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5/9/2013 – JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) — Base identification card issuing offices will no longer be able to manually correct or update certain types of personnel information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, Air Force Personnel Center officials said May 9.
DEERS is the system used to enroll Airmen and their eligible family members for an identification card and associated benefits such as medical and dental care, federal installation access and access to installation facilities such as the commissary or exchange.
DEERS updates are required for major life events that change an Airman's status, including marriage, divorce, birth or death of a dependent, promotion, reenlistment, extension, retirement, separation or unit transfer to another branch of service or agency. Personnel specialists use the Real-time Automated Personnel Identification System to update DEERS.
In past, RAPIDS customer service representatives could manually update or correct members' DEERS information. Now, access to member citizenship, date of birth, gender, social security number, name, service dates, civilian or contractor employment dates, Air National Guard or Reserve activation periods and member separation transition benefit information is locked down. The lockdown does not affect dependent family member record information that needs to be updated.
"Members' DEERS records are established and updated by an authoritative data feed directly from a personnel source like AFPC or the Air Reserve Personnel Center. If information about a member that feeds into DEERS is wrong, the ID card issuing office can't fix that. Only the office of primary responsibility for that information can correct it," said Ed Yoder, the AFPC DEERS/RAPIDS operations branch assistant chief.
For example, if a member's reenlistment date is wrong, the reenlistments office must correct it. If the social security number in DEERS is wrong or a member becomes an American citizen after the DEERS record is established, he or she will need help from the Total Force Service Center to verify information in the personnel data system.
"If you have incorrect or outdated information in your DEERS record and it is locked down, your first step is to contact the origin of the information and work with them to correct it. Once it's corrected in the personnel data system, it will flow to DEERS and be updated," Yoder said.
Typical OPRs include military reenlistment, separation and retirement offices, or the civilian human resource office, or the contractor trusted agent. Airmen who don't know the appropriate OPR for specific information should go to the myPers website, Yoder said.
"Once your record is updated, you can check the corrections or updates online at the eMilConnect website," Yoder said. "Depending on the nature of the correction, Airmen may need to get a new ID card, so keep an eye on your records."
Retired military members who need a DEERS update or correction can submit a request to AFPC, Yoder said. Once AFPC completes the correction action, an Air Force Form 281, Notification of Change in Service Member's Official Records, is filed in the retired member's military record and the member's documents are returned.
For more information on DEERS updates and other personnel issues, visit the myPers website at https://mypers.af.mil and enter "21534" or "DEERS Record Correction" in the search window.


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Springfield firefighters have some new rescue tools in their trucks that could be good news to four-legged fire victims.
Springfield firefighters have some new rescue tools in their trucks that could be good news to four-legged fire victims.
On Wednesday, the Illinois Capitol Kennel Club announced the donation of oxygen masks specially designed to fit over the muzzle of a dog or a cat. The hope is that firefighters will be able to use the masks to revive a pet that has been rescued from a house fire.
"Quite often, one of the first things we hear when we pull up to a fire is that there is a pet inside," said Springfield Fire Chief John Kulek. "I can remember a half-dozen calls over the years when we actually pulled out our oxygen and air masks and tried to put oxygen on a pet."
Until now, the problem has been that the only masks available to firefighters have been designed for people, and it has been impossible to get a tight seal over a dog's muzzle.
The new masks come in three sizes and are designed to fit pets.
"These masks are going to give the best delivery of oxygen and provide them the best chance for survival. It's something we haven't had before," Kulek said.
Steve Hayden, president of the Illinois Capitol Kennel Club, said his group decided to donate the equipment after seeing a news report of firefighters trying to revive dogs using masks designed for people.
The cost was $1,100 to $1,200. The club bought about 15 sets of three animal masks, which means there will be enough for every fire engine and fire truck in Springfield.
Kulek said the department will use the masks only on animals it has rescued from fires. The fire department will not respond to calls about injured or ill animals.
"We are not in the business of making calls to people's homes for pet medical calls. (These new masks) are for pets rescued from structure fires," Kulek said.
John Reynolds can be reached at 788-1524 or email@example.com.

subset: commoncrawl


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Levels Of Detail is a group blog written lovingly for you by the members of Mefight Club. It is administered by your genial host stavrosthewonderchicken.
Per Rotato Ad Astra
We're a somewhat-mature, mostly-good-looking, almost-entirely-funloving group of people who started off with Metafilter membership and a fondness for gaming in common. Now, more than 8 years later, we share much, much more. Legal restrictions and a sense of propriety prohibit me from enumeration of details, but barbecue, baked goods, and astonishing centrifugal kitchen technology have all played roles in the Binding.
We hope you like our words and pictures. We made just them for you!
Mefight Club has no ongoing relationship, formal or informal, proprietary, business-related, emotional, physical or spiritual, with Ludic Research Laboratories. We recommend that you don't either.
Screw those guys.
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Last year, slightly more books written by women were published in Canada than books written by men.
You'd never have known that by reading book reviews in Canada's two national newspapers or seven of 12 of Canada's best-known, literary-focused magazines.
Not only were more male authors' books reviewed, two-thirds of the reviewers passing judgment on the books were men.
The data, compiled by Canadian Women in the Literary Arts, isn't so much surprising as disappointing.
It's not that 2011 was an anomaly in terms of the number of books by female authors being published. For the past three years, CWILA found that publishers have printed books written by men and women in near-equal numbers.
There is no data on reviews and reviewers for the two previous years. CWILA hasn't had time. It was only formed in April after University B.C instructor Gillian Jerome gathered some female writers, poets, academics and critics on a Facebook page and started asking questions about women's presence in literary magazines and on newspaper books pages.
It quickly grew into an email listserv of 70 or so and they resolved to begin the count.
The results were released last week online at www.cwila.com.
The worst of the bunch was Walrus, a magazine that publishes both reviews and fiction. Only 23 per cent of its reviews were of books by female authors. Among newspapers, 33 per cent of books reviewed in the National Post were written by women, while 40 per cent of reviewed books in the Globe and Mail were.
(The Vancouver Sun wasn't included in the count, but books editor Tracy Sherlock did her own audit of the books pages in The Sun since Jan. 1 and found 48 reviews of books by women and 47 by men. Sherlock herself reviewed 11 books by men and 13 by women. "I think I'm just lucky, though," she said. "I wasn't consciously trying to be so balanced.")
CWILA's findings mirror the results of similar research done in the United States by a group called VIDA (www.vidaweb.org/the-count).
But both the Canadian and American findings also fit a historical pattern of female writers being under-represented in literary anthologies and in curricula from elementary school to university.
And even though there are now more women writing and more women working in almost every field, the under-representation of women in literary discourse remains.
Why does it matter?
The arts — written, visual and performing arts — almost always lead the way to social change. It's in the arts where taboos are first broken, ideas first publicly expressed and different perspectives examined.
Women's voices, thoughts, stories and experiences need to be heard to gain a better understanding of society as a whole and to move forward toward more equal and compassionate countries and communities.
Clearly, women's voices are published. But those voices are muted if the books aren't reviewed.
Crassly put, reviews boost sales.
Few of us buy a book or take it out of the library without getting a recommendation.
Sometimes, we'll trust the judgment of friends. But it's more likely that we'll read reviews before we invest money and time.
There is no more dramatic example of how influential reviews can be than the now-defunct Oprah's Book Club.
A Fordham University professor estimated that 69 books sold 55 million copies after they'd been recommended by TV diva Oprah Winfrey. Book sales often rose so high, so fast that publishers couldn't print copies fast enough.
For writers, higher sales mean possibly snagging a spot on a bestseller list. Not only do higher sales mean more money and a wider audience, best-selling authors are more likely to find a publisher for their next book.
Obviously, CWILA members hope their research will prompt editors to review more books written by women and have more women reviewing all books (not just those written by women or about women).
The members are being proactive not only by doing the survey, but by offering a $2,000 stipend to a critic-in-residence, who will write critical essays or book reviews and submit them to Canadian publications throughout 2013.
Already, CWILA's data has resulted in more than 4,000 individual hits on its website with comments coming mainly from women, but also from men. Most of the comments are from Canada, but have also come from Kazakhstan, Iceland, Mexico, Serbia and Britain.
"This is a conversation, not confrontation," Jerome said.
The point isn't to ignite bitter debate, embarrass editors and publishers or set women against men.
In this so-called post-feminist world, it's about restarting the discussion about how women can fully participate in both literary society and the world beyond.


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Looking for Unique Christmas Images?
Do you find yourself producing more visuals than usual during Advent? Is your church producing slide presentations, bulletins, flyers advertising a Christmas program, and the like? Are you sending out Christmas cards and letters? Do you ever find yourself looking for unique Christmas images to include in all these documents and presentations?
You can do a Google image search and find some nice images, but it can be a lot of work separating the wheat from the chaff. When you do manage to find the perfect image, it is often too small and low-resolution to be usable.
For that reason, I have long relied on Accordance resources like Bible Art for high-quality Christmas images. If you were to look back at my family Christmas letters over the past several years, you would see them adorned with quite a few images from that one module. Last year we added the Christmas Classics module with some additional Christmas images. And of course, an image search of your entire Accordance library can turn up additional images in unexpected places.
One relatively new resource which I plan to mine for images in upcoming years is Historic Views of the Holy Land: The American Colony and Eric Matson Collection. This massive collection of photographs from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries offers views of Israel that you just don't see today, and many of those photographs actually reenact biblical scenes. For example, a simple search for Bethlehem turned up the following images reminiscent of the shepherds:
…and the magi:
…and the birth of Jesus:
How cool are those? There are many more images which illustrate the Christmas story, and countless others which illustrate other biblical narratives. It's really an incredible resource.
If you're looking for unique and high-quality images to adorn your various projects this Advent, you'll find Bible Art, Christmas Classics, and especially the Historic Views of the Holy Land collection extremely helpful.


