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Many producers use the past season as a guide for planning for the next one, but that isn't the best policy for growers who want to get the most from each acre, says a DuPont Pioneer crop production expert. Instead, it's best to plan for next year by looking at the long-term weather trends.
"This past growing season was obviously extremely dry for most growers across the Corn Belt and many of them are suffering from the drought as they plan for harvest — and the next growing season," says Brent Wilson, DuPont Pioneer technical services manager. "But weather changes from year to year and we can't predict the next growing season. Rather than using this year's drought as a guide, growers should look at several seasons and rely on that information to make decisions."
Wilson offered these suggestions for growers at a forum at the Farm Progress Show today in Boone, Iowa.
Seed product selection for the following year is on most growers' mind this time of year and following harvest. Wilson reminds producers that 2012 was not a typical year in most regions and suggests relying on years prior to 2012 for product selection and placement. He says making product selections based on one year of experience alone may not be a sound strategy.
"If you do want to hedge your bets against drier weather next year, you may want to ask your Pioneer sales professional about Pioneer® brand Optimum® AQUAmax™ products, which were developed for water-limited environments, but also offer top-end yield potential in optimal growing conditions," says Wilson. "This past season, we've seen growers benefit from these products, compared to conventional hybrids.
"Another suggestion is to contact your seed professional early in the season to make sure you're able to reserve the products you want on your acres."
Wilson says that Pioneer expects to have a good supply of quality seed for growers for 2013 planting. The company has grown seed across the Corn Belt, from Ohio to Nebraska, in varying growing conditions. In addition, more than two-thirds of its seed production acres were irrigated this past year. Pioneer will evaluate supply and determine how much to grow in South America over the winter to provide supply for its growers.
As far as fertilizer application for 2013, most growers planned for a larger crop than they realized, says Wilson, and they should use grain removal as a guide for phosphorous and potassium application. Due to the drought, there may be opportunities to take nitrogen credits going into next year. Nitrogen is mobile with soil moisture and may move or disappear with wetter soils. Waiting until spring to apply nitrogen may allow better decisions on how much nitrogen may be available for the following crop.
Potential herbicide carryover
"After a drought year, herbicide carryover may be a big concern, but that's often difficult to predict," says Wilson. "Microbes in cooler fall temperatures are not as effective in breaking down herbicide compounds, but the chemicals are broken down best in warm spring soils. Water can also help degrade the compounds. "Know your chemicals to help you determine if there might be carryover. Look at your records and labels to know exactly what herbicides were on each field. You might know the retail name of a product, but not be familiar with all the active ingredients in the mix. It's best to contact an expert — such as your local crop protection dealer or university Extension specialist — for information on possible carryover concerns." Wilson says weeds may be more prevalent next year due to less-than-ideal weed control during the dry weather. He recommends checking fields for an inventory of which weeds are growing. "You'll probably not find new weeds in your field, just a shift in populations," he says. "You may find that some large seeded weeds that can germinate from deeper in the soil may be more common. You may want to consider a broad spectrum herbicide to cover both broadleaf weeds and grasses. Be on the lookout for glyphosate-resistant weeds that you may have noticed earlier in the season and plan your weed control program accordingly for 2013."
Insect pressure
A new insect for some corn growers — the Japanese beetle — is moving westward. The beetle is usually not a significant problem in normal years, but can be devastating in tough years with weakened plants. Wilson suggests putting the Japanese beetle on the list of insects to scout for in 2013. "Corn rootworm is a bigger problem if we have a dry, warm winter, followed by dry conditions," he says. "In wet years, microbes that attack rootworms are more prevalent, hence the growing problem in dry conditions. "Of course, one way to manage rootworm is through crop rotation — from corn to soybeans. Growers may also want to consider a new mode of action in corn rootworm resistant traits, especially if they've used the same one for several years. Corn rootworm insecticide treatments are also something to consider. Wilson says that soil insects may be more prevalent in 2013 and may escalate if dry, warm conditions continue. Growers should ask their seed professional about seed treatment programs that can help protect their seed investments against these soil pests. "While 2012 was an extreme year for most, it may all change next season," says Wilson. "Plan for next year by looking beyond the past season as a guide and be conscious of what can impact the crop in a post-drought year. We can't predict the weather, but we can prepare as best we can for the coming season."
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More than half of the bishops' conferences in the Americas, Europe and Asia complied with a Vatican mandate to draw up anti-abuse guidelines by a May deadline, said the Vatican's top investigator of sexual abuse by clerics, Msgr. Charles Scicluna of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The compliance of African conferences was less satisfactory, possibly because of poor communications infrastructure. Msgr. Scicluna said in an interview with Italian media that those who did not send in their proposed guidelines would be getting "a letter of reminder." Evaluating each country's proposed policies will take "at least a year," he said. Bishops' conferences have been encouraged to develop "effective, quick, articulated, complete and decisive plans for the protection of children," bringing perpetrators to justice and assisting victims. More than 4,000 cases of sexual abuse have been reported to the doctrinal office in the past decade. Those cases revealed that an exclusively canonical response to the crisis had been inadequate and that a multifaceted and more proactive approach by all bishops and religious orders was needed, said the former prefect of the congregation, Cardinal William J. Levada of the United States.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Evan Rachel Wood: Short Wavy Hair For '10 Things'!
Evan Rachel Wood rocks a short wavy hairstyle on the set of 10 Things I Hate About Life on Monday (December 17) in Los Angeles.
"First day of shooting on '10 things i hate about life' Here we go!" the 25-year-old actress tweeted earlier in the day.
The flick centers around a man and a woman who meet one night while both contemplating suicide. Their ensuing relationship leads to them both giving life another chance. Look out for the film to hit theaters in 2014!
10+ pictures inside of Evan Rachel Wood sporting a new 'do on the set of 10 Things I Hate About Life…


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Hi, everyone!
Welcome to a brand new challenge,
but first our Top Picks from last week's entries!
#47 Sew Paper Paint
#23 Elizabeth H
#61 Helen
#1 De Kaarten Van ons Mam
#51 Rosina
#35 Gracielle Design
Ch# 29 Anything Goes
Hope you'll play along this week!
*Anything Goes
* Link directly to your project post
*Limit Link-Ups to Once per Day
*No Backlinking to older projects
*Enter any type of paper project
*Top Picks posted with next challenge
Entries not following the rules will be deleted.
We cannot always comment on every entry, but we try.
We'd love you to be a Follower of our blog.
Have fun!


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1 record(s) were found:TRIAL #3136
Date: 1899/06/17; Reels(s): 374.
Defendant(s): George B. Barrow, Sex: M; Addie Brown, Sex: F; Carrie Jones, Sex: F; Mark Beauregard, Sex: M; James A. Wilson, Sex: M; Addie Barrow, Sex: F; Jennie Beauregard, Sex: F; Jennie Wilson, Sex: F; Belle Anderson, Sex: F;
Charge(s): Kidnapping;
Judge: Edgar L. Fursman;
Defense Attorney(s): Irving Brown; William F. Howe; Joseph F. Moss;
Prosecuting Attorney(s): Maurice B. Blumenthal; Asa Bird Gardiner; Charles LeBarbier; Charles E. F. McCann;
Note(s): Abstract. Impleaded with Addie Brown and Carrie Jones. George Barrow, otherwise called Mark Beauregard, otherwise called James A. Wilson. Addie Barrow, otherwise called Jennie Beauregard, otherwise called Jennie Wilson. Carrie Jones, otherwise called Belle Anderson.
Stenographer Number: 160; Page(s): 111 p.
Court: New York Supreme Court
The Crime in New York 1850-1950 digitization project was supported in part by funds from the Metropolitan New York Library Council (METRO) through the New York State Regional Bibliographic Databases Program.


