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Partners with the Jersey Battered Women's Service
to Promote National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
CHATHAM TOWNSHIP, NJ – October 10, 2016 – The Chatham Township Committee today announced that in conjunction with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and in partnership with the Jersey Battered Women's Service (JBWS) it would host a community-based presentation on the prevention of domestic violence. The presentation, "Creating a Responsive Community: What You Can Do to Prevent Domestic Violence," will be presented by Regina Braham, Director of Community Relations for JBWS, on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at 6:30 PM at the Chatham Township Municipal Building located at 58 Meyersville Road.
Mayor Curt Ritter, speaking on behalf of the Committee, said, "Each year in New Jersey there are approximately 65,000 reported cases of domestic violence, including more than 2,000 in Morris County alone. Domestic abuse affects people of all socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and religious groups. Studies show that children from homes where domestic violence occurs suffer physical abuse or neglect at a much higher rate than the national average. This community presentation is designed to shine a light on this important issue as we look to increase awareness of domestic violence in our communities. I encourage all residents to join us for this important discussion."
Braham commented, "To prevent domestic violence, we need to create a community-wide culture that does not tolerate family or partner violence. Over the years, Chatham Township has taken several initiatives to prevent domestic violence including the establishment of a Crisis Response Team through the local police department and the inclusion of JBWS' No2DatingAbuse programs in Chatham High School. I look forward to discussing these programs, plus what more can be done."
Editor's Note:
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Register for Alert Chatham Township Now! (ACT Now!) the Township's Emergency & Community Alert system at chathamtownship-nj.gov.
About Regina Braham
Regina Braham oversees all public awareness professional training and youth prevention programs for Jersey Battered Women's Service in Morris County, NJ. Braham, with Brushfire marketing firm, launched several successful media campaigns including the latest Yellow Card Campaign, a leadership program for athletes. In 1986, Braham co-designed a nationally recognized dating violence program for teenagers and she co-authored "Coordinating a Community Response to Teen Dating Violence," published in Dating Violence, by Barrie Levy (1991). She has a Masters of Social Work degree and first joined the staff of JBWS in 1982 as a counselor in the safe house.
About Jersey Battered Women's Service
Founded in 1976, the Jersey Battered Women's Service is a private non-profit, tax-exempt Morris County organization dedicated to the prevention of domestic violence through the empowerment of the victim, the rehabilitation of family members and the education of the public about domestic violence and its consequences. For more information, visit www.jbws.org. For help, call the 24-hour helpline 1-877-R-U-ABUSED.
About Chatham Township
Chatham Township is located in Morris County New Jersey. It has approximately 11,000 residents and nearly 4,000 households. Individuals interested in receiving emergency and community alerts can visit www.chathamtownship-nj.gov/resident-communications.html and can learn more about Chatham Township at www.chathamtownship-nj.gov


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As I mentioned in my PPQ thread, I had ordered a holster from Alien Gear Holsters, specifically the Cloak Tuck 2.0 IWB. It's a standard hybrid holster, with neoprene rather than leather. The order was placed the night of Saturday January 19th, and I received the holster the afternoon of Friday February 6th. The total came to $44.83-- $35.88 for the holster and a flat $8.95 for shipping. They also offer a two-holster combo (two full holsters) for quite a discount compared to buying them separately. You can also buy a separate shell to swap with your existing shell, using the same holster body for multiple handguns.
One of the big perks is what Alien Gear calls their "Iron-Clad Triple Guarantee".
1--30-day money back trial. They say try it for a month and if it doesn't suit you they'll buy it back, no questions asked.
2--Free shell trades for life. If you sell your gun, send them the old shell and they'll give you a new one for your new toy.
3--Lifetime repair/replacement for any parts for any reason, including the clips.
Pretty solid to be willing to stand by the product like that.
This is going to be a simple unboxing, for the moment, since I haven't had a chance to leave the house with it yet and see how it does on the body for a day.
The whole package comes inside your standard manilla bubble wrap envelope.
Inside is a second Alien Gear bag.
This has your receipt, user guide, NRA flier, parts kit, and most importantly, your holster!
The user manual is a nice touch, and very helpful. It details how to comfortably wear your holster, put it on, and adjust it for ride height, retention, and cant.
Now on to the holster. For whatever reason my camera decided to flip a lot of the images so now is a good time to turn your monitor upside down.
The above pictures show the holster and shell, screw holes to adjust ride height/cant, edge of the holster, stitching, and the neoprene back of the holster. The front of the body looks and feels like a lightweight fake leather but I don't know for certain what it's made of. All of the bright green bits are the spacers for adjusting retention. More on that later.
Here are some shots with the Q inside.
You might notice that the trigger guard is not 100% covered. The plus is that you can get the fullest grip possible. The negative, some might argue, is that something could find its way in. I attached another picture up close where you can see the trigger itself but I don't know how anything would work its way in or how it would then fire. Things have a way though. The way I see it, practice safe reholstering and be mindful if there are lots of little tiny things that are finding their way under your shirt into your holster...
You can also see the perk of those paddle magazine releases. No way those are accidentally getting activated and popping your mag while you sit.
Now on to that part pack. Each of the holster comes with a parts pack with extra spacers of different heights, the corresponding screws to use for them, and a hex key to adjust it all. There's also what, from my guess, is a key fob. The spacers are made out of some kind of squishy rubber so you can give the screws a good turn and tighten everything down.
So far, very impressed with it. It's a bit of a jump from carrying my XD-S IWB but just wearing around the house, the holster has been pretty comfortable. It came relatively quick (three weeks) which beats a lot of those 6-12 week back order you see with some manufacturers. And, in my opinion, the price makes it hard to beat. I'll have to carry it around and see how it holds up to time.
Alien Gear Holsters-20 photos
Discuss the variety of handguns out there.
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Re: Alien Gear Holsters-20 photos
Not that you need to for this, but you know your computer and/or photobucket can rotate pics for you right? On your 'puter, select the pic(s), right click, rotate.
On photobucket, edit, orientation, rotate.
That's a pretty good warranty, not many companies go that far. I like the shell trade idea.
On photobucket, edit, orientation, rotate.
That's a pretty good warranty, not many companies go that far. I like the shell trade idea.
How to post pics & videos: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6363
Contrary to popular belief, you CAN fix stupid - it's just illegal.
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Re: Alien Gear Holsters-20 photos
This was not needed but I think this must be creative.
Re: Alien Gear Holsters-20 photos
That's nice for a Glock, but what about a holster for a 5.7?
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Re: Alien Gear Holsters-20 photos
Here ya go...FNGuy wrote:That's nice for a Glock, but what about a holster for a 5.7?
http://www.fivesevenforum.com/viewtopic ... 15&t=16081" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Alien Gear Holsters-20 photos
^ Thanks, I saw that after I posted my question. :thumb:
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Saturday, August 16, 2008
Dream Worlds
Dream Worlds; Production Design for Animation, by the prolific Hans Bacher.
I just picked up this book and I cant recommend it enough for anyone with an interest in animation, even the seasoned vets of the industry will find new tips, be reminded of some old ones, and hear some fascinating anecdotes of the second golden era of Feature Animation- the Late 1980s and 1990's. If you were like me, you were catching these films such as Mulan and Beauty and the Beast on their opening days and fantasizing about the future when you'd have opportunities to work on such masterpieces. Hans Bacher was there and with quite a bit of candidness writes about both the difficulties and triumphs of each project.
