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Sonoma Preview
The IZOD IndyCar Series heads west to wine country this weekend, for the IndyCar Grand Prix of Sonoma. This is not my favorite race on the schedule. In fact, now that Belle Isle is no longer on the schedule; this may be my least favorite track. But some track always has to occupy that position, doesn't it? At least it's a race. In a few weeks, we'll be clamoring for any type of open-wheel racing – so let's enjoy the last five races while we can. Besides, saying a race is my least favorite IndyCar race is like rating the best and worst days of a vacation – when all is said and done, they're all pretty good.
Before getting into the race itself, I must indulge in a completely shameless plug. This Sunday, I will be joining a few other IndyCar bloggers for a live chat on Versus.com during the race broadcast. I'm not exactly sure who will be heading up this forum, but I can assure you it isn't me. More than likely, it will be Kevin Graham from Versus.com or Roy Hobbson of The Silent Pagoda and Versus.com. They will be joined by yours truly, along with The Speedgeek and Tony Johns of PopOffValve.com. This is not the most scintillating of races, so if you find yourself thinking of flipping the channel, log onto our live chat instead. It should be an interesting experience, if nothing else. To learn more, check out Roy Hobbson's teaser from Versus.com here.
Anyway, back to important matters – the race itself. As I've said many times before, this race is a necessary evil. It serves the northern California market and occupies a place on the schedule. This was the site of the very first IZOD IndyCar Series road course in 2005, although they had already raced on the streets of St. Petersburg earlier that season.
When I think of road racing in California, I immediately think of one of my racing heroes, Dan Gurney – who is now a surprising seventy-nine years old. Gurney won the first Indy car race at Sonoma in 1970, when USAC ran Champ cars there.
For more than two decades however, the narrow course formerly known as Sears Point Raceway and now called Infineon Raceway, was best known for one of two road course stops on the NASCAR circuit. As recently as Wednesday night, I heard Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee talking about how beautiful the scenery is at the track. I will qualify this by saying I've never been to Infineon Raceway, but based on what I've seen on television over the years – it looks like a dustbowl. Brown grass and a lot of dust is not my idea of beauty. Perhaps the area surrounding the track is pretty, but the camera fails to show that part. Either that or I need to examine my definition of beauty.
I don't expect this to be an exciting race. It usually never is. Teams should put a strong emphasis on qualifying, because where a driver starts in this race will be a pretty good indicator as to where they end up finishing. Like Barber and Mid-Ohio, passing will be at a premium on Sunday. The narrow and winding circuit offers only about two really decent passing zones. The best place to pass on Sunday will probably be in the pits, like it was two weeks ago at Mid-Ohio. After that race, some said that there doesn't have to be passes for the lead to make a race exciting. That may be true to some extent, but it sure helps. Not many people came away talking about how riveting Mid-Ohio was. Chances are, it'll be the same on Sunday.
As if he really needs it, Will Power will have some extra incentive to excel at Sonoma this weekend. This was the site of his season-ending crash last year that resulted in a broken back. He probably feels he owes the track some payback. I think he'll get it this weekend. Not only will he have the chance to exorcise those demons from last year, but he knows this is the last track of the season where he'll have a decided advantage over everyone else. Without a win this weekend, he'll have to do something he's never done before to win the championship – win on an oval. I predict Power wins this weekend.
If he doesn't, I think there may be a surprise winner emerge from a group that hasn't won yet this season – namely Graham Rahal, Justin Wilson or possibly Marco Andretti. They have all had some frustration this season and this is their last chance to grab a win on a type of track where they have had success.
I wouldn't say I'm jumping on the Simona de Silvestro bandwagon, because I've been on it all year, but I think she will continue to turn heads this weekend. What she has done with so little this season is nothing short of phenomenal. Her driving ability in the car may only be exceeded by her demeanor out of the car. She has quickly become one of my favorite drivers.
Barring any of the surprise possibilities I mentioned earlier, this will be contested between the Penske & Ganassi cars. Ryan Hunter-Reay drove a great race through a lot of adversity two weeks ago, but I just have a gut feeling that he won't be much of a factor this weekend. Neither will teammates Tony Kanaan or Danica Patrick. Lately, only one Andretti Autosport car per weekend has been allowed to shine. This weekend will be Marco's turn, as he re-visits the site of his one and only IZOD IndyCar Series win – way back in 2006. It seems like ancient history now. Little did we know then that it would be four years and counting since that lone victory.
But, cheer up – if it gets too boring, you can always go over and join our live chat during the race at Versus.com. I can assure you that we will not be near as predictable as the race.
George Phillips
11 Responses to "Sonoma Preview"
I have Dario winning. Also, not much excitement unless Marco decides to block/wreck Danica or TK (RHR will be up front and the young Andretti won't have a shot at him 🙂 ).
I tend to agree that Infineon Raceway is not my favorite track on the IndyCar schedule, and yes, the races can be uninteresting; in fact, I haven't seen an interesting 2 or 4 wheel race of any series at Infineon other than the NHRA Full Throttle drag racing series, and that is indeed a sad indictment of the track. I do understand that it is a necessary evil and it actually is an interesting track to drive on, just not an intersting track to RACE on.
So what does one do when the race is lacking excitment? Well, you can do many things. One is to complain about it, as some undoubtedly will. I, however, try to think about the things I do find interesting about the race. The fact that it does take skill to drive a 650hp car around the track. Strategies: fuel mileage, when to pit, reds vs. blacks. That is how I take a unexciting race and make it so.
I would love to see Justin, T.K., or Graham win.
If it gets boring (which is almost a guarantee), the saving grace is that this will be the last of these 110 MPH lame-ass road/street races for about 6 months.
I think to liven things up (and keep some folks awake), Milka should be placed at the start of the field on all yellow flags. You want action? This would do it.
I've visited Napa Valley several times and it is very scenic–parts of it feel like you're in France. Rolling hills and grape vines and small picturesque towns and all that. Amazing restaurants and wineries. Winding two-lane blacktops and temperate weather.
So I'm not exactly sure why the track looks like a dustbowl. Maybe Mr. Barber–who certainly has time on his hands because he's not working on improving his track–could come plant some flowers for them.
I think the folks at Sears Point should paint all of that dirt green and plant fake trees and shrubs all over the place so they don't have to worry about watering anything. Ta-da! Instant scenery! Take that, George Barber!
I'm very much hoping Franchitti wins. Just for the championship, that could be a prelude to an interesting finale. For the race itself I don't care much, that's very likely gonna be a borefest anyway.
The race hasn't been run yet (although its almost a guarantee that either Helio, Power or Franchitti is going to win) and I'll predict that most of the nimrods at TF/Crapwagon give the race at least a 7 on their "1 to 10" scale of rating each lame Indy Car race.
Of course, most of the fools there wouldn't know a good race if it bit em' on their candy asses. They are more concerned with how much money the 23rd starter today makes each year or what BS their savior "The Nard Dog" blabbered about in some interview or how its the fans fault for why Indy Car Racing sucks and has no interest anymore in this country.


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As Halloween begins to creep around the corner it brings to mind the fanciful images of ghosts, pumpkins, and a witch's silhouette flying across the moon. I have always loved Halloween; not just for the holiday ambiance, but for me, its true essence of being a time when the veil between our world and the supernatural seems to be at its thinnest. The ancients knew that the supernatural was just as natural as the air that we breathe, and Halloween was a day to be aware of that fact.
Since the beginning of time humankind has been fascinated—even obsessed— with the unseen world that exists all around us. From the communion of spirits within sacred rituals performed by our ancestors to the saturation of paranormal "reality TV" of today, it is in our very core—a deep desire to know and commune with the mystery behind the invisible curtain that separates our world from "theirs."
I truly believe that even from the harshest of skeptics there is always that quiet wonder about what lies beyond—in the unknown. I was born into a world of ghosts and folklore. In the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, there still lives a rich tradition of spiritualism and magic. Even underneath the very buckle of the Bible belt you can still sense that there is mystery and supernatural wonder in "them there hills." Souls that lost their way hundreds of years ago still wander in their timeless dream state, lost in the dark forests of the Ozarks. I have felt them there. I have heard the lonely cries calling from a world beyond ours. From my earliest years, the supernatural was natural to me. My grandmother filled my childhood with stories from her own childhood of things going bump in the night, ghosts walking up creaky stairs, and spiritual miracles of healing performed by granny witches who had the power of herb and chant. Little did I know at the time that my grandmother was telling me of very real occurrences and helping me to develop my own abilities to see these things by keeping my mind open to accepting different realities.
Becoming a "Supernaturalist"
While researching my next book project about the supernatural, I discovered a label that seems to fit me perfectly—it'sSupernaturalist. The term "Supernaturalist" is not a word you hear too often. When said aloud it rings with a very mysterious tone. The Collins English Dictionary defines this illusive word the best: "a person who believes in supernatural forces or agencies as producing effects in this world"; or "characterized by a belief in supernatural forces or agencies as producing effects in this world."
In general, we can look at the supernatural as manifestation of the unearthly—weird and miraculous—and a supernaturalist is one who lives in constant awareness of its illusive presence. The definition of supernaturalist mentions the supernatural realms actuallyproducing effects. This is very much the case in my work. I'm seeing, especially the past few years, the veil between our physical world and the supernatural world thinning at an increasing rate. We are, in fact, being affected by these otherworldly dimensions by the action being taken on both sides to lift the curtain and see what's there. Not only are we curious, but the beings, entities, and other supernatural creatures on the "other side" are curious about our world as well. Over the years most of us have questioned, is the truth really out there? I'm here to tell you the truth is living right here in our own backyards. The highly popular film The Conjuring and the hit TV series Supernatural are both testament to what is unveiling itself as a reality. I can always tell when something is changing in the global brain by watching it as it begins to be reflected in our current pop-culture media. You can definitely see this in the plethora of the current paranormal and supernatural TV Shows.
This Halloween remember that there are many mansions and inhabitants in God's multidimensional universe that will eventually emerge from the mists within which it resides. Have a respect for them. As we awaken to our spiritual selves we move even closer to more universal mysteries beyond the veil.