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Communications Courses
For an official and updated listing of courses, please refer to the current academic catalog.
COM 107-Introduction to Communication (3)
An introduction course in communication, focusing on the major theorists in communication.
COM 108-Public Speaking (3)
This course provides an overview of the theory, composition, delivery, and critical examination of public speeches.
COM 109 Production Fundamentals (3)
This survey course will introduce students to the basic concepts of audio, radio, and video production with emphasis on technical competency and practical application in a production environment. Students will complete and critique production exercises for technical and aesthetic aspects of form and content. Prerequisite for COM236 and COM 244.
COM 112- Production Fundamentals (3)
This survey course will introduce students to the basic concepts of audio, radio and video production, with emphasis on technical competency and practical application in a production environment. Students will complete and critique production exercises for technical and aesthetic aspects of form and content.
COM 115-Announcing for Electronic Media (3)
This course is designed to cover the mechanics, tools, and techniques of radio announcing in the field and in the studio. Emphasis is placed on the delivery of news, commercials, and public service announcements, and on the art of interviewing.
COM 192-Practicum: Journalism (1)
An intensive study of the techniques and procedures of newspaper production. Involves the student as an active member of Nyack College's student newspaper, The Forum. Instructor's permission is required by the end of the registration period.
COM 193-Practicum: Yearbook Production (1-2)
An intensive study of the techniques and procedures of yearbook production, including a study of relevant desktop publishing computer programs. Involves the student as an active member of the Nyack College yearbook staff. Instructor's permission required.
COM 195-Radio Workshop (1)
Involves the student as a responsible worker on the staff of the Nyack College radio station, WNYK. Entrance by audition.
COM 201- Digital Photography (3)
An introductory course to orient the student to digital photography. Fee included for equipment purchase.
COM 210- Storytelling for Communications (3)
This course introduces students to effective story development methods to successfully create and critique storytelling techniques utilized in various communication mediums.
COM 212-Mass Media and Society (3)
This course will examine the historical development of news, press, film, broadcasting, public relations, and advertising. Students will develop critical thinking and writing skills that are relevant to media professionals working in various areas of business. The course will
also discuss the freedoms and responsibilities of mass communication.
COM 214-Speech Writing (3)
In Public Speaking (COM 108), emphasis is placed upon the theory, composition, delivery, and critical examination of public speeches. This course will emphasize particularly the skill of composition, concentrating on message preparation for a variety of audience types. There will be an exercise in ghostwriting in which the student will grapple with the ethics and practical complications of writing in the voice of another. Prerequisite: COM 108.
COM 222-Introduction to Cinema (3)
A survey of film history with special emphasis upon the development of film techniques and the role that certain directors have played in advancing cinema art.
COM 235-Introduction to Journalism (3) Introduction to journalistic writing for print media; exploring, gathering, writing, and evaluating news events; newspaper and journal structure; production processes; basic legal issues of free speech and libel. Prerequisite: ENG 101 or equivalent.
COM 236-Basic Audio Production (3)
Survey of radio station theories in organization and programming, including show production and special production, including news, remote broadcasts, and general radio format. Prerequisite: COM 109.
COM 243-Interpersonal Communication (3)
Theoretical understanding of the communication process and practical application of communication skills. Attention is given to such influences as perception, self-concept, emotion, and cultural context on communication. Practical exercises will develop such skills as perception checking, active listening, self-disclosure, and assertiveness.
COM 244-Intro to Film/TV Production (3)
The course covers the principles and practical application of television directing and production. Techniques and concepts of video field production and video editing are introduced. Prerequisite: COM 109.
COM 245-Television Field Production (3)
Examines scripting, lighting, camera work, continuity, editing, logistics, and budgeting for video production on location. Surveys various types of electronic field production. Students complete and critique production exercises for technical and aesthetic aspects of form and content.
COM 307- Aesthetics and Design (3)
COM 314-Television Directing (3)
Covers all elements of TV directing to include program design, writing, visualization, production procedures and techniques, studio preparation, production, and individual evaluation.
COM 315-Script Writing for Film and TV (3)
COM 319-Mass Media Research Methods (3)
Covers quantitative research methods in mass communications including sampling, survey, experimental, and content analysis. Reviews the identification of basic concepts, problems, responsibilities, and research ethics; procedures and basic techniques of computer data analysis.
COM 320-Communication, Culture and Technology (3)
Surveys new technologies and communication networks. Issues such as the marketplace, government policy, the social impacts of new technologies, globalization, computer security, privacy, and changes in regulations may be covered.
COM 330-Media Writing (3)
This course is designed to cover the principles, forms, and latest techniques of writing professionally for the media. Discussions and analysis of actual print and broadcast writing are included along with journalistic writing assignments. Prerequisite: COM 212
COM 332-Magazine Writing (3)
How to write for national religious and secular magazines. Choice of articles: Bible exposition, personal discovery, academic-technical, humor, essays, satire, parables, reportorial features. Principles of editing are included. Prerequisite: ENG 235
COM 336-Advanced Audio Production (3)
An advanced course that will provide information and experience in complex audio production and recording. The course includes hands-on experience with 32-track-recording studio production equipment in both analog and digital environments. Students will produce a variety of recorded projects to demonstrate appropriate understanding of typical production tasks. Prerequisite: COM 236.
COM 337-Voice and Articulation (3)
This course introduces students to effective voice development and articulation delivery methods to successfully create and critique speech performances.
COM 339-Newswriting (3)
An overview of the various areas of broadcast and journalistic news writing including news, documentaries, music, drama, and advertising with assignments in each genre. Discussion and analysis of actual broadcasts are included along with journalistic writing assignments. Prerequisite: ENG 235
COM 390- Seminar and Practicum: Internship
This course provides students the opportunity to gain work experience, sample careers within their concentration and build their resumes. In addition, it follows a seminar format in which students process together their internship experiences through discussions, journaling and mentoring. Juniors enrolled in the Emerging Technology concentration must enroll in this course. This course is a prerequisite for COM 490.
COM 405-Video Workshop (1)
Students develop programs for telecast on local TV or other venues and demonstrate skills in writing and producing. May be produced in conjunction with a professor and/or other students.
COM 411 – Film, Faith and Culture (3)
This course will explore the relationship between film, art and popular culture and the Christian faith. In addition to viewing films that are relevant to the Christian belief system, students will read, discuss and write about the listed course topics.
COM 413-Documentary Research (3)
Explores the necessary research skills used in documentary production and news reporting including the gathering of information from primary and secondary sources and evaluation of information. Students create a formal documentary proposal with accompanying
COM 420 – Senior Project in Communications (3)
This course will give students an opportunity to develop one final project that showcases their development and skill level in the chosen concentration. The specifics of the project that each student will create will vary. In addition, the course will give all students, regardless
of concentration and project, an opportunity to develop their demo reel or portfolio for employment in the media field. (repeatable)
COM 428-Ethical Issues in Mass Communications (3)
An examination of ethical questions related to human communication.
COM 434-Electronic Media Management (3)
Broadcast formats, programming, production, market analysis and development, ratings and audience analysis, personnel management, budgeting, station ownership, and governmental regulations are examined from a managerial perspective. Prerequisite: COM 232.
COM 435-Media Law (3)
The background and current protections for speech and media, with attention to libel, privacy, copyright, obscenity, commercial speech and other areas.
COM 440-Topics in Communications (1-3, depending on topic)
Examination of selected topics of current interest to Communications faculty offered within the concentrations of the Communications Department: Cinema, Drama, Journalism, Mass Media, Broadcasting, and Rhetoric. Study of some topics may require independent
research on the part of the students and may include presentation of findings or projects to the class.
COM 480-Independent Study (1-3)
Independent study in an approved topic in Communications. Permission of the Department Head and Dean is required.
COM 490-Seminar and Practicum: Internship
This course continues to provide students the opportunity to gain work experience, sample careers within their concentration and build their resumes. In addition, it follows a seminar format in which students process together their internship experiences through discussions, journaling and mentoring. Seniors enrolled in the Emerging Technology concentration must enroll in this course. Prerequisite: COM 390.
DRA 104 Introduction to Dance (3)
An introduction to movement dance and choreography. Students will learn basic dance technique from a variety of dance styles, dance/movement terminology, research topics in dance history, a biblical foundation for dance, and principles of dance composition.
DRA 113-Oral Interpretation (3)
Study of the principles and techniques for effective oral interpretation of literature. Experience in such literary types as prose, poetry, dramatic monologues, Scripture reading, dramatic scenes, and theme programs. Meets general education speech requirement.
DRA 171-Practicum: Performance (1)
Involves the student as an actor in the fall or spring dramatic production. Entrance by audition.
DRA 173-Practicum: Play Production (1)
Involves the student in a supervised project in an aspect of technical theater. In conjunction with fall or spring dramatic production. Instructor's permission required.
DRA 205- Introduction to Theatre (3)
An overview of dramatic history, of techniques in acting, directing, staging, costume, make-up, lighting, publicity, and box office management, including instruction and training for staging ensemble dramatic productions in church or school.
DRA 206-Introduction to Musical Theatre (3)
An overview of the techniques essential to the performance, direction, and production of musical drama. Some attention is given to history of musicals, especially in the American scene.
DRA 219 African American Theatre (3)
In this course, students will read plays, attend performances, view videos and listen to music to discover the qualities that make theatre vital in the African American culture. The influences of the African American church, folklore, rituals, blues and jazz will also be incorporated.
DRA 230 World Drama (3) This course presents a chronological study of drama from the emergence of early society to the modern era.
DRA 316-Script Analysis for Performers (3)
This course teaches the processes for breaking scenes into playable beats and actions, character analysis techniques, playwriting styles and periods, and elements of design. Students will read and critically analyze dramas to gather clear, concise, and easily assimilated techniques tailored to actors' needs and sensibilities.
DRA 317-Playwriting I (3)
In this class, students will be revising scripts for live theatrical performances, resulting in the completion of a one-act play.
DRA 318-Playwriting II (3)
An extension of Playwriting I, this course gives increased emphasis on drafting and revising scripts for the stage. Students will complete a full-length play and submit to the appropriate theatrical house, school or church. Prerequisite: DRA/ENG 317.
DRA 335-Acting I (3)
Development of a viable acting technique through the coordination of thought, movement, and voice. Emphasizes textual and character analysis as the focal point of the acting process. Includes exercises, scene work, and keeping a journal.
DRA 336 Acting II (3)
A continuation of Acting I, with an emphasis on preparation for the professional stage. Prerequisite: DRA 335.
DRA 348-Drama and the Church (3)
An examination of theological, aesthetic, and historical factors involved in the relationship between the church and the theater. Investigation of and practice in materials and staging techniques for church drama. Recommended for WMIR and other college touring groups.
DRA 355-Theatre Performance in New York City (3)
Students analyze the difference between written and performative texts and learn to interpret acting and design modes. Trips will be taken to approximately 8-12 Broadway, off-Broadway, and church performances. Students are expected to pay for performances.
DRA 472-Fundamentals of Play Directing (3)
Contains basic elements of directing with laboratory in theatrical problems and short scenes. Prerequisite: DRA 205.
DRA 480 Topical Study (3)
Independent study in an approved topic in Theatre. Permission of the Department Head and Dean is required.


