text:
Updated at 3:05 p.m. ET
The top federal prosecutor for the District of Columbia said Friday that investigators have not uncovered direct evidence at this point of any "kill/capture teams" targeting elected officials during the U.S. Capitol insurrection, contradicting allegations made earlier by federal prosecutors in Arizona.
U.S. prosecutors in Arizona said Thursday in a court filing against Jacob Chansley, also known as the "QAnon Shaman," that they have "strong evidence" members of the pro-Trump mob wanted to "capture and assassinate" officials.
Michael Sherwin, acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, attributed what he called the "disconnect" in Arizona, and at least one other district, to the sprawling and complex nature of the investigation. There are preliminary hearings taking place in districts across the United States.
"At some of those hearings, there were other prosecutors, there may be a disconnect, may be adding information that's not directly related to what we have," Sherwin said at a news conference.
''It's only a matter of time"
Chansley, the subject of the motion filed in Arizona, wore horns, face paint and fur on Jan. 6 as he stood on the Senate dais – where he left a threatening note for Vice President Pence, according to federal prosecutors in that state.
"It's only a matter of time, justice is coming," the handwritten note to Pence read, according to the court document. The note was left at the spot where, moments earlier, Pence had been poised to preside over a joint session to certify President-elect Joe Biden's victory over President Trump. Chansley told the FBI he believes Pence is a "child-trafficking traitor."
Chansley told investigators that he didn't mean the message to Pence as a threat.
"The Government strongly disagrees," prosecutors said.
The U.S. attorney's office in Arizona filed the memorandum Thursday as part of its argument against releasing Chansley while his case proceeds. He was slated to appear at a detention hearing Friday afternoon in Phoenix.
Chansley is charged with two felonies: obstructing the conduct of a law enforcement officer and obstructing an official proceeding. Prosecutors say that as he committed those actions, Chansley was also carrying a dangerous weapon – specifically, "a six-foot spear."
Prosecutors say Chansley should remain in custody for a variety of reasons, including his part in the riot and his avowed intent to return to Washington to protest Biden's upcoming inauguration.
"I'll still go, you better believe it," he is quoted telling the FBI. "For sure I'd want to be there, as a protestor, as a protestor, f***in' a."
The U.S. attorney's office also says that Chansley would not likely conform to court-imposed conditions on his release, noting that while in custody, he has refused to eat anything other than organic food. Prosecutors also note that Chansley has shown he can travel without being traced. And because he is widely associated with the horns-and-fur costume and face paint he wore at the Capitol, prosecutors say, Chansley "is virtually unidentifiable when not wearing it."
The memorandum, like other documents prosecutors have filed in Chansley's case, notes he refers to himself and other rioters as "patriots." The filing gives new details about how prosecutors view the insurrection – a term the U.S. attorney's office used repeatedly in its filing.
"Chansley has made himself the symbol of a radicalized insurrection movement, and has professed his intent to act in the future as he did at the Capitol on January 6," the memorandum says.
It notes Chansley's status as a "shaman" within QAnon, which the prosecutors variously define as "a dangerous extremist group ... founded on an imaginary conspiracy theory," and a cult that "preaches debunked and fictitious anti-government conspiracy theories that a deep state is out to take down the current administration."
Describing the threat it says the defendant poses, the memo says, "Strong evidence, including Chansley's own words and actions at the Capitol, supports that the intent of the Capitol rioters was to capture and assassinate elected officials in the United States Government. "
Chansley and dozens of otherswho breached security at the Capitol have been arrested in the past week. In many cases, they have been identified by citizens and authorities from photos and videos taken inside lawmakers' offices and other areas in the congressional complex.
The attack on the Capitol has been linked to five deaths, including U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick and a woman whom police shot as she tried to breach a barricaded door.
Federal prosecutors say insurrectionists' attempts to violently overthrow the U.S. government are not over, noting an increase in online rhetoric since Jan. 6 and stating, "Media and FBI reports have detailed carefully-planned insurrection attempts scheduled throughout the country in the coming weeks at every state capital, including the [Arizona] capitol."
Arguing that Chansley poses a flight risk, the court filing says he does not have a stable job that would require him to remain in Arizona. And because of Chansley's status within QAnon, the court filing says, he has "the ability to raise large sums of money for travel (and other activities) quickly through non-traditional means."
Was there coordination?
Federal prosecutors are also still working to determine whether there was premeditation or coordination among groups to storm the Capitol, Sherwin, the acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, said Friday.
"There are bread crumbs of organization in terms of maybe what was taking place outside the Capitol and inside with perhaps some type of communication, with core groups of people ingressing into the Capitol and some coordinated activity of the individuals within the Capitol," Sherwin said.
"And that is a tier-one, top priority for both the U.S. attorney's office and federal law enforcement partners to see whether there was this overarching command and control, and whether there were these organized teams that were organized to breach the Capitol," Sherwin said.
He added that it's "going to take weeks, if not months, to find out the motivation of some of those groups."
NPR's Ryan Lucas contributed to this report.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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The printable baby sign language chart helps you learn the basic signs so that you can in turn teach your baby. The free baby sign language chart is made up of six separate sheets of paper that are each printed out and then taped together to make the final chart. Pin the chart to a wall or your refrigerator and before you know it you will be signing like a pro!
The wall chart is particularly useful as a reminder for caregivers or babysitters who may be seeing the signs for the first time or just need a reminder.
Want a Professionally Printed Chart?
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Get The Kit & Sign Smarter
The Baby Sign Language Kits, bundle together everything you need to get started with signing in one box, at a steep discount. The premium kit includes: (1) Baby Sign Language DVDs & CDs, (2) Baby Sign Language Guide Book; (3) Baby Sign Language Dictionary: (4) Baby Sign Language Flash Cards; and (5) Baby Sign Language Wall Chart.
Signing Time DVDs: Learning Made Fun
Baby Sign Language DVDs teach your baby to sign while keeping them entertained. This Emmy Award nominated program, teaches all the basics in a fun musical format. Your baby will learn:
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- 52 Cards – add family, home, and animal signs
- Illustrated – pictures on the front, the sign on the reserve
- Durable – board mounted & includes a hard case for storage
Get The Kit & Sign Smarter
Teaching Guide: Get Faster Results
Teaching Guide our best information on teaching Baby Sign Language. Topics covered include
- Pepperberg Method – teach signs twice as fast
- Phrases – combining signs to make simple phrases
- Transition to Speech – transition to talking
Signing Dictionary: 600 Signs at Your Fingertips
Signing Dictionary puts over 600 signs at your fingertips. Always have the right sign available to match your child's interest.
- 600 Signs – have the right sign available when you need it
- Illustrated – each sign includes two diagrams with both starting and ending positions
- Letters & Numbers – start counting and alphabet games
Wall Chart: Reminder for Caregivers
Wall Chart provides a quick reminder of the basic signs. Let babysitters, grandparents, and other caregivers understand the signs.
- 14 Signs – all the basic signs
- Glossy Coating – wipe clean waterproof coating
- 24″ x 36″ – large format poster

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The NEW 99.7 The Wolf is paying-off your Christmas Bills and Showing your bank account some love… It's The Wolf-Pack "Holiday" Pay-Off with your shot at a Thousand Dollars every weekday! Listen for the special keyword weekdays at 7:10am, 10:10am, 12:10pm and 3:10pm. Then text it to 405-286-5-9-9-8, that's 405-286-5-9-9-8 for a shot to win $1000 in this nationwide contest. Kick Off the New Year with an extra GRAND! It's The Wolf-Pack "Holiday" Pay-Off!
The following rules shall govern the WINTER 2024 Cash Contest Wolf Pack Holiday Pay Off ("the Promotion" or "Contest"). These contest-specific rules should be read in conjunction with 99.7 The Wolf's ("the Station") General Contest Rules, which are applicable to all contests conducted by 99.7 The Wolf. The Winter 2024 Cash Contest may also be called by various other names on the radio stations included in Exhibit A, attached hereto.
1. Promotional Period: The Promotion begins on or around Monday, January 8th and shall continue for four weeks, ending on Friday, February 2nd, 2024 (the "Promotional Period"), excluding weekends and federal holidays.
2. Entry Deadline: The deadline to submit entries for each prize drawing is 11:59 PM local time as set forth in section 4 below.
