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'Lone Survivor' review: War film's title tells us too much
Lone Survivor
Drama. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Eric Bana, Ben Foster and Emile Hirsch. Directed by Peter Berg. (R. 121 minutes.)
The title of "Lone Survivor" is accurate enough, but it has an inevitable impact on how the movie is experienced. It tells us going in that all the main characters are going to be killed, except for the fellow played by Mark Wahlberg. Yet it's a full 85 minutes of screen time before Wahlberg actually becomes the "lone survivor." Before that, we watch as the men - Navy SEALs on a 2005 mission in Afghanistan - try different things and hope for the best, while we sit and know the worst.
Based on a memoir by former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, "Lone Survivor" is in many ways a fairly straight-up war movie, something that could almost be called old-fashioned. It's about a group of guys who know and trust each other, who have all endured elite training, have mutual codes of behavior and a shared sense of humor. The script expends much energy on making each man vivid to the audience, before we watch them all get thrown into a dangerous situation. In this case, they're on a mission to either capture or kill a Taliban leader, Ahmad Shah.
Yet three things make "Lone Survivor" different from most old war movies, and not for the best. The first is that title. The second is the war itself. Although the Afghanistan war is one that the vast majority of Americans endorsed, it doesn't have the feeling of a great national struggle for survival, like World War II. The third is that the movie is not about citizen soldiers - average guys drafted to do a dirty job that just has to be done. It's about Navy SEALs, which sets up a whole other kind of expectation.
The appeal of the SEALs, at least as a movie subject, is that they're not regular guys, that they're amazing and can do things regular military people can't, as in Kathryn Bigelow's "Zero Dark Thirty." But "Lone Survivor," from start to finish, is a tale of disaster, of bad luck and bad communication, perhaps even faulty planning, though that's hard to say. So the movie loses the common touch of average folk trying to get by, while also losing some of the pleasure of watching a crack unit at work.
Director Peter Berg takes us into the world of the SEALs, which is of moderate interest. All people like to believe in their own toughness, but few of us ever know for sure. These guys do. As the movie shows, their training is mentally and physically brutal, and their powers of concentration are intense. The movie recounts a real 2005 operation gone bad, and the punishment these men endured is beyond belief - perhaps literally so. According to the movie, most of the men sustained multiple bullet wounds and still managed to trek long distances and put up a strong fight.
After an introduction where we meet the guys, the next hour is devoted to combat scenes, which are well executed, especially in the way they create, within the viewer, a fear and dread of the enemy. Berg keeps his camera on the men and on their perspective, so that we're always surprised when they are surprised - and alarmed when we see the brief flash of a Taliban soldier dashing from one rock to the next.
The actors, especially Wahlberg as Luttrell and Ben Foster as Matt Axelson, are convincing in their humanity, agony and ferocity, but there is no escaping a sameness that sets in by the second or third time the men are shown tumbling down a stone hill and landing on rocks. We might look through the movie toward appreciating what the actual men went through, but that alone can't turn "Lone Survivor" into a satisfying movie experience. Nor can it compensate for the ongoing damage done by a title that casts all the action in futility and doom, even before it happens.
Mick LaSalle is The San Francisco Chronicle's movie critic. E-mail: email@example.com Twitter: @MickLaSalle


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Graham Readfearn | September 2, 2011
By Graham Readfearn • Friday, September 2, 2011 - 11:26
WE'RE all used to a bit of product placement in today's movie industry.
The latest mobile phone is pinned to the ear of an international spy. A popular brand of beer is gulped by an anti-hero. The latest sports car roars through a street chase.
This embedded marketing is as much a part of a trip to the cinema these days as overpriced sugary drinks and stale popcorn (also overpriced).
But a new feel-good movie from Australia, set in a small mining outpost, has eyebrows raised due to its substantial in-kind and financial support from the same said mining industry.
Red Dog, starring American Josh Lucas, is set in the 1970s in tiny Dampier in Western Australia's remote Pilbara region. The film is based on real life exploits of a stray dog which roamed the area, hitch-hiking between settlements and bringing people together as it traveled.
The characters, who work for Hamersley Iron (an actual company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto), are roguish and likeable. The cinematography sweeping across the red Pilbara landscape is momentous. Already the largest grossing Aussie-made film for 2011, Red Dog managed to take more than Hollywood blockbuster Cowboys & Aliens (Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig) in its opening weeks. Now a UK and US release are in the offing.
The film itself is well and truly focused on the exploits of the dog and is based on Louis de Bernières's depiction of the legend in his short novel Red Dog.
So who gave what to the film?
The movie's budget has been widely reported as standing at about $8 million – small fry in the world of big screen cinema.
About $3m came from the Australian Government-funded film development organisation Screen Australia, according to its annual report [pdf].
International mining giant Rio Tinto gave the filmmakers free accommodation, food and access to mining sites and the use of a freight train. The company even got to see the script, although there's no suggestion they changed it.
Director Kriv Stenders told industry magazine Encore about the importance of the support.
Major gas company Woodside, currently awaiting Australian Government approval for a $30 billion gas hub in Western Australia, also provided "funding, logistical support and a handful of acting extras", according to the company's Trunkline newsletter.
Mining equipment company Westrac, which sells the world-famous yellow and black CAT earth movers, was also a supporter. Somewhere along the line, one of the companies even loaned out the use of their helicopter for aerial shots. The film's producer, Nelson Woss, told The Australian
An online Q&A by the Australian Film Institute asked Stenders to respond to claims the film was "a massive public relations exercise" for mining in Australia.
But there is plenty of product placement in the film. The name "Hamersley Iron" is on the front of the seemingly endless iron ore train and on the side of the staff bus. The Hamersley logos are on the hard-hats of the workers who hang around sheds, drink in the bar and stand next to the CAT-branded heavy earth movers. Hamersley developed the mining outpost of Dampier where the story is set, but you don't see the workers doing any actual mining.
There's also the sporadic appearance of a tussle-haired lady in a Woodside company uniform. She drives a Woodside company vehicle.
During the closing scenes, there's a large billboard with the Woodside and Rio Tinto logos in clear view.
There's been no deliberate attempt to hide the fact that mining companies were behind the film, although casual movie-goers would be unaware.
The company logos do appear in the small print of the movie poster and if you hang around long enough (as I did), the film acknowledges their support at the end of the closing credits. Some company executives even get a mention.
The film wasn't instigated by the mining industry but from early on, there's evidence the industry knew it was getting behind something which would show it in a positive light.
When the industry backing was made public early last year, Rio Tinto CEO Sam Walsh said it was "an exciting opportunity to showcase our industry".
Respected Australian movie critic David Stratton rejected the idea that the movie was a propaganda piece. But one less generous online reviewer put it this way
RickJames replied on Permalink
It seems when you get big
It seems when you get big enough as a corporation you just start doing these things to improve your image as much as possible.
Totally unnecessary.
Most of these efforts are misplaced unless they are actually selling a product directly to the public - like a car or a soft drink.
Reminds me of the dumb coloring book thing. Mining companies should just forget about burnishing their image. Mining will be profitable as long as people need stuff.
Just dig your hole in the ground and be happy with it.
" It seems when you get big
It seems when you get big enough as a corporation you just start doing these things to improve your image as much as possible.
Totally unnecessary."
Totaly agree. I'm getting sick of the product placement that is pervading more & more of our films & t.v ( not that I watch any T.V.) . TV shows over here like the block & master chef have beed criticised for all the building company, food chain & microsoft advertising.
I realise that film & t.v makers look for sponsors to help pay for expenses which might mean the show or film never gets off the ground in the first place. But the sneaky surreptitious advertising is getting annoying.
It's the reason I rarely ever watch T.V anymore except for documentaries or debate/discussion type shows. Although, my only refuge, the internet is being infiltrated by these advertisers also. You cant watch many you tube clips now without watching an ad first. Or a news video on a news site.
I don't know what the answer is & I realise that TV & film makers need to turn a profit to survive & provide us with more film & t.v, but many people now P2P tv series, because they want it on demand & don't want the ads.
I wonder how Red Dog would have been received if there was an ad before the movie started or something that said "This film is sponsored by the following mining companies" ?
This all reminds me of Jack Ambramoff & "Red Scorpion".
If you watch the trailer, it
If you watch the trailer, it actually looks like a fun movie. I guess it's entertainment, that's all, and most people have been around long enough to ignore the brand placement in most of the films these days anyway.
dutchroll replied on Permalink
Aww Cmon - Its just a good movie
I'm no fan of mining industry PR. But honestly, who did you think was going to sponsor a movie about a dog roaming the Pilbara? Product placement and sponsorship in movies these days is the norm, not the exception.
The reality, if seeing the movie the other night was any indication, is that mining industry sponsorship in the movie was the absolute last thing on the teary patrons minds, unless your mind is already overwhelmed with political views before you enter the cinema. In which case what's the difference anyway?
Red Dog did not keep company with conservationists, or solar panel manufacturers, or city dwellers. He lived and roamed around a mining community.
And yep, I'm a very biased Kelpie owner too! I saw the movie for what it was - a touching and funny story loosely based on real events (I have read commentary by several people who actually met Red Dog back in the 70s) which is just a really good movie to see.
Red Dog
I don't like the way mining companies operate, or the extent of mining that is allowed to happen. I have mixed feelings about product placement. Advertising in general has got way out of hand, but I've been on the other side trying to raise funding for films. I could say that I've only ever approached companies I believed were ethical, but what's ethical to me may not be to someone else. Long debate … but that's just background for what I really want to comment on. I lived in Dampier in 1971, the year the story of Red Dog began. There's a bit of artistic license apparent in the film but overall it's a very accurate representation of the lifestyle in Dampier at that time. It was a closed town, owned by Hamersley Iron and there were reminders of that everywhere, from the name and logos on equipment to the fact that everyone's home was owned by Hamersley and most of the population worked for Hamersley (not me!). Making a film (especially a film based on a true story) set in Dampier in the 70s without Hamersley product placement would be unrealistic. I believe the film needed to show just how much life was intertwined with the company. I don't think the discussion needs to be about product placement specifically, but rather about the ethics of accepting funding from Rio Tinto. Or are the two inexorably connected?

