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Wednesday, Mar. 22, 2006
Still Searching: With their poll numbers in free fall, GOP strategists had to do something to stop the midterm bleeding. So, in the last week, congressional Republicans began unveiling a new strategy: Promising not to have an agenda. As Dan Balz and Jonathan Weisman pointed out in Monday's Washington Post, "While it is a Republican refrain that Democrats criticize Bush but have no positive vision, for now the governing party also has no national platform around which lawmakers are prepared to rally."
For five years, Republicans trashed Democrats as bereft of ideas. Now that they see Democrats up by 10 points, Republicans are rushing to claim the mantle of no ideas for themselves. Caught by surprise, Democratic consultants quickly fired back: Hey, we had no ideas first.
Just two weeks ago, the very same Post ran another front-page story giving Democrats the edge in being slow to unveil an agenda. But when a sitting president uses the full power of incumbency to generate no ideas, a minority party can't keep up. The whole country saw Bush put his lack of an agenda on display in a prime-time State of the Union address. Moreover, when it comes to tired ideas, Democrats can't possibly compete with a Republican Party whose sole remaining bedrock principle is a tax cut theory that didn't work a quarter century ago, either.
The truth is, Democrats are increasingly eager to get out of the no-idea business and leave that turf to the Republicans. Many Democrats actually have ideas, so it has become a real burden for the party to pretend otherwise.
There has always been an inherent contradiction in the Republican rap: Democrats have no plan for the country—and it will do irreparable damage if they have the chance to carry it out. Fred Barnes captures this cognitive dissonance in the Weekly Standard: "Some Republicans insist it doesn't matter whether Democrats finally offer a party agenda. 'The question is not what they promise,' [RNC Chair Ken] Mehlman told me. 'It's what they are going to do' that is important.' "
Barnes says that Republican strategists want to make 2006, like 2004, a "choice election"—another way of saying they intend to bomb Democrats with attack ads until they can see the rubble bounce. The White House is terrified that many congressional Republicans, wary of Bush's unpopularity, have already made their choice: to run as far away from the president as possible.
Barnes does reveal one new idea on House Republicans' agenda: "legislation to bar all federal courts except the Supreme Court from ruling on the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance." Conservatives don't like judges legislating from the bench, so Republicans will do the opposite: benching from the legislature. Now that they have a reliable majority on the Supreme Court, Republicans want to send the rest of the judiciary home.
Sounds of Silence: Because they are so deeply divided on issues like immigration and fiscal discipline, Republicans have decided to avoid making the election a referendum on their agenda. Given our success with a similar strategy in recent elections, I think I can speak for most Democrats in saying to the GOP: Good luck with that.
Republicans' goal is to keep Democrats from nationalizing the midterm election. The chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, Rep. Tom Reynolds, told the Post, "All politics is local." That way, Republican incumbents can reassure constituents that while they have no ideas, the agenda they don't have is designed to ignore problems at the local level.
The most remarkable assertion in the Post story was attributed to House Majority Whip Roy Blunt: "Blunt said it is more important for Democrats to produce a governing agenda because Republicans have a record to run on." Never mind that their record is what has Republicans running scared to begin with.
Democrats should seize the opportunity to put forward a new agenda for the country's sake, and their own. If the GOP wants to turn the midterms into a choice between the potential consequences of Democratic ideas and the current impact of the Bush record, that's a deal worth taking. There's a good answer to rebut the Republican charge that the Democrats' plan will run the country into the ground: You ran the country into the ground first. … 9:46 A.M. (link)
Monday, Mar. 20, 2006
Ichiro Sí, Castro No: As Republicans abandon his sinking ship, George Bush is focusing more than ever on foreign policy, where a president has the authority to screw up without help from Congress. Today, he gave another pep talk to mark the third anniversary of the Iraq War. Tonight, he'll get briefed on his latest foreign policy setback: the World Baseball Classic final between Cuba and Japan.
The president isn't having much luck selling his message that we're winning in Iraq. In the World Baseball Classic, the White House can't even pretend to have a Plan for Victory—we already lost. Despite help from bad umpiring that went in our favor, the U.S. team lost half its games, falling to unheralded teams from Canada and Mexico. Across America, barrooms must be buzzing with debate over whether to blame immigration or NAFTA—or would be, if any Americans had been watching the games.
Bush can brush off the loss for Team USA, since most Americans are too worried about their NCAA brackets to notice. His real problem is the prospect of a Cuban victory. If Cuba defeats Japan, the fiercely anti-Castro Cuban-American community in Florida will be livid. They won't blame Ichiro—their Bronx cheers will be directed at George Bush.
Back in January, at Major League Baseball's behest, Bush personally intervened with the Treasury Department to grant the Cuban team a waiver to play in the WBC. Baseball executives were afraid that if Cuba couldn't play, other Latin American teams would boycott, and the Classic would fall apart. Scouts assured them that the young Cuban team, without a single major leaguer, would lose in the first round.
Yet again, a colossal failure of American intelligence. Cuba sailed through the first two rounds. On Saturday, the Cuban team defeated the heavily favored team from the Dominican Republic, which had an all-star lineup of two dozen major leaguers and a payroll to match the New York Yankees.
Somos Los Campeones: The cigars are out in Havana. If the Cold War had gone into extra innings, this would be Castro's finest hour. After Saturday's game, Cuba scored another public relations triumph when the translator hired by Major League Baseball refused to translate the Cuban left-fielder's post-game clichés. As the Washington Post reported, when the player said, "This is a revolutionary team. Baseball is not judged by the price of the athletes, but by the heart of the people," the translator tried to censor the comment as too political—which only made the statement a bigger story.
For those who miss Cold War rivalries, Cuba has turned the WBC into an old-timer's game. In trash-talking the other teams, the Cuban second baseman sounded like Khrushchev: "They rent themselves. We play for the love of the name across our jerseys and our cities."
By contrast, the second baseman who struck out to send the Dominican Republican home on Saturday was the Washington Nationals new prima donna, Alfonso Soriano, who went 0 for 12 in the WBC and seems intent on becoming the first major league star to sit out the season because his new team wants him to play a position where it won't matter as much that he can't catch the ball.
Attention, Michael Lewis—your whole Moneyball theory may be in jeopardy. Lewis wrote a best seller about the general manager of the Oakland Athletics, Billy Beane, who believes statistics like on-base percentage are the key to a small-market team's success. So far, the A's haven't made it past the playoffs on that theory. Now Fidel Castro is on the brink of a world championship with players who earn 20 pesos a month. Apparently, the key for small-market teams like Oakland and Pittsburgh is to find an aging totalitarian owner who'll fill players' heads with Marxist-Leninist nonsense.
Of course, there could be other explanations—for example, while major leaguers are still working off their winter flab, the Cuban players are already in shape. In the height of the Cold War, we used to envy the steroid-riddled physiques of East German Olympic teams. Now that international competitions have stricter anti-doping rules than the United States, the needle is on the other cheek—our steroid-riddled physiques have to stay home instead.
Tonight, it's up to Japan to go to bat for freedom. George Bush and Karl Rove will have their rally caps on, praying for a Japanese victory. If those Cuban revolutionaries win, that choking sound coming out of the president's quarters won't be from a pretzel. … 6:16 P.M. (link)
Thursday, Mar. 16, 2006
43 Winks: Nobody ever promised them a Rose Garden, but for the Bush White House, it's been a tough year. The vice president shot a senior citizen. The domestic policy adviser faces up to 30 years on felony theft charges for applying Bush's economic policy at a box store. The White House pastry chef left after just 18 months to work for a more reputable outfit: a casino chain in Atlantic City and Las Vegas.
Nervous Republicans, who thought nothing could be worse than 2005, are increasingly desperate for a White House shakeup in 2006. Sen. Norm Coleman threw down the gauntlet on Tuesday, accusing a White House that thinks about politics 24/seven of having a political "tin ear."
Bush aides offer a more sympathetic excuse: They're bushed. "We're all burned out," a White House official told Peter Baker of the Washington Post. "People are just tired." Chief of Staff Andrew Card sets the pace by waking up every morning at 4:20. If he got up any earlier, the president's approval might fall below 30 percent.
When Press Secretary Scott McClellan was asked whether the Bush team was tired, he reportedly "joked" that he was "tired of some of the questions." But according to Baker, the staff's condition is serious: "While there are few stories of aides nodding off in meetings, some duck outside during the day so the fresh air will wake them up." All this time we've worried about terrorists—and now we learn the nation has been taken over by zombies.
Then again, why is the Bush crowd so tired? In five years, they haven't done much. Cheney misfired on the last day of vacation. If the charges against him are true, Claude Allen spent more time in the Target parking lot over the past few months than my former White House colleague Gene Sperling spent outdoors in eight years.
Wake Up, Little Bushie: There's only one good explanation for Bushie fatigue, and Stephanie Saul of the New York Times has the answer: Ambien. Last week, Saul reported on the remarkable phenomenon of driving while asleep. All over the country, people apparently have taken the drug Ambien before bed, then proceeded to sleepwalk to their cars and sleep-drive into the nearest ditch. A Colorado woman "got into her car wearing only a thin nightshirt in 20-degree weather, had a fender bender, urinated in the middle of an intersection, then became violent with police officers." A parole officer in South Carolina woke up in jail after going on a joy ride in his sleep.
Harriet Miers, Hurricane Katrina, Dubai Ports World—could there be a better word to describe the Bush administration's past year than "sleep-driving"? The Bush team doesn't have a tin ear; they were just road-testing the prescription drug bill.
Unfortunately, sleep-driving isn't the only potential side effect. According to the Ambien Web site, sleep medicines can also cause memory loss.
Yesterday, the Times reported another troubling side effect:
The sleeping pill Ambien seems to unlock a primitive desire to eat in some patients, according to emerging medical case studies that describe how the drug's users sometimes sleepwalk into their kitchens, claw through their refrigerators like animals and consume calories ranging into the thousands.
A California woman woke up "to find candy bar wrappers next to her bed and Popsicle sticks on the floor near the refrigerator." A Minnesota woman in a full body cast sleepwalked to her kitchen, where her son found her sleep-frying bacon and eggs. Researchers have linked this sleep-eating with amnesia: Patients gain weight, but have no recollection of their late-night binges.
Let's see—a pattern of bloating and chronic overindulgence by people who say they can't remember why it happened. Come to think of it, that's the way Bush has Republicans talking about spending.
Listen to one Ambien sufferer quoted in the Times: "I got a package of hamburger buns and I just tore it open like a grizzly bear and just stood there and ate the whole package. [My husband] said a couple things to me and then he realized I was asleep." The woman was from Dickson, Tenn.,—but she could just as well have been a Republican presidential candidate in Memphis. … 9:02 A.M. (link)
Sequels:As a politician's politician, George W. Bush must have smiled to hear what Republicans who dream of succeeding him had to say in Memphis this weekend. Like any second-term president, he wants the wannabes to run for his third term. Yet Bush understands better than anyone how hard winning a third term can be. In 1988, when the country had tired of Ronald Reagan, he helped his father hold on by promising a kinder, gentler version. In 2000, when the country had given up on Gingrich Republicans in favor of Clinton centrism, Bush repeated the trick by inventing compassionate conservatism. Bush ran away from congressional Republicans and tried to convince voters that he'd give them a third term of the Clinton economy instead.
Now Republicans find themselves in an even deeper hole than in 1988 or 2000. Bush's approval rating in the Gallup Poll has sunk to a record low of 36 percent. His disapproval rating is back up to its high of 60 percent (third on the all-time list, with three years to keep trying). With numbers like that, the political junkie in Bush would tell his would-be successors to do just what they're doing: run away.
Much of the 2008 field, however, has nowhere to run. Those successful sequels in 1988 and 2000 promised to expand conservatism's appeal by rounding off its hard edges. In 2008, that's not really an option. No one—except, ironically, Newt Gingrich—is likely to run as the heir to compassionate conservatism. It's easy to contemplate a kinder, gentler Cheney—a Republican who promises to shoot blanks. But it's almost impossible to imagine what a kinder, gentler Bush might be. No wars? Less spying? An even more expensive drug benefit? And if Republicans can't run as kinder and gentler, the alternative is worse: meaner and rougher. Maybe Tom DeLay isn't finished after all.
As Adam Nagourney reports in the New York Times, Republican contenders so far have found one word to differentiate themselves from Bush: cheaper. All weekend, wannabes invoked the memory of Ronald Reagan, who was such a true believer in fiscal conservatism that the national debt only tripled on his watch, to nearly $3 trillion. Bush has presided over the disappearance of a $5.6 trillion projected surplus, and by the time he's through will have added another $4 trillion to the debt.
Of course, Republicans conveniently forget that not only did the country tire of Reagan's budget busting, but they tired of the paradoxical antigovernment tone that went with it. That's what led the elder Bush to promise "a kinder, gentler nation" in the first place.
A genuine fiscal conservative like John McCain—who aspires to be Reagan without the tax cuts—will have no trouble distinguishing himself from Bush. But Nagourney points out that other prospective candidates in Memphis offered little idea what to cut, and that senators who promise to cut spending as president might have an obligation to actually vote for doing so in Congress. The headline in today's Washington Post suggests how well that's going: "Republicans on Hill Resist Party Leaders' Spending Cuts."
Spending, I Wish I Could Quit You: Nagourney says the candidates "are not alone in seeing political benefit in returning to the spending issue"—the White House sees advantage in it, too. A White House strategist suggests that talking about spending cuts could help rally the Republican base in the fall. Old spin: Deficits don't matter. New spin: Deficits are a brilliant political ploy to get the Republican base exercised about Republican overspending. Bush has his message for November: "Vote for us—we're spent!"
Once again, Republicans seem to have doubled back on their contradictions. In the 1980s and again in the 1990s, party strategists discovered a serious design flaw in conservatism: The country wouldn't let Republicans cut government spending anywhere near as much as Republicans wanted to cut taxes. Compassionate conservatism was concocted to correct that glitch by just cutting taxes and letting government spending soar. The new design flaw: Voters don't like that, either.
Bill Clinton once summed up compassionate conservatism as a way to tell voters that we really wish we could help solve their problems with health care, education, and wages, but we just can't, and we're really sorry about it. In Memphis, the refreshingly candid Sen. Lindsey Graham came up with a new twist. He drew big cheers for telling delegates, "I am sorry for letting you down when it comes to spending your money."
Republicans have come full circle: These days, compassionate conservatism means even saying you're sorry for having been a compassionate conservative. … 9:46 A.M. (link)


