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Ten years ago today, B&S was birthed by Jed. It's been a fun ride. (That's what he said!)
You see, Gentle Reader, when a man and another man like each other very, very much, they get together with thoughts of doing something very private and very special that just might bring a new life into this world. One man takes the passive behind-the-scenes role, the other man gets on top, wears the spurs and shakes his cowboy hat in the air like he's winning the rodeo, and the next thing you know a few months later, a blog is born.
Jed was the long-suffering behind-the-scenes guy. I've never been very good with the computer. I was the one on top with the chaps and the TV appearances. Sure, I got the groupies and adulation. There's nothing like putting on a nice suit and tie and standing before a room of Republican men as if I had nothing to hide, and to hear their applause, and feel their admiration as they looked me over, top to bottom! (That's not to say there weren't a few women in the room, too. There always are. You can tell the single ones because they wearest the brightest red suit jackets and pant suits. The only exception to that is Becky Kleefisch. The other married ones stick to more somber colors.)
It's not all about shaking the hands of other guys and accepting their free drinks and sympathetic glances. It's been tiring sometimes, too. Maybe everyone is getting tired of blogs like mine. There's only so many ways you can spin what the Wisconsin GOP wants you to spin. Freedom and fear, job creators and tax breaks, blinders tight to suppress the cognitive dissonance, rah-rah guns, my wife doesn't know me, huntin', grillin', Jesus, Texas, blah blah, day after day, week after week, it all wears on a man. Wears you down. The endless forwarded emails of the week's talking points. The pain of not saying what you'd really like to say, because you have an image and an ideology to uphold, not to mention a wife and kids who certainly derive some small part of their self-worth in thinking that I'm playing an important role in spreading Republicanism. The inside gossip about who's sucking up to who, and who's on the outs because they were busted for drunk driving with their mistress in the car or engaging in sexual blackmail over the Internet or whatever. And that's not even beginning to describe the parts of Christian Schneider and Brian Fraley that one needs to overlook. It never stops.
Ten years is long enough. Maybe I'll continue to appear on Wisconsin Public Radio. My wife has always said I've got a face made for radio.
And it's not like I'm giving up on Jed. (I cain't quit you, Jed!) He was there for me in the dorms. He was there for me all these years. We'll still get together every year like we always do, except instead of calling them "trips to visit Jed to work on the blog" we'll need to refer to them as "trips to visit Jed to go fishing" or something like that.
Thank you all for reading.
With that, I'm done. I'll see you around town and the interwebs. Thanks for the memories.Posted by Owen at 0557 hrs
The liberals writing in the Daily News today are in full froth over a thriving business moving to West Bend, filling a vacant building, paying taxes, and adding jobs.
Oh… I get it. It's because that business is Delta Defense and it supports private citizens exercising their right to keep and bear arms. I'm sure if it was a company that bred unicorns that shat glitter, they'd be fine with it. Heck, why isn't there a company that teaches concealed carry as well as teaching craft projects from Pinterest? I'd be all over that one, especially if there was glitter involved.
I guess I won't believe the tripe that those folks spew when they talk about business development. They don't want business in West Bend. They want businesses that they like. That drastically limits the field of possibilities.
Speaking of tripe, think of what I had to swallow when I decided to look the other way on this one. Have I ever said that government shouldn't be picking winners and losers? If I did, I must've meant that Washington County should provide a private business with a $100,000 low interest loan, and that the city of West Bend should provide them a $167,000 low interest loan and a 50 percent, five-year tax re-investment program incentive for the project, and maybe they'll get another $124,000 in tax credits from Scott Walker's newly loosened WEDC. (I hear they pronounce it "wee dick".) Who cares if there was no public hearing for West Bend's loans? What I meant to say is that if the pork is sufficiently local, I'm all for it. And if it's about guns, it gives me an extra special woody. Bring on the pork!
And for the record, yes, I would applaud a lefty business moving to West Bend. Bring 'em all here, I say. I'm actually bi-pork-able.
This business will move six-and-a-half miles. They claim they'll create nine new jobs, but it's not as if anyone will bother to verify that a few years from now, once the money's spent. Look at their web site. Look at the customer testimonials: "As my CC instructor told me, "Every bullet has a lawyer's name on it. Exercising your right of defense will change your life." Tim, you are addressing my biggest fear about concealed carry. — Bill O."
Could that be Bill Osmulski from the McGuyver Institute? I don't know why Bill doesn't grow a beard to go with those dreamy eyebrows. If he's into concealed carry, I think I'll shit glitter!Posted by Owen at 0927 hrs
Public communications are just that... public. We just need find a sensible way to archive them.
It has become a common sight in society: someone with phone in hand, busily tapping away. But when done by a public official, that practice might be more than an annoyance or a breach of etiquette. The growing use of Twitter and texting has some wondering whether such electronic communications by government officials should be considered public record. Public officials now must retain all emails that relate to their position, even if sent from a personal computer or other electronic device.
By the way, you may have noticed that a previous post here at Boots 'n Kittens has disappeared. Poof, like magic! In a post a few days ago, we expressed our horror that it was reported that a Republican gay man had been beaten for his gayness and his Republican-ness, and that the beater was allegedly inspired by the husband of Mark Pocan.
This intriguing story was breathlessly reported and repeatedly tweeted by the hunks over at Wisconsin Reporter and Media Trackers, massaged and delivered in your Milwaukee Journal by the dreamy Christian Schneider, and eventually the choo-choo made its way to the Charlie Sykes radio show. Toot toot!
Although this topic agitates us on several levels, the Republican gay man has since recanted his story. He made it all up! Except for the beating. We don't know who did that. We also don't know whether they were wearing any sort of leather during the beating. (We also don't know why Sen. Kedzie's son shaved his manly beard after his recent beating for his alleged Republican-ness. One PR picture has the beard, the next day it's gone! We thought it made him look bearishly handsome in a Grizzly Adams sort of way, but we can understand why the Senator wanted to clarify the public record in the way that would most please the average Republican voter.)
Either way, the story has now transformed itself. Whereas before the story benefited the conservative political state, now it does not. Follow the logic!
In the open records world, they say "sunshine is the best disinfectant." In the journalism world, you can't retract yesterday's edition to make up for your inadequate fact-checking. "If in doubt, leave it out," those newspapermen say, and "If your mother says she loves you, check it out."
Such verification is unnecessary for today's conservative news organizations and web sites. Here we can simply alter the past by zapping a post or applying interesting edits. It's a brave new world!
Meanwhile, Media Trackers can express their outrage that they were misled. Being tricked with misleading statements is so unfair!Posted by Owen at 0805 hrs
Capitol Police Chief David Erwin has been kind enough to send Boots & Kittens his new guidelines for protests at the Capitol. As we all know, protesters have been terrorizing the Capitol and causing millions of dollars in damage. Erwin is the "new decider" and he's working hard to restore order and secure everyone's rights, so he's developed a new process for keeping protesters from "having their way" with the Wisconsin Constitution and the Capitol. The new guidelines, as we received in email:
Protest permits are free. To get a permit, all you need to do is enter through the former servant's entrance behind the bushes to the right of the MLK Drive entrance. Show you face to the security camera and press the doorbell. A cheerful public servant will buzz you in. No purses or packages are allowed at this entrance, so feel free to drop a quarter in the lockers where you can store your belongings. Pass through the metal detectors. Come forward to the service window. An attendant will be with you shortly. If you haven't been greeted after twenty minutes, please leave a message at the number on the sign we've place there for your convenience. We'll call you back as soon as possible.
Once greeted by an attendant, tell them you'd like "speech permit FS23-D." Don't forget the 'D'! Permit application "FS23" is no longer produced. Similarly, asking for just a "protest permit" is not sufficient to identify exactly permit you're looking for. If you need a guide to permits, you can obtain one at the Department of Administration temporary office in the trailer next to the Dumpsters at GEF-2, just down Webster Street. The permit application is just a few short pages. Please use only a blue-black pen similar to Paper Mate Ballpoint Stick Pen #7301. Other colors will not register with our optical scanning process. We have supplied approved pens for you at the taxpayer's expense, which you can purchase at cost if you need one. They're just 73 cents. (Exact change required.)
Next is the matter of identification. We accept Wisconsin photo ID and no other. If you are planning to protest as a group, each member of the group must be present to file their own copy of the protest permit. Each must show a valid ID for the safety of everyone concerned. If you are part of a particular political movement, be sure to fill out section J on page 13, and explain the nature of your protest from an ontological standpoint. Be sure to list the name, phone, and address of your current employer.
We'll need to judge the seriousness of your sign. If you've put a lot of effort into it, clearly you're well-organized and by definition, not a spontaneous protester. No banners can be placed over the railings in the Rotunda. Instead of a banner, why not affix a bumpersticker to your shirt instead? This has the advantage of leaving your hands free, so you can stroll the Capitol with your hands behind your back. Our officers appreciate your cooperation for their convenience! :-)
Signs need to be unreadable at a distance of twenty feet, so as not to disturb passers-by and sensitive lobbyists, grandmas and grandchildren. The Capitol must be safe for five-year-olds, especially the ones who have never screamed or heard a distant scream. We recommend Post-It® brand 3" x 3" paper for the signs for your casual, spontaneous protests. Place a 4" x 5" photo of your sign on the permit application on page 5. If your Post-It® is smaller than this, please enlarge it so it is legible.
If you're planning on singing, please be sure to fill out the release form on page 7 of the permit application. Include a notarized copy of a letter of permission from the publisher of the musical piece(s) you intend to perform. Various musical groups have recently terrorized public property, so we need to be careful.
Recording the faces of Capitol Police is a form of intimidation that will not be tolerated. Photographing police and uploading them to the Internet was not explicitly allowed by the legislature in 1979 when these rules were created, so therefore it is not allowed today. You can and will be ticketed if we feel intimidated. If you have been told you are obstructing the Police, please proceed calmly as you are guided by an officer to the nearest dark alcove. Arrests are made on a "case-by-case basis," so the process might be a bit confusing to outsiders. We need not warn you before giving you a ticket. We also reserve the right to visit your employer to deliver the ticket several days after the protest. Also note that the people who work at the Capitol have been given permission (no permit needed) to smack you in the face if they feel threatened. Enjoy your visit to the Capitol!
It's clear from this video that Erwin is a bit of a daring fashionista - green striped shirt with green plaid tie, high-and-tight hair! - and his email mentioned that he's planning some uniform changes for Capitol Police that might include new colors as well as exciting footwear, and a new uniform patch that looks like a stylized "C P" (for "Capitol Police").Posted by Owen at 1548 hrs
Yes, I'm a dork. I love this song. And it's got Confederate play-actors, with guns and boots! I think the singer's vocals are really fun, but I can't get over the really odd grip of the drummer. It's some sort of morphed traditional grip that doesn't seem like it would work for anything other than beating a dead cat. Ah well… to each his own. It does work. Who am I to criticize another man's grip on his stick? Good for him. Doesn't that singer have a purty mouth? And that jacket fits his waist so perfectly. I spend a lot of time thinking about the drummer's grip on the stick. Don't you?Posted by Owen at 2048 hrs
Why yes, Mayor Barrett does owe everyone an apology for lying about the job growth numbers and accusing others of lying about them.
Walker is willing to do almost anything to get the truth out. It doesn't matter if the BLS won't confirm it. Follow the logic: Walker said it, so I wrote this headline! Posted by Owen at 1628 hrs
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development spokesman John Dipko told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the BLS has confirmed Wisconsin jobs grew by 23,608 in 2011. Walker had released the preliminary job numbers two weeks ago before BLS confirmed them, a highly unusual move. His Democratic opponent in Tuesday's recall, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, accused Walker of "cooking the books" and trying to spin the numbers to his advantage. Walker says the BLS confirmation shows that the preliminary numbers were accurate. He says Barrett owes people an apology.
Here's some great economic news about Wisconsin from the Wisconsin State Journal.
This is one of the things I love about supporting Walker. You can put aside your previous objections to ag subsidies, ethanol production, and tariffs, and fire up the ol' "free market" enthusiasm machine for news that confirms we're "open for business." Posted by Owen at 1417 hrs
