text:
U.S. companies are the most profitable in more than 40 years, and some of the best-known stock pickers are divided over how long that will last.
Bob Doll, chief equity strategist at BlackRock Inc. (BLK), said low labor costs and cost-saving technology will allow companies to keep up their profitability. Jeremy Grantham, chief investment strategist of Boston-based Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co., said margins will send stock markets tumbling when they eventually revert to their mean.
"The implication for the stock market is ugly, because it means earnings are unsustainably high," Grantham's colleague Ben Inker, GMO's director of asset allocation, said in a telephone interview. GMO, an investment manager that oversees $93 billion, puts the fair value of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index at between 950 and 1,000, compared with the 1,158.67 level at which it closed last week.
U.S. companies' ability to squeeze more profit from each dollar of sales is pushing earnings higher, even as the economy has grown at a below-average clip since the recession ended in June 2009. Grantham, who called corporate profits "freakishly high" in an August commentary, sees wide margins as an aberration. Some of his competitors say changes in the economy and the way firms operate could keep them near peak levels for another year or two.
"We don't think they have to fall," Doll, whose New York- based firm is the world's largest asset manager, said in a phone interview. BlackRock oversees $3.35 trillion.
Labor, Technology
Two forces that have lifted margins, a weak job market and investment in labor-saving technology, show no sign of reversing, Doll said. "We lean towards the optimistic side," he wrote in a Nov. 21 note on the stock market's prospects.
The margins of non-financial companies in the U.S., a widely used measure of profitability, reached 15 percent in the third quarter, according to data from Moody's Analytics Inc. in West Chester, Pennsylvania. That was the highest level since 1969. When the recession ended in the second quarter of 2009, the comparable number was 8.7 percent.
Moody's measures margins as total profits for non-financial companies divided by the contribution of those businesses to the gross domestic product. The number captures the results of a range of public and private companies and isn't distorted by the big swings in earnings of financial firms, according Mark Zandi, the chief economist.
RELATED ITEM The 20 funds and fund managers investors flocked to in 2011 »
Those on both sides of the debate agree on two things: margins are unusually high and the driving force behind their rise is companies' ability to keep a lid on expenses.
'Marvelous Job'
"Businesses have done a marvelous job of reducing costs," Zandi said in a telephone interview.
The globalization of the workforce and a U.S. jobless rate of 9 percent last month have given management the upper hand in dealing with labor, Zandi said. Wages and salaries as a share of national income fell to 49.4 percent in the third quarter, the lowest since the government began collecting the numbers in 1948, Moody's data show.
Companies, while slow to hire, have been upgrading technology.
Businesses invested in equipment and software at an annual pace of $1.15 trillion in the third quarter, up 26 percent since the fourth quarter of 2009, data from IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Massachusetts, show.
Emerging Markets
Profit margins have been bolstered by sales to faster- growing economies in Asian and Latin American emerging markets, which have helped companies offset weakness in the U.S. and Europe. American multinationals "are much less dependent on developed-market economies than they have been in the past," William Stromberg, director of global equity research at Baltimore-based T. Rowe Price Group Inc. (TROW), wrote in a November newsletter.
Dennis Bryan is skeptical that the trends that have supported margins can continue. Bryan is co-portfolio manager of the $1.2 billion FPA Capital Fund (FPPTX), the top-performing diversified U.S. stock fund over the past 25 years, according to Chicago-based Morningstar Inc. (MORN) The fund gained 14 percent annually in the period ended Sept. 30, Morningstar data show.
Firms may be reaching their limit in wringing out costs, after two years of rising margins, Bryan said in a telephone interview from Los Angeles.
"Will companies be able to keep tightening their belts by cutting millions more Americans out of the workforce?" he said.
Long-Term Trend
Profit margins have been trending higher since the mid-1980s, said Chris Christopher, an economist at IHS (IHS) Global Insight, who has written on the subject. Quarterly margins peaked at 11.9 percent in the 1980s, 13.6 percent in the 1990s and 14.5 percent in the most recent decade, Moody's data show.
The S&P 500 returned an annual 20 percent over five years after margins peaked in the second quarter of 1984. It fell an annual 1.6 percent over five years after margins hit a high in the third quarter of 1997, and declined 1.2 percent a year after the third quarter of 2006, the peak for margins in the most recent decade.
Sales growth may slow as economies around the world lose steam, Bryan said. The International Monetary Fund trimmed its forecast in September for global economic growth through 2012 and said Europe and the U.S. risk re-entering recession if they fail to solve their financial problems.
When margins have peaked in the past, they have typically fallen over the following five years, Bryan told investors in his third-quarter newsletter.
"We expect a lot of profit disappointments coming our way," he wrote.
Grantham also believes in mean reversion, the notion that most measures drop back to their historical norms over time.
'The Great Threat'
"Lower margins are the great threat to market performance," he wrote in the August newsletter. Grantham is known for his bearish investment outlook and for his successful record in identifying stock-market bubbles.
Margins have been propped up by a "great surge" in government spending that fueled consumption, Grantham said. As political pressures force the U.S. to cut its budget deficit, the economy will suffer and margins will drop, Grantham predicted without laying out a timetable.
GMO expects U.S. large-capitalization stocks to return 1.8 percent a year above inflation over the next seven years, according to its website.
With job growth likely to remain "sluggish" and interest rates low, rising costs are no threat to profits, said BlackRock's Doll. If the U.S. economy continues to "muddle through" at the growth rates the country has achieved the past two years, sales should hold up as well, he said.
"We didn't need a strong economy to get margins high," Doll said. "Why do we need a strong one to keep them high?"
Here to Stay
High margins are here to stay, said Allen Sinai, chief economist at Decision Economics Inc. in New York.
Cloud computing, which provides access to software and computing tasks remotely over the Internet, rather than through a company's own system, is just the latest tool corporations can use to keep costs in check, Sinai said.
"This is the way of the world now," he said in a telephone interview. "CEOs are paid to maximize profits."
Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) CEO John Chambers said in a Nov. 10 interview with Betty Liu on Bloomberg Television's "In The Loop," "We are all over our gross margins, the whole company is focused on that."
Gross margin, Cisco's fraction of revenue left after subtracting the cost of goods sold, fell to 61 percent in the third quarter from 63 percent a year earlier, even after the San Jose, California-based company eliminated jobs and scaled back operating expenses.
2012 Estimates
Analysts have reduced their estimates for 2012 sales growth among S&P 500 Index companies, after the biggest annual sales increase since at least 1993 this year.
Revenue for the firms in the index will climb 3.9 percent in 2012, based on the average estimate of more than 10,000 forecasts compiled by Bloomberg earlier this month. Sales will surge 11 percent in 2011, according to the analysts.
Grantham said of profit margins, "They do not seem to be connected to economic realty."
--Bloomberg News--


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|Brief description
The geoXwalk Gazetteer project was originally funded under the Infrastructure programme. The main aim was to develop a demonstrator gazetteer service for the purpose of enhancing geographic searching within the JISC Information Environment. The rationale behind the project is that there is currently no unified entry point to assist in geographic searching within the existing academic network as each information provider /service adopts different geographic coding conventions (some use postcodes, others place names, some grid references etc.) The final Phase V of the project will allow JISC to assess its readiness for transition to service. Project start date: 2007-01-01. Project end date: 2008-03-31. (Excerpt from this source)Percentage of Ariadne articles tagged with this term: [term_node_prcnt_1]%.
Ariadne is published by Loughborough University Library
© Ariadne ISSN: 1361-3200. See our explanations of Access Terms and Copyright and Privacy Statement.

subset: commoncrawl


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Hunter Bandy
Boca Raton junior
Position: Midfielder
Season highlights: Scoring a hat trick in a 4-1 victory over rival Park Vista for the regional championship. It was the first time that Bandy had ever scored three goals in a game in his high school career.
Comment: With 11 goals and 16 assists, Bandy was the Bobcats' leading scorer this season, offensive catalyst and team captain. Helped lead Boca Raton to the state semifinal where it lost 3-1 to the eventual Class 5A state champion Cypress Bay. Nearly doubled his offensive output this season after scoring one goal in his freshman season, when Boca Raton won the state championship, and six goals last season when the team was upset in the regional quarterfinals. Considering UCF, Wake Forest, Georgetown, Lafayette, Xavier and Maryland. "He puts in a workmanlike effort every game. I can't think of a bad game he has had here in three years. Hunter is very consistent, very quick and is a game-changer," said Marcelo Castillo, Boca High coach.
Athlete's quote: "This was my breakout year. I led the team in stats and I tried to lead by example and motivate the team to have a great season. We are going to need to have some good team chemistry going next year and I am going to try and lead again to get our team one step farther this year. I want to go to a good college and ultimately I'd like to go pro."