subset: commoncrawl


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BAFTA Los Angeles renames award after Bond producer
The British Academy of Film and Television Los Angeles announced Tuesday that it was renaming its Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution to Filmed Entertainment in honor of the late Albert R. "Cubby" Broccoli, the producer of the James Bond film franchise. Broccoli died in 1996 at age 87.
The first Cubby Broccoli Britannia Award will be presented to John Lasseter, the Oscar-winning animator, director and chief creative officer at Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Lasseter will receive the honor at the 2011 BAFTA Los Angeles Britannia Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Nov. 30.
"Cubby Broccoli was the Britannia's first honoree when the awards were originated over 20 years ago," BAFTA L.A. chairman Nigel Lythgoe said in a statement. "By creating a global phenomenon with the longest-running film series in cinema history, Cubby's legacy exemplifies what the Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution stands for."
Tony Award-winning actor Alan Cumming will host the awards show. The event will air Dec. 4 on the TV Guide Network.
BAFTA Los Angeles honors Helena Bonham Carter
John Lasseter and David Yates set to be honored by BAFTA Los Angeles
-- Susan King
Photo: Cubby Broccoli, left, and Roger Moore on the set of "Octopussy." Credit: Danjaq & United Artists Corp.


text: After discussing their history with drugs and alcohol, David Koechner and Greg Fitzsimmons get into the knitty gritty of this podcast by talking about why they self medicate, the sizes of their junk, porn, sex, and how quickly they'll whip it out. Greg alsostarts a new tradition on the podcast by playing a game with David called sexual over/under, which isn't what you think it is. They cap it off with a little discussion about actor's that David has been mistaken for in public by fans before.


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Seabourn Sojourn First Cruise - Page 1by Paul Motter | 11.04.11
My first time on The Yachts of Seabourn, long known as one of the best cruise lines in the world, and my first New England – Canada journey.
|Seabourn Sojourn
Seabourn Personal Experience
I just sailed aboard the Seabourn Sojourn on a Canada/New England cruise from Quebec to Ft. Lauderdale – 12 days, with seven days at sea and five port stops. The ports included Saguenay, Quebec; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Bar Harbor, Maine; New York City; Norfolk, Virginia; and Charleston S.C.
This cruise was a real treat, since it was my first time on The Yachts of Seabourn (the line's official name), long known as one of the world's best cruise lines, not to mention my first New England – Canada journey.
What I experienced was far different from what I expected, but I had a particular challenge – I was onboard as a guest of the cruise line to work as a reporter/reviewer, not to use the cruise as an escape from reality for 12 days. My goal was to see how regular Seabourn clientele use the ship, and to find out why Seabourn is their favorite (if indeed it was). Still, I can only judge many elements of the cruise line if I am treated like any regular passenger. That means I expected prompt, attentive service in the dining room, for example, but I wasn't going to be ordering champagne and caviar in the hot tub every day.
And that was my particular challenge, because for many such behavior (champagne and caviar in the hot tub) is the Seabourn experience. I could have done that if wanted to, but I didn't have to do it onboard, I already know that's a great experience. So as part of this review let me just say up front that if that is your sole definition of a great cruise line then Seabourn definitely fills the bill.
For me, a working cruise means I continue to do my regular job as a cruise columnist while onboard. But it turns out that the Seabourn experience isn't exactly conducive to working at a desk, since the expeerience is so quiet I had to get out of the room to see what was happening.
On Seabourn, no public announcements are made to the rooms, no flyers are placed in the daily schedule delivered to your room nightly (The Herald), and the Herald itself is bare-bones, often a one-page sheet with one side devoted to a few highlights and the other giving the daily schedule. What's more, the next day's entire dinner menu for each restaurant is also delivered to your room nightly.
The Seabourn Experience
Seabourn is best for people who don't like the usual contrived cruise activities like portrait picture-taking, port shopping talks, spa demonstrations, art auctions, gift shop sales and bingo, for example. On mainstream cruise lines, these activities are ways for the line to make extra revenue, and while some people don't mind that (some people watch QVC, for example), others find that approach intrusive to their personal escape. They are right, and Seabourn is a cruise line where you will not encounter those distractions.
This leaves the question – what does Seabourn offer?
Seabourn activities are not "revenue enhancing" for the cruise line, other than a few spa demonstrations. They tend to be interactive group games like trivia; enrichment, such as lectures on the history of the region you are visiting; or diversions like pre-dinner cocktails with dancing.
I found Sojourn to be a very quiet ship, which leads to a different emphasis on cruise activities. For example, most ships have a fairly fun trivia game with regular players returning every day. But on Seabourn, the game has been nick-named "blood sport trivia," because the players take it very seriously. During one trivia session, I was invited to join a group although I was just there to watch. Our cruise director, John Howell, started the session by noting he had received challenges to his answers for four different questions from the day before (one was which side of Niagara Falls is higher, and he changed his mind; on the other three, he either gave credit to both sides or left it unchanged).
Trivia teams run a tallied score day to day throughout the cruise, and in the end the winning team gets what John jokingly referred to as "the cheap stuff we give away; I can't wait to get rid of this crap." It was an refreshingly funny and honest portrayal of what every cruise line gives for such prizes – sparkling wine, brand logo bookmarks, etc.
There was usually one lecture every morning and another each afternoon on sea days. Our first lecturer was Roy Willis, who has been lecturing on Seabourn since 1995 – a scholarly historian who wrote a two-volume history of world civilizations. He was fascinating, and so knowledgeable I sensed he had to restrain himself to remain on topic. He has an engaging laugh and raises his timbre when a certain point tickles his sensibilities.
The other expert in residence was Gary McKechnie, a regular guy, although very accomplished. His specialty is the broad subject of "Americana." He reveled in topics like Highway 101 and the Soapbox Derby. His latest book, "Great American Motorcycle Tours," covered more than 30,000 miles and included a list of 25 back road adventures throughout the U.S.
The culinary demonstrations on most sea days, by executive chef Andrew Soddy, were popular highlights of the daily entertainment. Each guest was given a recipe and step by step instructions on how to prepare it. Soddy struck me as innately talented, especially in the small details he gave us when describing his approach to creating dishes. Sauté the shallots first, but do not add chives or other tender spices until just before you are ready to mix the ingredients – because some ingredients need their flavors blended with heat, while others need to remain as fresh for as long as possible. These same subtle points make the cuisine of Seabourn ships so unique.
Seabourn Square is a wonderful concept, combining a library, Internet café, coffee bar, shipboard information and guest services all in one place. USA Today and the Wall Street Journal are delivered to the ship digitally each morning, printed out on large, newsprint-size paper and placed within Seabourn Square for guests. (Obviously, you can't take them away.)
As for other days-at-sea activities, there is a card room where people mostly play bridge; the fitness center offers treadmills and a "kinesis wall" (a system of weighted pulleys for strengthening any part of your body); and there are regular classes in aerobics, yoga, etc. There is no jogging or walking track on these ships.
Other activities included a daily tea time, meetings for Friends of Bill W., religious services on Sabbath days, and opportunities to meet with others for games of Pictionary, Mahjong, a nine-hole putting course, shuffleboard, etc. (These were in the schedule but were not supervised events – many went unattended.)
The line claims it has "Food and Wine Tastings" and complimentary massage moments by the pool, but I did not see either of these scheduled during our cruise. The line also mentions "Caviar in the Surf Beach Party (on certain sailings)." We were not in a location for a beach party, so I guess ours didn't qualify as a "certain sailing." I expected there would be some kind of caviar-centric party, since so many Seabourn pictures feature a large chalice of pure caviar for a roomful of people, but there was no such event on our cruise. There were half-thimble dollops of caviar on water crackers offered at some cocktail parties.
Continue Article >> Seabourn Dining (Page 2)


