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Politics of Belgium
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Belgium |
Constitution |
Foreign relations |
The Politics of Belgium takes place in a framework of a federal, representative democratic, constitutional monarchy, whereby the King of the Belgians is the Head of State and the Prime Minister of Belgium is the head of government in a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Federal legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament, the Senate and the Chamber of Representatives. The federation is made up of (language-based) communities and (territorial) regions.
Since around 1970, the significant national Belgian political parties have split into distinct representations for each communities' interests besides defense of their ideologies. These parties belong to three main political families, though close to the centre: the right-wing Liberals, the social conservative Christian Democrats, and Socialists forming the left-wing. Other important newer parties are the Green parties and, nowadays mainly in Flanders, the nationalist and far-right parties. Politics is influenced by lobby groups, such as trade unions and employers' organizations such as the Federation of Belgian Enterprises. Majority rule is often superseded by a de facto confederal decision making process where the minority (the French-speakers) enjoy important protections through specialty majorities (2/3 overall and majority in each of the 2 main communities).
The Constitution of Belgium, the primary source of law and the basis of the political system of the Country, was established on February 7, 1831. It has been changed several times, but the most relevant reforms were performed in 1970 and in 1993.
In 1970, in response to a growing civil conflict between the Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities in Brussels, the Government declared that "the unitary state, its structure and functioning as laid down by law, had become obsolete". The new constitution recognised the existence of strong communitarian and regional differences within Belgium, but sought to reconcile these differences through a diffusion of power to the communities and the regions.
In 1993 the parliament approved a constitutional package transforming Belgium into a full-fledged federal state.
Office | Name | Party | Since |
King | Philippe | N/A | 21 July 2013 |
Prime Minister | Charles Michel | Reformist Movement | 11 October 2014 |
Head of state[edit]
The King of the Belgians is the constitutional head of the Belgian state and holds office for life. The duties of the king are laid out by the Belgian Constitution and other laws enforced under it.
As titular head of state, the King plays a ceremonial and symbolic role in the nation. His main political function is to designate a political leader to form a new cabinet after an election or the resignation of a cabinet. In conditions where there is a "constructive vote of no-confidence," the government has to resign and the lower house of Parliament proposes a new Prime Minister to the King.[1] The King is also seen as playing a symbolic unifying role, representing a common national Belgian identity.
Philippe succeeded his father Albert II on 21 July 2013 upon his abdication.
Federal government[edit]
The executive power is held by the Prime Minister and the ministers, who together form the Council of Ministers, and by the secretaries of state, each of whom is deputy to a minister and is part of the federal Government, but does not sit in the Council of Ministers.[2]
Members of the Federal Government, who are formally appointed by the King, are in fact drawn from the political parties which form the government coalition.
The Federal Government must enjoy the confidence of the Chamber of Representatives.
The total number of Ministers, excluding the Prime Minister, cannot exceed 15. Also, the number of Dutch- and French-speaking ministers must be equal, with the possible exception of the Prime Minister.[3]
Ministers head executive departments of the government. The Prime Minister and his ministers administer the government and the various public services and the ministers must defend their policies and performance in person before the Chamber.
Regional and community governments[edit]
The regional and community parliaments and governments have jurisdiction over transportation, public works, water policy, cultural matters, education, public health, environment, housing, zoning, and economic and industrial policy. They rely on a system of revenue-sharing for funds. They have the authority to levy a very few taxes (mostly surcharges) and to contract loans. Moreover, they have obtained exclusive treaty-making power for those issues coming under their respective jurisdictions. Of total public spending (interest payments not considered), more than 30% is authorized by the regions and communities, although their financing comes for over 80% from national Belgian budgets; at the same time, the national government controls 100% of social security, and strictly limits the taxation policy by the federalized entities. As a result, Belgian institutions still control over 90% of the effective, global taxation levels on individuals and companies.
Though since 1993 article 35 of the Constitution requires the creation a list specifying federal as opposed to regional and communities' competences, such list was never created. Therefore, the federal government continues to exercise all competences not explicitly dedicated to the lesser levels.[4]
The Flemish parties generally favour much larger community (and regional) autonomy, including financial and tax autonomy, while the francophone parties generally oppose it. The French-speaking parties tend to favour more state control.[citation needed]
As of 2014, the regional executives are the following:
- Minister-President of Flemish Government (Community+Region): Geert Bourgeois (N-VA)
- Minister-President of French Community Government: Rudy Demotte (PS)
- Minister-President of Walloon Regional Government: Paul Magnette (PS)
- Minister-President of Brussels-Capital Regional Government: Rudi Vervoort (PS)
- Minister-President of German Community Government: Oliver Paasch (ProDG)
Provincial and local government[edit]
The two biggest regions, Flanders and Wallonia, are further subdivided into five provinces each. The Brussels-Capital Region is directly divided into 19 municipalities. In total, Belgium counts 589 municipalities. Provincial and local government is an exclusive competency of the regions. Therefore, one should see the relevant articles for more detailed information on provincial and local government.
In the Brussels region, there is another form of intermediate government, constituted by institutions from each of the two competent communities. Those institutions (COCOF for the French-speakers and VGC for the Flemings) have similar competencies, although only COCOF has legislative powers, given by the French Community. For Brussels community matters common to both communities there is a Common Community Commission.
Legislative powers in Belgium are divided between the national, the regional and the community levels.
The Belgian Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (Dutch: Senaat, French: Sénat) and the Chamber of Representatives (Dutch: Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers, French: Chambre des Représentants). The Chamber has 150 members; the Senate has 60. All 150 representatives are elected directly via a system of proportional representation. The Senate consists of 50 senators elected by the parliaments of the communities and regions, and 10 senators co-opted by the others.
Since the Constitutional reforms of 1993 and 2013, the two Houses of Parliament do not sit on a level of parity: other than in cases regarding the constitutional, institutional or federal structure or international relation, the consent of the Senate either is not required (so-called "unicameral laws", voted only by the House, such as the budget) or can be dispensed of by the House. The Chamber of Representatives is also the only house that votes the confidence to the Government.
Each of the five components of the federal system (Flemish Community, French Community, German-speaking Community, Walloon Region and Brussels-Capital Region) have their own, directly elected unicameral council or parliament. They vote decrees (or ordinances in Brussels), that have the same value and are on the same juridical level as the federal laws.
The influence of the main political parties and party leaders is enormous. Many experts[citation needed] estimate that the presidents of the main parties are considerably more powerful than both ordinary ministers and the entire Parliament. For this reason, the Belgian political system is often called a particracy.[citation needed]
The judicial system is based on civil law and originates from the Napoleonic code. It has a judicial review of legislative acts. It accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations. The Court of Appeals is one level below the Court of Cassation, an institution based on the French Court of Cassation. The Court of Cassation (Dutch: Hof van Cassatie, French: Cour de Cassation) is the most important court in Belgium. Judges are appointed for life by the Belgian monarch.
Elections and parties[edit]
Electoral system[edit]
The election for the Belgian Chamber of Representatives is based on a system of open list proportional representation. Several months before an election, each party forms a list of candidates for each district. Parties are allowed to place as many candidates on their lists as there are seats available. The formation of the list is an internal process that varies with each party. The place on the list is considered to play a role in the election of a candidate, by giving stronger visibility to those high on the list; this phenomenon, however, seems to have lost importance since the last electoral reform.