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GEOslant with Andrew Berardini: The Legend of Georgia Fee
Georgia Fee has been and will forever be the most important person in my professional life.
I owe all these words, and all the words that come after these to a woman I had the happy accident to meet one day on Craigslist. I love that lady and miss her painfully.
Every trenchant phrase and heartfelt plea, every joke and every song, every review and every poem has Georgia's fingerprints on them.
She gave me something more valuable than even time or money to a young writer (though she fiercely gave me and many, many others those too), she gave me faith. She believed in me, in my crazy vision for art writing to stop being bullshit descriptions wanly given and instead to start aspiring to literature. She believed that levity, humor, and accessibility, alongside depth and aesthetics, were fundamental values. She gifted me a freedom I've only ever had to fight for.
Though I write the words "professional life," my profession, this vocation is not so easily separated from "life": alone, naked and unfettered by qualifiers. Professional is a bit of a misnomer besides. Writers and artists are not lawyers. We act with ethics and honesty, but we are not professionals. We abjure efficiency and seek instead the solace of beauty, no matter how crooked and circuitous the route. We are passionate to really say something and despite all economic encouragements to the contrary, we still push on.
Georgia always understood that artists and writers are punks, pirates, rebels, lovers, poets, drunks, maudlin and effusive, all too sensitive to the slings and arrows of a harsh world.
Ours is a gang of three-legged kittens.
Georgia created through the force of her will and her love of all misfit wanderers and artful dreamers a little sanctuary from the cold, it is this sanctuary that made me. I yearn in my life to extend her grace to as many as who are willing to take shelter in it. She was one of our own. We were hers.
She too was a three-legged kitten, a dreamer, a wanderer, a punk, a lover, a poet.
She too was an artist.
Editor's Note: With these last words of remembrance for Georgia Fee we will be bringing the GEOslant blog to a close. It will remain as an archive of Georgia's own writing and that of the writers she supported.
(Image on top: Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Untitled (Last Light), 1993, Twenty-four light bulbs, plastic light sockets, extension cord, and dimmer switch; Courtesy Walker Art Center.)
The website will be permanently closed shortly, so please retrieve any content you wish to save.