Wisconsin exported $700 million worth of agricultural products to more than 100 countries in the first three months of this year, for a 16 percent increase over the same period in 2011. Wednesday's report from the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection said Wisconsin now is 15th in the nation in first-quarter exports compared with 18th in the first quarter of 2011. Wisconsin dairy producers and processors exported $64 million worth of dairy products in the first quarter, up 23 percent from a year ago. Wisconsin exported $75 million of ethanol in the first quarter, making it the second-largest ethanol exporter in the nation.
Does the Navy really think it's a good idea to cram 135 women into a confined space for months on end?
The White House announced today that First Lady Michelle Obama will sponsor the USS Illinois, the first all female submarine force. The newest submarine "is expected to join the fleet in late 2015," according to the White House.
Imagine the atmosphere on board on about day 60.
Girls! Crammed! Icky! Can you imagine? It wouldn't be anything like a bunch of college-age men all dressed in their shiny boots, sleeping in shifts, forced to undress in the open.Posted by Jed at 1220 hrs
Thanks for reading, folks. My wife had to remind me that B&K is 9 years old today.
I often say "I don't know what I'd do without my Wendy," even if I do often think about what I do without my Wendy.
Time for my birthday spanking, I guess!Posted by Owen at 0756 hrs
Is Barrett too stupid to understand what "John Doe" means? The whole proceeding is legally bound to be secret. If Walker disclosed anything about the proceedings, he would be breaking the law. And yet, Barrett sees fit to demand that Walker break the law. I understand that Barrett is apparently privy to the entire investigation - contrary to the law - but that doesn't empower him to give license to others to violate the law.
Barrett demands that Governor Walker release all information related to the John Doe investigation – including more than 1,000 emails that were sent through a secret internet system set up near Walker's office when he was serving as Milwaukee's County Executive.
It's not like I'm speculating without a basis in the law. I'm a blogger, and I've been on Wisconsin Public Radio. I'm perfectly capable of taking the idle speculation of a fellow Republican and spin it into an even more outlandish statement. For example, the above statement about Barrett. Some guy I met says Barrett must be hearing about Walker's misdeeds, and therefore I can declare that Barrett thinks he can empower others to break the law. It's that simple! No evidence needed. I can even do this while working my regular job, as often seen in my posting times.Posted by Owen at 0939 hrs
Who doesn't long for the Seventies and the way they could look back on music like "Gwine to Run All Night, or De Camp Town Racist," a fine Southern so-called minstrel song, with an innocence we can't seem to find today?
Give me those clean rayon-dressed big-hair Southern girls. I don't care if they're only pretending to play their instruments, but I am a bit upset about the way they were blocking the view of that clean handsome drummer who reminds me of Mark Spitz. I guess I'll just file this with the tag "Our Favorites."
My column for the Daily News is online. It's called, "Standing with Walker." Here's a part:
Posted by Owen at 0549 hrs
If you've spent any time driving around Wisconsin, you've undoubtedly seen the blue signs that say "I stand with Walker" sprouting like Wisconsin corn in July. Yes, it's a campaign slogan, but it is also a statement that many of us who support Gov. Walker are making. (Yes, the corn sprouted in April, and for several decades now corn would normally be far higher than "knee-high by the Fourth of July" and might in fact be shoulder-high, but I'm just trying to be folksy.) But it took a young man named Dylan Ihde to remind us why.
On a campaign stop, young Dylan Ihde gave Gov. Walker a shirt styled after Walker's campaign shirts. On it, it said, "I stand with Dylan Ihde." You can see a picture on Walker's Twitter feed of Walker smiling as he holds up his new shirt next to a beaming Dylan. While it's a simple bit of imagery like my corn knowledge, it drives home a very powerful reminder. I stand with Walker because Walker stands with me. It's that simple. Follow the logic: Our Governor took a moment from his busy campaign schedule to tweet a picture of someone who made a shirt that might look like a Walker campaign sign, as long as you can overlook font, design, and the words. "I stand With". See? It's simple. And powerful! And reminderful. What a country we live in, that a simple suburban conservative like myself can weave such miracles with words and imagery, that will become a column that a West Bend paper will print.
First and foremost, Walker said that he would eliminate the $3.2 billion deficit without raising taxes. With the help of the Republicans in the Legislature, and ignoring his own abhorence of magickal accounting methods, he did it! If you believe Walker, Wisconsin does not have a deficit and is projected to run a $154 million surplus by the end of the budget term. The projected surplus or deficit is adjusted over time as new projections are created based on current tax yields and economic indicators, but at about the halfway point of the budget, it's looking positive. "I staNd With".
The projected surplus is because of the good news that the state of Wisconsin is collecting more taxes than it expected to. The excess taxes are not because of a higher tax rate, but because of a growing state economy. As long as something isn't failing even more, it's growing. This is a positive economic indicator because it indicates more income in the state from which to collect income taxes and more sales activities from which to collect sales taxes. By focusing on press releases that only point at growth, we will continue to remain positive. This is perhaps a reflection of the fact that according to the actual figures collected by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and transmitted to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Wisconsin added 23,300 jobs in 2011.
It is by transmission alone that useful statistics can be used in press releases, kind of like sending your landlord a check you forgot to sign. Follow the logic: More people working means more people paying income taxes and more people paying sales taxes as they buy stuff, and things will be better as long as you ignore "lack of demand" and "falling income". "I sTand With".
You see it from time to time. I notice it most often in airport bathrooms. No, I'm not talking about wide stances… that's a topic for a future column. I'm talking about those people who pretend to wash their hands when they see that someone else is around. You know the guys (I don't know about girls). They stand and spray, jauntily zip up, and begin their strut out of the lavatory. Then, lo and behold, they notice you. YOU, with your askance glare and disdainful sniff. So they walk over to the sink. They turn it on, flail around, but nothing appears to get wet. Then they grab a paper towel - just one, and we know that one never does the job of drying fully saturated hands - and they prance out into the world.
Frauds. I see you. I'm in the airport bathroom, and I'm watching you pee. In hoc signo weenus. It's like a song and it's like a dance. A tap-tap here, wide stances, askance knowing glances, unshamed prances, and the next thing you know, you'll need to be washing your hands.Posted by Owen at 2013 hrs
I ran the Mud Run today in Verona with some buddies. It was a great time! Who wouldn't want to drive two hours from home for the chance to hang out with hundreds of buff guys, get all slippery and slimy, and chase each other around? Of course, there's the need to shower afterwards.
(0) CommentsPosted by Owen at 1733 hrs
On this primary election day, let's take a moment to support Kathy Nickolaus, the county clerk in charge of voting in the Republican stronghold of Waukesha County.
With any close election, it comes down to the competence and skills of our WisGOP elected officials. We'd like to run the government like a business, after all. We need elections to run smoothly and efficiently. If you can't do that, then find another job! I'd say that about anyone.
Take a gander at Kathy's fine web site. She's not just an expert at Excel macros. She knows the Frontpage, too.
Celebration later tonight at Country Springs, I hear.Posted by Owen at 0838 hrs
So are Barrett or Falk going to share any specifics about how they would govern? After all, haven't the unions taught us that if a politician doesn't specifically lay out everything they might do in a campaign, then they "lied" to us?
Madison - The two leading Democratic candidates for governor won't say how much they would spend to restore cuts to education, local governments and health care by Gov. Scott Walker or where they would get the money. Former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett have sharply criticized Walker for making deep cuts to schools and local governments and restricting access to state health coverage for the poor. But they haven't said how they would change that.
I can't decide which way I want it. On one hand, I like the idea of believing that a politician should be honest and forthcoming about their plans, especially the big "bomb" ones. Certainly if Governor Barrett dropped a surprise bomb a month or two after moving to Madison, I'd be all over it.
On the other hand, I think it's essential to good, honest, transparent government that Walker didn't need to tell the truth about his plans.
Blogging is hard! Especially the part about simultaneously holding two contradictory beliefs.
I guess I should get back to work now. Another hour or so to go before the whistle blows and I slide down the tail of my brontosaurus and jump into my car. Yabba-dabba-do! It's been kind of a light day, and the boss isn't looking, so I thought I'd share some details with you. I'm honest like that.Posted by Owen at 1549 hrs
This story is written from the perspective that this is somehow wrong, or unfair, but I don't see it that way.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker established a program that has given hundreds of thousands of dollars in merit raises and bonuses to some state workers even as he preached cost-cutting and pushed through a law reducing most public workers' pay and eliminating their union rights. An analysis of data The Associated Press obtained through an open records request showed Wisconsin agencies have handed out more than $765,000 in bonuses and merit raises this year to nearly 220 employees. The awards are meant to reward stellar performance. But they come as the state faces a $143 million shortfall and after thousands of state workers took pay cuts through provisions in the collective bargaining law requiring them to contribute more to their pensions and health care.
What's wrong with reinstating a bonus or merit pay program? Shouldn't excellent work be rewarded? Shouldn't a young woman have the opportunity to work her way up from simple waitressing and lap-sitting in sports cars, and in a few short years prove her conservative mettle, and rise to be Walker's assistant, and get a quick raise for extra special effort?
She's clearly working harder - and smarter! - than some first-year teacher at a public school. We have plenty of those, but supply is high, so their wages should be lower and getting lower. Communications directors, on the other hand, are tough to find.
Even this article does not claim that Walker handed out positions to political friends, or only handed out bonuses based on the receiver's political stands. Therefore, it must not be so.
Follow the logic. Or is the position of the left that everyone should make the exact same amount regardless of their performance? Oh yeah… that is the position of the left.
There! I said it, so it's so! I love blogging. Set 'em up, knock 'em down!
I think I could be another Lincoln.Posted by Owen at 0807 hrs
I admit… I love this story.
Madison - A Republican campaign contributor officially filed a recall effort Friday against Gov. Scott Walker, triggering a powerful tool for the GOP leader: unlimited campaign fundraising. The effect of the filing is to give Walker an extra week and half to raise campaign contributions with no limits that can be used to help defend against a more serious recall attempt against the governor scheduled to begin on Nov. 15. Friday's petition was filed by David Brandt of Muskego in Waukesha County. Brandt is a modest contributor to Walker and the state Republican Party. In the filing with the state Government Accountability Board, Brandt wrote cryptically that he was registering a recall committee - Close Friends to Recall Walker - to "fulfill my friend's last request."
So the Democrats, who want to abuse the recall process to their own ends and are crying foul when the rules are used against them.
I'm amused. Read the story. Those lousy Democrats! Who do they think they are, being able to relay their opinions to news reporters? Why haven't Walker and Fitz passed a rule about this yet?
Look at what they say. One Dem guy says it's a "dirty trick" and that they believe David Brandt is a Republican. And what evidence do they offer? He and his companion at that address donated a few hundred bucks to Walker's campaign. That's no proof of anything.
And the other Dem calls it "a fake petition drive." What could possibly be fake about it? The local GOP says they've never heard of Brant. He promises to not spend more than $1,000 to attempt to gather 540,000 signatures. Surely with the power of the free market, you could get 540 signatures for $1. It's the sort of thing that can be out-sourced.
Follow The Logic: The Dems are abusing the recall process, therefore David Brandt is not a fake recall to allow Walker to gather as much money as possible from the Koch Brothers. "Hello, David, good to hear from you! Whaddya mean, why haven't we gone to Cali yet? I've been busy, that's why!"Posted by Owen at 0716 hrs
Yes, THAT should give lady boxing that sex appeal
Boxing gloves, check. Headguard, check. Mouthguard, check. Miniskirt? After winning a long fight to get into the Olympics, female boxers are at the center of a dress code debate ahead of the 2012 London Games, including whether they should wear skirts in the ring. The International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) said Friday that officials will meet in January to discuss the issue and draw up recommendations. "AIBA is seeking a consensus from the worldwide boxing family and the wider public for reference purposes," the statement said. The federation said it was responding to recent media reports suggesting that female boxers would be forced to fight in skirts rather than shorts. "AIBA has not made any final decision on boxers' uniform for women," the governing body said.
