL G.J. investigation conducted off premises (Federal courthouse). The Jury system and Grand Jury system in our country is sacrosanct. As Joel stated - You trust them to Indict Jane Citizen but not your own affairs? If you weren't doing anything wrong Pat, why not just do…………… nothing? Control, control, control that image at all costs. To hide from the media for a month and then come out with THIS? Keep digging Pat. and keep digging media and others. Either way the hole gets deeper! Get every investigator into a grand jury and question them. Welcome to Stassi folks.
Thank God for the rank and file line prosecutors just doing their jobs IN SPITE of all this FRICKIN DRAMA FROM THE DRAMA QUEEN. OK investigators – line Em up? You are a good lot (most) who haven't been run off. How about some deep throats out there?
- February 1, 2012 at 11:46 PM
Current ADA here...
Kudos to Oberg for once again being all over this story.
I am amazed at the stupidity of Lykos and the ease at which she allowed herself to get caught in an absolute 100% lie. She is a liar, a bully, an aloof, evil woman. If anyone out there is listening, we have suffered through years with this buffoon. Please deliver us.
- February 2, 2012 at 1:09 AM
Murray,many defense lawyers always do everything they can,legally and ethically to check out info on grand jury members. Many indictments have been thrown out because of improper grand jury formation. In response to that the D A has for years checked info on members to avoid such a problem.
- February 2, 2012 at 2:16 AM
For those of you who don't work there, welcome to our world of double talk and nazi gestapo.
- February 2, 2012 at 5:09 AM
- Daniel 9 said...
wow. Absolutely amazing how she could not tell the truth.
- February 2, 2012 at 5:58 AM
So, to summarize Lykos' explanation:
She said she THOUGHT the Grand Jury investigation of HER possible criminal acts were, "politically motivated," Sooo...she HAD to commit OTHER CRIMINAL ACTS...to see if that was true.
That about cover it?
- February 2, 2012 at 6:04 AM
I think it's great how the DAs admit they read the blogs. Well at least Mark Bennett's. Sorry Murray
- February 2, 2012 at 6:06 AM
To Scott Pope:
Have to agree with you on this one.
BIG "I'm not a Lykos fan, but I can't help drooling over her in my blog" JOLLY definitely has his head SOMEWHERE, but it ain't in the sand!
I wonder if he even realizes how foolish he looks for making fun of the Grand Jury members and what he called their "conspiracy theory" now that it has been proven that THEY WERE RIGHT?
I hope he's man enough to issue them a public apology...but somehow I doubt it.
- February 2, 2012 at 6:09 AM
I wonder if they were checking cell phone records of the Grand Jury members, the Special Prosecutors, the Judge and her husband, and Mike Anderson and his wife???
After all, she claimed she was trying to ascertain whether this was "politically motivated" and how better to "prove" that than to see if they were all conversing with each other.
If they were dumb enough to check cell phone records, that would be another HUGE no-no.
- February 2, 2012 at 6:16 AM
Anon 2:16
Any investigation into a GJ is done prior to taking their oath, not while they're sitting. What she did is way out of line and possibly "abuse of power." I'm sure that this is just the "tip of the iceberg" for things that will come to light.
- February 2, 2012 at 6:23 AM
Just checked the Chronicle on line, No story there. Where is the Chronicle on this story. I thought the news was there to monitor and expose wrongs in government. Not this paper. But more important than the DA conducting an investigation of grand jurors, judges and attorneys who are doing their job properly, is the announcement of the new management which shows no change in the direction of the Chronicle. And they wonder why circulation is down. Wake up Chronicle.
- February 2, 2012 at 6:50 AM
On Oct 22 she initiates an investigation into the GJ but on Oct 24 she publicly states she does not think her office is being investigated.
- February 2, 2012 at 6:50 AM
She needs to resign. This is an embarrassment to the county and to the republican party. How can the republican party justify riding this horse any longer??? She's shown her true colors to more than just those directly in her line of fire now: she's petty, vindictive, and doesn't know (or care) what the law is and where her boundries are. She needs to resign.
- February 2, 2012 at 6:59 AM
Did anyone actually read her statement on this, posted on 13. My God! She says she asked Chief Investigator McWilliams if he conducted an investigation and he said no. Then she says oh she did ask him to conduct a non investigation. McWilliams says he did a non investigation at her request.
I promise you our spineless general Barnhill wrote that cr_p!
Let's translate her statement. She lied when she said there was not an investigation ordered. She did order a political investigation using county personnel and county resources. Mc Williams lied when he said there was no investigation.
- February 2, 2012 at 7:32 AM
I seem to remember several prosecutors being called in and issued letters of reprimand for printing out an offense report for no prosecutorial reason.
I also remember Mr. Leitner telling some of these prosecutors that this act bordered on a 3RD degree felony.
Remembering futher, I think one of these prosectors recorded a conversation with Mr. Leitner on this.
I wonder if Patsy was issued a letter of admonishment?
- February 2, 2012 at 8:08 AM
The Actions of the Harris County District Attorney's Office - specifically the elected D.A. in Ordering ANY "look see" on County Time, with County resources into sitting members of a Grand Jury as well as the Judge they serve under, her husband, and possible political opponents, for nothing other than "their investigation might be political - yet not criminal; Plus the inconsistency in statements made by this elected D.A. and those of the Chief Investigator, absolutely warrant an immediate proper neutral investigation into this matter. To NOT clear the air with a formal investigation, based on these new developments, is to only foster a chilling effect on any future G.J.'s ability to do their job should they find themselves having to do what the 185th G.J. was charged to do here. This needs to be formally investigated by an outside non-biased special prosecutor.
By definition: Political doesn't = Criminal……………..unless political cause one to do criminal. Any Former federal prosecutors out there want to chime in on possible federal violations. Citizens charged and indicted do not have the luxury of doing what Pat Lykos ordered here. The message she is sending out to the G.J. and any future G.J.'s is clear: "Back off". The pinnacle of arrogance here, coupled with the 185th letter and concerns along with the denial and comment: "I ordered no such investigation…give me a name"…….THEN 24 hours later a complete disingenuous mineralization of an admission that yes the D.A. DID ask – (not her political consultant) but her Chief Harris County Investigator to do a cursory internet search of all these people in such a formal setting with County equipment on County time can NOT go un-investigated. Can you imagine the shrill screams from a "candidate" Lykos if the shoe were on the other foot?
- February 2, 2012 at 8:27 AM
- Gritsforbreakfast said...
Murray asks, "If any other Defendant or subject of an investigation was caught researching the men and women of a sitting Grand Jury or Jury, would there be a cause for concern or at least an air of potential retaliation in the works?"
Who cares if you're "concerned" about an "air"? There would not remotely be cause to prosecute anyone because researching members of the grand jury is not against the law. In a past life I helped attorneys investigate jury pools with fast-turnaround analyses of public records about them. Happens all the time. Anyone can do the same with members of a sitting grand jury, whose names are public, and no law forbids it.
It also seems unlikely NCIC was abused in the way suggested by several anons (and seconded by Murray): Thomas Hobbes was right that "criminal histories are routinely run on grand jurors as part of the vetting process." That's a made up concern.
This all goes back to the old adage that when you hunt bear, you need to kill it with the first shot. Mike Anderson's cronies on the grand jury took their best shot, but missed. That's generally when you get eaten by the bear, which IMO is now the most likely outcome for Anderson in the upcoming primary.
- February 2, 2012 at 9:25 AM
I guess she doesn't have Google to do the "cursory Internet search" herself? So, best case scenario for her, the sitting DA for one of the biggest counties in the USA apparently is so clueless that she has to order someone else to use a search engine.
Just go to askJeeves.com. Jeeves could have given her the answer!
- February 2, 2012 at 9:26 AM
IF Lykos testified before the Grand Jury for two hours...I can't help but think they may well have asked her if she had, or was having, them investigated.
Hypothetically, IF she lied to the Grand Jury, and their term expired BEFORE they knew she had lied to them...then WHAT?
Who picks up the ball and runs with it?
Would the Special Prosecutors still have authority and access to those transcripts, and the authority to pursue it with another Grand Jury?
- February 2, 2012 at 9:38 AM
I did not have sex with that woman ..... oops I mean I did not order an investigation into those Grand Jurors (mind thought: but my boyfriend Jim did and you all are SUCKERS for listening to me today)
- February 2, 2012 at 9:55 AM
There is a helluva difference between the State investigating the members of a grand jury to determine their fitness to serve (remember the foreman who was later found to be on deferred?)--and the State investigating the grand jury when the State is a target.
Lykos turns my stomach. Think of how Holmes would have handled this: He would have stood back, said nothing, and then thanked the members of the GJ for their service when the investigation was concluded.
She has no class, and I hope Mike Anderson annihilates her in the primary.
- February 2, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Obviously you know this doesn't involve assisting a lawyer in preparing a jury trial. Absolutely no one wants a convicted thief (IE: the "cheerleader mom case") sitting in judgment IN A JURY TRIAL (which results in an immediate granting of a Motion for new trial because the law prohibits this. Yes obviously Grand Jurors' are "run" for criminal histories for the same reason – ONCE and BEFORE being commissioned and sworn in. Not "En Banc" post swearing in for fear of a political investigation of the target that has control over County resources regular people do not and the use of which for this purpose is seriously questionable and probably criminal. "Do as I say, not as I do "type mentality just won't cut it here. Remember the other G.J. that looked into the time sheet issue with an employee ordered to take off comp time hours? How does a County employee – Chief Investigator and the D.A. justify the use of County time for THIS type behavior? I'm sure when you were referring to helping lawyers in jury selection you were talking private lawyers or prosecutors preparing for a jury trial and NOT this – right?
Obviously you know the difference in this being a Grand Jury and yes based on Bennett's Blog - Hatchet Job - the initiation and appointment of certain members in that now past investigation leaves a lot to be desired. However, Lykos should have done nothing in regards to these grand jurors' in the manner in which she did. Shadowing etc., ordering transcripts, possible photos, using her office power to investigate the investigators - even an imperfect one - is stupid and possibly criminal.
Politically, no question you are a democrat. You make no bones about that. But to reduce this matter and how the 'Office" mishandled it by NOT merely allowing their lawyers to do their job in the Courtroom (which actually worked out pretty well for Lykos) but instead to initially order her chief investigator to YES investigate - what else do you call it? All these people for the very reason that they ARE investigating the "Office" is NOT right. Again - political motivational suspicions does not equal involving office personnel in such an official manner - not to mention denying any such action then 24 hours later changing course and doing the whole: "Issuing of a statement by the investigator". My Lord: That Formal Seal, the lighting, the camera angle, the staging…just makes me sick.