text:
Your recent editorial correctly pointed out that because Marylanders overwhelmingly support Gov. Martin O'Malley's gun legislation, voters almost certainly would approve it if it were petitioned to a referendum in 2014 ("Make our day," April 9).
However, a successful referendum petition would delay the date when the law goes into effect by 15 months and thus postpone its life-saving impact by a similar period.
We need to start as soon as possible implementing the law's fingerprinting and licensing requirements for handgun purchases, which is the state's most effective tool for reducing gun violence and saving lives.
That is why we at Marylanders To Prevent Gun Violence strongly urge citizens not to sign petitions to take this life-saving measure to the polls.
Vincent DeMarco, Baltimore
The writer is president of Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence.


text:
Bridget's Bridge by Curtis Robertson
DESIGNED FOR A newly single survivor with a new, leaner life.
INSPIRED BY A Paint-By-Number picture, retrieved from childhood, that links her past to her future. Bridget paints her bridge, and makes her home finally all her own.
Curtis, a Centenary College grad, came to New York in 1986. He has since enjoyed working to take small city apartments and turn them into wonderful living spaces by experimenting with creative techniques.
Close-Up: Curtis' Wallpaper by Hand
• Curtis Paints Paris By Numbers
• Inside Out: Curtis' Attention to Detail Will Blow You Away
• Look! Curtis Inspires a Show in Vermont
• Curtis' Peachy Creamy Late Deco Loo
Curtis would like to thank the following sources that contributed to his window:
• Smithsonian catalog for the Paint by Number exhibit • The Cooper-Hewitt Landscape Wallcovering show catalog
Window Pics: Kristy May


text:
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 29 (UPI) -- An ex-student who allegedly organized the beating that led to the death of a Florida college band member has been charged with felony hazing, court records say.
Dante Martin has already pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge related to a separate hazing aboard the bus on which Florida A&M University student Robert Champion died, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported.
Prosecutors with the Orange-Osceola State Attorney's office would not confirm the charges. However, a 20-page document revising the original hazing charges now lists Martin among 12 persons charged with felonies in the case, the newspaper reported.
Martin also faces two additional misdemeanor charges of hazing.
Officials say Martin was the acknowledged "president" of the bus on which rode percussion players for the marching band. As such, he organized hazings, officials say.
Investigators say that since they began looking into Champion's death, they have uncovered four other hazing incidents by band members that day.


text:
Strawberries and Cream Cake Roll
For Cake:
4 large egg yolks
2 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup sifted cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons warm water
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Confectioners' sugar
For Strawberry Filling:
l cup whipping cream
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
3 tablespoons prepared lemon curd, at room temperature* (see below)
1 pint basket (about 3 1/4 cups) strawberries, stemmed and coarsely
Confectioners' sugar
1 pint basket (about 3 1/4 cups) strawberries
To Make Cake:
Heat oven to 375 degrees f (190 C). Line 18 x 12-inch jellyroll
sheet pan with aluminum foil and coat with vegetable cooking spray.
In large mixer bowl beat yolks and eggs at high speed about 5
minutes until thick and lemon-colored. Continuing at high speed,
gradually beat in granulated sugar until mixture is pale and thick.
Gently fold in dry ingredients except confectioners' sugar to blend
thoroughly. Fold in water, oil and vanilla. Spread batter evenly in
prepared pan. Bake in center of oven about 10 minutes until springy
to the touch.
Meanwhile, coat a clean dishtowel with confectioners' sugar. Invert
hot cake onto towel close to one long edge. Gently peel off foil.
Trim 1/2 inch off each short side of cake. Starting from long side,
tightly roll cake and towel. Set on rack to cool completely.
To Make Strawberry Filling:
In mixer bowl whip cream to form soft peaks. Beat in sugar to form
stiff peaks. Fold in lemon curd to blend thoroughly. Mix in chopped
strawberries. Gently unroll cake. Spread strawberry mixture evenly
on cake and re-roll. Place seam-side-down. Dust with confectioners'
sugar. Cut into 8 (about 1 3/4-inch) equal slices. Place each slice
on serving plate. Garnish with whole and halved strawberries.
Makes 8 servings.
*Lemon curd can be found in the jam and jelly or gourmet section of
most supermarkets.
Candy Recipes] [Easter
Brunch Recipes] [Easter
Salad Recipes] [Easter
Bread Recipes] [Easter
Side Dish Recipes] [Easter
Dinner Recipes] [Ham
Recipes] [Easter
Desserts] [Home]
Razzle Dazzle Recipes


text:
Today we celebrate the successful completion of Utah State University's first-ever comprehensive campaign, Honoring Tradition, Securing Our Future.
Together, with the help of a great group of colleagues—specifically my central administrative team, the advancement team both at the university and college levels, a wonderful and talented group of deans, the outstanding leadership that is found in our athletic program, strong leadership from our Board of Trustees and Foundation Board—and, most importantly, the 53,000+ individual donors who contributed during the campaign, we have more than succeeded in reaching our campaign goals.
First, as always, we must begin with the impact the campaign has had for our students. With your gifts, we have been able to establish more than 200 new scholarship endowments. These endowments provide access and retention opportunities for hundreds of our students, and because they are endowments, they will continue to do so permanently. This means that the hundreds of students being supported today will, over the years, turn into thousands and tens of thousands. What a wonderful legacy.
Second, let me note the remarkable impacts on our Regional Campus System. As a result of landmark gifts, we have an impressive new campus in the Uintah Basin. Other gifts are changing or will change our presence in Brigham City, Tooele, Moab and USU Eastern in Price and Blanding. Perhaps one of our greatest legacies will be the opportunities created for students of all ages who now will have the opportunity to obtain a high-quality Utah State University education absent the financial and other barriers associated with geography.
Third, certainly one of the highlights of the campaign is the many new buildings we have added. The face of our campus has been changed, and in dramatic ways. New buildings now grace Utah State University from the Quad at the Logan campus to Blanding in the far southeastern corner of our state. Generations of students and faculty will benefit from these new facilities and the classrooms and laboratories that they provide.
Fourth, clearly one of the most visible and significant impacts of our campaign is seen in our athletic program. Our alumni and fans, here and around the country, are basking in the resurgence of Aggie pride and triumph on the athletic field. Much of this is made possible because of your help in building new facilities, providing scholarship support to student athletes and assisting us in attracting and retaining quality administrators and coaches. We now have, or will soon have, facilities that are the envy of any university in the country. This has made possible our opportunity to move into the Mountain West Conference, and will continue to allow us to compete and win championships at the highest level. It is a great time to be an Aggie.
Fifth, among the most remarkable outcomes of this campaign has been the naming of four of our academic colleges—the Huntsman School of Business, the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, the Caine College of the Arts and the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources. Each of these actions reflects gifts and pledges of more than $25 million dollars. When I talk with university colleagues around the country, they find this to be one of the most noteworthy feats of our campaign.
Sixth, one of the goals established at the time of my appointment was for us to enhance our global presence—in research, student opportunities, an expanded presence of international students on campus and other collaborations and opportunities. If we are to provide our students the kinds of experiences that will make them players in an increasingly global economy, our efforts on this front are essential. Your gifts are making that happen.
Finally, our research opportunities are being greatly facilitated by gifts that have come to help build our research and commercialization enterprise. This is a growing part of our portfolio, and one that will become increasingly important as we move forward.
One of the most gratifying outcomes of the campaign has been the new friendships that have been created that go way beyond the business of comprehensive campaigns and fundraising. As I met with long-time university benefactors or with those who would become first-time donors, I developed a very strong sense that it was my responsibility not to let them down. I wanted to make sure that what we did with their gifts would be consistent with the hopes and dreams that caused them to step up and make the commitments in the first place.
The task of raising this enormous sum of money was made easier because there is something very special about this place. I know you feel it. Though it is sometimes difficult to explain to others, I observe it daily in my interactions with alumni, with students, with parents and with most anyone who has had the opportunity to be connected in some way with this institution.
Over the past few weeks, I have tried to put into words just what this campaign has really meant in all of its aspects. I have found that task simply too difficult. We see immediate impacts in the wonderful physical monuments on our campus—new buildings, classrooms, laboratories, study rooms, auditoriums, libraries, athletic venues. These facilities enhance the beauty of our campus but also represent, for generations to come, the level of heightened excellence we enjoy in our teaching, research, outreach and athletic missions. But the most important outcomes will likely be found in the sometimes less visible changes in individual lives.
On behalf of my colleagues, our faculty and staff, our students and those whose lives will be blessed for generations to come, THANK YOU from the bottoms of our hearts and the depths of our souls for helping us reach the truly remarkable goal.
Stan L. Albrecht, President