Everyone knows there's nothing more sexy than the little shorts the guys wear. They flow, they flop, they reveal the curves and the firm body parts underneath. I'm thinking of the male boxers. Sex appeal? You betcha. Who really likes skirts?
(0) CommentsPosted by Owen at 1421 hrs
Excellent! I honestly thought the Senate wasn't going to get around to this, what with all the other bills involving the awesome job-creation powers of redefining bicycles, forcing kids to not think about sex, and pier length. I'm glad they did.
There's a lot of spouses who will need some instant protection of immunity after they shoot an "intruder" they've long-wished to be free of, so they can get on with revealing their true nature and spending some time with their friends at the range wearing whatever they damn well please, let me tell you.
Homeowners who shoot intruders would receive strong legal protection, under a bill approved by the state Senate Thursday. The bill passed the Senate on a bipartisan 26-7 vote and now goes back to the state Assembly. All Republican senators voted for the bill along with nine Democrats, including three from Southeastern Wisconsin: Sen. Spencer Coggs (D-Milwaukee), Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee), and Sen. Bob Wirch (D-Pleasant Prairie). The Assembly also passed the proposal on a bipartisan vote on Tuesday but since the Senate tweaked the proposal Thursday it will need to have the other house approve it with that change - an action expected to come later Thursday . GOP Gov. Scott Walker has said that he supports the bill in principle but will still review it before deciding whether to sign it. Under the bill, courts in most criminal and civil matters would presume that property owners using deadly force had acted reasonably against anyone unlawfully inside their residence, business or vehicle, whether the trespasser was armed or not. The proposal is sometimes known as the "castle doctrine," a reference to the saying that one's home is one's castle.
I would expect it to clear the Assembly and be on its way to Walker's desk soon. His rubber stamp is blazin' hot!Posted by Owen at 1720 hrs
Interesting. And here I thought Rebecca was doing quite well by staying in the shadows. She's been good about following Walker's direct orders. I'm so glad we can lay off the "What's a lieutenant governor good for anyways" discussion for a while. Sleep well, knowing Rebecca is on the job!
Posted by Owen at 1714 hrs
MADISON — Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen issued a formal opinion today concluding that the Wisconsin Constitution's recall provisions apply independently to the Office of Governor and the Office of Lieutenant Governor. If the constitutional requirements for a recall election are met with respect to one officer, only that office will appear on the ballot in a recall election. If both officers were to be recalled, recall elections would be held for each office and electors would vote for those offices independently. In the general election, as opposed to a recall election, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are jointly elected as a partisan ticket.
Wow. Stunning.
A Texas judge faces a police investigation and judicial probe after a video showing him beating his then-16-year-old disabled daughter was posted on the Internet. The graphic video drew international outrage after it was posted by a woman who said she was the victim of the beating seven years ago and that her parents - including her father, Aransas County, Texas, Court-At-Law Judge William Adams - were the ones seen beating and cursing at her in the video. On Wednesday afternoon, Judge Adams was temporarily relieved of his duties for the next two weeks, and a visiting judge will take over his caseload while the matter is being investigated, according to the office of Aransas County Administrative Judge Burt Mills. No court dates were scheduled this week, Mills' office said. In an interview with KZTV outside his Rockport, Texas, home Wednesday, Adams confirmed to a reporter that he was the man beating his daughter with a belt and a board on the video, taped in 2004.
As many of you know from reading this blog, I was raised both in Texas and in Saudi Arabia, so I know a lot about how young women should be treated by the man of the household. In both the Christian and Muslamic religions, even though God said that Christianity is the better of the two, both religions agree that a little Texas-style ass-whupping is holy and good. (See Rick Perry. Doesn't he do the best George Bush impression? Can't you just see him clearing some brush?) As we learn in Proverbs 13:24, "Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him." Spare the belt, spoil the child! The Prophet said "Order your children to pray at the age of seven and beat them (if they neglect it) at the age of ten." He also had a lot to say about how and when you can beat your wife, for example.
Stunning, you ask? Isn't it outlandish that this girl is clearly in her middle teens, yet hasn't had some sense beaten into her by her father's belt after all these years? "Bend over and take it like a woman!"
As we learn in Colossians 3:21, "Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged." This beating was clearly meant to encourage her to stop downloading music illegally. Or Exodus 21:22, where we learn "When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman's husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine."
These are the kinds of judges that are elected and re-elected in Texas. I'm proud to have been part of this culture.
I would hate to think that this judge's daughter became discouraged while she was being encouraged to behave better. Even if he did some real damage that now has eventually caught the attention of the law, rest assured that judges will settle on an appropriate fine, and he can get back to work imposing judgments on others.
(0) CommentsPosted by Owen at 0604 hrs
Cool. Did you know that "stressed" spelled backwards is "desserts"? Newo! Nosnibor! Sinep! Snug! Srehtael!
Posted by Owen at 1535 hrs
Today might not seem any more special than yesterday or the day before, but it is a once-in-10,000-years event. Nov. 2, 2011, written out numerically, is 11/02/2011, which on its own makes it a very rare eight-digit palindrome date, meaning that it can be read the same way frontward and backward.
Excellent. Let's push this bipartisan bill the rest of the way into law.
A resident facing an intruder in his or her dwelling would have greater latitude to use force, without fear of criminal prosecution or civil liability, under a bill passed by the state Assembly on Tuesday. The proposal, passed on a bipartisan 71-24 vote, is called "the castle doctrine," from the saying "one's home is one's castle." Twenty-nine states already have similar legislation, according to the National Rifle Association.
When the criminal defense lawyers oppose something, you know it's got to be good. Here's what they claim: "Assume a man kills his wife in cold blood in the family home without witnesses. I suggest that a man who is willing to kill his wife is not squeamish about committing perjury. If he takes the stand and claims that he mistakenly thought she was an intruder, under AB 69, the jury must be instructed that he is presumed to have reasonably believed that force was necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself. The jury, in effect, is prevented from considering if his act was unreasonable."
I say that it's more important to let people defend themselves when they've been woken up by a noise in the dark at night when their spouse returns home drunk and smelling of another man.
(0) CommentsPosted by Owen at 1509 hrs
Well, this is a happy development.
A proposal to eliminate race as a factor in a college grant program received preliminary approval from the Assembly Wednesday morning, the Associated Press reports.
The surprise proposal was made about 11 p.m. Tuesday by Rep. Peggy Krusick, D-Milwaukee, and backed by Republicans, who hold the majority. It passed around 8 a.m. Wednesday—with all Democrats except Krusick voting against it. A procedural move by Democrats, however, will block final passage until Thursday.
Rep. Robin Vos, R-Caledonia, said the Talent Incentive Program is intended to help poor students—therefore, whether one is a minority shouldn't matter.
I suspect that it will die in the Senate, but good for the Assembly. Programs designed for poor folks should be targeted at poor folks - regardless of the race of the poor folk. Seems pretty simple.
Update! As explained at Madison.com, all was for naught. "They spent nine hours Tuesday night into Wednesday morning railing about a proposal to eliminate race as a criterion in awarding college grants. It turned out the debate was completely unnecessary; the state Higher Education Board said Wednesday it hasn't considered race in grant awards for more than year, but no one in the Assembly realized it."
Whoops! On to other job-creating bills.Posted by Owen at 1450 hrs
BELOIT (WIFR)—Illinois is now the only state that doesn't allow concealed carry. This after the law took effect in Wisconsin today. Today we stopped by a gun store up north and asked people about what's changing. We visited Addie's Gun Shop this afternoon in Janesville, Wisconsin and it was very busy! Many customers filtered in and out showing their gun permits, looking to buy a hand gun. Some customers were even picking up guns they had ordered six months ago. The concealed carry law now allows anyone over 21 to carry a gun in the State of Wisconsin. By law, a person must have a permit to buy a gun. If they choose to carry the gun they must also carry their permit. In order to obtain a gun permit, there are a series of steps a person must take including a background check, and anyone with a felony is denied. Police are already preparing for some differences in handling those with a weapon.
Um, NOBODY was "showing their gun permits" because none have even been mailed yet. And no, you do NOT need permit to buy a gun. As I mentioned a few days ago, you can download your application from the web.
I know when I went to the gun shop this weekend, as I always do before heading to the range for a little R&R, we all engaged in the usual pre-shooting banter and rituals: talking about our guns, their length and heft, how much time we spend cleaning them, what we've done to free them from infection and illness, assuring each other how clean we are now, what bad habits we might've seen others doing, sharing the knowledge of good spots where other gun enthusiasts might be. And now with the freedom given by concealed carry, we all showed each other the applications we downloaded, and who got theirs first, because first is always best! Why the reporter didn't mention that, I'll never know.
Such. Bad. Reporting.Posted by Owen at 1753 hrs
Posted by Owen at 1716 hrs
Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has announced the Department of Justice (DOJ) already has started to issue concealed carry licenses to qualified applicants today, the first day permitted under Act 35.
As of approximately 3:45 p.m., more than 120 licenses have been issued to qualified applicants. Almost 150 applications have been received by the DOJ at the Attorney General's Capitol office, where applications have been made available and have been dropped off by visitors.
Of the applications received today, almost 90 licenses already have been printed at the DOJ and have been prepared for mailing.
As screen-captured right now from Madison.com. What is this, Boots and Sabers?Posted by Owen at 1439 hrs
My column for the Daily News is online. It's called, "Let's be reasonable." Here's the sentence that should get your attention:
The Democrats are right.
I'm a clever guy, aren't I?
Follow The Logic: I'm a conservative, but I'll shock you (temporarily) by suggesting that the other evil guys are right. I'm just that crazy! Or sly. You make the call. This is why I'm on Wisconsin Public Radio at 6 a.m. on random Fridays, and you're not. I'm willing to wake up and do the work of a minion of AFP and David Koch.
Or here's a sample:
Posted by Owen at 0619 hrs
Huzzah! Such a shift in the balance of power between from the consumer to business is too risky for the consumer, but it also sets the stage to hurt business even worse. And we can't ever consider hurting business, can we? For no reason, even if consumers might be hurt. For if the abuses of business become too great and the unanswered grievances of consumers become too many, then the consumers will resort to the Legislature for redress in the form of burdensome regulations. Then, instead of individual grievances being afforded the rigorous due process of the court system, arbitrary remedies contrived by fickle legislators will be imposed irrespective of guilt. Because when legislators do things in the name of business, they're never fickle and they're not driven by campaign contributions. Thus it is so, for I am the Boots & Kittens blogger!
I have my application ready to do. You can get yours here. I did learn that my old Texas CCW license has an anti-copy coating on it, so be advised if you plan to use one as your proof of training. Good thing I have my Hunter Safety as a backup.
Just think... you can take Hunter Safety when you're twelve years old in order to learn how to use a shotgun to kill a deer, and decades later you retain all you need to know to be able to strap a 9 mm to your ankle. One follows from the next. Too bad it doesn't work for algebra and foreign languages, huh?
It's an easy process. My one disappointment is that there wasn't a place to put a phone number or email address. That means that if there are any problems with the application, it will have to be resolved via snail mail. That will take some time. So check the application thrice! Huzzah!
UPDATE: Wow.
On the first day of Wisconsin's concealed carry law, more than 80,000 application forms have been downloaded and the Department of Justice's website has gotten hundreds of thousands of hits. The state expects to start issuing concealed carry permits later Tuesday afternoon, according to Department of Justice spokeswoman Dana Brueck. Since the permits will be mailed, it will take a few days for applicants to receive them.
I'm a bit surprised that they plan to start issuing permits that soon. Granted, the background check and training verification should only take a few seconds, but I figured they'd process them more slowly. Good for them for getting at it.Posted by Owen at 0613 hrs
So I go to buy an e-book on Amazon…
Hardback - $7.43
Paperback - $7.93
Kindle - $12.99
Seriously, Random House? Are you some kind of socialistical company, trying to collect more of my hard-earned dollars so you can send the money to the likes of George Soros? Why are you trying to charge what the market will bear, for a product that so many people want? Like me! I should be able to get what I want, for the price I want it. What is this, Russia?Posted by Jed at 2039 hrs