subset: commoncrawl


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Since autumn 2012, Murray Kerik has had the honour and privilege of serving as Reeve for the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River no.124. From his civic education first as Councillor, and now as Reeve, he has learned that there's no shortage of challenges and opportunities in office of the MD. Reeve Kerik is a third-generation resident and highly active member of the municipal district he is tasked daily with leading. In his previous two terms on Council for the MD, he has played a vital role in helping steward the growth of this region with common sense and compassion.
With decades of experience as a fire fighter, rancher and public official under his belt, Reeve Kerik sees Lesser Slave River from a number of unique and equally valuable perspectives. These perspectives provide him with an important sense of balance when planning for the future of the community at large and weighing the interests of all involved. He realizes that in private and public sector alike, good communication is invaluable. Whether meeting with Councillors, talking with residents or discussing important issues with municipal neighbours, his goal as Reeve is to foster a culture of open and transparent two-way communication.
With a capable, committed staff and Council backing him, and with the valued ongoing participation of all MD residents, Reeve Kerik continues to help write the next chapter of this special northern Alberta region's story. As a family man, a business owner and a dedicated public servant, it is a story that's very near and dear to his heart.
Your MD Councillors
Council for the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River consists of a Reeve elected at large and six Councillors, representing two municipal divisions. Division 1 includes the communities of Flatbush, Chisholm, Hondo and Smith. Division 2 includes the communities of Mitsue, Marten Beach, Canyon Creek, Widewater and the land adjacent to the Town of Slave Lake.
Municipal elections are held every four years on the third Monday in the month of October pursuant to the Municipal Government Act and the Local Authorities Election Act. The last municipal election was held on September 18, 2017. Public Council meetings are held the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Council accepts presentations from the public by appointment only.
Robert Esau | Councillor, Division 1
robert.esau (@) mdlsr.ca
|Board & Committee Appointments
Sandra Melzer | Councillor, Division 1
sandra.melzer (@) mdlsr.ca
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Becky Peiffer | Councillor, Division 1
becky.peiffer (@) mdlsr.ca
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Brad Pearson | Councillor, Division 2
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Darcie Acton | Councillor, Division 2
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LinkedIn still better than FacebookNovember 2, 2012: 12:38 PM ET
LinkedIn (LNKD) continues to be the preeminent social media stock. The company reported earnings after the closing bell Thursday that topped forecasts, sending shares up more than 1.5% Friday.
The stock pulled back as Friday wore on -- shares were up as much as 8% shortly after the market opened -- but they remained in the black even as other social media companies tumbled along with the broader market. Reviews site Yelp (YELP), which also reported earnings Thursday, plunged more than 10%. Groupon (GRPN) shares sank 4% and hit an all-time low in the process.
Interestingly though, the company that LinkedIn is most often compared to, Facebook (FB), also rose Friday. Still, LinkedIn has been a much better stock than Facebook.
And many traders on StockTwits were very eager to talk about how bullish they are about LinkedIn's prospects.
metrowester: $FB take notes from $LNKD
chicagosean: I still think $LNKD will be one of the leaders of the next big bull market. Whenever that starts....
Great points. I'm not sure Facebook necessarily needs to completely mimic LinkedIn per se. But the beauty of LinkedIn is that it has more revenue streams than Facebook and it not dependent on advertising.
LinkedIn was often accused of being boring before it went public because it's not a free site with 1 billion users. But investors love the fact that LinkedIn generates revenue from subscription fees from businesses and premium accounts for individuals.
EmpoweredTrader: 95% growth in $LNKD talent solutions. The last 3 people I hired all came through linkedin ... monster what?
Online recruitment site Monster Worldwide (MWW) definitely seems to be feeling the pinch from LinkedIn. Still, some think LinkedIn, much like Facebook, has to do more to transition from the desktop to smartphones and tablets.
ldrogen: the next thing $LNKD really needs to figure out is mobile and the whole virtual business card exchange, business cards are so dumb
Ha! That is true. Which is why I didn't give Leigh one when I met him at StockTwits' Stocktoberfest conference in San Diego (oops, I meant to say "the magical island of Coronado) last week!
And one trader is concerned that LinkedIn, again like Facebook, may be losing some momentum.
stockpickers: $LNKD stock is fizzling, growth rate is slowing 81% last qtr down from 89% and triple digits prior qtr's, expected to be 61-65% for 4th qtr
That's mathematically true. But most companies would happily accept a mere 65% growth rate. Personally, I think the biggest concern for LinkedIn is its valuation. With shares trading at nearly 90 times 2013 earnings forecasts, it can't afford to slip up. This is a stock that has to keep exceeding expectations or it will be punished.
Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention a certain superstorm. I consider myself blessed that my particular neighborhood in Brooklyn was not damaged too badly by Hurricane Sandy earlier this week. My heart goes out to everyone who lost so much. The costs, both in lives and financial damages, are devastating. Still, I always like to end the week with a little levity. And now more than ever we need some pop culture frivolity to distract us from reality.
Disney's (DIS) purchase of LucasFilm was big news this week. But beyond the financial implications of the deal, Star Wars fans found out that there is going to be an Episode 7 that will be released in 2015. That filled many of us geeks with feelings of excitement ... and dread.
Ha! That may not be true though. Even the mighty Empire (which struck back in Episode 5) was still vulnerable.
Anyway, I hope everyone has a great, safe weekend and that life slowly returns to normal.


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The growth of new distribution opportunities via the internet has prompted some independent production companies to find additional options for exploiting their content, while others are producing content specifically for the web.
Here's a round-up of some of the key players so far:
Miles Beckett and Luke Hyams, the co-creators of LonelyGirl15, are rightly dubbed the kings of social networking drama. The duo have gone on to form LG15 Studios, with backing from Hollywood talent brokers Creative Artists Agency, deepening their relationship with Bebo by producing Kate Modern.
Veteran U.S. independent Mark Burnett Productions, best known for a slew of reality TV formats, has been actively syndicating derivative programming to web portals for a number of years. Its series Rock Star: INXS was offered via MSN, albeit as an enhancement / spin-off to the linear show. However, the company is getting more active with pure new media plays: last September it launched Gold Rush, an online reality game via AOL.
U.K. indie RDF is currently developing Rough Cuts. a comedy portal featuring full-length download-to-own programmes from its own catalogues (RDF is a distributor, as well as a production company), other independents and, it hopes, under license from broadcasters. Last July, the company's U.S. offshoot inked a licensing deal with Daily Motion.
Endemol – the company which brought the world Big Brother – was one of the first major indies to license its back catalogue content to U.K. IPTV service BT Vision, as well as to pure web plays, such as Joost and newcomer Next.TV. The company is also producing Gap Year, a web exclusive travelogue for Bebo. At the C21 Future Media conference in London late last year, Endemol's Peter Cowley, managing director of interactive media, disclosed that its digital division was contributing between 10 to 20% of overall revenues.
FremantleMedia's strategy focuses on marrying up excellent creativity, low budgets and profitability. The company – behind linear hits such as American Idol – owned by media conglomerate Bertelsmann subsidiary RTL Group, has a new platforms division overseen by programme syndication veteran Gary Carter. Aside from licensing deals, the company's key new media property is web and mobile comedy channel Atomic Wedgie, an aggregation of younger-skewing short-form programmes which achieved nearly 3 million views via MySpace during Q4 2007. The company is working on an interactive drama format for syndication to web aggregators during 2008.
IMG and its television division TWI has established a fearsome reputation for global syndication (the business was built out of sports talent management) and boasts a programme catalogue of 250,000 hours of premier sports events (Wimbledon, the PGA Tournament and U.K. Premier League are among those it represents). The company has been developing content propositions for new platforms – albeit based on wobblier technology than today – as far back as 2003. The company's Gamer.tv format (which enjoys the dubious distinction of being banned in China) was one of the first made-for-TV shows to be syndicated to web portals, such as MSN.