Holmes would just say: Come on in - messy desk and all - with pipe in mouth and leaning back in his chair TALKED to the people in clear language with cameras rolling. This is not a minor thing as you say….just because you say so.
Signed: Metamucil for Supper
- February 2, 2012 at 10:47 AM
To Grits For Breakfast -
The question is not whether the DAs office conducted legal background checks of the Grand Jury members, as part of the standard protocol.
The question is whether Pat Lykos misued government property, services, personnel, or any other thing of value belonging to the government that has come into her custody or possession by virtue of her office or employment.
Pat Lykos' OWN statement suggests that she did.
She stated that she ordered a county employee to use county resources on county time to look into the backgrounds of Grand Jury members, (and her political opponent) NOT because these private citizens were violating the law in any way, which would be a legitimate law enforcement reason...BUT because she believed them all to be POLITICAL advesaries and she was on a fishing expedition to dig up dirt on private citizens she considered to be her POLITICAL advesaries.
THAT would be Abuse of Official Capacity. And THAT is a crime.
IF she had not done anything wrong, then why get on television and LIE ABOUT IT???
And WHY would you refer to Grand Jury members as "Mike Anderson's cronies."???
As I understand it, Jim Lietner has a friend or two on the Grand Jury. Why not call them "Jim Lietner's cronies" ?
Heck, if you're going to assert conspiracy theories then why not just take it a step further and accuse Lietner of orchestrating this whole deal?
I mean...you know...like...maybe...he's cut a deal with County Commissioners to take over as DA if Lykos goes down in flames. What if he's been planning this the whole time since he couldn't beat her in the election and he really wanted to be the big dog?
Sound silly?
It is.
AND its just as silly as suggesting Mike Anderson had anything to do with this.
Pure bunk.
- February 2, 2012 at 10:59 AM
Of course those telephone records were checked. You know they were. Like the GJ "secret" subpoena power has never been abused by the Office? Not officially to be sure but under the radar, of course.
- February 2, 2012 at 11:02 AM
Mark W. Stephens has a great point. Did the grand jury ask her if she had investigated them? If so, she probably said no and perjured herself. Special prosecutors and grand jurors, please follow up on this.
- February 2, 2012 at 1:06 PM
Just curious, is double jeopardy a factor with a GJ?
Ask Kelly Siegler. Only way she could indict that coach was to send it to the grand jury over and over.
- February 2, 2012 at 1:26 PM
The similarities between Rage and Lykos are quite astonishing. Both speak without knowing the facts. Both beg for attention and both need to be sent packing.
- February 2, 2012 at 2:18 PM
- BLACK INK said...
Chuck Rosenthal had to answer to a FEDERAL JUDGE inter alia for using county computers and county employees on county time for campaign BBQ fundraising......The "Rule of Law" cuts both ways.
Pat Lykos will have to resign in disgrace as did her predecessor.
Jim Leitner and Rachael Palmer have one foot on a banana peel and the other in the grave.
Hanna Chow will be asked to resign.
Mike Anderson will be our next elected District Attorney by default......God's speed.
- February 2, 2012 at 2:23 PM
Stating the obvious: Use of HCDAO equipment and or employees for law enforcement purposes is permissible - use of HCDAO equipment and or employees for non law enforcement purposes (e.g. political or otherwise personal) is one of several crimes. Culpable mental state is the determinant. Based upon the apparent facts there are several individuals who should not beat this ride.
Calvin A. Hartmann
- February 2, 2012 at 2:40 PM
What Lykos has done is worse than anything Rosenthal did. He was morally bankrupt, but she is toying with criminal activity and ethically...well, she has no ethics.
- February 2, 2012 at 2:48 PM
Hey Rage,
I missed you at Kelly Siegler's talk at your law school alma mater yesterday--you could have asked her face to face about GJ issues then or do strong women still intimidate you?
Sucks to be you.
L. Smith
- February 2, 2012 at 3:01 PM
Oberg: Only after we told Lykos what we were going to report on did she release a statement .....
Couple above fact with definition of transparent.
transparent: easily seen through, recognized or detected. EX: As in transparent excuses.
Yes ma'am, you sure brought transparency back to our office. Thank you for making it that much harder to pick jurors here in Harris County.
From someone who lives in the trenches trying to do the right thing for victims: Ms. Lykos, please shut up; just shut up.
-Frustrated ADA
- February 2, 2012 at 3:45 PM
Looks like somebody just threw up their Grits...
- February 2, 2012 at 4:32 PM
Black Ink there is a difference between Rosenthal and Lykos, Rosenthal knew when it was time to leave, Lykos does not know that nor will she ever know it. "Ted, please no questions, but I am ready for my close up."
Report from Don McWilliams to Pat Lykos
Re: orders for cursory internet search
I regret to inform you that I have been unable to find any evidence of a conspiracy between the 185th Grand Jury, Judges Brown and Judges Anderson. I checked the usual sites,
www.politicalconspiraciesinharriscounty.com; www.politicalconspiraciesagainstLykos.com; www.registeredpoliticalconspiraciesintexas.com
None of the suspects have posted any conspiracy between the 185th Grand Jury, Judges Brown and Judges Anderson on any of the sites. We could go rouge and check Mark Bennett's blog (always good for a conspiracy) but I would suggest we use a surrogate for entry. We are either dealing with a very cleaver group or there is simply no conspiracy.
- February 2, 2012 at 4:56 PM
KTRK Channel 13 news:
OK folks. We now have evidence of a crime by Pat Lykos. Lykos had her Chief Investigator log into a privately owned database named Accurint that the D.A.'s Office pays a large fee to every month to provide Investigators with confidential information such as Social Security Numbers, financial data, and relatives of whoever is being run. See http://accurint.com/
Accessing this information is restricted to criminal investigations being conducted by Law Enforcement under the terms of the contract. The audacity of Lykos, Leitner, and McWilliams to actually run inquiries of Grand Jurors, their familes, candidate Mike Anderson and his family, and Judges Mark and Susan Brown is beyond belief.
The use of governmental computers by government employees accessing this information for Lykos and Company solely for political, non-law enforcement purposes, is clearly a criminal violation. Accurint may well cancel their contract with the DAO over this.
Worse, all of those individuals who were the victims of this unauthorized intrusion of their privacy may and should file a Civil lawsuit against Lykos and those involved. There is a huge liability for Harris County because of Lykos' vindictiveness. It is likely that Amanda Culberson was also run. Lykos should be held accountable personally and in her official capacity as District Attorney.
Once an investigation is begun, there is no telling what other abuses of power by Lykos will be uncovered. She will soon join Constable Abercia doing the perp walk. Her next comment will probably be "I am not a crook"!
- February 2, 2012 at 6:35 PM
Texas Rangers being called in to investigate the Lykos administration...
- February 2, 2012 at 6:40 PM
Check this out:
- February 2, 2012 at 6:42 PM
Grits for breakfast:
I take offense that that woman used a company employee, company equipment and company time to investigate what she claims is political. The bitch wants to play dirty like that she does not need to use my money. In fact isn't that against the law. She's the one that said for political reasons. You fella need to take your head out of your ass and get a clue.
- February 2, 2012 at 6:43 PM
Mark Bennett sure got a free plug at the end of that released statement. In other matters, admitting that something akin to a Google search, which in DA terms means running Accurint, was run on the GJ gives the Office an air of impropriety. Does it pass the smell test? Unless it gets smellier I don't think the voters of the County will notice.
- February 2, 2012 at 7:07 PM
In response to Mr. Jennings latest Chronicle Blog Post:
Mr. Jennings,
McWilliams performed a search of all the Grand Jurors, the Brown Judges, Mike Anderson using a database paid for by HCDAO which is restricted to use by Law Enforcement only for the purposes of criminal investigations. It revealed the Social Security Numbers, criminal records (if they exist), financial records, unlisted phone numbers, the names of their family members along with all of their personal history information listed above, and all of their current and past automobiles and real property. If you believe all of that is "merely a cursory internet search" then you probably still believe in the tooth fairy.
All this was done by a Public Servant acting under color of law.
Criminal statutes have been broken and the privacy of individuals has been violated by public servants and the elected District Attorney of Harris County. The sole purpose was politically motivated. It was wrong and deserves to be investigated by a competent Law Enforcement agency and presented to a Grand Jury.
- February 2, 2012 at 9:47 PM
I liked Pat's new hair style. She's got the poofey thing going on. Really hot.
- February 2, 2012 at 11:26 PM
One definition of "Jolly" is "full of high spirits."
All I can say is, he must have been full of REALLY HIGH spirits when he wrote that last piece.
Wow. I'm embarassed for the guy.
- February 3, 2012 at 1:46 AM
I don't think running accurint on folks is a violaton of terms of service with LexisNexis as it would be with running queries on TCIC NCIC. But using govt resources to pay the accurint bill for queries run for personal pirposes would be problematic. Still don't know what dirt accurint would reveal any way. I've used it for years, auto track before it and TLO now. Google would be most valuable, maybe queries on county and district clerk online systems. I guess they could have been reviewing pinche stuff like whether the grand jurors disclosed ALL arrests convictions on their juror questionnaire/profile. But i would think the grand jurors were properly vetted for this prior to being sworn in for their term. More germane reasearch would be campaign finance contribution and expenditure reports (from tx ethics commission or thru local clerk's office) on these folks to look at their donation histories and political affiliations. That info is publicly available. Who said he used Accurint?
- February 3, 2012 at 6:36 AM
The use of Accurint is simple:
Since our great leader and the Leadership Team are doing everything to save their souls and livelihood, Accurint will show "Associations".
Had Lykos been indicted, she would have used the "Associations" knowledge to further her paranoia that there a conspiracy.
- February 3, 2012 at 8:17 AM
- BLACK INK said...
"Black Ink there is a difference between Rosenthal and Lykos, Rosenthal knew when it was time to leave, Lykos does not know that nor will she ever know it"
I beg to differ.
Had Chuck Rosenthal had that appreciation and acted upon it Kelly Siegler NOT Pat Lykos would be the DA and this conversation would be moot.
Not only did Rosenthal linger as the DA as long as he possibly could; had the Texas Attorney General not stepped in and forced his hand, Rosenthal never would have resigned.
- February 3, 2012 at 3:11 PM
Black Ink @ 3:11p
That's a good point about Chuck lingering. Now we need to get the word to Lykos that she has overstayed her welcome. The improper 'investigation' of the GJ should be something the AG would look into. Do you agree?
- February 3, 2012 at 7:04 PM