3. Eligibility
a. The National Winter 2024 Cash Contest* is open to U.S. residents, eighteen and older, except for the following individuals: employees or families of employees of Participating Stations; the IBA officers and directors, volunteers, or vendors; Envisionwise or vendors thereof; or advertising sponsors of the contest in local markets, listed in Exhibit B (collectively, the "Sponsors"). This Promotion is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This Promotion is void outside the United States and where prohibited.
b. Listeners are eligible to win one $1,000 daily prize ("$1000 Daily Prize" or "Daily Prize") only once per contest. Any Participant who has won a prize from this Contest during the Promotional Period may be ineligible to receive an additional prize from a participating radio station or group, based on that station or group's local contesting rules.
c. Participants must sign all contest release and waiver forms required by participating station before accepting prize. Entrants are required to provide truthful information in all Promotion submissions and when requested by the Station in connection with this Promotion. The Station reserves the right to reject or delete any entry that it discovers to be false or fraudulent. The Station reserves the right to disqualify any entry from any individual who does not meet the eligibility requirements or whom it discovers has provided false or fraudulent information. The Station will delete any and all entries as may be required by law.
4. Entry Method:
Participants who wish to participate in the Contest must do so by texting the on-air keyword to 405-286-5998. In order to participate, a Participant must submit the required personal information and the Station's on air "keyword" by 11:59 PM local time, the same day that the keywords are provided. Some participating radio stations will be accepting entries via entry forms on their stations' websites, where participants would enter keywords the same day they are provided by 11:59 PM local time. Four different keywords will be announced on air on the Station at random points throughout the day. The times keywords will be announced is the sole discretion of each individual participating station. Participants may utilize each keyword to submit four entries into the contest each day. Each Participant may only submit four entries per day, and each of the four entries must utilize a different keyword. The Station reserves the right to delete, reject, remove, or otherwise not consider any submissions which contain a duplicate keyword.
When providing the keyword on air, the Station will spell the keyword. Participants must submit the keyword as it was spelled on air, and only the keyword, in order to provide a qualifying submission. If a Participant's submission does not match the spelling provided by the Station on air, the Station reserves the right to delete, reject, remove, or otherwise not consider such submissions when selecting a winner.
Participants are required to submit all requested information, which may include their first and last name, telephone number, email address, address, city, state, zip code, and certify they meet the age requirements, in order to participate. The Station reserves the right to delete, reject, remove, or otherwise not consider any submission which does not contain all requested information. Multiple Participants are not permitted to utilize the same phone number. Failing to provide separate phone numbers for each Participant may result in a Participant's submission being disqualified. In order to avoid disqualification, only the authorized account holder of the submitted phone number should use that phone number to participate. The authorized account holder is the natural person who is assigned to the phone number by a cellular service provider, or other organization that is responsible for assigning the phone number. Participants may not utilize more than one phone number to increase the number of submissions for that Participant. Use of any device or method to automate entry is prohibited.
Only those submissions that are received by 11:59 PM local time containing the keywords aired that day will be considered in selecting a winner. The Promotion administrator's computer is the official time-keeping device for the Promotion. Only those submissions which the Promotion administrator deem timely will be considered in selecting a winner. Proof of submission or other indication of submission will not be accepted to prove the timeliness of a submission.
This Promotion is only sponsored by the individuals and entities defined as Sponsors herein and in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by any third party, including social media platforms or search engines. By submission of an entry, the Participant releases all Sponsors from any responsibility or liability for the Promotion's administration, prizes or promotion. A Participant's entry information is being provided to the Station only.
Sponsors are not responsible for any technical issues which may result in an invalid submission, including disrupted , delayed, lost, or unavailable internet connections; cell phone service and/or carrier issues; computer failures, errors, or data loss of any kind; failed, incomplete, garbled or deleted computer or network transmissions; inability to access any website or online service; any other error or malfunction, late, lost, illegible or misdirected entries; or for printing errors in any advertisement, entry form or the rules.
By entering the Contest, the Participant agrees to the use of the Participant's personal information as described in the Station's Privacy Policy, located on the Station's website. Through participation in this Contest, Participants agree to receive marketing materials from the Station and Station's contest sponsors. If Participants have questions about the collection or use of their personal information, Participants should contact the Station using the below information.
Entry materials that have been tampered with or altered are void. If the Contest Administrators determine, in their sole discretion, that there is any suspected or actual electronic tampering with the Contest or if technical difficulties compromise the integrity of the Contest, the Sponsors reserve the right to void the entries at issue and/or terminate the Contest and conduct a random drawing to award the prize among all eligible entries received as of the termination date. If the Contest is terminated due to tampering or technical difficulties prior to its expiration date, notice will be posted at www.iba.media and on the Station's website. If, for any reason, the Contest is not capable of running as planned, including tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsors which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Contest, Sponsors reserve the right at their sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest. Sponsors reserve the right to disqualify any Participant that tampers with the operation of the Contest or violates the Official Rules of the Contest.
5. Prizes and Odds of Winning.
a) (1) TWO DAILY PRIZE of $1,000 (USD) will be awarded each weekday for 4 weeks beginning on January 9th, 2024 (The first drawing occurs one day after contesting starts on January 8th, 2024). A total of (20) twenty prizes of $1,000 dollars each will be awarded throughout the duration of the contest.
b) A Participant's odds of winning a Daily Prize depend upon the number of Participants and the number of valid entries submitted by each Participant. This is a nationwide contest, and winners will be selected from a pool of submissions from throughout the United States. Even if the Station has rebranded or renamed this Contest, as described in Exhibit A, Participants are still subject to a national pool of Participants.
c) Participants are only eligible to win one $1000 Daily Prize per contest. Any Participant who has already received a Daily Prize in the ongoing Contest period will be ineligible to receive an additional $1000 Daily Prize.
6. Winner Selection and Notification.
Selection of $1000 Daily Prize Winners: One winner will be randomly selected each weekday, beginning Tuesday, January 9th, 2024, excluding U.S. National Holidays, during the Promotional Period. To win, a Participant will be selected from the valid submissions received the prior business day using a random number generator.
Notification: The Contest Administrator will attempt to contact the selected Participant by phone, utilizing the phone number provided at the time of submission. The call to the selected participant will likely occur (but is not required to occur) between 12PM and 2PM Eastern Time. The call may, but is not required to, show caller ID as coming from an Indiana number (area code 260) or as an "UNKNOWN" caller; there is no guarantee what the call will show on the Participant's phone and the Sponsors are not responsible for any error or confusion that may result from how the call is displayed on the Participant's phone. The Contest Administrator will attempt to contact the selected Participant by phone three times within a 15-minute period, although those calls could happen within a smaller window of time. No messages, voice mail, or other type of messages will be left on the selected Participant's phone. If the Contest Administrator is unable to contact the selected Participant after calling them three times, then an alternate Participant will be randomly selected, and the same contact method will be utilized to reach the alternate Participant. If the first selected participant cannot be contacted, a maximum of four alternate participants will be selected each day. If after attempting to contact the five randomly selected participants in this manner, the Contest Administrator has been unable to contact any of the randomly selected participants, an additional five individuals will be selected from the valid submission pool. If contact is made with the randomly chosen Participant after three phone calls, that Participant will be awarded the prize. Participants need not be listening or present to win. The call with the selected winner will be recorded for future playback on any and all participating Stations.
All winner information, such as name and location, will be collected at the time that the winner is contacted. This information will be sent to the local Station. The IBA will provide the local station with a check for the prize amount, made out to the local Station from the Cash Contest Account held by the IBA. The local Station will then draft a check to the winner, utilizing the information provided to the Contest Administrator at the time of winning. Winners will be notified by the local station to pick up their checks. The Sponsors and Station will notify winners of when to pick up their checks as soon as practicably possible. Any prizes, certificates, or checks not claimed within 60 days of notice will be forfeited by the winner. Winner checks must be claimed by the selected winner, in person, at the Station's designated location, with proper identification. The Station reserves the right to refuse to deliver any check, prize, or certificate to any individual who's proper identification does not match the information provided by the selected winner at the time they are contacted, or in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws. Decisions of Station management with respect to the Contest are final.
The Sponsors are not responsible for any technical issues, natural disasters, or other intervening factor which may prevent the Contest Administrator from being able to reach the selected Participant. The Sponsors are also not responsible for any technical issues, natural disasters, or other intervening factors which prevent the selected winner's contact information from being correctly recorded or provided to the Station. It is the responsibility of the selected winner to ensure that the information provided at the time of contact is correct. Any failure to provide correct information may result in the prize being forfeited or the winner being unable to collect the prize. The Station, Sponsors, and Contest Administrator reserve the right to withhold any prizes which they suspect may be fraudulently obtained.