Along with those stories, he breaks down the pipeline for the production designer into easy to understand chunks and even has sections explaining what makes a good composition and notes on camera lenses etc. etc. Many of his own production paintings are included- and as a bonus- Bambi backgrounds he pulled from dvds via capture software (great idea!). Most of these actual backgrounds are long gone and the few that remain consist of multiple sheets of painted glass making reproduction difficult. Those Bambi background paintings are some of the finest to ever grace the silver screen. AMAZING!
Dream Worlds
208 pages
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auckland winery on Kerr Farm Wine - Browse our selection of content tagged 'auckland winery'.
"Elegant, fruit driven wines from one of Auckland's closest vineyards."
Open every weekend from 11am until 5pm
Kerr Farm Vineyard is one of the closest Vineyards to Auckland. We produce boutique, estate grown wines; Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,...
> https://www.kerrfarmwine.co.nz/
Contact & Map
Contact details
48 Dysart Lane Kumeu
P.O. Box 167 Kumeu
Auckland. New Zealand.
Tel/Fax +64 9 4127575
Mobile 021 778 702
Opening hours
Cellar Door Open Saturday & Sunday 11am till 5pm.
Other days by arrangement - Please phone us.
Enquiry form
> contact/
"Our vineyard is part of one of New Zealands pioneering grape growing regions."
Kerr Farm Vineyard is located in the heart of the Kumeu grape growing region.
" Kumeu is Auckland city's biggest grape growing area and it is only about 30 minutes drive from downtown."
The 23 acres slope very gently to the north...
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Kerr Farm has an interesting selection of Wine and Food Accessories, for the wine drinker and collector. I invite you to Scroll down to see what we have. We have caps, shirts, keyrings, Vac-u-van Wine savers, pourers, decanters, filters and thermometers. All these items are in stock at the time of listing, but sometimes things run out. Drop me...
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Tasting Events
Wine tasting event with Jaison Kerr.
Open every weekend from 11am until 5pm.
Sit down with me at the big oak table in the tasting room and I will talk you through each wine as we taste it.
You can look out over the vineyards where all the grapes are grown. We only make wines from estate grown grapes we grow...
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Jaison's Jewellery
Jaison and Jewellery---------Scroll down for images
I started in the jewellery business in the mid seventies, doing my training with the Silver family at Raymond Brett Jewellery Wholesalers. I started off as a jewellery workshop bench hand and worked my way up to be the workshop manager, controlling all aspects of the position. Things like,...
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Jaison's Recipes
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We have New Storage Units available for rent, each unit is of metal construction, 6m long x 3m wide and up to 4.5m high at the ridge point with a 2.4m roller door, with individual commercial lock-up fittings. Some units are taller with a 2.7m roller door. Concrete floors with damp proof under layer. Units have a spinning ventilator at the ridge...
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Does this look like a good time
Visitor comment August 21 2011
Alina GodfreyThank you so much to Jaison for having us for a hen party yesterday, we had such a wonderful time. Beautiful vineyard, beautiful wine and an extremely passionate and knowledgable wine maker. Will continue to have a shelf reserved for Kerr in...
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Grape Growing System
Grow perfect grapes that produce the juiciest grapes you have ever tastedGrow a single vine in your backyard, start your own large Vineyard - This is the perfect resource for you.Find out the grape growers secrets with The Complete Grape Growing System
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The Wanted star Jay McGuiness has stunned fans by shaving off half of his hair in a dramatic style overhaul.
The singer, known for his flowing curls, showed off the questionable new haircut while performing with the band at Brighton's SD2 Festival yesterday (September 29).
During the show, fellow Wanted member Max George threw a sock containing McGuiness's shaved hair into the crowd.
The lucky fan later posted a picture of herself with the unconventional souvenir on Twitter.
The Wanted are preparing to release their new album Word of Mouth on November 4 following a number of delays.
Speaking about the difficult journey, McGuiness said: "We had a very busy year. We decided to do a TV programme [E!'s The Wanted Life], which took up a lot more schedule than we thought, and then all this stuff that we planned to do kind of had to move back as well.
"And then we thought the album was good to go, and last minute a few quite cool gigs and a couple of other things popped up that we thought, 'It's probably worth waiting for the album a little'. I mean, the fans have waited a few years, so what's a couple of weeks?"


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Senator Dean Heller: We have 300,000 veterans in Nevada. We have 10,000, right now, backlogged in the state of Nevada. We're being told now by soldiers that they are to, once they get out of the service, these men and women, once they get out of the service to immediately file a claim because it's going to take a year-and-a-half to two years in order for that claim to be processed. They're getting apology letters, three or four apology letters, before their claim actually gets filed. Can't they just process the claim instead of sending them all of these apology letters?
Heller was speaking this morning at the joint-hearing of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. Today, they were hearing from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) which is headed by John E. Hamilton who was accompanied by Robert E. Wallace, William Bradshaw, Ray Kelley and Karen Nigara. The Senate Committee Chair is Bernie Sanders, the House Committee Chair is Jeff Miller. The joint-hearings are a way for the various veterans service organizations to outline veterans needs to the members of the House and Senate Committees.
Hamilton is a lively speaker. He can motivate the listener to feel outrage or joy. But sitting through the hearing this morning, I was reminded of how VFW officials keep telling me that they have a hard time getting veterans of today's wars to join the VFW, how they seem, to some vets, to be an older persons group. One thing Hamilton could have worked on was women veterans. Nearly every example was "he." There was no example of "she." There was "guys and gals." But whether it was a medic or someone driving a truck, it was a "he" over and over. When I think of someone driving a truck in either Iraq or Afghanistan -- someone with the US military -- my first thought is usually Kelly Dougherty because she's shared her experiences in so many forums.
You want to bring in younger veterans right now? Work towards using inclusive language. At one point, a woman, Karen Nigara, was able to speak. I'm not including that because I was honestly embarrassed. Nigara conducted herself professionally but the intro was like, "And it speaks too!" And the 'we love our women veterans'? Women want to be included. They don't want to be patronized and the intro to Karen Nigara speaking seemed embarrassing. As always, I discussed the hearing with as many veterans as possible after the hearing concluded. I wasn't able to speak to any women present but two veterans under 30 did point out that intro as part of the problem the VFW has attracting women of today's wars. Again, great speaker in so many ways but Hamilton could work on conclusion and also on introducing a woman in the same way he did a man about to speak.
Let's jump into an exchange after everyone's opening remarks were finally recited.
Chair Bernie Sanders: Let me begin by asking a couple of questions. One on budgetary issues and one on the unemployment situation. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, there is a proposal floating around which would reconfigure how COLAs [Cost Of Living Adjustments] for Social Security beneficiaries and disabled veterans are calculated. What that proposed change in the annual Cost Of Living Adjustments, COLAs, are calculated would mean that veterans who started receiving VA disability benefits at age 30 -- not uncommon -- would have their benefits reduced by $1,425 at age 45, $2341 at age 55 and $3231 at age 65 according to the Congressional Budget Office. Commander Hamilton or anybody else at the table, could you describe for us the real world consequences that using this so-called Chained CPI would have on disabled veterans and surviving family members.
John E. Hamilton: Senator, thank you for the question. I think our disabled veterans have given enough. They've given enough. And obviously we're opposed to that, we remain opposed to that and-and we'll always be opposed to that. Look, when people live on disability, live on that, it's an increased hardship for them. And we'll continue to do so -- we'll be happy to talk -- our people and your people -- about why and how ever --
Chair Bernie Sanders: But I think what you're saying is that you perceive the benefits now not being overly generous. Is that right?