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In 1988, Bishopville, South Carolina fell under the thrall of a dark and handsome Lizard Man. After being out of the limelight for 20+ years, the Lizard Man's returned to carve up random automobiles and shards of metal. Local news anchors were on hand to welcome his scaly excellence. Don't call it a comeback!
[WLTX via The Mysterialist ]
io9 Offers $2000 Bounty For Authentic Photos Of Cryptids
This summer, io9 is going cryptozoological. We're offering a $2000 bounty to the person who sends us the best authentic photo or video of a "cryptid," or mystery animal. And that's just the beginning of Cryptid Summer. More »


text:
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Browse all deals at Forever 21
See more in Pumps
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text:
I found this blog post that I really like and then I realized that it was all based on the opposite premise of blown up "wall murals." The post suggested that "most wall murals and decals are pretty cheesy." Actually, as an artist, decorative painter, muralist and general consumer, I agree; primarily because they are all mostly mass-produced enlarged photo murals, large scale graphics or solid circles stickers, etc. . Most of us don't want to see these on our walls, especially long term. The DIY Wall Murals post from PW Style displays some pretty cool wall murals as examples, like these.
I love wish flowers and this next one reminds me of Rousseau. These both require considerable effort to create — all hand-painted.
The author may not have realized that there is wallpaper out there that is removable and reusable, can be temporary or long lasting and mimics the hand-painted look, because they are originally hand-painted or illustrated.
This large scale flower mural reminds me of our Flower Power Casart wallcovering, which happens to be on sale right now on One Kings Lane!
Casart coverings can give an impression of a mural or art for your walls = Casa + art, which is Casart. If you want a more geometric look, we also have stripes now on the One Kings Lane sale as part of Domino magazine's Enliven Your Walls event. If you head over to my other Slipcovers for Your Walls blog you can see the demonstration we did at High Point, using stripes in unconventional ways.
I like the illustrated style of this birch mural featured on PW Style.
It reminds me of our Birds & Birch design that comes in 16 different color combinations.
I moved this post from it's regular mid-week Wednesday slot to post on Mural Mondays so could also receive this in time of our One Kings Lane sale before it ends on Thursday @ 11am. Don't blink….
Another post is forthcoming this Wednesday.