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Steve Johnson still can't believe a cold sore virus landed him in the emergency room.
He had blacked out and rolled his Ford F250 truck on a rural Washington state road last May. Disoriented, he couldn't describe what had happened. The emergency physician suspected a traumatic brain injury, while the on-call neurologist said MRI images suggested a tumor. But an infectious disease consultant realized something else was going on: a common infection was causing an illness so unusual that neither of his colleagues recognized it.
Johnson had encephalitis, a dangerous inflammation of the brain, caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) — the same organism that causes cold sores.
While HSV-1 infects more than half of the U.S. population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, herpes simplex encephalitis affects only a few hundred Americans a year, experts estimate.
But rare, it's devastating when the virus travels to the brain. Nearly a year after his sudden attack, Johnson, now 60, is mostly recovered, though he fought fatigue and nausea for months and his memory is unreliable. He remains stunned that he got sick at all — and that he was lucky enough to survive an infection that kills one of every four victims and leaves two out of four neurologically impaired.
"I used to get fever blisters, three or four times a year, if I got a bad cold or the flu or was stressed," he said from his home in Carson, Wash. "It is mind-boggling that something so minor could migrate to the brain and change your life this much."
Johnson wasn't having a cold sore outbreak when encephalitis struck him. Most people who develop the disease do not, said Dr. Richard Whitley, the Loeb Scholar in Pediatrics at the University of Alabama and a recognized expert on herpes encephalitis, known as HSE. But the disease arises from the same conditions that cause cold sores: Either a new infection with herpes virus, or the sudden re-awakening — known as "reactivation" — of a herpes infection from where it lies dormant in nerve fibers near the spine.
Mystery as to why it leads to encephalitis
What causes the virus to reactivate — and what determines whether a reactivation causes cold sores or encephalitis — remains something of a mystery, Whitley said.
Johnson is a sturdy guy, a former state parks ranger whose love of the outdoors led him to a post-retirement job in a fly-fishing shop 20 miles from home. His unexpected ordeal began with a bad headache. His wife, Arlene, got him Tylenol, and he said he felt better. But two days later, still worried, she stopped by the shop in mid-afternoon to see how he was doing, only to find his boss had already sent him home because he seemed nauseated and confused.
"I called him on the way, said I wanted to take him to the doctor, and he said OK," she recalled. "I got home before him. I'm waiting, calling his phone, but he didn't answer. Then I heard sirens."
Johnson had taken his exit, but failed to recognize his street and looped back toward the highway instead. He doesn't recall what happened next. Paramedics pulled him from the crushed truck, which had narrowly missed a natural-gas line, and took him to Southwest Washington Medical Center in Vancouver, Wash. There, Dr. Joseph Kane recommended Johnson receive antibiotics and the antiviral drug acyclovir while they waited for results from a spinal tap, bacterial cultures and screening for viral DNA.
About 3,000 cases of encephalitis are diagnosed in the U.S. every year. The condition can be triggered by a number of viruses, but HSV-1 is believed to be the most common single cause — though that is hard to say for sure, since in many cases the virus causing the illness is never identified. Kane's medical center sees one to two HSE cases each year, and his department prefers to start treatment preemptively, knowing they can stop if tests come back negative. Johnson's were negative for bacteria, positive for HSV-1.
"We know if a person has lapsed into a coma prior to initiation of effective antibiotics, their prognosis for full recovery is impaired," Kane said. "More often than not, we are starting acyclovir on people who don't need it. But this way people who do need it get it, and we have not had a patient with herpes encephalitis who was left with a profound deficit."
Any one who experiences a high fever, headache and disorientation should see a doctor, Whitley said: "We know there are other things that cause these symptoms, including some drugs. It's important to be seen quickly, so we can figure out whatever is needed to do."
In Johnson's case, his medical team did exactly the right thing — but not all do, because herpes encephalitis is so seldom recognized, said Whitley.
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"It often takes a family member to recognize that something improper is going on," he said.
'Everyone thinks I'm fine and I'm not'
That was true for Ingrid Guerci, also 60, of Tarrytown, N.Y., who developed what she thought was the flu in December 1995. A headache and high fever put her in bed for several days, but her husband, George, realized something else was wrong when Ingrid, who smoked Marlboros, told him she was going outside for "a mustard." He drove her to the ER, where the staff thought she was having a stroke — until a neurologist whose professional partner had died of encephalitis recognized her symptoms and ordered a course of acyclovir.
Guerci was in the hospital for two weeks and on disability for three months; it took eight months before she was strong enough to work full-time. Fifteen years later, she still struggles with ringing in her ears, sensitivity to light and memory problems. "People say, 'Oh, you're getting older, that's normal,'" she said. "But it isn't normal; it happened overnight. It's frustrating that everyone thinks I'm fine and I'm not."
HSE is not contagious, strictly speaking: Someone suffering from encephalitis cannot pass it to someone else. In 10 to 15 percent of cases, though, a patient with HSE may start shedding the herpes virus from the tissues of their mouth and throat, even though they have no evidence of a cold sore. In that case, they could pass herpes infection to someone else, just as a cold sore can.
That shedding state is one of the not-yet understood aspects of the disease, Kane said, one of several mysteries that make HSE both difficult to predict and almost impossible to prevent.
Though awareness is important, "people shouldn't worry" about HSE, even if they suffer from cold sores, Kane said. "This is an incredibly uncommon disease."
Maryn McKenna is a freelance journalist who specializes in infectious disease, public health, global health and food policy. She is the author of "Superbug: The Fatal Menace of MRSA" and "Beating Back the Devil."
© 2013 msnbc.com. Reprints