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The first assignment of the season for new Western Alamance girls� basketball coach Sean Quinn offered little in terms of an easing into things.
The Warriors faced Southern Alamance, the 2012 Metro Conference Tournament champion. Quinn knows the Patriots quite well.
He left the athletics director�s position at Southern Alamance to take the Western Alamance job. He had been the Southern Alamance girls� coach before that.
So Quinn called his first game Tuesday night, which resulted in an 89-42 victory for Southern Alamance, a bittersweet experience.
�I�m really happy for those girls,� he said of Southern Alamance. �I coached them when they were freshmen. We�re trying to build something that they already have there.�
It was strange for Southern Alamance girls� coach Chris Miller, who moved into that role this season. He�s also the softball coach at the school.
�It felt weird. It�s hard playing against friends, like him and (Eastern Alamance coach Tim) Krotish,� Miller said.
Miller said it�s nice that he has a veteran team.
Quinn said took some satisfaction with the Warriors, who were winless last season, in their first game of the season.
�We weren�t scoreboard watching,� he said. �We kept playing.�
-- FILLING A BRACKET: Graham athletics director and boys� basketball coach Mike Williams said he had trouble filling some slots in the school�s its pre-Christmas basketball tournaments on the boys� and girls� sides, but with Western Alamance joining the event it helped.
That arrangement also postponed Graham�s season openers in the boys and girls because Western Alamance was to be a non-conference opponent last week. But by adding the Graham tournament games prior to Christmas came with the agreement to push back the Graham / Western Alamance games from last week.
Western Alamance athletics director Carter Gerlach, also the new boys� coach, said reworking the schedule gave the Warriors more preparation time in case the school�s football team advanced in the state playoffs.
The girls� field for Graham�s tournament next month will include Cummings High School, Western Alamance, Roxboro Community School and Graham. The boys� side will be River Mill, Western Alamance, Raleigh Heat Home Schoolers and Graham.
New Bern dropped out.
The delay in opening might have been a blessing for the Graham boys. Guard Don Evans wore a protective boot two weeks after an ankle injury in a scrimmage, though he missed this week�s opener anyway.
-- GROWTH IS GOOD: The expansion to 10 teams for the Graham Duals was a success last week, Graham coach Joe Little said. He said the format should stick for next year as all the teams indicated they would return.
�It was good to have something that big at Graham,� Little said.
-- BACK ON THE MATS: Jim Giannotti has returned to his role as wrestling coach at Western Alamance, taking the spot held by Mitch Mitchener, who left the position to pursue other interests.
Giannotti, a Graham graduate and a member of the Elon Police Department, coached at Western Alamance six years previously. He also helped with Eastern Alamance�s program. This is his 13th year overall in some coaching capacity.
�That�s kind of the theme this winter,� Gerlach said, noting that both he and Giannotti have returned to head coaching positions at the school.
Giannotti said it will take some juggling this winter between his law enforcement job and the part-time wrestling position.
Western Alamancebegan the wrestling season short-handed. The Warriors were missing senior middle weight Ross Scott, a place finisher in the 2012 state tournament for Class 3-A, for last week�s Graham Duals. He was sick.
-- ODDS AND ENDS �: Cummings High School senior Cody Perdue, who was a Mid-State 2-A Conference wrestling champion as a freshman and sophomore, has joined the basketball team. The son of athletics director Jay Perdue didn�t participate in a winter sport as a junior. � Graham�s wrestling team added heavyweight Blaine Partin to the roster. He�s a sophomore transfer from Mt. Airy.


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TWIZZLERS Sweet and Sour Filled Bites
Bite-sized TWIZZLERS Bites with both a sweet and sour flavored filling.
140 Calories
1.5 Sat Fat (g)
20 Sugars (g)
85 Sodium (mg)
Frequently Asked Questions
At the end of the shelf life, there may be some flavor loss or texture changes, but it would not be harmful.
Every person's situation is unique to his/her own allergen concerns. Hershey uses good manufacturing practices to control for the possibility of crossover of allergens into products that do not contain those allergens. When a product does contain a major allergen, it is listed as an ingredient on our labels. The label includes an accurate, current listing of the ingredients in our products. Because, on occasion, the list of ingredients can change, we strongly encourage you to check the ingredient label on the package each time before you make a purchase. Learn more about our allergen labeling policy.
TWIZZLERS products are not gluten-free because they include wheat as an ingredient. While these particular products are not gluten-free, we do offer other gluten-free products. Click here for a list of our gluten-free products.
There are several vegan TWIZZLERS products, which include: TWIZZLERS Strawberry Candy, TWIZZLERS PULL-N-PEEL Cherry Candy, TWIZZLERS Bites Cherry Candy, TWIZZLERS Cherry Candy, TWIZZLERS NIBS Cherry Candy, TWIZZLERS Licorice Candy, and TWIZZLERS Chocolate Candy. These products are free from ingredients and processing aids derived from animal origin. Because, on occasion, the list of ingredients can change, we strongly encourage you to check the ingredient label on the package each time before you make a purchase.