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The Paradox of Our Times
Today we have bigger houses and smaller families
More conveniences, but less time
We have more degrees, but less common sense
More knowledge, but less judgment
We have more experts, and more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We spend too recklessly, laugh too little
Drive too fast, get angry far too quickly
Stay up late, get up too tired
Read too little, watch T.V. too often
And pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but have reduced our values
We talk too much, love too little, and lie too ofen
We have learned how to make a living, but not a life
We have added years to life,
Not life to years.
We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers
Wider freeways, but narrow viewpoints
We spend more, but have less; we buy more, and enjoy less.
We've been all the way to the moon and back
But have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor
We've conquered outer space, but not inner space
We have split the atom, but not our prejudice
We write more, but learn less
Plan more, but accomplish less
We've learned to rush, but not to want
We have higher incomes, but lower morals
We build more computers to hold more information
To produce more copies, but communicate less
We are long on quantity, but short on quality
These are the times of fast food, and slow digestion
Tall men, and short character
Steep profits and shallow relationships
More leisure and less fun
More kinds of food, but less nutrition
Two incomes, but more divorce
Fancier houses, but more broken homes
That's why I propose, that as of today
You do not keep anything for a special occasion
Because everyday that you live is a special occasion
Search for knowledge, read more
Sit on the porch and admire the view
Without paying attention to your needs
Spend more time with your family and friends
Eat your favorite foods and
Visit the places you love
Enjoyment is life as a chain of moments
Not long drawn out survival
Remove from your vocabulary phrases like
" One of these days" and "Someday"
Let's tell our families and friends how much we love them.
Do not delay anything that adds laughter and joy to your life
Everyday, every hour, and every minute is special.
And you do it knowing that it could be your last…
Just think… one of these days you may not be here to do any of the above!
Author – Octavian Paler


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text:
This afternoon I cracked open a fresh coconut, purchased at Market Basket, for it's milk to help daughter Amanda fix a fresh mixed fruit smoothie after her afternoon training secession at The Manchester Athletic Club. Our Magic Bullet is currently Amanda's most favorite kitchen gadget. She is having fun blending different concoctions at least twice per day!
Fruit Smoothie
Assorted fresh fruit
Greek yogurt
Local Honey
Flaxseed oil
Fresh baby spinach
Fresh Coconut Water
1 combine all ingredients in Magic Bullet clear plastic container,(follow Magic Bullet max fill line; blend 30 – 40 seconds; transfer to serving glass; garnish with fresh fruit serve immediately


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Welcome to Watch List, where we identify five things on TV to watch while you stay at home and start studying for next year's spelling bee. Never too late to find out how to spell CIOPPINO. Or to eat it. LET'S GO!
2011 MTV MOVIE AWARDS – 9:00PM Sunday (MTV) MTV's annual "Twilight" infomercial is back again, with Jason Sudeikis as your host and live performances from Foo Fighters and Lupe Fiasco & Trey Songz. "Eclipse" is nominated for 8 awards, while the superior "Inception" is nominated for 7. And it's gonna be a long, long night for you "Inception" fans. As always, I look forward to the pre-taped bits and perhaps a drunken celeb or two embarrassing themselves on the stage. But as always, I'm not looking forward to screaming audience plants and choreographed moments of "outrageousness." Looking your way, Eminem and Bruno. ANTICIPATION: POPCORN!
TEEN WOLF – 11:00PM Sunday (MTV) Immediately following the Movie Awards comes MTV's long-awaited reboot of the "Teen Wolf" franchise. Bill Simmons is crying hot tears of joy into his Wes Welker jersey as we speak. Your replacement for Michael J. Fox is Tyler Posey, and the creators have sworn up and down that this remake will edge more toward real horror, ala "An American Werewolf In London." But will it have surfing on top of vans? ANTICIPATION: GIVE ME A KEG OF BEER!
VH1 STORYTELLERS: MY MORNING JACKET – 11:00PM Tonight (VH1) One of the best live bands in the universe play a talky set for VH1. If they play "Gideon," I may well run naked around my block. ANTICIPATION: WATCH ME I'M GOING TO SCREAM IF YOU DON'T!
NIECY NASH'S WEDDING BASH – 11:00PM Tonight (VH1) The former "Reno 911" star gets her own reality wedding special, complete with dress shopping and wedding venue searches. But will she ever atone for "Do Not Disturb"? Because that was a latter day "Herman's Head". ANTICIPATION: FRILLY!
RED FACTION: ORIGINS – 9:00PM Saturday (SyFy – an NBC/Universal network) SyFy's latest schlockfest is based on a videogame and features no hybrid monsters of any kind. But it does have Robert Patrick, which kinda makes up for everything. ANTICIPATION: T-1000!
Weekend Watch List: MTV's Big Night
Welcome to Watch List, where we identify five things on TV to watch while you stay at home and start studying for next year's spelling bee. Never too late to find out how to spell CIOPPINO. Or to eat it. LET'S GO!