John E. Hamilton: Absolutely right. Absolutely correct. Let me -- You know, there's a guy in here named Mike Ferguson, Senator, who's one of my heroes. Mike was a young Marine, lost both his legs, both above the knee, okay? You can never repay that young man for his service to this country enough. 1% keeps us free. Take care of our heroes, take care of our brothers.
Chair Bernie Sanders: And the only point I want to make is the theory behind this is that we have been "too generous" in cost of living increases [laughter] -- I know. That's right. People laugh. That's the theory that's circulating around here and that's the theory we want to defeat, I think. Second question, Mr. Commander, and that is, regarding employment, you touched on this issue, based on the feedback you receive from VFW members around the country, what recommendations do you have as we continue to work to provide service members and veterans the tools they need to successfully transition? Can you comment on the employment situation?
John E. Hamilton: Yes, sir, we will. I think we need, obviously, a nation-wide hire-a-vet campaign. Veterans are great employees. They're trained. They're disciplined. They know how -- They know how to stay on task and take care of things and stay on the mission. And something else we do, we make the tax credits a little less red-tape so that the small business that can't afford to hire three CPAs and 2 attorneys to figure out how the hell to -- I'm not supposed to talk like that, I know -- but I do sometimes, I'm still a sergeant in the Marine Corps with tattoos. But we got to make it simpler so that the average business can understand the law and get around the red-tape and do what they need to do to hire our people. You know, it should be to put people back to work not to fill out forms and hire accountants. My answer.
Chair Bernie Sanders: Okay. Commander, thank you very much. Chairman Miller?
Chair Jeff Miller: Commander, the [VA] Secretary's testified and also talked to me in various meetings lately about meeting their goal of clearing the disability backlog by 2015. They are absolutely convinced that they're going to be able to do that. And I've asked the question of each organization: Do you think they're going to hit their goal of 90+ percent accuracy [and] 125-days-or-less by 2015.
John E. Hamilton: Mr. Miller, you're a great friend of veterans and I appreciate what you do. I do, from my heart. Floridian to Floridian, I believe in you. But I want to tell you something, we've heard this and I hope that I'm wrong. I pray to God every day, I grab a knee and say to the Sergeant Major upstairs, let's get it right, let's take care of our heroes. But I've been listening to this for 35 years, since I've been fighting for veterans' rights. 35 years I've heard this. I hope we get it right, I hope we get it wrong. That's why I say we need to take our time don't be in a hurry if we put it out, let's make it right. Let's make it right. Are we going to make it by 2015? I hope so. I really don't know.
Chair Jeff Miller: I think -- I appreciate your comments too because there's a lot of faith being put in the VBMS system and they're saying that that's going to be the solution that's going to solve everything. But if you don't have the proper personnel actually inputting information, doing what needs to be done, the right attitude, it's not going to get better. And you know, I-I appreciate your saying that those that are in there that are not doing their job should move on to something else.
John E. Hamilton: You betcha. You know, absolutely. Mr. Miller, I met with the President [Barack Obama] a few days ago and discussed with him that very issue again. And I want to believe. I want to believe. But, having said that, if we can't come up with some kind of program to see this VMBA, I pray it works, and if it doesn't put us in a path to where we're going and we don't see positive -- positive change -- heading on to 2015 and doing the right thing exactly what you said, maybe it's time for some people over there in the ivory tower to find themselves another job, let's get somebody over there to do the job. And I thank you for your comments.
The VFW is concerned about younger members joining. That's good, that shows outreach efforts on their part. When the Post-9/11 GI Assistance Bill was first going to go into effect, you may remember, we steered anyone it applied to towards the VFW based on the advice of a friend with another service organization. The VFW offers many services. We're including the next exchange mainly because Hamilton's talking about one such service that VFW provides.
US House Rep Beto O'Rourke: When you talked about the claims backlog and the VBA and the lack of accountability and the error rate. And when you were asked about your estimate on our ability to fix this backlog within the promised time and you said that you'd been waiting for thirty-five years for this country to get it right. I wondered if you or your membership or fellow panelists could talk about, if we're not getting these things right at the federal level, are there some local VAs, are there some states that are approaching these issues the right way that we can learn from here in Congress, in Washington, DC? We heard testimony last week from a veteran who said that, in Pittsburgh, they're turning around a claim in thirty days. We hear Ranking Member [Michael] Michaud talk about the way the system's organized in the Philippines. There are some states that have been pioneers in work force transition and in hiring a vet. Where can you point us where we're getting the culture right, where we're getting performance right and where we can apply those lessons to what we should be doing here on the national level?
John E. Hamilton: Sir, I'll let Bill or Bob talk to that but I want to say this, you look at Baltimore where they say the error rate was 40 to 60%. In the real world, those cats would be looking for a job. Okay, so who . . . [applause] Whoever alluded to the problems up there of we got to get it right or we got to train the people -- you talk about replacing folks -- in the real world, it just wouldn't happen. So there are these places where things are better than others but overall? Overall with the backlog and the error rate, it's unbelievable. You know, we have to -- and, of course, something that we need to do as an organization, I'm talking to my comrades in the back -- we need to make certain somehow, we're trying desperately to get the word out to veterans: Don't file your own claims. Listen, if I need open heart surgery, I understand what they do but I'm not going to cut my chest open, try to do it myself. We've got professional people that know what they're doing. So we've got to somehow get the word to those folks to come in here [VFW office] because what happens is when they get an incomplete claim or something's filed, it's got to back again. Sometimes, something's filed two or three times. Now it's not a year, it's two or three years sometimes. So we've got to do a better job -- We, the veterans community, the VFW, of making certain that we get the word to those people. That's why this TAP program is so important, so when these people come out of the military, we can say, "Hey, here's what you get, here's what you ought to get and here's where it is." We've got people to review those claims on both sides of the coast and they come back to make certain that they're correct. Because the average guy or gal doesn't know you're getting 30%, you should have gotten 70. Now the short answer -- that's the long answer to that -- but, Bob, is there something we need to say about location.
Robert E. Wallace: Congressman, in all fairness to VA, to VBA, there was a conscious effort made by previous Congresses and previous administrations to change the health care system from a hospital system to outpatient. Over the course of history, you can check the records, VBA was not funded as it should have been. We have the finest, as John just said, he was in Puerto Rico, they push an electronic health record. VBA never sophisticated and went with automation. The last few years, four, five, six years, we've seen a push for that and they're playing catch-up ball. It's very depressing to go into a regional office and see all those papers -- very, very depressing because each one of those paper files is some veteran that's waiting. Are there things that are happening that are good? Yes, there are. Fully developed claims is starting to catch on and starting to work and those are the kind of claims that could get done in 30 days -- diabetes, boom, boom, boom.
The VFW can help you file claims, a VFW Service Officer is trained in benefits and claims and can assist you. Hamilton mentioned the TAP program. That program received a much needed overhaul via the work of the veterans committees in the previous Congress and specifically via Senator Patty Murray's VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. The Transition Assistance Program is helpful but if you're leaving the service, you can also speak with an expert at the VFW about BDD -- Benefits Delivery at Discharge. The VFW offers many things including allowing veterans to interact with one another. This also includes the local VFWs and, if you are a drinker but live in a 'dry' region where alcohol is not sold, the local VFW canteen is your best shot. It's not just a group that goes before Congress. It does go before Congress and does a lot of strong work there. But not everyone's political (and some who leave the military, leave having heard enough lies and broken promises from politicians to be turned off politics for life), so it bears noting that the VFW has many social events and interactions. On political, it bears noting that the VFW is very good at getting issues before Congress so, for example, if you're a young female veteran and you're feeling like female issues aren't being addressed within the VA framework, there's a reason for you to join, to help make your voice heard. Lastly, being a member of the VFW does not mean you cannot be a member of another (or many other) veterans organizations.