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For many Americans, the shutdown of the federal government has few, if any, immediate consequences. The mail will still be delivered, taxes will be owed, and many other services will continue for a time (even as some basic functions, from keeping Head Start classrooms open to processing some veterans' benefits, may not). But here in Maryland, the furlough of 124,000 civilian government workers will be felt most acutely, as the cost in state and local tax collections alone is projected to be about $5 million per day.
Such shutdowns have happened before, and the nation has survived. But the circumstances of this particular failure in Washington are more embarrassing than most: It had all the legitimacy of a criminal enterprise as tea party extremists elevated their hatred of Obamacare above the best interests of the country and their duties as legislators.
It would be tempting, of course, to write that this impasse — the inability to agree on a continuing resolution to fund government past the end of the fiscal year — was the fault of Democrats and Republicans alike. But that would be like blaming the hostages for causing the perpetrator to put a gun to their heads. As President Barack Obama noted, he and Congressional Democrats put forward no agenda other than keeping the government operating temporarily at current levels.
House Republicans set conditions, not Senate Democrats. And it's not even clear how many in the GOP truly wanted this to happen. Conventional wisdom is that a so-called "clean" resolution funding government would have passed on a bipartisan vote if it had been allowed on the floor by House Speaker John Boehner — or perhaps by the man who seemed to have the most influence on the chamber's agenda in recent days, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.
So what is the Republican end game in all this? As Americans become increasingly annoyed, inconvenienced and angry, will they relent? In slightly over two weeks, the debt ceiling must be raised or the nation could face default; will this drag on until then with much-greater stakes? After all, failure to raise the debt ceiling would be no mere inconvenience but could help push the country, perhaps even the world, into another economic recession.
Do House leaders think they can push the blame on President Obama? Some have already tried, but it sounds suspiciously like shoplifters blaming store owners for having so much tempting merchandise lying about. National polls show the public isn't buying it — most Americans didn't want the government shuttered over Obamacare, and Congressional Republicans have a double-digit lead over the White House when it comes to the public's choice for who most deserves the most blame.
Even the usual anti-government crowd can't find much comfort in this, as sending federal workers home isn't saving anybody any money. The last time the federal government had an extended shutdown — for 21 days in late 1995 to early 1996 — it cost something on the order of $2 billion. What an extraordinary waste of money, particularly at a time when conservatives claim to be worried about the deficit.
We don't always agree with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, but he was correct Tuesday when he called on the House to put federal workers back on the job — and then take the budget to conference committee without a "gun to the head." To negotiate now would be to reward the hostage-takers for their unreasonable behavior. The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, and Republicans need to give up their obsession with it unless, of course, they had something more productive to offer than a one-year delay.
The GOP idea that withdrawing themselves, their staff, the president and top political appointees from their current employer-provided health insurance somehow makes the law more "fair" is also a bit irrational. The point of Obamacare is to preserve employer-subsidized health insurance whenever possible. It's not a carve-out if the federal government continues to pay three-fourths of the health insurance premium (a ratio many private employers offer, too).
All that is accomplished by the current shutdown is to harm 800,000 innocent people in the federal workforce and take about $1 billion from the U.S. economy each week at a time when the country can ill-afford the loss. It's clear House Republicans will have to relent eventually. One can only hope House leaders will come to their senses sooner rather than later.


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It seems more than a trophy and some t-shirts should be at stake when you wear the title "World Champions". I wanna see some real consequences, some real responsibilities. So, San Francisco Giants — if you are indeed championing all of us in this world, what the hell are you going to do about this worst-ever monster storm that's bearing down on your old hometown?
I suppose making sure we wouldn't have to worry about missing any additional World Series games amid any potential power outages was the Giants' first act as our champions. I was hoping for a solution to global climate change, but there's only so much you can realistically ask out of a baseball team, even the best one in the land.
Congratulations to the recurring champs, whatever the parameters of their jurisdiction. Thanks for getting your reign started before the rains kick in. And, honestly, thanks for getting the Series over with in four straight, even if the fourth game was the first really good one and put me in the mood for maybe three more before calling it winter. Yet, with no disrespect to Our (briefly) Beloved Detroit Tigers, that probably wouldn't have worked, and not just for reasons pertaining to the reliability of local utilities. This Series belonged to the Giants for far too long to suddenly grow overly tense. You start not winning Game Four, then maybe Verlander remembers he's Verlander in Game Five, and now it's Halloween, which would make the optics great in the home of the orange and black for Game Six…
But, nah. This baseball postseason had to end because it was an adjunct of this baseball regular season, an entity that included, you might recall, the long, slow deterioration of the once-promising 2012 New York Mets. Remember them? They seem as distant to us now as the 1912 New York Giants even though they were playing ball in our name fewer than four weeks ago. The longer the 2012 World Series wore on, the longer there was the faintest hint of 74-88 disappointment in the atmosphere. We had to see Baseball 2012 complete its appointed rounds in order to fully start strategizing and self-deluding in advance of Baseball 2013.
Really, we didn't need a little more postseason baseball now. We need much better Mets baseball soon. And we need monster storms to take sharp right turns into the Atlantic and leave us be. I'll take that one ASAP, and a better Mets team in April.
Hey World Champion Giants, get on those requests right away, wouldja? It would make our world a whole lot happier.


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Federal employees who break the law or aren't in good standing with their agency would be prohibited from receiving bonuses under a new bipartisan Senate bill.
The legislation, introduced on Tuesday by Sens. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., and Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., would prohibit agency heads from awarding bonuses to employees who could be fired or s…uspended for violating agency policy, or for doing something illegal that could land them in prison for more than a year. The bonus ban for those employees would last for five years. Agency inspectors general, senior ethics officials or the Government Accountability Office would determine whether an employee's conduct violated agency policy.
The bill also includes a mandatory clawback provision requiring the employee to repay the amount of any bonus made during the year in which such a determination is made.
"Federal employees who have disciplinary problems or who haven't paid their taxes shouldn't be getting bonuses," Ayotte said in a statement.
The bill comes a week after the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration released a report that found about 2,800 employees involved in misconduct resulting in disciplinary action received a total of $2.8 million in bonuses between October 2010 and December 2012. The IRS doesn't consider tax compliance or disciplinary actions when doling out bonuses or other awards, the auditors found, except for employees in the Senior Executive Service.
"The notion that taxpayer dollars would be used to pay cash bonuses to employees who've engaged in conduct that could get them fired or sent to jail is outrageous — and our bill would put an end to it," McCaskill said. The Missouri Democrat introduced a similar bill back in 2012.


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HACKENSACK, N.J. — More than 100 million people will watch the Super Bowl on TV, with another 78,000 packing MetLife Stadium, but will there be another set of eyes looking down on the Meadowlands? Could an Almighty fan be preparing to pull up a lounge chair a week from Sunday, take in the game and orchestrate the outcome?
HACKENSACK, N.J. — More than 100 million people will watch the Super Bowl on TV, with another 78,000 packing MetLife Stadium, but will there be another set of eyes looking down on the Meadowlands? Could an Almighty fan be preparing to pull up a lounge chair a week from Sunday, take in the game and orchestrate the outcome?
More than 20 percent of Americans believe God has a say in who wins sporting events, according to a survey conducted this month by the Public Religion Research Institute.
Religion and sports, especially football, are deeply connected in American culture. Fans pray for victories, and many believe that players who pray are more likely to win. According to the institute's poll, 48 percent of Americans believe athletes of faith are rewarded with good health and success. That number jumps to 62 and 65 percent when asking white evangelical Protestants and minority Protestants, respectively.
So are the truly faithful rewarded with success on the field?
"It's one of those tricky questions," said former quarterback and current NFL Network analyst Kurt Warner, a devout Christian. "I believe God has your best interest in mind. How that correlates to winning and losing football games, I'm not fully sure."
Warner won and lost a Super Bowl in his 12-year NFL career, during which he played for the Rams, Giants and Cardinals.
"Do I believe that as a son of God that my life is important to him? No question about it," said Warner who was named Most Valuable Player when he led the St. Louis Rams to the Super Bowl title in 2000. "Where do we draw that line between what's important to him and what's not? I believe it's all important to him. But I don't know how exactly that fits into winning and losing per se."
We put the question to some members of the clergy: Does God care who wins the Super Bowl?
"No," said Rabbi Arthur Weiner of the Jewish Community Center of Paramus Congregation Beth Tikvah. "And it's not a question of God (having) bigger things on his plate. We live in a world where we have a religious understanding that God cares about everything, but the truth is we don't believe that this is the kind of thing God needs to or should be getting involved with.
"The world plays out the way it does to its own laws and logic, so when you're praying for your team to win, you're praying for the way the world operates to be upset for your own rather small and limited personal need."
The Rev. George McGovern of Oradell, N.J., an interdenominational Christian minister who is team chaplain for the Giants and Yankees, agrees.
"I don't think so," he said when posed the same question. "I hate to be his spokesman because he might care. I don't know. He hasn't revealed that to me. He might be a secret fan of one of the teams. …
"My thought is God is not nearly as concerned with the performance or the play on the field, as he is the hearts of the guys who are performing or playing on the field. What are their motives, effort, character, are they men of integrity? That kind of stuff is much more important to God than the scoreboard."
But the effort that affects the scoreboard creates a gray area for some.
"My gut would say I don't think so," said the Rev. Warren Hall, director of campus ministry at Seton Hall University. "I do think what goes into it is what is the effort on behalf of who was playing. I think that is more so what makes an outcome happen. So if, therefore, you want to say that effort was a strength given to a team by God, then we'd say well, yeah, God was part of that outcome."
Hall pointed out that people should remember that winning isn't the only reward. Good can come from apparently negative circumstances. Losing can have its merits.
"Maybe I don't know what that benefit is just yet, maybe it's going to strengthen my character or maybe it's going to motivate me to be better," said Hall, who is teaching a course at Seton Hall on sports and spirituality. "I think we have to look a little more deeply."
Most sports fans don't think past wins and losses and some are uncomfortable with a player's public profession of faith, Hall said. At the same time, the truly faithful can be disappointed by their teammates who don't follow the life they proclaim.
"People are always watching," said Warner. "People always want to see if what you say is backed up by how you live, especially when it comes to faith. … I guess that's what disappointed me the most, when you say one thing and then you saw a completely different kind of living. Nobody is perfect. We all misrepresent our faith at times or even numerous times but to say something very forthright and act outright contradictory, I always thought that would hurt the cause."
Weiner agrees.
"I am not overly impressed when I see certain people who have not been paragons of virtuous or moral behavior doing some great athletic feat then praising God because it seems very contrived," he said. "But if it's an honorable person who's behaved nicely and played by the rules kicks a field goal or scores a touchdown and at that moment acknowledges his creator, I think it's a wonderful thing."
For Christian athletes, there is a natural intersection of sports and religion, McGovern said.
"The sports culture almost puts an athlete or coach in a place where his heart can understand the Gospel because his heart is being shaped by the nature of sport — discipline, teamwork, respect for authority," he said. "Those are three pillars of the religious life. … All the things that go into making an athlete a good athlete and a great athlete are the same ingredients that go into a man living a life of faith."
McGovern believes the feelings associated with religious faith are particularly intense in the NFL, where the emotion, violence and possibility of serious injury are always so close to the surface. It's a level of vulnerability that, he said, few others can understand.
"My guess is there are guys who build these skyscrapers and they stand on these girders and they're 500 feet above the ground, I have a feeling they have some similar moments emotionally where they say, 'God please keep my balance, God I don't want to fall,' " he said. "When a human being is put in a very risky, dangerous situation, he tends to look up for help. That's just the way we're wired."
McGovern and Warner caution that people not read too much into the fact that faith seems to be announced after a win — it is not often that a losing player begins a post-game interview by thanking God.
"When you thank God, I don't think it's necessarily always about 'Thank you for making me win today' as much as it is 'Thank you for the gifts you've given me, the place you've put me in,'" said Warner. "But that is how people are going to read into it — you win a game or make a play and say, 'Thank you Jesus.' (People) think why does Jesus care about him making that great play? I think a Christian or anyone expressing their faith is doing it in a bigger manner than just thank you for letting me make that play."