subset: commoncrawl


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We have yet another new beta release of Warzone 2100 based on the famous "git master" branch. Aside from enabling coloured cursors by default, this beta contains only a lot of bugfixes. Thanks to everyone who has been testing and reporting bugs in the previous beta.
It is available at our usual location: https://sourceforge.net/projects/warzon ... 2.0_beta2/
If you wish to compile it yourself directly from our repo:
Code: Select all
git fetch origin --tags
git checkout 3.2.0_beta2
Please report all bugs to http://developer.wz2100.net/newticket, and not on the forums.
We have changed our release procedure a bit in order to get releases out faster. We now make releases straight off the master branch, rather than branching off a stable branch from which we make releases. This might result in some oddities in this beta. Please report anything that looks amiss.
2016-05-16: Version 3.2.0 beta2
- Fix: Some weapon accuracy values tweaked to be closer to the 3.1 experience (dc6ddae6953c7f8cb2b0bd073641f02ed348da8b)
- Fix: Inconsistent application of body upgrades (11150dacac874ee973b94cee3a63175ed933d112, #4369)
- Fix: Crash on choosing AI while another player clicks ready (c58e747775fa3618d61b325e38fd4f15281220e3, #4392)
- Fix: Small bodied droids did not count for transport capacity (5e457617b67cf02baceaad38efd7f7fe443a8db6, #4394)
- Fix: Designed templates did not survive save and load (0556c63f676828db552420bff3e979b5a0be1c72, #4372)
- Fix: Droid selection bounding box improvements (07e33362d4ee5d9c4b1d9f3ccd63ecc88f73d93b, #4157)
- Fix: Allied research time display (1ee5fcb42ae5fe20ebbc35b911ee09696d2bbb3e)
- Fix: Alphabetical map name sorting, was reversed (c82e091c62b3273411012d3035e342912fce4ef8)
- Fix: Visibility issues in loaded games (c94b5437e41a2a86d7bc024c23889ac6ef1bdc24, #4388)
- Fix: Building aborted on burning oil wells (2da928680fdb4a34b9a46b4ae41845f84f41d9fe, #4379)
- Fix: Let idle trucks help with building structures as well as repairing them (24c8416c1345594e834629d0cf467e37088964b7, #737)
- Fix: Specific .png files which were causing libpng warnings (0fde4c81152463389e906998f4590873d8058eb7, #4320)
- Fix: WzScript-based AIs were trying to build illegal cyborgs (f9a723424f51ffa578b1bfce179f1bf30f277675, 712e3adffd334d7fdba3cef210aeb41560b204f7, #4364)
- Change: Enable coloured cursors by default (a1c76bacd80cdd4a5652f5f25fb6a697b9174510, #4387)
- Fix: Shadow rendering (c0f41c445e19546271ea1dcc23010db2f4f5fa26, #4378)


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Anti-Theft is a feature included in Avast Mobile Security designed to protect your private mobile data and help you recover your phone in case of loss or theft. You can configure Anti-Theft to automatically perform certain actions, for example to sound an alarm if an untrusted SIM card is detected. Additionally, you can control any lost or stolen device remotely via your Avast Account, which allows you to track the device and lock or erase private data.
Getting Started
How can I access Anti-Theft?
The newest version of Anti-Theft is included in Avast Mobile Security. To start using this feature:
- Download and install Avast Mobile Security from the Google Play Store. For more information about installation, refer to the following article:
- To get access to the additional options offered by Anti-Theft in Avast Mobile Security, upgrade your app to a paid version, for example Avast Mobile Security Premium. For more information about upgrading to a paid version of Avast Mobile Security, refer to following article:
- On the main screen of Avast Mobile Security Premium, click
☰Menu (three lines) in the top-left corner and select Anti-Theft to open this feature.
Why are some features of Anti-Theft now only available as part of paid versions of Avast Mobile Security?
We decided to include the following features only in paid versions of Avast Mobile Security:
- Capturing a photo of the thief when an incorrect PIN code is entered.
- Locking your device when the SIM card is changed.
- Secretly recording an audio file of the device's surroundings.
This decision provides you with all the most important device protection features in one app and allows us to support the ongoing development of all features offered within Avast Mobile Security.
I have a standalone version of Anti-Theft. Do I need to uninstall it?
If you have already downloaded Anti-Theft from the Google Play Store and installed it as a standalone app, you can keep using it. All features are still available for you free of charge. However, this app does not receive new updates and is no longer available to download from the the Google Play Store. We recommend that customers start using the new Anti-Theft feature as part of a paid version of Avast Mobile Security to keep your device updated and protected.
What additional Anti-Theft options are included in paid versions of Avast Mobile Security?
Anti-Theft with a paid version of Avast Mobile Security offers three additional features:
- Capturing a photo of the thief when an incorrect PIN code is entered.
- Locking your device when the SIM card is changed.
- Secretly recording an audio file of the device's surroundings.
You need to upgrade your Avast Mobile Security to access to these features.
Features and Settings
What is Cloud storage?
When you mark your device as LOST, Anti-Theft automatically takes a photo of the possible thief and records an audio file to help you locate your device. To send the photo and recorded audio file to your Google Drive:
- Open Anti-Theft, and scroll down to When device is marked as LOST.
- Tap Cloud storage for Camera Trap and recordings.
- Select Google Drive.
By default, these files are sent only to your Avast Account. The option to send files to your Google Drive can also be enabled within your Avast Account for older versions of Anti-Theft that do not include the Cloud storage feature in the app.
What is PIN security?
PIN security marks your device as LOST after eight failed login attempts with your Avast PIN. PIN security can be enabled manually in Anti-Theft ▸ PIN security.
What is Lock on SIM change?
If you activate SIM security, the device locks automatically when it detects a SIM card change. This is especially useful if a potential thief attempts to insert another SIM card into your device. SIM security can be enabled manually in Anti-Theft ▸ Lock on SIM change.
What is Lock screen message?
In this section, you can prepare a message, for example a warning or contact data which appears on the lock screen if the device is lost or stolen. Go to Anti-Theft ▸ Lock screen message then enter your chosen message and tap Save.
What is the 'Web control on my.avast.com' section?
During the activation process, Anti-Theft asks you to log in to your Avast Account to set up Web Control. This is necessary if you want to control your device remotely in the case of loss or theft. If you skipped this option during configuration or want to manage the account, go to Anti-Theft ▸ Connection to Avast Account and log in.
What is the 'PIN & pattern' section?
Here you can change the PIN that you set during the activation process. To change it you need your current PIN. Go to Anti-Theft ▸ PIN & pattern. You have the option to Change PIN, Set pattern, or enable the Unlock with fingerprint feature.
What is Command history?
In this section, you can review the history of commands received by and sent from the device. To view the list, go to Anti-Theft ▸ Command history.
What is the 'When device is marked as LOST' section?
In this section, you can define the individual behavior of the app when you mark your device as LOST. You can specify your preferred features:
- Lock device: the device locks.
- Sound siren: the siren sounds automatically.
- Enable Camera Trap: the camera captures a photo of the potential thief.
- Enable Last known location: the app records the last known location of your device before the battery dies.
These settings are applied only if you mark your device as lost. You can mark your device as lost via your Avast Account. All options are enabled by default to provide maximum protection in case of loss or theft. If you want to disable any of the settings, go to Anti-Theft ▸ When device is marked as LOST.
How do I remotely control my lost or stolen device with Anti-Theft?
Anti-Theft offers several commands that may be used if you want to locate your lost phone, secure your data, or contact a possible thief. For more details, refer to the following article:
Can I reset a forgotten Avast PIN?
For security reasons, Anti-Theft does not send your Avast PIN to our servers, and there is no master key. However, there are two possible ways to reset a PIN.
For more details, refer to the following article:
- Avast Anti-Theft for Android
- Avast Mobile Security 6.x
- Google Android 5.0 (Lollipop, API 21) or higher