We'll return to veterans issues at the end of the snapshot. For now, the good news: Roy Gutman is back in Iraq. This means McClatchy Newspapers will have (for a brief time) some Iraq coverage. They had been using Germany's wire service (Deutsche Presse-Agentur) after apparently failing the fine Iraqi correspondents they had. (Laith Hammoudi, for example, moved over to Agence France Presse.) So this is good news and may the worst attacks Gutman be the target of be the verbal ones launched here.
Which brings us to today's report. I'm not surprised that Prime Minister and Chief Thug Nouri al-Maliki is attempting to use yesterday's incident as an excuse to again cry for the US government to hurriedly arm him but I am surprised that Gutman seems unaware that Nouri's constantly telling the US government that he needs weapons now. (There was even a joke about that in the White House the week after the election -- after Barack Obama refused to take Nouri's congratulatory call -- a snub the Iraqi media has not forgotten.)
Gutman notes Hoshyar Zebari, Foreign Affairs Minister, is among those leading the cry about how Iraq needs the weapons to defend itself.
Gutman, why doesn't Zebari focus on diplomatic issues and let the Minister of Defense address this topic. Oh, that's right, another detail not in the report: Iraq has no Minister of Defense.
Iraq hasn't had one since 2010. Recently, when Chuck Hagel's boo-boos (and who knows what else) weren't immediately kissed by the US Congress, there was talk of how Hagel needed to be confirmed and needed to be confirmed quickly because the US needed a Secretary of Defense. We're talking about a matter of weeks that the vote on Hagel was delayed and, equally true, Leon Panetta remained on the job as Secretary of Defense until Hagel was confirmed.
But Iraq has no Minister of Defense. Back in July, Mohammed Tawfeeq (CNN) observed, "Shiite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has struggled to forge a lasting power-sharing agreement and has yet to fill key Cabinet positions, including the ministers of defense, interior and national security, while his backers have also shown signs of wobbling support."
How did this happen? Nouri's State of Law lost the 2010 parliamentary elections. Iraqiya came in first. Per the Constitution, Iraqiya had first crack at forming a government. Nouri refused to step down. That should have been a major story but most English-language outlets take their cues from the US State Dept and the administration wanted -- Barack Obama wanted -- Nouri to have a second term. (There is supposed to be a CIA report on how damaging a second term for Nouri would be to Iraq. This report has been rumored since before the March 2010 elections. The only thing that's changed in DC today is that this alleged report is now rumored to be on the verge of being leaked to the press. True or false, I have no idea.) So Nouri brought the country to a standstill for eight months. It was as though, following the November 1992 election, George H.W. Bush had refused to vacate the White House despite losing and refused to allow Bill Clinton to be sworn in.
After eight months of nothing happening, the US government was able to convince the other political leaders in Iraq to give Nouri a second term. In exchange, Nouri would give them various political wants/needs. And the US government swore this would be a binding contract so The Erbil Agreement was drawn up. This circumvented the voters, the Iraqi Constitution and democracy as it handed a second term to Nouri.
The Constitution requires certain things. I was an idiot -- not the first time (or the last) -- in November and December of 2010 because I stupidly thought the Constitution was in play. It wasn't. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and others were in on the con they pulled on the Iraqi people. Nouri was 'named' prime-minister designate like the Constitution requires. But the Constitution wasn't being followed.
I stupidly and wrongly thought that Nouri would have 30 days to name his Cabinet (that's nominate and get each member approved by Parliament in a vote). If he had failed at that, then someone else would be named prime minister-designate by Talabani.
Nouri did fail at it. No one else was named. The Erbil Agreement was extra-constitutional and overrode the Constitution. So Nouri had his second term and didn't have to follow the Constitution.
This was why he was able to do the power-grab. Refusing to nominate any people to head the three security ministries, he was able to control them.
This is against the Constitution but Nouri's whole second term is against the Constitution.
Back in October, John Barry's "'The Engame' Is A Well Researched, Highly Critical Look at U.S. Policy in Iraq" (Daily Beast) noted some of the results of the US government refusing to back democracy:
Washington has little political and no military influence over these developments [in Iraq]. As Michael Gordon and Bernard Trainor charge in their ambitious new history of the Iraq war, The Endgame, Obama's administration sacrificed political influence by failing in 2010 to insist that the results of Iraq's first proper election be honored: "When the Obama administration acquiesced in the questionable judicial opinion that prevented Ayad Allawi's bloc, after it had won the most seats in 2010, from the first attempt at forming a new government, it undermined the prospects, however slim, for a compromise that might have led to a genuinely inclusive and cross-sectarian government."
When Zebari whines that Iraq is at risk of attack, the proper response is not, "We'll send the F-16s immediately!" The appropriate response is, "If you feel your security may be threatened, it's probably past time your country named a Minster of Defense, a Minister of Interior . . ."
For any who are surprised that Zebari's thrown in with Nouri, don't be. Zebari thought he'd be a future king and yet when Jalal had his stroke and people were discussing who could replace Talabani, Zebari only found support among Americans -- and a small number of Americans at that. That's not surprising. After six years of working so closely with Nouri, Kurds tends to see Zebari as way too tight with Nouri.
Is Iraq threatened?
Considering that Nouri's State of Law is forever insisting that some 'Ba'athist plot' is being executed or about to be executed or requires the round up of hundreds of Iraqis, it seems like the government of Iraq thinks Iraq lives under constant threat. With Nouri's paranoia, the US needs to arm him?
Friday, January 25th, Nouri al-Maliki's forces killed peaceful protesters in Falluja. Imagine how much higher the death toll would have been if the forces could have used something greater than rifles? They could have just launched missiles on the unsuspecting. Human Rights Watch has called for an investigation. That there's been no response is troubling. That the US is thinking of supplying this abusive and, yes, deadly government with even more weapons and more deadly weapons is appalling.
In yesterday's attack inside Iraq on the Syrian military, seven Iraqi soldiers are said to have been killed.
7 members of the Iraqi military were killed why? Because Iraq provided harbor to one side. Adam Schreck and Qassim Abdul-Zahra (AP) quoted Nouri's spokesperson Ali al-Moussawi declaring, "We do not want more soldiers to cross our borders and we do not want to be part of the problem." Then stop allowing fleeing sides in the combat to cross into your country.
More protesters were killed in Falluja on January 25th by Nouri's Tigris Operation Command than Syrian soldiers were killed yesterday in Iraq.
Where's Zebari's call for an investigation into the deaths of those protesters?
Alsumaria reports that Sahwa leader Ahmed Abu Risha is calling for the families of the Iraqi soldiers killed in the attack to file a lawsuit against Nouri al-Maliki for his dragging the Iraqi military into Syria's internal issues. Don't expect Matthew Weaver to blog on that -- live or otherwise.