Belgian voters are given five options. They may:
- Vote for a list as a whole, thereby showing approval of the order established by the party;
- Vote for one or more individual candidates, regardless of his/her ranking on the list (a "preference vote");
- Vote for one or more of the "alternates" (substitutes);
- Vote for one or more candidates, and one or more alternates;
- Vote invalid or blank so no one receives the vote.
While there are some options to vote on more than one person, it should be noted that voters cannot vote for candidates of more than one candidate list (party). Doing so makes the vote invalid.
Political campaigns in Belgium are relatively short, lasting only about one month. They are subjected to several limitations:
- There are restrictions on the use of billboards.
- For all of their activities, campaigns included, the political parties have to rely on government subsidies and dues paid by their members.
- An electoral expenditures law restricts expenditures during the campaign.
Belgium is one of the few countries that has compulsory voting, thus having one of the highest rates of voter turnout in the world.[5]
Elections for the Chamber of Representatives (Federal Parliament) are normally held every five years and coincide with those for the European Parliament. Before 2014, they were held every four years and were held separately. The community and regional parliaments are elected every five years, and their elections coincide with those for the European Parliament as well. Elections for the members of Belgium's municipal and provincial councils are held every six years.
The latest municipal and provincial elections were held in 2012 and the latest federal and regional elections were held in 2014.
Results from last Chamber election (2014)[edit]
← 2010 • 2014 • 2019 → | ||||||||
Party | Leader(s) | Votes | % | +/– | E.c. % | Seats | +/– | |
New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) | Bart De Wever | 1,366,414 | 20.26 | 2.86 | 32.22 |
33 / 150
6 | |
Socialist Party (PS) | Elio Di Rupo | 787,165 | 11.67 | 2.05 | 31.43 |
23 / 150
3 | |
Christian Democratic & Flemish (CD&V) | Wouter Beke | 783,060 | 11.61 | 0.77 | 18.47 |
18 / 150
1 | |
Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats (Open Vld) | Gwendolyn Rutten | 659,582 | 9.78 | 1.17 | 15.55 |
14 / 150
1 | |
Reformist Movement (MR) | Charles Michel | 650,290 | 9.64 | 0.31 | 25.96 |
20 / 150
2 | |
Socialist Party–Differently (sp.a) | Bruno Tobback | 595,486 | 8.83 | 0.36 | 14.04 |
13 / 150
0 | |
Green (Groen) | Wouter Van Besien | 358,947 | 5.32 | 0.94 | 8.46 |
6 / 150
1 | |
Humanist Democratic Centre (cdH) | Benoît Lutgen | 336,281 | 4.99 | 0.59 | 13.43 |
9 / 150
0 | |
Workers' Party (PTB–GO!/PVDA+) |
Peter Mertens PVDA+ PTB–GO! |
251,289 118,246 132,685 |
3.72 1.76 1.97 |
2.17 | — 3.24 5.31 |
2 / 150
2 |
Flemish Interest (Vlaams Belang) | Gerolf Annemans | 247,746 | 3.67 | 4.07 | 5.84 |
3 / 150
9 | |
Ecolo | Olivier Deleuze & Emily Hoyos | 222,551 | 3.30 | 1.50 | 8.89 |
6 / 150
2 | |
Francophone Democratic Federalists (FDF) | Olivier Maingain | 121,403 | 1.80 | new | 4.85 |
2 / 150
2 | |
People's Party (Parti Populaire) | Mischaël Modrikamen | 102,599 | 1.51 | 0.24 | 4.10 |
1 / 150
0 | |
Libertarian, Direct, Democratic (LDD) | Jean-Marie Dedecker | 28,414 | 0.42 | 1.88 | 0.67 |
0 / 150
1 | |
Others (parties that received less than 1% of the overall vote) | 233,805 | 3.47 | — | — |
0 / 150
0 | ||
Valid votes | 6,745,059 | 94.24 | ||||||
Blank and invalid votes | 412,439 | 5.76 | ||||||
Totals | 7,157,498 | 100.00 | — | — |
150 / 150
0 | ||
Electorate and voter turnout | 8,001,278 | 89.45 | 0.23 | |||||
Source: Federal Portal − Chamber Elections 2014 Notes: 1) E.c. = electoral college (Dutch- and French-speaking) |
Political parties[edit]
In Belgium, all important political parties are either Dutch-speaking (Flemish) or French-speaking, aside from a few minor German-speaking parties. Political parties are thus organised along community lines, especially for the two main communities. There are no representative parties active in both communities. Even in Brussels, all parties presenting candidates are either exclusively Dutch or French speaking.[citation needed] As such, the internal organisation of the political parties reflects a fundamental linguistic split in Belgian society.
Another important characteristic of Belgian national politics is the highly federal nature of decision making. Important decisions require both a national majority (2/3 for constitutional changes), as well as majorities in the two main language groups. On top of that, both these communities can activate 'alarm bell'-procedures, delaying changes. In addition, there are no national parties to speak of. As a result of this, Belgian decision making can be slow and expensive. On top, it tends to significantly favour the more conservative parties. Given the historically very high public expenditure, and the very strict central control over taxation, even for revenues going to regions and communities, the tendency of Belgian governments to lower taxation and especially labour charges has been limited, at least if compared to radical-liberal approaches followed by certain other countries.[citation needed]
History of the political landscape[edit]
From the creation of the Belgian state in 1830 and throughout most of the 19th century, two political parties dominated Belgian politics: the Catholic Party (Church-oriented and conservative) and the Liberal Party (anti-clerical and progressive). In the late 19th century the Socialist Party arose to represent the emerging industrial working class. These three groups still dominate Belgian politics, but they have evolved substantially in character.
In the years before and after the Second World War, the linguistic problem became a stronger divisive issue in Belgian politics, with the emergence in the 1950s and 1960s of linguistic parties (Volksunie, FDF and Rassemblement Wallon). In the 1960s and 1970s, each of the main political parties of Belgium split into Flemish and French-speaking parties.
After May 68, the country saw a growing environmental and left wing movement, that led to the foundation of the ecological parties Groen! and Ecolo.
Especially in Flanders, the 1980s saw the growth of the far right, represented by the Vlaams Belang, which became one of the larger parties of the country in the 1990s.
During the years surrounding the new millennium, an attempt at restructuring the political landscape took place, mainly taking the form of political cartels.
Main political parties[edit]
Main Flemish parties:
- Christian Democratic and Flemish (CD&V)
- Groen
- Libertarian, Direct, Democratic (LDD)
- New Flemish Alliance (N-VA)
- Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats (Open Vld)
- Socialist Party – Differently (sp.a)
- Vlaams Belang
Main French-speaking parties:
- Ecolo
- Francophone Democratic Federalists (FDF)
- Humanist Democratic Centre (cdH)
- Socialist Party (PS)
- Reformist Movement (MR)
- Citizens' Movement for Change (MCC)
German-speaking parties:
Latest electoral results and government formation[edit]
- Belgian federal election, 2007
- Belgian regional elections, 2009
- Belgian federal election, 2010
- 2010–11 Belgian government formation
Trade unions[edit]
Belgium is a highly unionised country, and organised labour is a powerful influence in politics. About 53% of all private sector and public service employees are labour union members. Not simply a "bread and butter" movement in the American sense, Belgian labour unions take positions on education, public finance, defence spending, environmental protection, women's rights, abortion, and other issues. They also provide a range of services, including the administration of unemployment benefits.
Belgium's three principal trade union organizations are the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (CSC/ACV) (1,705,000 members), the General Federation of Belgian Labour (FGTB/ABVV) (1,198,000 members) and the General Confederation of Liberal Trade Unions of Belgium (CGSLB/ACLVB) which has 230,000 members.
Until the fifties, the FGTB/ABVV was the largest confederation, since then, however, the CSC/ACV has become the leading trade union force. In the most recent works council elections held in 2004 the CSC/ACV garnered close to 53% of the vote, the Socialist confederation obtained 36%, and the Liberal confederation 10%.
The Confederation of Catholic labour Unions (CSC/ACV). Organised in 1912, the CSC/ACV rejects the Marxist concept of "class struggle" and seeks to achieve a just social order based on Christian principles. The CSC/ACV is not formally linked to its party political counterparts, the Christian Democratic parties (CD&V and CDH), but exercises great influence in their councils.
The CSC/ACV is the leading union in all Flemish provinces, and in Wallonia's Luxembourg province. It has almost equal strength with the socialist confederation in the Brussels area. Its President is currently Luc Cortebeeck.
The Belgian Socialist Confederation of labour (FGTB/ABVV). The FGTB/ABVV derives from the Socialist Trade Union Movement, established in the late 19th century in Walloon industrial areas, Brussels, and urban areas of Flanders. Today the FGTB/ABVV is the leading union in the Hainaut, Namur, and Liège provinces and matches the CSC/ACV in Brussels. The FGTB/ABVV is led by President Michel Nollet.
Linguistic division[edit]
Belgium is a country in which language is a major political issue. In the 19th and early 20th century, Flemings did not enjoy the same rights as French-speakers, both de facto and de jure. When the country was founded in 1830 under a census voting system, only around 1% of the adult population could vote: nobility, haute-bourgeoisie and higher clerics, all of them French-speaking. A Flemish movement fought peacefully to gain equal rights, obtaining most of these. Minor issues exist also between German- and French-speakers.