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How are executives protecting their data?Read More about Cybersecurity Trends
The best protection against hackers is preparation. Follow these steps to reduce the damage and cost of a data breach.Read More about Preparing for a Network Breach
View a webinar on current trends and best practices for mitigating fraud.Watch Replay about International Payments Fraud
E-mail us to learn how we can support the needs of your business.


text:
Anti-Corruption and Bribery Policy
Baronsmead VCT 5 plc (the "Company") Anti-Corruption and Bribery Policy
A zero-tolerance approach is taken by the Board of Baronsmead VCT 5 plc to bribery and corruption. The Board are committed to acting professionally, fairly and with integrity at all times. Accordingly it expressly prohibits any Director or associated persons, when acting on behalf of the Company, from accepting, soliciting, paying, offering or promising to pay, or authorising any payment, public or private, in the United Kingdom or abroad to secure any improper benefit for them self or for the Company.
Bribery is the accepting of gifts, money, hospitality or other favours in return for providing something of value to the briber. The purpose of this policy is to set out the rules that must be followed to ensure that no bribery occurs.
The Bribery Act 2010 contains two general offences covering the offering, promising or giving of a bribe and the requesting, agreeing to receive or accepting of a bribe. It also sets out two further offences which specifically address commercial bribery: one relating to the bribery of a foreign public official in order to obtain or retain business or an advantage in the conduct of business and one creating a new form of corporate liability which an organisation can commit by failing to prevent bribery of any of its employees, subsidiaries, agents or service providers or other associated persons (defined as a person who performs services for or on behalf of an organisation and may include employees, contractors, agents, service providers and subsidiaries) in an attempt to obtain or retain business or a business advantage both in the UK or internationally.
The Directors of the Baronsmead VCT 5 plc recognise their responsibilities in ensuring that the Company has a robust policy to avoid such practices and to ensure compliance with its legal obligations. The Board has requested that it is informed immediately of any identified instances of bribery or corruption within any of its principal service providers. On an annual basis, principal service providers are required to confirm to the Company that an anti-bribery policy and adequate procedures are in place and report any identified instances of bribery or corruption and details of the corrective courses of action taken.
As part of a risk based approach, the Board has delegated to the Audit Committee, the task of carrying out an annual risk assessment on matters relating to bribery, involving due diligence enquiries in respect of persons who perform or will perform services for or on behalf of the Company, in order to mitigate identified risks.
The Audit Committee will review this policy and procedures at least annually and report back to the Board who will ensure that it is publicly available both on the Companys website and also in its Annual Report & Accounts.


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Bristol Palin is joining her mom on the speakers' circuit, where the unwed teen mom from Alaska will command as much as $30,000 per speech.
Palin family attorney confirmed to The Associated press a report that the 19-year-old has signed with Single Source Speakers. He added her exact fees will depend on factors such as which group she's addressing and what she must do to prepare.
Bristol Palin is listed on the speaking group's website as available for conferences, fundraisers, special events and holidays, as well as women's, youth, abstinence and "pro-life" programs.
She came into prominence as her mom, Sarah Palin, ran for vice president in 2008 with John McCain. She had son Tripp that year and has since spoken about abstinence and the challenges of life as a young single mother.
Van Flein said Bristol Palin is interested in expanding her message beyond teen pregnancy to include her experiences on the campaign trail and in the media spotlight; her parenting approach; and her outlook on life.


text:
Sovcomflot is developing its own shipboard personnel training system in Russia, in compliance with the very highest international standards. At the heart of this system are the Sovcomflot Training & Engineering Centre (TEC) in St. Petersburg and the Novoship Training Centre in Novorossiysk.
The training centre in St. Petersburg became a licensed educational centre and became operational in 2013. This marked an important stage in the implementation of the Group's development strategy, which provides for an expansion of the company's participation in oil and gas projects in the Arctic and sub-Arctic. Sovcomflot's TEC training facilities provide a valuable means of practising a whole range of Arctic maritime operations, including: servicing of oil platforms; navigation at northern latitudes; navigation in icy waters, with and without icebreaker escort; approaching ice-resistant terminals and vessel positioning during loading operations, and the organisation of complex towing operations.
Between July and December 2013, 763 seafarers completed training courses across seven disciplines at SCF TEC in St. Petersburg. At present, experts at the centre are working on an updated course entitled: "Navigation in Arctic ice conditions using superships fitted with azipod propulsion systems", which will be of great value for the promising Yamal LNG project. The course is being developed on the basis of DNV-GL standards regarding navigator training for operations in icy waters. The classification society has stated its intention to amend its standards in the future, based on research conducted by SCF Group specialists at the centre.
In 2014 TEC Novoship Training in Novorossiysk celebrated its tenth anniversary, although its work really began around 25 years ago as an education and training centre, created for the Novorossiysk shipping line. This was one of the first centres in the country for retraining professional seafarers. Today it is one of Russia's leading maritime training centres. Novoship Training is certified by the DNV-GL international classification society, in compliance with the ISO 9001 standard (Quality Management).
In 2013, TEC Novoship Training provided courses to a record 8,000 people. The centre is equipped with a state-of-the-art navigation suite and GMDSS simulator, which form part of the "virtual ship".


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I have a sony kdl w 5810 and ex403. A dell laptop, with the serviio download and an external desktop hard drive. I have two issues.
The one i dont mind is: i find serviio or my tvs are very tempermantal, sometimes i can see the icons for the movies othertimes the folders read"there are no items to disply".
The one problem i cant seem understand is. There are various icons relating to contact that i dont know where its come from.
From this there are a few clips of porn. the content on my hard drives (fims music etc) has been put on there by a freind/collegue etc. So my first thought was its been copied over from them. Also i thought maybe its from phones that i have had in the past and some content has bounced from my cell phone to my laptop.
So i dissconnected my external hd. still the content(i considered on the one porn clip for now) is showing on both tvs its Mpeg format. It plays on the 403 but not on the 5810.
I also tried searching the film name on my laptop, nothing.
i have unchecked the hidden files box on serviioo, nothing.
Now the wife thinks the clips are something that i have used...maybe i said. But if it was me then id KNow where and how to gat rid surely.
the other things clips of windows pages/shows/ for about 30secs long.
theres a teenage lad next door, could serviio be picking somthing up from next doors wireless?
can i find out where this content is located and delete.
ANy help/pointers would be great. thanks
This particular clips file name begins with A. The first thing my kids see in TITLES under A is this picture of this pasty ass as soon i try to put a movie on LOL.