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posted by Thom Holwerda on Thu 3rd Apr 2008 22:36 UTC
"dwm is a dynamic window manager for X. It manages windows in tiled and floating layouts. Either layout can be applied dynamically, optimizing the environment for the application in use and the task performed. It is the little brother of wmii." And version 4.9 has been released.

subset: commoncrawl


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And the Oscar for historical accuracy goes to ... nobody
'Argo' and 'Zero Dark Thirty' are based on real life, but have received vastly different reactions during awards season.
LOS ANGELES — Moments after screening his film Argo for the first time for awards voters last fall, Ben Affleck took the podium for an announcement.
Though based on a real incident during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979, the film, particularly the final act, was fabricated, he told voters.
"He admitted there was no final car chase, no last-minute tension at the airport," recalls Tom O'Neil, head of film-awards website Goldderby.com, who attended. "Ben said those elements were there just for edge-of-your-seat excitement. And that was it. The issue (of historical accuracy) never really came up again."
AWARDS NOW: Enjoy USA TODAY's full awards season coverage
Not so for Zero Dark Thirty, the chronicle of the 10-year hunt for Osama bin Laden. Though director Kathryn Bigelow and writer Mark Boalpresented the film as drama, both say it was informed by government officials who gave classified details on background. The movie has come under fire by critics, who say its depiction of waterboarding glorifies government interrogation methods, and by government officials, who question the accuracy and source of the information.
The opposing receptions of the two films, analysts say, could determine the outcome of the Academy Awards Feb. 24 and underscore Oscar voters' finicky views of how films deal with facts.
Although both films earned best-picture nominations and have done well at the box office — Argo has collected $120 million, Zero $78 million — Argo has become the film to beat, and Zero is considered a dark horse.
Zero "was killed by a thousand cuts of question marks," says David Poland of the film site Moviecitynews.com.
Poland says that the films' differing approaches to history led to different fates with awards circles, which have gone overwhelmingly in Argo's favor since it took the Golden Globe for best drama last month.
"People don't applaud at the end of Zero Dark Thirty, they're in shock," he says. "It's a demanding movie, and people don't always respond well to a demanding movie. Argo is not emotionally demanding or intellectually challenging. It's a Hollywood movie."
Oscar season is rife with "true life" stories. One-third of the nine best-picture nominees are based on real events (Lincoln, the third film, has largely avoided scrutiny because the history is so dated, the script is based partly on a book by a respected historian, and "you feel good after it," O'Neil says.)
But hewing closely to the facts — or claiming to — can undercut a film's chances, analysts say.
The Hurricane, the 1999 story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, who was wrongly imprisoned for murder, was considered a lock for a best-picture Oscar nomination. But questions about Carter's real life — and his heroic portrayal in the movie — relegated the film solely to a best-actor nomination for Denzel Washington (he did not win).
O'Neil says a film's fate can rest not only in how it treats the facts but in how it couches them.There Will Be Blood, for example, the 2007 film that director Paul Thomas Anderson said was loosely based on oil tycoon Edward L. Doheny, dodged the firestorm. That film earned a best-picture nomination "by avoiding controversy by not using real names," O'Neil says. "There was a wink to the audience that it was a true story, but the film never came out and claimed that."
Zero has "taken an unfair bashing for portraying torture at all, even though the government hasn't denied waterboarding," he says. "It's not a movie that does much for our self-image."
Argo and Lincoln, Poland says, have fared better "because you applaud at the end. They're palatable cinema."
Under the microscope, "no Oscar biographical film is going to pass a truth test," O'Neil says. "The trick is to not take that test in the first place."