text:
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text:
Man Leaves Victim Looking Like A Zombie For Sleeping With A Married Woman! (Pours Acid On His Head)
"A man has been convicted of trying to pour acid down the throat of his victim in revenge for his relationship with a married woman. Mohammed Vakas, 26, was convicted of conspiracy to murder Awais Akram, 25. Mr Akram managed to avoid swallowing the acid, but suffered horrific burns over most of his body and was not expected to survive. He was blinded in one eye, lost both his ears and was left widely scarred by drain cleaner fluid which is 91% sulphuric acid.The attack was launched because of his relationship with Sadia Khatoon, a woman he met on Facebook. She is the sister of Vakas. He was beaten, kicked and stabbed twice yards from his home. He said: "This person came in front of me and he had a bottle in his hand. He was saying 'Open your mouth, open your mouth.' "He started pouring acid on top of my head. I felt a burning sensation. I asked why I was being attacked and I could not hear clearly, but I could hear the words 'Sadia, Sadia, Sadia.'""
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E3 - Easy Epidemiology for Everyone
E3 is a new feature of the Indiana Epidemiology Newsletter dedicated to exploring the fundamentals of epidemiology. Each month, a different epidemiology concept will be explored to enhance understanding of basic epidemiology.
Confidence Intervals
Tracy Powell, MPH
ISDH Field Epidemiologist, District 4
As epidemiologists, we use the odds ratio (or risk ratio) to assess the statistical relationship between two or more variables, e.g., assessing the risk of a particular outcome if a certain exposure is present. But, how do we know if the odds ratio is significant to our investigation?
We calculate a confidence interval!
The confidence interval is a range of values on either side of the odds ratio or point estimate. It allows us to look beyond the dichotomy of "significant" and "not significant" and instead focus on a range of likely values. Ideally, the point estimate will be somewhere in the middle of the confidence interval.
The confidence interval consists of three components: the upper bound number, the lower bound number, and the confidence level. In public health, most confidence intervals have a confidence level of 95 percent, but other levels are commonly used, e.g., 90 percent, 99 percent. With a 95 percent confidence interval, if we repeated the investigation and used the same procedure each time (data gathering instruments, etc.), we would expect to see a point estimate in our interval range 95 percent of the time. This means we have a 5 percent chance of error or a 5 percent chance that the true value is not contained within the confidence interval. Most public health professionals are comfortable with this level of error.
The width of the confidence interval, i.e., the difference between the upper and lower bound numbers, signifies data precision. A narrow confidence interval suggests greater precision and usually results from having more data points (which usually means a larger sample size). Another factor that affects the interval width is the level of confidence. Looking at the same set of data, a 95 percent confidence interval is wider than a 90 percent confidence interval, and a 99 percent confidence interval is wider than a 95 percent confidence interval. Thus, the higher the confidence level, the wider the interval. The example below shows the different intervals with varying confidence levels.
Confidence Interval Example
Odds Ratio
Confidence Level
Confidence Interval
Confidence Width
As you can see from the example, the widths of the confidence intervals are large even with the 90 percent confidence level. The wider confidence interval suggests lower precision and is probably due to a small sample size.
To bring the idea of the confidence interval all together, we will look at foodborne illness in Indiana residents who shopped at Store A compared to those who did not shop at Store A. The odds ratio or point estimate was 47.5, and the 95 percent confidence interval for the estimate was 10.08-224.36. We can say that the risk of illness in people who shopped at Store A (exposed) was 47.5 times the risk than in those who did not shop at Store A (unexposed). The confidence interval gives us an idea of how precise the odds ratio is and can also indicate statistical significance. A confidence interval that includes one is not statistically significant.
If you recall from a previous newsletter article on odds ratios, an odds ratio greater than one indicates a greater risk among those exposed, and an odds ratio of one means no difference between those exposed and unexposed. The lower bound number of the confidence interval was 10.08, which is greater than one. Thus, we can conclude that people who shopped at Store A were more likely to become ill with foodborne illness than those who did not shop at Store A.
Odds Ratio
95% Confidence Interval
When results of an investigation are reported, including the confidence interval along with the p-value and odds ratio is necessary in order for the reader to appropriately comprehend the data and draw relevant conclusions.
Understanding statistical methods is an overwhelming task that can take years and many daunting statistics courses. However, over the past several months we have presented the odds ratio, risk ratio, p-value, and confidence interval, which are a few statistical methods that can be easily applied to most public health investigations. Understanding these basic concepts will assist you in reporting and understanding investigation findings.
1.Kuzma, Jan. Basic Statistics for the Health Sciences. 3rd Edition. 1998.
2.Leonard Braitman. Confidence Intervals Assess Both Clinical and Statistical Significance, Annals of Internal Medicine, 1991; Vol. 114, pp 515-517.


text:
- MFLS Forums
Forums : MFLS Central Forum Thread : If U.S. Loses.......?
from Stormin Union
on Sat 10/10 21:55 ET
Reply to This Message
Knightmare needs to work his voodoo powers on el tri, not
sure where he is in the stadium but he probably has a chicarito
doll with many needles in it.
from Stormin Union
on Sat 10/10 21:55 ET
Reply to This Message
Cameron!!! from Stormin Union
on Sat 10/10 22:03 ET
Reply to This Message
Almost made the mistake of having an Octoberfest beer
watching this game. Screw that, instead grabbed a Bell's beer,
American baby, American!
from Arrows SC
on Sat 10/10 23:34 ET
Reply to This Message
The US got away with that handball in the box. from Stormin Union
on Sat 10/10 23:38 ET
Reply to This Message
Gonna be a wild finish to this one. C'mon Jozy, let's send el tri
from Stormin Union
on Sat 10/10 23:57 ET
Reply to This Message
Wood!!! from Stormin Union
on Sun 10/11 0:18 ET
Reply to This Message
Nothing worse than losing to Mexico, total bummer. from The Laws of Lalas
on Sun 10/11 0:38 ET
Reply to This Message
we were outplayed and they were not even that sharp. from Stormin Union
on Sun 10/11 1:06 ET
Reply to This Message
agree, we were definitely outplayed. man I am missing the
Arena/Bradley days and now WC qualifying looks like it will be
a tough road. I think we will get there but it will be a struggle
for us, even more than last time. But the U23s and senior team
have to overcome the lousy coaching and still make it happen,
not making it to the Olympics and World Cup is unacceptable.
from Dynamo Salem
on Sun 10/11 1:30 ET
Reply to This Message
I prefer Arena and Bradley. from Stormin Union
on Sun 10/11 8:41 ET
Reply to This Message
We also can't afford to end our streak of seven consecutive
World Cup finals appearances, Klinsmann better get his #@*!
together in the next month.
from KNIGHTMARE
on Sun 10/11 17:22 ET
Reply to This Message
Sitting in the nosebleed section with green shirts all around.
I thought the U.S. Was lucky to be that close, but from what I
am reading we played well? I didn't think so.
Had this match been in Mexico it would have been a
bloodbath, with us supplying the blood. Tough to watch, had to
get out before the presentation. Got a photo with M. balboa the
night before the match at the A.O. Party. That was cool.
I don't understand some of the guys on the field. Beckerman,
Beasley, and why was Evans even on the team? I am
obviously way off base.
At age 53 only got into 1 huge stare down, until the guy did the
throat slash symbol and pointed at me during the 1st half. It
made the family in front of me shift down about 5 seats! Ha.
Klinsman says he is not here to be liked. Well I always thought
that if you win you are liked, so I have no idea what he is
saying? Only soccer joy for the day was Rhinos win and host
Championship Friday night at home. Thank god Klinsey isn't
involved with that team!!
Thanks again for the help.
from FC Byrd Turgler
on Sun 10/11 18:04 ET
Reply to This Message
Kyle Beckerman isn't the 10th best d-mid in the US pool. He's probably not even the 10th best d-mid in MLS and his constant inclusion. I do find it interesting that the KB fanboys out there bemoan Klinsmann's 'over-reliance' on fast and physical players when Beckerman gets constant run out and is neither of those things. They also never cast in any of the richly deserved shade his way. It's always another player's fault for 'not rotating' or 'being out of position' and that if only, they had Beckerman's 'positional discipline'.
Well, you know what that 'positional discipline' actually is? It's lack of speed, lack of quickness, and lack of reaction time (hello goal #3). Sure Beasley took a risk on that ball, but without an entirely inept reaction by Beckerman on that ball (I swear he must be stoned out there), Aguilar doesn't even get that shot off. If we're going to play with a 'pure d-mid', whoever that is, must actually help the defense more than he hurts it. The fact that Danny Williams hasn't retired Beckerman;let alone McCarty, Kitchen, or really, any number of guys who don't even get mentioned as national team candidates, is what infuriates me. When I saw KB in the XI as I walked into the Rose Bowl last night, I knew we were going to lose. After a long train to and from Pasadena, if you want to fire Klinsmann for that fact alone, I'm on board.
Aside from that, eh, we're net no better or no worse than we were with Bradley or Arena. Pick a side, and they're data points to make your case for either side, neither of which particularly sway me one way or the other. Regardless, Gulati's status is what's really up for review after all of this. He negotiated Klinsmann's contract and gave him a lot of power within the organization. Ultimately, Gulati is the one the buck stops with because we're married to JK at this point. If it truly marks a step back, then that's the guy you need to go after with torches.
from Stormin Union
on Mon 10/12 10:18 ET
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Good points Jeff and Ben, and just have one last comment
about the JK situation. From now on the USSF should focus
on bringing in US coaches to run the USMNT. The foreign
coach experiment has failed and we need to accept this and
move on. Unfortunately JK looks like he will be coach through
2018 so we're stuck with him for now but at least we can get
back on track with an American coach next time around. Not
trying to sound against foreigners (which I'm obviously not
since I have Irish and Cuban heritage) but Arena and Bradley
understood the US team and JK does not. Our most
successful USMNT coaches have been American and we
need to get back to that once JK is no longer our coach. Just
my opinion as a US fan who wants to see us move forward
after the step backward that has happened this year.
from KNIGHTMARE
on Sat 10/17 0:43 ET
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Get home after watching a Knightmare of a match vs Mexico.
Totally crushed!
93,000+ Played in 100 degree heat.
Rochester Rhinos play 34 matches this year and lose only
once! Win the USL LEAGUE AND CHAMPIONSHIP vs
(ironically) LA in 40 degree weather and rain. In front of 5000+
Down 1- nil, Rochester ties it up in the 90th minute and scores
the game winner with 250 seconds remaining in extra time.
My heart is with the U.S. Team, but My soul is for
That's CHAMPIONSHIP number 5 of 7 in 20 years, and oh by
the way throw in a U.S. OPEN CUP win and a runner up.
What Team in the US can say that?
Thank God Klinsman doesn't coach the Rhinos!
Pages : First, 2, 3, Last