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Late Monday afternoon, former New Hampshire Governor and George H. W. Bush Chief of Staff John Sununu officially nominated Mitt for the Republican nomination for President at the republican national Convention.
Due to the condensed schedule of the convention because of Hurricane Isaac, the nomination speech did not receive the type of attention that such speeches typically do but Sununu's remarks should not be overlooked. In nominating Romney, he offered Americans a superb summation of the reasons why Romney is worthy of being our President and why he should be our next President.
Below you will find a video of his speech and its full text.
Full Text of Sununu's Nomination Speech
The Hon. John Sununu Former Governor of New Hampshire
Republican National Convention
August 28, 2012
In these critical times America needs a leader.
Our economy is stagnant.
Our vitality has been sapped.
Our confidence is down.
We are saddled with a failed presidency, with an incumbent president who has not led.
America needs real change, and we are here to affirm a leader who will produce that change. There are many reasons America needs Mitt Romney at the helm. We have 23 million Americans unemployed or underemployed because Barack Obama cannot figure out what makes free enterprise work.
Mitt Romney will get our private sector moving again, and will respect the successes of our entrepreneurs who deserve credit because they really did build it. In these difficult times our nation still depends on others for our energy resources – even though we share the largest overall supplies of energy in the world – because we have an administration that shuns those assets and keeps us dependent on fragile foreign supplies.
Mitt Romney will unshackle our assets, and lead us to real energy independence. We also are a nation that has seen erosion of our respect around the world because we have a president who prefers to lead from behind.
Mitt Romney will restore our strength, support our friends, face up to our foes and regain honest respect for an America willing to lead. My wife Nancy and I have gotten to know Mitt and Ann Romney well.
We have developed a deep and sincere appreciation for these two friends and their family – we like them and we respect them. Tonight we all gather here to put in motion the final phase of our campaign to help America know them better, and to appreciate why our nation needs them as our president and first lady. Mitt Romney is a good man, and a smart man. He is compassionate and generous.
He is a great father and a supportive friend.
He has been a very successful businessman and a very effective governor.
He knows how to fix the unfixable, and to help people perform to their highest potential. Mitt Romney is the right man at the right time and will be a great leader for our country. It is my honor to nominate Mitt Romney for the Office of President of the United States of America.
Filed under: Republican National Convention | Tagged: #RomneyRyan2012, ann romney, Anthony Del Pellegrino, Chris Christie's keynote address, Chris Christie's republican national convention speech, Complete text of john sunnunu's republican national convention speech, convention coverage, Convention twitter, Convention without walls, Ful text of John Sununu's nomination speech, GOP convention twitter, gop12, John Sununu nominates Mitt Romney for President, kempite, live coverage of the republican national convention, Live Stream of the Republican National Convention, Live streaming video of the Republican National convention, live video of Ann Romney's convention speech, live video of Chris Christie's convention speech, Live video of the Republican national Convention, Livestream of the republican National convention, Republican convention livestream, Republican National Convention, Republican national convention live stream, Republican national convention news, Republican National Convention newsfeed, Republican National Convention Youtube, text of Sununu's nomination speech, top one hundred political blogs, video of John Sununu nominating Mitt Romney for President, video of the republican national convention, WH12, White House 2012, wordpress political blogs | 1 Comment »


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It kind of got forgotten among the Olympic hullabaloo, but the PGA Championship, golf's final major of the season, was this weekend, and Rory McIlroy is your winner.
Much like at last year's U.S. Open, it seemed like McIlroy just couldn't be stopped. His eight-stroke margin of victory is the largest ever in the PGA Championship. A few other guys were in contention earlier in the week, but no one could catch Rory. Tiger Woods was tied for the lead after Friday's round, but mercifully spared us of all the "Is Tiger back?" columns by shooting 74 and 72 in the final two rounds. Tiger failed to break par in eight weekend rounds at majors this year. Carl Pettersson played in the final group with McIlroy today, but his hopes for a victory were dashed when he was assessed a two-shot penalty on the first hole for moving a loose impediment in a hazard.
This tournament was all about McIlroy, though. He showed just how dominant he can be when he's on the top of his game.


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Video game
This article was
too bizarre for Uncyclopedia,
but Illogicopedia loves random stuff.
A video game is an electronic device that manipulates the brain of a person - a secret weapon used by the Interpol to cunningly fuck the living daylights out of people. It was traditionally known as Our Secret Weapon To Bring Corruption To An End Lol Rofl Lmao but the term was eventually dumped for being too "revealing" - so to speak. Thus, a smartass coined the term Video Game and it got stuck.
The video game term has been used to note a typical game from the computer or television to be played excessively by people who seem undisputed by the fact that the games they are playing are the reason why the Germans are always trying to kill us. Much controversy over video games has been duly noted by numerous politics but we know the truth - they're just useless fucks who are trying to ruin another chance of us succeeding in life - perhaps video games are the reason to why politics are such dumb trolls over video games.
The device attached or brought together with a typical Video game is often commonly known as a game controller or input device, also known to the Youth society as Shitty useless dildo thing why the fuck is it stuck to my Xbox 360 get it out of here it looks stupid dude!. It plays a huge role to lengthen the popularity of a video game and has since been looked upon as a part of the video gaming system, much to the disapproval of the Youth society. However, nobody cares. For instance, a typical game controller of a video game from a computer consists of a keyboard and a mouse, that is, unless you are Achmed The Great, who uses his virgins instead.
Video games are also used to promote activity and interaction among people - but this has been looked by others as a failure of history.
Early video games were made not for pleasure, but instead as secret weapons by the Interpol to be used as artificial intelligent spies. Deliberately manipulated to seem "fun", they are anything but. The earliest example was from a 1947 invention created by an Agent of the interpol, which he called a "Cathelode ray tube", a device that was made to look like a mini - television device - with two buttons of the colours yellow and red. Should the subject press the yellow button, the television device would open a mini door and a piece of chocolate would pop out of the device, at the same time, a gloved hands would reach out of the device and pat the subject on the head, announcing well done!. Should the subject press the red button, the gloved hand from the device would slap the subject in the mouth numerous times before self-destructing and imploding the device through a complicated manner.
This artificially created device was patented and was used to further excite their targets without the need to rape them anally and gained popularity after Wikileaks became an ass and leaked the "confidential" news to the media. The Interpol will ever since then, hang their heads in shame at their unforgivable mistake of leaking such a powerful weapon to the population of America.
Since this device was leaked, numerous spin-offs were sold and they gained mass media attention worldwide. However, in order to cover up the real motive behind the invention of a "video game", the Interpol relieved the population of their worries by announcing that the new motive of a "video game" is to get the high score and receive free publicity all year with free chocolate.
The function of a video game was made to hypnotize the brain of the subject. While in historical times, the Interpol interrogated subjects by chaining them to bears and watching them struggle furiously out of the chains and would not release them until the subject responsible for the suspected action wail out their crimes and beg for mercy.
The video game was made to prevent torture ever being used again (though it is debatable) and was used by the Interpol to manipulate the brain of the person. The subject playing a video game would start feeling uncomfortable after several hours playing a video game - this was because the interrogator, as ordered to, refuses the subject's wails and beggings to go the toilet and is only allowed to pee after he completes, by the international political rules as stated, three quarters of the game. However, video games are deliberately made to be extremely difficult to finish and unlike our Modern pumpkin shit nowadays, games made by the Interpol were separated by chapters, each chapter so tediously long and boring, some subjects even begged to be killed to be released of their misery.
However, during The Great Bunny War, video games were used by numerous people who were desperate for entertainment as their former source of entertainment, which was fucking hot chicks, was depleted of due to the high death toll of the female society. Video games were then edited by productions such as Bungie Studios, Sledgehammer games and Electronic Arts to be made less obscene and more exciting for subjects who protested against the chapter format of early video games.
This eventually resulted in the new page of video games called first person shooters. Though most of these games promote terrorism and sadistic killings for fun, many critics approved of this new invention, praising the new function of video games (360 no scope). A particular enthusiastic one was Osama bin Laden, who called first person shooters much better than those old versions which torture terrorists and will not allow them to pee until they finish the game. He also then added that I love this kind of games because it promotes things I love to do. The Interpol complained they did not understand what Osama was talking about and they themselves reviewed the game, calling it horrible, dicky and stupid. But nobody cares, really.
Follow-ups to first person shooters were third and fourth person shooters, both met with approval of by critics. A particular one reviewed : It is really, really amazing. I could not help clapping my hands and laughing as I shot people's intestines off right before their eyes. It was also very fun to set off bombs and blow their asses off! And the best part is the graphics are so real, I actually thought I was a real mass murderer at one point! Oh, I just love these sort of games where I can blow innocent people's heads off and NOT get the death penalty!.
Other versions of games will not be included because no one really gives a shit about them.
Mathematical terms with Video Games[edit]
For thousands pointless of years, the nerds behind video games were a mystery to the general public. Intrepid, visionary, and often controversial actions of such visionaries as Albert Einstein and Hilary Clinton have solved these problems by developing an equation that summarizes video games :
A: Responsibility-free parents
B: Impressionable children
: Video games