In the 3rd century AD, Germanic Franks migrated into what is now Belgium. The less populated northern areas became Germanic, while in the southern part, where the Roman presence had been much stronger, Latin persisted despite the migrations of the Franks. This linguistic frontier has more or less endured.
The Industrial Revolution of the late 18th and the 19th century further accentuated the North-South division. Francophone Wallonia became an early industrial boom area, affluent and politically dominant. Dutch-speaking Flanders remained agricultural and was economically and politically outdistanced by Wallonia and the capital. The elite during the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century spoke French, even in the Dutch-speaking area. In the 20th century, and particularly after the Second World War, Flanders saw an economic flowering while Wallonia became economically stagnant. As Flemings became more educated and more well off, and sought a fair and equal share of political power, tensions between the two communities rose.
Linguistic demonstrations in the early 1960s led in 1962 to the establishment of a formal linguistic border and elaborate rules were made to protect minorities in linguistically mixed border areas. In 1970, the Constitution was amended. Flemish and francophone cultural councils were established with authority in matters relating to language and culture for the two language groups.
The 1970 constitutional revision did not finally settle the problem, however. A controversial amendment declared that Belgium consists of three cultural communities (the Flemish Community, the French(-speaking) Community and the German-speaking Community) and three economic regions (Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels) each to be granted a significant measure of political autonomy. It was not until 1980, however, that an agreement could be reached on how to implement this new constitutional provision.
In August 1980, the Belgian Parliament passed a devolution bill and amended the Constitution, establishing:
- A Flemish community legislative assembly (council) and Flemish government;
- A Francophone community legislative council and government competent for cultural, language, and educational matters; and
- Walloon and Flemish regional legislative assemblies and governments competent for regional economic matters.
Immediately, the Flemings had their regional legislative council and government transfer its competencies to the community legislative council and government. That became competent for both cultural, language, and educational affairs, and for regional economic matters.
Since 1984 the German language community of Belgium (in the eastern part of Liège Province) has had its own legislative assembly and executive, competent for cultural, language, and educational affairs.
In 1988-89 the Constitution was again amended to give additional responsibilities to the regions and communities. The most sweeping change was to devolve nearly all responsibilities for educational matters to the communities. Moreover, the regions and communities were provided additional revenue, and Brussels Region was given its own legislative assembly and executive.
Another important constitutional reform took place in the summer of 1993. It formally changed Belgium from a unitary to a federal state. It also (modestly) reformed the bicameral parliamentary system and provided for the direct election of the members of the community and regional legislative councils. The bilingual Brabant province was split into separate Flemish Brabant and Walloon Brabant provinces, whereas in the Brussels-Capital Region most of the elsewhere provincial powers are exercised by the region and the responsibilities of an elsewhere provincial governor towards the federal level, by the Governor of Brussels-Capital. However, the electoral and judicial districts of Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde were not split.
Despite the numerous constitution revisions, the matter is not completely settled. There is still a lot of political tension between French-speakers and Dutch-speakers, and, to a lesser degree, between French-speakers and the politically far weaker German-speakers.
Shift from linguistic to cultural and political animosity[edit]
At the end of the 20th century, it became clear that the main opposition between Flemings and Walloons was not primarily linguistic anymore, but had shifted to major political and demographic differences. Flemish parties appear much more 'Anglo-Saxon' in policy choices, moving away from 'big state' philosophies.[citation needed] French-speaking parties, including their 'right-wing' parties, tend to favor big government and state support for the poor.
This became very obvious after the 2007 elections: in Flanders, the classical left-wing parties only captured 1/4 of the votes. On the French-speaking side, the left still carried 1/2 of the votes. One of the key differences centers on the policy towards everyone receiving allocations. Flemings strongly favor a policy focused at helping them regain their autonomy.
Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde district[edit]
This existence of this electoral district was condemned in 2002 as unconstitutional by the Arbitration Court (Dutch: Arbitragehof, French: Cour d'Arbitrage), without however requesting the splitting of the district.
The reasons behind this ruling are as follows: the Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde electoral district includes both the bilingual Brussels-Capital region and the unilingual Dutch Halle-Vilvoorde. Brussels is constitutionally bilingual. As such, its voters can choose candidates from both communities for European and national elections. However, because of the bilingual Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde electoral district, that possibility is also extended to the French-speakers in the Halle-Vilvoorde district, which belongs to the Flemish Region. That allows French-speaking candidates from Brussels and Wallonia (thus from outside the Flemish region and from outside the constitutional Dutch-only area) to attract votes from outside their electoral district. The current Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde electoral district breaches both the constitutionally established provincial borders as well as by the borders between the linguistic areas, and between the communities.
At the same time, Flemish candidates have no possibility of attracting votes from Flemings living in Wallonia, not even from those in Walloon municipalities with legally established facilities. The court ruled this unconstitutional, to much controversy.
International organization participation[edit]
Belgium is member of ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, Zangger Committee
Ideological composition and years/months in office of Belgian coalition governments from 1979 to 2003[edit]
- Martens I (centre-left): 1979-80
- Martens II (centre-left): 1980 (3 months)
- Martens III (Mixed): 1980 (six months)
- Martens IV (centre-left): 1980-81
- Eyskens (centre-left): 1981
- Martens V (centre-right): 1981-85
- Martens VI (centre-right): 1985-87
- Martens VII (centre-right): 1987-88
- Martens VIII (mixed): 1988-91
- Martens IX (centre-left): 1991-92
- Dehaene I (centre-left): 1992-95
- Dehaene II (centre-left): 1995-99
- Verhofstadt (mixed):1999-2003
See also[edit]
- Belgian order of precedence
- 2014 Belgian government formation
- 2010–11 Belgian government formation
- Belgian Official Journal
- Corruption in Belgium
- List of governments in Belgium
- Politics of Flanders
- Politics of Wallonia
- Same-sex marriage in Belgium
- War Crimes Law (Belgium)
Further reading[edit]
- Billiet, Jaak; Bart Maddens; André-Paul Frognier (November 2006). "Does Belgium (still) exist? Differences in political culture between Flemings and Walloons". West European Politics. 29 (5): 912–932. doi:10.1080/01402380600968802.
- Deschouwer, Kris (November 2006). "And the peace goes on? Consociational democracy and Belgian politics in the twenty-first century". West European Politics. 29 (5): 895–911. doi:10.1080/01402380600968760.
- Swenden, Wilfried; Marleen Brans; Lieven De Winter (November 2006). "The politics of Belgium: Institutions and policy under bipolar and centrifugal federalism". West European Politics. 29 (5): 863–873. doi:10.1080/01402380600968729.
- Swenden, Wilfried; Maarten Theo Jans (November 2006). "'Will it stay or will it go?' Federalism and the sustainability of Belgium". West European Politics. 29 (5): 877–894. doi:10.1080/01402380600968745.
- Sinardet, Dave (September 2008). "Belgian federalism put to the test? The 2007 Belgian federal elections and their aftermath". West European Politics. 31 (5): 1016–1032. doi:10.1080/01402380802234706.
- E. Witte, J. Craeybeckx en A. Meynen, Politieke geschiedenis van België, Standaard, 1997
- ^ "Constitution of Belgium - Article 96". Fed-parl.be.
- ^ "Constitution of Belgium - Article 104". Fed-parl.be.
- ^ "Constitution of Belgium - Article 99". Fed-parl.be.
- ^ Ann Peuteman (8 May 2008). "De staatshervorming, war moet dat heen?". Knack magazine. No. 37th year, number 18. p. 25.
In België is het voorlopig zo dat bevoegdheden die niet expliciet aan de gewesten of de gemeenschappen zijn toegewezen op federaal niveau worden uitgeoefend. 'In artikel 35 van onze grondwet staat sinds 1993 nochtans dat er een lijst van federale bevoegdheden moet worden gemaakt. Maar dat is nooit gebeurd.', zegt [grondwetspecialist Patrick] Peeters.
- ^ Election turnout in national lower house elections from 1960 to 1995, numbers from Mark N. Franklin's "Electoral Participation."
- ^ https://books.google.com/books?id=DVUisLm3wqUC&pg=PA58
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Politics of Belgium. |