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Asking questions is essential for learning. But how you ask a question can make a huge difference in where it leads you.
When you were a child, the world was a bit of a mystery. You were naturally curious and probably asked a lot of questions about how things work and what things mean and why things are the way they are. And you trusted your parents and other adults as they helped you understand what you needed to know at the time.
Now, as a teenager, you are learning more and more about the world, both in school and through your own experience. You still have questions, some of them deep and searching, but you're probably trying to figure things out on your own a little more.
These questions you're asking inevitably include things related to the gospel and the Church. Whether you were raised in the Church or learned about it only recently, your study, pondering, and experience can lead you to more—and more complex—questions about the gospel.
Questioning vs. Asking Questions
There are basically two different ways we can approach our questions. For our purposes here, we'll distinguish between these approaches by labeling them questioning and asking questions. When it comes to matters of faith, there can be a pretty big difference between the two. The difference has to do with how and why you're asking the questions, what you hope to gain from them, and where they'll eventually lead you.
Questioning, here, refers to challenging, disputing, or picking something apart. When it comes to religion, the result of this approach is often not to find answers but rather to find fault and destroy confidence.
The difference between questioning and asking questions has to do with how and why you're asking the questions, what you hope to gain from them, and where they'll eventually lead you.
On the other hand, in religion, just as in science or anything else worth studying, it's absolutely essential to ask questions, even difficult ones. It's the only way you'll get answers. And answers mean greater knowledge and understanding—and in the case of religion, greater faith and spirituality.
So, your attitude and your motive in asking a question can make all the difference in where it will eventually lead you. For instance, if you're studying the scriptures and come across a passage that seems to contradict a Church teaching or a scientific or historical fact, there's a big difference between asking "How could the scriptures (or the Church) possibly be true if … ?" and asking "What's the full context of this passage and what does it mean in light of … ?" The first question may lead you to a hastily drawn conclusion based on skepticism and doubt rather than actual knowledge or logic, whereas the second is more likely to lead you to greater insight and faith.
Though this example is a bit extreme, it illustrates how paying attention to the questions you ask and the reasons you ask them can help you to avoid drifting from asking questions into questioning.
What If Something Doesn't Make Sense?
As you study and learn and pray, you may come across something that troubles you or doesn't make sense to you no matter how much you try to understand it. What should you do then?
First, ask yourself, "How vital is this question to my overall understanding and testimony of the gospel?" If you feel it really is important, try as best you can to resolve it, and ask for help from someone you trust, such as a parent, Church leader, or seminary teacher. This process can even be beneficial, as President Howard W. Hunter (1907–1995) explained: "I have sympathy for young men and young women when honest doubts enter their minds and they engage in the great conflict of resolving doubts. These doubts can be resolved, if they have an honest desire to know the truth, by exercising moral, spiritual, and mental effort. They will emerge from the conflict into a firmer, stronger, larger faith because of the struggle. They have gone from a simple, trusting faith, through doubt and conflict, into a solid substantial faith which ripens into testimony" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1960, 108).
If you find that a question isn't that important, set it aside in your mental "To Be Answered Later" file. Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has said that as we "remain steady and patient" through our lives, "at times, the Lord's answer will be, 'You don't know everything, but you know enough'—enough to keep the commandments and to do what is right" ("You Know Enough," Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 13).
Because we choose to press forward in faith even though we don't have the answer to every question, some people may accuse us of exercising "blind obedience" or of being "anti-intellectual." Is this a fair claim? Are there some things we aren't allowed to study or questions we aren't allowed to ask? Well, no, not really.
Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once said to a group of young people: "You will hear allegations that the Church is 'anti-intellectual.' … You are the greatest evidence to refute such an erroneous statement. Individually, you have been encouraged to learn and to seek knowledge from any dependable source. In the Church, we embrace all truth, whether it comes from the scientific laboratory or from the revealed word of the Lord. We accept all truth as being part of the gospel" ("Begin with the End in Mind," Brigham Young University 1984–85 Devotional and Fireside Speeches [1985], 17).
A Diet of Doubt vs. a Feast of Faith
If you focus entirely on the intellect in your gospel study, you run the risk of spiritual malnutrition, because questioning and skepticism are pretty thin gruel. Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has explained: "There are those whose intellectual approach to spiritual things has left them spiritually undernourished and vulnerable to doubts and misgivings. … The things of God, including a spiritual conversion and testimony, must be transmitted in the Lord's way, 'by the Spirit'" ("Nourishing the Spirit," Ensign or Liahona, Dec. 1998, 9–10).
Asking questions doesn't need to cause doubt. In fact, it can help you build your faith.
A diet of doubt will starve your spirit, but a feast of faith will feed you "even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst" (Alma 32:42). Asking questions doesn't need to cause doubt, though. In fact, it can help you build your faith. So keep asking good questions. Keep studying and praying and thinking deeply. As you do, the Holy Ghost will help you recognize which questions leave you spiritually famished and which ones lead you to "feast upon the words of Christ" (2 Nephi 32:3).
Freedom and Duty
"As a Church, we encourage gospel scholarship and the search to understand all truth. Fundamental to our theology is belief in individual freedom of inquiry, thought, and expression. Constructive discussion is a privilege of every Latter-day Saint.
"But it is the greater obligation of every Latter-day Saint to move forward the work of the Lord, to strengthen His kingdom on the earth, to teach faith and build testimony in that which God has brought to pass in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times" (Gordon B. Hinckley, "Keep the Faith," Ensign, Sept. 1985, 5–6).
Dispelling Doubt
"Remember that faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other.
"Should doubt knock at your doorway, just say to those skeptical, disturbing, rebellious thoughts: 'I propose to stay with my faith, with the faith of my people. I know that happiness and contentment are there, and I forbid you, agnostic, doubting thoughts, to destroy the house of my faith. I acknowledge that I do not understand the processes of creation, but I accept the fact of it. I grant that I cannot explain the miracles of the Bible, and I do not attempt to do so, but I accept God's word. I wasn't with Joseph, but I believe him. My faith did not come to me through science, and I will not permit so-called science to destroy it'" (Thomas S. Monson, "The Lighthouse of the Lord," New Era, Feb. 2001, 9).
Common Questions
Check out these suggestions for how you might answer some frequently asked questions.
- Why do you have other scriptures? Isn't the Bible enough?
- Why are Mormons against gay people?
- Are you really Christians or more like a cult?
- Why does it matter what church you belong to? Doesn't God love everyone?
- Doesn't scientific evidence prove that the Book of Mormon couldn't possibly be true?
- What happens in your temples, and why are you so secretive about it?
- Why does your church send out young men and women to be missionaries?
- Why don't you believe in having sexual relationships until you're married?
- Do you all just blindly obey whatever you're told?
- How can you be sure what you believe is true?


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How To Go Thermonuclear in a Twitter Fight
Ever get tired of ankle-biting haters on Twitter? Freshdesk did, and responded with a dedicated website that called the critics out for, variously, being racist, being jealous, shilling, and tolling. Thus the company went from boring business-services startup to flamewar champion of the month.
The key to Freshdesk's victory over its enemies: Its Twitter-fight website, RipoffOrNot.org, which took the CEO of its competitor ZenDesk to task for calling India-based Freshdesk "a freaking ripoff" for making similar customer support web apps and for having the word "desk" in its name. "Does Zendesk own the english word 'desk'?" wrote Freshdesk CEO Girish Mathrubootham on RipoffOrNot.org. "Then what about companies like estreamdesk, ReadyDesk, Tremendesk, Wonderdesk and TopDesk? Are they all ripoffs too? Too bad you can't accuse them because many of these companies were founded before Zendesk." BURN!
But Mathrubootham didn't stop there. He also revealed that one Twitter critic, Ben Kepes, called Mathrubootham "an unethical troll" even as he himself failed to mention that he worked as a paid consultant/blogger for Zendesk . (Kepes replied that he hadn't taken money from Zendesk for a year or so.)
He highlighted how another critic, a consultant out of Sydney, Australia, got racial and nasty by deriding Freshdesk as a "bunch of Indian cowboys."
And he outlined the real reason for the mass conspiracy against Freshdesk:
With all the customers who have been switching over from Zendesk and our recent funding from Accel Partners, they probably realize we are not going to go away anytime soon. So they came up with this brilliant, half-baked social strategy of bad-mouthing us on Twitter.
The Freshdesk CEO then closed none too humbly with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi. You know the one: "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." Translation: We are hated for being awesome.
"FreshDesk 1; ZenDesk 0," wrote tech blogger Lindsay O'Neal.
You don't want to bring a knife to a gunfight. But bringing a gun to a knifefight? Wise! As Freshdesk showed. The lesson: if you want to win a battle on Twitter, take if off Twitter and onto a real fucking website. That's how, like, Gandhi would play it, I'm reasonably certain.


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CHICAGO (AP) - The Miami Heat's 27-game winning streak was snapped Wednesday night by the Chicago Bulls, 101-97, when a furious comeback by LeBron James and his teammates fell short.
The Heat finished six games short of the record held by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers.
Luol Deng scored 28 points, Carlos Boozer added 21 points and 17 rebounds, and the Bulls brought the Heat's pursuit of the record to a screeching halt despite another big game from James.
Miami's superstar did all he could to keep the run going, scoring 32 points in a physical final few minutes that saw the MVP even collect a flagrant foul.
The Heat hadn't lost since the Pacers beat them in Indianapolis on Feb. 1. But after grinding out some close wins lately, including a rally from 27 down in Cleveland, they simply came up short down the stretch in this one.
For the better part of two months, they were the NBA's comeback kings. They erased seven double-digit deficits during the streak. They found themselves trailing in the fourth quarter 11 times, and won them all.
Not Wednesday.
And when they walked off the floor in Chicago, they were not happy. Faces were stoic as the Heat trudged toward the locker room. James turned and glared at one fan who grabbed at his head.
Meanwhile, the Bulls whooped and slapped hands with anyone they could reach, with some acknowledging that being the team that snapped the streak meant plenty.