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Bisphenol A, or BPA, the organic compound used in plastic food and water containers, has repeatedly come under fire for safety concerns. Now there is one more head-scratcher of a data point that parents should know about: the estrogen-like chemical may be making our kids fat, new research suggests.
Not all kids, however. Just white kids.
Consumer groups and public health officials have in recent years pointed to mounting evidence that BPA readily accumulates in the body's fat stores and can disrupt hormones that play crucial roles in sexual development, energy use and fat deposition. A 2010 report from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned of possible hazards to fetuses, infants, and young children. The use of BPA was banned in baby baby bottles in the US this year.
Now in a new study of nearly 3,000 children and teens, researchers found that kids with the highest levels of BPA in their urine were 2.6 times more likely to be obese compared to those with low levels of the chemical. However, the link was only statistically significant for caucasian children and adolescents. Connections between the highest levels of BPA and obesity weren't found in black or Hispanic youngsters, according to researchers.
Study: BPA in Dental Fillings Linked to Emotional Problems in Children
In the report, published in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers clarify that their findings don't prove that BPA causes weight gain. There are many other factors that contribute to childhood obesity, most notably an unhealthy diet and low levels of physical activity.
Researchers aren't completely clear on what's going on here. Experimental studies have shown that BPA can make fat cells bigger. The chemical also has been shown to inhibit a hormone called adiponectin, which is involved in lowering heart disease risk. Because BPA is actually a weak synthetic estrogen, the chemical may also disrupt the balance of estrogen and testosterone, which may adversely affect caloric balance.
Deemed safe in adults in low levels, BPA has been used in food packaging, metal can linings, and medical goods since the 1960s, and traces of the chemical can be found in most Americans.
Do you pay attention to which products contain BPA when shopping for your kids? Let us know.


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Stamford pet store employee arrested on embezzlement charges
STAMFORD -- The night manager of a local pet store turned himself over to police Monday on a warrant charging him with embezzling nearly $12,000 in cash, police said.
Phillip Castaneda, 30, of 23 Woodledge Road, was charged with second-degree larceny and released on a promise to appear in court.
On Sept. 6, the manager of the Pet Valu store at 1131 High Ridge Road called police to request investigation of embezzlement, Sgt. Peter diSpagna said. Investigator Heather Bozentko subsequently discovered that Castaneda, who was responsible for making bank deposits when the store closed, kept some of the money.
She determined that between July 20 and Sept. 5, Castaneda withheld $11,718.81 in cash deposits, diSpagna said.
Castaneda turned himself over to police Monday afternoon after he became aware there was a warrant for his arrest. DiSpagna said Castaneda cooperated with police during the investigation.


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Man Who Fathered 30 Kids Wants a Break in Child Support [VIDEO]
Desmond Hatchett, a 33-year-old Knoxville, TN man who has fathered 30 kids says he wants a child-support "break." His 30 kids are from 11 different women, and of the 30 kids, 9 of them were born within the last three years! Word on the street is Hatchett has set a local record with his reproduction abilities. And now, the rolling stone claims he wants a child-support break. No, we just can't make this stuff up …Apparently, his minimum wage job isn't cutting it, and he's requesting a break from costly child-support payments. Regarding his recent court trouble, assistant court supervisor for the Knoxville County child support, Melissa Gibson said, "Yes, we've got several cases with Mr. Hatchett."
The babies mother's involved are putting it on pretty thick seeking out what's rightfully theirs for the welfare of the children.
Should their be a law against this or do you think that Hatchett should get a break because of his inability to pay?
Read more here.


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Rolling Blues take on playoff-hopeful Blue Jackets
The St. Louis Blues look to push their winning streak to seven straight games on Friday night when they visit the playoff-hopeful Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Blues' longest winning streak of the season is also their longest since winning seven in a row from Oct. 22-Nov. 7, 2010. It has also come at a great time as St. Louis has surged into the sixth spot in the Western Conference, one point behind the San Jose Sharks and six up on the ninth-place Phoenix Coyotes.
While the Blues have only scored four goals over their last three games, it has been enough thanks to Brian Elliott, who posted his third straight shutout on Thursday night with a 2-0 victory over the Minnesota Wild.
Elliott made 23 saves to record his 21st career shutout. He has been on fire since Jaroslav Halak went down with a groin injury on April 1 and has not allowed a goal in 189 minutes and 31 seconds. He set an individual club record last season with a shutout span of 241:33.
His current shutout string has come on the road, breaking Jacques Plante's club road mark of 141:19 set during 1968-69 season.
"Don't wanna jinx him," Blues captain David Backes told NHL.com after Thursday night's win. "We want to knock on wood after every interview, but he's been a battler for us, lays it on the line and has worked his butt off to get back into the shape he's in, as far as having that confidence, and knowing that every time he's in the net, we're going to have a great performance."
As a team, the Blues have not allowed a goal in their last 201:24, just nine seconds shy of the team record of 201:32 set last season from March 21-29. St. Louis is also closing in on the team road record of 196:15 set from Dec. 14, 1968-Jan. 3, 1969.
St. Louis has not allowed a power-play goal in eight straight games, killing off all 19 penalties in that span. That is another streak it will look to keep going tonight as head coach Ken Hitchcock tries for the 600th win of his career.
Despite Elliott's current run, Hitchcock has previously said that rookie Jake Allen will start tonight's game that closes out a four-game swing.
The Blue Jackets hope that works in their favor as they try to move closer to a playoff spot. They are tied for 10th in the West with 41 points, three back of the eighth-seeded Detroit Red Wings.
Columbus has gone 12-4-5 in its last 21 games and snapped a two-game slide with Tuesday's 4-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks. That recent mini-skid included a 3-1 loss at St. Louis last Friday.
However, Sergei Bobrovsky made 30 saves on Tuesday to notch the fourth shutout of his career -- all this season -- and Marian Gaborik had a goal and an assist. The forward has logged two goals and five points in four games since being acquired from the New York Rangers.
James Wisniewski, Matt Calvert and Ryan Johansen also lit the lamp in the victory.
"We realize we have to win some hockey games," Calvert said. "We're not out of the race yet."
The Blue Jackets, though, have yet to win a game versus the Blues this season, losing the first three of four scheduled regular-season meetings by a 9-3 margin.
St. Louis has won 10 of the previous 12 encounters overall and six of the last eight in Columbus.


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Arsenal end trophy drought with FA Cup win
Arsenal ended its nine-year trophy drought on Saturday, coming from two goals...
Memphis, TN (SportsNetwork.com) – Dak Prescott accounted for five touchdowns
to lead the Mississippi State Bulldogs to a 44-7 victory over the Rice Owls in
the Liberty Bowl.
Prescott completed 17-of-28 passes for 283 yards and three scores and carried
the ball 14 times for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Jameon Lewis caught nine
passes for 220 yards for the Bulldogs (7-6), who won their final three games.
Charles Ross rushed 10 times for 28 yards and a touchdown for Rice (10-4),
which had a four-game win streak snapped. Taylor McHargue went 8-for-15 for
84 yards.
"It was a really dominating defensive effort. They (Rice) are a team that was
one of the top rushing teams in the country, averaging over 200 yards rushing
a game. We held them to 61 yards rushing and 145 total offense yards. It was
just a very smothering effort by our defense. We gave up an early drive off a
turnover and after that, that was about it." said Bulldogs head coach Dan
On its second possession, which came after a Mississippi St. turnover, Rice
faced 4th-and-1 at the Bulldogs' 36-yard line before Luke Turner ran 13 yards
for the first down.
Three plays later, an 18-yard completion from McHargue to Dennis Parks brought
the Owls inside the Bulldogs' 10-yard line. Back-to-back rushes by Ross got
Rice on the board first, the last coming from a yard out.
The Bulldogs' next drive saw Prescott connect with Lewis for 28 yards on 3rd-
and-11 to bring Mississippi St. down to the Owls' 11-yard line. Two plays
later, Prescott completed a 10-yard pass to LaDarius Perkins for a tying
touchdown with 2:01 left in first quarter.
After Rice went three-and-out at the end of the quarter, Mississippi St. drove
64 yards on 10 plays to take the lead when Ashton Shumpert charged through
the line for a 1-yard touchdown.
The drive was highlighted by a 35-yard completion to Lewis on 3rd-and-3 two
plays before the score.
"It was the game plan, the game plan worked. I was just happy that Dak
[Prescott] kept finding me. I am thankful to the coaches for putting me in the
right situation to make plays for this team." said Lewis.
Another stalled Owl possession led to a Mississippi State 7-play, 64-yard
drive that ended with a 13-yard touchdown catch by Malcolm Johnson with 4:32
to play in the first half. However, Rice blocked the extra point to make the
score 20-7 Bulldogs.
With 1:25 left in the half, Mississippi St. took over on its own 45-yard line.
The Bulldogs drove 55 yards on five plays for another Prescott touchdown pass,
with Artimas Samuel on the receiving end of the 4-yard toss to give the
Bulldogs a 27-7 halftime lead.
On Mississippi State's second possession of the second half, Josh Robinson ran
40 yards to bring the Bulldogs to the Owls' 5-yard line. Prescott rushed for a
score on the next play.
The next Bulldogs drive lasted four plays and ended with another
Prescott touchdown. A 23-yard completion to Lewis and a 26-yard pass to
De'Runnya Wilson led to Prescott's 11-yard touchdown run that extended the
lead to 41-7.
The Bulldogs scored the last points of the game with 4:17 to play, when Taylor
Earhart kicked through a 20-yard field goal to cap a 7-play, 28-yard drive.
Game Notes
Rice has not been shut out since 2000, a span of 159 games … Rice has not
shut out an opponent since the 1995 season (221 games) … The Bulldogs are
3-1 all-time in the Liberty Bowl … Mississippi St. outgained Rice by a
533-145 margin in total yards.


text: It would seem that Tre Cool, drummer for the rock band Green Day, is a Looney Tunes fan. A fan's home video of an early Green Day gig in 1994 has surfaced on Youtube, in which the band performs "Food Around the Corner", the flea's song from Bob Clampett's 1943 classic "An Itch In Time"! There are a couple different performances on Youtube, so they must've done it several times. In this version, Cool and lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong do it as a country-fied harmony piece, and it must've caught their punk-rock fans off guard! Here's the clincher: It's GOOD! See for yourself!