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Another year has gone by and it is time once again for the Backpacking Light staff to list their favorite gear. This year our picks are all over the board with only one item repeated – the Light My Fire Firesteel. Shelters is a favorite category with eight different shelters listed. Stoves, packs and poles were common choices with three selections each. The most unusual item is from Don Wilson – the venerable and well-loved potato chip in a can – Pringles.
This isn't an "Editor's Choice" or formal endorsement, just a list of gear we like.
Here are our previous picks for your enjoyment: 2005 Backpacking Light Staff Picks and 2004 Backpacking Light Staff Picks.
Enjoy – and don't forget to add your own 2006 favorites in the forum below. —Your BPL Eds
|Backpacking Light Staff Member
|Favorite Pieces of Gear
|Ryan Jordan
|Backpacking Light SUL Long Handled Titanium Spoon
|Bushbuddy Ultra Wood Stove
|Light My Fire Firestarting Tool and Spark-Lite Tinder-Quik Firestarting Tabs
|Carol Crooker
|Oware Alphamid
|Outdoor Research PL Base Gloves
|RailRiders Adventure Top
|Alan Dixon
|Inov-8 Roc-Lite 285 Shoes
|Outdoor Research Zealot Rain Jacket
|Trail Designs Caldera Cone Alcohol Stove System
|Ken Knight
|Komperdell C3 Duolock Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles
|Light My Fire Firesteel
|Pacific Outdoor Equipment Max Compact 3/4 Sleeping Pad
|Roger Caffin
|Darn Tough Vermont Socks
|Snow Peak GST100 stove
|Therm-a-Rest Deluxe LE
|Rick Dreher
|Garmin Legend Cx GPS
|Patagonia Strider T-Shirt
|REI Sahara Convertible Pants
|Jay Ham
|Black Diamond Mega Light Pyramid Tent
|Homemade Spinnaker Tarp
|MontBell Versalite 20 Pack
|Doug Johnson
|Bozeman Mountain Works STIX PRO
|Gossamer Gear / Tarptent Squall Classic
|Jacks 'R' Better No Sniveler Quilt
|Mike Martin
|Bozeman Mountain Works Stealth 1 NANO (7×9) Catenary Ridgeline Tarp
|Gossamer Gear Lightrek Poles
|Marmot Ion Windshirt
|Will Rietveld
|Mountain Laurel Designs Prophet Pack
|Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape
|Tarptent Contrail
|Alison Simon
|Haglöfs LIM Ultimate Jacket
|MontBell UL Down Inner Half-Sleeve Jacket
|Andrew Skurka
|Bozeman Mountain Works NANO X-LITE Lightweight Backpacking Tarp
|GoLite Jam2 Pack
|Photon Micro Freedom 1-LED Light
|Don Wilson
|Coolibar Fingerless Gloves
|Western Mountaineering Summerlite Sleeping Bag
Ryan Jordan, Publisher – Bozeman, Montana
|Backpacking Light SUL Long Handled Titanium Spoon
Backpacking Light Store
|I know, I'm a total geek when it comes to flatware. But not only was I excited about designing a new version of the long handled titanium spoon, but also about using it in the field, knowing that its 0.39 ounce weight was lighter than my old mini-spoon or Lexan spork! The SUL Long Handled Titanium Spoon fits my style perfectly: it's not so ultra-durable that I can ignore how I treat it, but it preserves all the functionality of its heavier brother, which weighs a whopping 0.2 ounces more.
|Bushbuddy Ultra Wood Stove
|This year, I fell in love (again) with woodfire cooking. After having the opportunity to review a whole suite of wood stoves, I found the Bushbuddy to fit my needs the best. I worked with Fritz of Bushbuddy to create an ultralight version of his stove for a trek to Alaska in June, and the result was a terrific blend of beautiful aesthetics, light weight and solid performance.
|Light My Fire Firestarting Tool and Spark-Lite Tinder-Quik Firestarting Tabs
Backpacking Light Store
|I'm a huge fan of the Spark-Lite firestarter. But, combined with my preferred style of cooking (with wood, see above), I prefer a more robust firestarter that delivers a shower of sparks in the worst conditions. The Light My Fire Firestarting Tool fits the bill, and the Tinder-Quik Firestarting Tabs (a petroleum-impregnated cotton firestarter) readily ignite even when wet. This combination has never, ever failed me in the field, after hundreds of fires in wet conditions.
Carol Crooker, Editor-in-Chief – Phoenix, Arizona
|Oware Alphamid
|Pyramid tarps are great for use on snow. The tall opening is easy to get through even bundled in warm clothing and there is enough headroom to change clothes without brushing the top. Floorless silnylon pyramid tarps are very light and offer all kinds of snow sculpting options for creating a palace under the roof. The Alphamid goes one better – it's a pyramid tarp cut in half. This 20 ounce shelter has plenty of room inside for one person and gear on a winter trip.
|Outdoor Research PL Base Gloves
|These gloves weigh so little, I don't mind stuffing them in my pack even on SuperUltraLight trips. They are thin enough that I can perform almost any camp chore with them on and, unlike thin wool liner gloves I've worn, the finger tips haven't worn through. My gloves are a few years old and made of polyester. Most likely the current polypropylene models will perform as well my older style gloves.
|RailRiders Adventure Top
|I wear the Adventure Top on all of my warm weather backpacking trips (unless I'm testing another shirt). It is the simplest and lightest (6.1 ounces) sun shirt I've found. The CoolMax side vents let in the slightest breeze, while the tough Supplex nylon protects me from thorns and even mosquitoes to some extent (assisted by the loose fit). Although the RailRiders Eco-Mesh shirt (made famous by adventure racers) is simpler still, I prefer the Adventure Top because the cuffs add enough length to the men's medium to cover my wrists when I'm using trekking poles (my sleeve length is 32 inches). The buttons haven't failed after three years of wear and the button up front placket is a tad warmer for evening wear than the Velcro closure on the Eco-Mesh.
Alan Dixon, Senior Technical Editor – Washington, D.C.
|Inov-8 Roc-Lite 285 Shoes
|In the past I've used F-Lite 300s and Terrocs, but the new Roc-Lite 285s are lighter, more flexible, and have better grip. I particularly like the precise (snugger) fit of their "performance" last, the anatomic form used to construct shoes. The Roc-Lite 285s have the best grip and trail feel of any shoe I've used. This is especially true for soft, muddy, rocky or otherwise treacherous terrain. They are my favorite shoes for going out with a light pack where I might jog sections of a trail. The only downside of the 285's is that the tread is a bit squirmy and doesn't wear as well for long stretches of very hard surfaces (like rock or tarmac) as the F-Lite 300's. I now alternate between the Roc-Lite 285s and F-Lite 300s depending on the trip and trail conditions, but take the 285s more often than not.
|Outdoor Research Zealot Rain Jacket
|The Zealot has been my primary rain shell for the last couple of years. It was my choice for three weeks of backpacking on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, an area that receives over 250 days and 300 inches of rain per year. The weather lived up to its reputation and I never regretted my choice. Outdoor Research makes intelligent decisions about which features to include but still keeps weight around 7 ounces – competitive with the lightest rain jackets on the market. The Zealot has breathable and durable Gore-Tex PacLite fabric, a full length zipper for ventilation and easy doffing and donning, a generous size that layers over garments, and a single chest pocket that can be accessed with the pack on. I don't miss hand pockets or vents and leaving them out saves weight and removes two potential sources for leaks. The hood is adequate but with limited adjustments and a shorter than average brim. I find that my normal habit of wearing a billed cap under the hood easily fixes this.
|Trail Designs Caldera Cone Alcohol Stove System
|I was torn between including the Bushbuddy wood burning stove or Caldera alcohol stove but I mostly camp where fires are prohibited so… Think of the Caldera Cone Stove System as an alcohol version of the JetBoil without the weight penalty! The Caldera windscreen/pot support and stove weigh only 2 ounces. I have done precision testing of the Caldera and it is the most fuel efficient and wind resistant alcohol stove I've used. It's more efficient in wind than many alcohol stoves in still air. The stove needs no priming, lights easily and works well in below freezing conditions. The Caldera maintains its fuel efficiency even with small solo cooking pots like the Anti Gravity Gear 3 Cup Pot or even a SnowPeak 600 ml mug. The key to this performance is the Caldera cone windscreen/pot support that is precisely fitted to your pot. The cone retains heat and distributes it to the entire pot surface (except lid) for optimal energy transfer. The Cone also provides good wind protection and makes the stove easy to light even in blustery weather. Finally, the Cone system is so stable that it is almost impossible to knock over – just light the stove, put the pot on, and forget about it. The only potential downside of the Trail Designs Cone system is longer boil times (6 to 8 min for 1 pint of water at 70 F depending on altitude, and a bit longer with wind). This is a byproduct of its fuel efficient stove burner. I use two versions of the Trail Designs Caldera Cone Stove System. For solo trips I use the Anti Gravity Gear 3 Cup Pot version. For couple's trips, my wife and I use the larger 1.3 liter Evernew system. I look forward to using the Caldera cone with Backpacking Light's new line of light and minimal titanium pots. The combination of a stove, windscreen, 1.3 liter pot and lid combination may come in under 6 ounces.
Ken Knight, Production Editor – Ann Arbor, Michigan
|Komperdell C3 Duolock Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles
|At 5.6 ounces per pole (women's model; men's is 6.1 ounces per pole) I have come to really appreciate these three-segment collapsible poles. Their versatility more than offsets the somewhat increased weight of these poles over single-segment poles for me. They have proven to be sturdy and capable of taking the all-around abuse I tend to dish out on poles especially when descending even modest hills. My hands have yet to feel tired when using these poles.
|Light My Fire Firesteel
Backpacking Light Store
|In 2005 I listed the Spark-Lite as one of my favorites. The Light My Fire Firesteel has replaced the Spark-Lite for my fire-starting needs even though it is a bit heavier at 1.1 ounces (32 grams). It throws out many more sparks and is easy to work with even when the temperature starts to drop – which is not the case with the Spark-Lite which is hard to flick when your fingers are cold.
|Pacific Outdoor Equipment Max Compact 3/4 Sleeping Pad
|The Max Compact is not the lightest sleeping pad on the market, but for me it is important to have a good night's sleep and this pad helps to deliver that. It weighs 14 ounces but its glorious 2.5 inch thick stature makes sleeping on any ground a dream. While I would strongly hesitate to take this pad on a winter camping trip I have slept on it when the temperature has dropped into the mid-20s and been quite happy with the results. For a sound night's slumber I am more than willing to pay the near half pound penalty I incur by not using a basic closed-cell foam pad.
Roger Caffin, Cooking & Hydration Systems Section Editor – Sydney, Australia
|Darn Tough Vermont Socks
|I have some research background in textile physics and I know a little about knitting. There are several good brands of walking socks on the market, including some very well-known ones, but these Darn Tough Vermont socks are in a class of their own. The knitting is twice as fine as used by the competition, and this makes the inner pile on the socks unbelievably rugged. After our initial experiences with testing these socks my wife and I bought several more pairs each. Truth to tell, most of mine are still sitting in the drawer in their original packaging: my first pair has yet to wear out. And they get really hammered.
|Snow Peak GST100 stove
|This is one of those iconic stoves: people who have one swear by them for their light weight of just 79 grams (2.79 ounces) and their utter reliability. OK, it's an upright stove, so you don't use it in the snow, but elsewhere it is a dream. You can get a piezo-ignitor attachment for it, but I have never bothered. I just use a Bic. It comes with a rugged plastic case but I don't use that as it is just extra weight. Instead I wrap the stove up in a sock and store it in my pot. At first it had a bit of hysterisis in the valve action, but after many years I stripped the valve down, cleaned and lubricated the O-rings with silicone grease, and it has been ultra-smooth ever since. It's powerful, but it also simmers superbly.
|Therm-a-Rest Deluxe LE
|It's OK for teenagers to sleep on a 1/2-inch foam mat, but it's a long time since I was that young, and a good night's sleep is very important for both my wife and I. This means an airmat, and a bit more thickness too. Once we get into the snow country the extra insulation value of a thick airmat also counts. I can sleep on mine with a quilt over me on snow and be warm underneath. They are 3/4 length, a whole 50 mm (2 in) thick, and weigh only 780 grams (27.5 ounces). OK, they are not SuperUltraLight, but the trade-off between weight and comfort is one we make without hesitation. We bought these self-inflating air mats many years ago, and sadly they are no longer available. I wish Therm-a-Rest would bring them back into production.
Rick Dreher, Lighting and Navigation Systems Section Editor – Sacramento, California
|Garmin Legend Cx GPS
|Even More About Where I Am: I knew this GPS was different when upon first powering it up, it located me inside my house upon waking from the long slumber that began in Taiwan. This implied sensitivity becomes reality in the woods, where the Legend CX kept the track where my other receivers would not (think heavy forest cover and tight mountain canyons). The bright color screen helps me discern relevant detail from map clutter and completing the performance trifecta, is excellent battery life that can eke out a week from a single set of lithiums or half a week from rechargeables (specification is 35 hours). At home, the USB connection means fast data transfer and also allows the PC to power the unit. Base topographical maps can be uploaded from a computer or added instantly by plugging in a microSD card, preloaded with a region map (surely the most expensive hiking accessory per pound, ever). While I've yet to figure how to use most of its countless features, the Garmin's sensitivity, color screen, base maps and navigation aids make it a powerful trail tool without even reading the book.
Weight: 6 ounces; MSRP: $300.
|Patagonia Strider T-Shirt
|Polyester Bliss: Consider the humble trail shirt mundane, but to find one that works well is a worthy quest. This Patagonia Strider is an all-polyester knit that doesn't pill or fuzz underneath repeated packstrap wear, ventilates well, dries quickly and to my nose at least, doesn't reek after a week on the trail (given the occasional rinse-and-wring). Raglan sleeves and flat stitching minimize bruising from seams and it's long enough to stay tucked in. Not many pieces of clothing go with me whether it's freezing or sweltering or raining, but this shirt does.
Weight: 5.8 ounces, size large; MSRP: $40.
|REI Sahara Convertible Pants
|Count the Pockets: I generally find it a good idea to wear pants with my favorite trail shirt. For several years this has meant REI Sahara Convertible pants, of which I've used at least three generations. My latest are the first I've considered "best in show." They're comfortable, light and tough enough for all but the most ghoulish bushwhacking. They FIT, because REI now makes them in different inseam lengths, meaning no more high-water trail pants. They've got pockets aplenty – six – two of which zip closed and one that includes a small stash pocket. Okay, seven pockets. The zip-off legs also have vertical zips so they can come off or on while wearing shoes. The elastic waistband is paired with a webbing belt, but isn't so bulky that it bunches up beneath a backpack waist belt. The fabric breathes well and sheds minor moisture, and when they do get wet they dry quickly. If I rinse them out and hang them up overnight, they're usually dry the next morning, ready to go. They're my first choice most of the year.
Weight: 13.2 ounces, men's medium 34-inch inseam; MSRP: $55.
Jay Ham, Make Your Own Gear Section Editor – Flagstaff, Arizona
|Black Diamond Mega Light Pyramid Tent
|The Black Diamond Mega Light is my favorite family backpacking tarp/tent. It's roomy enough for the four of us and only 6.1 ounces per person (1 pounds 8.4 ounces total weight without stakes or pole). I use my trekking poles, tied together, for the center pole and carry homemade titanium stakes (4.0 ounces) to keep the weight as low as possible. My kids like the alternating two colored silnylon construction because it looks like a circus tent. When backpacking with small children, this is the only way to go!
|Homemade Spinnaker Tarp
Backpacking Light
|I recently made this tarp for a Make Your Own Gear (MYOG) series on creating your own SUL kit (pack, tarp, and stuff sack) out of 5 yards of spinnaker sailcloth. The tarp has become one of my favorites. I designed it with large overhangs on the front and rear to protect from driving rain. It's also fairly wide for a solo tarp and has a catenary ridgeline for a taut setup. The best part is the weight; 6.3 ounces! Look for the do-it-yourself article next week.
|MontBell Versalite 20 Pack
|MontBell's Versalite 20 is designed as an adult pack, but the small volume and light weight (11.5 ounces) make it an excellent multi-day pack for my two girls. They both carry a Bozeman Mountain Works TorsoLite, Marmot Hydrogen, MontBell Thermawrap Action jacket (size XS), change of clothes, emergency rain poncho, and small toilet kit in their Versalite's 1220 cubic inch volume. The Versalite has a wrap around back pocket the girls use to stow unneeded clothing, and a top pocket where they keep loose stuff. The torso length is admittedly a little long, but we keep the total weight under 6 pounds so the hipbelt is unnecessary.
Doug Johnson, Trekking Systems Section Editor – Redmond, Washington
|Bozeman Mountain Works STIX PRO
Backpacking Light Store
|At $280 ($238 for subscribers), these things are wicked expensive. But nothing translates to trail distance like a set of high-zoot trekking poles. And these are it – super light, the stiffest out there, and plenty durable. The STIX PRO are the Maserati of trekking poles.
|Gossamer Gear / Tarptent Squall Classic
|At just 1.5 pounds for a two-person shelter with a bathtub floor, the Squall Classic is an excellent blend of the best attributes of old and new Tarptent designs and constructed with ultralight fabrics. Add in Fibraplex poles and you've got the lightest two-person tent in the world!
|Jacks 'R' Better No Sniveler Quilt
|This bag is a super-versatile GEM! You can use it in a tent or a hammock, hang it under a hammock, or add a hood and arms for a super-warm down serape! Sure, I get some giggles, but I am warm and toasty – both around camp and while snoozing!
Mike Martin, Sleep Systems Section Editor, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
|Bozeman Mountain Works Stealth 1 NANO (7×9) Catenary Ridgeline Tarp
Backpacking Light Store
|For years, I hiked with a 7 ounce, 5 foot by 8 foot silnylon tarp and put up with its idiosyncrasies as what I thought was the cost of going lightweight. I accepted the fact that I would routinely have to re-tension the pitch as the fabric sagged from moisture at night. In windblown rain, I would put a rain shell over the end of my bag to keep the spray from coming in the ends of the tarp while grumbling that it must have been originally designed to fit Hobbits. Then I discovered the Stealth 1 NANO Tarp. At 5 ounces, it's 30% lighter than my old tarp. The fabric doesn't stretch when wet, so I don't have to adjust the pitch in the middle of the night. And finally, with its 9 foot length, it's actually large enough for me to spread out (with my gear) and keep everything dry.
|Gossamer Gear Lightrek Poles
|Except when I'm on skis, I don't need a 20 ounce pair of poles. Depending on length, the Gossamer Gear Lightrek poles weigh only 5 ounces per pair! At this weight, the exotic grip, shock absorber, and strap designs prevalent in beefier poles become moot. The Lightreks are virtually weightless in your hands and swing effortlessly with a slight flick of your wrist, while the natural flex of the carbon fiber shaft absorbs shock. Sure, they are not as rugged as heavier poles – I certainly wouldn't take them skiing or mountaineering. But for balance on the trail, and shelter supports in camp, you can't beat them.
|Marmot Ion Windshirt
|This is my favorite windshirt by far. The Pertex Quantum shell offers a superb balance of breathability, light weight, compressibility, and durability. The full-zip offers ventilation options that make the shell usable over a broader range of conditions than pullover styles. The hood provides instantly available added warmth when needed. All this comes in a 3.2 ounce package (size large). Act fast if you want one with a Quantum shell; rumor has it that Marmot will switch to another fabric in 2007.
Will Rietveld, Packing & Shelter Systems Section Editor – Durango, Colorado
|Mountain Laurel Designs Prophet Pack
|For ultralight backpacking, I find the frameless Mountain Laurel Designs Prophet backpack (6.1 ounces, 2600 cubic inches, $125) to be just right. In size Large, the Prophet is small and light enough to use for SuperUltraLight trips but has enough volume to easily handle multi-day ultralight backpacking trips with a 5-8 pound base weight. And it works equally well for overnight or week-long trips. Standard features on the Prophet are a waist strap, sternum strap, bottle holders, and a bungee attachment system, and all are detachable. I especially like its fit and comfort, large front mesh pocket, bottle holders, and optional sternum pouch to keep a bunch of smaller items handy. Mountain Laurel Designs is presently redesigning their gear line and production methods, so expect a few changes when the Prophet packs reappear in 2007.
|Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape
|The Gatewood Cape (11.6 ounces, $110) is a poncho/shelter that triples as rainwear, pack cover, and shelter. It functions a bit better than an ordinary poncho because it has a full front zipper, and it provides a much better shelter than a poncho/tarp. Actually, the shelter is much like the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo, but without the mesh entry and floor. I like to camp in the alpine zone above timberline, and find a poncho/tarp is a little too skimpy for shelter in wind-driven rain. The Gatewood Cape meets my needs. It weighs a little more than a minimalist poncho tarp, but the extra shelter is worth it, and I don't have to carry a sleeping bag cover. I weathered a lot of storms under the Gatewood, including a 6-day trip where it rained almost continually and I used the Cape day and night. In using the Gatewood, my preference is to use a second trekking pole (or stick) to extend the front of the Cape to create a large beak for extra coverage, and also to provide more headroom.
|Tarptent Contrail
|The Contrail is the newest addition to Tarptent's growing lineup, and this one really shows the benefits of years of Tarptent innovation and refinement. At 24.6 ounces with floor ($199) and 20.5 ounces without floor ($169), the Contrail is Tarptent's lightest tent, and almost matches the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo for the honor of lightest single wall one-person floored shelter. The Contrail is the most versatile one-person tent I know of. It uses a trekking pole in front and has a convenience setup mode for fair weather and a bomber setup mode for more severe conditions. In bomber mode, the rear of the tent will flatten to the ground and the front beak can be extended to provide more vestibule space and allow the mesh entry door to remain open. It is the most condensation resistant single wall tent I have tested to date. I have weathered some wild rain and snow storms in the Contrail, and it has become a close friend.
Alison Simon, Editorial Assistant – Washington, D.C.
|Haglöfs LIM Ultimate Jacket
|Over the past few years, it seems like I can count on one hand the number of days I've gone backpacking and not run into foul weather. Fortunately it's almost always been rain. This gave me numerous opportunities to test rain jackets. And after testing rain jacket after rain jacket, I always say the same thing, "I miss my Haglös." The Haglöfs LIM, at 8.8 ounces uses a breathable and light Gore-Tex PacLite Matrix shell. It has an excellent fully featured hood (three drawcord adjustments) and a stiffened brim that most times does not require a hat underneath (although it works fine with a hat as well). One chest pocket is just enough to keep small things readily available. But my favorite parts of the jacket are the thumb loops. With the thumb-looped-end of the sleeves over my hands I usually don't need my gloves and I don't have the warmest hands. Finally, the jacket has a long hem that goes below my butt and over the top of my legs. Unfortunately Haglöfs is still not distributing their products in the US. The closest place to get one is from a UK stockist.
|MontBell UL Down Inner Half-Sleeve Jacket
|My metabolism runs cold so I love everything down. MontBell's new UL Down Inner Half Sleeve Jacket is a light solution to keep me warm in camp or at a trail stop. With 800 fill power down and a very light windproof 15 denier ballistic nylon shell it weighs only 6 ounces. I was skeptical of a short sleeved jacket but it has been warm and cozy on every fall trip this year – as warm as some jackets I own but lighter. The short sleeves trap warm air from escaping, unlike a vest where heat escapes out the sleeveless arm holes. Two hand warmer pockets keep my hands warmer than most gloves I own. The UL Down Inner Half-Sleeve Jacket eliminates the most damage prone part of any ultralight down jacket, the fore-sleeve – the place where cooking burns, food spills and tears and abrasions are most likely to occur. The jacket is not out in the US yet (in Japan only at this time), but MontBell expects it to be out in 2007.
Andrew Skurka, Ultralight Ambassador – Boulder, Colorado
|Bozeman Mountain Works NANO X-LITE Ultralight Backpacking Tarp
Backpacking Light Store
|The 3.2 ounce NANO X-LITE is probably the lightest functional shelter in the world. It's not exactly the Taj Mahal of tarps – it measures 4.25′ x 7.75′ – but it has protected me well from rainy and windy conditions in both California and Colorado. (If possible I try to camp in naturally protected areas so that I can pitch the tarp off the ground, thereby increasing headroom and improving airflow.) Because it weighs so little, it makes an excellent shelter when one is only scarcely needed, like on the Pacific Crest Trail in June and on the shelter-heavy Appalachian Trail.
|GoLite Jam2 Pack
|The Jam2 will be available this spring, along with eight other brand new packs from GoLite. I used a prototype this summer while hiking on the Pacific Crest and Colorado Trails, and was very impressed with the improvements that have been made from the first-generation Jam, which I used extensively during my hike of the Sea-to-Sea Route in 2004-05. The major improvements include: shoulder straps that are padded and contoured; a rear pocket that is larger and more space-efficient; larger delta fins that better distribute pressure; and a compression system that reduces pack volume by one-third.
|Photon Micro Freedom 1-LED Light
|When the days are long – as they are in the summer, particularly in the northern states – it is fairly uncommon and mostly unnecessary that I hike in the dark. Quite often, however, I find myself pitching camp, cooking dinner, or journaling as the stars begin to populate the sky. For these months the Freedom Micro is all that I need: it provides adequate light if I need to hike a mile or two in the dark, and more-than-enough light for my nightly tasks. The best part: it weighs just 0.4 ounces, with a convenient clamp for the brim of my Headsweats visor.
Don Wilson, Clothing Systems Section Editor – Tucson, Arizona
|Coolibar Fingerless Gloves
|Hiking in sunny conditions with trekking poles exposes your hands to enormous amounts of sunlight. I set out this year to find a product that would protect my hands, but would be comfortable in the desert heat. The Coolibar Fingerless Gloves are just what I was looking for. They weigh just 1.7 ounces per pair and are very comfortable in warm conditions. The fingerless style makes it easier to operate your camera, adjust zippers or perform other manual tasks. Coolibar offers a full-fingered version and other styles for those with different preferences.
|This is not a joke. The right food is important to hiking enjoyment and in 2006 I rediscovered Pringles. I hiked a lot of long days in 6 weeks on the PCT this summer, and I am always experimenting with foods that satisfy my hunger in the afternoon, when I may have hiked 20 miles, but still have more miles to go. Pringles taste great, pack well, add salt to your diet and are available in numerous flavors. Looking for a satisfying snack after a hot and long day – rediscover Pringles.
|Western Mountaineering Summerlite Sleeping Bag
|The Summerlite is nearly the perfect bag for summer conditions. It has kept me comfortable at temperatures just below freezing, has a full zipper, is plenty roomy, and is long enough for my 6'4″ frame. And best of all it weighs just 21 ounces (the regular length version is 2 ounces lighter). The Summerlite is the lightest fully baffled bag from Western Mountaineering and is now my favorite summer bag.