7. General
a) Payments of all federal, state, and local taxes are solely the responsibility of the winner(s). Winner(s) will be required to complete and submit an IRS Form W-9 or the equivalent including a winner's full Social Security Number for receipt of any prize valued at $600 or more. Failure to submit a complete W-9 or equivalent will result in disqualification and forfeiture of the prize.
b) Participating in the Promotion and acceptance of a prize constitutes a winner's and guest's (where applicable) permission for the station or its agents to photograph, film and record each winner, and to use his/her name, address (city and state), likeness, photograph, voice, biographical information and/or any statements made by him/her regarding the Promotion or its Sponsors for purposes of trade, publicity or promotion without additional financial or other compensation, and, station may, where legal, require a winner to sign a publicity release confirming such consent prior to acceptance of the prize. In the case of a conflict between this paragraph 3b and any other provision of these contest rules, this provision 3b shall govern. By accepting the prize, each winner grants to Sponsors the right to use the winner's name, voice, picture and/or likeness for purposes of advertising and publicity in any and all media now known or hereafter invented, without further permission or additional compensation (except were prohibited by law). All expenses on receipt and use of prize are the sole responsibility of winner. Winner by acceptance of their prizes, agree to release Station, IBA, and their advertising, promotion and production agencies and their respective parents and subsidiaries, shareholders, directors, employees, agents and representatives from any and all liability, claims or actions of any kind whatsoever for injuries, damages or losses to persons and property which may be sustained directly or indirectly in connection with the receipt, ownership or use of the prize or while preparing for, participating in, and/or traveling to any Contest or prize-related activity or to station to collect the prize.
c) No prize transfers. Offer subject to federal, state and local regulations and laws and is void where restricted or prohibited. By entering, participants agree to these rules and the decisions of the Sponsors.
d) To the fullest extent permitted by law, by participating in the Promotion, you:
1. agree to grant station a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide license to edit, telecast, exhibit, rerun, reproduce, use, syndicate, license, print, distribute and otherwise exploit any items (including any photos, videos, audio, or written material) submitted as part of, or connected with, your contest entry (the "Materials"), or any portion thereof, in any manner and in any and all formats and media now known or hereafter devised, without payment to you or any third party;
2. acknowledge that station reserves the right, in its sole discretion, not to use the Materials at all; and
3. represent and warrant that: you are at least as old as the age of majority in your state; you have the full legal right, power and authority to grant to station the license provided for herein; you own or control the complete exhibition and other rights to the Materials you submitted for the purposes contemplated in this license; you are either the parent (or legal guardian) of any minor featured in the Materials or have received the express consent of the parent (or legal guardian) for any such minor to appear in the Materials and to enter the minor's likeness in the Materials in the contest; and neither the Materials nor the exercise of the rights granted herein shall infringe upon or violate the right of privacy or right of publicity of, or constitute a libel or slander against, or violate any common law or any other right of, any person or entity.
e) Prior to awarding any prize, the station in its sole discretion may require verification of Promotion winner's or winners' identification by a showing of valid government-issued photo identification.
f) To the fullest extent permitted by law, by participating and/or accepting a prize, entrants, winner(s) and guests (if applicable) agree to release and hold harmless the station conducting the Promotion, its sponsor(s) and promotional partner(s), its advertising and promotion agencies, the Promotion administrators, any social media platform utilized in the conduct of the Promotion (including but not limited to Facebook, Inc.) and each of their respective parent, subsidiary and affiliated entities, and the officers, shareholders, directors, employees, agents, representatives, successors, and assigns of each of them (collectively, the "Released Parties") against any and all claims or liability arising directly or indirectly from the prize or participation in the Promotion. The station may also require eligible Promotion winner to sign a liability release confirming such consent.
g) The station conducting the Promotion, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any person (and all of their entries) from this Promotion if he or she tampers with the entry process, the operation of the Promotion, or the operation of the station's website, Facebook Page, and/or any other social networking site used in the Promotion, or is otherwise in violation of the rules. The station conducting the Promotion further reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to modify, cancel, terminate or suspend the Promotion, or any part of it, if it is not capable of completion as planned or if any fraud, technical failures or any factor beyond the station's control, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention or technical failures of any sort, corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Promotion as determined by the station in is sole discretion. Any attempt by an entrant or any person to deliberately damage any station website, Facebook Page, and/or any other social networking site used in the Promotion or to undermine the legitimate operation of this Promotion may be a violation of criminal and civil laws. Should such an attempt be made, the station reserves the right to seek full prosecution and/or damages from any such individual to the fullest extent permitted by law. The station's failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of this provision. If due to circumstances beyond the control of the station conducting the Promotion, any competition or prize-related event or travel is delayed, rescheduled, postponed or cancelled, the station reserves the right, but not the obligation, to modify, terminate, suspend or cancel the Promotion and shall not be required to award a substitute prize.
h) The Released Parties are not responsible for (i) typographical or other errors in the printing, the offering or the administration of the Promotion, or in the announcement of a prize; (ii) entries not received due to difficulty accessing the internet, service outage or delays, computer difficulties, malfunctions, disconnections, other technological failures, telephone service outages, delays, dropped calls, or busy signals, or any other difficulties that may prevent an individual from sending or receiving a text message; or (iii) lost, stolen, mangled, misdirected, postage due, illegible, incomplete, incorrect, or late entries. Further, the Released Parties are not responsible if any part of a Promotion prize cannot be awarded due to acts of God, acts of war, natural disasters, weather, acts of terrorism or other factors beyond Station's control.
i) By participating in and running this contest, participating Station agrees to release other participating Stations, IBA, and their advertising, promotion and production agencies and their respective parents and subsidiaries, shareholders, directors, employees, agents and representatives from any and all liability, claims or actions of any kind whatsoever for injuries, damages or losses to persons and property which may be sustained directly or indirectly in connection with the Contest or while preparing for, participating in, and/or traveling to/for any Contest related activity.
8. Official Rules and Winner List
To obtain a physical copy of the General Contest Rules, these contest-specific rules, or a list of winner(s) following completion of the Promotion (please specify which), send a self-addressed envelope specifying "General Contest Rules," National Winter Cash Contest," or "National Winter Cash Contest Winner List" by February, 2 2024 to: Station GM, 99.7 The Wolf, Address: 4045 NW 64th Street Suite 400, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73116.
9. Terms of Use Agreement & Privacy Policy
The Terms of Use Agreement of the station conducting the Promotion is located here: 997thewolf.com. The Privacy Policy of the station conducting the Promotion is located here: 997thewolf.com.
For questions regarding our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, please contact:
Station GM, 99.7 The Wolf, Address: 4045 NW 64th Street Suite 400, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73116
Affiliated Station(s) Exhibit A
(This list only includes participating radio stations, not the name of the contests on those stations – to find the name of a particular contest on a particular station, please visit the website of the participating station)
Exhibit B: Sponsors
Sugar Creek Casino


text:
I've been watching a conversation unfold between a few people on facebook and I had to comment. I actually commented quite a few times there but withheld continuous commenting in favor of blogging about it. Things get buried and lost on facebook.
The conversation had to do with the age old "Is God in control" argument…actually it degraded to that as it does many times with the people involved. In addition, as other people commented, I witnessed an older Christian (over 40) pressure a younger Christian (under 18) into answering the question, "Does God control the millions of abortions every year ?." it took a while for the answer and additional "emotional" elements were thrown in about hacking up millions of babies, etc etc… The younger Christian eventually answered that God does not control Satan, He just allows him to work in this world and people have free will (paraphrased, see full quote at bottom of post)
I really hated to see that answer but I will admit when I was a young Christian my answer would have been the same and maybe even worse…that Satan did things that God couldn't prevent. (this is not a post about age, merely young Christian vs older Christian, keyword being Christian).
If I want to be extremely technical, I actually don't have a big problem with the answer as it contains true statements (people have free will, Satan does what he wants in the "world", etc etc…), however, in light of the context (is God in control) I have a huge problem with it.
Now to the point of this post…it almost seemed as if the younger Christian was scared to come out and say the full truth…God is in complete control aka God is sovereign over everything. Many people are scared to make such a statement because if they did people would conclude that God is responsible for evil acts, people aren't responsible for their own actions, etc etc…
The truth of the matter is, Paul made the statement without any concerns about the implications. In fact, when the Romans proceeded to ask the hard questions about men not being responsible if God is in control, Paul was even kind enough to answer their question. So for all those scared to state what the scripture teaches about God's complete sovereignty because of the implications and/or assumptions that may ensue….don't be! The scripture is on your side.