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The Chicago Fed National Activity Index measures whether the economy is expanding on, above, or below its historical trend
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) is a weighted average of 85 different economic indicators from four basic categories: production and income, employment-related indicators, personal consumption and housing, and sales, orders, and inventory data. A zero value for the index means the economy is growing at its historical trend, a positive number means it's growing above trend, and a negative number means it's growing below trend. The index itself can be volatile, as you can see from the following chart. Generally, most economists focus on the three-month moving average, and when the average gets outside a range of -0.7 to +0.7, it usually signals turning points in the economy. Given that the index is basically an amalgamation of different economic indicators that have already been released, it isn't really a market-moving index, but it is a good top-down view of how the economy is generally performing.
Negative reading, three-month moving average still positive
After an upwardly revised reading of -0.15 in April, the index rebounded to 0.21 in May. The three-month moving average was +0.18, meaning the economy is growing a touch above trend. A reading of -0.7 usually indicates that a recession has started. Employment-related indicators were positive, at +0.10, and production contributed 0.2. Consumption and housing improved slightly, to -0.15.
Implications for homebuilders
Altogether, the report shows the economy is still expanding moderately, a little better than its historical trend. For the real estate sector, consumption and housing remained steady, although still below historical trends. While the housing sector has improved markedly from a year ago, the rise comes from a very low base and is still below what we would consider "normalcy."
Overall increases in business activity and consumption are starting to drive more business for homebuilders, like Lennar (LEN), D.R. Horton (DHI), Toll Brothers (TOL), and PulteGroup (PHM). Housing starts have been so low for so long that there's some real pent-up demand that will unleash as the economy improves. We're just about through the earnings season, and nearly everyone reported good numbers—although order growth has gone negative for several builders. Margins are still high, as the builders are taking advantage of the low supply to boost prices. A good way to invest in the homebuilding sector would be through the S&P SPDR Homebuilder ETF (XHB).
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Next Meetup
What we're about
ABOUT US (Formerly Culture and Cuisine Meetup Group)
If you are a fun, active, independent person in your "Second Half" of life, come and spend time with other "Adventurers" who enjoy a variety of diverse social activities including: Classical music concerts, symphonies, movies, dining out, walking and hiking, cooking and entertaining in private homes (with limited numbers), gardening, art and cultural events.
This group is for all of us who share that life situation chronologically, even though we don't feel like it. You qualify if you have some gray hair, you OUGHT to have some gray hair, you've forgotten your real hair color, or the Men's Hair Club has your number on speed dial. If you're basically a kid who wants to go out and have fun playing with friends, then you'll fit in with our group. Senior Singles and Senior Couples welcome.
To join the group, complete the introductory profile, post a photo. Member contributions of $5 once a year are appreciated (to offset expenses, including Meetup Group annual Fees of $190).
A clear and close up face photo of yourself is a requirement to be a member of this group.
Answer the questions posted, and submit your request to join. We look forward to meeting you!
Participating in Activities and Creating Memories are the Primary Focus and Goals
Spend time with other adventurers who enjoy a variety of diverse social activities that could include: Art, history, and cultural events, classical music, symphonies, jazz music, movies, dining out from pizza and beer to steak and wine or brunch at cafes or fine restaurants. Attend wine tastings, cook and entertain. Join others for picnics, gardening, walking and hiking, attending special events (home and garden tours, historical architectural walking tours, art museum shows) and a variety of in-home events (with limited numbers) too.
This group is for senior adults (55+). Senior singles and senior couples are welcome.
Catherine (the organizer) lived in Cary and Raleigh since 1966, semi-retired and moved to Clayton in 2014. She has been a volunteer coordinator and event planner in the Raleigh area since the early 70s, including organizing and coordinating activities through Cary Junior Women's Club in the 70s, "10s and Friends" singles supper group in the 80s, plus many trips and outings to the NC Symphony to hear classical music, Raleigh Little Theater, Raleigh Ski and Outing Club (RSOC), and other business groups.
The organizers spend many hours of their time researching, organizing, and hosting events. Sometimes, the organizers even use their own resources to reserve spaces and times for the group. We rely heavily on the accuracy of RSVPs as we plan our events and make reservations. Members are given ample time and reminders to update their RSVPs days before the event. Please update your RSVP to "NO" when you realize you will not be able to make it.
Important additional information:
I reserve the right to remove members from this meetup group for any reason including soliciting our members or any unwanted contact - such as unwanted comments on their profiles or sending emails to people you have not already met and developed a rapport with. Our members have the right to report any behavior that is considered offensive or unwanted. We believe in treating each other with respect and respecting each other's personal space and privacy. A good way to gauge a person's authenticity is to meet in person at one of our events where there is no pressure. Second Half meetups are monitored in order to provide a relaxed atmosphere for our members.