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Today's blog guest is Andrew Brandt, president of National Football Post and NFL business analyst for ESPN. You can find his NFP columns here, and his Twitter is @adbrandt.
Just asked him a few questions about the Texans salary cap situation to just get another voice in the mix:
Difficult for many to get an accurate view of different team's salary cap situations based on public information. What is the Texans current situation?
We still do not know where the Cap will land for 2012 and the amount of space teams will have. At last check the Texans had about 5M of room assuming a flat Cap of around 120M, although that was with 47 players under contract. It appears they will be snug against the Cap depending on what they do with other high-priced players.
The Texans have publicly stated they want their free agents back. So far, the players have expressed the intention of wanting to be with the team and have acted in ways consistent with that. Even if the team thinks this is possible, what are the logistically possible ways if any of structuring things so that actually happens? What are the downsides to these approaches if any.
There is always the balance for teams of playing for the present and for the future. Without dealing with the Texans specifically, if teams are only worried about the short term, it is always possible for teams to spend what they wish and push out ramifications. That philosophy usually leads to long-term issues of releasing players and "dead money" cluttering their Cap.
I have always been a believer in a "pay as you go" strategy, not building up large charges for the future that will affect the product down the road.
At a minimum, fans want obtain fair value for Mario Williams if he leave the Texans. How would that best be structured, and what would be fair value for him?
Not exactly sure what you mean here. If a player is a UFA, the team receives no "value" for him if he leaves other than a potential compensatory draft pick in 2013 somewhere in the mid-to-late rounds. If the team wants to sign him, that is a negotiation based on comparable players and contracts. If the team wants to place the Franchise Tag on him, that will require a substantial one-year tender that will count on the Cap and allow him to sign the contract immediately and have it become guaranteed.
Read different publicly reported cap numbers for Mario Williams. The one that seems to be right is the number 120% of his 13.8 million salary, which would be $16.56 million. So this number is too high to franchise for purpose of trade?
Sounds high to just be a placeholder to trade, especially with Cap concerns.
Other teams have more salary cap space than the Texans. In a National Football Post article, you explained how the Texans could try to keep Arian Foster: The risks of a restricted tender, and the more certain approach of franchising him. What sort of multi-year deal would be realistic for him given the Texans current salary cap situation?
If the two sides do enter negotiations, there will be the usual parry about what are the appropriate parameters, certainly with discussion of contracts such as Chris Johnson, DeAngelo Williams, Stephen Jackson, Maurice Jone-Drew and others. It will be interesting to see what goes on with similar situations in Baltimore (Rice) and Chicago (Forte).
Thanks to Andrew for his time.
Thanks to Andrew for confirming things you probably already know…that the Texans are going to have great challenges re-signing their free agents. I specifically talked about Williams and Foster, but there's players like center Chris Myers, and some other contracts coming down the road that may be issues.
I think that given their preferences, Mario Williams and Arian Foster would prefer to stay with this team and this staff. But I also think that Vonta Leach would have preferred to stay a Texan too, but more money could be found elsewhere at another competitive team.
Fortunately, this year is a more normal year than last. That the draft comes after when free agent decisions are made.
Given cap considerations, this may be one of those years where the best free agent acquisitions are keeping the players you can keep at sane numbers, and then filling your needs with drafted players. Never like the uncertainty of this time of year.