"And not only that, but also when Rebekah became pregnant by Isaac our forefather(for though they had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to election might stand, not from works but from the One who calls) she was told: The older will serve the younger.As it is written: Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated. What should we say then? Is there injustice with God? Absolutely not! For He tells Moses: I will show mercy to whom I show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. So then it does not depend on human will or effort, but on God who shows mercy. For the Scripture tells Pharaoh: For this reason I raised you up: so that I may display My power in you, and that My name may be proclaimed in all the earth. So then, He shows mercy to whom He wills, and He hardens whom He wills. You will say to me, therefore, "Why then does He still find fault? For who can resist His will?" But who are you—anyone who talks back to God? Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?" Or has the potter no right over His clay, to make from the same lump one piece of pottery for honor and another for dishonor?" (Romans 9: 10–21 HCSB)
Full quote from young Christian referenced above:
"God does not control Satan…He allows Satan to work in this world. Satan encourages abortions…People have free will…and make bad decisions. People that have had abortions can be forgiven if they repent. God, however, is in control of the Universe. He is in control of my life. I turn my life over to Him and I try not to listen to Satan. Mostly I fail…but if I did not believe that the God who created the Universe could do anything He wanted, what would be the purpose?"
P.S. I have written many blog posts that layout my views on such things as free will and the sovereignty of God so you are free to go back and read those if you are looking for such things.
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Docked at the top left of the application is the Model Navigator, or Bird's Eye panel. This panel provides an overview of the objects placed on an EER diagram canvas and for this reason it is most useful when an EER diagram is active. Any objects that you have placed on the canvas should be visible in the navigator.
The Model Navigator shows the total area of an EER diagram (see the figure that follows). A black rectangular outline indicates the view port onto the visible area of the canvas. To change the view port of an EER diagram, left-click this black outline and drag it to the desired location. You can zoom in on selected areas of an EER diagram by using the slider tool at the bottom of this window. The dimensions of the view port change as you zoom in and out. If the slider tool has the focus, you can also zoom using the arrow keys.
The default size of the Model Navigator
is two
pages. Use the , page to change the size and
diagram name. The following figure shows an example of the Diagram
Properties dialog.


text:
Information found on www.rankine-hill.com (the "Website) is derived from sources that the Company considers to be reliable, but the Company does not warrant the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information furnished. The Company makes no express or implied warranties of any manner with regard to the information or services on the Website.
All information and materials found or comprised on the Website is for informational purposes only and are not meant to substitute any advice to be provided by the Company on formal engagement of its services.
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On a muggy morning in Rio Piedras, a San Juan suburb, about three dozen volunteers dressed in parrot green polo shirts are gathered in a brightly lit conference room of El Retiro, a retirement community. The group is mostly women between 60 and 80 years old.
"What is resiliency?" asks Miguel Marrero. He's a psychologist and mental health program manager for Americares, a relief and development organization. He leads the discussion in his native Spanish. "We've been hearing this word over and over since Maria."
Maria, a deadly Category 4 hurricane, ravaged Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Dominica nearly two years ago, and recovery has been slow. It's not just Puerto Rico's infrastructure that was battered. Emotionally, many here are still fragile.
After some nudging, one of the women shares her thoughts about what it means to be resilient.
"It's something ... that comes back to its original state," says 61-year-old Carmen Chevere. She came to learn to handle her own fears about another hurricane. Chevere is also a volunteer caregiver with Esperanza para la Vejez, or Hope for the Elderly, a local organization that finds support for elderly people in need of help such as cooking, taking medication, bathing or just in need of company.
Chevere, a lively woman with bright red hair and purple-frame glasses, still has vivid memories of the devastation and anxiety felt during Hurricane Maria. One of her neighbors died because she couldn't find insulin, she says.
Chevere's house was severely damaged by Maria. Her daughters left the island soon after the hurricane.
"They just forgot about me," she says, although her son remained. "He takes care of me," she said as her eyes began to well up with tears.
Through sobs, Chevere says: "Now I live in fear of another hurricane and we are not ready yet. We are not strong enough yet. Every time I hear about a hurricane, I feel pain and I lose my bearings."
Like Chevere, many others in Puerto Rico are still having a hard time coping with everyday life and understanding that what the island went through during Maria wasn't a small event. Across the island, more than 3 million people saw their communities devastated. Many lost their homes, their jobs, or families and friends.
"Recovery," psychologist Marrero says, "can take months — even years."
"After Hurricane Maria, many individuals were having difficulty dealing with emotions," says Dr. Brenda Rivera-García, Puerto Rico director for Americares. "They could deal with their day-to-day logistics of where to go and get services, but the emotional part was difficult for them."
The mental health toll of Maria on Puerto Ricans is still palpable, says Rivera-García. Months of living without power, in damaged homes without enough food, clean running water and medicine, left many suffering from anxiety, stress and depression, and often unaware of what to call their feelings.
With a new hurricane season and the second anniversary of Hurricane Maria approaching, emotions are resurfacing. Marrero says, "We know that this time of year depression, anxiety and stress symptoms get really high in people."
"We not only give them resources, but we want to hear from them," Marrero says. "They are all survivors; they lost family members and livelihoods and property to Maria."
The volunteers in this class say they don't know when or if another hurricane will hit the island. But they believe they are more resilient now, with the mental strength they'll need to recover from another disaster.
Chevere became a volunteer after Maria. Despite her own problems, she takes care of a 93-year-old man.
"I check on him, I make him coffee, I clip his nails," says Chevere. "I wash his clothes. I do everything you'd do for someone who's your father."
"This job got me out of my funk," she says. "When I wake up in the morning, I have hope because of 'my viejito' this elderly man I take care of," she says. "If he's standing up, I can stand up."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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8RX John Deere Poster
8RX John Deere Poster
Museum-quality poster made on thick and long-lasting semi-glossy (silk) paper.
- Paper weight: 200 gsm / 80 lb
- Shipped in sturdy packaging protecting the poster
Printed and shipped on demand. No minimums.
UK Shipping:
All air freshener & clothing orders are shipped First Class, 'Tracked 48' or 'Tracked 24' via Royal Mail. Any other products are made to order and will be shipped via an alternative shipping company but tracking will be provided.
Any other order will be 'made to order' and shipped directly from the manufacturer.
International Shipping:
Unfortunately, due to previous problems with orders going missing, I will only be providing tracked shipping. This means your shipping will be higher but will ensure your order gets to you!
Should you wish you return your order then please contact Farming In The Flesh via email at firstname.lastname@example.com.
All orders must be returned as they were delivered and air fresheners must be unopened.
Should any items you have ordered be damaged on arrvial then please contact us immediately with photos attached.
Unfortunately we are unable to offer returns to any products that are 'made to order'.


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◈ Total Minted: 1,368,600. There are 10 Obverse dies, and 9 Reverse dies. With these combinations, there exist a total of 10 die marriages. Varieties range from R-1 to R-5 in rarity. Most available specimens are weakly struck, rather than having been well worn with use. ◈
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Ferrari released images and details of their upcoming 599 replacement, earlier today.
The F12 Berlinetta will be Ferrari's most powerful and fastest ever road car. The power outputs are almost identical, as those reported by us last week at 740CV (approx 730bhp). Ferrari say the V12, which is the same one used in the four seater FF, but will rev to 8700rpm, and put out 80bhp more. Yet the F12 will return 18.9mpg, an increase of 10% over the 599. This is possible in part, thanks to the Start-Stop technology, as used in other current Ferraris.
The F12 will hit 62 in 3.1 seconds, 124 in 8.5 seconds, and lap Ferrari's home circuit, Fiorano in 1min23seconds. Hugely impressive!
As with all new Ferraris, the F12 Berlinetta will not be available with a manual gear box. Ferrari are using their dual clutch, automatic gearbox.
As suspected the new F12 is actually a little smaller than the outgoing 599. According to our sources, customers complained that the 599 was a bit too difficult to park in their garages. The F12 Berlinetta will be 20mm narrower, 47mm shorter, 63mm lower than the 599. That's 1942mm wide, 4618mm long and 1273mm high. This has lowered the cars overall centre of gravity.
The car is also now built from an all new 12 alloy aluminium spaceframe chassis and bodyshell, making in 70kg lighter than the 599, at 1525kg. Also, as reported by us last week. The F12 will also be 20% stiffer than its 599 predecessor.
Ferrari note that thanks to the XX programme, they, along with Pininfarina have designed the aerodynamics so that the F12 has 76% more downforce than the 599. The drag coefficient is down to 0.299.