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The Baltic Sea Coast Hiking Trail (E9) is Germany's most beautiful coastal route. The 400 kilometres from Lübeck to Ahlbeck are a mixture of shoreside lifestyle and glorious hiking routes.
Our hike starts in Travemünde, Lübeck's seaside resort. In his novel "Buddenbrooks", Thomas Mann told tales of the fun to be had bathing in Travemünde. We start our walking tour here and head east. The Baltic Sea Coast Hiking Trail is part of the E9 European long-distance path from the Atlantic in Portugal across to the Baltic Sea in Estonia. The route takes us through pine forests and along yellow rapeseed fields. It is important to take this hiking trail at a steady pace. For example, you can take a detour and look for shells and amber on the beaches, stop off in the nearby Hanseatic city of Wismar and town of Stralsund with their red-brick churches, cast a glance at the infinite blue of the Baltic Sea and take in the fresh sea breeze.
We also pack our swimming gear so that we can swap our hiking clothes for swimsuit or trunks and take a refreshing dip in the sea at the many fine sandy beaches along the way. As the day draws to a close, we enjoy some northern German culinary specialities in the seaside resorts along our hiking trail. The Baltic Sea Coast Hiking Trail (E9) ends in the seaside resort of Ahlbeck on the island of Usedom. We take a last look at the Baltic Sea on Germany's oldest pier by the Polish border.
Manuel Andrack, editor, presenter, author and hiking blogger:
"On our hike along the beach, we stopped off in the Baltic seaside resort of Warnemünde. Just a few metres from the Westmole jetty is the emblem of Warnemünde: the Teepott (teapot) complex and adjacent lighthouse. Don't worry, though! Coffee is available in the Teepott, too. The fishing boats selling fresh fish sandwiches in the nearby Alter Strom canal also attract visitors. Yum!"
At a glance: Baltic Sea Coast Hiking Trail (E9)
Starts: Travemünde
Ends: Ahlbeck
Length: 400 km
Number of stages: 15
Altitude variation: lowest point 112 m, highest point 551 m
Terrain: 50% unmade, 20% asphalt, 30% other, e.g. farm tracks
Kaks kasulikku klahvikombinatsiooni brauseris suumimiseks:
Suurendamine: +
Vähendamine: +
Täpsemat teavet saate, kui klõpsate brauseri pakkuja ikoonile:


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Mean Or Ugly?: Bentley SUV! (EXP 9 F Concept 2012) [Introduction]
"Bentley is testing the waters at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show with its luxury SUV concept, the EXP 9 F. The rationale is simple. If most of its customers -- especially in China, India, and the U.S. -- already own an SUV, then why not offer them a Bentley SUV."
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'I'm worried about you Debbie' my husband Steve said. 'This is very unlike you'. This comment was in reference to the obsession I've developed with the kitchen, although more specifically nurturing along a sourdough culture and making bread. It's been months now and he's only ever witnessed my antipathy to cooking and all things domestic.
It could be the nurturing mothering instinct now that one of our twins has left home (again) to study in Hamilton; or that the kids are so independent now. I'm not sure what the attraction of trying to get that flour and water to fizz is, but it has had a double detrimental effect.
Of course the first is my backside. I can't bear to throw out that daily cup of mixture to refresh. So I'm making sourdough bread, date scones, cinnamon scrolls, rolls and pancakes.
The second has been to my business. That is because the time I'm taking looking through cook books, mixing, kneading, cleaning and schmoozing the computer for recipes, I SHOULD be doing marketing and business development for the business.
Like many businesses, mine is suffering from the economy. Fewer conferences, less books sold over the internet and on site. Less training opportunities from less disposable income.
A critical aspect for all businesses - as well as mine is to create awareness and put the feelers out for new business, especially if you have long lead times to culmination, and each 'sale' is important.
By this I mean if your business is made up of infrequent high - value sales If you have a period of marketing inactivity, it most likely will result (depending on your cycle) in a loss of sales/income in the future. So this bread making could have the potential to cost dearly. This is the choice I am making at this time for two reasons. And please relate these to your activity - both personal and for business.
The first is that while this pleasurable activity has taken time from my marketing, it's only taken the icing time. In other words, I'm still doing plenty of marketing. Writing articles like this, sending out a useful monthly newsletter, driving a branded car, not letting opportunities fall by the wayside by following up. The bread making time is the personal time I'm devoting to doing something for me, something that's fun (at least for now because I'm still a failure at getting a good culture going).
Do you have your own pleasurable activity that is taking you away from your business? If you are do, and you've no time left for business development and marketing - the pleasure component of today might be too high a cost to your future to bear.
I think every business should have at least 30 minutes on average a day allocated to someone to conduct marketing. It could be preparing prospect lists. Calling old clients. Networking. Customer service follow ups. Writing marketing communications and newsletters. Working on a blog, social media if you choose.
One thing is absolutely clear in business. Activity equals success. So ensure you get your 30 minutes average in alongside your passion of the moment.
I'll write next week on the second reason - the one that will give you icing time.


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Jamiroquai 2008Did you see the band perform in 2008? If so, tell us all about it here... Post your photos, set-lists, stories and more...
Now this would be perfect as its my girlfriends birthday in May and I would fly her out to Rome to see this.
Can anyone confirm if this is true?
Usher, Bjork, Maroon 5 and James Blunt are coming to Korea soon. Brand New Heavies, Star Sailor, Deep Dish, Beyonce and Linkin Park were here recently.
Will Jamiroquai be next?? You have many fans here in Korea!!!
Do you like Linkin Park? I don't know their music very well. My daughter plays some of their songs on the guitar.
So many bands are coming to Korea now. I hope Jamiroquai gives us a chance! Better than Japan!!!
yup there good
That's right, Jameerica!
Hey, I'm trying here. Don't spoil my campaign!
That sounds freaky!!
I know Korea and Japan are not the best of friends Hey, I love Japan. I have nothing against the people or the place. Been there several times. But it's about time Jamiroquai spreads the love to other parts of Asia!!! Tell your friend to chill out!
LOL I'm sure my friend was just joking! And yes I agree, actually I think that it's about time Jamiroquai spreads the love to other parts of the rest of the world as well! But hey, as long as Jay will still be alive and able to perform one day when I go to Japan, I got nothing against them visiting Japan fanatically
And besides, Japan's people are very different than in any other parts of the world, and having them as such huge fans of your work as Jamiroquai does is a big deal and it's only fair for Jamiroquai to try and return some of that love back to Japan!
(BTW today I watched a friendly football match between Bosnia and Japan and Japan beat B&H 3:0 and I can't express how glad I am! )
Phew! Glad this didn't turn ugly
Yeah, I've already prepared in my mind (and wallet ) that I will have to go to Japan or somewhere in order to see JMQ live. Hope they save me the effort.
Hahaha I too am glad!
And I know how you feel, about having to go to another country to see the band you love, I too am facing the fact that they'll probably never again come to Sarajevo and that I'll have to satisfy with going to Pula (or further) because I blew my last chance!
this is news to me. u sound like a nice boyfriend, ab. pardon me but why do you call Yourself arsebiscuit?
They're goin' on tour again?! YEah!
I'm sixteen and wasn't able to see a jamiroquai concert yet. This is my chance!
Thank God.
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text:
Nearsightedness: Questions to Ask About Surgery-Topic Overview
Look for an eye doctor who has done a lot of refractive surgeries. Doctors who are affiliated with a medical school or major eye clinic may have better access to the latest procedures and technology. In most cases, an ophthalmologist, not an optometrist, will do the eye surgery.
If you are thinking about having surgery:
- Consider getting an independent second opinion by talking to an ophthalmologist who would not be doing the refractive surgery itself but could evaluate you as a candidate for surgery and recommend a surgeon.
- Look for an eye surgeon who has taken several courses in the procedure (not just a single course) and who has done at least 25 to 30 procedures. Ask what the success rate has been in these procedures. And ask how satisfied the patients were with the results.
- Choose an eye surgeon who will personally handle your care and follow-up after surgery.
- Ask about your risk of halo or glare.
- Ask whether you can look through lenses that will duplicate the amount of undercorrection the surgeon expects you will still have after surgery.
- Ask whether you will be able to wear contact lenses to correct the remaining undercorrection. Some people are not able to wear contact lenses after surgery.
- Ask whether the price of the surgery will cover a repeat procedure if the first procedure undercorrects or overcorrects too much.
- In the case of radial keratotomy (RK), ask whether the surgeon plans to wait at least 6 weeks before operating on the second eye. That way, any unexpected results in the first eye will be less likely to be repeated in the second eye.
- In the case of LASIK or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of correcting both eyes on the same day compared with doing one eye at a time on separate days.