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Whether you like robotic children, superheroic animals or dying detectives about to go all Fringe on you, there's something in this week's comics for you. Here's hoping you can afford it all.
It's a surprisingly good week for books this week, with a lot of unusual projects making their debut at the stores. How unusual?
Well, take Marvel's Lockjaw And The Pet Avengers, for example. It's a book about the superheroes of the animal kingdom, whether they're teleporting dogs, firebreathing dragons or frog versions of Thor. It's one of a number of first issues from the self-styled House of Ideas this week, with the others including Dark Reign: Young Avengers (wherein Doctor Who's Paul Cornell takes on Marvel's answer to the Teen Titans) and GeNext United (continuing Chris Claremont's alternate future tale of the X-Men's children).
But can anything really eclipse what may be Marvel's most eagerly-anticipated hardcover collection? No, not World War Hulk or X-Men: Manifest Destiny (although both are released tomorrow.) I'm talking about Secret Wars II, the seemingly-endless, seemingly-cocaine-fueled 1980s excess of Marvel Comics' then-boss Jim Shooter trying to write a story about the meaning of life. Seriously, if you can spare the $99.99, you owe it to yourself to experience it.
By comparison, DC has little to match up... But that's not to say that The Unwritten (which we previewed yesterday) and a new edition of The History of The DC Universe aren't worth picking up. And Superman: New Krypton Volume 1 catches you up on the current crazy status quo for the character, that sees him abandon Earth in favor of his own race.
Elsewhere, IDW launches a new Angel series, Not Fade Away, for the Whedonites, while also putting out Astro Boy Movie Prequel: Underground for those looking forward to this fall's revival of everyone's favorite atomic Pinocchio.
Similar nostalgia will be found in the Flash Gordon 75th Anniversary Special hardcover from Ardden Entertainment. But I'd rather draw your attention to Boom!'s Unthinkable - which Alyssa reviewed this weekend - and The Unknown, which offers up the start of a story that feels more than a little Fringe-esque in all the right ways, as the world's greatest detective decides to investigate what happens after death, considering she's only six months away from her end.
No matter what you're looking for, chances are you'll find some variation of it in this week's complete list of comics shipping to comic stores, and the Comic Store Locator will help you find where your closest store is, so you'll know just where to find your goodies. Just don't be too embarrassed to ask for that book with the frog God Of Thunder.


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I need that.
Focal XS Book Music System Sweepstakes
According to the company:
Whatever your musical taste, uncover all the power and emotion your music, movie and gaming collection has to offer with Focal's elegant and compact desktop 2.0 active loudspeaker system. Based on 33-years of acoustic research and over a dozen patents, Focal has created the ideal powered desktop loudspeaker system that will delight your senses while delivering years of dependable service. Hear exactly what you've been missing; experience just how good desktop music can sound.
Focal's powerful self-amplified XS Book desktop music system delivers stunning sound quality, the result of 33-years of music industry leadership. Sonic inspiration for your laptop, your iPhone, your iTouch or iPod, the XS Book brings music and sound to life powerfully, and personally.
Two-year parts and labor warranty. Ships with a one meter AC cable, 1.5M stereo phone jack cable terminated in 3MM stereo plug, 1.5M loudspeaker extension cable and owners manual.
To enter the sweepstakes, all you need is an account on this website. If you don't already have one, click on the link labeled "register" at the bottom of this announcement or "Create new account" in the right column (under the ads). Then, enter a username and a valid e-mail address, and click on the "Create new account" button. A message will be automatically sent to the e-mail address you specified, which will include a link to activate the account.
The final step (and only step for those who already have an account) is to log in and leave a comment right here on this announcementany comment will do, as long as it's not profane or spam. Then, when the sweepstakes closes, a lucky commenter will be chosen at random to receive the prize. So post a comment, and good luck!
For complete sweepstakes rules, click here.
[This Sweepstakes is now closed.]
These would make my office look so much better!
Good Luck to everyone entering the Sweepstakes!!!
This is the kinda thing I would love but is always at the bottom of my expense list.
They would look great next to my computer.
I've been thinking about getting a pair of desktop speakers for my computer. These look like they'd fit the bill nicely.
I need something like this to listen to my favourite music at work!
I've been wanting new speakers with iMac.
I like ham. I could use these speakers as well.
I've been thinking about getting some desktop speakers. Maybe I'll get lucky here. :P
They look great - would love to have them on my desk @ work!
They would be resigned to an arduous duty on my boisterous, cluttered desktop. Forever departed from the sleek idyll of a marketing department's simulacrum.
I'm looking for a speaker setup for my office and these would fit nice!
Would be nice to actually have speakers for once..
Those speakers would be great to replace the terrible logitech ones I've had on my desktop for the longest time.
thanks for the opportunity & good luck to everyone!
Due to not living in the right country
Good luck to everyone else!
This has just become my Focal point.
Would love to wiiiiiiiiiiin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
another great prize for one of us!!!!!!!!! well done innerfidelity!!!
Never really used bookshelf speakers. I'd be interested in trying.
I suppose this is as good a time as any to finally register considering how long I've been coming here.
It's been a while since I used speakers instead of my K550. Would love to win this
....so hell yeah, I want to enter this contest!!!!!
Chicken Dinner. Could use some powered speakers.
I work 50 to 60 hours a week. These would sure make that time more pleasant!
Now that's something my desk desperatelly needs. Thanks for the giveaway.
"Eligibility: Entrant must be 18 years of age or older as of April 25, 2013 and a resident of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia."
Damn, and here I thought Canadians were in too. *pouts*
I certainly wouldn't protest to owning them.
Its nice to see a company known for making such high quality speakers getting into the desktop speaker business! I bet they sound great!
These speakers would be a great addition to my desktop system.
I wonder how Random Access Memories would sound on these?
These would look great on my desk at work!
3 contests... Finally a product I want.
They look beautiful. I wonder how they compare to the Chorus 705, one of the most engaging small bookshelf speakers I have ever heard.
They look beautiful. I wonder how they compare to the Chorus 705, one of the most engaging small bookshelf speakers I have ever heard.
(Apologies for the duplicate posting. It was a mistake, and I do not know how to remove it!)
US only... I'm in Canada. So close, yet so far =(
for another opportunity to win a fun geek toy! you guys rock for all the contests.
peace .n. living in stereo
and they are great! Happy listening to the winner.
...these sure would make watching Game of Thrones on my laptop more enjoyable. :)
Those look simply fantastic. Thanks for the chance!
Would love to win these speakers. They look perfect for my new office! Finally working outside my apartment, phew!
These look incredible, and I would love to win!
Love the simplified polished design.
How would you not stare at these beauties all day at your desk?! Hopefully I will find out!
thanks again inner fidelity for this opportunity, goodluck to all aspirants!
I could always use a nice new set of speakers :).
Please enter me in your sweepstakes.
I would love to hear these!
I already have books and a shelf, all i need are the speakers
Really impressive performance for the size - though they are larger than your average desktop speaker :3
I've wanted to try some Focal speakers for quite some time... :P
... or at least I'd like to find out if it does.
I'd be interested to see how they compare with my littel A2's.
I know you probably would like to find out first hand, but to my ears the Focals are much better than the A2s. They sound bigger, airier, cleaner. IMO they are also better than the A5s.
These speakers are good addition to my desktop computer set up.
I'd love to win.
Had a pair of Chorus 705 S from Focal, really good stuff. Would love a desktop system from them :D
Looks awsome. WOuld soiund awsome too?
Can't hurt to have a pair of good shelf speakers.
I've got just the spot...
I've been looking to upgrade, perfect opportunity! :)
look absolutely amazing. Congratulations to the winner and good luck to all!
Too bad my tiny Brooklyn apartment won't allow me to exploit their full potential.
Would go great with my new computer that has no speakers!!!
These would be a great addition to my otherwise drab workstation.
For these to grace it and sing sweet music
These would look great on my office desk....