Reduction in drag is reduced partly thanks to a newly designed "Air-Bridge" which channels from the bonnets side intakes though the wheel arches, then splits it though the car's beautifully sculpted side vents. You can see these vents clearly in the pictures above. The car also has "Active Brake Cooling" which is a system that will open the brake vents when the Carbon Ceramic get hot enough. The system will then close them again when the brakes have cooled down, reducing the drag effect.
We can expect the interior to be a mix between the 458 and the FF. All driving major controls will be mounted on the steering wheel, as per Ferrari's "Human Machine Interface" system.
Order books will open at the Geneva show, and prices will likely start at around £250,000. So get your cheque books ready and you could be driving the brand new Ferrari F12 Berlinetta by early 2013!


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As an arborist you always want the best for every tree. This of course demands the best equipment available on the market. A good handsaw is then an absolute must-have. Silky has a saw for every job – from precision pruning to larger removals – that helps you sawing smoothly and efficient, with the best results for the tree. In many cases using an aggressive handsaw is quicker, easier, cleaner and safer than using a chainsaw.
Teeth: large (8 teeth per 30 mm)


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Hello again. It's been too long.
Not sure if anyone is still out there or not. Since I've only posted once on the Blog in the past three months, I'm guessing most people have moved on with their post-Lost lives, or are just morbidly waiting for the Blog to die a slow and painful death. That's my fault. I need to get back on the horse and bring this thing back to life. But it's been a weird few months. I'm still waiting for that spark, for something to come along and inspire me to start writing again, something that speaks to me enough to be worthy of writing volumes and volumes about – but it just hasn't happened.
Actually, the closest thing to inspire me was a recent trip to
Which brings us to this Blog post. It's the fall – and with the fall comes the promise of a new season of TV, a bunch of new chances for something to come along that creates that spark to drive me into an obsessive place where the words fly from my fingers and before you know it I've written hundreds of thousands of words about something important like the availability of Miller Lite in California.
This year, I'm grouping the shows into three categories:
- Must See TV – if you are only going to watch a few hours of TV each week, these are the shows you should be watching. No excuses.
- Promising Newcomer – if you are looking to give a new show a chance to join your uber-valuable DVR space, these are the shows that you should look into. At the very least, these are the shows that I am looking forward to this year.
- Fading Veterans – shows that are past their prime, but still worth tuning into because they display occasional flashes of the brilliance that attracted us in the first place – and because they're familiar old friends who I can't bear to let go of… yet.
With that, here's my day-by-day breakdown of how you should be spending your valuable evenings this fall!
8:00 – Amazing Race (CBS) – Fading Veteran
You know, it's not as though "Amazing Race" has gotten worse over the years, so perhaps the "Fading Veteran" label doesn't truly apply. It's more that if NFL games run long and my DVR misses the Amazing Race, no big deal. I don't actively seek out the episodes I miss. But if I'm at home and the NFL Sunday Night Football game is lame, I'll absolutely tune in. It's a great show, showing you the world and proving that reality TV doesn't have to be trashy. Even though it finally relinquished its death grip of the "Best Reality TV Show" Emmy this year (rightfully being awarded to "Top Chef"), at the very least it's one of the two best reality shows on television.
Also - Phil Keoghan has the greatest job in the world. Go to exotic places and hang out there all day, then tell people what order they arrive to meet you. What's not to like?
9:00 – Dexter (Showtime) – Must See TV
At this year's Emmys, many probably thought I was rooting for "Lost" to win "Best Drama". I was not. Dexter was head and shoulders above Lost in every conceivable way last year, and just might be the best show on TV. In my head, I always rationalize this claim by thinking about what one show I would watch if that was all I could watch each week. Although I love a lot of other shows, I think Dexter would win out in the end.
This year, the show builds on what was perhaps the second most shocking season finale of all-time (behind Lost's "Through the Looking Glass") and I can't even begin to imagine where the show goes from here. But watching this preview of the season makes me giddy with excitement. It's without a doubt the most exciting and powerful show on television.
8:00 – How I Met Your Mother (CBS) – Fading Veteran
Oh, "How I Met Your Mother", the timing for us was never right. I failed to watch the show "live" for its first few seasons, but instead caught up via DVD over the past year or two. The first few seasons of this show were hilarious and heartwarming, like a worthy successor to "Scrubs" – but last year, the first one I watched "live", was pretty weak. It's getting the point where the characters are becoming caricatures of themselves rather than seeming like real people – and the situations are going from relatable to absurd (kinda like the late seasons of "Friends", before it returned to form in its final season).
Here's hoping that the show can find its way and return to "classic" How I Met Your Mother, but if not, I'm still going to stay tuned, if for no other reason than the fact that I've invested over 50 hours of my life in the show and still don't know who the title character is going to end up being.
Dear writers – stop being afraid of delaying the inevitable. Introduce the mother!
8:00 – 90210 (CW) – Must See TV
"90210" has undergone quite the transformation over the past two seasons. What started out as a pretty tame teenage drama has kicked things up a notch with increasingly intense / outrageous storylines for each character on the show. It's walking the fine line between being ridiculous and being awesome, and right now I come down on the side of it being awesome. In last season's finale, serious stuff happened to nearly every major character on the show (rape, divorce, and admission of murder, to name a few). In this season's premiere, even MORE serious stuff happened to these same characters, setting the stage for what could be a ridiculously awesome season.
Is it going to make you a better, smarter person? No.
Is it going to challenge your way of thinking? No.
Is it going to be trashy entertainment with pretty people? Yes.
It's important to have a balanced diet of television shows each season. 90210 is the dessert portion of the schedule.
8:00 – Chuck (NBC) – Must See TV
At this point, you see how crazy Monday nights are going to be. This marks the THIRD show in the 8:00 timeslot that is DVR-worthy, meaning that you have two options:
1. DVR two shows on one TV while watching the third on a different TV, live (what Brian will be doing).
2. Watching one of these three shows online after the fact.
If you are a Nielsen household, I'm going to beg you to watch the fan-favorite but ratings-challenged "Chuck". It needs you more than the other two shows.
After barely surviving the past two rounds of network upfronts thanks to obsessive fans and corporate tie-ins, Chuck put together a pretty nice third season that ended with shades of "Alias" as we discover that Chuck isn't the first Bartowski to become a secret agent. Here's hoping the fourth season can do what Alias couldn't – and strike the balance between drama and mythology and fun.
I've said it before and I'll say it again – Chuck is a happy show. It doesn't take itself too seriously, but still has some meat to its storylines. The characters are likeable, the writing is solid, and it features the smoldering hot Yvonne Strahovski. What more do you want to start watching this show?
9:00 – The Event (NBC) – Promising Newcomer
I have no idea what this show is about, but I want to like it. The ads tell us "An abduction won't prevent it", a prison can't contain it, the president can't stop it, and a desperate act will start it" – so what is "The Event"?
The story of the creation of "The Event" gives us a hint: In 2006, a young untested writer decided to write his dream TV show – like the shows he liked, 24, Lost, and Battlestar Galactica – a nonstop action thriller with character development and mythology.
Sounds good to me.
Of all the shows that I screened this summer, this was the one I was never able to find, so I can't really speak to if the show will be any good or not – but let's leave it like this: I really hope it is good, and more than any other show this fall, this one has the chance to to Blog-worthy. It's reason to be excited and give it a chance.
10:00 –
I watched the screener to this show for two simple reasons – Daniel Dae Kim and Hawaii – thinking it would give me a little of the "Lost fix" that I would be missing this fall. Imagine my surprise when this turned out to be the best new show I saw this fall.
There are a thousand reasons why this show shouldn't work – mostly because it's a remake of a cheesy 1970's show - but in the end, it feels like a Hawaiian version of the movie "Bad Boys". Scott Caan (Tweeter from "Varsity Blues") and Alex O'Loughlin make for pretty entertaining partners, with lots of back and forth banter interspersed with some decent action scenes set against the beautiful background of
It's nothing earth-shattering, but I was smiling the whole hour I was watching it and very entertained. Without a doubt, this is going to be the "ratings hit" of the new shows this fall.
9:30 – Running Wilde (Fox) – Promising Newcomer
I'm not going to lie, the original pilot that I saw wasn't very good. But the re-shoot of the pilot, which I haven't seen, is allegedly better. The reason why this show makes the list? It features Will Arnett playing a GOB-like character, and it's created by Arrested Devleopment creator Mitchell Hurwitz. The re-shoot also added David Cross (Tobias!), meaning that it's about three guest star appearances away from becoming Arrested Development Part 2, right?
I want this show to be good and Arrested Development-y. It's not there yet, but I'm willing to give it a chance to see if it can get there.