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subset: commoncrawl


text:
About the Book
The lives of brothers Charlie and Owen Bender are changed forever on the night their father walks into the Vermont woods with a death wish and a shotgun. The second shock comes when his suicide note bequeaths the family's restaurant to Charlie alone, while leaving Owen with instructions to follow his own path, wherever it may take him.
Years later, the restaurant is a success. The void in Charlie's life, created by his beloved brother's absence, is finally filled when a passionate affair becomes a deeply satisfying marriage. And now prodigal son Owen is returning home, to be welcomed back into the family fold. But the cruel legacy that tore a brotherhood apart created wounds not easily healed . . . and there must be reckoning.
Critical Praise
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"Well-crafted... Greene is a reasonably engaging storyteller... intimate, minimalist scenes capture the flavor of smalltown life. — Publishers Weekly, Praise for Mirror Lake
"A story of love, betrayal, and violence that kept me turning the pages to the end." — Susan Cheever, Praise for Mirror Lake
"A bright new voice in American Literature." — Brett Lott, Praise for Mirror Lake
"Greene's novel unfolds... with words filled with beauty and strength." — Tampa Tribune, Praise for Mirror Lake
Product Details
- Imprint: Harper Paperbacks
- On Sale: 10/24/2006
- Trimsize: 5.313 in (w) x 8 in (h) x 0.685 in (d)
- Pages: 304
- List Price: 15.99 USD
- BISAC1: FICTION / General


text:
Medieval Apple Tart
Phyllo sheets | 12 (Fresh Or Thoroughly Defrosted) | |
Sweet butter | 1 Pound (4 Sticks) | |
Granulated sugar | 1 Cup (16 tbs) | |
Grand marnier/Calvados | 6 Tablespoon (Adjust Quantity As Needed) | |
Tart apples | 6 Medium, peeled, cored and thinly sliced |
Unwrap the phyllo leaves and cover them with a damp towel for 10 minutes.
Melt the butter.
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Using a pastry brush, lightly butter a 14-inch baking pan.
Lay a phyllo leaf on the pan.
Remember to re-cover the unused phyllo with the damp towel each time.
Brush the phyllo with some of the melted butter, and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of the sugar and 1 teaspoon of Grand Marnier.
Repeat, using 5 more phyllo leaves.
Arrange the apples in the center of the top sheet of phyllo in a circular mound about 6 inches in diameter.
Brush them with butter and sprinkle with sugar and Grand Marnier.
Stack 6 more leaves of phyllo on top of the apples, repeating the buttering and sprinkling with sugar and Grand Marnier.
The top (twelfth) sheet of phyllo should only be buttered.
Trim off the corners of the phyllo sheets so you have a large round, about 8 inches in diameter.
Turn the edges of the phyllo up and pinch lightly to seal.
Be tidy, but don't work too long on this; the tart should look rustic.
Set the tart on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until golden.
If pastry becomes too brown before this time, cover it loosely with foil.
Rate It
Nutrition Rank
Nutrition Facts
Serving size: Complete recipe
Calories 5433 Calories from Fat 3279
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 372 g573%
Saturated Fat 233 g1165%
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 975.3 mg325.1%
Sodium 1090.4 mg45.4%
Total Carbohydrates 482 g160.8%
Dietary Fiber 18.1 g72.5%
Sugars 293.1 g
Protein 22 g43.9%
Vitamin A 226.7% Vitamin C 2108.9%
Calcium 74.6% Iron 36.8%
*Based on a 2000 Calorie diet


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2 months later, massacre haunts Syrian town
TAFTANAZ, Syria—The main street of this once-bustling Syrian farm town now stands eerily quiet, its shops charred black from arson, its shoppers replaced by cats roaming the rubble of homes destroyed by tank fire.
At dawn on April 3, Syrian forces shelled the town in the first volley of what residents say was a massive assault after a string of large protests calling for the end of the regime of President Bashar Assad. Soldiers then stormed in, torching homes and businesses and gunning down residents in the streets. By the time they left on the third day, at least 62 people were dead.
Two months later, the destruction remains, but most residents are gone. Locals estimate that about two-thirds of the town's 15,000 people have left. Most don't expect them to return.
"There is nothing for people to come back to, and they worry that if they rebuild, the army will destroy it again," said resident Bassam Ghazzal, who lost more than 20 members of his extended family in the attack. "People don't want to become refugees twice."
The destruction in Taftanaz, seen by an Associated Press reporter, provides an on-the-ground example of the huge price paid by Syrian communities that have chosen to defy one of the Middle East's most brutal autocracies.
Since the start of the anti-Assad uprising in March 2011, the regime has responded to unrest with brute force, dispatching snipers, troops and tanks to quash dissent. Activists say more than 14,000 people have been killed since, many of them civilians.
In general, the violence has not stopped the uprising, emboldening protesters, galvanizing international condemnation and leading many in the opposition to take up arms.
Taftanaz tells a different story. It is a place where overwhelming force appears to have not only crushed a burgeoning protest movement but struck a blow against a community that may never recover.
In many ways, Taftanaz, a jumble of simple concrete homes surrounded by golden wheat fields some 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the northern city of Idlib, tells the story of Syria's uprising, writ small.
Residents had long complained of state neglect and corruption that left many living in poverty, Ghazzal said. So when protesters inspired by the successful uprisings against autocrats in Tunisia and Egypt took to the streets in Syria, they followed along, first demonstrating for change in April 2011.
Local security officers quickly ended the protest, but the town organized more, sparking further crackdowns and arrest campaigns by regime authorities, Ghazzal said.
The Syrian army raided the village three times in the next four months, Ghazzal said. During a June raid, Ghazzal's cousin was shot dead at a regime checkpoint while trying to flee, making him the first of the town's "martyrs."
Others followed. Some in the town took up arms, and an October clash between the army and local rebels killed five residents. Other residents buried them and held another protest the same day, Ghazzal said.
Then all was quiet until April 3, when tanks shelled the town from four sides before armored cars brought in dozens of soldiers who dragged civilians from their homes and gunned them down in the streets, witnesses said. The soldiers also looted, destroyed and torched hundreds of homes, bringing some down on their owners' heads.
Videos shot at the time show tanks posted near the town's entrance and huge columns of smoke rising throughout the area. Photos of the dead show bodies torn apart by shrapnel, charred by fire, crushed under rubble or with bullet holes in their chests, foreheads and temples.
Local activist Abdullah Ghazzal, a university student in English, says 62 people were killed during the attack, four of them burned beyond recognition. Two others have never been found.
Residents are unsure what sparked the assault. The town had only a small rebel presence, though fighters from the area had killed soldiers at nearby checkpoints or destroyed regime tanks, said local fighter Sahir Schaib. Rebels also blew up nine regime tanks as they left the town, mostly with homemade bombs planted along the roads.
He suspects the regime sought to stop the town from emerging as a protest center, especially since it is near a military base.
"There were lots of villages around that had just started protesting and they wanted to say, `This is what we can do to you,'" Schaib said. "They committed the massacre to teach the whole region a lesson."
The Syrian government rarely comments on its military actions and blames the uprising on armed terrorists acting out a foreign conspiracy. It bars most reporters from working in the country, and the AP was able to visit Taftanaz only after entering from a neighboring country.
The price of Taftanaz's defiance is obvious around town. Homes have been reduced to rubble. Most shops along the town's main street are shuttered, their thick metal doors scarred by shrapnel and gunfire. Black soot lines the windows of others. Yet others lie collapsed in piles of bricks and mortar.
"They took what they took and burned what they burned," said Abu Eissa Ghazzal, 75, another member of the extended Ghazzal family. Standing near his torched grocery store on the ground floor of a three-story building, he despaired for the future.
"They didn't leave me a single nail," he said.
His younger brother had built the building after working for two decades in Saudi Arabia and lived with his family in the top two floors, Ghazzal said. Now all had been torched, and his brother and family had fled to a refugee camp in Turkey.
His older brother lived across the alley and refused to leave his home when the army came. When the attack was over, rescue teams found the 81-year-old man's body still in his home, burned to a crisp.
"Now there is nobody left," he said. "Who is going to rebuild all of this, now that all of those with children have left?"
The army has not returned since the April raid. Local activists still organize protests, though many fewer people attend, and rumors of impending military incursions often terrify residents.
Most of the dead rest in a long mass grave on the village's east side, their names scrawled in marker on cinder block headstones. Preceding most names is the honorific "hero martyr." One inscription for the unidentified bodies reads simply "four people."
"Most of them were my friends," said Abdullah Ghazzal, the English student, walking among the graves. He pointed out the grave of his 44-year-old brother, shot dead that day.
"They also burned down his house," he said.