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SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Monogram Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: MGRM) announced today that William D. Young, CEO and Chairman, is scheduled to present a corporate overview at the Thomas Weisel Partners Healthcare Conference 2007 on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at 3:15 p.m. (Eastern Time) at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts.
To access the live audio broadcast or the subsequent archived recording, log on to http://www.monogrambio.com and go to the investor relations section ("Investors/Media" tab) and click on the "Events & Webcasts" link provided on the sidebar menu on the page.
About Monogram Biosciences, Inc.
Monogram is advancing individualized medicine by discovering, developing and marketing innovative products to guide and improve treatment of serious infectious diseases and cancer. The Company's products are designed to help doctors optimize treatment regimens for their patients that lead to better outcomes and reduced costs. The Company's technology is also being used by numerous biopharmaceutical companies to develop new and improved antiviral therapeutics and vaccines as well as targeted cancer therapeutics. More information about the Company and its technology can be found on its web site at http://www.monogrambio.com.
Contacts: Alfred G. Merriweather
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: 650 624-4576
Jeremiah Hall
Feinstein Kean Healthcare
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BATON ROUGE — A 42-year-old Baton Rouge man accused of calling in a bomb threat to LSU on Sept. 17 has been charged in state court.
The East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney's Office filed a one-count bill of information Wednesday charging William Bouvay Jr. with communicating false information of a planned bombing on school property.
The felony charge carries a maximum prison term of 20 years.
District Attorney Hillar Moore said Bouvay will be arraigned on the charge Friday. The case has been assigned to state District Judge Lou Daniel.
A federal grand jury in Baton Rouge indicted Bouvay on Sept. 20 on one count of willfully conveying false information concerning the attempt to destroy property by means of explosives.
If convicted, Bouvay faces up to 10 years in prison.
The bomb threat was called in to LSU at 10:32 a.m. Sept. 17, and the university's emergency text ordering students and staff to evacuate went out at 11:30 a.m.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, Bouvay told a 911 dispatcher, "Yes, I planted three bombs at LSU's campus. My colleagues planted three bombs at LSU to go off in two hours if my ."
The caller did not finish that sentence.
"This is not a joke. I'm gonna go there and ." the caller said before the call was disconnected.
Authorities traced the number using GPS technology to a deactivated cellphone that could be used only for emergency calls, LSU police have said. The phone was found at Bouvay's Skysail residence near Gardere Lane.
Bouvay admitted to authorities he called in the bomb threat, was arrested and booked into Parish Prison.
Authorities know why Bouvay made the bomb threat but have declined to disclose those reasons, other than to say the threat was isolated to LSU.
The federal indictment also did not disclose Bouvay's motive.
LSU bomb threat suspect charged in state court
BATON ROUGE — A 42-year-old Baton Rouge man accused of calling in a bomb threat to LSU on Sept. 17 has been charged in state court.


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Guys can you tell me what the top end of the 19m is like for your weight ?
I am 85 kilos and years ago had the 12m Flysurfer warrior which i liked but at times found problematic. In higher winds it was a bit of a nitemare landing. Once the wind hit 20 knts + the kite became a real handfull. this may have been down to in-experience at the time but i remember a squall coming in when i was on holiday in Tarifa, a bridle line snapped and my kite went in to a death spiral and i got spanked !!
Just wondered what your opinions are on the latest Flysurfers as if the ranges on these kites have improved i would certainly consider one in the future/
i used to love the hangtime off my 12m warrior and that was'nt a particularly good jumping kite.
At 85 kilos on the speed 2 19m what would be a realistic top end in knots. ??
How easy/safe are they to land in the higher wind ranges ??
(Coverted tube kiter but there is something about them foils)


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Fifty Shades Of GreyFifty Shades of Grey is a 2011 erotic novel by British author E. L. James. Set largely in Seattle, it is the first instalment in a trilogy that traces the deepening relationship between a college graduate, Anastasia Steele, and a young business magnate, Christian Grey. It is notable for its explicitly erotic scenes featuring elements of sexual practices involving bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sadism/masochism (BDSM).
Jamie Dornan is our Christian Grey.
Saturday, October 26, 2013 Posted by Ana St at 5:38 AM
Yes it's official. Christian's role will be played by Jamie Dornan. Jamie is a Northern Irish actor, model and musician. He is known for playing Axel von Fersen in Sofia Coppola's film Marie Antoinette, Sheriff Graham Humbert in the ABC series Once Upon a Time and serial killer Paul Spector in the BBC Two crime drama series The Fall.
1 comments:
- Brielle Foster said...
Jamie dornan as christian grey in fifty shades of grey movie and he is a play role of business man in this movie.
- December 24, 2013 at 1:15 AM
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How do you know if your debt ratio is healthy?
Let's say you're making a good salary, but you've got a big mortgage and car loan. Is there a point at which you're tipping the scales and being weighed down with too much debt?
One way to gauge is by calculating your debt-to-income ratio. It's easy.
Add up your net monthly income and divide that by your monthly debt payments: mortgage, car payment, loans, credit cards. If you net $6,000 a month, and pay $1,500 to your mortgage, $300 to your car, and $200 in other debt payments, that equals $2000. Your debt ratio is 30%.
What does that mean?
A debt ratio isn't important in and of itself, says Galia Gichon, founder of Down-to-Earth Finance. But it acts as a litmus test for more important questions: does the amount of debt you carry enable you to put money aside for big financial goals like retirement and a safety fund?
Someone who carries a debt ratio of 20% to 30% is probably able to hit their savings goals. Forty percent is okay—but it probably means you're not putting much aside.
Gichon says she sees many people in the 50% range. "At that point, you're probably paying your bills and your mortgage, but you're not able to get ahead, once you take care of expenses."
This is where you can toss the ratio aside and focus on what it's pointing to: Do you have a savings problem? Is your debt impeding your ability to prep for the future?
Solutions to the debit/savings issue obviously need to be tailored to the individual. In broad terms, you can make more money, you can get rid of debt, and/or you can get creative.
On the more creative side, Gichon recently encouraged a client to consolidate her student loan (which had an interest rate of 7.6%) with her mortgage, in order to reap a better rate.
"Technically, she's taking out more debt, but because it's a 15-year mortgage, and her rate is 3%, her total payment and interest paid are lower. When we walked through the numbers together, she realized that she now had an extra $,1200 a month to beef up her retirement savings. She's feeling really excited about that."


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Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who harnessed the power of social media to gain fame far beyond his city, is heading to Washington after winning a special election to fill New Jersey's U.S. Senate seat.
With 52% of the vote in, Booker was leading Republican tea party opponent Steve Lonegan, 55% to 44%. The Associated Press called the race for the Democrat within hours after the polls closed.
After brushing past the tea party-fueled challenge from Lonegan, Booker will take over a seat long held by Democrat Frank R. Lautenberg, who died in June.
"Thank you so much, New Jersey. I'm proud to be your senator-elect," Booker wrote on Twitter.
Booker, who has 1.4 million Twitter followers and has raised money from Republicans and independents like New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, has tried to use the federal government shutdown to cast himself as a moderate who is willing to compromise. He was best known before this election as a mayor with famous friends, such as Oprah Winfrey, who went from Stanford to Oxford then back to the inner city.
Lonegan, a legally blind former mayor of Bogota, N.J., has not shied from his conservative positions. He spoke publicly about his support of the government shutdown, his opposition to the Affordable Care Act and government-backed health insurance in general. He was the state director for Americans for Prosperity, the conservative group founded by the Koch brothers, and held a rally last weekend with Sarah Palin and the Tea Party Express.
Both candidates have been featured in documentaries: Booker in "Brick City," about his first, failed, mayoral campaign, and Lonegan in "Anytown, U.S.A.," about his 2005 mayoral race.
Republicans have not won a U.S. Senate race in New Jersey since 1972, and Democrats have an advantage in voter registration: one-third of voters are registered Democrats while 20% are Republicans.
But pollsters said in preelection surveys that the election's odd timing — on a Wednesday less than a month before statewide contests take place — made predictions of voter turnout difficult.
Republicans may have fared better with a more moderate candidate, but Republican Gov. Chris Christie blocked anyone else from running, wanting GOP support focused on his reelection, said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University poll, which on Monday showed Booker with a 10-percentage-point lead.
"These things tend to have Christie's fingerprints all over them," Murray said. "A lot of Democrats may decide to vote for Cory Booker and sit out on the losing gubernatorial campaign."
Booker will have to run again next year to defend his seat. While party leaders will likely push the charismatic Booker to become a face of the Democratic Party, he'll need to work hard to keep voters happy at home too, said Ben Dworkin, the director of the Rebovich institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University.
"He's going to have to keep his head down, do a lot of constituent service and build up more trust," Dworkin said. "I don't think we'll necessarily see him gallivanting around the country."
Twitter: @alanasemuels