8:00 – The Middle (ABC) – Must See TV
What started out as a show that I would accidentally watch while waiting for "Modern Family" to come on became a show that became Must See TV by the end of the season. In my mind, this is what The Janitor from Scrubs went home to each night when he wrapped up his shift as Sacred Heart - wacky family with three equally entertaining kids and a crazy wife trying to hold it all together.
Much like Modern Family, the reason that this show works is that each character is funny in their own right. I love Brick. I love Axl. I love Sue. I love Dr. Jan E. Tor. In fact, the weakest character on the show is probably the "main character" of Patricia Heaton… but even she is tolerable and has her moments. It's a blue collar middle class show without being depressing (like Roseanne was), and usually features a few laugh out loud moments and quotable lines each episode – which is exactly what a half hour sitcom should do.
9:00 – Modern Family (ABC) – Must See TV
Never has a more deserving show won an Emmy. "Modern Family" burst onto the scene and was somehow instantly, classically hilarious right from the start. It was a show that literally EVERYONE, but managed to keep up its high level of quality and hilarity all season long. It makes you laugh – a lot. It warms your heart – a lot. It makes you hopeful for the future of American and its non-traditional families.
What more can I say? You all watch this already, and should continue to watch it. It's the funniest show on TV since Arrested Development.
8:00 – Community (NBC) – Must See TV
If I had to pick the funniest NBC show on Thursday night, it would be "Community". While "30 Rock" might be slightly past its prime, and "The Office" certainly is, Community feels fresh, is hilarious, and has a great balance of cynicism and sweet to make it all work. There were a number of episodes that were pure genius last season (the paintball and Halloween episodes to name two), that took the show beyond the traditional half hour comedy into something closer to full-on parody of pop-culture while still remaining true to the overall feel of the show.
Top to bottom, the cast is great, and each character servers their own hilarious purpose in different ways. I can't wait to see what the creators come up with for the second season, but can only assume it will continue to innovate and entertain like nothing else on NBC's Thursday night lineup.
8:30 – 30 Rock (NBC) – Must See TV
"30 Rock" is probably on the border between Must See TV and Fading Veteran. More often than not last year, I feel like episodes ended with me being pretty "meh" about them. But when it is firing on all cylinders (read: dealing with the main cast of characters and not the guest star of the week), it's as funny as ever. It's almost as if 30 Rock is becoming too "cool" for its own good and needs to return to its more simple roots.
Love Tina Fey. Love Alec Baldwin. Love Tracy Morgan. Therefore, I'll keep watching and hope for a return to greatness.
9:00 – The Office (NBC) – Fading Veteran
It's the show that people still talk about at work, even though it's not really funny anymore. It boggles my mind that the Office has such higher ratings than every other show on NBC's Thursday nights. It's almost as if America decided it could only handle one "different" comedy (read: not something formulaic on CBS), and latched onto the Office – and is unwilling to let go, even as shows like 30 Rock and Community have matched and surpassed the Office in terms of entertainment value.
Still – this season is worth tuning in for one simple reason. It's the last one with Michael Scott. The door is wide open for the writers to do some unique storylines that fundamentally change the dynamic of the show (perhaps for the better?) One of the hard truths that no one talks about is how Michael Scott is probably the least funny character on the show, especially in the later seasons where his shtick has lost its luster. Perhaps getting rid of him is just the jolt that this show needs to let some of the minor (but more hilarious) characters – I'm looking at you, Creed – move into the forefront and get this show back to being worthy of the water cooler talk on Friday morning.
10:00 – It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX) – Fading Veteran
My friend Blair put it best – Sunny is funniest when it's just the core group of characters hanging out in Paddy's Pub, talking about random things and doing stupid stuff. Last year, the show branched out more (in terms of characters and storylines), and had its moments – but the farther they strayed from the core formula, the less successful the show seemed to be.
The first episode of the new season didn't give me much hope that this season will be much different – and once it ended, I was pretty indifferent to the previous 30 minutes of television I had just watched.
Still, it's the embodiment of the Fading Veteran. It's got moments of true hilarity and I love the characters. There's no way I'll stop watching it, even if it doesn't entertain as consistently quite like it used to.
10:30 – The League (FX) – Must See TV
The good news is, the introduction of "The League" seemed to coincide with the fading of Sunny. Having been a part of a pretty serious Fantasy Football league for nearly a decade, I can say with some authority that the show is generally spot-on with its take on Fantasy Football and those who participate in it. Solid characters, good writing, and friends being jerks to each other for the sake of winning an imaginary game - it's almost like me and my friends looking into the mirror.
So there you have it, ten and a half hours of worthwhile TV for you to watch each week. Like I said, we'll stay tuned and hope for some breakout show to become Blog-worthy, but if not, hopefully something else in life will inspire me to get writing with more frequency.
Until then, happy TVing!


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The New York Times bestseller by the author of Cloud Atlas • Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize •Named One of the Top Ten Fiction Books of the Year by Time, Entertainment Weekly, and O: The Oprah Magazine • A New York Times Notable Book • An American Library Association Notable Book • Winner of the World Fantasy Award "With The Bone Clocks, [David] Mitchell rises … Read More
Secrets of a Charmed Life
The author of A Bridge Across the Ocean and The Last Year of the War journeys from the present day to World War II England, as two sisters are separated by the chaos of wartime… Current day, Oxford, England. Young American scholar Kendra Van Zant, eager to pursue her vision of a perfect life, interviews Isabel McFarland just when the … Read More
Asher's Answer (Littles & Lace Book 1)
AN M/M AGE PLAY (ABDL) ROMANCE When Asher Scanlon's dad discovers his Little items, Asher finds himself kicked out of home. Fate follows that up with a healthy serve of 'walking in on your boyfriend cheating on you', which is the last thing he needs. Homeless and close to a breakdown, Ash doesn't think things can get any worse…then his … Read More
Love in A Blizzard: Christmas at the Lodge (Christmas at Coldwater Creek Book 1)
His heart is closed off, her life is mapped out, and the snowstorm that forces them off course. Jobless and heartbroken, Lauren Burke returns home to Coldwater Creek hoping to find comfort. On her way home, a blizzard hits, sending her car into a fence and her into the arms of her longtime teenage crush, Walker McBride. After being dumped, … Read More
Pulling The Goalie : A Fake Dating Sports Romance
It was supposed to be fake! I agreed to be Isaac Keller's fake girlfriend. I know, crazy, right? He's the star of the hockey team and heir to a billion-dollar corporation. I should have run, but we've already established my level of sanity… Anyway, I agreed. The deal is done. In exchange, I get eight dates, the boyfriend experience, and … Read More
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Some thought it stood for 'Military Reconnaissance Force', others 'Mobile Reconnaissance Force'. Many people thought it didn't exist at all.. For decades there has been argument in the media and amongst politicians about the possible existence and extent of a shoot-to-kill policy in Northern Ireland. MRF Shadow Troop confirms there was such an agenda in the early, chaotic days of … Read More
Devoted & Deserted (Quinn Romance Adventures Book 1)
A grieving football player. A vivacious speech pathologist. An unexpected love that sparks danger from the past. After Ryder Quinn's wife died, his four-year old son stopped speaking. Desperate for a solution, the handsome cornerback hires Bree Stevens, a spunky speech pathologist, to be his son's nanny and therapist. Bree moves in and breathes new life into their home. Ryder's … Read More
Earl Grey and Shallow Graves: A British Cozy Murder Mystery with a Female Sleuth (A Waterwheel Cafe Mystery Book 1)
A 30-year-old skeleton. A missing girl. Can a community police officer read the tea leaves or will a deadly secret remain buried for ever? Sergeant Keya Varma is delighted with her new part-time role as the Cotswolds' Rural Engagement Officer. She's also fulfilling her dream of opening a small neighbourhood café. But she gets herself into a stew with renovation … Read More
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*Finalist in the 2022 Indie Cozy Mystery Tribe Book of the Year Awards* A new job, a new friend, and a newly adopted furry companion. Then there's the dead body in her new office. Libby Ballard, director of the history museum in the small town of Dogwood Springs, Missouri, is eager to build a new life. She's only been in … Read More
Savage Titan: An MM College Hockey Bully Romance (North Shore Titans Hockey Book 1)
I caught the attention of a savage beast. My fault–ish after I crashed into Crestwood hockey team's star defenseman on my way to class. In typical Eli Holmes fashion, instead of walking away after he threw my books across the hall, I stood up to Alexei Petrov. Even sat right next to him in class, letting him know exactly what … Read More
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Traditionally the Night Queen has at least one mate from each seasonal court. So what happens when Lyra's first mate rejects her outright? What does this mean for Lyra and the future of her realm? How will she survive being around him when they both attend the same academy? Lyra must move forward, but how will she learn to trust … Read More
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Lightning gave her powers, but she paid a steep price. As a child, forensic artist Molly Nyland survived a freak lightning strike that marked her skin with Lichtenberg figures and gave her unique abilities. She can now tell when what people describe doesn't match what they actually witnessed. But if her powers are exposed, the countless criminals she helped put … Read More
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The Color of Joy is USA Today bestselling author Julianne MacLean's eighth instalment in her popular Color of Heaven Series, which has delivered many happy sighs to thousands of readers worldwide and left them clamoring for more. Bring tissues and prepare to be up all night reading this fast-paced, emotionally charged tale about the obstacles we encounter in everyday life … Read More
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#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A "bracing" (Vox) guide for surviving and resisting America's turn towards authoritarianism, from "a rising public intellectual unafraid to make bold connections between past and present" (The New York Times) "Timothy Snyder reasons with unparalleled clarity, throwing the past and future into sharp relief. He has written the rare kind of book that can … Read More
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The Promise of Stardust: A Novel
Priscille Sibley's The Promise of Stardust is a haunting and unforgettable debut novel about life and death and love, set against a moral dilemma that may leave you questioning your own beliefs. Matt Beaulieu has loved Elle McClure since he was two years old. Now married and expecting their first child, Elle suffers a fatal accident. To keep the baby … Read More
Close to You: A Fusion Novel
THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby comes the second novel in her sizzling Fusion series. Camilla, "Cami," LaRue was five-years-old when she first fell in love with Landon Palazzo. Everyone told her the puppy love would fade—they clearly never met Landon. When he left after graduation without a backward glance, … Read More
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A Stonewall Honor Book * A Time Magazine Best YA Book of All Time From Stonewall and Lambda Award–winning author Kacen Callender comes a revelatory YA novel about a transgender teen grappling with identity and self-discovery while falling in love for the first time. Felix Love has never been in love—and, yes, he's painfully aware of the irony. He desperately … Read More
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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD • A searing debut about the transcendent power of love in wartime, hailed as "an absolute masterpiece" (Sarah Jessica Parker, Entertainment Weekly)—from the renowned author of Mercury Pictures Presents "Extraordinary . . . a twenty-first century War and Peace."—The New York Times Book Review NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE JOHN LEONARD … Read More
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Biggest vs. best
There's not much overlap.