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Cairns Airport (CNS) Guest Services and Help
Pets / Animals at Cairns CNS Airport
Pets are not allowed at the airport terminal unless they are working dogs or are in a safe kennel. Contact your airline as to their requrirements.
Smoking at Cairns CNS Airport
Smoking is not allowed in the terminals at the Airport.


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Universal Fit
MP4Nation Brainwavz M1
"Introduction Brainwavz are making another push on their M series earphones and that's good news for those of us looking for a well-priced, high performance earphone. The M1s use a single dynamic driver in a compact plastic and metal shell to deliver a tiny, lightweight earphone with sound that's reminiscent of their more expensive R3 model, but in a much more comfortable package...." --Loquah
MP4Nation Brainwavz M2
"Well after a good lengthy burn in (100hrs or so) I feel I am ready to write my full review of the Brainwavz M2. I would like to thank MP4Nation for sending me a pair of the M2 to review. To make it clear, I received this IEM for free, in exchange for a review by me. I was clear with MP4Nation that I would be completely honest in my review, good or bad. To which they responded they would want it..." --dweaver
Astro Gaming A*Star In-Ear Headset
Cut through the noise. The bold design of the ASTRO A*STAR™ In-Ear Headset is the ultimate in hack-n-slash combat; featuring an in-line medallion with mic, volume dial and answer/hang up button, flat tangle-resistant cables, a PC splitter, three sizes of ear gels and a handy carrycase. Inspired by the light-weight materials and aggressive forms of high performance headgear, the A*STAR...


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Niko's our little ball of fluff. Full of energy and loves to play. Favorite game is "Chase me is you can". He loves to play in sprinklers and sit on the cold wet grass. He looks forward to Saturdays, but don't mention "d-o-g-p-a-r-k" too early because as soon as you do he frantically starts looking for his collar, leash and backback. He's ready to GO! Niko is our empty nester puppy, I don't know what we would do without him.
View ProfileKona was our first puppy who was such a beautiful mix. Kona passed away July 29, 2008. We will always remember her as a cuddly, spirited puppy. We will always remember her as the one who left that whole in our heart. Luv You Kona.
View Profile


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Advocate Lutheran General Hospital has been recognized as one of the top hospitals in the Chicago area by Chicago Magazine. This prestigious recognition was awarded to hospitals based on survival; reputation; facilities and services; staffing; and safety.
"Advocate Lutheran General Hospital is proud to be recognized as one of the premier hospitals in Chicagoland by Chicago Magazine," said Tony Armada, President, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. "We take great pride in the care provided by our excellent physicians using the most advanced technology available. This combination allows us to provide the best possible care to our patients."
Specifically highlighted were the services offered to women. This includes the Center for Fetal Care which uses a multidisciplinary team to care for women with high risk pregnancies, suffer from hypertension, heart disease and diabetes. The center also cares for unborn babies at risk for serious medical complications. Additionally the Caldwell Breast Center offers advanced diagnostics and the most advanced treatment options including 3-D mammography as well as accelerated partial breast radiation therapy and a range of minimally invasive robotic surgery procedures.
In addition to being recognized by Chicago Magazine as one of the Top Hospitals, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital has received numerous awards for its excellent care of all patients from individuals needing advanced cancer care to life saving emergency care.
Lutheran General Hospital Named a Top Hospitals by Chicago Magazine
Camille Vicino, Community Contributor
© 2017, Chicago Tribune


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WASHINGTON (AP) President Barack Obama's chief spokesman says the dust-up with House Republicans over the timing of Obama's economic speech to Congress dramatizes why people are fed up with Washington.
Press secretary Jay Carney tells MSNBC our intention was merely for the president to address a joint session as soon as possible, to outline his plan for creating jobs.
Carney says our interest is in not having a political back and forth here at all. He also says that the White House yielded when Speaker John Boehner (BAY'-nur) insisted the speech be next Thursday, instead of Wednesday, because of a GOP debate.
Carney says Americans are sick and tired of the partisan bickering in the capital. He argues that Obama wants to focus on things we can do to spur the economy.


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Six international courses will take students across the globe to Nepal, Kenya, Greece, Italy, China, Spain and Morocco – and that's doesn't even include the summer Study-Service Term (SST) units in Peru, Senegal and Nicaragua that begin in May. Many of these classes are interdisciplinary and open to all students regardless of year or major.
News & Events — Archives for Rome


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The District Parks system includes neighbourhood parks and trails in residential areas, larger municipal parks that offer areas for a specific activity or protect a natural feature, and community parks that provide large open spaces for sports activities and to meet overall community needs.
The public washrooms, change rooms, garbage collection within the parks system, tennis courts, sports fields and playground maintenance, graffiti removal, parking lot cleaning (associated with a park), and skate park are just some of the areas that our staff maintain.
The Parks division cares for ornamental gardens, natural ecosystems, downtown landscape planters and hanging baskets, sport and entertainment venues and playgrounds for recreational and cultural enjoyment, and preserves and enhances green spaces on public lands, including more than 30 District parks.
In addition to horticulture, arboriculture, park construction, repair and maintenance, the Parks division is responsible for park design, landscape architecture, greenway development, sports fields and the Mount Garibaldi Cemetery.
Our staff work 364 days a year. The workload shifts depending on seasonal activities and weather patterns. During the summer months, we focus on playgrounds, tennis courts, public washrooms, garbage collection, and other areas that will enhance the experience people will have within our parks system. During the winter months, we spend time on playground upgrades, pathway maintenance, servicing change rooms, and improvements to other areas.
Due to the nature and scope of the work, we cannot provide daily attention to the entire inventory. We strive to provide a safe and clean environment for all our users. Unfortunately, at times, some people choose to use our facilities in a manner that leaves them in a condition that is not acceptable for the next user. To contact us regarding the condition of, or request maintenance for a particular area, please call us at 604.815.6868.
View Parks & Trails Web Map
March 30, 2017
Flood protection/pile driving work on the Mamquam Blind Channel
Thanks are being extended to the Downtown community for bearing with the pile driving noise on the Mamquam Blind Channel.
March 10, 2017
Over to you: New Open Data portal puts District of Squamish data in the hands of the public
The District of Squamish has made it easier to view, map, chart and share the District's currently published data thanks...