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Tagged: Sally Hawkins
The Sharpies | 2014 Nominations
After the absolute travesty that (once again) was the Oscar nominations, it is time for the first annual Sharpies to step in and show 'em how it's done.
As always there has been a vast array of films released this year, and working 40 hours it's hard for me to around to seeing them all (unlike those lay-abouts at the academy) so there will be some noticeable omissions from my nominations. I was intent on having a best TV show category, but having only been able to watch Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead, it hardly seems worth it. The same goes for the documentaries category, of which I have only seen one, Blackfish (which probably would have won anyway). As for motion pictures, looking over the oscars nominations, there only seems to be one notable omission, August: Osage County. I will get round to watching it soon and may edit my nominations accordingly at a later date (but probably not).
Anyway, without further ado, lets get to the nominations…


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Beloved British stop-motion animated character Postman Pat is headed for the big screen. The character, a favorite of pre-school children, will be making his feature film debut with Postman Pat: The Movie – You Know You're the One. The CG 3D animated film will feature Stephen Mangan (Episodes) as the voice of Pat, with Jim Broadbent, Rupert Grint, and David Tennant also lending their vocal talents to the project. The film will find Pat tempted by money and fame after he enters a national TV talent show competition. Production on the film begins this month, on the 30th anniversary of the character, with a release slated for Spring 2013. Hit the jump for the full press release, including a synopsis and the first image.
Here's the full press release:
LONDON, UK (September 16, 2011) – Classic Media, a media company with a portfolio of some of the world's leading family entertainment brands, and RGH Entertainment, the animation development and production unit of Rubicon Group Holding (RGH), are proud to announce that Postman Pat will be making his big screen debut in 'Postman Pat: The Movie – You Know You're the One'. The announcement of the film, which will be released in CG 3-D Stereoscopic, is timed to today's celebration of Postman Pat's 30th birthday.
The renowned voice cast will be led by actor Stephen Mangan (Episodes, Green Wing, Dirk Gently) as Postman Pat. Academy Award® and BAFTA® Award Winner Jim Broadbent (Iris, Moulin Rouge!), Rupert Grint, who achieved international fame as Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter film series, and David Tennant (Doctor Who, Harry Potter) will join Stephen in bringing the world of Postman Pat to life on the big screen.
The film finds Pat, everyone's favourite postman, coming face-to-face with the temptations of money, status and a shiny new suit when he enters a national TV talent show competition that threatens to tear him away from his hometown of Greendale and the friends he loves. What happens when kindness meets selfishness? When local fame meets global notoriety? A nice cup of tea is kicked aside by a frappacappucino? Pat is set to find out as he falls for the age old temptation of the grass being greener…
The voice cast, all true Postman Pat fans, commented on working on the film. Stephen Mangan said, "I'm absolutely thrilled to be playing the world's best-known postman in his big screen debut – he's an iconic British hero and it's a great script. However when I excitedly told my 3 year old son that I was going to be Postman Pat, he said, 'No you're not, dad, don't be silly.'" Jim Broadbent noted, "I'm delighted and very excited to be involved with such an iconic figure as Postman Pat." Rupert Grint added, "I used to watch Postman Pat when I was a small boy. My brother and sisters all did at some stage. Postman Pat is one of those British symbols, I suppose – you are totally familiar with him and his cat, Jess even if you have never watched the series. How exciting to be part of the Postman Pat heritage."
'Postman Pat: The Movie – You Know You're the One' will be directed by Mike Disa (Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil) from a screenplay co-written by the award-winning Kim Fuller (Spice World, High Heels & Low Lifes) and Annika Bluhm, the long-time Producer of the Postman Pat television series. The film is being produced by RGH's Robert Anich and Miles Horst and Classic Media's Ceri Barnes and Annika Bluhm, with Rubicon's Randa Ayoubi and David Corbett and Classic Media's Eric Ellenbogen and Doug Schwalbe serving as executive producers.
'Postman Pat: The Movie – You Know You're the One' begins production this month and heads to cinemas Spring 2013. Ralph Kamp's Timeless Films is managing worldwide sales with Icon Film Distribution releasing the film in the UK and Eire.


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It just takes you 1/2 hour to swallow it.
This will make you feel silly about not fitting exercise into your life. I know how hard it is, believe me, but I think you will love this quickie movie.
by Ann Garvin | May 3, 2013 | Exercise & Fitness, Fitness, Uncategorized | 0 comments
It just takes you 1/2 hour to swallow it.
This will make you feel silly about not fitting exercise into your life. I know how hard it is, believe me, but I think you will love this quickie movie.
Chat with Ann
Put your email into this box.
Ann Garvin is a small book girl trying to make it in a big book world, hoping you'll get a cup of coffee and stay awhile.
Another place you can find Ann's Health advice is at the Unreasonable Institute where she helps entrepreneur's stay healthy while they save the world.
Unreasonable Institute is a mentorship program for entrepreneurs tackling global challenges. Every year, Unreasonable handpicks 25 entrepreneurs from around the world to unite in Boulder under 1 roof for 6 weeks. There, they receive guidance from 50 mentors. They build relationships with over 25 investment funds, scores of other funders, and a network supports them as they work to scale to 1 million beneficiaries.
'The Dog Year' is Ann Garvin's new new novel released by Berkley-a Penguin imprint.
'The Dog Year' is Ann Garvin's new novel by Berkley-a Penguin imprint. The Dog Year brings to life new characters that we fall in love with through their everyday happenstance and lively interactions. Meet Ann here in a brief video about her novel, 'On Maggie's Watch' available through these retailers.
"I know of few authors who are funnier or more sympathetic than Ann Garvin, and I know of few heroines more in need of comic relief and sympathy than Dr. Lucy Peterman. This novel will make your stomach hurt with laughter and your heart ache with sadness. The Dog Year is a kind, gentle, honest look at a woman whose life has come apart and a survivor who puts it all back together."
New York Times best selling author Wiley Cash Author of A Land More Kind Than Home & the upcoming This Dark Road to Mercy
Ann Garvin is published by: Berkley/Jove


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On today's Phil Naessens Show Tom Lewis joins Phil to discuss the Indiana Pacers Miami Heat Eastern Conference Final from a Pacers perspective, Joe Mullinax joins Phil to talk about the wild and crazy Memphis Grizzlies situation with Head Coach Dave Joerger and David Ramil joins Phil to talk Heat Pacers from a Heat perspective.
[audio http://media.blubrry.com/philnaessensshow/archive.org/download/ThePhilNaessensShow5-26-2014/Pns5-26-2014.mp3%5D
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Happy Monday everyone! Hope you're starting off the week great. Here's a post from one of the Virtual Vegan Potluck contributors – Galen of OMGosh I'm Vegan. Here's Galen in her own words, "My name is Galen and I'm AHmazing! Haha, but really — I love to cook, bake, and share your treats with friends, coworkers and loved ones. I also enjoy taking vegan cooking classes and going on adventures!" Visit OMGosh I'm Vegan via blog and follow Galen on Twitter. Welcome Galen!
Just when you think I'll zig I zag. Oh so tricky. I decided to make the real deal and have a proper Cubano Vegano! Thanks again to Mandee of Cupcake Kitteh for the inspiration. The cubano vegano sandwich is from Viva Vegan!.
|Ready to eat
I made white seitan and while it tasted great I think something went wrong. It didn't really expand much from the original size. Next time I'll boil it instead of steaming as that sounds like it works for this recipe too. After the seitan was done and cool down I sliced it into thin pieces. Then put it in this amazing citrus marinade. Wow to die for! And baked it in the oven for a bit.
|Ready to grill
This just kicked the seitan up a notch. What remained of the marinade was put on my sandwich with lots of other goodies. A few minutes in the panini press and I was good to go. I don't know that I have the words to properly describe this sandwich. It is easily my favorite sandwich now!
What have you made from Viva Vegan? Favorite recipe? Is it sad that as I look at these pictures I'm drooling just a little and wishing I had another sandwich? Don't judge!
Happy MoFoing!


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Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA)
About the CNA Program
This program is designed for students interested in a career in nursing. Completion of the CNA program is highly recommended and has the highest points allotted for entrance into the Associate Degree Nursing, is required for the Vocational Nursing Program, and confers eligibility to take the State CNA certification exam.
CNAs are employed by hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and other health care agencies. The course content includes fundamental procedures to meet basic needs of patients, gathering data about the patients, communicating appropriately and other content required by State regulations for nurse assistant certification.
The lab portion of the course includes skills required for nurse assistant certification such as fundamental procedures to meet basic human needs, gathering data about the patient and communicating appropriately. Information about the health care system and how it functions is also included.
Featured Video
Length of the SWC CNA Program
Currently the program is an 8.5-unit course: CNA 20 (5.5 units of lecture) and CNA 20L (3 units of lab). Four classes are offered throughout the year – January, March, June and August. The first three classes meet a minimum of three eight-hour days per week for nine weeks. In August, the class will meet a minimum of two days per week for the full fall semester. The CNA class is repeatable only once and attendance to all class meeting days is mandatory.
Reading 56 or higher is recommended preparation for this course.
PLEASE NOTE: If a student fails out of ANY nursing program for unsafe clinical practice or a violation of professional, legal, or unethical conduct, that student may be ineligible for admission to any Southwestern College Nursing or Health Occupation Program.
CNA NavigationSWC Nursing Website


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Jamieson Webster
Photo: © Isabel Asha Penzlien
About the Author
Jamieson Webster is a psychoanalyst in private practice in New York City. She is the author ofThe Life and Death of Psychoanalysis and has written for The Aesthete, Apology, Cabinet, The Guardian, The Huffington Post, Playboy, The New York Times, and many psychoanalytic publications. She teaches at Eugene Lang College at the New School and supervises doctoral students in clinical psychology at the City University of New York.