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Jay-Z: "99 Problems But Mitt Ain't One"! (Performance)
"Jay-Z performed an energetic set and introduced Barack Obama in Ohio on Monday. Though the rapper's voice was noticeably hoarse, the election eve performance picked up when he debuted a special version of "99 Problems."" - HuffingtonPost. Submitted by @BOBBYTHEBLUE
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text:
A Study of the Safety and Effectiveness of Hydroxyurea in Patients on Potent Antiretroviral Therapy and Who Have Less Than 200 Copies/ml of HIV RNA in Their Blood
|The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00000916
Recruitment Status : Completed
First Posted : August 31, 2001
Last Update Posted : May 21, 2012
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
This study compares the safety and effectiveness of continuing your current anti-HIV medications to that of adding or switching some of your anti-HIV medications. It will follow the effect of these medication changes, including the addition of hydroxyurea (HU), on long-term viral suppression. Other medications which may be added include didanosine (ddI) and/or stavudine (d4T).
Patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy with indinavir (IDV), zidovudine (ZDV)(or d4T) and lamivudine (3TC) show viral suppression for two years or more. Discontinuation of one or two of these drugs results in prompt loss of the viral suppression. Other studies show that addition of HU to some reverse transcriptase inhibitor treatments results in increased antiviral effects. This study will provide further information on the effect of adding HU to a treatment regimen with respect to long-term viral suppression.
|Condition or disease
|HIV Infections
|Drug: Indinavir sulfate Drug: Lamivudine/Zidovudine Drug: Hydroxyurea Drug: Lamivudine Drug: Stavudine Drug: Zidovudine Drug: Didanosine
|Phase 2
Previous ACTG studies show that discontinuation of one or two of a three-drug regimen (IDV, ZDV, 3TC) leads to prompt loss of viral suppression in the plasma. In this trial, it will be determined whether adding hydroxyurea (HU) to a suppressive regimen increases long term viral suppression. Important safety information on the tolerance of HU regimen will be characterized in asymptomatic patients with viral suppression.
Patients are equally randomized to one of three arms and receive treatment as follows:Arm A: IDV plus ddI plus d4T plus HU placebo. Arm B: IDV plus ddI plus d4T plus HU. Arm C: IDV plus 3TC/ZDV (or d4T plus 3TC). Patients are monitored every 8 weeks with plasma HIV RNA levels and CD4 cell counts.
|Study Type :
|Interventional (Clinical Trial)
|Enrollment :
|399 participants
|Primary Purpose:
|Official Title:
|A Phase II, Randomized Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Hydroxyurea in Subjects on Potent Antiretroviral Therapy With Less Than 200 Copies/ml of HIV RNA in the Plasma
|Actual Study Completion Date :
|August 2004
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|13 Years and older (Child, Adult, Older Adult)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria
You may be eligible for this study if you:
- Are 13 years or older.
- Have documented HIV-1 infection.
- Are currently receiving combined IDV, ZDV(or D4T), and 3TC for at least 6 consecutive months, resulting in HIV RNA less than 200 copies/ml and CD4 cell count greater than 200 cells/mm3.
- Had a CD4 count greater than 100 cells/mm3 before starting current anti-HIV therapy.
- Are of childbearing age and agree to practice abstinence or use of combined barrier and hormonal methods of birth control during and for 3 months after the study.
Exclusion Criteria
You will not be eligible for this study if you:
- Have taken various medications and have various laboratory results (see technical abstract).
- Have cancer requiring chemotherapy.
- Have an unexplained fever for 7 days or diarrhea for 15 days in the month before the start of the study.
- Had prior peripheral neuropathy or hepatitis.
- Recently underwent radiation, experimental, or infection therapy.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00000916
|Study Chair:
|Havlir D; Richman D
|Study Chair:
|Collier A
|Study Chair:
|Hirsch M
|Study Chair:
|Tebas P
|Responsible Party:
|National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|Other Study ID Numbers:
10873 ( Registry Identifier: DAIDS ES )
|First Posted:
|August 31, 2001 Key Record Dates
|Last Update Posted:
|May 21, 2012
|Last Verified:
|May 2012
Drug Therapy, Combination
HIV Protease Inhibitors
Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
Anti-HIV Agents
Viral Load
HIV Infections
Lentivirus Infections
Retroviridae Infections
RNA Virus Infections
Virus Diseases
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes
Immune System Diseases
Lamivudine, zidovudine drug combination
Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors
Enzyme Inhibitors
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Anti-Retroviral Agents
Antiviral Agents
Anti-Infective Agents
Anti-HIV Agents
Antineoplastic Agents
Antisickling Agents
HIV Protease Inhibitors
Protease Inhibitors


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"The best way to preserve farmland is to make farmers successful on that land."
This call to action from participants attending the Supporting Local Food Systems Roundtable at NLC's Congress of Cities (CoC), speaks to just one of the many factors driving the National League of Cities' (NLC) commitment to addressing sustainable food issues in America's cities and towns by providing local government leaders with effective tools and resources.
This past Congress of Cities in Boston was my first, and potentially my only, as NLC staff. I am a National Urban Fellow, Class of 2013, who was chosen to spend my nine-month fellowship working with all three centers of NLC: Federal Relations, Research & Innovation and the Institute for Youth, Education, and Families. I come with past experience in endowment consulting and food system work, and hoped that my fellowship experience would allow me time to understand the intersection of food and policy in communities.
I am thankful to be working on the development of a comprehensive suite of resources to assist local activities and decision-making within the area of local foods. The resulting content will be used to build a brand new section of NLC's Sustainable Cities Institute (SCI) on Sustainable Food Systems. As the centerpiece of NLC's sustainability efforts, SCI provides a dynamic online platform of resources and peer‐networking opportunities to assist cities in identifying, planning for and implementing holistic, long‐term approaches to community‐wide sustainability. The Sustainable Food System section will be the latest addition to SCI and is scheduled to launch in early 2013.
My hope was to see the intersection of my interests as a fellow and the goals of SCI, come together to answer questions like: What issues are on concerned citizens minds about food that connect with local, state and federal policies? And how can local government play a role to help incentivize, finance and provide partnerships towards sustainable food systems? I started to answer portions of these questions while at CoC 2012.
The call to action that started this piece, made during our Supporting Local Food Systems Roundtable discussion, speaks to how I hope we as staff and the elected officials we serve see our respective constituents. Potentially, that the best way for a local elected official to preserve their cities and towns is to make sure their constituents are successful at home, at work, and in their neighborhoods. Potentially, that the best way for NLC to preserve its local elected official membership, is to equip that membership so that it is successful in its communities. This call to action recognizes that supporting worthwhile efforts, through preservation and maximization of resources can make successful communities.
During the roundtable discussion, I was reminded that food is critical to cities and towns because it connects so many different issues: poverty, economic development, public health, etc. I have found that the more I learn about food, the more it becomes an issue that unearths other issues; that a reality like food insecurity, is a symptom of something larger that city leaders strive to address. I believe that NLC will make these connections from food to areas like economic development and infrastructure.
City leaders continued to make these connections at the conference during a World Cafe table on financing healthy foods, and a workshop titled "Growing Your Local Food Economy." Ideas were shared and roadmaps were offered around the issues of healthy food access, urban agriculture and the difficulty of luring large grocery stores to underserved communities. Also discussed were potential avenues of state funding, novel examples of partnerships and passing of ordinances to support, preserve and maximize efforts.
Every elected official who spoke up in these sessions had something to offer and was looking for something new for their communities. It reassured me that those who are thinking about food issues in their municipalities are striving to understand what other communities have done to help alleviate a difficult situation and how a solution goes beyond food to mean community benefit.
We in the Sustainability program at NLC need these stories!
A Sustainable Food Systems section is scheduled to launch in early 2013 on the SCI website, including tools such as classroom content, case studies, reports and guides, model policies and more. As we continue to develop these resources, we want to hear from you: what resources, tools or topics would be most helpful to assist your efforts in developing a strong, sustainable and healthy food system in your community?
Send feedback, ideas, successful practices or questions to David DeVaughn, NLC National Urban Fellow, at email@example.com.
For more information on the Sustainable Cities Institute visit http://www.SustainableCitiesInstitute.org and follow us on twitter @SustCitiesInst


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Idea intensive problem solving
We help resolve complex issues relating to major strategic and organisational challenges.
Delivering results
We deliver specific, actionable ideas that lead to sustained improvements in performance.
Senior, high-calibre people
We work in small, experienced teams with our senior people deeply involved in leading the day-to-day operations.
Long-lasting relationships
We enjoy long-standing, trust-based relationships with clients at CEO, board and senior management levels.
Tailored involvement
We tailor our approach to meet our clients' particular needs.


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Custom Personalized Mousepads
When it comes to promotional products, the possibilities today are endless, which makes the choice difficult for companies looking for the right one. A good marketing item should be something the recipient will appreciate and can use. This helps company morale and keeping current customers. It should also be visible to multiple people to draw in new clients. The product should also be one that will work well with your company's logo. All of this makes a custom mouse pad an ideal choice.
A promotional mouse pad is likely to be used, and thus appreciated. Since most people have a computer, many of which use a mouse, it's unlikely to end up stowed away in a drawer never to see the light of day. Because of how they are used, mouse pads are often left out on desks at all times, which means not only will your current client or employee see it, but so will anyone who walks by the desk.
Even within your own office, a custom mouse pad can give employees' desks a neat, uniform appearance and have the added benefit of detracting theft. In an office setting, small items are the most likely to disappear, but when they are clearly labeled with a company logo, it becomes too obvious if they are taken.
Additionally, a promotional mouse pad provides a flat surface for printers. This guarantees that, regardless of its design, your logo will print as good on the mouse pad as it would on paper, which makes your company look all the better to anyone who may see it.