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|START Conference Manager
ASIST 2012 Annual Meeting
Baltimore, MD, October 26-30, 2012
Educating a New Cadre of Experts Specializing in Digital Collections and Digital Curation: Experiential Learning in Digital Library Curriculum
Krystyna Matusiak, Xiao Hu, June Abbas, George Coulbourne, Anatoliy Gruzd, Samantha Hastings, and Iris Xie
Monday, 8:00am
Integration of experiential learning into the library and information science (LIS) courses has been a theme in LIS education, but the topic deserves renewed attention with an increasing demand for professionals in the digital library field and in light of the new initiative announced by the Library of Congress (LC) and the Institution of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for national residency program in digital curation. The balance between theory and practice in digital library curricula, the challenges of incorporating practical projects into LIS coursework, and the current practice of teaching with hands on activities represent the primary areas of this panel discussion. The panel brings together a representative from the Library of Congress Office of Strategic Initiative to talk about the Residency in Digital Curation program and LIS educators who are actively involved in developing and teaching DL courses with experiential components in face-to-face, hybrid, and online environments.


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Business Signs, Banners, Car Wraps, & Digital Printing
Increase Your Revenue with Vibrant Signage and Custom Promotional Products
Sign It Quick was established more than 20 years ago by Frank AuCoin, to fill the gap in the market for high quality signs that could be designed and printed fast. Since that time, our company has grown significantly to include five locations, and additional product offerings such as car door magnets, vehicle wraps, commercial residential awnings, digital printed signs, banners, and other great printed products. Our brilliantly designed signage and promotional products help companies to market for the future effectively, efficiently, and affordably.
We Are Much More Than Just a Sign Company
Here at Sign It Quick, customers can always expect a level of service that is second to none. Our professional employees are highly trained to design, manufacture, and deliver superior products that will always exceed the expectations of our valued customers. From custom window decals and dimensional lettering services, to yard sign , vehicle graphics, and other promotional products, we offer everything that companies will need to take their marketing efforts to the next level. Be sure to check out our sign tips page for ideas. Customer satisfaction is always our first priority.
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Contact us today to request a quote, to get answers to your general questions, or to get further information about the products and services that we have to offer. We will be pleased to provide assistance for any inquires that you may have. Let us show you why we are a clear leader in the commercial sign industry.