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Exemplifying the absurdity of some of the changes, its official title is not Hawaii Five-O (with an "O") but rather Hawaii Five-0 (with a "zero"). The original series' "Five-O" referred to Hawaii itself, the 50th state. In the new series, characters talk about "Five-O" in those terms but some genius in CBS's marketing division (presumably) settled on "Five-Zero" to distinguish it from the original show on Internet search engines. At least that's what's been reported. I suspect there may be another reason having to do with rights issues and royalty payments in relation to the original series, but that's just a theory.
Regardless, Hawaii Five-0 - The First Season is an extremely handsome Blu-ray set. In addition to the super-sharp high-def image and pounding 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, the set is crammed with tons of HD special features (that also include high-def excerpts from the original series) and features singularly creative and easy-to-navigate menu screens.*
Attempts to get the series back on the air began not long after it was cancelled. During the run of Magnum, P.I., also filmed in Hawaii, there were unsuccessful attempts to get coax Jack Lord out of retirement to make a guest appearance as Steve McGarrett. Later, Hawaii Five-O seemed destined for theaters as a big budget movie. In 1996 writer-producer Stephen J. Cannell filmed a same-named pilot episode for a proposed new series that would have starred Gary Busey. That pilot featured the original cast save star Jack Lord, who by this time was suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. But James MacArthur was brought back to play Danny "Danno" Williams, Zulu appeared as Kono, and Kam Fong returned as Det. Chin Ho Kelly. Chin Ho's reappearance in the pilot surprised everyone, including actor Kam Fong. Cannell hadn't realized that Fong's character had been killed off at the end of season 10. Fong kept his mouth shut.
The pilot didn't sell, but CBS pressed on. It was, after all, a pre-sold concept and the network's outright ownership of the franchise meant that even a moderately successful series could be hugely profitable. Although star Alex O'Loughlin's character was originally conceived as literally the son of Jack Lord's Steve McGarrett, that idea was abandoned and the result was an entirely new show, "version 2.0" as some have put it.
In the new series Steve McGarrett returns to his native Hawaii after the kidnapping and murder of his father, an iconic cop. The former Navy SEAL is recruited by Governor Jameson (Jean Smart, her character a nod to Richard Denning's character from the original series) to establish a special task force and rid the island of its encroaching criminal element. Much too casually McGarrett recruits the rest of his team.
Danny Williams (Scott Caan, son of actor James) is a haole ("outsider"), a Newark, New Jersey cop transferred to Hawaii to be close to his young daughter, Grace, and retain visitation rights while battling ex-wife Rachel.
Chin Ho Kelly (Lost's Daniel Dae Kim) is a disgraced HPD cop falsely accused of corruption. Though persona non grata with the force, McGarrett's father stood by him, and that's good enough for Steve. Former professional surfer Kono Kalakaua (Battlestar Galactica's Grace Park) is an HPD student - she graduates in the second episode - and also Chin Ho Kelly's cousin. Though playing Chinese-American and Hawaiian native characters, both actors are Korean-American. It's a shame they couldn't have found room for a native Hawaiian actor among the leads.
Some have argued that Hawaii Five-O (as opposed to Hawaii Five-0) was a product of its era, and that trying to rework it into present-day Hawaii is a mistake. I disagree. While the Hawaii of 2011 bears little resemblance to the Hawaii of 1968-80 - in the same way Las Vegas morphs into something completely new almost monthly - the very transformative qualities of Hawaii, good and bad, could intelligently be incorporated into scripts.
Like the original series, the travelogue aspect of the show, with the islands' natural beauty and exoticness on display here in high-definition, is a big draw. Just as watching HD episodes of Lewis made me want to visit Oxford, England, Hawaii Five-0 is similarly enticing. (Hawaiian Airlines is a major sponsor of the show, their logo overtly product-placed in the opening titles.)
But as reboots go, Hawaii Five-0 misses the mark by wide margin. Hand-in-hand with the original series' groundbreaking decision to film the entire show on location in Hawaii and not at all in Hollywood, was the careful characterization of Steve McGarrett, as well as the working relationship and pecking order at Five-O, all of which was anchored by Jack Lord's mesmerizing performance.
That show was all about chain of command, of Five-O's team looking up to McGarrett and aspiring to win his approval. Danny Williams was clearly a disciple, a young officer being groomed to eventually replace him. McGarrett himself was hard as nails, enigmatic, cynical, intelligent, aloof - but first and foremost a leader of men. It was also a show about law and order, but unlike producer-director-actor Jack Webb's cop shows of the period, Hawaii Five-O never seemed out of step with the times. Indeed, in its early seasons it was in fact quite innovative.
The new Hawaii Five-0 runs counter to most of these points. Where Lord's McGarrett was always bound by moral codes that sometimes meant that the bad guys went free, O'Loughlin's McGarrett is cut from the same cloth as 24's Jack Bauer. He casually tortures suspects, jamming his thumb into their open wounds and dangling them from tall buildings by their ankles. Where Lord's McGarrett had to play by the rules, Smart's Governor Jameson pretty much gives O'Loughlin's McGarrett carte blanche, promising to cover for him when he crosses legal thresholds.
Conversely, there's a gratingly flip attitude (common, alas, to many crime shows these days) that actually undermines its effectiveness and believability. Five-Zero's action set pieces are extremely slick, looking like something out of an expensive movie, but the endless, supposedly witty banter from the principals, their unrealistic lack of purpose and organization, the absence of any sense of real danger or fear on their part, all contribute to its featherweight air. As cop shows go, this one's as nutritious as a Hawaiian pancake. 24 was equally ludicrous (and morally repellent) but much more compelling because of its consistently tense, serious tone. Lord's McGarrett on the original series was rarely anything other than grimly determined. That the writers insist on portraying the foursome as one big, happy family who hangout together after hours watching football and drinking Longboards when they're not working further undermines things.
Indeed, McGarrett's recruitment of the others is so casual and unstudied as to be almost criminally stupid. (A disgraced cop, an ex-surfer/rookie, and a haole with familiy problems? Why not put them in charge of a multi-million-dollar special task force?) Danny is more or less McGarrett's same-aged equal. O'Loughlin and Caan are 35, where Lord and MacArthur were 48 and 31 at the start of their Five-O. It's as if the networks are terrified of casting leading roles on shows these days to anyone over the age of 35.
Part of the appeal of the original Chin Ho and Kono was that the former was a veteran cop who knew the streets like the back of his hand (and who for that reason McGarrett respected), while the latter was a hipster local obviously uncomfortable but willing to follow McGarrett's strict code of conduct. The new Chin Ho and Kono have less to do, and making the former a wrongly-disgraced cop puts the Five-0 team constantly at odds with other law enforcement agencies, the reverse of the original series, where McGarrett worked in tandem with the police and branches of the FBI and CIA, those other agencies at his easy disposal.
Video & Audio
Picture postcard is the operative term for Hawaii Five-0 - The First Season. The primary colors - the deep blues of the ocean and sky, the rich greens of the mountains - are visually quite spectacular, and the audio, including newly-recorded theme music with more or less the same arrangement as the original (after an "updated" synthesized one was leaked to YouTube and was heavily criticized) also come off as robust. The six-disc set has all 24 hour-slotted, first season episodes. The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio in English only is supported by English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Finnish, Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian subtitles.
Extra Features
I'm generally not a fan of self-reflexive, uncritical featurettes promoting currently airing TV shows, but the supplements in this case (all in HD) are way above average. Self-explanatory featurettes include "Shore Lines: The Story of Season 1," "Grace Park's Hawaiian Tour," "Legacy" (comparing both series), "Picture Perfect: The Making of the Pilot," "Re-scoring the Theme Song" [sic], "Inside Comic-Con," and "Inside the Box" (referring to a toolbox figuring prominently in the season's story arc). Also included are deleted scenes, a gag reel, CBS launch promos, and cast and crew audio commentaries on two episodes. Packaging includes an episode guide with airdates and locations of various special features, which are spread over all six discs.
Parting Thoughts
Despite many criticisms I actually like certain aspects of the show, and clearly there's an attempt to draw from the best elements of the original series, though so far its characters and their relationships to one another is unimaginative and runs counter to the first Five-O. But what's good about the new show, plus the very high quality of this Blu-ray release bump it to mildly Recommended.
* This may be the first television release I've seen to omit the utterly pointless "Play All" option. Who'd want to watch four hours of the same TV show (per disc) without a break? Good riddance!
Stuart Galbraith IV's latest audio commentary, for AnimEigo's Tora-san DVD boxed set, is on sale now.