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When will SQL Server 2008 ship? "When it's ready," which has been Microsoft's standard answer for the release to manufacturing (RTM) date of pretty much every Microsoft product, and certainly for all its SQL Server products. By now you might have heard that the SQL Server 2008 RTM date has been delayed from second quarter 2008 to third quarter 2008. You can read the full announcement from François Ajenstat, the director of SQL Server Product Management at Microsoft, at http://blogs.technet.com/dataplatforminsider/archive/2008/01/25/microsoft-sql-server-2008-roadmap-clarification.aspx.
Many readers are probably thinking "Who cares? I probably wasn't going to upgrade to SQL Server 2008 as soon as it ships anyway." However, SQL Server 2008 is a major release, and there's been commentary and speculation from many industry observers, including myself, that SQL Server's release dates could substantially impact the upgrade plans of SQL Server 2000 customers who have been contemplating upgrading to SQL Server 2005.
No one, not customers, service providers, or Microsoft, wants a version of SQL Server to be shipped that's not fully baked. I don't want to take Microsoft to task for making the hard, but necessary, decision to delay the product if the SQL Server engineers think that's what's necessary to ensure that Microsoft ships the best version of SQL Server 2008 possible. And Microsoft is still well on track to being able to release SQL Server 2008 within its original goal of 24-36 months after the release of SQL Server 2005.
But I do wonder why Microsoft set the original target RTM date for the first half of 2008 back during TechEd 2007. At the time, I was a bit surprised that Microsoft committed to a SQL Server 2008 RTM date in the first half of 2008. I know several other people at TechEd were surprised because expectations had been for later in 2008. I, as well as other people, have speculated that Microsoft's announcement might encourage many SQL Server 2000 customers to skip SQL Server 2005 altogether and leapfrog to SQL Server 2008. Last summer, a high percentage of SQL Server customers were still on SQL Server 2000, and no one likes to upgrade their enterprise databases all that often. So many people wondered if customers would delay purchasing SQL Server 2005, thus delaying SQL Server revenue for Microsoft, if they thought that SQL Server 2008 was right around the corner.
I read about the slip of SQL Server 2008's RTM date last week, and chatted about it with several of my colleagues. For the most part, our first thoughts weren't "wow, that's bad" or "wow, customers will be really disappointed." We all trust Microsoft to ship SQL Server 2008 when it's ready. But we all did wonder out loud if Microsoft, in hindsight, wished it hadn't encouraged its customers to expect SQL Server 2008 so early because it turned out to be one of the worst possible outcomes from a license and upgrade perspective. The slightly earlier than expected original RTM date probably did encourage some customers to wait for SQL Server 2008, and some of those customers might very well have considered upgrading to SQL Server 2005 last year if they had known for sure that SQL Server 2008 would be expected in third quarter 2008 rather than sometime in the first half of the year. And let's not even talk about the damper this announcement could put on customers' excitement for the February 27 launch event for SQL Server 2008.
But heck, it's a lot easier being a Monday morning quarterback than having to be the one to make the hard launch date decision in advance. I'm very glad I get to share my opinion with 20/20 hindsight rather than having to make the call up front.


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System Engaged Error Occurs When Connecting to NAS System with Telnet.
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Electro-Harmonix Releases New Bass Pedals
Meet the Bass Blogger, the Bass MethaPhors, Bass Big Muff and Nano Steel Leather Bass Expander. Wonderfully named, great sounding, and a treat for bassists!
As usual, Electro-Harmonix didn't make a big fuss about their new releases...they know their pedals are so good that they don't even need to try to sell them! And, of course, guitarists and bassists all over the world would agree.
Talking about bassists, the new EHX releases are made especifically for bass guitars and will leave bassists very excited indeed...here's the new Electro-Harmonix bass pedals:
Electro-Harmonix Bass Big Muff Pi
A new version of the famous distorsion/fuzz/sustainer stompbox.
This XO-series sized box features a bass boost switch and was specifically designed to handle bass frequencies. It also features a "dry" output.
- Controls for Volume - Tone - Sustain
- Mini Switch for Bass Boost
- Long, creamy sustain, fat fuzz sound, solid treble and transparent bass sound
- Ac Adapter not included
Electro-Harmonix Bass MetaPhors
An arsenal of performance elements presented in a channel strip toolbox. A new distortion design melds with carefully selected compression and bass specific EQ to add tonality structure with a rock solid foundation.
Electro-Harmonix Bass Blogger
This curiously-named fx pedal has an even more curious description from the manufacturer: "A soulful distortion for bass guitar. Ultra subtle and perfect distortion creates the perfect dialog with your drummer." With a dual fuzz/ overdrive switch and stereo output, this pedal seems like a simple but versatile unit.
Electro-Harmonix Nano Steel Leather Bass Expander
The STEEL LEATHER is a controllable percusive / attack effect designed specificall for bass guitar. Any bass player who wants to cut rhough will find the STEEL LEATHER a must have. From a chamois touch to Thor's hammer, the STEEL LEATEHER places the electric bass where it should be. Cunningly defined and right in the mix.
In addition to those new releases, the Bass Micro Synth is getting a new look, too:
Related Products
Electro-Harmonix Bass Big Muff Pi Bass Fuzz Pedal
Introducing the Bass Big Muff Pi, a new version of the famous distorsion/fuzz/sustainer stompbox.
This XO-series sized box features a bass boost switch and was specifically designed to handle bass frequencies. It also features a "dry" output. Features: Controls for Volume - Tone - Sustain Mini Switch for Bass Boost …
Web Price:76.00
Availability:in stock


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CENTER, TX (KTRE) - Center Police have arrested a woman accused of beating her baby girl to death Wednesday morning.
According to a Center Police press release, officers responded to a house at 1207 Shelbyville St., in reference to an unresponsive child. EMS arrived and took her to a Center hospital. A justice of the peace pronounced her dead at 10:15 a.m.
The child has been identified as five-month-old Keilly Hoyt.
Police arrested the mother, Shakeitha Cartwright, 29, at 11:10 p.m., on a charge of murder. The charge has since been upgraded to capital murder.
"Yesterday a baby was found to be unresponsive. A 911 call was made and subsequent investigation revealed significant bodily injuries to the child and that's why it has been enhanced to capital murder," said Shelby County District Attorney Kenneth Florence.
Cartwright is being held on a $500,000 bail.
Florence said the baby suffered injuries to the ribs, back and skull.
"Everything is preliminary now. The autopsy results are pending at the medical examiner's office in Dallas. So what I have is preliminary and there has been no finding of it as of yet, but my understanding is the preliminary findings will involve numerous broken ribs, a broken back and fractured skull among other injuries," said Florence.
An examination showed the baby had evidence of previous wounds that had healed, leading authorities to believe the baby had been beaten before.
Copyright 2013 KTRE. All rights reserved.