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Soul and Shadow by Susan J. McLeod FREE October 16-18/
Soul and Shadow by Susan J. McLeod
In ancient Egypt, a young priestess of the goddess Hathor is laid to rest in a beautiful tomb with everything she needs for her journey into the afterlife…
Three thousand years later, archaeologist Ursula Allingham discovers the mummy of Amisihathor and is confronted by a mystery. Is the man buried with the priestess really her husband? Or was she actually in love with a scribe called Kamenwati and separated from him in life as well as death?
To answer these questions, Dame Ursula turns to Egyptology student and artist Lily Evans, who reluctantly agrees to help. Lily learns that she is psychically linked to Amisihathor and experiences a strange, unsettling phenomenon—the memories and emotions of the Egyptian woman. Luckily, Lily has her beloved pet Cleocatra and her irrepressible friend Katy to keep her grounded in reality. Or so she hopes.
Dealing with the challenges of falling in love with Ursula's grandson Kent, the reappearance of her ex-fiance Stephen and the demands of her mother and her boss Professor Briggs, Lily soon realizes she has taken on much more than she bargained for.
Book Details:
FREE Kindle edition -October 16-18
Editorial Reviews:
"An enlightening, engaging tale with a pleasantly surprising twist...a literary treat for readers of all ages." —Apex Reviews
"Engaging…a double-storyline that weaves seamlessly back and forth between the present and the past through a clever plot." — Rai Aren, co-author of Secret of the Sands
"A deep and complex tale of deceit, danger and love." —Jenn L., Romance Junkies
"Writing good romance is like painting modern art. Most of it sucks but every once in awhile someone comes up with something brilliant." —Mark McGinty, author of The Cigar Maker
"Five stars and five golden tombs filled with priceless jewels." —Fran Lewis, author of My Name Is Bertha
Available at:


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It's Just a LITTLE Soap Box, I Promise
Sorry, sorry - I promise I almost never do this, but I just learned something that I think will interest/concern a lot of you Wreckies out there. If you enjoy supporting local artists and makers of hand-made goods, please keep reading.
Here's the deal:
In August the Congress passed the CPSIA, a law making it tougher to sell toys and other childrens items that contain lead - so obviously that's a good thing. However, as a result of this law any crafter or stay-at-home artisan who makes items for kids under 12-- from clothing to toys to school supplies - must have their items tested to the tune of $400-$4000 per item. Since most crafters cannot afford those kinds of fees, this means tens of thousands of stay-at-home moms and small home-based businesses may be forced out of business come February 10, the official "mandatory compliance" date set by the law.
As a small business owner and indie-art-lover I was distressed to hear of this from reader Laurel, especially considering it's an easy fix: all that's needed is a simple amendment excluding micro-businesses, similar to the exemptions granted by the FDA for small producers under the food labeling laws.
So, if you want to help save Etsy sellers, stay-at-home crafters, and countless other small businesses, please visit the Handmade Toy Alliance. There you'll find a sample letter you can send to your congressman and an online petition you can sign, in addition to lots more info and links. Remember, the deadline is February 10th, so please act now if you're going to.
And that's it! We now return you to your regularly scheduled Wreckage.
UPDATE: A few of you have referenced Snopes (an urban legend/rumor fact-checker) in the comments, saying they called this law a false rumor. However, what Snopes was addressing was the resale of USED children's items and clothing, which will in fact still be legal after 2/10. (Click here to read the article.) All new items are still affected by the law.
UPDATE FROM JOHN: Um hi. The comments on this are done. It's all very interesting and I strongly suggest y'all read up on it further. And if you are desperate to make your voice heard, please send a letter to your representative, write about it on your personal blog or even e-mail your friends but I would ask that you not comment on other posts about this one. The only reason I am not taking this down is that Jen really does care about small businesses and she was trying to do a good thing by letting all of our awesome readers know about something that concerned her. That's it. Wreck On and happy Martin Luther King day!


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"Prep Now, Save Later" is a new monthly series that tells you the best tips and tactics for what you can do now to help you prepare for the holiday season.
Procrastination not only leads to a very stressful holiday season, it can also make for a very expensive one. That's why it's time to start planning for the holidays now. Yes, we realize Halloween costumes have barely hit the shelves, but by starting your holiday preparations in September, you're less likely to be in debt by January.
Each month until January, we'll give you a list of ways you can prep now, save later. This month, it's all about planning so when you start making those purchases you get the best deals and the most value.
Create a Budget
Many of us have no idea how much we spend around the holidays. We just know it's a lot! The only way to truly be in control of your spending is to set a budget and keep track of what you spend. Factor in gifts, decorations, meals, parties, hostess gifts and all other expenses you may incur. Google Docs has many free templates available to help you easily create a budget.
Make a Gift Log
Unless you know who you'll be giving gifts to, it's hard to create an accurate budget. Make a list of all the people you want to buy for, how much you would like to spend, and leave an area where you can jot down gift ideas as they come to you. I keep a holiday notebook that I add to every year. It goes back more than 20 years and is great because at any time I can look at past years and see what I gave and how much I spent. It helps a lot when planning.
Source: FrugalFamilyFair
Start Setting Money Aside
Tuck away a portion of each paycheck into a holiday fund. If you're paid every two weeks, you'll have about eight pay periods to save up. That way, come December, your whole paycheck won't disappear in one trip to the mall. How much you set aside will depend on how much you determined you'd need in your budget.
Assess Your Credit Card Rewards
Now is the time to get familiar with your credit card rewards and cash back opportunities. From October to December, Chase Freedom offers 5% cash back at Amazon, Zappos and select department stores. If you are a card holder, it could make sense to plan your holiday gift shopping around that offer. And the last quarter of the year can be a great time to sign up. Many cards have introductory bonuses when you spend a certain amount in the first couple of months, which will be easier to reach with holiday spending.
Sign Up for Newsletters from Your Favorite Retailers
You probably have a good idea where you'll be shopping this year so make sure you're signed up for store newsletters and following on social media. This way you will be alerted to all of their holiday promotions.
Take Advantage of End-of-Season Clearance Sales
I know it might sound crazy, but it will feel amazing to buy one holiday gift in September and check it off your list. Plus, it will get you excited about your four-month plan to stay out of holiday debt in January. Take advantage of back to school and summer closeout sales to find a very budget-friendly gift. You might be so blown away by the sales, you'll want to get more than one gift!
Think Beyond Gifts
You'll also do a lot of food shopping during the holidays, so be sure to start scanning grocery ads today for non-perishable items like canned goods that you can stock up on today.
Be sure to check back each month as we reveal new tips and tactics to help you prep now and save later.


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North Carolina apparently has some voters� remorse from 2012.
Actually, the general dissatisfaction with Gov. Pat McCrory, according to at least two new polls, probably can�t be explained that easily. And folks in North Carolina like President Obama even less than they do McCrory.
They�re not too choked up about either of the state�s U.S. senators or leadership in the state General Assembly.
Tar Heels, it seems, are just plain unhappy with the state of government on nearly all levels, according to a poll released Thursday by Elon University.
The poll, conducted by land line and cell phones Sept. 13 to 16 of 701 registered voters, found that 70 percent believe the United States is on the �wrong track.� Almost 60 percent say North Carolina is careening down a similar path.
No wonder political leaders are recording roughly the popularity numbers associated with root canals.
President Obama, who didn�t carry North Carolina in 2012, remains unpopular with a disapproval mark of 51 percent. What is surprising is the drop for McCrory, who won bipartisan support by a wide margin in 2012. He registers a 46 percent disapproval rate after less than a year in office.
The Elon results are similar to numbers reported last week in a poll conducted by High Point University. That survey found Obama and McCrory tied with an approval rating of 39 percent in the state. The High Point poll found that the economy, unemployment and Syria are driving dissatisfaction with Obama�s performance. McCrory�s numbers are tumbling because of so many changes enacted by state government over the past several months.
That�s perhaps the silver lining for McCrory in the Elon poll. Apparently, state voters dislike members of the state General Assembly even more � if, in fact, they can determine who they are.
Only 31 percent of voters surveyed could identify state House Speaker Thom Tillis, while 67 percent had no idea who he might be. Of those who did know Tillis, just 22 percent viewed him favorably while 35 percent see him unfavorably. Those are not encouraging numbers for Tillis, who is seen as a possible candidate for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Kay Hagan. (Hagan, by the way, has a disapproval rating of 35 percent).
Overall, the General Assembly rates a 48 percent disapproval mark.
The good news for state lawmakers is that Congress continues to be the most disliked political body in North Carolina. Just 14 percent of those asked by Elon pollsters voiced approval for how Congress is doing its job. Seventy-five percent disapprove.
The numbers across the board are troubling, if only because they indicate an overall lack of optimism among state residents that government machinations will improve anytime soon.
It seems that politicians should be spending some time these days trying to win back the confidence of the people who put them in office.


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TODO: Convert wiki syntax
Creating a MinGW DLL for Use with Visual Basic
Below are two examples of techniques which facilitate the use of use of MinGW to create DLLs, exporting functions which may be called from Visual Basic. The first of these uses C or C++ as the implementation language; the second uses GNAT/GCC.
Example 1: A DLL for Visual Basic, Programmed in C or C++
NOTE: This description is only for Visual Basic 6, not DotNet.
- Step 1: Create your DLL.