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"Think BOOM!"
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Gasoline at $4 Coming to a Pump Near You, Unfazed by Rising Tab
Pretty alarmist, IMO, but possible.
April 23 (Bloomberg) -- Whether it's $50 to fill up your Prius or $130 for the Ford Expedition, $4-a-gallon gasoline is coming to a pump near you.
Fuel prices are rising at a pace not seen since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita knocked out a third of the U.S. oil refining industry in 2005. Gasoline consumption is climbing twice as fast as last year and will accelerate when summer travel begins late next month.
``What we're surprised by is the increased demand,'' said James Mulva, chief executive officer at ConocoPhillips, whose refineries from California to New Jersey produce 56 million gallons of gas a day, enough to meet 14 percent of the country's needs. ``Even though the price of gasoline is up, the demand is up,'' he said in an April 12 interview in Houston.
Population gains and U.S. economic growth are causing an increase in fuel purchases, according to Orlando, Florida-based AAA, the nation's largest organization for motorists. The U.S. economy will expand at a 2.4 percent annual pace in the second quarter, up from 1.8 percent in the first three months, according to the median estimate of 74 economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Gasoline use is rising almost 5 percent above the five-year average.
Americans are resigned to higher prices, says David Pursell, a principal with Pickering Energy Partners, a consulting firm in Houston.
``Last year, we had pump prices well over $3 for the summer and gasoline demand was up,'' Pursell said in an interview. ``Would $4 gasoline cause demand contraction? I think it will, but I also thought $3 gasoline would.''
Pump Prices
Gasoline inventories, measured by the days of demand they will cover, are at the lowest level in two decades for this time of year because of refinery fires, power failures and maintenance work oil companies failed to complete in 2006. No new U.S. refinery has been built in three decades, increasing the strain on existing plants.
Pump prices in the U.S. may increase to $4 a gallon from a nationwide average of $2.87 today, especially if hurricanes threaten Gulf of Mexico refineries, says Peter Beutel, an analyst at Cameron Hanover Inc. in Stamford, Connecticut, who helps industrial consumers manage energy costs.
``Hurricanes are always the huge wild card,'' said Beutel. ``We're all praying for a year like 2006 rather than 2005.''
The June-to-November Atlantic Ocean hurricane season may produce 17 tropical storms, with nine reaching hurricane force and four becoming major hurricanes whose winds exceed 111 miles per hour (179 kilometers per hour), London-based forecasters at Tropical Storm Risk said. Some of the storms will strike the Gulf Coast this year after a benign 2006, AccuWeather.com predicted.
Inflation Risk
Higher pump prices will make winners of refinery owners such as ConocoPhillips, San Antonio-based Valero Energy Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell Plc of The Hague. Shares of Valero and Sunoco Inc., whose only business is refining, are rebounding after a decline at the end of last summer.
The increase in fuel costs threatens to quicken inflation and restrain consumer spending in the U.S. An appreciation to $4 a gallon would add more than $10 for a driver who fills the 12- gallon tank of a Toyota Motor Corp. Prius. The owner of an Expedition, a Ford Motor Co. sport-utility vehicle with a 34- gallon capacity, faces an increase of almost $40.
Many Americans have no choice but to drive more, says Christopher Knittel, an economist who studies fuel consumption at the University of California in Davis.
More Commuters
``We live farther from our jobs than we did in the 1970s, and with the rise of dual-income households, we now have two people who drive those distances every day,'' Knittel said.
Consumers also do more driving for things such as taking children to soccer practice, which they are unlikely to quit, he said. The U.S. population has increased 1 percent a year in the past decade to 301 million in 2007, adding to demand for gasoline, economists said.
Rising fuel prices make it less likely that Federal Reserve policy makers, who have cited inflation risks for the past year, will cut interest rates to spur economic growth. Before the hurricane-induced peak in 2005, U.S. gasoline topped out at $1.42 a gallon in March 1981, or $3.21 when adjusted for inflation, according to the Energy Department.
Economies in Europe and Asia are less likely to be hurt by gasoline prices because fuel already is subject to high taxes designed to encourage conservation. A gallon of unleaded costs about 3.25 pounds a gallon ($6.49) in the U.K., and in Japan it's 130.3 yen per liter ($4.16 a gallon).
$4 Barrier
U.S. consumers will get little relief on gasoline prices from Europe this year, unlike 2005, when oil companies shipped more across the Atlantic after the hurricanes. Europe's gasoline inventories in February were 114.2 million barrels, down 11 percent from two years earlier, according to the International Energy Agency in Paris. The drop in Europe was almost twice the 5.7 percent decline in U.S. supplies in that time.
``Just as we used to think $3 a gallon was an impenetrable barrier, now it's $4,'' said Peter Morici, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Business in College Park and former chief economist for the U.S. International Trade Commission. Gasoline at $3.50 is likely, Morici said, and a conflict with Iran or any event that disrupts crude supplies may push it to $4.
Pump prices rose 33 percent in the past 11 weeks, the fastest rate of gain since a six-week, 34 percent rally to the record $3.069 in September 2005, Energy Department data show.
Bodman's `Worry'
U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman in an interview last week said the national average pump price could break the record this summer. While his agency's official forecast is for gasoline to peak next month at about where it is today, hurricanes, refinery closures or crude oil supply cuts may send prices higher, he said.
Higher prices are ``a legitimate worry,'' Bodman said. ``We have trouble spots all over the world'' that could boost crude oil prices. ``We're in a very tight situation.''
Spending on fuel in the U.S. consumes half as much household income as in the early 1980s, which means gasoline would need to reach almost $6 a gallon to have the same effect on the economy as in 1981, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
Storage tanks at U.S. refineries, terminals and ports hold enough gasoline to cover almost 22 days of domestic demand, 8.2 percent less than the five-year average and the lowest for this time of year since the 1980s, Energy Department figures show.
Valero-owned filling stations in Denver and Colorado Springs, Colorado, ran dry after a Feb. 16 explosion and fire shut the company's McKee refinery in Sunray, Texas. A day earlier, a blaze at an Exxon Mobil Corp. plant in Nanticoke, Ontario, slashed output, resulting in shortages and higher prices across eastern Canada.
The McKee shutdown strained supplies so much that ConocoPhillips postponed maintenance at its Borger, Texas, refinery north of Amarillo to prevent shortages in the region.
``Refineries are becoming more complex,'' Mulva said in the Houston interview. ``What we're finding is it's more difficult keeping reliability up with more sophisticated pieces of equipment that are highly integrated.''
Tesoro Corp. of San Antonio, the second-largest refiner in the western U.S., said first-quarter refinery use dropped because oil companies delayed until this year maintenance that could have been done in 2006. The portion of U.S. refining capacity that was in operation in the first quarter declined to 87.3 percent from 88.9 percent a year earlier, according to Energy Department data.
`Refineries Blow Up'
``Prices will depend entirely on whether we have a couple of refineries blow up,'' said Philip K. Verleger, an economist who runs a consulting firm in Newport Beach, California. ``It's almost impossible we'll get to $4 a gallon if all the refineries run well this summer. But if something happens and there are problems, then anything's possible.''
The average share gain for Valero, Tesoro and six other oil-refining companies is 26 percent this year, outperforming the 4.1 percent gain for Exxon Mobil and a 4.7 percent increase for the Standard & Poor's 500 index.
The shares will continue to rally, said Paul Carlson, who helps manage $3 billion at HGK Asset Management in Jersey City, New Jersey.
``Refiners are doing very well these days,'' said Carlson, whose holdings include ConocoPhillips, the second-biggest U.S. refiner. ``There will be lots of demand for any new refining stocks.''
`Back in Favor'
As recently as August, investors were selling oil refiners on concern an economic slowdown would slash fuel demand in the U.S., the world's largest energy market. During seven weeks last August and September, Valero shares fell 29 percent, wiping out $12 billion in market value.
``Refining is very much back in favor,'' said Douglas Ober, who helps oversee $2.3 billion at Baltimore-based Adams Express Co. ``Even with higher prices, we haven't seen any substantial cutback in demand. They're cranking out as much of this stuff as they can, and we're throwing it in our tanks as fast as we can.''
The margin earned from processing crude oil into fuels rose to $24.68 a barrel on April 11, the highest since right after the hurricanes in September 2005. The margin has since retreated to $22.12 a barrel, still about double the five-year average.
``It'll be a fairly tight gasoline market all through the summer,'' said Robert Hinckley, an analyst at Rochdale Securities in New York.
Last edited by Donger; 10-10-2014 at 01:43 PM..
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haters gonna hate.
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I spend around $1000/ month in gasoline for business. 4 years ago that would have been around 600.
I am just a small business........
It might help the economy out a little if they can get these nasty prices under control.
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I paid 3.99 (premium) yesterday. The first time I ever paid for gasoline was about 15 and a shade over $1 per gallon.
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"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father ... And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
"If the people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny." - Thomas Jefferson
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I think it was like $1.10 when I had my Oldds 442 in HS. and I remember when it crested $1, my old man was pissed. he couldn't beleive it.
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I remember when a Big Mac Meal was $2.50
I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
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I remember when I could fill up my compact for $11.
I filled up for $3.48 on Monday at a station that is usually cheaper than the other stations in town, which were $3.55 at the time. The next day it went to $3.65 and rose today to $3.69. I haven't checked the cheaper station yet since its on the other side of town where I do grocery shopping.
-Watching Eddie Podolak
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$9.99 a gallon gas posted in protest…
Drivers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania may be in for a shock if they pull into a Lukoil gas station.
About 57 franchise owners are protesting on Wednesday against the price of gas charged by Lukoil North America, a subsidiary of the Russian corporation, OAO Lukoil. The owners have posted gas prices over $8 at their stations to draw attention to what they claim are the high prices charged to them that they must pass on to consumers.
"We are doing this because we are dying," said Khaled Kezbari, owner of three Lukoil gas stations in New Jersey. "Lukoil is charging us costs higher than the retail market. How can you compete? You cannot compete in the market like that."
Outside Kezbari's gas station in Mount Laurel, N.J., the price of gas is posted as $9.99 a gallon.
However, Kezbari, 46, said the gas station owners are not charging customers those high costs. They are only posting the prices for 24 hours in protest of the franchisees' high costs.
"It would be ridiculous if they charged that amount. We are trying to send a message to Lukoil so they know what our feelings are," he said.
Kezbari said he is charging consumers $3.79 a gallon for regular gas. He said franchisees have no choice but to pass on its higher costs to consumers. That has led to lower sales.
He said his business previously used to pump 6,000 gallons a day on average but now pumps 3,000 gallons a day.
State average gas prices in New Jersey are $3.79, according to Gasbuddy.com. But many dealers charge 10 to 20 cents a gallon less for regular, depending on where they get their gas. There are also discounts for those who pay cash.
Courtesy Khaled KezbariThis Lukoil station in Mount Laurel, N.J. is... View Full Size Courtesy Khaled KezbariThis Lukoil station in Mount Laurel, N.J. is taking part in a protest against Lukoil North America and rising franchisee costs.
The national average is $3.85 a gallon, according to the Department of Energy's weekly gas report.
The taxes, fees, rent and labor costs in New Jersey, which ban gas stations from allowing customers to operate the pumps, have also affected his bottom line.
"If I am paying 3 cents on the dollar for credit card fees, how can I survive?" he said.
Kezbari said Lukoil has slowly passed on additional costs to franchisees, including real estate taxes and building up-keep costs, so the company can make additional profit.
A spokesman for Lukoil North America provided a statement to ABC News, saying the company values "our network of independent dealers."
"We deeply regret that the NJGCA, a trade lobbyist, has apparently encouraged public misstatements and ill-conceived actions which harm consumers, rather than engage in constructive dialogue. The NJGCA's efforts appear aimed at zone pricing, a commercially reasonable practice used by gasoline marketers for many years, which is fully compliant with New Jersey statutes governing the sale of motor fuel."
Zone pricing is the practice of gasoline suppliers charging more or less to stations based on their zip codes or other market factors.
Sal Risalvato, executive director of New Jersey Gasoline, C-Store, Automotive Association (NJGCA), the trade group organizing the protest, said the owners agreed to post a high price of their choice on their signs.
"Everybody said we're going to charge something that would be offensive and send a message to Lukoil," Risalvato said.
He said this is the first time the trade group has protested in this manner, though they have been in discussions with Lukoil for the past few years.
Risalvato, who owned a gasoline service station for 23 years in New Jersey, said he is also trying to reach Lukoil dealers in New York and Connecticut.
Kezbari said his customers have so far shown their support of the franchisees. He and some of the other owners are providing a phone number to customers to the Lukoil main office.
"Regular customers say they understand and, 'We're going to call that number,'" he said.
Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning:
Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down.
One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
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3.79 is cheap yo, where can i go and get that?
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Donger said $4.00/gallon gas would not happen.
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This sucks right now.
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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
Global Spectrum has named Jason LaMotte as the new head chef at the Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls. A graduate of Paul Smith College's Culinary Arts Program, LaMotte was born in Buffalo and spent three years abroad as the executive chef and managing partner at Gordon Ramsay Maze in Prague, where he and his team won a Michelin Star Award for their innovative concept. He also worked under John Besh in New Orleans, and prepared meals for various governmental fundraisers in Washington, D.C., including those at the White House.
LaMotte's expertise includes menu development with the use of local and organic foods; ordering, receiving, production coordination and all back-of-house operations; training and development of internal staff; as well as health and safety operations.
One of LaMotte's first endeavors is launching a regional farm-to-table effort with local farmers in Niagara County. He also brings with him an appreciation of inventive and international flavors, including New Orleans and French-style cooking, which is being demonstrated at the Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls for the very first time.
"My favorite dish to make is gumbo," LaMotte said. "It is so complex and full of rich, amazing flavor, it truly is an art to make it just right." Always learning new techniques, he said that he loves to "experiment to find new ways to twist current dishes, while utilizing the best possible local ingredients and allowing their natural flavors and texture to speak for itself, with minimal interference from me."
LaMotte's culinary expertise has already tempted the taste buds of members of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, who hosted their recent "Execs Connect" networking event at the Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls on July 10.
"We had a wonderfully positive response from the approximately 100 Western New York business executives in attendance," said Global Spectrum's Ryan Coate, general manager of the Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls and Old Falls Street, USA. "Chef Jason's cuisine was definitely at the forefront of conversation that evening."
A resident of Williamsville, LaMotte's resume also includes stints at the Hard Rock Café in Prague, The Cheesecake Factory in Long Island, and at Wegmans in Western New York. He and his wife, Petra, have three children.
Global Spectrum (global-spectrum.com) manages the Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls and Old Falls Street, USA, as well as more than 100 other public assembly facilities around the world.


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Year In Review: The 10 Best Albums Of 2010
Album: Jazmine Sullivan's Love Me Back
Must-Download: "10 Seconds," "Redemption"
Everything You Need to Know About the Album in 30 Words or Less: What sophomore curse? Just try not to be blown away by Jazmine's powerful pipes and ballads. A sturdy replay-worthy follow-up to her 'fearless' debut.


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posted by Thom Holwerda on Mon 9th Mar 2009 23:24 UTC
Ext4 is the latest in a long line of Linux file systems, and it's likely to be as important and popular as its predecessors. As a Linux system administrator, you should be aware of the advantages, disadvantages, and basic steps for migrating to ext4. This article explains when to adopt ext4, how to adapt traditional file system maintenance tool usage to ext4, and how to get the most out of the file system.