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MICHAEL DAWSON went from hero to zero within the space of 45 minutes as Tottenham threw away a glorious chance to register their first Europa League win against Panathinaikos.
Dawson has found first-team opportunities hard to come by under new manager Andre Villas-Boas, but the defender made the most of his recall in the first half by glancing home a Tom Huddlestone cross to put Spurs ahead.
The England centre-half was then at fault for the Panathinaikos equaliser in the second half, though, as he was outpaced by striker Toche, who beat Hugo Lloris after a brilliant through-ball from Giourkas Seitaridis.
Villas-Boas had made the shock decision to allow Dawson, Spurs' club captain, to leave the club during the transfer window - but the England man turned down the chance to leave in a £9million move to QPR.
It was easy to see why Villas-Boas was keen to get rid of the 28-year-old at times as his shortage of pace and a lack of pace, a likely result of his sparse game-time, left him exposed on at least three occasions.
To lay the blame for picking up just a point entirely at Dawson's feet would be wrong, however. Spurs should have had this tie sewn up well before the Toche was allowed to score.
The Londoners, buoyed by last weekend's historic win over Manchester United, dominated for large parts against a poor Panathinaikos team ravaged by injury and well short of confidence after winning just one game this term.
Jermain Defoe, Clint Dempsey and Huddlestone all went close to scoring, but Tottenham took their foot off the accelerator in the second half and ended up hanging on for a draw that leaves them with just two points from their opening two Group J games.
A Spurs victory seemed certain from the off. Cheered on by the 550 fans who had made the four-hour flight from London, the away side started strongly and should have had a penalty in the second minute.
Steven Caulker headed Gareth Bale's corner towards Dawson, Andre Pinto stuck out his right arm to block the ball, but referee Florian Meyer gave nothing.
Spurs were by far the more attacking side and Bale's pace down the left caused Seitaridis no end of trouble early on.
Dempsey fired a warning shot after 19 minutes with a wicked free-kick that flew inches wide.
The sparse crowd meant there was little atmosphere inside the huge Olympic stadium, but the home crowd sprung to their feet when Seitaridis whipped in a dangerous cross. Luckily for Spurs Lloris intercepted ahead of Toche, who had outpaced Dawson into the box.
Lazaros Christodoulopoulos then left Dawson in his wake to latch on to Quincy Owusu-Abeyie's through-ball, but once again Lloris came to the rescue.
Dawson's shortcomings at the back were soon forgotten, however, as he went up the other end and glanced Huddlestone's cross in to the far corner of the Panathinaikos goal.
Orestis Karnezis then saved twice in quick succession from Huddlestone and Bale as Spurs stepped up their search for a second.
Dempsey thought he should have had a penalty just before the break after going down in the box, but again Meyer said "no".
Ibrahim Sissoko would have scored within 10 minutes of his half-time introduction had it not been for an excellent tackle from Kyle Walker as the Greeks started the second period well.
Quincy beat Walker again and put in a dangerous cross that Dawson steered behind when Lloris was well-positioned to gather.
Defoe blazed over from 12 yards following a clever pass from Dempsey, Bale's swerving shot just sneaked past a diving Karnezis, before Defoe went close again with a deflected shot with 18 minutes remaining.
Spurs looked set to cruise to victory, but the hosts had other ideas.
With 13 minutes left, Seitaridis slipped past Caulker and played a brilliant through-ball to Toche, who stroked the ball past Lloris having left Dawson behind him.
The goal livened up the home crowd and their team poured forward, Caulker putting in a vital block to deny them a second goal.
Villas-Boas shared a warm embrace with opposite number Jesualdo Ferreira at the final whistle, but the Portuguese will have justification for being unhappy on the inside after seeing his team come away with only a point.


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My Puppy's Skin Issue
Hello everyone, it is about my puppy again ok, here is the story. Last week, he tore one of his dewclaws, we brought him to the vet, they cauterized the wound, bandaged it and also gave him a 10-day worth of antibiotics. Yesterday, we brought him back to the vet, because the wound is still kinda red. And the vet said the best option is to have his dewclaw removed. But it is not infected, yet, (knock on wood), so we want to wait and see. Hopefully it can wait till we get him neutered (he is 14 months) at 2 years old, so they can remove both of his dewclaws the same time.
Now, today, when I was brushing him, I noticed two patches around his elbows, one on elbow each, they look like hot spots, I am not sure. I hate myself for not noticing them yesterday, I could just ask the vet then. So I have been reading some older threads about hot spots and staph infection. What was mentioned in the threads doesn't really apply to his problem, he doesn't scratch it at all and doesn't seem bothered. But as you can see from the pictures, he does have some hair loss at one of the patches. I shaved the other one. He is still on the antibiotics for his dewclaw, I doubt this antibiotic is the one for hot spot or staph infection. I am thinking to buy the Gold Bond powder, but they are not oozing. Instead, they are quite dry and flaky.
Thanks for your patience to make to this far, so my question is, I really don't want to see the vet again for, like the forth time of this month (they must love us very much) unless I really have to. What can I do at home? Can I use coconut oil on top and orally both? Do I need to use warm salty water to clean his the problem area a few times a day? Also do I need to give to him oregano oil? And how?? Or could they just be physical wear from sitting on hard wood floor? I highly doubt it though, I don't think we are this lucky, lately nothing is going smoothly. Anyhow, Thank you very much for reading my long story!! I need to make more money for my "annoying" puppy
Last edited by LittleMushroom; September 3rd, 2010 at 04:02 PM.
Poor little guy says thank you all for helping him. He is really bored. First the Pano, then the torn nail, now the skin problem. He hasn't had a good walk for a...don't know how long...and I am dying to walk around the city with him too...
They look like elbow callouses all big dogs get them. Is it sort of hard and rough? The dog is not bothered by them when you touch them? I would get a tin of Bag Balm and rub it on the elbows it will keep them soft so they do not crack. I used this on Bud for his never had a problem with them. One of the things that big kids get that you really can do anything about. They are not dangerous or anything like that no need to see a vet for this one. Bag balm can be got at Walmart or order online it is used for cow udders to keep them supple
A dog has so many friends because they wag their tails not their tongues.
R.I.P. Buddy 2002-2008 The best Mastiff ever.
Now owned by Clark the Crazy American Bulldog
Thank you, Mastifflover! My good long weekend mood is back! How often do I apply? And will they disappear one day? Yes, they are hard and rough and flaky...He totally didn't care when I was trimming the hair and rubbing in some coconut oil, what a sweet good boy he is
Likely they won't disappear completely at all--they do look like elbow callouses. The bag balm works great to keep them soft and pliable. Our labby used to have some heavy-duty elbow callouses that would crack in winter if we didn't condition them with bag balm.
Your coconut oil may work well, too--time will tell! If cracking starts to be a problem, you at least have a fall-back plan with the bag balm.
He sure is a handsome pup!
"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference."
"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!"
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Thanks Hazel!!let me turn my little pup into a guinea pig I will let you know the results from using coconut oil
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CARSON, Calif. (Tuesday, March 4, 2014) – The LA Galaxy announced today that the club has signed 31-year-old defender James Riley. The veteran defender has made six appearances for the club this preseason. Per club and league policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
A native of Colorado Springs, Colo., Riley is heading into his 10th full season in MLS. During his career, the 31-year-old defender has made a total of 231 league appearances, logging 19,161 minutes with two goals and 17 assists. The five-time Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champion, who spent last season with D.C. United, has also logged over 2,000 minutes in the league every year since 2007.
"We are pleased to add James Riley to our roster," said LA Galaxy Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena. "James is an experienced player who adds versatility and depth to our defensive core."
Drafted by the New England Revolution with the 21st overall pick in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft, Riley spent his first three seasons with the Revs, helping the club reach three consecutive MLS Cup finals and winning the 2007 U.S. Open Cup. While with the Revolution, Riley made 70 league appearances, scoring one goal and recording three assists. The defender spent the 2008 season with the San Jose Earthquakes after being chosen in the 2007 MLS Expansion Draft, starting 23 of 24 matches that year. Seattle Sounders FC selected Riley in the ensuing 2009 MLS Expansion Draft.
Riley served as a fixture for Seattle for three years, helping the team reach the MLS Cup Playoffs in all three seasons, while making 79 league appearances and also tallying one goal and nine assists. The defender also helped the Sounders win three straight Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup finals. Riley was selected by the Montreal Impact in the 2011 MLS Expansion Draft and subsequently traded to Chivas USA where he spent the 2012 season. As a member of the Rojiblancos, Riley started in all 32 matches for the club.
Following his stint with Chivas USA, Riley was traded to D.C. United for the 2013 season. In one season with United, Riley made 21 appearances and 19 starts as he helped DCU win their third and his fifth U.S. Open Cup title.
Season tickets for the 2014 MLS season are on sale now, starting at just $250. Becoming a Galaxy Season Ticket Member gives fans the opportunity to see every Galaxy home game as well as number of additional benefits such as access to Town Hall meetings with Galaxy leaders, discounts on additional single game tickets, entrance into the club's new Season Ticket Member loyalty program and much more as well as discounts at all TEAM LA locations and on select camps at the Galaxy Soccer Center in Torrance. For more information about becoming a Galaxy Season Ticket Member, please call 877-3GALAXY (342-5299) or visit www.lagalaxy.com/tickets