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Teacher resources and professional development across the curriculum
Teacher professional development and classroom resources across the curriculum
In this activity, annotate an excerpt from Solomon Northup's Twelve Years a Slave and then provide a written response about the passage.
Pair artifacts with appropriate literary texts, and find tips for using them together in the classroom by selecting movements and disciplines with this handy tool.
Read two poems and follow the prompts to interpret them using four approaches: reader response, inquiry, cultural studies and critical pedagogy. Use the prompts to guide personal reflection, launch a lesson with students or join an online discussion.
Contestants in grades 1-8 will listen to three stories, one at a time, and then spell words from each story. Students in high school will listen to separate sentences and then spell the words from each sentence.
© Annenberg Foundation 2017. All rights reserved. Legal Policy


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VP sees gigantic win
Five runs in the bottom of the ninth for a come-from-behind win isn't a club record. But, it sure had to be the most runs the Phillies ever scored in the last of the ninth for a Vice President of the United States. If anyone knows better, fire away.
Joe Biden and his wife Jill stayed through the entire game, even though it looked bleak as the Phillies trailed 7-3 for their last at-bat. The VP headed for the Phillies clubhouse after the gigantic win and had a picture taken with Ryan Howard.
Matt Stairs, the modern day John Kruk, hit his 4th pinch homer of the season. Only Gene Freese hit more (five) in one Phillies season and that was 50 years ago.
After today's games, some players are leaving down for a three-day All-Star Game break, others will remain in the Philly area and a bunch of others will be heading for St. Louis.
There's plenty for Phillies fans to watch on TV. Kyle Drabek and Yohan Flande in the Future's Game this afternoon, Ryan Howard in the home run derby tomorrow night and then the 8 o'clock All-Star Game on Tuesday night on FOX. Charlie Manuel's bidding to extend the Phillies unbeaten streak as All-Star managers to 6-0. Five of his players will be there.
Charlie's also taking his coaching staff. Phillies have chartered a Delta airplane for the All-Star trip. In addition to those in uniforms, front office executives, media relations department personnel, some sponsors and suite holders will be on the flight after today's game. Frank Coppenbarger, who handles all the travel arrangements, won't be having a break but he's fine with that.
Everyone will return on the same plan after Tuesday's game. Then, Wednesday afternoon, the team heads for Miami to start the second half. The original four-day break was narrowed to three days because the Marlins moved a September game to Thursday night.
So, the second-half of the season will begin with a four-game series against the second-half Marlins.
1 Comment
Almost everytime they showed Biden on TV, he was eating something…LOL Poor guy. Even the VP can't eat in peace :O)


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text: Quality of Care Protecting and keeping your child safe is one of the many concerns you might have as a parent when your child is hospitalized. Connecticut Children's has several measures designed to keep your child safe, including methods of infection prevention, communication of safety hazards and a mechanism for process improvement. These safety measures require a coordinated effort between all staff at the Medical Center and the patients and families who we treat. Proper Care for Each Child Connecticut Children's is committed to providing the proper care meant for your child. Each time a medication is given or a test is performed, our staff checks your child's identification bracelet to ensure that they are providing the proper care intended for that specific patient. We encourage parents to ask questions about interventions that their child is receiving, and to verify with our staff that they've matched the medication or test with their child's identity. Daily Safety Check-In As a part of our effort to provide the safest, highest quality healthcare possible, all hospital leaders at Connecticut Children's attend daily safety meetings where they can report any current or potential safety issues. This meeting brings together leadership, including nurses, physicians, administrators and others, all centered on doing what is best for our patients and families. Fall Prevention Due to your child's age, diagnosis, treatments or the unfamiliar environment, he or she may be at higher risk to fall while being hospitalized. Our fall prevention program helps identify these children to other people inside the hospital. Look for signs outside of patient rooms which display our Humpty Dumpty tool. You can prevent falls by making sure that your child wears our no-slide socks when they are walking in the hospital. In addition, always keep the side rails and crib rails adjusted to the highest position when your child is in the bed or crib. Always ask your care team for help if you have concerns about your child's comfort or safety when moving about. Process Improvement Everyday process improvement is very important to continually enhancing the care we provide at Connecticut Children's. When we identify an opportunity to improve performance, we employ methods to ensure that all proposed measures will result in more value created for patients, families and staff through the reduction of waste, such as excessive delays, waiting, and rework. Our goal is to make our processes as efficient as possible, with the fewest number of steps required for out staff to provide high quality care. Making improvements is a continual process as demonstrated in this diagram. Each round of improvement results in a new current state that can then be improved further. When we identify areas of waste at Connecticut Children's, we follow a Plan-Do-Study-Act process for implementing improvements. This model guides us through a problem step-by-step. Teams use the model to plan their work, select changes and test changes to ensure changes created the intended effect. This model demonstrates the process.


text: With the addition of one of Ireland's premier young singers, Niamh Dunne, Mischief looks set to confirm Beoga's reputation as one of the most exciting acts to emerge from Ireland in recent years. The bedrock of Beoga's music lies firmly within the Irish tradition, but they are not afraid to incorporate other genres' nuances into their music. From bluesy riffs to Astor Piazzola-style jazz, to a raunchy New Orleans jamboree vibe, their music always returns to a wonderfully bouncy traditional sound. With a repertoire of fresh self-penned tunes and inventive arrangements, Mischief has already earned a 9.5/10 rating in Hotpress and has been tipped by Irish Music Magazine as a contender for album of the year. Beoga's popularity continues to flourish, as they captivate audiences on a global scale with their blend of passion, energy and vitality.


text:
Former "Silver Spoons" star Ricky Schroder was allegedly involved in an altercation at an airport on Monday as he argued with a worker about his luggage.
Police were called to Los Angeles International Airport after the actor became embroiled in a heated exchange with a female employee who wouldn't let Schroder go through a security check with three bags, as the limit is two.
The unnamed woman claims the star pushed her arm to get past her, but Schroder's lawyer Marty Singer denies the allegation, telling TMZ.com his client was hit on the hand during the confrontation.
Singer also maintains there are independent witnesses who are willing to back Schroder's story.
Cops who arrived at the scene interviewed both parties, but no arrests were made.


text:
THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Security camera videotape just before the explosion that killed former Lebanon Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was played Thursday for an international tribunal.
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon, sitting in The Hague, Netherlands, must decide if five members of Hezbollah were involved in Hariri's assassination. Four are being tried in absentia, the (Beirut) Daily Star reported.
Footage from a security camera at an HSBC bank shows what is alleged to be a Mitsubishi Canter van being driven very slowly along the street in Beirut where Hariri's convoy was about to pass. A minute later, the convoy goes by and then, soon after, the image is obliterated by a dust cloud.
Cameras at the bank also captured pedestrians reacting to the enormous explosion and a bright flash of light.
Prosecutors say the Mitsubishi van was loaded with 2 tons of explosive. Hariri and 21 other people were killed on Feb. 14, 2005.
The trial began last week with opening statements from both sides that concluded Monday. Thursday was the second day of testimony, the Daily Star said.
Robyn Fraser, an expert witness, testified that the van appeared to be the same one captured by other cameras at the Phoenicia Hotel.
Prosecutors say they have evidence that members of Hezbollah bought a Mitsubishi Canter van. Defense lawyers plan to object that the van seen on the cameras was a Mitsubishi, the Star said.