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JEWISHST 143: Literature and Society in Africa and the Caribbean (AFRICAAM 133, AFRICAST 132, COMPLIT 133A, COMPLIT 233A, FRENCH 133)
This course aims to equip students with an understanding of the cultural, social, and political aspects at play in the literatures of Francophone Africa and the Caribbean of the 20th and 21st century. Our primary readings will be Francophone novels and poetry. We will also read some theoretical texts. The assigned readings will expose students to literature from diverse French-speaking regions of the African/Caribbean world. This course will also serve as a "literary toolbox," with the intention of facilitating an understanding of literary genres, and terms. Students can expect to work on their production of written and spoken French, in addition to reading comprehension. Special guest: Moroccan author Meryem Alaoui. Required readings include: Aime Cesaire, Maryse Condé, Fatou Diome, Dany Laferriere, Leonara Miano, Albert Memmi. Taught in French. Prerequisite: FRENLANG 124 or consent of instructor.
Terms: Win | Units: 4 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, WAY-A-II, WAY-ED
Instructors: Ulloa, M. (PI)
2018-2019 Winter
4 units |
UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, WAY-A-II, WAY-ED |
Class #
Section 01 |
Grading: Letter or Credit/No Credit |
01/07/2019 - 03/15/2019 Tue, Thu 10:30 AM - 11:50 AM at 420-050 with Ulloa, M. (PI)
Instructors: Ulloa, M. (PI)
JEWISHST 155D: Jewish American Literature (AMSTUD 145D, ENGLISH 145D, REES 145D)
From its inception, Jewish-American literature has taken as its subject as well as its context the idea of Jewishness itself. Jewish culture is a diasporic one, and for this reason the concept of Jewishness differs from country to country and across time. What stays remarkably similar, though, is Jewish self-perception and relatedly Jewish literary style. This is as true for the first-generation immigrant writers like Isaac Bashevis Singer and Anzia Yezierska who came to the United States from abroad as it is for their second-generation children born in the United States, and the children of those children. In this course, we will consider the difficulties of displacement for the emigrant generation and their efforts to sustain their cultural integrity in the multicultural American environment. We'll also examine the often comic revolt of their American-born children and grandchildren against their (grand-)parents nostalgia and failure to assimilate. Only by considering these transnational roots can one understand the particularity of the Jewish-American novel in relation to mainstream and minority American literatures. In investigating the link between American Jewish writers and their literary progenitors, we will draw largely but not exclusively from Russia and the countries of Eastern Europe.
Last offered: Spring 2018 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, GER:EC-AmerCul, WAY-A-II, WAY-ED
JEWISHST 288: Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict (HISTORY 288, HISTORY 388, JEWISHST 388)
This course examines some salient issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from the late 19th century to the present. At the end of the course you should be able to articulate the positions of the major parties to the conflict, with the understanding that there is no single, unified Zionist (or Jewish) or Palestinian (or Arab) position. One quarter does not allow sufficient time to cover even all of the important topics comprehensively (for example, the role of the Arab states, the USA and the USSR, and the internal history of Israel receive less attention than is desirable). Some prior knowledge of Middle East history is desirable, but not required. Vigorous debate and criticism are strongly encouraged. Criticism and response expressed in a civil tone is an important way to get a fuller and more truthful picture of something. This is not only a fundamental democratic right and a basic citizenship skill, but it is essential to interpreting information and making good policy. Rights not used are easily lost.
Terms: Aut | Units: 4-5 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, WAY-SI
Instructors: Beinin, J. (PI)
2018-2019 Autumn
4-5 units |
UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, WAY-SI |
Class #
Section 01 |
Grading: Letter (ABCD/NP) |
09/24/2018 - 12/07/2018 Tue, Thu 12:00 PM - 1:20 PM at Lathrop 296 with Beinin, J. (PI)
Axess Enrollment will open for students on September 1st.
Instructors: Beinin, J. (PI)
Additional Resources: (Login to view additional resources)
MUSIC 1A: Music, Mind, and Human Behavior
An introductory exploration of the question of why music is a pervasive and fundamental aspect of human existence. The class will introduce aspects of music perception and cognition as well as anthropological and cultural considerations.
Terms: Win | Units: 3 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, WAY-A-II
Instructors: Berger, J. (PI) ; Asuroglu, U. (TA)
2018-2019 Winter
3 units |
UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, WAY-A-II |
Class #
Section 01 |
Grading: Letter or Credit/No Credit |
| Students enrolled: 57 / 50
01/07/2019 - 03/15/2019 Wed 3:30 PM - 5:20 PM at Knoll317 with Berger, J. (PI); Asuroglu, U. (TA)
Instructors: Berger, J. (PI); Asuroglu, U. (TA)
MUSIC 2A: The Symphony
Symphonic literature 1750 to the present, with emphasis on developing listening skills and preparation for attending a live performance. Ability to read music not required.
Terms: Win | Units: 3 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, WAY-A-II
Instructors: Hinton, S. (PI) ; Kinney, M. (TA)
2018-2019 Winter
3 units |
UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, WAY-A-II |
Class #
Section 01 |
Grading: Letter or Credit/No Credit |
| Students enrolled: 20
01/07/2019 - 03/15/2019 Tue, Thu 3:00 PM - 4:20 PM at Braun103 with Hinton, S. (PI); Kinney, M. (TA)
Exam Date/Time: 2019-03-19 3:30pm - 6:30pm (Exam Schedule)
Instructors: Hinton, S. (PI); Kinney, M. (TA)
MUSIC 2C: An Introduction to Opera
The lasting appeal of opera as a lavishly hybrid genre from the 1600s to the present. How and why does opera set its stories to music? What is operatic singing? Who is the audience? How do words, music, voices, movement, and staging collaborate in different operatic eras and cultures? Principal works by Monteverdi, Handel, Mozart, Verdi, Wagner, Strauss, Britten, and Adams. Class studies and attends two works performed by the San Francisco Opera.
Last offered: Autumn 2017 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, WAY-A-II
MUSIC 7B: Musical Cultures of the World
Ethnomusicologists study music in human life. Music is with us as we articulate and define social identities -- punk rocker, student, Japanese-American, member of a sorority, Catholic, radical, etc. --and as we acquire new identities through rites of passage such as weddings, graduations, and initiation ceremonies. Many of life's most intense moments are accompanied or created by music, but music can also be part of the everyday, with us as we work, move, and socialize. This course is about what music does in human life and what it means to participants. In other words, it is about the myriad ways that music makes us human. We will address musical meanings and practices in selected regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. As you encounter music in an increasingly connected world, this course will provide you with a new awareness of musical diversity and of the social implications of music making. This course must be taken for a minimum of 3 units and a letter grade to be eligible for Ways credit.
Terms: Spr | Units: 2-3 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, GER:EC-GlobalCom, WAY-A-II, WAY-ED
Instructors: Copeland, L. (PI) ; Ellis, G. (TA)
2018-2019 Spring
2-3 units |
UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, GER:EC-GlobalCom, WAY-A-II, WAY-ED |
Class #
Section 01 |
Grading: Letter or Credit/No Credit |
| Students enrolled: 32 / 30
04/01/2019 - 06/13/2020 Mon, Wed 1:30 PM - 2:50 PM at Braun103 with Copeland, L. (PI); Ellis, G. (TA)
Exam Date/Time: 2019-06-10 3:30pm - 6:30pm (Exam Schedule)
Instructors: Copeland, L. (PI); Ellis, G. (TA)
MUSIC 8A: Rock, Sex, and Rebellion
Development of critical listening skills and musical parameters through genres in the history of rock music. Focus is on competing aesthetic tendencies and subcultural forces that shaped the music. Rock's significance in American culture, and the minority communities that have enriched rock's legacy as an expressively diverse form. Lectures, readings, listening, and video screenings. Attendance at all lectures is required.
Terms: Spr | Units: 3 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, GER:EC-AmerCul, WAY-A-II
Instructors: Applebaum, M. (PI) ; Herndon, J. (TA) ; Lortie, C. (TA)
2018-2019 Spring
3 units |
UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, GER:EC-AmerCul, WAY-A-II |
Class #
Section 01 |
Grading: Letter or Credit/No Credit |
| Students enrolled: 152 / 190
04/01/2019 - 06/05/2019 Mon, Wed 10:30 AM - 12:20 PM at Campbell Recital Hall 126 with Applebaum, M. (PI); Herndon, J. (TA); Lortie, C. (TA)
Instructors: Applebaum, M. (PI); Herndon, J. (TA); Lortie, C. (TA)
MUSIC 14N: Women Making Music (FEMGEN 13N)
Preference to freshmen. Women's musical activities across times and cultures; how ideas about gender influence the creation, performance, and perception of music.
Last offered: Autumn 2017 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, GER:EC-Gender, WAY-A-II, WAY-ED
MUSIC 15N: The Aesthetics of Data
Focus on visual and auditory display of data, specifically, the importance of aesthetic principles in effective data display, and the creative potential of scientific, biological, environmental and other data as inspiration for artistic expression.
Terms: Aut | Units: 3 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, WAY-CE
Instructors: Berger, J. (PI)
2018-2019 Autumn
3 units |
UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, WAY-CE |
Class #
Section 01 |
Grading: Letter (ABCD/NP) |
| Students enrolled: 16 / 16
09/24/2018 - 12/07/2018 Mon, Wed 1:30 PM - 3:20 PM at Knoll217 with Berger, J. (PI)
Exam Date/Time: 2018-12-12 3:30pm - 6:30pm (Exam Schedule)
Axess Enrollment will open for students on September 1st.
Instructors: Berger, J. (PI)
Notes: Introductory Seminar. Preference to first-year students; sophomores admitted if space available. Advance sign-up process and deadlines at http://introsems.stanford.edu.
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For kids and ODs, pediatric vision benefit is a success
The AOA's efforts to guarantee comprehensive pediatric eye health and vision care under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are paying off for millions of American kids.
"This is one of the most significant achievements in the history of our profession."
The AOA fought to ensure such care was embedded in plans sold on new health insurance exchanges, as well as in most new plans sold outside of them.
"This is one of the most significant achievements in the history of our profession because it is shaping how eye health and vision care will be delivered for decades to come," says AOA President David A. Cockrell, O.D.
New enrollment data from the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS's) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) reflects that achievement.
According to ASPE data, more than 8 million individuals enrolled in a plan sold through the exchanges during the ACA's first enrollment period. Of those enrollees, 100 percent received coverage under the ACA's pediatric vision benefit—a mandated coverage provision under the law. This compares with just 14 percent (1.1 million people) who enrolled in a stand-alone dental plan.
Under the ACA, qualified health plans are required to include pediatric vision coverage, thanks to AOA efforts, but are not required to do so for pediatric dental coverage.
Why it's not a stand-alone benefit
The pediatric vision benefit's success hinges on how it is designed, says Stephen Montaquila, O.D., chair of the AOA Third Party Center (TPC) Executive Committee. The vision benefit was embedded within medical plans.
"This inclusion and integration was no accident," Dr. Montaquila says. A number of AOA advocacy committees fought for it, including TPC, the Federal Relations Committee, and the State Government Relations Committee.
Congress and HHS have since endorsed the AOA's approach for integrating eye health and vision care coverage with other core benefits provided by health plans.
"For America's families, this essential coverage helps to ensure that kids no longer face developmental delays or barriers to educational success due to undiagnosed or untreated eye or vision problems," Dr. Montaquila says. "For AOA member optometrists, it brings with it a wealth of new health plan participation, patient care and practice building opportunities."
The AOA's proposal had its opponents, among them stand-alone plans, Dr. Cockrell says. Some vision plans, for example, fought to make consumers purchase pediatric vision coverage separately from the health plan, rather than what the AOA and Congress envisioned as embedded coverage.
"It is important for us to remember if they had prevailed, the mandatory and comprehensive eye health and vision coverage for millions of children would be like the optional dental coverage, which as we have just confirmed has been restricted to just a small fraction of those who could have gained coverage," he says.