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Morrison & Foerster advises public companies and their executives, directors and affiliates regarding regulatory matters, corporate governance practices, SEC reporting and disclosure issues, enforcement matters, and securities transactions. We also represent broker-dealers and other regulated financial institutions.
Our lawyers include attorneys who have held senior positions with the SEC's Divisions of Enforcement and Corporation Finance. During their tenures with the SEC, our attorneys were involved in the rulemaking that occurred in the wake of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and worked on groundbreaking enforcement actions, including market manipulation cases concerning public corporations' stocks, major financial reporting and disclosure cases, and cases against auditors, broker-dealers, and investment advisers. We have an in-house forensic accounting services group, led by a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner, and former Big Four audit partner, which assists in identifying, interpreting, and clarifying financial and accounting matters.
Our securities lawyers represent companies seeking to go public and public companies. We serve as securities counsel or primary outside counsel for over 100 public companies. Our clients range from small- and mid-cap companies to Fortune 500 companies.
We also regularly advise broker-dealers, investment advisers, distributors, trading groups, and other financial intermediaries and financial institutions regarding their registration, ongoing compliance, and trading matters.
We advise on a full range of securities regulatory matters, including:
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Here is what they say about us:
Major player in the securities and commercial litigation spheres with the capacity to take on national and international cases. Adept at handling high-profile disputes for clients in a range of industries, including health care, financial services and pharmaceuticals. Retains strength in securities class action work as well as investigations and derivative actions. – Chambers USA 2015
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James Black
Not everyone can be a painter or graphic designer; for some of us our talent is in photography. My philosophy is if a scene strikes a cord in your brain, then take the picture. We do not have to agree with everyone's notion of what constitutes art. Hemingway put it another way, "No subject is terrible if the story is true..."
Many photographers thought B&W was dead. It had no place in the digital age...it belonged to another age. But, as we get older we return to our roots. For the last 20 years I ignored my B&W roots, but recently I began the process of rediscovery. It is like finding a long lost friend or relative.
You might ask why B&W. Frankly, some photographs just look better in B&W. If a color image looks bland, try converting it to B&W and you will see subtle shades of gray that enhance the picture. Shadows and shapes are better defined. Its all in the eye of the beholder.
About > Activities
Artist's Statement
Welcome to my website, and thank you for having a look at my photographic art.
Only a few of my pictures are available here. My full gallery is at www.dportnoy.com.
A picture should provoke a feeling. With each photograph I make, my final goal is to create an image that conveys what I sensed and felt and what made me want to press the shutter release to capture that fleeting moment in time or place.
Shooting the picture is often only the start of the creative process. Although I generally do not add or remove anything significant from my pictures, I use many digital imaging techniques to enrich and enhance the final image to mirror my personal impressions and feelings towords the subject.
Seeing and being aware of your surroundings serves as the foundation of my photography. All you have to do is look and I'm always looking.
I was born in 1943 in Finland. My first 'real' camera was the Kodak Retina lllc, which I bought with my savings from my summer job in 1958.
In 1962 we moved to Israel where I studied engineering. That same year I also acquired my first SLR, the venerable Nikon Photomic F.
In 1987 I started working as an IT consultant and software developer in Switzerland and since then I spend part of my time in Israel and part in Switzerland.
I have been an avid photographer for most of my life, including a stint as a wedding photographer end of the 1960s. I had my own darkroom and developed all my B&W work myself. In 2004 I went fully digital.
During the past few years I have been able to invest more time in my photography and have participated in several exhibitions (group and single) and have published a few books.
You are welcome to view my photographs on this site.
My full gallery site is here - http://www.dportnoy.com
My photo blog is here -http://blog.portnoy.ch
My facebook page is here - http://www.facebook.com/dpo.photo


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[Those curious about the history of the Victorian Web (which began before the WWW in another hypermedia environment) might be interested to learn that this document was one of the very first written specifically for what became this site by someone outside Brown University. (The materials on public health that Professor Wohl also contributed came from his previously published book [GPL].]
Victorian thinkers generally agreed that if without religion no true civilization was possible, the same might be said for property. The fact that for Mayhew and his readers thousands lived a roving life without any real property accumulation and displaying "looseness" in their "notions as to property" meant these members of the lower orders were uncivilized. The parliamentary debates on the 1832 Reform Act, for example, associated property with civilization, the lack of it with savage existence. No one expressed this view more powerfully than Macaulay, who emphasized that in enfranchising property Parliament was giving political recognition to "that great institution for the sake of which chiefly all other institutions exist, that great institution to which we owe all knowledge, all commerce, all industry, all civilization, all that makes us differ from the tattooed savages of the Pacific ocean."
Last modified 1990


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Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP said natural gas distribution companies in New England have agreed to buy firm gas on the U.S. energy company's proposed new pipeline into the region.
A shortage of gas pipelines into New England forced energy firms there to pay record prices for gas supplies to heat homes and run a growing number of gas-fired power plants in the region during the recent unusually long and cold winter.
The New England utilities agreed to transport about 0.5 billion cubic feet per day of long-term firm transportation on the proposed Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co (TGP) Northeast Energy Direct Project, Kinder Morgan announced Wednesday.
The Tennessee Gas...


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GREENSBORO � No last name. No contact information. Just a note from a jilted wife named Jennifer.
A billboard has been raising eyebrows and slowing motorists trying to get a closer look over the past few days on Battleground Avenue.
The digital sign with a solid red background read simply: �Michael � GPS Tracker � $250, Nikon Camera with zoom lens � $1600, Catching my LYING HUSBAND and buying this billboard with our investment account � Priceless. Tell Jessica you�re moving in! � Jennifer.�
Who are Michael, Jessica and Jennifer?
Who knows?
What is known is that the billboard is owned by Outdoor Signage, a local company whose phone number connects to the offices of Kotis Properties.
Kotis also owns a yogurt and coffee shop � Yo Daddy Dessert Bar � on Westover Terrace, the name of which was featured on the billboard Thursday afternoon.
�Jessica � Meet me at Yodaddy�s at 7:00 p.m. for some wine therapy. � Jennifer,� the new message read.
Marty Kotis, president of Kotis Properties, did not return calls on Thursday.
Though the billboard on Battleground may turn out to be a marketing ploy, revenge billboards have appeared in other locations � most notably in 2010 when the mistress of one of President Barack Obama�s economic advisers took out billboards with a Web address that linked to a site detailing their affair.
Debbie Hill, vice president of Triad Outdoor Advertising (which is not affiliated with the sign on Battleground), said she has never known of anyone locally buying a billboard for a revenge message. She added that personalized messages are rare in the business.
�It�s usually way too expensive,� she said.
Most clients, Hill said, sign six-months to one-year contracts for a billboard, though some might lease on a month-to-month basis.
Still, whatever is going on with the billboard on Battleground, Hill said, it has done a good job of generating interest.
�If this is an attention-getting deal, the person who owns that billboard is going to be thrilled,� she said.


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Burbank PlumPrunus salicina 'Burbank'
Burbank is the most popular variety of plum, so it's no wonder that this tree is a common choice for home orchards and commercial production alike. It's a Japanese cultivar that is hardy, bears early and sets heavy crops. The fruit is great to eat fresh or can, and it makes great jams and jellies.
Just a little tip: If you want to keep the birds from eating all of your delicious plums, plant mulberries close by. They're the one fruit birds prefer to plums.