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Can we get an October Hang on the books? I don't want to miss our most beautiful month. We have a 3 day weekend on the 19th....but it doesn't have to be then.
Have to keep the walk in very minimal, Dakota is having some heart issues and we're awaiting the Cardiologist appointment to find out more. As of this past Monday's appointment they don't want him in gym, no more exercising or strenuous activities. Been lots of scares here lately that the doctor thought was asthma, but finally getting an EKG Monday showed things very differently.


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Hard work and determination have carried JaJuan Dawson far in life.
Those attributes helped Dawson excel in the classroom when he was an honor student at H.L. Bourgeois High School and Tulane University.
Hard work and determination have carried JaJuan Dawson far in life.
Those attributes helped Dawson excel in the classroom when he was an honor student at H.L. Bourgeois High School and Tulane University.
But that's not the only place where Dawson thrived because of hard work and determination. It also helped him become a standout football player.
Starting on the playgrounds in Gibson, Dawson made a name for himself as a standout athlete, and his journey continued with stops at H.L. Bourgeois, Tulane and eventually the NFL.
Now at 35, Dawson's playing days are behind him, but he still uses that same philosophy in life that helped him become a successful student and athlete.
"I've always strived to do my best on the field and in the classroom," he said. "Football was part of my life, and it's something that helped mold and shape my life. I always played every down like it was my last or as if this game meant the most. You just never know who is watching and what the next step in life will be."
Dawson's first step was making a name for himself at H.L. Bourgeois, and he quickly did that as a standout athlete in football, basketball and track and field.
During Dawson's senior season in 1994, H.L. Bourgeois struggled on the football field, finishing with a 1-9 record.
"We didn't win a lot of games, but we still went out and competed every Friday," he said. "If you go and compete every time out, you never know who is watching so you always give it your all because good things can happen. I was fortunate enough that good things happened for me."
Dawson was one of the few bright spots for H.L. Bourgeois. The Braves starting quarterback and defensive back finished his senior season passing for 1,455 yards and seven touchdowns, rushing for 742 yards and eight scores and intercepting a pass.
The H.L. Bourgeois coaches and players quickly recognized Dawson's potential.
Former H.L. Bourgeois linebacker Joby Dion said Dawson played with a lot of heart and was always willing to do what it took to help the team.
Those qualities, Dion said, proved that Dawson could be a special athlete.
"JaJuan was the type of guy that had the makings early on," Dion said. "When someone has the potential, personality, athletic ability and brains, you know they have the potential to go far. He always wasn't the fastest, biggest or strongest, but he made the best of it. With all of those tools, it was hard for him not to be successful."
Former H.L. Bourgeois coach John Lucas said it was easy to see that Dawson had the potential to make a name for himself on the next level.
"He was an all-around great athlete," Lucas said. "He was a good quarterback and a great basketball player. He's an outstanding athlete and one of the best I ever coached."
Dawson's play at H.L. Bourgeois caught the eye of college prospects, but there was a catch — he would have to make the switch to wide receiver.
Although he enjoyed playing quarterback, Dawson said he was open to the idea of switching positions.
"Quarterback is one of those positions that either you're the hero or the zero," Dawson said. "But for someone like me, who liked to be in control and the leadership role, quarterback was a phenomenal position for me in high school.
"For me, quarterback was definitely a positive in not only helping develop leadership but also giving me the confidence to go out and make the switch to receiver. I knew I was smart enough and had the talent to make the position change," he added.
Dawson initially drew interest Nicholls State University, but he jumped at the chance when Tulane coach Buddy Teevens offered him a scholarship. Dawson wanted the chance to go to one of the top academic schools in the country.
Dawson really started to emerge as a player during his redshirt sophomore season when Tommy Bowden took over a head coach.
Under Bowden's wide-open passing attack, Tulane's offense flourished, and Dawson blossomed into one of the team's top receivers.
Teaming up with quarterback Shaun King, Dawson had solid sophomore and junior seasons and finished with 120 catches for 1,786 yards and 22 touchdowns in those two seasons.
"He was a consistent player and was someone who had a real high football IQ," King said. "He was a guy who always knew where he was supposed to be. He was a much better athlete than a lot of people give him credit for.
"A lot of time trust comes into play during a game. When I was throwing the ball and had to make an adjustment, he was one of the guys that I could trust to do the right thing," King added.
Dawson said it took a lot of hard work to build that level of trust on the field.
"It was something that didn't develop overnight," he said. "We put in hours and hours in the offseason to become better players. The game was actually easy because the practices in the offseason were actually hard. We put in so much time and effort in being good that by the time we got to the season, it was second nature for us."
Even after King played his final game at Tulane and Bowden left for Clemson, Dawson continued to put up big numbers for the Green Wave. Dawson had his best season as a senior, leading the team with a school-record 96 catches for 1,051 yards and eight touchdowns.
Dawson ended his Tulane career in 1999 with 234 receptions for 3,048 yards and 31 touchdowns. He was also a three-time all-Conference USA selection.
Dawson's junior season was arguably one of the best in Tulane history after the Green Wave surprised many experts and finished 12-0.
Tulane's 1998 undefeated season is something Dawson said he will always be proud of because few college players have done it.
"Not many people get an opportunity to go undefeated," he said. "That's a feat in itself because it doesn't matter who you are playing or when you playing, you had to outplay your opponent every time you stepped out on the field. That just doesn't happen too often. To go out and play consistent ball for the whole season was a tremendous attribute to the guys I played with."
Tulane set many offensive school records that season, including total offense (5,578 yards), passing yards (3,352 yards) and points (540). The 12 wins were also the most in school history.
King said the 1998 team has left a lasting legacy at Tulane.
"We worked so hard to have that season," King said. "It put us in a position to leave a legacy because we did something that had never been done before. After losing the first few seasons, we worked hard to turn things around, and we were able to leave our imprint at Tulane and in New Orleans."
Tulane won the Conference USA title that season and defeated BYU, 41-27, in the Liberty Bowl.
Finishing 12-0 was special, but Dawson said he and his teammates would have liked a chance to play in Bowl Championship Series game. At the time, the BCS was in its first season.
"Obviously we would have loved that opportunity," he said. "We felt like we were clicking on all cylinders, and we really wanted to be challenged. We played BYU in the Liberty Bowl, but we would have loved to play in the Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl or something like that at the time. I understand the BCS had to grow, and I'm glad to see that it's growing."
Growing up, Dawson always dreamed of playing in the NFL.
The Cleveland Browns made that dream a reality by selecting Dawson in the third round (79th overall).
"It was a chance to live a dream," he said. "I enjoyed every moment of it, and I tell people that if I could do it all over again — go back and play ball in college and the pros — I would. It was such a fun time."
Dawson had an immediate impact with the Browns, catching a 13-yard touchdown pass from Tim Couch in his first game. He led the team with six catches for 83 yards that day.
Dion said he was excited to see his former high-school teammate getting an opportunity to play in the NFL.
"It was such a great story. I was able to tell people that I was able to play in high school with a guy who made it in the NFL," Dion said. "It was so cool to say that I played with that guy."
Dawson's rookie season, however, came to a quick end one week later after he suffered a season-ending injury.
Injuries would be something Dawson would battle throughout his NFL career. He would play two seasons with the Browns, one with the Houston Texans and spent time with the Indianapolis Colts. In 2004, he went to training camp with the New York Giants and was later released.
Dawson finished his NFL career with 52 catches for 664 yards and two touchdowns.
"It was a good run," Dawson said. "I enjoyed it, but obviously, I wished it would have turned out a little different. Injuries and the business side of it are sometimes hard to compete with."
Now that his football career is over, Dawson still follows his hard work and dedication philosophy on life.
Professionally, Dawson is a senior sales representative for Boston Scientific, and he uses some of the same traits that made him successful on the gridiron in his career.
"The competitiveness is still there, and obviously, you want to be successful," he said. "Believe it or not, but sales companies have actually recognized that former athletes make good sales reps. I've been in this for about eight years, and I enjoy it. It's probably not as glamorous as playing high school, college or pro football, but it's something I enjoy. It's a decent living, so I won't complain."
Dawson is currently living in Dallas with his wife, Jamie, and daughters, Jadyn and Jayla.
Dawson said he feels fortunate to have had an opportunity to live his dream, which would not have been possible without the help of family, friends, coaches and teammates.
"I would like to thank everybody who supported me throughout the years starting in high school and carrying over to college and the NFL," he said. "I had a lot of great fiends, coaches and teachers and support from my parents (Frederick and Susan Dawson), and I would not be here without them."