Abu Risha is a leader of the protests in Anbar Province. All Iraq News reports that Iraqiya is stating that they will join the protesters if the government does not meet the protesters' demands. Spokesperson Haider al-Mullla is quoted stating, "The issue in Iraq cannot be neglected and we call the Iraqi National Alliance to hold the biggest responsibility in settling the crisis and calling to stop the delaying procedures in dealing with the demonstrators' demands. The IS [Iraqiya Slate] will positively deal with the political initiatives to settle the crisis and responding to the demonstrators' demands such as amending the Justice and Accountability Law and cancelling the law related to suspending the possessions of the persons included in this law, in addition to endorse the General Amnesty law draft and some other important laws."
Iraqiya is the political slate that came in first in the March 2010 parliamentary elections, beating Nouri's State of Law. Al Mada reports that Iraqiya is currently exploring whether to continue boycotting Council sessions or to withdraw? All Iraq News adds that Iraqiya has a meet-up today to address whether or not to join KRG President Massoud Barzani's call of a national meeting.
Still on Iraqiya, MP Liqa Wardi has made a very strong charge. She tells All Iraq News that Nouri's government is deliberately misleading the Iraqi people, "There is a misleading to the public by announcing that the prisoners are being released and there are committees formed to respond to the demonstrators' demands where there[are] the released prisoners, [they] belong to some provinces and certain blocs and not to the provinces that witness demonstrations. To prove it, the head of the Sadr Trend, Muqtada al-Sadr, stated that there is no balance in releasing the prisoners where the private amnesty is used for a certain sect or community." So what she's saying is that demonstrators in predominately Sunni provinces have protested about Sunnis being over-represented in the detained population and that Nouri has responded by releasing . . . Shi'ite prisoners. This might explain why the flunky Nouri put in charge (Hussain al-Shahristani, the Deputy Prime Minister on Energy -- like that makes sense) has repeatedly refused to issue a list of names of supposedly released prisoners.
Alsumaria reports a car bombing near a football stadium in Diyala Province this evening which killed 3 people and left seventeen people injured. Also targeted today? A secondary school. All Iraq News reports a Kirkuk car bombing which has claimed 5 lives and left sixteen people injured. And other violence today? National Iraqi News Agency notes an armed attack in Baghdad which claimed 2 lives and left a third person injured, 1 person shot dead in a seperate Baghdad incident, a Kirkuk grenade attack claimed the life of Turkmen official Qasim Zine El Abidine and 1 North Oil Company employee (leaving a second employee injured), and a Baiji roadside bombing claimed the life of 1 Iraqi soldier and left three more injured, Both NINA and All Iraq News are reporting a car bombing in Erbil today but no details. NINA later reported the car belonged to a colonel in the Peshmerga. Alsumaria reports an attack in Nineveh Province south of Mosul on the convoy of Qayyarah Saleh al-Juburich left two of his bodyguards injured. Dropping back to Monday, All Iraq News notes that 1 police officer's corpse was discovered in Mosul.
Lastly, in the US Senator Patty Murray is the Chair of the Senate Budget Committee and also the former Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. Her office notes:
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Contact: Murray Press Office
Murray Calls on Shinseki to Expedite Waivers for Same-Sex Burials in National Cemeteries
After VA grants first-ever waiver for Oregon couple, Murray leads letter urging basic "fairness and equity" for all same-sex veterans and their spouses
(Washington D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, a senior member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, led a letter to U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki calling for an expedited waiver process granting same-sex veterans and their spouses burial rights in national cemeteries. Currently, only members of the opposite-sex are buried next to their veteran spouse in national cemeteries.
"For the LGBT members of our nation's armed forces, and for those of us who support them, the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' was only the first step on the road towards equality," said Senator Murray. "Our country now must work to ensure each of our heroes receives the same quality care and services once they leave the military – and this includes a dignified burial for them, and their spouses. I was glad to see Secretary Shinseki honor the request of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell on behalf of her wife Nancy and am hopeful he will not only seriously consider similar requests in the future, but implement an expedited process so no veteran will have to face uncertainty when mourning the loss of their spouse."
"We strongly believe in equality under the law for all Americans, particularly for our veterans, who continually put themselves in harm's way for our country. It is unacceptable that, after selflessly serving their nation, these men and women who have given so much would not be allowed to be buried next to the person they love in our national cemeteries…Offering burial rights in national cemeteries to same sex spouses of our nation's veterans is not only a matter of fairness and equity, it is simply the right thing to do."
On January 29, 2013, Secretary Shinseki granted a waiver, the first of its kind, for the burial of civilian Nancy Lynchild in Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. Her spouse, retired Lieutenant Colonel Linda Campbell, led the months long efforts to make the waiver a reality.
Senator Murray was joined by the following Senators in sending this letter to Secretary Shinseki: Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Mark Udall (D-CO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mark Warner (D-VA), Mark Begich (D-AK), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Al Franken (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI).
The full text of the letter follows:
March 5, 2013
The Honorable Eric K. Shinseki
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420
Dear Secretary Shinseki:
We are writing to commend you for granting a waiver to Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Linda Campbell, so that her spouse, Ms. Nancy Lynchild, can be laid to rest alongside her in Willamette National Cemetery. We strongly believe in equality under the law for all Americans, particularly for our veterans, who continually put themselves in harm's way for our country. It is unacceptable that, after selflessly serving their nation, these men and women who have given so much would not be allowed to be buried next to the person they love in our national cemeteries.
We expect that you will continue to grant similar waivers moving forward. Making this important change is a matter of basic fairness and equity. We have applauded the President for his decision not to defend the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in federal court, and we welcomed the Department of Defense's recent announcement that they will extend additional benefits to LGBT service members and their families. We also commend you, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, for working to ensure that the Department is a welcoming place for LGBT veterans and their families, and for your continued commitment to achieving equity and fairness for all of our nation's veterans.
Although the Obama Administration has taken important steps towards achieving equality for LGBT Americans and their families, such as recognizing the validity and dignity of committed same sex couples and working to end discrimination in federal benefits on the basis of sexual orientation, there is still much more work to be done. Numerous federal benefits remain restricted by DOMA, including specific benefits that could soften the tragic blow of the loss of a loved one.
While we work to repeal DOMA in Congress, it is our hope that the Department of Veterans Affairs will continue to examine its policies and implement changes that further advance equality for all Americans. We ask that such changes include implementing an expedited waiver process, so that a veteran mourning the loss of her same-sex spouse need not also worry whether her spouse can be buried alongside her in a national cemetery. Offering burial rights in national cemeteries to same sex spouses of our nation's veterans is not only a matter of fairness and equity, it is simply the right thing to do.
Thank you for granting spousal burial benefits to Lt Col Campbell, and for your continued commitment to our nation's veterans. We look forward to your response on this important matter.
Senator Patty Murray
Senator Jeff Merkley
Senator Patrick Leahy
Senator Dianne Feinstein
Senator Barbara Boxer
Senator Ron Wyden
Senator Maria Cantwell
Senator Mark Udall
Senator Jeanne Shaheen
Senator Mark Warner
Senator Mark Begich
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Senator Al Franken
Senator Chris Coons
Senator Brian Schatz
Senator Mazie Hirono
Meghan Roh
Press Secretary | New Media Director
Office of U.S. Senator Patty Murray
Mobile: (202) 365-1235
Office: (202) 224-2834
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In less time than it takes for an apartment pineapple to ripen, a new government of national unity has been formed in Mali in the latest effort to restore stability after the military coup in March. It follows 5 long months of political tug-of-war between the ready-meal interim government and the frozen-dinner coup leadership headed by Captain Sanogo. The Captain was persuaded to release his grip a little, after his palms were oiled with a palatial home and "former head of state" status – including a generous allowance. The cabinet has 31 ministers, including five from Sanogo's camp. The head of the interim government, Cheick Modibo Diarra, stays on as prime minister. For now.