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During the season in which spending comes under the microscope for all holiday shoppers, the lack of spending at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario has remained in the crosshairs for the faction of Clevelanders more inclined to make a joke about "the cobwebs in the Dolans' wallet" than to take a logical overview of where the team stands after the tear-down that took place from July of 2008 to the dawn of a new decade. Nevertheless, with every signing by another team drawing snickers and every Minor League signing from the Tribe drawing howls from those that are still paying attention, the Indians continue to let the FA market and trade market evolve without them. None of this was unexpected nor does it represent a foolhardy stance for the off-season, but the scope of their inactivity was in plain view last week as the off-season spending by all MLB teams was compiled and tabulated by MLBTR. You're only going to get one guess – and you're probably not going to be wrong without even looking – as to which team ranks dead last on the list, with only the Kearns' $1.3M deal on their "added" ledger for the off-season. Cue the pulling of hair and the resounding harrumphs...right? To a degree I suppose, as an off-season in which a team almost does literally nothing certainly doesn't generate a lot of intrigue or excitement among even the most rabid fans, as much as the strategy may make sense. However, taking a deeper look at this, peruse that list again and realize that there is a very clear distinction between "Dollars Spent" and "Dollars Spent Wisely" for any given team in any given off-season, regardless of expectations or market size.
This goes without saying as recent memory has shown us that when the Indians have "Spent" on the FA market, they have had their share of hits (Millwood and Pavano most notably) and more misses (Wood, Dellichaels, Kobayashi, etc.) and there's no telling from one off-season to the next which players will fall into which column. Spending in a given off-season (or even being preternaturally pro-active) does not guarantee any level of success the following year (see the Mariners' off-season last Winter and their 2010 record) as Championships are not won on paper in January, but after a long and tenuous path has been followed into the Fall. That being said, as much as the inactivity of the Indians has infuriated some of the fanbase (enflamed by a local media in need of something to deride…not difficult, given the local sports scene), I would offer the idea that the Tribe sitting on their hands is a preferable course of action if you compare the activity of some of the other teams that ended the 2010 season at the bottom of the league. To wit, the woebegone Pittsburgh Pirates gave a 2-year deal worth $8M to Kevin Correia, who posted a 5.40 ERA last year including an almost incomprehensible 5.36 ERA IN PETCO PARK, gave $4.25M guaranteed over 2 years to platoon OF Matt Diaz (.633 OPS vs. RHP, .830 OPS vs. LHP in 2010), meted out a 1-year deal to 1B Lyle Overbay (who posted a .762 OPS last year) worth $5M, and handed $500K over to Scott Olsen (who has allowed more runs than tallied strikeouts over the past two years) on the FA market. In a way, you almost feel bad for a team like the Pirates (I did say "almost") in as much as their mess is of their own doing, they're under the watchful gaze of their local fanbase (and the Revenue Sharing Watchdogs) to spend money…any money, this off-season. Some of those signings might work out as Correia suffered a major tragedy last year when his brother was killed in a car accident and a change of scenery could benefit him, just as a properly-utilized Diaz is a nice complementary piece. If you'll remember, I was on the "add Diaz as a RH 4th OF/complement to Hafner" train and still think that he would have been a better addition than Kearns However, all of those additions feel like a team spinning their wheels as it either speaks to a developing team that has NO option at a spot like 1B (which simply isn't true in Pittsburgh) where Overbay will play, or a team trying to keep the barking watchdogs at bay and pacify a fanbase by spending money when it may be a mind-numbingly bad idea to do so on the FA market, given how far away the team is from legitimately contending and how none of the players they added this off-season will play a role in whatever incarnation of the Pirates is the next to contend…whenever that may be. Just for another example from a team that occupied the lower echelon of MLB with the Pirates (and the Tribe), the Royals added Melky Cabrera and Jeff Francoeur, and while it was "only" a $3.75M outlay of cash to "add" those two pieces, realize that Francoeur ranked 128th of the 149 qualified players in OPS last year with a .683 OPS and that actually bested the .671 OPS put forth by Melky Cabrera, who came in at #134 on that 149 player list. News that both are likely to be in the everyday lineup in 2011 (perhaps at the expense of playing time to Lorenzo Cain) only crystallizes this idea that adding pieces for addition's sake may pacify some of the frothing mouths in the fanbase, but it actually does more damage to the development of a team that should be building toward the future. As a quick aside here, both Francoeur and Cabrera posted a higher OPS in 2010 than Franklin Gutierrez (.666 OPS), who is guaranteed to make $4M in 2011, $5.5M in 2012, and $7M in 2013…but I digress. What I'm getting at is that the vast majority of teams in MLB do not have the luxury (or the margin for error) to become players on the FA market for difference-making players. That's not to say that there aren't effective ways to augment a small-market club via FA as the Brewers' addition of Takishi Saito on a 1-year deal is exactly the type of deal that will likely go under the radar (and the Brewers have only "spent" $3.18M in FA, despite their noisy off-season), but is likely to produce dividends for the club. For a team like the Indians, as much as every piece written about them relates to "payroll restrictions" and a "shrinking payroll", they are still a team that just tore down a talented (and vastly underachieving) team over the past two years and – by simple virtue of the MLB pay scale – are going to have players that are young, inexperienced, and cheap. Just as we saw from 2004 to 2009, as those young players develop, they're going to be paid commensurately with their production and their service time. As we're about to see SS Choo get more money because of the structure of MLB salaries, that day is coming down the line for players like Santana, Masterson, Carrasco, etc…it just isn't any time soon. Lest anyone forget, all of those talented players now in their 30s that have left the Indians over the past two-and-a-half years – CC, Lee, Victor, and others – were all signed to long term deals at one time early in their careers BY THIS OWNERSHIP GROUP and the years in which they proved themselves to be worthy of contract extensions and long-term deals were seasons (namely 2003 and 2004) in which the Indians were not in contention. Remember who's still on the team working off of long-term extensions (again, meted out by the Dolans) in Hafner, Sizemore and Carmona – a trio that you could argue were three of the five most promising players on that 2007 team outside of a certain Hefty Lefty and Martinez, who WAS under contract through last season. Just to further that thought, realize that after the 2007 season, the Indians had every player under contract until the end of 2010 except for Sabathia and Blake, both of whom were FA after the 2008 season. CC's imminent departure left a sizable void in the future of the team, but it was one that was inexplicably filled by the still-unexplained transformation of Cliff Lee into Clifton Phifer Lee, who replaced CC at the top of the rotation out of nowhere. Given that after the 2008 season, the team added two external pieces in DeRosa (essentially a replacement for Blake) and Wood (to remedy the bullpen ails), the Indians figured that they had 3 seasons AFTER 2007 in which to compete with the same group or a similar group of players that had just come up one game short of the World Series. While we all know what happened from Opening Day 2008 to where we sit today, the events of the last two-and-a-half years (and most notably the trades of Vic and Cliff) have outrageously overshadowed the fact that the Indians did, in fact, have a group of players under contract that should have been able to stay together until the end of 2010. The underachievement of that group and the lack of winning (for a variety of reasons) in 2008 and 2009 from a talented group of players being the torpedo that would sink the chances that the former "core" would stay together through the end of last season. Lost in all of the tear-down is the fact that these were deals inked by Indians in the mid-2000s that bought out arbitration and FA years of young players, with their level of advancement and their age listed thusly:April 2005 CC Sabathia (Age 24) – 4.12 career ERA (107 ERA+) – 2 years, $17.5M Victor Martinez (Age 26) - .807 career OPS (115 OPS+) – 5 years, $15.5M with club optionMarch 2006 Grady Sizemore (Age 23) - .816 career OPS (118 OPS+) – 6 years, $23.45M with club option Jhonny Peralta (Age 24) - .794 career OPS (113 OPS+) – 5 years, $13M with club optionAugust 2006 Cliff Lee (Age 27) – 4.39 career ERA (99 ERA+) – 4 years, $15M with club option April 2007 Jake Westbrook (Age 29) – 4.35 career ERA (101 ERA+) – 3 years, $33MJuly 2007 Travis Hafner (Age 30) - .984 career OPS (158 OPS+) – 4 years, $57M with club optionApril 2008 Fausto Carmona (Age 24) – 3.67 career ERA (123 ERA+) – 4 years, $15M with 3 club options Nearly all of those deals look downright cheap (and I did say "nearly") in hindsight as the Indians meted out multiple years and multiple millions to keep their homegrown "core" together essentially through the 2010 season. While the "best laid plans" certainly went awry, looking at those names and the contracts given out to them, it goes back to the idea that the Indians HAVE developed and signed their young talent in the not-too-distant past…it's just that said young talent didn't win enough (particularly as the years wore on) to justify keeping the "core" together.Just to bring that around to the current situation and the current crop of youngsters, whether the day is going to come for any of young Tribesman when they are approached about a long-term deal (similar to all of the ones handed out in the early-to-mid-2000s) remains to be seen as Choo likely would have already signed such a deal if he had a different agent and Cabrera's health issues are likely the main detriment in him not getting a long-term contract that locks down his arbitration years. Going past those two, the only way to determine if LaPorta, Brantley, Masterson, etc. (and each name in that sentence links to a must-read analysis of each of those players that Adam Van Arsdale has been putting together in a series over at LGT…and I hope Carrasco is next) is by allowing them to play and while each is going to earn $450K this year. The concern this off-season shouldn't be whether the Indians are going to be spending money on the FA market, but rather whether all of those players that have been added to the organization in the last three years are going to merit the type of deals that were handed out to those names above, when Sabathia, Martinez, Lee, Sizemore, and others were given long-term, pre-arbitration deals. Back to the current off-season, given what we saw happen from 2003 to 2009 (the build-up with essentially all of the pieces in place to contend for FOUR years, not the tear-down) and how the Indians did sign a number of their players to contracts once their performance justified them, how does it strike you for the Indians' off-season approach and should they go out and spend money on higher-priced, perhaps lower-talent players because it would show some "willingness to spend" that would translate to the box office? If you mean doing what the Orioles (who ALWAYS spend about $70M in payroll from year to year) have been doing for the past few years or what the Tigers have done in the past few years, "winning" World Series titles in January (remember when they added Cabrera and Renteria, how it was a "guaranteed" division title) and what the Pirates seem to be doing (likely against their better judgment), I'll take the Indians' current strategy this off-season of looking to add ancillary pieces and parts around the core of players that is going to be most instrumental in their likelihood to contend. That being said, even those ancillary pieces though don't come cheap in FA and even moderately upgrading the roster at a number of different positions for the Indians would have come with a relatively high price tag and low impact players, similar to what you see from the Pirates. For an illustration of this, going back to the ol' "Roadmap for the Off-Season", just take a look at what some of the players that I had suggested the Indians add have signed for with their new clubs: Brandon Webb – 1 year, $3M with incentives to make contract potentially worth $8M to $10M Zach Duke – 1 year, $4.25M Matt Diaz – 2 years, $4.25M Jesse Crain – 3 years, $13M Don't take this to mean that I don't think that any or all of those guys could have helped the Indians - just not at those numbers. Additionally, realize that the suggestion that any of those guys could have been added represented suggestions for ancillary pieces, which would have totaled $13.5M ($3M for Webb not taking incentives into account, $4M for Crain, $4.25M for Duke, $2.25M for Diaz) for 2011 with future commitments still out there for Crain ($9M after this year) and Diaz ($2M after 2011) past the coming season. Realizing that those names were thrown out there by me, does the addition of those 4 players make the Indians a contender in 2011 or make a difference past that, or does it simply make 2011 a little more palatable while making the Indians look "active" in the off-season, even if that activity was akin to spinning wheels? Maybe if everything breaks right and all of those guys pan out, but wouldn't the time to add even a moderately significant piece come after the young players have had a chance to assert themselves into what look like gaping organizational holes?Certainly everyone would like to see the Indians more competitive from Opening Day and there were interesting pieces out there (Xavier Nady, who went to the D-Backs for $1.75M, DJ Carrasco, who the Mets inked for a total of $2.5M) who would have helped the team for nominal amounts and there are still options out there that could make sense for the Indians that elicit more confidence than adding Bartolo Colon (and that picture there is of him last week, so let's hold off on the "he's in great shape" talk) to the Goodyear mix, but to what end? There are LHP that could be added to the rotation like Jeff Francis, whose 5.00 ERA may scare some folks, until you see that his 3.92 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) as a starter last year put him 35th among all NL starters with more than 100 IP. He would certainly upgrade the rotation as, for some comparison on that, the only Indians' starter with more than 100 IP to have a FIP lower was Justin Masterson, whose 3.93 FIP far outpaced his "competition" in the Tribe rotation. Past Francis, they could take a look at a LH arms like Chris Capuano, who missed the 2008 and 2009 seasons due to injuries, but returned in 2010 to post a 3.95 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP in 66 IP for the Brewers last year, or Bruce Chen, who posted his lowest ERA since 2005 and put up the lowest FIP of his career last year with the Royals. An starter still makes sense to me in that it allows the young pitchers (namely Huff, Gomez, and Tomlin) start the season in Columbus and earn their way onto the parent club instead of falling backwards into the 5th starter spot…it's just that I'm not interested in giving a pitcher like Kevin Correia a 2-year deal worth $8M to accommodate that competition in AAA. By the same token, an argument could be made that players like Jon Rauch or Chad Durbin make sense for the Tribe to add a RH veteran arm to their bullpen given their youth and what we've seen from bullpens in the past few years, but the designation of Justin Germano (ahead of Trevor Crowe and Jordan Brown…just to name two) put forth the idea that the Tribe is comfortable going with a lot of promising unknowns in the bullpen for 2011. However, depending upon what kinds of contracts those players (Capuano or Chen or Rauch) are going to command, it could be argued that throwing guaranteed money at any of these guys is akin to that missing the "Dollars Spent Wisely" column that we started off with. That being said, I have a suspicion that the Indians will attempt to find some value at the lower end of the FA market as they've done successfully in the past, with Pavano two years ago and with Kearns last year. A trade would certainly still be possible as Mark DeRosa was added for three promising young relievers (one of whom, Chris Archer, has developed into a bona-fide prospect) and the Indians are flush with promising young relievers. Maybe they add a guy on a Minor League deal that bears no fruit or maybe they pull another pleasant surprise out of the bargain bin…frankly, I'm not losing sleep over it. However, it bears repeating again (even though I feel like a broken record in this respect) in that the Indians have been down this path of rebuilding just 6 or 7 years ago. Given that essentially the same Front Office is in place, the off-season between the 2003 and 2004 seasons is instructive as the Indians made no major additions, instead choosing to play their young talent for the 2004 season and for the seasons that followed. When that in-house young talent blossomed, they locked them up in long-term deals and had the "core" of players signed through the 2010 season, with only one notable exception. Maybe they should have added more than they did after 2005 and after 2007 to take one big run at a World Series trophy, but the seeds of the success of the 2005 and 2007 seasons were sewn in 2003 and 2004. Whether similar seeds have taken root this past year or in the next few years will eventually produce a garden as it did in the mid-to-late-2000s remains to be seen and time will be a major determining factor. As painful as it was to see the "garden" cultivated from 2002 to 2008 ripped up and sold at market, the Indians have to hope that the newly planted seeds will bear the same fruit and if, this time, they can sustain in a way that they were unable to in the past few years.