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Agile Fixed Price Contracting
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On the high-traffic ScrumDevelopment newsgroup, where some of the industry's most senior Agile managers and developers dialogue, an interesting question has appeared: "Is it possible to run SCRUM with fixed price contracts, especially custom projects?" This topic has appeared periodically in the last few years: interestingly, for such a busy list, there is often little response to questions on this topic. In this case, the heavyweights (no pun intended :-) have weighed in:
Mike Beedle, co-author of the original Scrum book recognizes the problem:
"I understand your frustration. The "big fixed price project" situation happens in most large companies, and in many small and medium ones is not uncommon."Beedle went on to offer a series of suggestions in three categories:
- Estimate for the Overhead Upfront (Bloat Upfront)
- Use the "Fixed Bid" to your advantage aka stong Change Management
- Do "Fix Bid" as "Fixed Number of Hours"
> sprints/ iterations up front? Or even can we?
Ron Jeffries replied with his usual candour:
"You certain can ... you can do the estimates the same way you would were you not doing Agile. I would imagine that that didn't work very well in the past, and that it would continue not to work very well in the future."Note that recently Mike Dwyer posted a useful link on this list to an article in Crosstalk, Journal of Defense Software Engineering., entitled "Lessons Learned Using Agile Methods on Large Defense Contracts" by Paul E. McMahon, Certified ScrumMaster (CSM).
Some Scrum Trainers do include an optional module in the CSM training on contracting.
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Fixed Price? Don't get stung.
paul browne
If you want fix the price, other things have to fluctuate
Rob James
My preferred approach is to make the scope float. When starting on the project we break down the requirements into User Stories that get prioritized and estimated in a full day workshop.
If you are going to estimate, you are going to start thinking solution. When we do this, we prioritize the solution as well (I call this horizontal prioritization). On the left of the prioritization is the simplest technical solution vs the right is the most complex "perfect world" technical solution.
Based on this work, we know that the project may be a "3 month project for 6 developers/testers". There is your cost right there! Now you go ahead and do what you can from the list of priorities in that time.
You are agreeing a baseline for your scope and you basically captured the must haves with the wish lists. Because the process is a collaborative one with your customer you are continually re-addressing this baseline scope (when you schedule work for the next sprint). So when you deliver a simple solution to a business problem, the customer has the power to re-prioritize the 'rolls-royce' solution ahead of another story after they have done their testing.
The customer gets their fixed price quote, and you get your Agile project.


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Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Kiowa Linux and Free Comics!
Although it was a rather gray and rainy day, the weather didn't get in the way of lots of comics fans turning out. Not only did Polly and I draw a lot of cartoons and sign many a cartoon reprint, I had the opportunity to talk about Kiowa Linux.
I brought along my Kiowa Linux Laptop and set it up to display a slide show of all my cartoons (and Polly's). I used DigiKam to create the slide show. It's a terrific photo management program and worked equally well when I imported all my cartoons.
I have to tell ya, folks were really impressed with Kiowa Linux! When the Operating system was in action, the first thing they asked was, "What is this? Is it Windows? " Their own question cast doubt about it being Windows because they could see that Kiowa was doing things a bit differently from Windows. It looked cleaner. It looked cool. They also noticed that there was a greater stability, a familiar interface, ease of use, and lot less strain on system resources. Applications booted quickly! When I showed all the features of multiple desktops, free software (OpenOffice, Gimp, etc.), full customization, and other goodies, many commented that they wanted to toss their Windows system and get Linux ASAP!
In the above photo, I'm demonstrating The Gimp and how I use it to help create my cartoon features. (The laptop's display in these photos looks darker than it actually is. A photographic problem with lighting in the room) The Gimp is really a terrific application. I met a lot of parents who wanted to know what sort of graphics application they should buy for their son or daughter. These kids usually attend these events with their sketchpad to show me the cartoons they've created. They want to take the next step and get their cartoons into the computer so they can work on them digitally. That's when I pulled the laptop front and center to show them Gimp. Gimp comes with every Linux distro and does everything PhotoShop does and the cost is...FREE! The simple solution is to grab that old Windows box that no longer works due to virus infection, download Linux, and do a complete install. You wipe out Windows and you gain Linux security, Gimp and other terrific apps. And for the family on a budgt, this is a perfect solution. You can also buy a system pre-installed with Linux. Either way, you get cutting edge technology to do everything that Windows and Mac do. but the price is much more agreeable.
Get Linux and get creative.
4 comments:
How fun! Now, looks like you would also need to bring a set of linux desktop+GIMP how-tos' instructions for your younger audience to your Comic Book Day events. Or have them on CD as well. :-)
- May 22, 2008 at 1:28 PM
- MSzorady said...
It was a great day. I love these events because I do most of them with some really neat cartoonists like Polly Keener. And the folks who show up are just wonderful. I get to do the two things I love...draw cartoons and talk about Linux.:)
Your suggestion is a good one.:) I just may compile some of my Gimp tips from this blog plus others I run across.
- May 22, 2008 at 1:46 PM
- bed said...
I took just a short look to the kiowa linux homepage.
There is no word about on which Distribution parent it has nor which package management system is used.
Or am I dumb?
cu bed from
- July 3, 2008 at 5:24 AM
- MSzorady said...
Currently, Kiowa Linux is based on Mandriva and uses Synaptic to install RPM packages.
- November 27, 2008 at 10:33 PM


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Brief SummaryRead full entry
Mantophasmatodea is a suborder of carnivorous African insects discovered in 2001 (Adis et al. 2002, Klass et al. 2002). The group was originally introduced as a new insect order, but based on recent evidence indicating a sister group relationship with Grylloblattidae (formerly classified in the order Grylloblattodea) (Terry & Whiting 2005, Cameron et al. 2006), Arillo & Engel have combined the two groups into a single order, Notoptera (Arillo & Engel 2006).
The most common vernacular name for this order is gladiators, although they also are called rock crawlers, heelwalkers, mantophasmids, and colloquially, mantos. Their modern centre of endemism is western South Africa and Namibia (Brandberg Massif) (Zombro et al. 2002), although a relict population, and Eocene fossils suggest a wider ancient distribution.
Mantophasmatodea are wingless even as adults, making them relatively difficult to identify. They resemble a mix between praying mantids and phasmids, and molecular evidence indicates that they are most closely related to the equally enigmatic group Grylloblattodea (Terry & Whiting 2005, Cameron et al. 2006). The gladiators initially were described from old museum specimens that originally were found in Namibia (Mantophasma zephyrum) and Tanzania (M. subsolanum), and from a 45-million-year-old specimen of Baltic amber (Raptophasma kerneggeri).
Live specimens were found in Namibia by an international expedition in early 2002; Tyrannophasma gladiator was found on the Brandberg Massif, and Mantophasma zephyrum was found on the Erongoberg Massif (Zombro et al. 2003).


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2012 Fisker Karma Values
Select a 2012 Fisker Karma trim level
2012 model year changes
The brand new Fisker Karma is a full-sized luxury sedan with a trick hybrid drivetrain. Stunningly beautiful, the Karma manages to look like a sports car while still seating four people in comfort. The hybrid drivetrain allows the Karma to operate as an electric vehicle, complete with plug-in recharge system. If the driver chooses, an onboard gasoline engine can also be utilized to recharge the batteries and keep the Karma moving in much the same manner as a traditional hybrid.
Competitive comparison
Beautiful to look at; environmentally friendly; luxurious and quick
Special features for 2012
The Karma competes with full-sized luxury sedans and coupes from manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz and BMW with a price point of around $100,000. Its stand-out styling immediately makes a strong case for the car, but it's the eco-friendliness of the vehicle that really sets it apart from its rivals. Going beyond just a hybrid drivetrain, Fisker have done everything they can to ensure that the Karma has a minimal impact on the environment. Unlike most other hybrids and in accordance with its styling, the Karma has a fun side as well. Performance is good and handling was made a priority in its design. Starting a new car company is no easy task and Fisker has done their best to ensure that their first product is a strong one.
The 2012 Fisker Karma is a plug-in luxury sports sedan powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine combined with two batteries, providing drivers with 403 hp for a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds. Routing energy directly to the rear wheels, while utilizing a RWD, enables the Karma to operate without a transmission. Fuel mileage is an EPA estimated 52 mpg in all-electric mode and 20 mpg in gasoline mode. Features include premium audio, iPod integration, hands-free phone capabilities, navigation system, climate control, solar roof, 22-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlights, and refined interior wood trim. Safety is comprised of an advanced space frame, dual advanced front airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, seat side airbags, and a sophisticated braking system. The Karma is backed by a 50-month/50,000-mile warranty.


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Customer Reviews
All reviews are from people who have redeemed deals with this merchant.
What You'll Get
Choose Between Two Options
- $29 for one monogrammed pendant necklace ($59.99 value)
- $55 for two monogrammed pendant necklaces ($119.98 value)
- 2mm chain thickness
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- Additional options ca be purchased on the landing page when redeeming
The Fine Print
Promotional value expires 90 days after purchase. Amount paid never expires. Limit 2 per person, may buy 3 additional as gifts. Valid only for option purchased. Online only. $4.99 shipping for 1, $5.99 for 2. Most orders ship within 2-3 weeks from redemption date. Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.
About Joyali
Joyali's custom jewelry makes it possible to keep loved ones near you wherever you go. The online store sells earrings, rings, necklaces, and bracelets that all have an element of personalization: an inscribed name, initial, or message. Whether it's a pair of linked hearts etched with each soulmate's name or an infinity-sign earring to commemorate a never-ending brunch, many of the pieces speak to deep devotion. Others, like silver baby feet or pendants with children's names, are indicative of a parent's love.