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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois is donating 400
repaired, surplus computers to veterans groups for job training programs.
The state Department of Central Management Services and the Department
of Veterans' Affairs announced the plans Tuesday.
The computers are desktops and laptops from federal agencies made
available through Illinois'
federal surplus program. They're refurbished and have had hard-drive cleanups
and minor repairs, so they should be ready for use. Each computer has Windows
software installed.
Illinois officials
estimate the computers are worth approximately $150,000.
Earlier this year, the state's Central Management Services department
donated millions of dollars' worth of surplus boots, coats, mittens and
other winter gear to
charitable groups.
Online: http://cms.illinois.gov


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Bansect Squeeze-On Flea & Tick Control for Dogs (under 33 lbs)This page contains information on Bansect Squeeze-On Flea & Tick Control for Dogs (under 33 lbs) for veterinary use.
The information provided typically includes the following:
- Bansect Squeeze-On Flea & Tick Control for Dogs (under 33 lbs) Indications
- Warnings and cautions for Bansect Squeeze-On Flea & Tick Control for Dogs (under 33 lbs)
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Keep Out of Reach of Children
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For customer questions call 1-800-224-PETS, between the hours of 8:00 am-4:00 pm CST, Monday-Friday, or write Sergeant's Consumer Response, P.O. Box 540399, Omaha, NE 68154-0399. Visit us at www.sergeants.com.
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Notice: Buyer assumes all responsibility for safety and use not in accordance with directions.
Distributed By: Sergeant's Pet Care Products Inc., Omaha, NE 68130
EPA Est No.: 2517-TN-1
Net Contents: Three 1.5 mL Tubes
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The LA Galaxy and Columbus Crew meet for the second time this season, and with the league's best record up for grabs, this game has much more meaning than the first one at Crew Stadium back on May 29. After Saturday's encounter both teams will have just six matches remaining in the regular season, with LA having a favorable schedule over that stretch. The Galaxy have just two road games remaining on the schedule, although one of those matches is the second installment of the Honda SuperClasico at The Home Depot Center. I know I said it a few weeks back following the win in New York, but it is worth repeating, the Galaxy need to get back on track and start building toward the playoffs.
Considering how rough the road has been over the past few weeks, LA still finds itself with the opportunity to have the league's highest point total after this weekend's matches. In the process, the Galaxy can also really gauge how well, or poor, they are playing at this point in the year.
The Crew have again been the most consistent team in the East, and a win against Columbus would go a long way to restoring some confidence. I don't think many of the players would admit to that, but I have a feeling a number of you fans would feel better with three points on Saturday. Even if the offense struggles, I will take a solid defensive performance, particularly a shutout, to start this final stretch.
Working in the soccer broadcasting business I am afforded the opportunity to speak with a variety of players, coaches, and pundits throughout the soccer world. As of late I have heard a wide spectrum of questions, "what's going on in LA?" or "why are the Galaxy not getting results now like they were early in the season?" The truth is that there are no simple answers to these questions, and because I can't always point to something specific, at times it might seem like I am down on the squad. That couldn't be more wrong.
The fact is that the 2010 version of the Galaxy showed what they can do when in rhythm as a unit, and thus raised expectations in the first half of the year. I have said all along that it would have been tough to play at that level through the course of all 30 games, but the dry spell has lasted a bit longer than I expected. Since the World Cup break, the Galaxy have played ten games in the league, winning just three times. If LA expects to make some noise in the playoffs, they will have to start building some momentum heading toward the second season. But time is running out and answers have to come sooner than later.
A perfect example of what I am looking for will come to Carson this weekend. Superior teams in MLS find a way to get through a string of bad results, and get back to earning points, both home and away. The Crew were also unbeaten when they faced the Galaxy early in the year. After the 2-0 defeat against LA, Columbus would draw their next match and follow up that result with a loss to Colorado. The shine was off the proverbial apple.
But since that time in June, the Crew have played 12 times in the league, getting a result in nine of them. In other words, there have been a couple of bumps in the road for the Crew, but each time the team has responded with a win or a draw, and not once have they recorded back to back losses.
Part of why the Crew has been consistently good in MLS over the past three years is that the team is strong in all facets of the game. It starts with good goalkeeping from William Hesmer, to strong veteran leadership and defending from Chad Marshall and Frankie Hejduk, and then the incredible vision and craftiness of the teams' leading scorer, the former MLS MVP, Guillermo Barros Schelotto. Sprinkle in a deep roster of players that understand and embrace their roles and it is easy to understand why the Crew are considered the team to beat in the East, if not the league.
Taking all of that into consideration, if the Galaxy can take all three points at home on Saturday evening and finish a season sweep of the Crew, it could go a long way toward swinging the public opinion as to the team to beat back in the Galaxy's direction.
Quick Hits
Despite what you may have just read above, the stats don't all favor Columbus. The Crew is winless in seven games on the road against teams from the West this season, and of the five losses Columbus have on the year, four have come versus teams outside of their conference…
I know Donovan Ricketts is still statistically one of the best goalkeepers in MLS, but he has pulled the ball out of his net more frequently than we are accustomed to as of late. The Galaxy have just two shutouts since the World Cup break and have not shutout an MLS team at The Home Depot Center since a 0-0 draw with Toronto FC on May 15. The defensive load does not all fall on the shoulders of Ricketts, but like a hot goal scorer at the other end, a keeper can invigorate the defenders around him when he is at the top of his game. A shutout means at least one point, and more often than not for LA, it means three...
The absence of Gregg Berhalter continues to not only be a bit of a mystery, but also a nuisance. Berhalter's organization of the defenders around him appears to be a bigger piece of the puzzle than I may have thought at the beginning of the year. The positive that might come out of this is that young defenders Omar Gonzalez and Leonardo are getting good minutes together, something that may be vital in the postseason…
Hats off to Eddie Lewis, who announced this week on "Cup of Joe" that this season will be his last. Galaxy fans have not seen as much of the veteran as they did last year, but maybe the best is yet to come. Lewis, who scored a memorable goal in stoppage time (on his birthday no less) the last time the Crew and Galaxy tangled in Carson, will complete a great career in both MLS and over in England when this season comes to a close. Let's hope for Lewis that it finishes with raising a trophy in November, something that has eluded him to this point in his MLS journey…
While we prepare to say good bye to Lewis, there is hope that Galaxy fans will be saying welcome back to David Beckham this weekend. Beckham seemed pretty optimistic at practice this week that he would take the pitch for 15-20 minutes this weekend. Beckham took part in a training game with the club on Wednesday and has looked good since returning to the field last month. Bruce Arena said that team club planned to be cautious with their star midfielder, but the more time that goes by, the harder it will be for him to keep Becks off the field.