During this incubation period, interim President Dioncounda Traore was attacked, and spent several weeks recovering in Paris. No doubt he spent more of that time in the briefing room of Boulevard Mortier than in recovery. Shortly after Dioncounda returned to Mali, one of the former President's elite Red Beret guards, Staff Sergeant Amadou Traore, was murdered in his barracks. That signal seems to have been received loud and clear; no further attacks on the interim president have been reported yet.
Last month, the regional bloc ECOWAS threatened to expel Mali unless a unity government was installed, according to the BBC. Yesterday, there were news reports of ECOWAS and Algeria [ar] barring military shipments to Mali. Meanwhile, Major General Suleiman Mahmoud al-Obeidi, Libya's former Deputy Director of Military Intelligence and Chairman of the Republican Guard in Benghazi, reveals that, when there was a weapons amnesty and surrendering of arms in Libya last year, his unit alone boycotted the deal and instead their weapons passed to mercenaries from Egypt, for onward transfer to AQIM in Algeria and Mali. Doubly painful, as it was the ousted former president Touré, aka "ATT", who said in February that they needed more military hardware to respond to the MNLA's attacks, widely reported to be using massive fire-power brought back from Libya.
Weapons in 30 Days or Your Next Government Half Price
We need to wait to see if the formation of a new unity government defrosts the supply of arms, and whether they'll be delivered by shipment or in person. Just last weekend, Al Jazeera Arabic reported a training exercise in Libya (irony alert) of 2,000 troops including 800 special forces from Great Britain, France, Spain and Italy, in preparation for an incursion into Malian territory. The training programme lasted from February to June. Here's the video:
There are many competing theories about what is going on in Mali. One school of thought insists that the plan is, and always has been, to get the boots of foreign troops on the ground. However, just as with the reports of armed rebels severing someone's hand as a punishment for stealing (and the victim later dying), and of their threat-or-promise to repeat the exercise with hundreds more after the Eid holiday, or even of the beheading* that UNHCR's spokesperson Melissa Fleming claimed to have happened, there's no way of knowing if the scenario portrayed in this video sheds light on the actual situation.
How can we figure Mali out? To butcher the old standard, "follow the ransom money" and we find food for thought. For example, fresh claims of Swiss support for the rebels appeared last week. This was denied by the MNLA as a rumour created by a Swiss journalist and promoted to a fact by a website in Mauritania, where the media has carved a niche for exclusive revelations about Mali.
I was anticipating more mention of Switzerland, after a Swiss woman was apparently taken hostage in Timbuctu by a private militia who planned to trade her to AQIM. The lady was reportedly "rescued" by Ansar Dine and released for an alleged 1 million Euro, in a deal where they demanded to liaise directly with the Swiss officials, rejecting the offer of a human rights NGO to mediate. That event was soon followed by a spectacular betrayal of MNLA by Ansar Dine, who hijacked the uprising and forced the secular separatists into a retreat from which they have yet to emerge. Speculation about how the more radical supporters of religion achieved this feat includes the investment of ransom capital to buy supporters. There have been other kidnappings: three Westerners abducted nearly nine months ago by AQIM in Mali, seen today urging their governments to help free them in an Al-Jazeera television exclusive video, and the seven Algerian diplomatic staff taken from the embassy in Gao, three of whom were returned last month, shortly after the release of one Italian and two Spanish hostages. This last exchange was said to be accompanied by a few more million Euro and the release of two more prisoners – one assumed by some to be connected to the POLISARIO – who were being held in Mauritania for their part in the kidnapping of the three Europeans.
Within days Mauritania benefited from a capitulation by the EU (Note: the EU Africa team is led by a Spaniard) finally agreeing to their exorbitant new terms for renewing the fishing agreement, and an agreement from Spain to salvage the small aircraft "donated" to Mauritania in June last year to help in the fight against illegal immigrants, and which had remained, unairworthy and stranded on the tarmac, more or less the whole time.
This brings me to another stranded plane – the famous "Air Cocaine" Boeing jet from South America which landed/crashed just north of Gao in a village called Tarkint at the end of October 2009, and was reportedly torched by the smugglers after their cargo of drugs had been retrieved. The local mayor was known as an intermediary with AQIM for the release of kidnap victims.
"Air Cocaine" was registered in Saudi Arabia, rented in Venezuela, and had made previous trips from Colombia under a licence issued by Guinea Bissau, but which had expired at some point. The drug trafficking was said to be linked to AQIM, and this flight's cargo could have been worth anything between 150 and 300 million Euro. Some of these details only became apparent much later, after WikiLeaks' cables release, as the original investigation was handled by the intelligence services and shrouded in secrecy. There were dozens of arrests, but few detentions or convictions in connection with this scandal. Then last week, we learned that the last two suspects, one French, one Spanish, had been released in Mali. The drug smuggling case against the Spaniard was thrown out. This chap is a real charmer: a former Madrid policeman, until he was busted for trafficking, drugs, explosives, weapons, and counterfeit identity documents. He also had a suspended sentence in Mali connected to the gruesome murder [es] of a Colombian with a forged Ukrainian passport. He apparently plans to stay in Mali. One would hope he is short of alternatives but why leave Mali, when half the world is ready to come to you?
Additionally, a wealthy businessman from Tilemsi in the Gao region – Mohamed Ould Awaynat – who had been sentenced to one year in prison for his part in the trafficking scandal, was reportedly released in January this year, in an alleged deal with the Malian government. In exchange for his freedom, he is said to have paid to recruit and train northern fighters to boost the ranks of the army against the MNLA. They do say money makes the world go around. If you add massive cash flows from drug trafficking it begins to spin put of control. That is certainly what appears the be the case in Mali.
If you enjoy bizarre details – and you've got this far, so I should take that as given – then you might be further entertained by the fact that the article in the previous link, by Andy Morgan in Think Africa Press, was posted on FaceBook in a now lifeless MNLA group, requiring 14 comments to post in its entirety. The comment poster uses the name Ghazi Agizul and, although his bio says he's a proud Amazigh from Tunisia, I found it odd that "Ghazi" used a translation tool to render the English original into French, which should be a natural language for him. That he didn't post a link to Google Translate or use a Note instead of 14+ comments is not mysterious, only irritating. If it transpired that Andy Morgan and Ghazi Agizul were one and the same person, that would be interesting. It would also raise many general questions about the clandestine online and offline activities of certain people who present themselves publicly as working in the media, but that is a whole other story. Going back to the article itself, it's too lengthy to analyse in depth but there are some factual errors, which always has the effect of eroding credibility. For example, Mr Morgan claims to have spent years in northern Mali, yet placed Kati near Timbuktu. I wouldn't blame him if the article was simply too long for him to cope with when it got to proof-reading.
Also in the WikiLeaked cable, we learn of another incident involving a plane: US military making a "hard landing" 65 miles from Bamako, and receiving assistance. ATT was happy to help because "he knew the United States was coming to help Mali". Sadly, nothing could be done to help the three US military and their three civilian companions who died in a vehicle accident in April this year. Will the US be coming to help again; will they feel they no longer need an invite?