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Our Focus is on a Diverse Education and Individual Growth
The computing sciences programs at Ithaca College are designed to allow you to pursue a
diversity of interests. Ithaca College students pursue a rich mix of majors, including
music and arts, business, science, and communications – and we encourage our own majors to take
courses, and even to minor, in other areas; we believe that this breadth is vital in creating
well-rounded individuals capable of integrating technical skills into any number of potential career
choices. Our faculty also reflect this breadth. They come from academia, government, and
industry, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Within our classrooms you will find a hands-on approach to learning: Our classes are small and
there is ample opportunity for student-faculty interaction. Our courses focus not only on the
fundamentals of computing, but also on individual exploration and growth. Many of our courses
provide the opportunity to work on projects -- often as a member of a team. In our capstone
Senior Project course, for example, students select a topic of interest and work on projects under the
direction of a faculty member. Past projects have ranged from applied (implementing a business
intelligence dashboard for the current capital campaign managed by the College's Development
Office) to research (exploring virtual reality as a therapy tool in collaboration with faculty from the
Occupational Therapy Department.


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Stay on top of local weather with meteorologist Kristin Emery's forecast!
KDKA-TV Nightly Forecast (8/8)
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Categories: Weather, Weather Forecast, KDKATV
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High School Football: Pine Richland Vs. Upper St. ClairCheck out High School Football highlights from around the western Pennsylvania region here!
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KDKA-TV Nightly Forecast (9/18)Stay on top of local weather with meteorologist Ray Petelin's forecast!
Karns City School District Opens Stadium To FansKDKA's Royce Jones has more from Karns City, where fans focked to watch high school football.
Man In Critical Condition After Knoxville ShootingOne person has been injured in a shooting in Pittsburgh's Knoxville neighborhood.
2 Dead After Crash In Forward TownshipPolice say two people are dead after a single-vehicle crash in Forward Township.
Former Federal Judge Shares Memories Of Ruth Bader GinsburgTimothy Lewis is a former judge who got to know Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Duquesne University President Remembers Ruth Bader GinsburgKen Gormley knew Ruth Bader Ginsburg and shares his memories. KDKA's Royce Jones has more.
Pitt Alum Quits 9-To-5 Job To Pursue New Business Full TimeKDKA's Meghan Schiller talks with Matteo Ferrer, a Pitt alum who is being featured on the Discover Channel.
PennDOT Making Strides With Highly Automated VehiclesPennDOT says it is making strides with higly autoated vehicles.
KDKA-TV Evening Forecast (9/18)Stay on top of local weather with meteorologist Ray Petelin's forecast!
Coronavirus Mitigation Efforts Could Make For A Lighter Flu SeasonExperts say because we're washing our hands more, wearing masks and staying socially distant, we could end up with fewer cases of the flu this year; KDKA's Dr. Maria reports.
Remembering Jeanne FlahertyThe family of the woman who died after being hit by a shuttle bus in Oakland says she leaves behind a lasting legacy. KDKA's Nicole Ford has more.
Steelers Fans, Businesses Ready For Home OpenerBar and restaurant owners on the North Shore hope the black and gold bring in the green this weekend. KDKA's Meghan Schiller has more.
Concerned Sheetz Employees Call Police On Man Sleeping Inside Car, Leading To Big Drug BustPolice say a pretty good sized drug bust wouldn't have happened without the help of some people at a nearby Sheetz in Greensburg; KDKA's Ross Guidotti reports.
18 More Pitt Students Test Positive For CoronavirusThe University of Pittsburgh says 18 more students have tested positive for coronavirus since Tuesday.
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto Reveals Part Of 'Avenues Of Hope'Out of the recent Black Lives Matter protests, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto has been promising a plan to address racial disparities in the city. The mayor revealed a large part of that plan only to KDKA investigator Andy Sheehan.
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UPMC, CMU Collaborate To Develop Rapid Coronavirus TestThe rapid test can provide results in 10-15 seconds and was developed in an effort between CMU, UPMC, and Pitt. KDKA's Amy Wadas has more.
KDKA Investigates: The Future Of The Ace HotelKDKA's Andy Sheehan has more on the future of the Ace Hotel in Pittsburgh.
Reporter Update: Could We Be In For A Lighter Flu Season?Flu numbers around the world are down, and KDKA's Dr. Maria Simbra is breaking down what the researchers are seeing and why.


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Hello there,
I'm hoping you can help me in solving this problem; I have a jsp that calls a servlet which then calls the same jsp again after changing the data in the database. The problem is that when the jsp is loaded again, I don't see the changes untill I refresh the page manually (F5 button). I'm guessing its loading the one the cache memory. Now, my question: how do I get it to load a fresh version of the jsp?
I tried using javascript window.reload() and the meta tag refresh function, but both cause the page to keep reloading in the set time period, which causes the page to flicker. I even tried passing a random number attribute to the JSP when being called from the servlet (addnews.jsp?id=343232) but it still keeps loading it from the cache.
Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.


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Possible Duplicate:
Guide to managing multiple resume with one LaTeX?
I would like to make a combined résumé & CV document class that can be used to generate two documents with some content shared and some content unique to one of the documents. Is there a way to do this with a single LaTeX file? If not, what do you recommend doing instead?