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Continue reading "Recent Artwork: Beauty, Aurora, and Melisandre"
Say No To This
Hello Orbit! See my coloring book!
Or, you know, read all the deep and insightful posts here at The Orbit, but, come on, it's a new site that features the images predominantly on the main page. How could I miss that opportunity? Being point person on the press release means that the pretty pictures I already had are just the ticket for a first post!
Reason Rally 2016 Interview with Lyz Liddell
Lyz Liddell reached out to me to talk about the Reason Rally, including the concerns I had about diversity and the response I got regarding the current line-up. We agreed to do a written interview. Here on, everything italics is me, otherwise, it's her.
Ashley's blog post went up on January 15, while I was living out of a suitcase doing site visits for the Reason Rally. But I knew that she had a pretty good point, and so I reached out to her. I really appreciate Ashley's response to that outreach, and her offer to do this written interview. She and I both want the Reason Rally to be successful and we both support the secular community. So we decided to get out here and chat about it a bit.
Continue reading "Reason Rally 2016 Interview with Lyz Liddell"
Reason Rally 2016: 71% "Minority" and 89% White
I sent a web form message to Reason Rally expressing concern about the people who were speaking and their ability to appeal to a broad base of non-believers. I thought, especially with both Lawrence Krauss and Richard Dawkins in the line up, that they might need a nudge to understand that they were turning off a lot of potential attendees. They should consider finding more women and people of color to speak. I submitted it via web form quite a while ago, so I don't remember the wording exactly, but that was the gist — be more inclusive, add diversity, get a bigger audience.
This is the email I got back.
Thank you for your interest in Reason Really. We appreciate your concerns regarding minority speakers. Please visit the website to view the 7 confirmed speakers thus far.
You mention James Randi, who is homosexual. Of the remaining 6 confirmed speakers, 3 are women, and Lawrence Krauss was raised Jewish. At this moment, the 7 speakers are 71% minority and 42% female.
Of course, we are always striving to improve and hope to bring a diverse and interesting variety of personalities together in an effort to appeal to a very wide audience.
Continue reading "Reason Rally 2016: 71% "Minority" and 89% White"
Atheist tribalism poisons everything
Atheists, we need to talk. We need to talk about our tendency to think we are better than other people and better than religious people in particular. We need to talk about how we think that religion is the reason that bad things happen in the world. We need to talk about our culture of turning a blind eye towards the despicable behavior we see among ourselves. All of those things we do are exactly the problem with the religious institutions we hate: tribalism at the cost of morality.
Reason without decency is useless. If it's unreasonable for the pope to hide rapists, why do we accept it from our organizations? If it's unreasonable for the Catholic Church to trivialize child molestation, why do we accept it from our supposed leaders? If we don't like Christian politicians peddling untrue stereotypes of Muslims, why are we ok with it when it comes from bestselling atheist authors? Atheists heal thyself.
There is anger and fear from atheists today upon the revelation that the most recent of the mass shooters in America was a non-believer who targeted Christians. They will blame us, they will think this is all atheists, they will think we are all the same as him.
Yes. They will. Just like we do to Muslims and Christians. "Oh look," we smirk, "another religious person killing a dozen people. Just goes to show religion poisons everything."
Hitchens was wrong. Human institutions and tribalism poison everything, regardless of creed, and atheism is no different. Radical atheists who want to kill people are not different from radical Christians and Muslims doing the same thing.
This is not the first atheist shooter, there have been many throughout history. Earlier this year, Craig Hicks took the lives of three brilliant humanitarian Muslims over a parking dispute. Atheists tried to distance themselves and label him as "anti-theist" and others thought he was secretly really a Christian. Still others labeled him as a redneck from NRA-land, because hatred of the ignorant South is acceptable among educated atheists. I am sure atheists will be eager to point out that the current shooter was a Republican and No True Atheist.
I don't know enough about the current shooter to say. But Craig Hicks was a typical atheist until he pulled the trigger. He was friends with a lot of atheists on Facebook, we had many mutual friends. If you went through his Facebook feed, he did not come off as an Islamophobe or a racist or someone likely to go on a shooting spree. The guy acted like literally hundreds of atheists I know on Facebook. The majority of his posts were reposting things from George Takei. He was friends with feminist activists. He hated right-wingers and country music, but loved Obamacare.
He was one of us. So was the shooter yesterday.
I want us not to flinch away from that fact, because it's not useful to us to ignore it. Stop with your buts and your wells and whatever you want to add, just sit with it and live with it for a minute. Let it make you uncomfortable.
Atheism can motivate terrible crimes, just like religion can. This is a thing we have to get used to. Atheists are so used to being exceptional, to being smarter and less criminal than other Americans, that the fact that someone was an atheist and did a bad thing seems to be exceedingly difficult for us to understand. Atheist exceptionalism cannot survive the exponential growth of atheism — all atheists are not better than all religious people.
Furthermore, the atheist community is culpable of spreading bad ideas. We share memes and the belief that religious people are bad and that all religions and expressions of those religions are bad. That people who are religious aren't worthwhile and are certainly too stupid to be respected. We dehumanize people who disagree with us instead of arguing about ideas. This is because we are human, but we have to guard against. Atheism itself doesn't create these ideas, but atheist culture does — just like religions don't encourage the bombing of abortion clinics, but some religious culture does.
My article, "The Non-Religious Patriarchy," delved into why removing religion did not remove sexism from the atheist movement, but we have to remember that removing religion is not going to remove any basic human behavior or system of power. Humans are tribal, humans are sometimes sociopaths, humans are power-hungry, humans get angry. The atheist demographic being dominated by young white men means that it's not surprising that there are mass shooters who are atheists, shooters are predominately young white men (the Oregon shooter was mixed race).
Atheism is a rejection of a belief, but it is not a philosophy or creed. The atheist community online builds up creeds and philosophies in light of that absence. It is reactionary. Many of us have come from environments that were hostile to our non-belief and so we respond with hostility to the kind of beliefs and people who were responsible for our unhappiness. We, like nerds have always done, take refuge in our intellectual superiority to salve wounds of rejection and, in doing so, think other people are less worthy than we are.
We have to let it go. We have to stop thinking we are better than other people just because we know something they don't — that's exactly why religious people act the way they do. We aren't better than anybody and we never were.
Adventures in Narcolepsy, Part 6: The Sleep Doctor
After months of doctors and no answers, the appointment in which I got diagnosed with Narcolepsy was a bit of a non-event. All the build-up, but the payoff was a foregone conclusion. I had so much time to read about it that I wasn't surprised by the diagnosis.
I was surprised by my sleep test results. As you may recall, the test involves sleeping 8 hours overnight and then being left in a dark room every 2 hours to see if you nap and how long it takes to fall asleep. A normal person might not fall asleep at all if they got enough sleep the night before. I fell asleep in every nap – it took me an average of 4.5 minutes to fall asleep in each – 8 minutes or less is the general consensus on what is pathological sleepiness and I was half that. Continue reading "Adventures in Narcolepsy, Part 6: The Sleep Doctor"
Adventures in Narcolepsy: Part 5, The Dark Place
A letter from the night before diagnosis. I didn't originally write this for publication, but just to work through my feelings. After re-reading it with a little distance, I decided it offered some insight into what it is like to have chronic conditions and what it is like to be facing a diagnosis of something incurable. It's important to note that this was simply me at my nadir, I have, for the most part, been a lot more positive both before and since, and being diagnosed came primarily as a relief. Content note: It's a real downer.
Gay Marriage Nationwide: The Joy and the Sadness
What followed for me was an obsession. An obsession with law, an obsession with the Prop 8 case, and an obsession with the intricacies of the Supreme Court. That obsession led to my writing being published somewhere outside my blog for the first time, it led to me spending the night outside the Supreme Court to hear the Prop 8 arguments, and it led me to today — sitting home alone, watching SCOTUSblog live-blogging the legalization of marriage nationwide and sobbing so hard my Fitbit thinks I'm jogging.
I knew gay marriage across the US was coming, but I am still an emotional wreck, experiencing a full rainbow flag of conflicting emotions.
I am, of course, ecstatic and relieved. It's as though a huge weight has been lifted, but it's also like that weight was holding the blood in from a lot of old wounds. That night in 2008, that day almost exactly 2 years ago when California got marriage but the justices would not deliver it to the rest of the country, the passing of dozens of state constitutional amendments defining marriage as between a man and women, my mother's best friend who died of AIDS twenty years ago, the struggle of so many of my friends in coming out or being dragged out in a hostile culture, and on, and on.
And I am exhausted because this was a drop in the bucket of injustices in the world and it took so much energy from so many people to manage this change.
There are other battles, other fronts, other wars waging. Marriage was a fight for inclusion in a conservative institution — for LGBT (although, let's be real, it's mostly G here) people to become more accepted by mainstream society and have access to institutions of that society. Radicals are right to worry that we are buying into broken institutions with deep flaws, not just marriage, but the entire idea of a mainstream, conservative respectability. I disagree with radicals that the way to do this is entirely from outside, we need outsiders AND insiders, but the worry is that if queers get acceptance they will no longer be interested in changing the problematic social institutions in the world — prison, gun violence, homelessness, climate change, the war on drugs, the war on terror, racism, sexism, and a host of other problems that exist in the world. The worry is that the fight for marriage will have fully drained them of resources, and we've seen organizations lose funding while the focus was on marriage.
It's like the flag at the SC State House, flying today during the funeral of Senator Reverend Clementa Pinckney. Yes, it must come down. Yes, it's horrifying that that is even under discussion. Yes, it is a symbol of racism and hatred. But removing the flag won't fix the problem, it's not enough. That flag didn't go to Dylann Roof's house and point him the way to the Conservative Council of Citizens or Stormfront. Taking down the flag is necessary but it is also a band-aid over a gaping wound we can't heal with hiding flags, and we're focusing on it because it's the only thing politicians can get done to address the social issues brought up by this act of racial terrorism.
It takes obvious, in-your-face, undeniable injustice to get action, and too often the action is the easy action. We aren't dealing with racial inequality or access to guns or the reality that white men are our homegrown terrorists, we're taking flags down. Gay marriage was the easy thing to fix, which is hard to believe considering how much time and money and energy and heartbreak went into the thing, but that's true of that flag too. And gay marriage matters, it matters so much, if for no other reason than it offers same-sex couples a place from which to fight for other issues, but Loving v Virginia didn't end racism or even create full mainstream acceptance of interracial marriage.
And so today I cry. I weep with joy and relief for a victory that was hard-fought and well-deserved. I weep for the people who didn't make it to today, for the millions who died in the AIDS crisis, and for those who simply were born too soon to see this justice. And I weep because there's still so much to do, more than can ever be done in my lifetime, more than can ever be done by my exhausted hands. I weep for the future person who will be crying like I am because you and I didn't make it to see justice done.
But I also celebrate because today is a good day, a day in which massive good was done in this world, and that's not nothing.
ETA: For similar commentary with a little bit of a different perspective and details, see Greta Christina's post.
If you like what I'm doing, please consider supporting me at Patreon so that I can keep doing it.
Dylann Roof's Manifesto
If you're at all interested in how Dylann Roof decided to murder 9 black churchgoers, the internet has discovered his manifesto.
One of the most interesting things about it, though not at all surprising, is that internet hate sites were key to Roof's development of racial animosity. He claims he was raised in a non-racist household and in a mostly non-racist environment.
The event that truly awakened me was the Trayvon Martin case. I kept hearing and seeing his name, and eventually I decided to look him up. I read the Wikipedia article and right away I was unable to understand what the big deal was. It was obvious that Zimmerman was in the right. But more importantly this prompted me to type in the words "black on White crime" into Google, and I have never been the same since that day. The first website I came to was the Council of Conservative Citizens. There were pages upon pages of these brutal black on White murders. I was in disbelief. At this moment I realized that something was very wrong. How could the news be blowing up the Trayvon Martin case while hundreds of these black on White murders got ignored?
The Council of Conservative Citizens was formerly the White Citizens Council. They are dedicated to the separation and segregation of the races. The first post on their website today is them mourning the loss of the 9 lives in Charleston. An early post says this (they obviously haven't seen the manifesto yet):