Short of the IAEA declaring that there are nuclear weapons hidden in the barren wastelands of northern Mali, I wonder how many more UN agencies or NGOs can enter the fray, wringing their collective hands over the many unverified domestic dramas that they claim are engulfing this most coveted of would-be war zones, declaring every incident a war crime, and clamouring at the gates to be allowed in to rescue Mali from itself and the horrors of Sharia law's unjust desserts.
As ATT noted in February, with a prescience we have yet to fully to appreciate: "There are many rumors. If we are not careful, we'll fall into the hands of those who are attacking Mali and who want to oppose the government."
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Rafe Khatchadorian has enough problems at home without throwing his first year of middle school into the mix. Luckily, he's got an ace plan for the best year ever, if only he can pull it off.
With his best friend Leonardo the Silent awarding him points, Rafe tries to break every rule in his school's oppressive Code of Conduct. Chewing gum in class—five thousand points! Running in the hallway—ten thousand points! Pulling the fire alarm—fifty thousand points! But when Rafe's game starts to catch up with him, he'll have to decide if winning is all that matters, or if he's finally ready to face the rules, bullies, and truths he's been avoiding. Blockbuster author James Patterson delivers a genuinely hilarious—and surprisingly poignant—story of a wildly imaginative, one-of-kind kid that you won't soon forget.


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"Mount Kilimanjaro is more than it's famed snows, more than it's iconic, statuesque crater that commands the landscape. It is more than the tallest "trekkable" mountain in the world. To hike Kilimanjaro is to be encapsulated into evolving ecosystems, from tropical rainforest to snow-covered peaks in a few days making for unique experience in our natural world," describes adventurer Matt Mitchell.
There are seven established climbing routes on Kilimanjaro. To trek a different route to the summit is to live a separate and entirely unique experience. In search of true wilderness, we chose Rongai, the least trafficked route and the only one starting from the North, along the Kenyan border. It is the only trek that includes the entire spectrum of habitats in Kilimanjaro's vast ecosystem, though you have to go out of your way to find it. After a two-hour drive from the park's main gate, winding through hectic, dusty villages, we arrived at the trailhead. Our journey began in a wild, tropical rainforest, it was difficult to believe that in a few days we would be immersed in freezing cold and burning sun of arctic conditions.
Before we left for Tanzania we plotted the route on Movescount then to my Suunto Traverse GPS watch, helping us to navigate and identify POIs (camps and highlights) as well as and track our altitude and gain each day.
Kilimanjaro is a busy mountain year round on most routes, so when we found ourselves trekking alone we were surprised, and delighted. We felt like we had the mountain to ourselves, free to move at our pace and simply appreciate our surroundings. The mountain itself was pristine, even at camps debris or evidence of hikers was rarely seen.
Giant, jagged crevasses created by lava flows and home to streams from another time lay hidden behind wild and unwieldy bushes. Throughout the forest and heather our path was enveloped in thick rolling fog. Wide, sloping caves that were once shelter, now help to mark the trail.
Unlike routes from the south, clear views of Kibo are frequent above 3500 m on Rongai. While our previous days were filled with fog and mist, the greyness gave way to clear and intense days in the sun. Our nights got much colder above the clouds and we started to feel the thinning air as we moved toward the alpine desert. Our only company was a pair of white-necked ravens who followed us for two days and nights.
Kilimanjaro is not simply its dominant and easily identifiable volcanic cone (Kibo), with its graceful lines. In fact Kilimanjaro is made up of three volcanoes- Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. Kibo remains dormant, the others extinct. As we traversed alpine desert in scorching 37 degree sun, the imposing, jagged edifice of Mawenzi appeared. Hans Meyer Peak is its highest point at 5149 m (third highest point in Africa) and is separated from Kibo by 6 km of baron desert known as 'The Saddle.'
We arrived at Kibo Huts (4700 m) in the afternoon of our forth day, with a world already below us. We were paying for each moment at this altitude and higher, so at midnight under steady snowfall we climbed towards the stars. There was still a mountain above us, and all we could see were bobbing headlamps and utter darkness. We trudged across steep, scree switch-backs (up to 45 degree) for 5 hours, glancing only occasionally at the horizon for the slightest hint of the day to come. Breathing becomes more difficult with each step, relentlessly testing all faculties. Even simple recognition is not a given at this altitude. As we scrambled to the top of Gilman's Point and beyond the grandeur of Kibo is startling, its glaciers, sheer cliffs and vast expanses are unforgettable.
There is nothing like feeling the day's first light atop a mountain, invigorates your senses, and brings your body back to life. The streams of clouds and color and light made us feel like we could see all of Africa.


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In honor of this weekend's episode of 1st Look, "Best of Hotel Scenes," we asked celebrities, tastemakers, industry insiders, and even our crew, what's their favorite hotel scene and why. Here's what they said:
I visit New York a fair few times, so obviously, I stay at certain hotels. I enjoy the Bowery Bar at the Bowery Hotel down there because it means the bed is within crawling distance.
James Blunt, Singer-Songwriter
One of the places I wanted to visit when I first came here (was) the Chelsea Hotel. I had read so much about what had happened there, who had died there. There are iconic images in your head, you just have to go and check out the real bricks and mortar.
Joe Elliott, Def Leppard
Well I like the Soho Grand and the Tribeca Grand. I love the area.
Phil Collen, Def Leppard
The Ultimate Kate facial at the Spa at the Trump. It's really phenomenal and I would personally recommend it to all our female, and male, viewers. And come to Trump International Hotel & Tower's Sixteen for a feast of all feasts.
Ivanka Trump, The Trump Organization
Inside the Le Parker Meridien Hotel. That breakfast place at Norma's is out of sight. Listen to me--if you like pancakes, waffles, or anything extravagant, they've got crispy caramel French toast. That's the dish that you've got to try.
Steve Harvey, Comedian/Author
As for a favorite hotel, (my wife and I) have been known to sneak away to the Mandarin Oriental on a couple of anniversaries. It's in the same building as Landmarc, so it's a fun escape upstairs.
Chef Marc Murphy, Landmarc & Ditch Plains
And, who said those guys above are the experts on the best hotel scenes? Here's what our jet-setting crew said:
I love a hotel with a sense of nostalgia. The Carlyle Hotel is my spot in New York and you can find me at the legendary Beverly Hills Hotel when I'm in L.A.
Maria Sansone, host of 1st Look
Explora in Patagonia, Chile.
Beth Gerstenbluth, Executive Producer of 1st Look
Hotel Maison de Ville in New Orleans, LA. It's Magical!
Caroline Kim, LXTV Editorial Director
The Ace Hotel because of its cozy, old-school vibe. And, let's not forget, the Breslin, Stumptown and Opening Ceremony are also located in the hotel. Three of my favorite places in one spot—it's got to be my favorite!
Linda Vongkhamchanh, NBC / LXTV editor
The Palazzo Sasso in Ravello Italy. I didn't in fact stay here, it's pricey... But, I was welcomed in warmly to visit the grounds and to take in a drink with the amazing views and it felt like happiness.
Brian Mait, segment producer of 1st Look
One of my favorite hotels in Chicago is the Dana Hotel. Its design aesthetic is sleek, stylish, yet very comfortable. I love the bar there, Vertigo Sky Lounge. It has some of the best views of the city, and not to mention, killer drinks! You can't go wrong at the Dana Spa. I had an amazing experience with the aromatherapy massage. And last but not least, aja is a urban cafe on the first floor that offers modern, Asian cooking with top-notch service. I'm a sucker for crab rangoons, and they make some delicious ones. The sushi is some of the best I've ever had.