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Homeowners clean up after storm topples trees
Osage orange tree plunges into neighbor's pool
An Overland Park homeowner spent the day cleaning up the damage from Sunday night's storm that left a large tree in his backyard swimming pool.
Mike Castilla said he thought his pool was ready for the summer until the neighbor's Osage orange tree fell into it during the peak of the storm.
His insurance company hired the Lakeside Tree Service to remove the tree. The company said it's such a big job that workers won't be able to finish it until Tuesday.
Castilla said he can remember the sound and the feeling of the tree coming down.
"My wife was standing here and just started screaming, and I turned around and I thought she was saying there was a tornado," he said. "What she was saying was the trees were falling, and I just quickly turned around and all we heard was a big cracking noise, and a big thud as the tree landed in the pool."
The Kansas Forest Service said anyone hiring a tree trimmer should ask to make sure they're insured and certified by the Kansas Arborists Association and the International Society of Arborists. It's good to check for references before hiring a company.
Forestry experts said if pruning a tree requires you to lift a chainsaw over your head, it's probably better to leave the work to a professional.
Learn More:


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Many of the recent fixes in the financial sector are merely "window dressing" and problems still persist in the sector, says Michael Mayo, a former Deutsche Bank analyst who now works for CLSA's Calyon Securities.
Mayo, who is widely respected for his timely calls in the sector, remains negative on the sector and is starting coverage at Calyon with "sell" or "underperform" ratings on 11 traditional U.S. bank stocks. His earnings forecasts for the sector also are below the average estimates of other Wall Street analysts.
Mayo's comments follow a run-up in banking stocks such as Citigroup (NYSE: c) and JP Morgan (NYSE: jpm). His comments are putting pressure on banking stocks in trading on Monday.
- To listen to Charlie Gasparino's full report, click here.
Mayo expects loan losses to continue escalate to a level that exceeds the Great Depression, he said in a research note entitled the "Seven Deadly Sins of Banking."
U.S. & World
"While certain mortgage problems are farther along, other areas are likely to accelerate, reflecting a rolling recession by asset class," Mayo says, in the research note. "New government actions might not help as much as expected, especially given that loans have been marked down to only 98 cents on the dollar, on average."
Mayo expects the recession to persist and to put further pressure on commercial real estate loans.
Loan losses could accelerate from 2 percent to 3.5 percent by year-end 2010 given ongoing problems in mortgage and an acceleration of troubles in cards, consumer credit, construction, commercial real estate and industrial, he predicts.
He is particularly worried about $7 trillion in bank loans covering mortgage, consumer and commercial real estate that the public private partnership doesn't begin to fix.
According to Mayo, the changes in mark-to-market accounting rules "changes the optics," but doesn't change the underlying fundamentals of the banking business.
Although Mayo expects upcoming earnings reports from the banks to be better than in the fourth quarter, there will still be problems with the asset quality. He expects this quarter to mark a transition from the financial crisis, which was characterized by billions of dollars in writedowns, to an economic crisis, which will be marked by loan losses.
At the moment, Mayo's coverage does not include ratings for Morgan Stanley (NYSE: ms) and Goldman Sachs (NYSE: gs).
Bank of America (NYSE: bac), Citigroup, JPMorgan, Comerica (NYSE: cma), and Wells Fargo (NYSE: wfc) all received underperform ratings, while BB&T (NYSE: bbt), Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ: fitb) , KeyCorp (NYSE: key), SunTrust (NYSE: sti), and US Bancorp (NYSE: usb) all received sell ratings.
- Slideshow: Companies at Greatest Risk for Default


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Storage prices are falling through the floor and capacities are reaching right up into the infinite.
Well, not quite, but with a 300GB external 2.5-inch drive your on-the-road storage needs are pretty much catered for.
Small and speedy
The HandyDrive is a sleek looking device whose shiny finish is going to be smeared with human grease the instant you lift the protective wrapping from its surface.
But we're not that bothered about the visuals, we just want to be able to access reams of data on the move. And with this USB-powered drive jammed into your laptop, you'll be laughing.
The transfer speeds are pretty decent, only falling five seconds behind the high-speed OCZ ATV Turbo with a 1GB folder transit.
The random access times are slower, but chances are you won't be running HD-intensive programs from the drive anyway.
It's a solid, storage-stuffed drive that'll be a happy accompaniment to your laptop.


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The North Face Endurance Challenge Series - via Crowdrise
March 15, 2012
BENEFITING: Karno Kids
Join "Team Dean" and Leave No Child Inside at The North Face Endurance Challenge and help raise lots of money for Karno Kids and together we can promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation for youth.
Click the big orange DONATE button or go one step further and click the JOIN THE TEAM button. You'll get your own fundraising page to share with all your amazing friends and family.
KARNO KIDS mission is to inspire our youth to get outside and become physically active and to restore and preserve the environment for their use and enjoyment. This mission has inspired us to start our first fundraising running group dubbed "Team Dean." We are very excited to announce that Karno Kids has officially partnered with The North Face Endurance Challenge Series to create "Team Dean." This new partnership will allow you to prove yourself over a number of distance trail races, while also raising money for a great cause through the Karno Kids running team.
Thank you for your support!
Click here to visit "Team Dean" and Leave No Child Inside Karno Kids Website.