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Your local Spectrum Paint store in Raleigh, NC. We carry Benjamin Moore, PPG & more to give customers the broadest offering of paint and related products. We know that no two businesses (or homeowners) are alike. Our independence allows us to create custom solutions and quick response times while providing best in class customer service.
8800 Harvest Oaks Dr. Suite 101
Raleigh, NC 27615
(984) 444-8638
Order via phone or e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Homeowners can check out our DIY Product Guide for Easier Phone or E-mail Ordering: DIY Menu Paint & Product Guide for Homeowners
Find Your Benjamin Moore Paint Color
Located at the intersection of Harvest Oaks Dr & Strickland Rd, in the Harvest Plaza Shopping Center in between Bruegger's Bagels & Anytime Dry Cleaners.
Store Hours:
Brands Carried:
Benjamin Moore, PPG Pittsburgh, Spec-Pro®, Spec-One®, Spectrum Paint, AllPro, Wooster, Premier, Whizz Professional, Corona, Purdy, Tower Sealants, DAP, Graco, Mi-T-M, On Floor Technologies, Lenmar, Gemini, Axalta, PPG, Devoe High Performance Coatings, Jotun, Mascoat, Rust-Oleum, Gaco Western, Progressive Materials, 3M, Norton, SAS, Webb Abrasives, Richard's Paint, Zinsser, Aexcel, Sto, Encore, Modern Masters, Shurtape, True Blue Tape, Trimaco.
Products/Services Offered:
Interior Paint, Exterior Paint, Industrial Coatings, Roof Coatings, Silicone Roof Coatings, Protective Coatings, High Performance Coatings, Paint Brushes, Rollers, Spray Equipment, Caulk, Stain, Lacquer, Abrasives, Traffic Paint, Field Marking Paint.
The Spectrum Difference
- Freedom: We have the freedom to bring the best product to our customer, regardless who makes it.
- Stability: Consistent growth over the past three decades is a testament to our commitment to be a leading supplier of architectural, commercial and industrial coatings.
- Brand Diversity: We carry Benjamin Moore Paints and PPG Pittsburgh Paints in addition to Spec-Pro® and Spec-One® (our private label contractor and premium paint lines). We also distribute lacquers, stains and specialty coatings from other manufacturers in order to provide our customers the broadest and most complete offering of paint and related products.
- Problem Solving: We know that no two businesses are alike. Our independence allows us to create custom solutions and quick response times while providing best in class customer service.
- Flexibility: We don't implement firm policies on deliveries (like time and minimum order restrictions). We strive to meet every customer's demands.


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Children sick from flu flood urgent care
Doctor anticipates big flu season
Children hit hard by the flu are flooding local urgent care facilities.
Dr. John Ogren, who works in Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque's pediatric unit, said he treated about 90 children on Wednesday. He said an average day during flu season would see between 80 and 100 kids, from babies to teens.
"I suspect it's really going to peak out the usual time, which is going to be late February, early March, and it's going to be a real big flu season," Ogren said.
Ogren suggests parents monitor their children's breathing if they are sick.
"Certainly they're going to be congested with that kind of growly stuff all the time, and you're going to have mucus, snot that you have to wipe up," he said.
Along with the flu, doctors said other side effects can make life more miserable for children, like dehydration and ear infections.
Ogren said parents should remember the acronym "FIRM" in treating the flu.
"F stands for fluids; I stands for ibuprofen for those aches and pains and the fevers; R stands for rest, let them take naps, keep them out of school for a couple of days; and M is the most important ingredient."
He said 'M' stands for TLC from mom.
Ogren said most children with the flu can be treated at home, but encouraged parents to call their pediatrician with concerns.


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Stamps by Chloe WOW Embossing Glitter Diamond White
Regular price £2.75 Save £-2.75
To use simply stamp your chosen image in a clear embossing ink pad, cover with powder, tap off excess and heat using a heat gun to set.
We are incredibly proud to work with WOW Embossing Powder here in the UK. WOW produce the most amazing quality embossing powders and glitters, giving you a professional finish every time. Chloe blends and mixes colours that are perfect for use with the Stamps by Chloe range for added sparkle. Our Stamps by Chloe WOW Embossing Glitters are available exclusively from Chloes Creative Cards and Stamps by Chloe Stockists.
About WOW!
WOW! is one of the largest manufacturers of Embossing Powders and Glitters. Having seen a slump in embossing 10 years ago we set about creating new products, techniques and interest in this incredibly versatile sector of the industry. WOW are pleased to say that their efforts have paid off as we have seen a great resurgence in Embossing and the many uses for it….. try it on surfaces such as, chipboard, cardstock, glass, ceramic, wood, fabric and acrylic to name a few, if you can apply heat, you can emboss it !!
Produced in the UK, WOW pride themselves on the exceptional quality of our powders which you will find nowhere else in the craft industry as we only use the highest quality materials, to give you the best to work with.
All our powder are treated twice for static as are the jars they come in, it is therefore not recommended to decant, as this will put static back into the product.
WOW are proud to produce exclusive Chloe colours.
UK (exc. Republic of Ireland) - £1.75
Europe (inc. Republic of Ireland) - £5.99
Rest of World - £9.99
We work incredibly hard to ensure that your orders are picked packed and sent quickly. Orders are sent via our trusted delivery partners - Royal Mail 1st Class postal service. (orders over £100 sent with a signature required on delivery or via Interlink/DPD).
Here at Chloes Creative Cards we do our best to exceed your expectations and provide detailed photography and product descriptions to avoid any disappointment when you receive your ordered items, and we want you to be 100% happy with your purchase.
If you wish to request a return, please contact us in writing/email stating your order/invoice number, name and address and the reason for the return.
Any unwanted items must be sent back at the customer's expense in original packaging and condition. If you wish us to give you a quote for this please send us an e-mail, otherwise return the goods to:
Chloes Creative Cards Limited
Unit 42 Dragonville Industrial Park
Dragon Lane
Telephone: 0191 3750119
If you are not 100% satisfied with the goods received we will refund them if they are sent back at the customer's expense in new resaleable condition within 14 working days along with the original receipt.
We suggest for your own protection you use 1st class registered post and obtain a proof of postage. The item will remain your responsibility until it has been signed for at the returns address. We cannot accept any responsibility for any item returned that is lost or damaged in the post.
Any refunds will be issued once we have received the goods, in their original condition. This refund only includes the total of goods sent not the delivery charge.
We will not charge a restocking fee for returned items.
Any goods with manufacturing faults on arrival will be replaced or refunded.
This does not affect your statutory rights.


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17A: Biblical injunctions: TEN COMMANDMENTS
35A: Did some questionable redistricting: GERRYMANDERED
52A: Charlemagne's domain: HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE
Very nice puzzle. I like this go-between MAN theme. But "behind every great MAN is a great WOMAN, and behind her is his wife." So I really hope Ms. Steinberg can offer us a "Pretty WOMAN" or "Scent of a WOMAN" themed puzzle soon. Wife is not necessary.
Quite a few lovely words with MAN in the middle: romantic, permanent, adamant, etc. Some celebrities also have MAN in their names: Giorgio Armani, Nicole Kidman, Gene Hackman, Hugh Jackman, etc. All beautiful people.
I dislike the clue for HMOS (51D: Med. care gps.) due to the answer MEDS (34D: Rx item). A simple "Doctors' grps" would be just fine.
15A: At large: LOOSE. What exactly is an "Editor-at-Large"? Is he/she always traveling on the road?
23A: Plays a banjo: STRUMS. As opposed to picks?
31A: Dry by rubbing: WIPE. The clue does not sound very fluid to me. "Rub dry" would be OK.
33A: Online bookseller: AMAZON. Or the "Mythical warrior" who "burned off the right breast in order to use a bow and arrow more effectively."
39A: Hot, spicy drink: TODDY. No idea, only knew GROG.
40A: Dollar, slangily: CLAM. Thought of BUCK first.
45A: Shepard or Houston: SAM. Know Houston, not Shepard.
49A: Student of Socrates: PLATO. He is also the teacher of Aristotle.
58A: Home of BYU: PROVO. Know this because of Barry.
1D: Ramada chain: MOTEL. This word MOTEL always brings to mind the scary scene in "Psycho".
3D: Refusal to admit: DENIAL. I've never understood "DENIAL isn't just a river in Egypt". What does it mean?
8D: Kept inside: PENT- UP. Oh, that PENT -UP desire...
9D: Actor Lorenzo: LAMAS. I actually watched a few episodes of his "Are You Hot?" Rachel Hunter was another judge on the show.
11D: Runtish: PINT-SIZE. Is PINT-SIZE and PINT-SIZED the same? How about bone-head and bone-headed?
13D: Punner's duo?: ENS. I think the best ENS clue I've seen is "Dinner twosome?"
19D: Comic Deluise: DOM. I've never heard of him before. Got his name from across fills.
25D: Demonstrates connections: RELATES
33D: After-market item: ADD-ON. Why?
35D: Colorado tributary: GILA. Is this how GILA monster got its name?
42D: Gender bias: SEXISM
43D: __ del Fuego: TIERRA. Foreign to me. Obtained this name from the across fills. See this map.
44D: From the mountains of Peru: ANDEAN. Very nice picture. I wonder what those llamas are thinking.
46D: Bumps on a hog?: WARTS. No idea. How come?
55D: "..... __ gloom of night...": NOR. The postal motto: "Neither rain, nor sleet, NOR gloom of night...". I wonder why our editor did not clue NOR as "Neither rain, ___ sleet...". It would be more straightforward.