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The activist investor that helped usher in the Marissa Mayer-era at Yahoo (YHOO) has a new target: Murphy Oil (MUR).
It's not a household name like Yahoo, but Daniel Loeb, the founder of hedge fund Third Point, called the oil and gas conglomerate an undervalued stock. In his third quarter letter to investors, Loeb outlined a case where the stock could pop if management chose to sell certain assets and spin off others.
Like Yahoo, Murphy Oil's shares have languished over the past several years. Loeb said his plan for the company could unlock enough value to push shares to $91 to $94 a share, more than 50% higher than its current price. Loeb's plan for the company included spinning off its retail fuel business with 1,100 filling stations; selling its natural gas assets in Canada and its 5% stake in Syncrude Canada, a synthetic crude oil producer.
On Thursday, Murphy Oil responded with a statement, noting that its board and management had met with Third Point and other shareholders and would continue to weigh options to "illuminate the value in our stock price."
Loeb has become known for getting his way and waging very public battles with companies resistant to his wishes. When Yahoo's management opposed Third Point's nominations to its board, Loeb was able to successfully get the search engine's then-CEO Scott Thompson ousted by discovering that he lied on his resume.
So far, Loeb's involvement has forced major organizational changes at Yahoo but has generated minimal returns for investors. Its stock is flat this year.
Related: Einhorn: Short Chipotle, go long GM
Still, Loeb's $9.3 billion fund is beating its hedge fund peers. Third Point's main fund is up 11% for the year, according to the company's third quarter letter. Hedge funds overall are up about 7% this year.
That might not be enough to satisfy Loeb, however. He is said to be fiercely competitive with hedge fund manager David Einhorn, who's been deemed something of a prophet for his ability to detect deteriorating stocks. And Loeb's 11% return trails Einhorn's Greenlight Capital, which has generated 13% returns for investors so far this year.
Beyond Murphy Oil, Loeb called AIG (AIG) another stock with significant upside, even after jumping more than 50% this year. Loeb said Third Point is invested in AIG for the long-term. "We were not renters," Loeb wrote in his letter. Additionally, Loeb wrote that AIG will have many more options once the Treasury sells its remaining stake, calling that the "critical catalyst" for the company. With the "overhang of Treasury ownership," Loeb said that AIG initiate a dividend or initiate a bonus structure to incentivize management.
Loeb's other top performing investments in the third quarter: Apple (AAPL), gold and a stake in the not-yet public Ally Financial, another tarnished relic of the financial crisis that's been looking shinier as of late.
Even billionaire George Soros caught Facebook (FB) fever this spring.
The hedge fund manager purchased 341,000 shares of the social media company during the second quarter, according to SEC filings.
Hedge fund managers aren't forced to specify when during a quarter they purchased stakes in various firms. Still, it's safe to say that the investor who infamously made MOREMaureen Farrell - Aug 14, 2012 7:13 PM ET
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Boats for sale in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Pardo Yachts 432021Request Price
THE PARDO 43'S V-HULL HAS A 16° DEADRISE ANGLE AT THE TRANSOM AND MORE THAN 50° AT THE BOW. THIS ENSURES GREATER STABILITY AND SMOOTHNESS IN ALL SEA CONDITIONS AS WELL AS EASY MANEUVERABILITY AND FASTER PLANING. IN ADDITION, THE PARDO 43 HAS TWO STRONG POINTS. FIRST, THE VINYLESTER RESIN INFUSED HULL, CREATING A UNIQUE MONOLITHIC FORM TOGETHER WITH THE KEEL. SECOND, THE SIDE AND THE DECK, THAT ARE MADE IN HIGH-DENSITY PVC SANDWICH. THIS ENSURES OPTIMUM STRUCTURAL RIGIDITY AND EXCELLENT THERMAL AND ACOUSTIC INSULATION. THE WALK AROUND DESIGN IS ONE OF THE MAIN ADVANTAGES OF THE DECK: IT GUARANTEES EXTRA SPACE AND FACILITATES SAFE ACCESS TO THE BOW SUNDECK. AS IN VERY LARGE YACHTS, AN OPTIONAL LONGER STERN PLATFORM CAN BE USED TO STEP ON OR OFF BOARD, TAKE A SWIM, A SHOWER OUTSIDE OR AS AN EXTRA ENTERTAINMENT AREA EQUIPPED WITH MATTRESSES, POUFS OR CHAISE LONGUES.More…25
Fountaine Pajot Saona 472020Request Price
THIS SAILING CATAMARANS OFFERS THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF COMFORT, STYLE AND PERFORMANCE, SETTING A NEW STANDARD IN MODERN CRUISING CATAMARANS. ELEGANCE AND INDIVIDUALITY Encompassing the finest signature features of the Fountaine Pajot shipyard, the Saona 47 exudes a striking aura with her distinctive design, strong lines and timeless elegance under sail or at anchor. INCOMPARABLE SPACE The Saona 47 boasts expansive living areas for enhanced cruising pleasure. The expansive cockpit is intelligently designed for entertaining and features an extended aft platform to easily facilitate a host of leisure activities. Immerse yourself in your spectacular surrounds on the foredeck's huge sun lounger, or share in the cruising experience at the helmstation as you unwind on the exceptionally large 9m2 lounge deck. The exquisitely crafted saloon is bathed in bright natural light, and her comprehensively equipped galley has an island bench and an abundance of storage for extended cruising. Available in two layouts, you can choose a 3-cabin Owner version featuring a decadent master suite that occupies an entire hull complete with a luxurious ensuite with Italian-style shower, with two generous guest cabins in the port hull that each enjoy their own exclusive ensuites. The Saona 47 is also available in a five-cabin charter version with private ensuites to the four double guest cabins as well as to the convenient crew quarters. PERFORMANCE AND AGILITY The Saona 47 cruising catamaran has been meticulously designed to offer intuitive responsiveness at the wheel and unparalleled performance in all conditions. Her optimised weight-to-volume ratio delivers exceptional balance and stability for an unforgettable sailing experience at any speed. The Saona 47 – a dynamic yacht delivering cruising pleasures designed to be shared!More…221
Fountaine Pajot Lucia 402020Request Price
BE CAPTIVATED BY DESIGN, COMFORT AND PERFORMANCE! This exciting new 40-foot catamaran sailboat has been exclusively designed to deliver a simply superb experience at sea and while moored. Remarkable volumes and light-filled living spaces allow you to comfortably share the experiences and create life-long memories with family and friends. The Lucia 40 is a true revolution in her class. No other catamaran sailboat of her size has fabulous living space of the Lucia 40, which includes a luminous saloon, generous cabins, expansive 12m2 cockpit, and a decadent lounge area on the bow that spans more than 3m2! She is also the only 40-foot catamaran sailboat that includes four bathrooms and also boasts the largest Owner's suite available in her class. Beautifully appointed, the Lucia 40 has all the contemporary conveniences you need for carefree cruising, so you can relax in comfort while experiencing the catamaran's impressive performance at sea.More…201
Fountaine Pajot Motor Yacht 442020Request Price
A STYLISH, ELEGANT AND SPACIOUS POWER CATAMARAN BY FOUNTAINE PAJOT… The MY 44 is a first rate, stylish, luxury Yacht featuring matchless spaces for a 44 feet motor yacht. Built to Daniel Andrieu hull plans and designed by Pierangelo Andreani, the famous Italian architect specializing in the luxury market, she boasts stylish lines and unique living spaces offering an incredible amount of light. This new power catamaran has comfortable relaxation and reception spaces worthy of a second home. Savor memorable moments with family and friends on her enormous flybridge, designed with a sunbathing lounge, a galley and a real terrace or pool overlooking the sea. You will adore her saloon, a large open area with a terrace, spacious lounge and galley opening directly onto the cockpit, where you can enjoy outdoor activities all day long. Private hull apartments with: Two magnificent rooms starboard for your guests and VIPs and your private apartment port side. Each of the rooms has a sea view and an ensuite bathroom, to which an additional private forward cabin can be added on option. Good speeds and extraordinary comfort at anchor or underway The hulls of the MY 44 have been specially studied to deliver excellent seaworthiness and stability, whatever the speed. She is equipped with 350 to 600 hp IPS motors. She boasts excellent performance, combining the pleasure of driving with autonomy. The MY 44, by FOUNTAINE PAJOT MOTOR YACHTS, offers to broaden your horizons…More…221
Fountaine Pajot Catamaran Alegria 672020Request Price
Presenting a Flagship to deliver breathtaking bluewater holiday experiences for everyone to share… An expansive flybridge with an authentic ocean terrace and a forward cockpit that can accommodate a jacuzzi; just some of the hallmarks of a lifestyle worthy of the finest homes and affording the incomparable pleasure of owning a Flagship. The Alegria 67, a trully catamaran yacht, evokes your finest senses, whether you are on the Flybridge experiencing the exhilaration of sailing or simply relaxing on the decadent lounges or sunbathing beds. Sheer Style…The Alegria 67 is true to her name – the Portugese word for 'joy' – offering sublime relaxation spaces including an expansive flybridge, private lounges, foredeck Jacuzzi, a cockpit seamlessly integrated with a saloon featuring panoramic sea views, her Beach Club embedded gangway, and much more. The stunning interior is boldly modern and incredibly spacious to deliver the ultimate in comfort and luxury… The Alegria 67 offers you the choice of situating your epicurean galley in the passageway to enhance the main living space, or alternatively level with the saloon where you can enjoy the chef's presence. Indulge in unforgettable gourmet experiences with fine wines and fresh produce handpicked from one of your stopovers, or just relax with light refreshments and cocktails with friends before disembarking to dine ashore… Three versions of the Alegria 67 are available… • Owner's version with an exceptional suite in its own hull.• Lounge version, which features a galley along the passageway so the saloon is exclusively dedicated to entertaining and relaxation.• One version in which the catamaran is designed with numerous cabins (each with ensuites) and crew space to meet specific requirements.More…341
Pearl 952020Request Price
The Pearl 95 continues the hugely successful design collaboration between Dixon yacht design and Kelly Hoppen. As innovative and groundbreaking as its smaller sisters, the 95 is even more luxurious and breathtaking. This is legendary seakeeping, style and performance on a whole different scale.More…311
Pearl 802020Request Price
The Pearl 80 offers an escape that's both exhilarating and unparalleled. From the beautifully streamlined exterior – complete with jet ski garage and hydraulic bathing platform – to the stunning open-plan interior designed by Kelly Hoppen MBE, every detail ensures that your life on the ocean is well and truly catered for.More…311
Pearl 652020Request Price
Pearl 65 continues Bill Dixon's design ethos of beautiful craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation and superb seakeeping. The four-cabin interior is set off by Kelly Hoppen's famously stylish, effortlessly calming decor. Add to that further accommodation for two crew, and you'll find everything you need for the most memorable of experiences.More…241
Greenline 48 Fly2020Request Price
The flag ship of the Greenline family is the next green innovation that complements the current range of Greenline 33, 39 and 40 while presenting exciting new features such as new interior design, NextGen Hybrid system, comfortable flybridge, two en-suite guest cabins, hydraulic platform, utility compartment under the saloon and many more.More…361
Greenline 402020Request Price
Greenline 40 truly redefines family boating. The level of comfort and convenience at anchor and safety underway were brought to a whole new level. The comfort of safely moving on deck with ease, excellent visibility, ambient light and ample ventilation in all areas are well above expectations. Wether you just want to spend an afternoon on the water with your friends, or take a longer cruise with your family, Greenline 40 is the right choice.More…23
Greenline 392020Request Price
THE ALL-NEW GREENLINE 39 IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE THAT IS RARELY FOUND ON SMALL YACHTSGreenline 39 all about sophistication in design, technology, production and environment. Thanks to dedicated engineers and designers, as well as experienced craftsmen skilled at latest technologies in boat building Greenline 39 has become one of the most popular boats in a short time. Greenline 39 design profited from feedback of hundreds of users from all over the world. We improved every single point, from boarding the boat to hydrodynamics, from seaworthiness with low consumption to more speed and stability. Following Greenline DNA and philosophy, the New Greenline 39 is paying respect to the environment, to other boaters and to ourselves. And it pays back with immeasurable satisfaction. With its open comfortable space and easy water access the new Greenline 39 is equally well suited for day trips as well as long cruises.More…252
Princess Y78 Motor Yacht2020Request Price
The new Y78 features the very latest in Princess exterior design and interior materials and finishes. Her flexible deck layout features a walkthrough foredeck with U-shaped seating and sunbathing area, whilst her flybridge aft has space for free standing furniture or can accommodate a crane and a tender. Natural light flows in to her main deck through extended window lines and a unique full-height window on the port side to make the free standing dining area a spectacular place to entertain. Forward on the lower deck, all three guest cabins are en suite whilst a dedicated staircase leads to the owner's stateroom amidships via a private lobby area.More…41
Princess S622020Request Price
Powerful yet elegant, the new S62's sleek exterior styling presents a dynamic, agile stance. With an optimised hull form spearheading her efficiency, her MAN V8 1200 engines mean you can experience speeds up to 38 knots. When at anchor her electro-hydraulic bathing platform creates a convenient launch system for a 3.3m tender, a jet ski, or simply a secluded swimming platform. Her sociable galley aft arrangement features an open-plan dining area with sliding doors and a fully opening window leading out to the cockpit. Below deck, six guests are comfortably accommodated across an en suite full-beam owner's stateroom and two further guest cabins with the option of an additional crew cabin aft.More…33
Sunseeker Ocean Club 502020Request Price
A NEW DAWN HAS ARRIVED AND IT'S BIGGER THAN EVER Sunseeker's new tri-deck yacht in the 50 metre segment follows the brand's iconic exterior lines and offers exceptional space and volume. The opulent interior spaces can be styled to each owner's unique taste via Sunseeker's renowned 'Bespoke' service. The theme throughout is one of space and flexibility, maximising volume and providing compelling features to enhance enjoyment on board. Many of these features are usually only associated with much larger craft including the plunge pool on the main deck and the exceptional beach club with drop down bulwarks and transom to create an incredible space for relaxing or entertaining close to the water. Standard guest configuration is for 10 guests in five cabins, with scope for up to 12 to be accommodated depending upon layout chosen.More…25
Sunseeker Predator 60 EVO2020Request Price
Stunningly crafted to perfectly balance style with practicality, the Predator 60 EVO is the first model of Sunseeker's major new product development plan with innovative stand out features and a truly sophisticated interior design. Embracing a bold design direction, the model features all-new interior styling, furnishings, textures and materials; the Predator 60 EVO delivers a sophisticated, modern yet sporty style to surprise any owner. The Predator 60 EVO certainly doesn't sacrifice performance for style. With speedsof up to 32 knots, it cuts a sharp, impressive figure on the open water, with exemplarysea-keeping and unmatched agility. Truly a yacht designed for perfect cruising in luxury.More…22
Princess Y85 Motor Yacht2020Request Price
The all-new Y85 is a triumph of contemporary design. Her elegant sweeping profile houses an interior sanctuary that resets the benchmark for modern living. Her flybridge is an irresistible invitation to al fresco entertainment with a large dining area opposite a well-equipped wet bar further complemented by a large aft sunpad. With twin MAN V12 engines propelling her to a top speed of 33 knots, she flies past her contemporaries without looking back. An expansive single-level main deck provides ample entertaining space with a flexible galley arrangement. Three separate seating areas ensure the utmost privacy for guests with the crew able to move discretely around the yacht. Below deck, up to eight guests are accommodated across four beautifully appointed en suite cabins. Amidships, the full beam master suite is a champion of spacial design, whilst the en suite VIP cabin, forward, boasts a large double bed and walk-in-wardrobe. Furthermore, one double and one twin cabin (convertible into a double) complete her spacious accommodation. Unmissable, the all-new Y85 is unmistakably Princess.More…401
Princess X952020Request Price
Characterised by beautifully sculpted surfaces and long flowing lines, the X95 defines a striking design language for this new Class. Both her flybridge and main deck cover almost the full length of the yacht, delivering expansive spaces with flexibility that enables you to define each journey around your guests' preferences. With a fuel capacity of 13,400 litres, the X95 has the range for far-reaching, adventurous voyages. Experience space akin to a megayacht as you enter her main deck saloon and witness a line of sight right through to the forward window. Ascend the internal staircase to the upper deck and another unique experience awaits: a fully enclosed and climate controlled Sky Lounge. Taking pride of place on her lower deck is the full beam Master Stateroom with en suite, complemented by her Forward Stateroom with walk-in wardrobe and en suite bathroom. Additional port and starboard guest cabins can each be configured with two single beds or one double bed, whilst generous crew quarters complete her extensive accommodation.More…32
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text: Artis Seksi Indonesia smooth Skin With Coconut Water. So far, only known as coconut water release thirst. In fact, some think, just a waste coconut water from coconuts. In fact, in the solution, this coconut juice has properties and exceptional nutritional value. Not only the macro elements in the form of nitrogen and carbon, but also much-needed micro elements in coconut water body. Nitrogen element in it in the form of a protein composed of amino acids, like alanine, cystine, arginine, opy, and serine. Compared to the amino acid contained in cow's milk, amino acids contained in coconut water was higher. While the carbon element can be found in the form of simple carbohydrates such as glucose, sucrose, fructose, sorbitol, inositol, and others. Similarly, micro elements in coconut water in the form of mineral ions needed as a substitute body. Worthy indeed, if after a young coconut drink our body feels refreshed