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Danielle Harrington — Babe of the Day
Danielle Harrington is a 27-year-old model from Miami Beach. She has been featured in a national Harley Davison commercial, various lingerie and bikini calendars and in the catalog of Oliveros Cigars.
Hmmmn. Bikes, lingerie, bikinis and cigars are pretty much in the top 10 of any guy's favorite things. Danielle Harrington is clearly a guys' girl.
When she is not modeling, Harrington loves herself some Miami club scene, as is apparent from her Twitter. If you decide to follow her, be nice and don't stalk. Just be prepared for a constant stream of party girl antics and a jet set lifestyle.
Height: 5'7" | Weight: 110 lbs. | Bust: ! | Waist: 24" | Hips: 33″


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I've been sitting on this post for awhile. Mostly out of lack of motivation. After all, I should be updating the paladin posts. They're not going to fix themselves. But I got into a discussion with a friend on Facebook last night that inspired me to finish this.
So yeah, for months (or longer?) there's been this talk of "fake gamers". Pretty much exclusively "fake gamer" girls, because apparently being a "fake gamer" requires identifying to the female gender. Guys, it seems, do not qualify to be "fake gamers", no matter how much their eyes glaze over when you bring them to riveting panels about fascinating games, or how lost they become during gaming nostalgia sharing sessions right after they JUST told you how much they love gaming.
Yep, no matter how much boys lie to you about their gaming habits to get into your pants (because, clearly, it is the only reason anyone lies about anything), only girls (sorry, pc people, when I write about gaming, it's "guys" and "girls", because "men" and "women" imply being all serious and not fun and I'm against being serious and not fun) can be "fake gamers".
Now that we've gotten that out of the way, we can address the next issue (and still ignore the main question).
Why do We Care if Someone is a "Fake Gamer"?
Ok. So. As far as I know, being a gamer does not require a license. I mean, maybe I've been living an illegal life all these years and am totally a fake gamer because I never applied for my gaming license. Hey, none of the blogs ever mention it and no one asks to see it when I pick up my tickets to conventions. Can't blame me for not knowing.
Gaming, on it's own, not gaming for charity which is something different, also does not feed starving children in Africa. It does not stop poverty. It doesn't even save the whales. It might help a little bit with education, but only for the person playing, not for everyone else. So it's not like a huge, meaningful achievement.
It doesn't increase a person's social status either. While I find social status kinda silly – why does anyone care if my job pays well, whether I'm following my biological obligations to get married and reproduce and if I have a lot of politician friends? – I guess it matters to some. But gaming does not make you more socially acceptable. It actually still sometimes even has the opposite effect.
So, why the hell, are people going around pretending to be, oh I dunno, gaming police or something?
Apparently there's even this meme on Facebook going around comparing the "fake gamer" to a "what a gamer really looks like/does".
I can't say I've ever really seen this because I have certain, um, standards when it comes to Facebook friends. But there are a lot of people on the internet who worry about weird things (I worry about weird things too, but not so much whether someone has received permission to call themselves a gamer) so I can believe that there are some who are genuinely concerned about the…authenticity? of gamer status claims.
Think of it as I might, I cannot wrap my head on Why. Why do you care about the credentials the person sitting next you at ComicCon? You're there to watch and listen to a famous person talk about their work. That's not a goddamn competition.
And if that person next to you is only there to impress their significant other? What happens then?
Consequences on "fake person": They're bored and wasted their time and money.
Consequences to you: … Nothing, really.
So start worrying about your own fun, and less about everyone elses motivation.
It's the Media, You Say, I'm Sick of Fake Sex Being Used to Lure Me In
Various (and possibly, most) major figures (I was going to say players but that would lead to confusion) in the gaming industry do have a habit of putting a scantily clad human model with body parts that are, um, voluptuous in some places, and, um, dainty in other places next to their product in order to increase sales. Habit that it annoying to, well, pretty much anyone with a soul.
Nobody knows much about these models because their humanity is drowned out by their obnoxious body parts. Understandably, it is frustrating to be served by a pair of disembodied boobs (note, that you're not allowed to touch) instead of a helpful, knowledgeable sales expert. At least when it comes to making gaming choices.
Know what, though? COMPANIES WOULD STOP DOING IT IF MORONS STOPPED BUYING INTO IT.
On a side note, though, this reminds me of a complaint I have about Big Bang Theory. The characters on the show started off as pretty brilliant but eventually devolved to exactly the 2-dimensional idiots gaming companies think they are catering to. This is 2013, people. Gamers like sex like everyone else, but we still live with the times. We're demanding in 2013. We have a shitton extra needs to go with our sex needs. The media would do well to evolve with us.
Differentiating Freelance Sexy Costumes from the Media
I read a complaint post (can't remember where) about sexy costume wearers. They were getting labelled as "fake gamers" because apparently the ability to look fantastic in skimpy clothing cannot be acquired simultaneously to the ability to operate a controller, mouse or keyboard.
The whole post (and, really, the internet in general) leads me to believe that sexy costumes (and other revealing clothing) are misunderstood.
That young lady in spandex, the one not hired by a company at the convention, is not trying to sell you anything. The one at the booth is trying to sell you something. This one here isn't.
The young lady is wearing spandex (or latex) for the same reason you have a ridiculously large SLR camera that you don't even know how to use hanging around your neck. She's got something valuable she worked hard for, is proud of and wants to show off. Just like you have something valuable you've likely worked hard for, are proud of and want to show off. She doesn't want to sell you her body anymore than you want to sell anyone your SLR camera.
And if you want to be proud of your body, stop eating garbage and start moving. Then you too can wear a skimpy costume that makes people smile.
On the Other Side, Is Being Called Fake Supposed to Hurt?
There was a female gaming convention awhile back (there are gaming conventions for everything, really). They did this survey and an obscenely high % of respondents said they'd been called "fake gamers".
This has never happened to me before, at least not to my face, so I really had to stop and imagine how I'd feel if that happened.
The only thing that came to mind was "very confused".
On one hand, as this post suggests, I would be deeply concerned about your emotional health. It's not healthy to feel so strongly enough about gamer title legibility that you play gaming police. What can I say? I'm a caring person.
On the other hand, I'd be a little "um…ok… *scratches head*" because, really, I'm not here to prove anything with my gaming. I play games because they're fun. I go to conventions because I want to see, in person, the geniuses who brought my favorite stories to life. I go to meetups so I can hug with MY REAL ARMS the people I have to /hug and *hug* normally. I socialize within different gaming communities so I can get super excited about stuff I love and be responded to with equal excitement. You know, instead of the amused looks I get in my everyday life.
So I cannot grasp why being "real" or "fake", and, especially, a stranger's silly opinion of everyone else's realness, matters. We all have our reasons for gaming or for revolving around the gaming community. As long as we're not deliberately stomping on someone else's fun, who cares?
And after all that, I still never touched the great encompassing question of: WHAT THE HELL IS A FAKE GAMER ANYWAY?
ps. If you enjoy this topic, I have reflected, though a tad more seriously, on the notion of gamer/geek identity in the past (part 1 and part 2).