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A FileSet is a group of files. These files can be found in a directory tree starting in a base directory and are matched by patterns taken from a number of PatternSets and Selectors.
PatternSets can be specified as nested
elements. In addition, FileSet holds
an implicit PatternSet and supports the nested
, <includesfile>
and <excludesfile>
elements of PatternSet directly, as well as PatternSet's
Selectors are available as nested elements within the FileSet.
If any of the selectors within the FileSet do not select the file, the
file is not considered part of the FileSet. This makes a FileSet
equivalent to an <and>
selector container.
Attribute | Description | Required |
dir | the root of the directory tree of this FileSet. | Exactly one of dir or file must be specified |
file | shortcut for specifying a single-file fileset | |
defaultexcludes | indicates whether default excludes should be used or not
(yes | no ); default excludes are used when omitted. |
No |
includes | comma- or space-separated list of patterns of files that must be included; all files are included when omitted. | No |
includesfile | the name of a file; each line of this file is
taken to be an include pattern. Note: if the file is empty and there are no other patterns defined for the fileset, all files will be included. |
No |
excludes | comma- or space-separated list of patterns of files that must be excluded; no files (except default excludes) are excluded when omitted. | No |
excludesfile | the name of a file; each line of this file is taken to be an exclude pattern. | No |
casesensitive | Must the include and exclude patterns be treated in a case sensitive way? Defaults to true. | No |
followsymlinks | Shall symbolic links be followed? Defaults to true. See the note below. | No |
erroronmissingdir | Specify what happens if the base directory does not exist. If true a build error will happen, if false, the fileset will be ignored/empty. Defaults to true. Since Apache Ant 1.7.1 (default is true for backward compatibility reasons.) | No |
Note: All files/directories for which the canonical path is different from its path are considered symbolic links. On Unix systems this usually means the file really is a symbolic link but it may lead to false results on other platforms.
<fileset dir="${server.src}" casesensitive="yes"> <include name="**/*.java"/> <exclude name="**/*Test*"/> </fileset>
Groups all files in directory ${server.src}
that are Java
source files and don't have the text Test
in their
<fileset dir="${server.src}" casesensitive="yes"> <patternset id="non.test.sources"> <include name="**/*.java"/> <exclude name="**/*Test*"/> </patternset> </fileset>
Groups the same files as the above example, but also establishes
a PatternSet that can be referenced in other
elements, rooted at a different directory.
<fileset dir="${client.src}" > <patternset refid="non.test.sources"/> </fileset>
Groups all files in directory ${client.src}
, using the
same patterns as the above example.
<fileset dir="${server.src}" casesensitive="yes"> <filename name="**/*.java"/> <filename name="**/*Test*" negate="true"/> </fileset>
Groups the same files as the top example, but using the
<fileset dir="${server.src}" casesensitive="yes"> <filename name="**/*.java"/> <not> <filename name="**/*Test*"/> </not> </fileset>
Groups the same files as the previous example using a combination of the
selector and the <not>
selector container.
<fileset dir="src" includes="main/" />
Selects all files in src/main (e.g. src/main/Foo.java or src/main/application/Bar.java).


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ScummVM 0.12.0 Released — Support For New Games, Wiimote 76
Croakyvoice writes "The ScummVM Team has released a new version of their program that allows owners of many systems to play the old point and click adventure games of yesteryear. This release sees support for 5 new games — The Legend of Kyrandia: Book Two: Hand of Fate, The Legend of Kyrandia: Book Three: Malcolm's Revenge, Lost in Time, The Bizarre Adventures of Woodruff and the Schnibble and Drascula: The Vampire Strikes Back. The new version officially supports, for the first time, the Gamecube and the Wii, and also the ability to use the Wiimote as a controller. The binaries and the source code are both available."


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yesterday morning-6 am- 45 degrees-New Orleans suburb I'm in a hurry-substitute teaching-long term assignment-and I had to give 2 tests Turn key- click click click- Yeah it had been cranking a bit slower the day or two before but it starts soooo quickly-I never worry about it What battery do I need It has a May 2009 Energizer- 4.5 years old- E78-S is on it-sideposts(I hate side posts) so are those optima red top yellow top "worth it" Oh it starter yesterday evening-and this morning- 20 degrees warmer-barely cranked but this old suburban starts soooo well-just a bit of cranking is all it needs-most reliable used car I have ever had. So any chance it is the alternator? 4.5 years on battery-is that about it for a Energiser? Oh half turning the key-Voltage READS 10 volts- ONCE RUNNING 14 VOLTS Thanks Charlie
4 1/2 years? That's 1 1/2 years beyond what anyone could ask of a battery. Get a new battery and be happy that you didn't have to do it sooner. No, for the average driver the Optima batteries are not even close to worth the extra money. They are meant for High performance, heavy duty use. Just get a battery, OEM style that is meant for the vehicle. I personally think Interstate is the best brand.
Dana So 3-4 years-that is about it? Guess the tiny prius 12 volt-which isn't used to start it-spoiled me So not worth the $200 bucks- There is an interstate dealer near me-probably $100 or so Thanks Charlie
After 3 years, I simply get a new battery, whether mine has gone bad or not. For that amount of time, the money is not an issue. Those Optima batteries are not good for any longer than a regular one. They are extremely tough, physically. They take a lot of heat & vibration without failing. They just provide good cranking power if you happen to be running a 600 hp motor, racing fuel pump, winch, off road lights and a 5000 watt sub woofer system. The average driver just will never be able to take advantage of the benefits a high performance battery has, and then you still have to get a new one in three years. No matter what anybody might say,( "Ah had me one o' dem batteries, an' it lasted 12 years.") after three years, you're standing on a cliff waiting for the wind to pick up.
Yeah-not a bad idea-3-3.5 years Especially since I'm in a suburb of new orleans-and heat kills batteries. My batteries get gentle service-no winch-occasionally I run extra headlights-once very 3 years for a road trip-10 -15 hrs maybe all total over 3 years. It is starting now-Sams has the same battery in stock-will give a tiny pro rate on it- Cross my fingers get it there-pull it out-buy a new one. Not going to wait around for them to install it-take forever Thanks Charlie
You can always find an Autozone and get the battery tested to be sure, but the time factor alone is the preponderance of evidence.
I've got an interstate in mine and it's still going great after 3 years. It's seen -19 and all the way up to 112 with no issues whatsoever...
Thanks guys Got it started-warm yesterday-75 or so- Drove to SAMs-removed it hauled it in Woman tests it-showed 12.5 volts but just 400cca- said "out of spec-buy another" Of course-despite 8 year prorated warranty-zero warranty Asked for receipt-paper receipts aren't even readable after 1 year-told them look it up said couldn't find it-said maybe to get full warranty you need it installed by them- what BS is that? In any case-bought same battery $95-would have liked to change brands-try interstate-but time-and effort Popped it in-started right up Hey-the battery was out for maybe 30 minutes-but all the radio codes-and the clock-all were retained?? Does it have some capacitor in there?? Pretty sure it doesn't have a tiny battery hidden somewhere? Yeah-that was a pleasant surprise Thanks Charlie
The radio/clock has a programmable digital memory in a manner of speaking, like a computer. Actually, these days those things are computers.
I usually get 5-6 years out of a battery, and winter is tough on them up here. I also get the largest battery with the most cold cranking amps that will fit in my battery tray.