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TUSCALOOSA | Hunter Bronson and Brinson Holder came out on top to win the 31st State Four Ball Championship at NorthRiver Yacht Club on Sunday.
TUSCALOOSA | Hunter Bronson and Brinson Holder came out on top to win the 31st State Four Ball Championship at NorthRiver Yacht Club on Sunday.
Bronson and Holder shot 12-under-par in the stroke play qualifying to take top medalist honors.
The Mobile natives played previously in the State Four Ball Championship back in 2009 and have played golf together since high school.
Bronson and Holder graduated from the University of Alabama and Bronson walked on UA's golf team as a senior.
"We have been playing with each other for a while, and it helps to know each other's game. We played in the Steelwood Invitational tournament a couple of weeks ago to help us prepare for this tournament," Holder said.
Bronson and Holder eliminated Jake DeZoort and Tyler Hitchner 4 and 3 in the match play semifinal round and then beat Bo Farlow and John Fulkerson in the championship, 2 and 1.
Farlow and Fulkerson earned a spot in the championship after beating the team of Tommy Coggins and Doug Davis, 2 and 1.
Bronson commended DeZoort and Hitchner at the end of their round for making it this far.
"They made it clear that anybody can play anywhere. They have a lot of game and I hope they keep it up. I will be rooting for them."
Getting ready for the championship match-up, Bronson said afternoon play is more of his element and he certainly displayed that.
Bronson carried his team by making key shots and winning holes to help them beat Farlow and Fulkerson.
Bronson and Holder both agreed that after a long day, reaching the 8th or 9th hole (in the final) wears you out and it is exhausting, but they refused to let up.
"We came in with no expectations, but to win a state title is pretty exciting," Bronson said.
Holder showed his respect for his childhood friend and teammate by giving him praise on a job well done.
"I have always considered Hunter as the better player and it is fun to play out here with him and watch him do well and I just try to make the pars if he has a bad hole. I have always been proud of him and we make a good team."
Winning runs in Bronson's blood, as he won the Class 4A Alabama High School State Championship in 2004 for UMS-Wright Prep. He began playing varsity for UMS-Wright Prep as an 8th grader.
Bronson endured two hand surgeries, one at the end of high school and the other beginning in college. This held back his career in college, but he did not give up. Bronson had the opportunity to play for UA his senior year and qualified for the 2010 United States Amateur at Chambers Bay Golf Course in Place, Washington.
"I think to do that and especially at UA, as good as they are, is a big goal to obtain, in which he did," Holder said.