text:
HTML::MasonX::Free::Component - a component with a "main" method, not just a bunch of text
version 0.006
In concept, a Mason component is broken down into special blocks (like once, shared, init), methods, and subcomponents. When you render a Mason component, using it as a template, you aren't calling one of its methods or blocks. Instead, all the stray code and text that was found outside all of those is concatenated together and run.
This is sort of a mess.
If you use HTML::MasonX::Free::Component as your component class instead, rendering the component will call its
main method instead of all that other junk. This component class extends HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased. If this is a problem because of your esoteric Mason configuration, don't panic. Just read the source. Seriously, it's tiny.
This component class is meant to work well with HTML::MasonX::Free::Compiler, which will let you throw a syntax exception if there's any significant content outside of blocks, and which can apply
default_method_to_call to calls found when compiling.
You can pass a
default_method_to_call argument to the constructor for this class, but it's not all that easy to get where you need it, so maybe you should stick with the default:
Ricardo Signes <email@example.com>
This software is copyright (c) 2016 by Ricardo Signes.
This is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the same terms as the Perl 5 programming language system itself.


text:
It's sometimes easy to forget how good Leo Messi is. He performs extraordinary feats with such regularity they seem routine. Messi scores. Again. Messi dribbles through five defenders and scores. Again. Messi dribbles through five defenders, is hacked mercilessly, refuses to go down, dances around an onrushing goalkeeper, and doinks the ball into the net from an impossibly acute angle. Again. We become habituated to such achievements, rationed out as they are each week. But this video, which cuts together all of Messi's 234 goals for Barcelona on his way to breaking the team scoring record yesterday with a hat-trick against Granada, reminds us that Messi isn't just a special player but one who deserves GOAT consideration. Also, he's only 24.
More from Deadspin