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- Home
- Our Government
- Departments
- Fire & Rescue
- Fire, Rescue Chief, & Administration
- Fire Marshal James Hartnett
The Fire Marshal is responsible for fire inspections, investigating the causes of fires and enforcing the fire code.
Fire Marshal James Hartnett has 18 years experience in Fire Prevention and is certified as a Fire Inspector II, Fire Investigator II, and Law Enforcement Officer through the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. In 2012 he was certified as a Fire Official by the State Board of Housing and Community Development.
During his career, from 1999 - 2008 he has served at the rank of Fire Inspector I, II and III in the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. In the summer of 2008 he joined the City of Manassas Fire and Rescue Department at the rank of Lieutenant/Deputy Fire Marshal and was promoted to the rank of Fire Marshal / Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator in November 2016.
James Hartnett
Fire Marshal
Suite 103
9324 West St.
Manassas, VA 20110
Emergency: 9-1-1


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Find artist opportunities and call for entries in the C4E searchable directory. Artist and photographers can signup to get personalized information about upcoming contests, juried art shows, funding opportunities, artist residencies and more.
Use the C4E directory to get timely information for current art contests. Find your art call ahead of upcoming deadlines. We list national and international art competitions.


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Contact Us
- Toll-free: 800-533-8095
- 702 Terrace Heights
Winona, MN 55987-1320
- Questions or comments?
Showing 1–6 of 6 results.
Correlation to Curriculum Framework Course IV: Jesus Christ's Mission Continues in the Church from The Church: Christ in the World Today.
A reading taken from the Vatican document "The Message of Fatima", published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The author is Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI.
A list of several questions regarding the Blessed Virgin Mary that can be used as writing or reflection prompts.
"Grace and peace in abundance to all of you! In my soul there are two contrasting sentiments in these hours. On the one hand, a sense of inadequacy and human turmoil for the responsibility entrusted to me yesterday as the …
Catholicism is a remarkably rich religion, characterized by a complex tapestry of beliefs, practices, values, rituals, traditions, and more. When viewed "from the outside"--that is, by those who do not share its communal life--Catholicism is probably most frequently identified by …
For a couple of years, Saint Mary's Press sponsored a listserv discussion group online. Discussions on a variety of topics were pursued via e-mail. In this article I hope to summarize some of the highlights from postings on the timely …


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Karndean Design Strip DS15 Clay
Karndean Design strips are a useful design tool to personalise your floor, add them in between tiles to create a 'grout line' effect or in between wood planks to create a 'ship's deck' effect. They can also be used as a simple border around the perimeter of your room or to highlight a feature within the floor space. The Karndean Design Strips are designed for use with all Karndean ranges and are available in 3mm, 5mm and 10mm wide strips which are all packaged 25 lengths at 910mm in length, offfering 22.75 linear metres per box. When installing as a grout effect allow one pack of design strips per box of Karndean flooring.


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Simplified, yet sophisticated.
Part of the SAS® Platform, with something for everyone.
Standardized data governance and management. An extensive range of deep analytics. Solutions that modernize and integrate with existing operations, deploy as containers, run in a grid, and drive value from analytics results. It's more of what you need – and more of what you expect from SAS.
Remove barriers related to technology and skill limitations, and empower everyone to gain analytic insights from all relevant data. Arm developers with new ways to apply SAS Analytics directly to the data – no matter where it resides.
Get up and running faster than ever. Reduce the time required to install, manage and maintain SAS deployments. SAS 9.4 takes advantage of distributed computing and storage technologies, cloud data sources, and open standards.
Reduce potential vulnerabilities, and better meet internal security requirements. The latest release of SAS 9.4 better protects your SAS assets with Transport Layer Security (TLS) hardening and enhanced encryption for SAS data and passwords.
Why SAS® 9.4?
- Add prescriptive analytics to your arsenal, and call analytics as a web service for data at rest and in motion.
- Provide results when and where needed with new APIs that make it even easier to integrate SAS into your business processes – including mobile delivery options for iPad®, iPhone® and Android tablets.
- Manage your analytics more easily by visually assessing your entire SAS deployment using advanced monitoring and management capabilities. Make needed adjustments before users are even aware there's a problem.
- Modernize your SAS environment by enabling grid processing – prioritizing programs and users, and taking advantage of your entire available infrastructure.
- Take advantage of a range of cloud data sources, process big data where it resides and deploy where you choose – in a stream, cloud, data lake or in operations. You have the ultimate flexibility.
- Easily deploy SAS; having fewer software integration points simplifies installation, maintenance and support. You can follow a container deployment distribution strategy for new users. And the clustered midtier provides high availability no matter what you choose.
Have questions?
Are you a current customer?
Get information on migrating to SAS 9.4 here.


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The Morning ShiftAll your daily car news in one convenient place. Isn't your time more important?
It's Christmas Eve and many of you will still be in a nog fog from last night and gleefully unconcerned with last minute gifts, weird racist uncles, and whatever appears to be moving in that green tupperware container in the fridge.
We're in the same boat and therefore turning over The Morning Shift to those of you with-it enough to cover the news that, in reality, isn't happening anyways. Leave your gears below.


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Graduate Analyst - Business Development/Research
- Recruiter
- Location
- City of London
- Salary
- £27000 - £30000 per annum + bonus £8,000-£10,000
- Posted
- 20 Aug 2019
- Closing date
- 19 Sep 2019
- Ref
- Contact
- Maddie Billings
- Industry
- Finance & accounting, Financial services, Marketing & PR, B2B, Communications, Market research, Marketing analytics, Recruitment, Business development, Recruitment consultant, Researcher/analyst
- Job function
- Consultant
- Hours
- Full time
- Contract
- Permanent
- Listing type
- Job vacancy
The Company
My client is a multi-national American business intelligence company. The world's leading investment firms, consultancies and corporations depend on my client to access first-hand perspectives from specialised industry experts.
Established in 2003, my client is an expert network that serves hundreds of global institutions and more than 5,000 analysts worldwide. The firm gives clients compliant access to expert insights through phone consultations, conference events, panel surveys and placement services.
My client offers the industry's largest hand-selected consulting network. It spans all industries and geographies, and includes hundreds of thousands of industry executives, senior managers and product experts in more than 12,000 cities worldwide.
Headquartered in New York, the firm also has offices in Beijing, Boston, Hong Kong, London, Raleigh and San Francisco.
The Role
My client is currently recruiting Analysts to join their Client Management team in London.
Analysts identify and recruit the most relevant experts for our clients' research projects. They are responsible for qualifying and assessing an expert's fit for a project to ensure that the right expert match is made. Analysts are expected to monitor industry news, identify market trends, and establish valuable professional relationships with senior-level industry professionals. This is a great opportunity to gain an introduction to the financial services industry.
- Conduct industry research to identify and recruit experts who match the needs of a client's request
- Contact professionals by way of cold-calling, email correspondence, industry and networking referrals, professional associations and other relationships
- Communicate the value of joining my client's network to industry professionals
- Work closely with Client Management team to ensure projects are prioritised and fulfilled in a timely manner
The analyst role is the first rung of the ladder that leads up through associate and client manager to team lead and beyond.
- Bachelor's degree - a 2:1 or above from a top university
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills
- Ability to work in a team atmosphere, but also manage projects independently
- Leadership qualities, positive energy, and the ability to adapt to change in a fast-paced environment
- Sales experience is a plus
My client strives to ensure the happiness and health of their employees. At their 8 global locations, they offer a variety of perks, including free and/or subsidised fitness centres, corporate sports leagues, stocked break rooms, team outings, and other office celebrations throughout the year.
My client also strongly believes in giving back to the community and so provides each employee up to 2 paid community service days per year, with the opportunity to participate in other volunteer and fundraising activities.
With an interactive management team, and an open and collaborative work environment, my client values creativity of thought and listens to the voice of employees. If you are self-motivated, driven, and focused on achievement, there are no limits to your ability to succeed and grow at this firm!


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Workers on Tuesday are preparing to cut down a tree in New Jersey that will become the Christmas tree in New York's Rockefeller Center.
The 80-foot Norway spruce weighs 10 tons and is 50 feet in diameter. It has been growing on the Mount Olive property owned by Joseph Balku in Morris County.
The tree will be loaded on a flatbed truck and erected at Rockefeller Center on Wednesday. Workers will string 45,000 lights on the branches.
The 80th Christmas tree lighting will take place on Nov. 28.
Copyright AP - Associated Press


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Jazz Girl wrote:PennyBug~ According to tweets from folks who watched the preview, yes, Bella punches him AND HARD!!! I was happy to hear that. I'm hoping that the "I will break your jaw for her." line will come after this, when Edward prepares to leave with her. As for Bella, I'm not sure. It's hard to get a read from what we saw. Remember, in the book, she's in the car already and totally blowing off everything Jacob says to her. So, we'll have to wait and see how the full scene plays out.
EDIT: Apparently, after the big Oprah show interview, Rob, Kristen and Taylor gave a pretty nifty interview to USA Today. They were asked some questions about Eclipse and Rob specifically addressed the scene we are all waiting on tenterhooks for...THE PROPOSAL. Here's what he had to say;
Pattinson, meanwhile, struggled with Edward's rather formal proposal to Bella, which reflects the fact that although his vintage vampire looks 17, he hails from the turn of the last century.
"I was dreading the day it was coming," he says of the scene that was held until the very end of the shoot. "The first time I read the script, I thought, 'This is impossible.' " References to "promenades" and sharing "iced tea on the porch" as Edward explains how he would have courted Bella in the old days especially stuck in his throat. "It's so earnest. I finally convinced the producers that you can play it with a bit of awareness of not being a fictional character. I'm not trying to be part of a Gothic novel."
When Pattinson finally watched it, however, he was pleasantly surprised. "It seems different when you see it."
And, here's the full interview. I think it's bloody well adorable.
Thank you for this link. I love this interview and makes me worry even less. I was hoping that they would keep the "old-fashioned" Edward in the movies.