text:
It's been quite the week (and a half) of Prince homage. Maya Rudolph recently covered His Purplesness' salacious single, "Darling Nikki" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and totally nailed his sensual "oohs" and "aahs."
And today, Muse shares with the world its hard-hitting, customized rendition of His Royal Badness' "Sign o' the Times," on BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge. Like they do with most projects, Matt Bellamy and company take the original song and make it their own. The guitar riffs are crunching, aggressive, and completely Muse-esque, and Bellamy's voice is as distinguishable as ever. The tune, which has made its way into recent setlists, was one of many songs the trio performed at the Lounge as it gears up to release its upcoming album, The 2nd Law, on October 2.
Listen to Muse cover "Sign o' the Times," below.
Nicki Minaj - Nicki Minaj Confirmed For Multiple Reality Specials On E! | Amy Poehler, Tina Fey Watch Lindsey Lohan, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler Rap On The Set Of 'Mean Girls' |


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Mickey Mouse Coins
Mickey Mouse Coins are a great addition to any coin collection. You will love the design and quality of these great collectible coins
Mickey Coins still being sold are not as collectible as older ones.
It may take a number of years before these increase in value.
It is probably best to buy Mickey Mouse coins that are encased in plastic as these will usually be in better condition than ones in polythene or without protection.
Avoid buying Mickey coins with large scratches as these are harder to resell.
Condition is always important but most collectors will not even look at Mickey Coins that have been cleaned unless it it done in a proper ultrasonic coin cleaner.
Please never use silver cleaner (it makes scratches) on Mickey Coins.
Always handle Mickeys Silver Coins while wearing cotton gloves.
Silver coins can be damaged by direct contact with the acids which are in everyones skin.These leave fingerprints which are very difficult to remove.
It is also wise to keep your Mickey Mouse Coins in an album or storage boxes to protect them for the future
Homepage: http://www.bestvintagemickey.com


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The Great Pumpkin of 2012
While summer is my most favorite season, Halloween is my favorite holiday. With one night devoted entirely to cramming as much candy in your gob as possible, I can't see how it's not everyone's favorite holiday. And while I'm not big on decorating for every occasion (or really decorating in general), the autumn season finds my house crammed with pumpkin-stenciled coffee mugs, large black cat statues, and of course the standard pumpkin on the porch for carving.
This year we grew a pumpkin of our own in our wee little backyard garden, which I'm very proud of. The cute little thing is probably only eight pounds (I'm comparing it to the weight of a newborn lamb for reference), and quite oblong in shape, but it's homegrown, which gives it greater value to me than the market weight in cents per pound.
However, we are always on the lookout for the Great Pumpkin.
A few years ago, it was the day before Halloween and I was in a despondent mood; we still did not have a pumpkin. Of course, waiting till the last minute, the pickings were slim and I was very close to just buying a measly three-pounder at the grocery store, all lumpy and beaten up and sad-looking.
It was a standard slow late autumn day at work, and after two textbook castrations (a miniature horse and miniature donkey), I had some time (and some testicles) on my hands. Cruising around in my vet truck at lunch, I passed a local orchard advertising their pumpkin crop. I decided to stop, doubting my ability to find The Great Pumpkin, but willing to give it one last search.
I rummaged through the bins of pumpkins in my coveralls with my black muck boots still on and covered in mud. Most were too small, some too lop-sided, and others too light colored, or had broken stems or large gashes where they had been dropped or attacked by other pumpkins.
Approaching the last bin, I grew dejected, half-heartedly preparing to pick out the least ugly of the ugly pumpkins as a booby prize. Then suddenly, as I peered into the very last bin of pumpkins, there at the bottom was the most perfect, most round, most orange, most beautiful pumpkin I had ever seen.
Barely able to pull it out of the bin, I carted it proudly to the register where I learned it weighed 47 pounds. Twenty-one dollars later, I was heaving the gourd into my vet truck, wedging it between the edge of the passenger seat and the glove box. For the rest of the day it rolled around on the floor of the passenger side where it had shifted during the downhill drive away from the orchard, thudding against the door. I showed it to every single one of my clients I visited for the remainder of the day. I also sent a picture of it to my boss. And my husband. And my mom.
It was The Great Pumpkin of 2009 and I had saved Halloween.
Fast-forwarding to every Halloween since then, we've had one runner-up to The Great Pumpkin. Last autumn, on the way home from an event on the eastern shore of Maryland, we passed a roadside stand that displayed an enormous flatbed trailer filled with giant pumpkins. Incredulous at the sight, we did a U-turn and pulled in, only to behold a tantalizing collection of enormous pumpkins. There was no scale at this place, so we could only guess at the weights, but given the fact that the pumpkin could not fit in the trunk of our Toyota Corolla and took up half the entire back seat, leaving me and my dog Shadow squeezed together on the back passenger side hoping the car didn't make a sudden left turn and leave us crushed to death underneath a giant pumpkin, we estimated it at over fifty pounds (comparing it to an average sized feed bag, naturally).
I, however, am a bit of a purist. If it didn't come home in my vet truck, well, I'm not sure if it counts.
This year, our little pumpkin pales in size comparison, but I think it has heart. And I think our little patch has potential. Maybe next year, we'll grow a sixty-pounder. I've got plenty of sources for fresh fertilizer, after all.
Dr. Anna O'Brien
Image: A pumpkin with heart, by Dr. O'Brien
Comments 10
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We have a picture of pre-carving, but we also need photographic evidence post-carving. Do you have an edge because you have surgical instruments?
What a great, light-hearted story to start the day! -
Sadly, I don't think I have any edge whatsoever in my pumpkin carving skills due to my surgical finesse. This particular pumpkin (the one in the picture) had a rind about three inches thick in some places - we had to get the butcher knife out for it... and I can't believe no one lost a finger through the entire ordeal!
Three years ago I bought a nice 30 lb pumpkin and some pumpkin carving tools and my local shoprite. It was the perfect pumpkin, an orange circle with the thick green stem, dead center top with a curve to the left.
I spent five hours creating the outline of a haunted house, trees, a yowling cat, a crescent moon and even a witch on a broom. I marveled at myself for being such a master artist. Surely the whole neighborhood would be delighted at my mastery and skill in carving pumpkins.
That night I put the pumpkin out front with a candle and the light of the candle flickered through the silhouette's I had carved.
The next morning I took my dog for a walk. He was a very big bullmastiff. My head could fit in his mouth and not sideways either, but straight up oblong style. He took one look at my pumpkin opened his cavernous mouth and in one bite took out half the pumpkin. All my work gone, all the compliments and glory I was sure to get, gone.
Looking back remembering the day Rock ate my pumpkin is a better memory than any imagined compliment I would have gotten for the pumpkin. Rock is gone now and I don't think I will ever have a pumpkin memory better then that day. I miss you buddy!
I was wondering how you are doing, rockjdog. What a great story and happy memory. (I'll bet Rock was pretty proud of himself, too!)
Thanks Old Broad, he loved pumpkin and just about everything else too.
Aw, that's quite a story! I'm impressed at both your pumpkin carving skills and Rock's appetite (and jaw size) :) Thanks for sharing!
well I was kind of trying to be funny about the pumpkin carving. It is true I did work a long time on it. ( takes forever to carve those thin lines for silhouettes)It is true I was happy with it but in the end it was like the millions of carved pumpkins you see in windows and yards all across America. I was not really thinking that people would flock to give me complements. That part I embellished. Rock passed away in July so this is a memory on that Halloween back in 2009. I was not too happy that Rock destroyed my work at the time. My wife thought it was hysterical though.
Think of it this way. You buy this incredible present for a child at Christmas. You anticipate that the kid will go crazy when he sees your wonderful gift. He opens the present on Christmas morn. Throws the toy to the side and only wants to play with the box. Not too funny at the time but later it is most likely the one Christmas you will remember for many holidays to come.Thats kind of what my pumpkin story was about. I cant tell you what the kids wore last year or much about all the Halloweens of the past but I will always remember Rock chomping on that pumpkin, his jowls heavy with slobber and pumpkin parts, his eyes squinted into slits as he enjoyed it. -
Rockjdog so Happy to see your Back!!! Hope All is OK!!! Mike Mason
Thank you Snowdogs ( Mike). How are you holding up? I know in december it will be a year since Keva passed. Any plans? My thoughts and prayers and wishes are with you. I would love to hear a funny story about Keva sometime, when you are up to it. I am not sure if I am back yet, still anger and sadness. I dont think I am ready to let go and join the crowd again. I just remebered when Rock ate half that pumpkin in one bite. I wish I could have more days like that with him. Anyways...Happy Halloween to the past days and future days.
I Love To Hear More Abour Your FurBaby Rock If You Can.. I Know how Hard It Can Be:-( My Keva You Know I Still Cry,, My FACE BOOK IS ( MIKE MASON )Love Will Never Forget..And There Is The One That^^^ Will Never Leave Us...you have my face book,,, my EMail ( campinmike AT aol DOT com ) hope we can help togeter...mike