text:
The Story:
The story opens with rookie female FBI agent Nicole Bonnet assigned to a coffee run while on a stakeout with her partner. Upon returning to the stakeout location, a dark and foreboding Bronx apartment building, she hears a gunshot and rushes to her partner's side only to hear him uttering his last words, "Give Nick a message."
The FBI assigns Bonnet to take the place of her dead colleague and teams her up with Nick, an agent who has been oddly scarce around the Bureau. The mysterious case of the macabre murders is plaguing New York and targeting wealthy residents. The murders are committed with a strange weapon and the hearts of several victims are removed. Bonnet takes on the case solo, as Nick is being very elusive, and sets out to solve the murder investigation before another life is ended.
Players get the opportunity to become agent Bonnet and explore the evidence to discover what links the victims, find out what the motive is, and investigate why the murderer targets prominent New Yorkers? Exploring more than 200 dark locations, Bonnet races against the clock to save her own life. Eventually she will be led to the Peruvian city of Cusco, where she will discover if the macabre murders are some form of ancient sacrificial ritual. Bonnet will be forced to get inside the mind of the mass murderer and capture the killer before the killer spills her blood.
OK. I know that an FBI agent solving sordid crimes sounds familiar, but no need to worry - all comparisons should stop there. In the beginning of the game there is a very interesting opening scene that puts you right into the investigation mode. The story is mostly about finding the whereabouts of a serial killer, but soon you will realize that several other mysteries are hidden in the story. Even if the ending is a bit predictable, it doesn't make the game any less enjoyable. One reason why the ending might be predictable is the small number of possible suspects or characters you encounter during the gameplay. Several interesting cutscenes help the story flow very well.
Most of the puzzles are inventory based; you also have a couple of logical puzzles. I should mention that there are two puzzles - a timed puzzle and another puzzle - which will end your game if you don't solve them. The puzzles aren't very hard and are well integrated into the story. However, a couple of them will offer you a good challenge. One puzzle that was fun to do was in the forensic laboratory. Sometimes, you can't trigger a puzzle or make inventory combinations until you have a dialogue between Nicole and another character. Explanations given in the game are enough to solve most of the puzzles.
Graphics and Gameplay:
Art of Murder is a third person point and click adventure game. The game has 3D characters moving around in interesting and colorful 2D graphics. The cutscenes aren't as well done as the game backgrounds. The most beautiful scenery is from the part in South America.
By pressing ESC you can access the main menu where you can save, load and adjust the game settings. At the bottom of the screen you have the inventory, and on the bottom right side is a briefcase that will also allow you access to the main menu and a spyglass that will give you hints about where to go and what you need to look at. Here you will also be able to access your PDA so you can phone people, receive e-mail and take pictures. A notepad will allow you to read important things that need to be done or that have already been done. When you click on the left mouse button, you will either perform an action or make a movement. Clicking on the right mouse button will give you information about an object. There are infinite save slots, but it was a bit annoying to always scroll down to get the most recent saved game. Some of the objects you need to pick up are very small and almost impossible to see. Luckily, you can use the spyglass to find them. The game is mostly linear, and you can't leave a location until you are done exploring it and finding everything.
Agent Bonnet is very chatty and for those like me who love a challenging game, she gives away too many clues. It was a bit annoying that Nicole is supposed to have a partner in the game, Nick. But he seems more like an imaginary friend since we don't even see him for most of the gameplay.
Even if the cutscenes are a bit pixelated, they are intriguing, and they really add to the plot and make you want to learn more about the possible outcomes.
Product: Art of Murder: FBI Confidential
Developer: City Interactive
Format: PC CD-ROM
Game Type: Adventure, classic point and click
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Availability: July 29, 2008
· A dark and exciting storyline filled with twists, mysteries and intriguing characters
· 200 detailed locations including New York, Peruvian Cusco, and the Amazon jungle
· Nearly 20 in-game characters who move in a natural way and cast realistic shadows
· 100 difficult puzzles that engage players to think logically
· 5,000 realistic dialogue lines that enable players to easily understand assigned tasks
· More than 200 detailed and varied pre-rendered images that are enhanced with background animations. The graphics were designed by some of the best graphic and art directors in Poland.
Interesting facts about the game:
You get a warning when you're not done exploring a place.
There is a hint system that allows you to know where you can go or see the things that might be important.
ALT/TAB friendly
The game is on DVD
Dialogue and sound:
The voice actress who played Agent Bonnet was perfect for the character. Other voice actors were average - nothing out of the ordinary. The game music fits the mood of the game very well; mostly it is classical music. The sound effects are a real plus in the game; they make each scene more alive. The most interesting sound effects were in the part where you explore South America.
One thing I didn't like was that Agent Bonnet repeats the same phrases over and over and after awhile, it became somewhat annoying.
Bugs and/or Patches:
I didn't encounter any major bugs; the sound was a bit choppy sometimes.
Computer Specifications:
System Requirements:
Windows 98/2000/ME/XP
DirectX 8.1
Pentium III 500MHz
DirectX 8.1 compatible video card with 32 MB RAM
DirectX 8.1 compatible sound card
1 GB free hard drive space
DVD-ROM 4x
My computer specifications:
OS: Windows Vista SP1
Processor: Intel (R) Core (TM) 2 Duo 3.00 Go
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT
Sound: Onboard Sound Controller
Disk space: 1st 247Go and 2nd 282 Go
DirectX 10.0c
Closing Statement:
Art of Murder: FBI Confidential has some beautiful graphics and an interesting story. The puzzles are fun but not very difficult. This is a modern investigation game with some surprises hidden on your path. The graphics and the story are probably the two elements that make the game so enjoyable. Average time for gameplay is around twenty hours, which is average for what is available on the market right now. The price is around $20 US, so it is also about average in cost. So, if you are in the mood for a relaxing game where you don't have to pull your hair out, Art of Murder is the perfect game for you.
Official Websites:
Art Of Murder: FBI Confidential
Daniel (aka danyboy)
Thanks Draclvr, Ghostlady, LadyK, Angelfire and all of those who helped me with this review.
Art Of Murder: FBI Confidential Review
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Art Of Murder: FBI Confidential Review
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I want to break free from your lies
You're so self satisfied,
I don't need you
You're so self satisfied,
I don't need you
- LadyKestrel
- Flighty Administrator
- Posts: 10563
- Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2004 1:40 pm
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Re: Art Of Murder: FBI Confidential Review
It sounds like you enjoyed this one, DB! Nice work!
We lose ourselves in books and games. We find ourselves there, too.
Re: Art Of Murder: FBI Confidential Review
Thanks LadyK!
I want to break free from your lies
You're so self satisfied,
I don't need you
You're so self satisfied,
I don't need you
Re: Art Of Murder: FBI Confidential Review
Another honest and informative review! One of the things that I'm finding encouraging is that so many of these games are compatible with Vista.
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. When life gives you tomatoes, make Bloody Marys.
Re: Art Of Murder: FBI Confidential Review
Great review! This is another game I've been keeping an eye on...
"The whole of life is just like watching a film. Only it's as though you always get in ten minutes after the big picture has started, and no-one will tell you the plot, so you have to work it out all yourself from the clues."
— Terry Pratchett
— Terry Pratchett
Re: Art Of Murder: FBI Confidential Review
Thanks skeeter and drac.
I want to break free from your lies
You're so self satisfied,
I don't need you
You're so self satisfied,
I don't need you
- Rosaboobie
- Dastardly Demon
- Posts: 9502
- Joined: Thu Oct 12, 2006 2:55 am
- Zodiac:
Re: Art Of Murder: FBI Confidential Review
Well done, THE TEAM for yet another excellent review.
I cant believe how reasonable your new games are - Just $20?? In Uk we would pay twice as much for a new game!
I cant believe how reasonable your new games are - Just $20?? In Uk we would pay twice as much for a new game!
If people had hearts like dogs, the world would be a better place!
If people had hearts like dogs, the world would be a better place!
Re: Art Of Murder: FBI Confidential Review
Thanks for the review. I'll put that one on my want list.
Re: Art Of Murder: FBI Confidential Review
Dragon and Boobie, you're both welcome. Boobie very sorry that games are expensive where you are, Usually games in Quebec are more expensive than in the U.S. or the rest of Canada, we also have two taxes to pay when we're buying stuff and if people who don't play games in English want to play them in French they need to pay between 10 or 15$ more.
I want to break free from your lies
You're so self satisfied,
I don't need you
You're so self satisfied,
I don't need you
Re: Art Of Murder: FBI Confidential Review
Games are always much dearer here also, mainly because of the money exchang rate.
Thank you DB for another great review.
Thank you DB for another great review.
In the end, it doesn't matter how many breaths you take, but how many moments took your breath away...Anonymous
Re: Art Of Murder: FBI Confidential Review
You're welcome Sophie!
I want to break free from your lies
You're so self satisfied,
I don't need you
You're so self satisfied,
I don't need you
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text:
Published Dec 16, 2010
Buttercream or fondant? Where would you go for your dream wedding cake?
What DJ to you trust to get your guests on their feet? see the Top 5 →
Time to toss the bouquet. Who creates the best wedding flower bouquets? see the Top 5 →
We request the honor of your presence at our wedding. Where can you get... see the Top 5 →
Looking to arrive in style? What limo company is the best? see the Top 5 →
Who will be playing the music for your much anticipated first dance as... see the Top 5 →
The 2010 FOX 8 HOT LIST awards are based on more than 142,000 votes from local Cleveland-area experts.