Regardless of how you measure 'best' (elegance, deluxeness, impact, profitability, ROI, meaningfulness, memorability), it's almost never present in the thing that is the most popular.
The best restaurant, Seinfeld episode, political candidate, brand of beer, ski slope, NASDAQ stock, you name it. Compare them to the most popular.
Big is a choice. So is best.


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I'm evidently feeling a little atmospheric this week!
The first was an experiment with PB27 and PR179, which I just added back to my palette after booting Piemontite off. Turns out those two neutralize (surprisingly) so I painted a cloud doodle to test them out. The clouds looked so creepy and dramatic, I gave them a jet to menace. It's in calm air right at the moment, so I hope the passengers aren't freaking out too hard. I'd be glued to the windows!
The other is a purely imaginary city scene wishing we could all get around by blimp. Life would just be better with more airships, right? This is also to test out a suggestion that cobalt blue plus a touch of black is just the right color for Mediterranean skies. I've got a few too many clouds there to notice the effect, but it does seem about right. Will have to do a bluer, broader sky soon and see for myself!


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It's often difficult to find actual hollow man arguments; what with all of the internet crazies holding these views, you can always find someone to weak man at least.
So I wonder, is the hollow man for the extremely lazy arguer?  Or is there some other more nefarious and devious purpose?  Here's indolent Laura Ingraham, who has figured out why Obama doesn't want to impose an Ebola-themed travel ban: so that some Americans die in penance for our sins (from Crooks and Liars):
Ingraham: The experts are telling him we can't think about a travel ban because it will make matters worse. For whom? I think there have been a few moments where people have been honest about this on the left/ where in their heart of hearts think if a few Americans have to be infected and even a few Americans or more than that have to die to make the lives of Africans better , that's just what has to happen. We owe a great debt to other countries in the world. including Africa, and if Americans have to die to repay that debt then we just have to die. I really believe this is where they are.
Yea, I don't think so. Â I wonder if the function of the hollow man here is to make it appear one's opponent not only reprehensible positions, but is also dishonest about holding them. Â They're so dishonest that they don't even utter them in public. Â It takes in the know folks like Ingraham to figure it out. Â Sure, you can weak man or nut pick all you want, but at least in those circumstances you're engaging with your opponent (and they're engaging with you). Â One might be tempted to improve their views, or, at the very least, feel sorry for them.


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Business travel in the 21st Century is a whole new ball-game. With the advent of laptops, netbooks and even smaller form factor connected devices like tablets and smartphones, the task of taking your office on the road with you is getting easier, but there's still a compromise between the gear you need to maintain full productivity and the reality of wrestling your way through airport check-in queues. So what are the options? In the first of a three part series that will look at the best of what's new for the mobile technophile, here's our pick of essential accessories tailored to the needs of the mobile business traveler.
Charge up
While advances in battery technology and netbooks running on low voltage processors have helped extend the running time of mobile devices, there's still nothing more stressful for a mobile computer user than running low on power. That's why the first accessory in any road warrior's arsenal should be a charger to ensure your batteries are fully charged and the electrons are kept flowing when needed. If you're carrying just one device then the power adapter that came with the device will do the job, but if you're packing a few mobile devices then their respective power adapters can quickly add some unwanted bulk. The mCube slim universal adapter from Innergie can help save some space with its ability to charge a wide range of devices through the use of interchangeable tips and a slide switch to alter the output between 15-17 and 18-21 volts. The mCube slim's form factor is also portable-friendly, is approved for in-flight use and can charge two devices at once. Price: US$99.99.
While many new cars these days come with USB ports to keep mobile devices powered up while on the road, it's probably not a bad idea to pack a USB adapter that plugs into a car's cigarette lighter like the iLuv dual USB or Thanko DC 12-24V socket adapter. They're small and cheap and for peace of mind they're definitely a worthy addition if you regularly drive hire cars. Price: US$8 to $14.99.
If you're the sort that takes multiple USB devices on the road – and let's face it, who isn't? – then the Kensington 4-port USB Charger can cut down on the number of chargers crowding up your luggage. If you're also carting around a laptop or netbook – and once again, who isn't – then the Lenovo Power Hub will let you save even more space. This handy unit combines a laptop AC power adapter with a 4-port powered USB hub for your peripherals and additional mobile devices. It works with 90W and 65W Lenovo ThinkPad laptops. Price: US$74.99.
See and be seen
Perhaps the biggest trade-off when you are trying to shed weight from your travel kit is screen real estate. The weight difference between a 10-inch netbook and a 17-inch desktop replacement laptop is substantial, but when it comes to delivering a presentation, or sitting in a hotel room with a stack of programs open, these weight savings can really bite back.An add-on USB monitor is a handy piece of kit to have tucked in your suitcase for such situations and the Mimo 710-S "Mobile Slider" fits the bill particularly well with its travel ready clamshell design. The 7-inch, 800 x 480 display has a 400:1 contrast ratio, built-in video card and flips between portrait and landscape mode. When in transit, the base becomes a screen protector and there's also a carrying case. Price: US$200.
On the other side of the equation, when you want to share your screen with others a pico projector is the answer. The latest to cross our desk is the SHOWWX+, a unit which projects 16:9 widescreen images at up to 848 x 480 pixel resolution (WVGA) with a contrast ratio of 5,000:1 and brightness of 15 lumens. It can be adapted for use with smartphones, tablets or portable computers and only adds 122g (4.3 oz) to your travel burden. Price: US$449.
Another offering worth considering is Aiptek's recent update to its V10 pico projector, the V20. Here you get 15 Lumens, 640 x 480 pixel (VGA) resolution in a 4:3 aspect ratio and a projected image size of 5" - 65" (15cm - 165cm). Price: US$350.
More input please
While some netbooks boast relatively comfortable keyboards and touchpads, if you are sitting down for a long stint in a hotel room or trying to make the most of your screen-only device like an iPad, or even a smartphone, something a little more spacious in the input department can be a blessing.For those who don't like using touchpads, a travel mouse will help keep the cursor in motion. While some of us at Gizmag are sold on the Apple Magic Mouse for both office and travel use, there are some recent releases in the travel mouse department that might shave a little more volume off your kit while still letting you remain productive.