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This US General Medium Tail Pipe Expander (SKU 37353) from Harbor Freight Tools is a must-have for exhaust system repair and installation. This exhaust pipe expander expands 1-1/2" to 2-5/16" thin wall pipes with a simple wrench turn! Made of durable carbon steel, this handy tailpipe expander tool makes short work of pipes that require expanding and is a great addition to any automotive tool kit!
To ensure a tight fit and help eliminate exhaust leaks, the medium sized tailpipe expander smooths clamp grooves and rounds out bent exhaust pipes with ease. Perfect for the car enthusiast and automotive specialist alike, this US General exhaust expander is a perfect addition to any shop or garage.
While you could expect to pay an outrageous amount for a similar tail pipe expander, at Harbor Freight you can count on a ridiculously low price! And be sure to check out the Small Tail Pipe Expander (SKU 37352) and Large Tail Pipe Expander (SKU 37354), also available through Harbor Freight Tools! If you perform exhaust system repair or installation, these affordable pipe expanders will get your motor hummin'!


text: Quilts – it's a good idea to keep at least one close by here in Wisconsin! There's an Amish Quilt Auction in Amherst (between Stevens Point and Waupaca) Saturday May 16 (www.maderauction.com) featuring over 300 quilt and wall hangings. We'll recommend getting an early start – Artha Sustainable Living Center B&B is within a few miles, and the Stevens Point, Manawa, Waupaca, and Weyauwega B&Bs are less than a 30 minute drive. Make your reservations / mark your calendar for the August 29 quilt auction too.


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American Doomsday DVD-R
American Doomsday DVD-R
American Doomsday DVD-R
(Save 15%)
This item ships to the USA.
America's Doomsday plan. It's the government's ultimate playbook, with a strategy for even the darkest hours -- developed when Cold War tensions were high, but never used until 9/11. In American Doomsday, fly in an E4-B -- the president's command, control, and communications center for times of national catastrophe; go inside the secret bunker used by government officials on September 11; and witness how the luxurious Greenbrier Resort became a critical, top secret congressional bunker.Not available for shipment outside of the U.S.
- 1 disc; 45 minutes
- Widescreen
- © 2011
DVD-R Format
The DVD-R is a non-rewriteable digital format that is compatible with most commercial DVD players. The DVD-R format is created with MPEG2 Variable Bit Rate Compression with stereo sound.
How our DVDs and DVD-Rs Differ
Customers who purchase programs in the NG DVD-R Library will receive a non-interactive, play only disc. There is no chaptering information on these DVDs, but there are chapter marks approximately every five minutes, which make it easy to fast forward through a program. The DVD-R format provides the digital video and audio quality you expect from all of our DVDs.
NOTE: The NG DVD-R titles are not closed-captioned. We apologize for any inconvenience this limitation may cause.


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More Proof People Defend What They Prefer to Be True.
Case in Point: Jim West Rants Against College Accreditation
Jim (aka "Where's Waldo") West usually has the number one ranked Blog among SBL's Bibliobloggers every month. This is supposed to mean something I guess. In a post he submitted for The Bible and Interpretation West rants against the "exploitative" nature of college accreditation companies. But guess what? He has a degree from an unaccredited college and teaches for one too, oh my! Here we see a person who should know better arguing against that which he doesn't have simply because he doesn't have it. Why am I not surprised? I've never heard an educated person ranting against an education. Only the uneducated do so. And only an unaccredited person/teacher would do the same thing with regard to accreditation. I commented further there. Sheesh.


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A food and fun staple of the Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel communities for more than half a century, the Crackerbox patriarch, Jim Welker, is one lucky man. What was supposed to be a routine surgery turned into a seven-month nightmarish struggle between life and death, recently recovering from the horrible ordeal.
"We're not out of the woods yet, but he's recovered significantly since the operation. This last six months made us realize how close it is to not having him here with us," said Jody Jones, Jim's daughter and manager of the Crackerbox. "He was going through a simple procedure on his knee. luckily he was transported to a hospital with a great doctor who saved him. He went through liters and liters of blood (transfusion), and they say no one over the age of 30 beats that treatment."
Months passed in the ICU, and Jim spent 145 days in the hospital, 71 days in rehabilitation.
Article Photos
The Welker family is hosting a recovery/birthday celebration for their patriarch and Crackerbox owner, Jim, Saturday. All are encouraged to attend and jam!
"He beat all odds. He is amazing and on the way to recovery. We watched him go from the ICU hooked up to tubes to a wheelchair to a walker and now to a cane," Jody said. "However, we missed all of the big holidays. To celebrate his recovery, and to celebrate Jim and his birthday, we're hosting a Crackerbox Jamboree Saturday, Feb. 22, from noon to 11 p.m. It will literally be a backyard barbecue birthday/recovery party for Jim Welker."
Jody encourages all to come out Saturday to enjoy lip-smackin' good barbecue, games of horseshoe and cornhole, lots of raffles and 50/50s, and, of course live music all day with Jim Welker and the Crackerbox band, among other musical groups, all taking place at the 16910 McGregor Blvd. location.
"I want all of Lee County to come out and listen to him and if you have an instrument and want to play, come on up and jam with Jim," Jody said. "Although he's no longer on feeding or oxygen tubes, they really scratched up his vocal chords, so he won't be singing that day, but he'll definitely be playing. We will have musicians from Naples to Fort Myers coming by throughout the day to play with him, whether it's a song, a set, or all day. Don't miss the opportunity!"
Article Map
Jim, who also serves as Commander of the American Legion, will perform that day with his Crackerbox Band, from 3 to 5:30 p.m., followed by Pain in the Grass, from 5:30 to 7:30, and The Jesse Allen Band, from 7:30 on into the night. Prior to that, all are welcome to get on the stage and jam with the best of 'em including Jim.
Throughout the recovery and birthday party, look forward to a plethora of prizes awarded through raffles and 50/50s, featuring anything from restaurant gift certificates and hotel stays to spa trips and other island activities, in an effort to help raise some funds to cover his recent medical plight.
"We jokingly call him the $2 Million Man, because that's how much it cost while he was hospitalized.
"We'll have all types of fun going on inside and outside that day, all to celebrate Jim and wish him into a full recovery," Jody concluded. "He has so much to live for; the family is so blessed. We had 'Pray for Jim' on our sign out front, and received so many calls from people who saw it, wanting to know what was going on. All of the prayers that have been sent, all of the love, it's because of all that that he is still here with us."
For further information on Jim's recovery and birthday party, call the Crackerbox, 239-466-4344, or find the restaurant on Facebook.
About the Crackerbox
The Crackerbox has been in operation on McGregor Boulevard for longer than half a century, and under the same Welker family ownership for nearly 40. Serving a great selection of homemade food and fun fare, the establishment has a fine following of regulars who travel from Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach regularly to dine and laugh within the quaint little spot.
Our motto is, "If you don't have fun, it's not our fault," Jody joked. "We have so much fun with our customers, that's why they come back time, after time, after time again. They don't just come for dinner. They come, they have dinner, they have some coffee, they sit back and listen to the band (or join in). They come for a true experience, and we're thankful for every one of them."


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Green Kay Office Furniture
- Location: New York, NY
- Website: sites.ewebboss.com/greenkayofficefurniture
You'll know them by their stripped metal office furniture sitting out in front of their Chelsea shop. Green Kay Office Furniture sells reused office furniture. Some of our favorite pieces there are the old mundane steel file cabinets they've refurbished by sandblasting then clearcoating. The result is an industrial-looking silver metal cabinet with entirely new life.
We have a flat file with the same treatment but we did it ourselves, removing the industrial grade paint finish with stripper. It was no easy task and we'd definitely consider Greenkay's cabinets if we were to acquire more.
They also occasionally have very cool vintage drafting desks and wooden files for sale. Not cheap, by any means, but a good source for cool, refurbished office furniture.


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Words containing bulbouret
Found 1 words containing bulbouret. Browse our Scrabble Word Finder, Words With Friends cheat dictionary, and WordHub word solver to find words that contain bulbouret. Or use our Unscramble word solver to find your best possible play! Related: Words that start with bulbouret
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