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In the contemporary USA there is a serious subculture that mixes together gun owners, actors and historians. They call themselves the reenactors. These historical period actors represent the aficionados of old military costumes, weapons, and martial movements. They regularly follow the sacred dates of battle memorials. Other tasks include interpreting for museum exhibitions and extras for historical episodes on cable TV. They do reenactments at historical sites, while replaying personal battle accounts. They truly do live the history and experience the combat flutters – even without the dead and mangled human bodies lying around them.
Across this United States, there are thousands of local historical societies doing their parts for regional memory. There also thousands of mini-museums, which feature glass cases of local artifacts and human stories. There also exist live nostalgia sites, and especially in the West and in the South, featuring dudes and gals dressed up in historical costumes. Along the 'done up' stage, tourists can see the period furniture, walk in the local stores, and visit the bars and restaurants. They can also watch the dressed-up people 'doing their stuff the old way.' We should not forget the medieval lore of Renaissance Festivals too. No other nation on Earth has so many museums – and museums for every imaginable taste inside of our tiny Earth universe.
Museums were actually a new invention to the human condition. Museums were not part of the large urban dynamic until the late 1700s, eighteenth-century. People hadn't the need for museums during most of human history. Life, art, conflict, love and death were all around them. They just didn't need a special space in order to experience their lives. The actuality of living worked fine – filled with surprises, sublime joy and tragedies.
The official founder of museums was none other than the ego-maniac dictator of the French Empire, (1798-1815), Napoleon Bonaparte. Like a good state thug, he just stole the grand art works of Italy, especially some of the more famous paintings, after his army had invaded the country. His army transported them to Paris, and then placed most of them inside an old Royal Palace in Paris, called the Louvre. Now every major and minor city across the world – has its very own, sacred 'museum' space. Bad habits are certainly addictive. But the irony of ironies, art mausoleums of the dead, commonly called, 'museums,' have become synonymous with modern, high culture.
Returning to the American reenactors, they generally prefer particular reenactments. Their favorites are two wars in US history: the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. How many reenactments does one see representing the War of 1812 or the Mexican War? There is a definite reason for the reenactors' preferences.
They prefer these two wars because they exemplified the good side to American culture: the right to complete and total personal freedom, and the cultural action of honor to defend such rights. The reenactors don't just act and play for the sake of historical posterity; they also reenact because contemporary Amerikan culture represents the direct opposite of true freedom – and the fight for one's honor to defend it. Only small sections of the American South still give obeisance to the cultural value of honor.
American culture has always had a terrible link to cruelty, but over a hundred years ago, true liberty and the defense of honor made the American a respected world citizen, violently birthed out of a newly created republic. Americans shared these values with most of the nations of the world. Nowadays unfortunately, only the day-to-day cruelty remains.
Global monopoly capitalism, state-public-coerced schooling, corporate media-advertising-Hollywood garbage, the prison-gulag, 'legal' institutional powers, the ultimate police-gang state, and the military-spy-industrial-war complex have all done their insidious parts in transforming American society into a low and diseased culture. Due to this terribly diseased state of Amerikan Imperial culture, the Empire is rotting from the inside. The terrible news is that the sociopaths that hold and manage political power in the States – also know this.
Actual American culture features the horrible diseases of immaturity, boredom, indiscretion and ignorance, mostly due to Amerikan public schooling and the corporate media TV-Hollywood junta. Watching the momentous crap on American cable television, from reality TV shows, to making money shows, to TV shopping channels, can convince even the most patriotic observer on the actual cultural rot.
The other current diseases in the culture represent gluttony, fear-distrust, frustration, and explosive anger: all of which come from extreme monopoly capitalism. Mention leads to the obesity epidemic, the fast food nightmare found in every town and city in the States, the overuse of psychotropic medications that lead to mass shootings, and the street hustling and petty crime that plague most of America's cities.
The most life threatening disease found inside the culture is cowardice. This mortal killer comes from decades of succumbing to the authoritarian police, militarized surveillance state.
The word 'culture' originally comes from the word, agriculture. Just like people use the earth to create foods, cooking and the arts of the table, culture owes its first connections to the holy earth. The most durable cultures have always been the societies that have used the earth for their daily benefits, and yet they have also respected the earth and taken care of it. They understood the balance between use and abuse. Their religious practices always referred back to the earth. We can think on the Native nations in the Americas before the arrival of the European invaders.
Yet, culture can also exist outside of any connection to the earth due to the human ability to mentally create, through both imaginative fantasy and the adoption of complex language structures and vocabularies. With the rise of monotheistic religions on the world stage, such as Christianity and Islam, human cultures created new arts, sciences, idioms and civil societies. These cultural changes help explain Modern Europe's obsessions with its modern fighting words, such as language, class, people, race and nation. As long as there exists the concept of 'Europe,' these fighting terms will not go away any time soon.
I remember when I lived in Europe, a few Europeans had stated to me that America had no culture. Compared to their thousands of years of conflict and history, American culture did not come close to the high levels of Europe. However, every subgroup, region, city, society, club and clique has a culture, even if it is a superficial or weak one. The difference in cultures relate to the various cultural levels, whether high or low. There do exist hierarchies of cultures. And cultures, like the earth and people, can get infections diseases – and even epidemics. This is the current, unfortunate state of the Amerikan Imperial culture.
A very good way to measure the general culture level, within a particular place or region, regards local festivals and celebrations.
One summer, I attended an annual festival in a small, western American town. The weather was beautiful and I was looking forward to feeling the magic of the small town west. What I received instead was lots of boredom, fear of controls and ignorance about the actual history of the region. I didn't learn anything new; although, there were lots of vendors trying to get me to spend a lot of money.
I heard there was a night concert downtown, so I walked around the downtown area, and found out there was no concert at all. Apparently, the town politicians mandated no loud music after sundown in the fear of attracting people drinking alcohol and having fun. The next day, I walked around the downtown area again, and all I saw were stands, either selling local junk trinkets or genetically modified laced greasy, fast food. I also spotted the traveling carnival rides. Almost all the locals walking around were either fat or obese.
The rides were mostly nausea producing machines, meaning they moved round and round and round, while the rest of the carnival structures featured 'carnival games,' or really scam productions to steal people's money, like throwing a heavy ball into a small, tilted basket, all in order to receive cheap and bogus prizes. Even if the person wanted to just walk around the carnival, they still had to pay up front for just entering the festival zone. On one side street off the Main drag, I observed that there were more police walking around than actual locals. I was so scared of the police presence that I left the area.
I returned again, the next day, to experience the town's premier music concert. I walked to the park off the main drag. As I stepped toward the park's entrance, a security staff guy then approached me and told me that I had to pay a good amount of money in order to enter. He also said that I could only buy their overpriced alcohol from the inside vendors, and that they had to search both my body and personal bag for pre-entry. If I got too drunk, then the police would have to arrest me.
I was so shocked about 'the rules' that I waked away. I also noticed a heavy local police presence around the park entrance. As I looked over from the outside, the band arrived on stage, and when they started playing, the music was absolutely horrible. The band played Country music cover songs, with a background player for other instruments, such as piano, banjo or accordion, and the musicians used music stands, so they could sing the lyrics. I also noticed that the crowd was sparse and almost nobody danced, except for a few older couples. This so-called festival had a theme related to the town's history, and yet, I learned nothing from this event. The festival was a bust – and so was the town.
This town was dying like so many other towns out in the American west, and it failed to reinvent itself in order to bring in more tourist dollars. That terrible festival represented the same terrible level of general culture found in the town.
No matter what the local politicians cook up in their deceitful minds, if the local town possesses a low culture, then the place is on the path of dying badly. During that particular festival, I experienced more fear, boredom, disgust and ignorance than anything else. I had really experienced some of America's mortal cultural diseases.
This is the reason culture is so important to people around the world. Culture represents the totality of our body expressions, values, productions, actions, words and contradictions. Culture, like the planets around the suns, and the moons around the planets, revolves around our difficult lives. We all possess, live and create culture. And culture always goes through movement and changes, just like the universe. Finally, culture also has ties to conflict and resistance.
For example, during an annual religious festival, in the year 1580, in the town of Romans, France, the local people moved into revolt mode. The party started off with some hard-drinking and soon transformed into a liberating revolution!
In contemporary Amerika, some urban hipsters, intolerant leftists, rich liberals and other pathetic snobs like to focus their disgust on to the Revolutionary War and Civil War reenactors. Yet, it is truly their hypocritical, cowardly and low cultural lives that make most people gasp. As long as people breathe, they will create culture. The ones that move culture into resistance will create the highest and most powerful one. Meanwhile in the Amerikan Empire, the sociopaths holding power watch in fear.
As we Anarchists lose tolerance for the repetitive boredom, ignorance, and media fear campaigns vomiting out of the crap television programs, corporate radio broadcasts, and Hollywood movies – we can create alternatives spaces using similar visual mediums. As we perceive the endless public signs and billboards that advertise useless crap, threaten us, attack and harass our daily lives, we can avoid their public spaces and take alternative routes, poster or paint over them, or even take the small signs down. If a state or corporate-funded cultural space wants to rob us so they can make a cheap profit, then we can set up an another space open to marginalized forms of artistic expression – whether on a deserted sidewalk, in a basement or in a public park. The culture of resistance always breathes new life into the general revolution – and offers a marvelous and new sense of freedom.
We Anarchists have made the first steps in resistance and freedom just through our rejection of such a corrupt system. We understand the truth on both life and death, and we see through the sociopaths' methods of social control and their criminality.
Movement and deep activity are what we are after.