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This low poly sword is the third in the crusader angelic series of game ready weapons. It comes with a hand painted texture for that nice fantasy look that makes it easy to read its shape even from far away. You should find this item easy to reshape and alter as needed or it can just be used as is.
Special thanks go to Christian Fell for the concept this sword was modeled after.


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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Regulators have begun investigating 19 companies whose advertisements for mortgage products may mislead consumers, the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said on Monday.
Regulators also have sent letters to an additional 32 mortgage lenders, brokers, home builders and other companies warning that their ads may violate federal prohibitions against misleading mortgage-related claims.
The agencies did not name the companies involved.
Problematic ads contained official-looking logos that could have made consumers think they came from government agencies, offered "low" rates without explaining loan terms, or misrepresented the amount of cash or credit available.
"Misrepresentations in mortgage products can deprive consumers of important information while making one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives," CFPB Director Richard Cordray said in a statement. "Baiting consumers with false ads to buy into mortgage products would be illegal."
Regulators have been trying to boost lending standards and improve industry transparency after millions of foreclosures occurred in the wake of the 2007-2009 financial crisis.
The consumer bureau, which was created by the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial law and is charged with watching over products such as mortgages, and the FTC share responsibility for enforcing a 2011 rule banning misleading claims about mortgage products.
Regulators found the problematic claims during a review of about 800 newspaper, online and mail ads for mortgage loans, refinancing and reverse mortgages.
The agencies did not say how many companies were reviewed. The rule applies to non-bank entities that advertise mortgages.
The warning letters instruct companies to review their ads to make sure they are not misleading. Companies that are under investigation could face enforcement actions if they are found to have violated bans on misleading advertising.
"It may well be that mortgage advertising and mortgage lending will be ramping up in the near future," said Thomas Pahl, assistant director of the FTC's financial practices division.
"One of the things that we wanted to do through conducting this sweep was to make sure that ... they are aware of their obligation to make sure that none of those ads contain deceptive claims."
The CFPB is conducting six of the investigations, and the FTC is handling 13 investigations.
Pahl said the agencies determined which companies to investigate by looking at how many seemingly misleading claims they made, how clearly false the claims were, and how much the claims might hurt consumers who saw them.
The CFPB said its review focused on mortgage ads that targeted older Americans or veterans. The FTC looked at home builders, realtors and lead generators.
Reporting By Emily Stephenson; Editing by Bernard Orr


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Before you get started with our secure online Application Options you may want to check out our Mortgage Calculators for a quick understanding of the mortgage amount you qualify for, a rough estimate of the payment and a few other great tools.
No problem. Simply complete the following online form and a TMG Mortgage Professional will be in touch within 24 hours.
TMG provides you with the option to complete the secured on-line application or download and fax the mortgage application. To select one of these two options please see the Application Options on the left side of this page.
Want more information? Check out our Mortgage 101 Videos.
Feeling overwhelmed? Don't be. We simply wanted to bring you up-to-speed but with our No Sweat approach to mortgage solutions, rest assured we can take it from here.


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"Dumbo," the grand live-action adventure from Disney and visionary director Tim Burton, which expanded on the beloved animated classic and sent spirits soaring, prepares for a landing on June 25. Disney invites fans to fall in love again with this heartfelt story, in which differences are celebrated, family is cherished and dreams take flight, when it swoops into homes on Digital in HD and 4K Ultra HD™ and Movies Anywhere, and physically on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™ and DVD — with never-before-seen bonus features, deleted scenes, Easter eggs and bloopers.
In "Dumbo," struggling circus owner Max Medici enlists former star Holt Farrier and his children to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting persuasive but sinister entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere, who recruits the peculiar pachyderm for his newest, spectacular, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland.
We missed seeing Dumbo in theaters and can't wait to settle in with a movie night to watch it! I remember the watching Dumbo as a child, and have some very special memories of my kids and I on the Dumbo attraction at Disneyland (my husband, not so much, even that is too much spinning for him!) I can't wait to share this new Dumbo story with my family! Dumbo lands everywhere June 25th!
I have THREE Disney Dumbo on Blu-ray™ to give away to 3 lucky readers! To enter to win, just fill in your name and email address in the form below and click BEGIN! Then, simply leave a comment on this blog post sharing your thoughts on this beloved Disney story. Have you seen it in theaters? Do you think it can beat the original (I hear it's surpassed expectations!)


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So the picture you took of the sunset with your $100 digital camera is under developed, I'm shocked. We'll we need to fix it before we upload it so it doesn't look like all the other millions of sunset photos on flickr.
We can fix it in two steps. First dupe the layer. Second set the overlying layer to Screen. If it's too bright, reduce the opacity of the top layer; too dark, dupe yet another layer and set it to Screen.


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Become a Stop the War member
Your help is vital for us to continue our work. Become a Stop the War member today and be part of a mass anti-war movement. By joining Stop the War you will:
- Become part of an anti-war network, nationally and locally, including trade unions, peace groups, faith organisations, community and political activists
- Receive information about anti-war events and activities
- Get help from our national office to organise events and activities in your local area
- Receive discounts for national anti-war events
- Participate in our policy making conferences
- Help fund the largest anti-war movement in British history
Become a Stop the War Member:
Select subscription amount then click Join
• Or join by direct debit:


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"The customer service we have received has been exceptional and we now benefit from a high standard and professional website, a total club management tool and a dedicated and passionate support team."
Not a sports club? See our sister site www.groupbuzz.co.uk which has been designed for all types of member centered organisations.
We provide clubs with professionally designed websites which can be personalised by you to reflect your club colours, include your own photos and logos, upload your own custom pages, interact with Facebook and Twitter and even start your own club forum.
Manage your member database securely with members able to apply, register and make annual subscription payments online, reducing paperwork and processing time and giving you instant access to a wide range of member information and reports at the click of a button.
For sports clubs, ClubBuzz keeps an up-to-date calendar of all your teams' fixtures, past and present. Players are notified of their selections through SMS or email and can reply with their availability. After matches, keep a record of all the vital match statistics.
ClubBuzz's unique suite of club management tools take the pain out of administering your club, allowing you to focus on what you do best.
We have a range of plans and offerings for sports clubs of all shapes and sizes.
See more of what ClubBuzz has to offer … take the tour.
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ClubBuzz help thousands of teams, clubs and groups to get organised and get noticed on the web … read more testimonials.
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Designed by experienced club committee members for all sorts of clubs, ClubBuzz provides affordable management solutions for all sizes of club with a package to meet every need. Many clubs are finding that our solutions more than pay for themselves by attracting new members and club sponsors.
If it's a website you're after, we provide a great looking, professionally designed website which is easy to manage and personalise for your club. ClubBuzz leaves you in total control of all content with no distracting advertising. Multiple users can all update their specific area of the website, meaning everyone gets to share the load, and no-one needs to have computer expertise.
Because our websites are built to be search engine friendly you will also benefit from a much improved profile on the web. This can result, as many of our clubs have reported, in a significant uplift in member applications. You get to keep your own website address, or if you prefer use one of ours!
However, if you prefer you can go Lite and benefit from our club management tools and keep your existing website.
If you're interested in saving time and making your life as a Club Secretary so much easier, then the ClubBuzz system is here for you. Securely manage member details, keep your members updated, schedule and make team selections all online, and access a range of comprehensive reports to help you with the paperwork.
We haven't left out the Club Treasurer — we know that running the finances of a club can be a nightmare! Our financial package makes life a whole lot easier. Each member has an on-line account: subs, training and match fees get added to the account alongside any other payment due from the members. Members can pay by direct debit, plastic, cheque or cash. No-one is in any doubt how much they owe and when it is due, and the club benefits from improved cash flow.
What next? Sign up today for a 30 day no obligation FREE trial and harness the technology of ClubBuzz to meet the expectations of the current generation and to support your success as a club.
ClubBuzz really is that simple. Let it make the difference in your club!Compare our plans and prices