Two notable examples are SmartFish Technologies' new Whirl Mini Notebook Laser Mouse (Price: US$49.95) – a design developed with the assistance of New York's Orthopedic Hospital that pivots to provide extra comfort for your hand and wrist – and the Eclipse Mobile Mouse – a sleek little follow-up unit to the Eclipse Touch Mouse, which features a 4-way, 360 degree scroll ball, a 1600dpi laser and an adjustable back leg so you can set your preferred glide height. Price: US$59.99.
If you are happy with touchpad input, but just don't like where it's positioned on your laptop or netbook, there is another option. The Adesso Browser Cat USB Touchpad. takes a traditional laptop touchpad configuration and puts it in a portable plug and play USB peripheral. Price: US$40.
If you're really traveling light, then the Jorno Bluetooth keyboard could be the answer. The Journo is a folding full QWERTY keyboard boasting a full complement of function keys that folds down from its full size of 8.5 x 3.5 x 0.3 inches (21.59 x 8.89 x 0.76 cm) to a pocket-friendly 3.5 x 3.5 x 0.9 inch (8.89 x 8.89 x 2.28cm) package weighing 8.8 ounces (250g). The clever design also creates a stand for your iPhone. Price: US$99 (available 2011).
Another option is Thanko's folding USB keyboard, which isn't quite as compact when folded at 3.6 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches (9.1 x 12.9 x 2 cm) and weighs about the same at just over 8 ounces (227g).
If you're not satisfied with anything less than a full-size wireless keyboard complete with numerical keypad, then Logitech's latest solar powered offering could be worth investigating. Of course you'll need a bigger suitcase... and a business trip to the Bahamas wouldn't go astray either. Price: US$79.99.
Finally, while on keypads, Mac fans might be interested in LMP's add-on Bluetooth keypad for Apple's Wireless Keyboard. Unfortunately we'll have to wait until next year for pricing and availability details though.
To USB, or not to USB
There's not really a choice of course, but with all of these peripherals and storage solutions you can soon overwhelm the available USB ports on your portable computer of choice. We particularly like this USB expansion solution from Belkin (Price: US$49.95), which includes a 3-port base for the office and a detachable 4-port travel hub. If you are planning to escape with a wheelbarrow full of peripherals you can get carried away with the likes of this 12-port hub from Sanwa. Price: 4,480 yen (approx. US$53).
USB 3.0 is beginning to make an appearance in small form factor notebooks, but if you have a PCIe Add-In Card and ExpressCard adapter on your existing machine you can still get access to increased transfer speeds. Belkin (US$80), Startech (US$50) and TRENDnet (from US$50) are some of the company's offering this solution with dual USB 3.0 port adapters.
Store it
While cloud computing (a BIG topic for another time) offers storage and processing solutions for those traveling light, factors like available bandwidth and the size of the files you are working with (i.e. video) means that sometimes more conventional storage solutions are a must. In terms of physical size, tiny USB drives such as Lacie's MosKeyto (US$50 for 16 GB) and SanDisk's Cruzer Blade (US$80 for 16 GB) might do the trick.
Small also means easily lost of course, so our weapon of choice in this regard has become the Samsung S series portable drive. Still diminutive, but packing up to 1 TB (US$119) and soon to become USB 3.0 compatible, there's no need to carry around a handful of drives. Another slightly larger product that's also won fans at Gizmag due to its rugged casing is the LaCie Rugged USB 3.0 (US$170 for 1 TB).
If data protection is a priority, there's also some interesting takes on security out there with products like the LOK-IT USB drive (US$154.50 for 16 GB) and the Aegis Padlock (US$199 for 750 GB) offering a physical keypad so that data can be PIN protected.
Get comfortable
It's one piece of kit that often gets left behind, but a stand for your notebook can be invaluable when you find yourself on a long stint away from the office. The Cricket portable laptop stand gets a nod for sheer simplicity of design and compact folding form factor (US$50). Logitech has just released a netbook version of its more high-tech offering – the Lapdesk N550 – designed for when you want to kick back and actually use the computer on your lap. While it might be harder to shut the zip on your bag if you throw this 1.1 kg (390 ounces) unit in, you'll get the benefit of a cooler machine and extra speakers. Price: US$59.
Bag 'em up
Once you've got all the various pieces of your mobile arsenal sorted you'll obviously need something to carry them in. When shopping around it's a good idea to take the devices you'll be carrying with you to ensure a snug fit with plenty of protection in all the right places.Through the integration of thin-film solar cells there are also bags that can capture energy from the sun to charge up your mobile devices. While they aren't yet powerful enough to charge up a laptop, solar bags, like those from Eclipse Solar Gear, are an environmentally friendly way to keep handheld electronic devices such as a smartphone or iPod powered up – if you are lucky enough to be out of doors. Price: US$99.95 – $199.95.
Some of our other favorites are the ShapeShifter bag from ThinkTANK which is specifically designed to expand to fit in some extra camera gear, PacSafe's range of laptop bags which are built to thwart the thieves and protect your gear with slashproof eXomesh panels and lockable tamperproof zippers, and Targus' Checkpoint-Friendly Air Traveler Laptop Case which is designed to let you clear airport security without having to remove the laptop from its case. Prices: US$249, $100 and $100 respectively.
In the age of excessive excess baggage fees, one last nod goes to the suitcase that weighs itself. Price: around US$100 at Expert Verdict.
This is a sample of the best gear for the mobile traveler we've seen and used, but we'd love to hear your thoughts on what works for you when you're on the road. Hit the comments section below to tell us more ... and stay tuned for our next installment which will look at the latest mobile gear for the weekend adventurer.


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Information Possibly Outdated
The information presented on this page was originally released on May 24, 2012. It may not be outdated, but please search our site for more current information. If you plan to quote or reference this information in a publication, please check with the Extension specialist or author before proceeding.
Two steps needed for fire ant control
MISSISSIPPI STATE – Fire ants are one of the most frustrating insect pests to deal with in Mississippi lawns, but they can be successfully controlled with the correct approach.
"There is a lot of confusion when it comes to treating fire ants, but it is not that complicated," said Blake Layton, an entomology specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service. "I recommend using what I call the one-two punch."
The first step is to apply granular fire ant baits to the entire yard three times per year – around Easter, the Fourth of July and Labor Day. Follow that up by treating any mounds the bait treatments miss.
"Baits are the foundation for a good fire ant control program because they can eliminate newly formed fire ant colonies before they become large mounds," Layton said. "The ants collect the bait granules, carry them back to the mound and feed them to the developing larvae."
Bait treatments are quick and easy to apply. They are inexpensive when used at the proper rate. They should give about 90 percent control when used properly.
"That means you will have one-tenth as many problem mounds using baits as compared to not using baits," Layton said.
Treat mounds that pop up between broadcast bait treatments with individual mound treatments.
"Unlike granular baits, mound treatments are applied directly to the mound and come in dry and liquid formulas," Layton said. "These kill by contact rather than by being eaten."
Dry mound treatments are quick and easy to apply but take a few days to provide control. Liquid formulas, or drenches, take more time to prepare but eliminate the mound within just a few hours.
"Drenches are too much trouble for routine use, but they are the best choice when you need quick elimination," Layton said. "For instance, if a mound is next to the patio where a party is planned for that evening, use a drench."
Always use a product appropriate for the area where it will be applied and follow the directions carefully, Layton said.
Other non-native species, including Argentine ants, dark rover ants and hairy crazy ants, are also causing problems in Mississippi. All three of these species are difficult to control because of their large populations.
"Historically, Argentine ants were a serious pest in Mississippi, but due to area-wide treatment plans in the early to mid-1900s, effective control was achieved," said Joe MacGown, a research technician who specializes in ants in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology at MSU. "However, we have seen a resurgence in levels of this species in recent years.
"Equally troubling is the presence and spread of hairy crazy ants along the Gulf Coast. Both Argentine ants and hairy crazy ants form large, super colonies and can pose serious problems indoors and outdoors."
MacGown said besides treating with pesticides, the best way to reduce the probability of any insects coming indoors is to keep food items sealed, prevent trees and other landscaping from touching the house, and seal any unnecessary openings where insects could enter.
Extension publication 2429, "Control Fire Ants in Your Yard," provides more information about controlling fire ants in home lawns. For information about controlling fire ants in other settings, visit http://extension.msstate.edu/insects/fire-ants or call the local MSU Extension office. Local Extension offices can also provide information on controlling other nuisance insects.