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Ryan Dosier - Longtime readers of The Muppet Mindset know that it is a tradition for my family and I to travel down to Orlando and go to Walt Disney World. This year we didn't get to make our trip in March, the usual time, but it was thankfully moved to just last week! Another tradition for me is to find all the Muppet stuff in the Happiest Place on Earth and come back here and write about it for you, my adoring (right?) fans! I'll break down the Muppet finds park-by-park... so park yourself and read on!
EPCOT: The first park I visited was Epcot, Walt Disney's Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (more or less) and home of the world's largest golf ball! It was here that the heat of the summer Orlando sun first kicked my butt. It was not pleasant... but I was at Walt Disney World, so it was nigh impossible to be angry. Anyway... there was a surprisingly large Muppet presence in one area of Epcot, and that was the Imagination Pavilion gift shop, found as you exit "Journey Into the Imagination with Figment." For Muppet fans who don't know, Figment is a hyper purple dragon who originated at the Disney Parks and is voiced by none other than Dave Goelz! Because of this I found it wonderfully appropriate to see Muppet stuff in the gift shop.
But what stuff was there? I'll tell you! They had plush, Animal drumsticks, the recent Disney toy set, and a few t-shirts. One of the shirts, which I later discovered came out that very day, is the one pictured at right. It. Is. Awesome. It was my first Walt Disney World purchase, and I'm actually wearing it right now. It features the eyes of Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, Animal, Rizzo, Beaker, Bunsen, Rowlf, and (awesomely) Sweetums! The shirt was $25 but it was, and is, totally worth it. We'll get to the other t-shirt selections when we get to the Hollywood Studios section.
HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS: Oh, hey, look at that, it's the Hollywood Studios section! How convenient. For the uninitiated, Hollywood Studios is the home of Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3-D, my favorite attraction (duh) and one of the best things the Muppets have ever done. It was also here that I had one of the best parts of my trip, and that was meeting up with a Muppet fan! Muppet Mindset contributor and my friend Joel Swanson just happened to be hanging out in central Florida with his family at the same time! We obviously had to meet up, and Muppet*Vision 3-D was the only place two Muppet fans should go. Joel and I talked Muppets and watched Muppet*Vision 3-D together--the first time I've done so with a Muppet fan. It was awesome, and then we took the picture below and it was even more awesome. Thanks, Joel!!
But anyway... on to what you really care about: the merchandise. As seems to be a recurring theme at Disney these days, the Muppet gift shop was a major disappointment. Although the selection was much better than last year, it was still nothing to write home about (but apparently plenty to write on a blog about). They once again had the toy set, some recent books from the movie promotion, The Muppets and The Muppet Show on DVD, tons of plush dolls, some hats (including the AWESOME Sweetums hat at right), and a butt-load of t-shirts. The shirts were the best part, and I've got pictures of some of the best ones below:
The first three shirts were about $25 each, but the Kermit and Zoot shirts were $45! It was nuts! I guess they are part of some designer series, but still... crazy. Also crazy: Zoot headlining a t-shirt in 2012. If it wasn't $45 I would have bought it! Also ever-present at Hollywood Studios, thanks to the Star Tours ride, were the two-packs of Muppet/Star Wars action figures! These were $20 each, so I only bought Bunsen and Beaker... but it was incredibly hard to restrain myself because Link Hogthrob as Han Solo is not only hilarious but inspired.
One last thing I found at Hollywood Studios was a candied apple designed like Kermit the Frog. It was very well made (and incredibly tasty). I found it at the Villains in Vogue gift shop down the road approaching the Tower of Terror for anyone looking!
The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, email@example.com
Aug 14, 2012
The Muppet Mindset Walt Disney World Round Up
4 comments:
Awesome! What plush did they have and what is the "Disney toy set" you keep referring to?ReplyDelete
Where in WDW did you take that last picture?ReplyDelete
Thanks and keep up the great work.
If you still have the core of that candied apple, you shuld send it to me as a Walt Dinsey World memento. Hehehe.ReplyDelete
You missed one Muppet Star Wars character, Rizzo the Rat as Yoda. He was in Downtown Disney and the Merchant of Venus in the Magic Kindgom. Don't remember if he was in any of the other parks.ReplyDelete
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Tuesday, April 26th, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Event Details
The International Affairs Discussion Group meets to discuss current international events. The discussion will be moderated by Joseph Warner, retired U.S. diplomat and adjunct professor of Geography and International Relations at Florida State College at Jacksonville.
Bartram Trail Branch
60 Davis Pond Blvd. Fruit Cove, FL 32259