Vicky Baftiri, segment producer of 1st Look
Hotel Palomar in Philadelphia, and really any of the Kimpton Hotels. Perfect mix of comfortability, modernity and chic-ness (made that word up).
Siafa Lewis, New York Live reporter
Hands down, the Westin Resort and Spa at Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia. Prime location on the mountain with ski-in ski-out service. There's an amazing full service lobby bar and the hotel's restaurant, Aubergine Grille, sits at the base of the mountain with a menu featuring game of the region. Not to mention the three outdoor hot tubs with bar service all done in the laid back style of the Pacific Northwest. There was never a need to leave the hotel.
Eric Jankstrom, supervising producer of Open House
Maybe not my favorite in terms of actual hotel facilities, but U Sladka at the Chodovar Brewery in the Czech Republic was definitely the most memorable because of their luxurious spa, beer Spa that is. I bathed in beer while sipping on the house brew, enough said.
Maureen Giannone, segment producer of 1st Look
The Thompson Hotel! Great rooftop and bar. Close second is the Standard because of the penthouse and the Biergarten.
Alex Gittleson, producer of George to the Rescue
La Casa Fitzcarraldo in Iquitos, Peru. It is a quaint bed and breakfast in the city of Iquitos. What makes it so great are the owners Micaela and her husband Dave, who are both awesome. Micaela is a great cook and makes the very best ceviche and pesto pasta in Peru. It also has a great treehouse!
Rich Kaplinski, editor of 1st Look
My current local fave is the incredible Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes. Located on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, it's in L.A. County but makes you feel like you are on a tropical vacation a million miles away. The perfect spot for a weekend getaway or a week away from it all.
Julee Metz, supervising producer of 1st Look
Find out what puts the "hot" in hotel this weekend when we bring you the best in hotel scenes. Don't miss 1st Look this Saturday on NBC after Saturday Night Live! #1stlookroomservice
Favorite Hotel Hot Spots: Where Rockstars, Celebs (and Even Our Crew) Hang Out
In honor of this weekend's episode of 1st Look, "Best of Hotel Scenes," we asked celebrities, tastemakers, industry insiders, and even our crew, what's their favorite hotel scene and why. Here's what they said:


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Its bottle bears a constellation of 69 bees, the symbol of the Empire and the emblem of the Guerlain family of "Eaux". It can be customised upon request, hand-gilded and emblazoned with initials.
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Eau de Guerlain is a ray of sun that plunges into the crystal pure water of a torrent. It is a fresh, vibrant and sparkling eau: the smell of aromatic herbs blends with the tangy aroma of lemon, bergamot and verbena to evoke the sun-kissed region of Provence.
Unlike the other Eau creations, Eau de Guerlain cannot be combined with your usual fragrance, as it has the trail and hold of an Eau Fraîche.
On special order, the iconic Bee bottle can also be used to hold your usual fragrance.


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Senate blocks Watt nomination
Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked the nomination of Rep. Mel Watt to be the regulator of taxpayer-owned mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, despite a renewed effort by the administration to pressure GOP senators to get behind President Barack Obama's choice to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
Many Senate Republicans said they oppose Watt (D-N.C.) because someone with more experience in mortgage finance, not a politician, should run the agency. Democrats have dismissed such concerns, arguing Watt has been deeply involved in housing issues during more than 20 years in Congress.
The Senate voted 56-42 against advancing Watt's nomination; 60 votes were needed to limit debate and proceed to a vote on the nomination.
The White House, consumer advocates and some industry leaders tried to build support for Watt this week, arguing the agency needs a confirmed director as Congress begins working on legislation to get rid of Fannie and Freddie and put in place a new mortgage finance system.
( Also on POLITICO: Nomination drama returns to Senate)
This effort didn't work and it's unclear what would lead Republicans to later support Watt. Democrats could hold more votes in hopes of pressuring some moderate Republicans and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said he plans to do so "at some point in the very near future."
Sens. Richard Burr of North Carolina and Rob Portman of Ohio were the only two Republicans to vote in favor of the nomination.
"The concerns I've always had is to be sure we're not going to overreach again and put taxpayers at risk, and I got assurances that that would not be the approach that he would take," Portman said following the vote.
Senate Democrats said they would continue to try to get Watt confirmed.
"It is not a secret that this vote was pure obstructionist politics at play," Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) said in a statement. He added: "This is not the end for Congressman Watt's nomination, and I will continue to fight to see that he is confirmed."
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Watt faces a time crunch of his own, however, as far as his plans are concerned. If he wants to run for reelection, the filing deadline in North Carolina is Feb. 28.
"I do not plan to withdraw as the nominee for the position and remain hopeful that we will prevail when the motion for reconsideration is taken up in the Senate," Watt said in a statement.
The Senate vote angered some of Watt's longtime Democratic colleagues in the House and members of the Congressional Black Caucus who have been pushing for his confirmation.
"I think it's a bit disappointing, and that's as kind as I can be," said Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) who was on the Senate floor during the vote.
Homeowner advocacy groups have pressed the White House to push Watt's nomination because they argue FHFA's current leader, acting director Edward DeMarco, has not embraced a program that could aid borrowers who are having trouble making mortgage payments by reducing their loan balances.
DeMarco is popular with Republicans, one reason they are not eager to see him replaced.
What the White House will do if Watt's nomination remains in limbo is unclear.
"It is enormously disappointing that Republicans would filibuster the nomination of such a highly qualified nominee," White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters.
The administration could nominate Sandra Thompson, one of DeMarco's deputies, or Moody's Analytics Chief Economist Mark Zandi, who was considered for the nomination earlier in the year, according to a source. Obama could also choose to promote Thompson to acting director.
Thompson enjoys the backing of some homeowner advocates, who believe she may be open to expanding homeowner assistance programs, and Republicans would have a hard time arguing she doesn't have the needed expertise to run the agency. She currently oversees policy and market analysis at the FHFA and previously spent 23 years at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
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"We've spent so much time at the White House prior to them naming a nominee, asking them to please not appoint a politician, please appoint a technocrat," said Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.). "We know it's going to be a Democrat technocrat, but please appoint your technocrat, OK?"
The White House could consider using a recess appointment to place Watt in the job, but there are potential legal drawbacks to that approach. A court ruling earlier this year has raised questions about when the president can make a recess appointment and the Supreme Court plans to consider the case.
If Watt is appointed through a recess appointment and it is later invalidated by the courts, it could open FHFA to a series of legal challenges based on actions taken while Watt was at the helm.
The FHFA has been without a confirmed director since James Lockhart left the post in August 2009. DeMarco, Lockhart's deputy, took over as acting director and has overseen Fannie and Freddie as they return to profitability.
Fannie and Freddie were taken over by the government in September 2008 at the height of the financial crisis and have received $188 billion in taxpayer bailouts.
But with the housing market recovering, Fannie and Freddie are now churning out profits that go straight to the government. So far, they have sent $145 billion back to the Treasury.
Watt is the second Obama FHFA nominee to be scuttled by Republican opposition.
Former North Carolina banking commissioner Joseph Smith withdrew from the running in January 2011 after Republicans threatened to block a vote on his nomination, saying they didn't want an administration "lapdog" overseeing Fannie and Freddie.
Reid Epstein contributed to this report.