text:
Nelly Performs 'Cruise' With Florida Georgia Line at 2013 CMT Music Awards
Nelly closed out the 2013 CMT Music Awards Wednesday night (June 5) on a high note. The St. Louis rhymer joined country duo Florida Georgia Line to perform their summer anthem, 'Cruise.'
The pair kicked off their performance with fireworks as the backing band played the foot-stomping song. After FGL's Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard danced around a bit, Nelly came out wearing blue jeans, Timberland boots and an olive tank top with "Cruise" written on the front.
The rap-country trifecta had the crowd on their feet, singing every word of their energetic track.
The only odd thing we noticed with their performance was the break dancers onstage and the graffiti artist tagging up the word "Cruise" on a wall. Granted, Nelly is a hip-hop artist but it was very cliche to have that onstage and, we have to say, totally unnecessary.
Otherwise, Nelly and Florida Georgia Line rocked the house. Afterward, the trio hugged it out before waving to the crowd and exiting the stage.


text:
Help empower communties around the world to rise out of poverty. Fund a Project today!
The Hernandez family lives in Ojo de Agua, a community in western Honduras that has retained many traditions from the indigenous lenca culture from which it came. Little more than a year ago, the family joined a Heifer project in Honduras in association with project partner APDI (Grassroots Association for Integrated Development).
"Thank God our family was selected (for the project)," said Beto Hernandez who has been a member of APDI for 13 years. "We are very happy with the support we have received from the project. We have received a lot."
On May 21, 2010, the family received a cow from Heifer International, and the three Hernandez girls—Silvia Sarai, Santos Karina, and Rosa Linda—named it Estrella (star). She gave birth on November 28 to a calf the girls named Mario, after the man who sold the cows to the project. "He's really cute," said 7-year-old Rosa Linda, the youngest of the daughters.
"We also got a small credit in materials to build a shelter for the cow, vegetable seeds for the family vegetable garden and grasses," Beto continued. María Alba Hernandez Reyes, Beto's wife, adds, "And the materials that Heifer gave us to build a biodigester!"
Beto then explained the training he's received. "In the educational part, I've received training in animal handling, animal medication and feeding, and in building shelters for the animals, setting up vegetable gardens and growing vegetables, educational field visits to share experiences. And we also received technical support."
"All that has helped us a lot since we didn't know how to take care of or handle an animal, and I've shared all that with whoever needed to know about it—especially with my daughters and my wife. They have gotten very involved in the project, especially in helping out with caring for the calf. When I leave early to work, Alba is the one who does the milking. She usually gets between 10 and 12 liters of milk every day!! You know she milks better than me. She gets more milk than I do. She says she's going to learn more so she can teach our girls. They are very happy, and it's good that they learn how to do the project activities since, from the very beginning, we learned that Heifer works with the whole family."
"We have received many benefits!" said Alba. "Our nutrition has improved because, before, we were only able to buy a liter of milk once a month and when (our neighbor) wanted to sell us some milk, it cost 12 or 14 lempiras. It was even less likely that we could have milk curd."
"Now, every day our cow gives us 10 to 12 liters, around 13 bottles. Some of that we consume, and sometimes we make curd out of around eight liters and get two or two-and-a-half pounds of curd. So we don't eat just beans any more. And we share with the families who don't have any. As usual, Beto goes to visit his mother every day. Before he didn't take anything, but now every day he goes with a liter of milk. We have also produced some vegetables like radishes, cucumbers and squash and that also improves our diet. We sell what we don't eat because there are families who need it because they have children. With the money we make from the sale, we have a small savings, 200 lempiras, which we will use to pay the loan for the animal shelter. And we will use 700 lempiras to buy two bags of animal feed for the cow. She gives to us so we also have to give to her.
God willing, we can help another family by giving them a cow.
Hernandez, Honduras
"The project has helped us become more integrated as a family because we are all involved in caring for the animals, and we all know how to do what they have taught Beto. The most important thing is that the project has taught us how to share with others. That's why our dream is that our daughters learn that (lesson) and, just like Heifer, APDI, and their technicians supported us, soon, God willing, we can help another family by giving them a cow."


text:
SOURCE: http://oedb.org/ilibrarian/10-advantages-to-taking-online-classes/
An interesting article published on the OPEN EDUCATION DATABASE website presented 10 advantages of taking online classes.
While not specifically written for NDT-ers, it is certainly relevant for students seeking training in our industry and is reprinted here in its entirety to share with those interested in understanding why online training works:
The current challenges facing traditional colleges and universities, including higher tuition, budget cuts, and course shortages, have caused many students to search for alternatives. With nearly 3 million students currently enrolled in fully online degree programs and six million taking at least one online course as part of their degree program, online education has clearly become one of the most popular higher education alternatives. The continually improving reputation of online learning has also helped fuel its expansion, as initial skepticism has faltered in the face of evidence that shows that online learning can be just as effective as face-to-face education.
All of this means that students, from working professionals to recent high school graduates, find many reasons to take all or some of their courses online. Below are 10 advantages to online learning.
- Variety of programs and courses: From traditional four-year universities to completely online career colleges, higher education today offers a variety of options for students. This means that no matter what students wish to study, from nursing to neuroscience, they can find online the courses or degree programs they need. They can also earn every academic degree online, all the way from a career certificate to a doctorate.
- Lower total costs: Online programs can be a more affordable option than traditional colleges. Though not all online degrees have less expensive net tuition prices than traditional colleges (link to OEDB article I wrote about college costs), associated costs are almost always less expensive. For example, there are no commuting costs, and sometimes there is also not any required course materials such as textbooks because those are often available for free online. In addition, many colleges and universities have begun to accept credits earned via free massive open online courses (MOOCs), the most recent advance in online education. Free online courses such as these can help students fulfill general education requirements at little to no cost.
- More comfortable learning environment: Commercials that featuring online students studying in the pajamas only skim the surface of one of the primary benefits of online education: there are no physical class sessions. Lectures and other materials are electronically sent to the student, who will then read them and complete assignments. Students will not have to fight traffic, find parking spaces, leave work early to go to class, or miss important family time.
- Convenience and flexibility: Online courses give students the opportunity to plan their study time around the rest of their day, instead of the other way around. Students can study and work when they are at their peak energy, whether that's early morning or late at night. Course material is always accessible online, so there's no need to schedule special trips to a library either. All of this makes online learning a good option for students who need to balance their work and family commitments.
- More interaction and greater ability to concentrate: While there is contradictory evidence about the rate of online student participation versus participation in traditional courses, one thing is certain: online courses offer shy or more reticent students the opportunity to participate in class discussions or chats with more ease than face-to-face class sessions. Some students even report that online courses are easier to concentrate in because they are not distracted by other students and classroom activity.
- Career advancement: Students can take online courses and even complete entire degrees while working, while in-between jobs, or while taking time to raise a family. This academic work will explain any discontinuity or gaps in a resume as well. Also, earning a degree can show prospective employers that you are ambitious and want to remain informed and prepared for any new challenges.
- Continue in your profession: Even if someone wants to complete a degree program, it doesn't mean that they want to leave their current job. For most students today, college costs mean that it's necessary to continue working while in school. The previously mentioned flexibility of online degree programs enable students to keep working while also pursuing academic credentials.
- Avoid commuting: During snowstorms and thunderstorms, colleges may cancel classes; if they don't, you run the risk of getting hurt in dangerous driving conditions. Rather than miss important class sessions, students in online courses can always "attend" by participating on discussion boards or in chat sessions, turn in their work on time, and watch lectures or read materials. Many students also find that the amount they save on fuel costs can be substantial if they don't have to commute to a physical campus in general, no matter what the weather conditions may be.
- Improve your technical skills: Even the most basic online course requires the development of new computer skills, as students learn to navigate different learning management systems (LMS) and programs. The skills students learn to participate in their online courses translate to many professions, including creating and sharing documents, incorporating audio/video materials into your assignments, completing online training sessions, etc.
- Transfer credits: For college students who want to attend summer classes, but who live too far from their colleges or have to work summer jobs, taking online classes from an accredited college and transferring the credits to their primary college is a good idea. Students will be able to earn college credit while still enjoying their summer vacation or fulfilling the responsibilities of their seasonal jobs. Similarly, if a college or university is unable to offer enough open sections of a required course, students can take the course online at another college and transfer the credits.
These are just a few of the many advantages of taking online classes. Students in online degree programs are able to manage their time, learn the materials that are presented, and complete assignments on their own schedules.


text:
(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
Contact us for information about using this image.
A top hat was not just for formal wear in the 19th century. Men and boys wore them to meeting (church services), school, and for work. Some top hats were made of braided rye straw made at home by women in New England as part of the "putting out system". They were paid a certain amount per hat. The hat shown here is made, in part, of hair from the under coat of a beaver.
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Tricorn Hat
Straw Hat
Beaver pelt
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