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Thread: Stocking level ok?
05-04-2013, 08:06 AM #1Junior Member Guppy
- Join Date
- Apr 2013
- Posts
- 20
Stocking level ok?
Hi guys, back again.
I have my tank all set up now (it's planted now too!) and I'm just wondering how im doing for stocking levels and if there's any room for more fish..
Tank is a 30G, 32"x12"x18"
Here's the list.
3x Golden Zebra Danio
2x Leopard Danio
1x Clown Pleco
5x Amano Shrimp
3x Nerite Snail (tire track)
5x Zodiac/Batik Loaches
3x Pearl Gouramis
It does seem like a lot but the Batik's won't grow more than 2.5-3" and I do have the option of trading in the fish if they really will get troublesome..
And also, I'm looking for a good plant that'll take over the gravel given time, something very short maybe a grass or dwarf tears? Do they do well in gravel? I currently have some corkscrew vals but I have my doubts about them longterm because they keep losing leaves every day.. Though they dont seem to be thinning out too much!
Thank you!
0The biggest issue I see is with the gourami's They are very aggressive fish. If you combo is 1 male to 2 female ratio it may work. The danio's should get along with each other. Hopefully they will school together. Both breed of Danio's require 6 or more in a group.
05-04-2013, 12:42 PM #3Junior Member Guppy
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0The Gouramis are supposedly 1 male 2 female but they're still juveniles so it's not easy to tell.. Not hard to trade in if they do turn out to be aggressive to each other.
Danio's have already schooled together, there were previously 8 danios however I lost a few to some bad levels.
0You can use this as a guide for stocking. Also, how much filtration you have will dictate your stocking levels due to the fishes bio-load. http://aqadvisor.com/
0Even with optimal filtration this stock is still bad
0I actually don't see a lot wrong with it other than more bottom feeders than you need for that length tank. Your only actual swimmers are the danio's and gourami's, right? Seems to me you could have more swimmers in there. I think the loaches will probably eat your shrimp. If you like danio's, you should have gotten more of them and all the same species. The leopards have long fins that might be shredded by the zebra's if they are anything like the danio's I had at one time. (I have to admit I am not a danio lover at all. Too much tearing around and constant chasing to suit my taste in fish.)
Bottom feeders should be purchased last and well after the tank has cycled. All pleco's appreciate some driftwood and it's a great source of algae for them.
Yes, you can have another school of fish if you wish. A group of cherry barbs would work (males are bright red and easy to see the difference in sexes.) Or a different type of tetra.....a school of one kind and perhaps a dozen of them.
A pair of gourami's would have worked out better but if you end up with a pair, the other may have to be moved out but they are somewhat milder in temperament that other gourami's. Time will tell.Last edited by Lady Hobbs; 05-04-2013 at 03:19 PM.
Stocking level ok?
0I also don't see a lot wrong with the stock.
Pearl gouramis are not very aggressive. They are quite passive, and enjoy the company of their own kind. Not all gouramis are aggressive, just as not all cichlids are aggressive. You cannot just lump them all together like that.125 - BGK, pictus cats, silver dollars, kissing gouramis, palmas bichir, delhezi bichir
125 - Red severum, bolivian rams, Turquoise rainbows, irian red rainbows, loaches (angelicus, zebra, kuhli and horseface), plecos (BN, RL and clown), denison barbs, pearl gouramis
90 - Congo tetras, african knife, elephant nose, spotted ctenopoma, upside down cats
QTs - 29, 20H, 20L, 10
0Loaches, generally a social animal. Danios, definitely a social animal both in minimum numbers. A clown pleco is usually a panaqolus of some kind. They like it warmer, far less flow and probably not at all comfortable with the rowdy behaviour of the rest. Gourami as well prefer far less flow.
My 33 gallon/125 liter tank. My photography on flickr.
Stocking level ok?
0There is often a gap between theory and practice, and keeping fish is no exception.
My 6 pearl gouramis do well in the "high" flow tanks they've lived in. Of course what one calls high another calls normal.
A deficiency in school sizes doesn't make the stocking bad. It just needs a little work.125 - BGK, pictus cats, silver dollars, kissing gouramis, palmas bichir, delhezi bichir
125 - Red severum, bolivian rams, Turquoise rainbows, irian red rainbows, loaches (angelicus, zebra, kuhli and horseface), plecos (BN, RL and clown), denison barbs, pearl gouramis
90 - Congo tetras, african knife, elephant nose, spotted ctenopoma, upside down cats
QTs - 29, 20H, 20L, 10
0I think most everything has been addressed but I dont know the size of the clown loach. Being they get around a foot, its enevitable that they leave the tank. Also something to consider is that loaches too are schooling. I would rehome the clown loach and be happy with the smaller species and then up your schools of each fish to 10 if they really are your ideal fish.


text: Brush Baby is a unique teether brush designed by a dentist which cleans little teeth, massages gums and soothes teething gums as it is chewed. It is made from soft silicone and shaped to fit little mouths and clean teeth and gums correctly. Babies will enjoy biting down on this soft teether brush, used as a teether and a chewable toothbrush.


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News Mar 25, 2013 372 views last update:Feb 25, 2016
The winners of the $2,500 Lois Britt Memorial Pork Industry Scholarships – named after the late NPPC vice president from Mt. Olive, N.C. – are:- Sarah Marketon, Howard Lake, Minn., freshman at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.- Janae Mogler, Alvord, Iowa, sophomore at South Dakota State University.- Sterling Schnepf, Granville, Iowa, junior at Iowa State University.- Samuel Wildman, South Charleston, Ohio, junior at The Ohio State University.This is the 23rd year of the CME scholarship program, which recognizes outstanding youth in the pork community. To be eligible, students must be undergraduates in a two-year swine program or a four-year college of agriculture, provide a brief letter describing their expected role in the pork industry, write an essay on an issue affecting the pork industry and submit two letters of reference from professors or industry professionals."These outstanding young people represent the future of the U.S. pork industry," said outgoing NPPC President R.C. Hunt, a pork producer from Wilson, N.C. "They are the next generation of leaders, and NPPC and the CME Group are pleased to recognize their commitment to the pork industry with these scholarships."
Pig Progress
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Rene Stevens Mar 22
Norman Dunn Mar 24
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Reader Nation - Journey to the Amazon
Summer reading starts this Friday, June 4th, and this year Reader Nation is "journeying to the Amazon", so get ready for your armchair vacation. We have bookmarks, databases, web sites and friendly employees ready to help you decide on your next read.
Age 18 or over? Register for summer reading between Friday, June 4th and Saturday, August 7th, read or listen to 4 books, and log those titles by Saturday, August 14th to be entered for a chance to win one of the grand prizes provided by the Harris County Public Library Friends Council.
The 1st place winner will receive a bookstore gift card in the amount of $200, 2nd prize is a $150 bookstore gift card, and 3rd prize is a $100 bookstore gift card. There will also be a winner from each branch who will receive a $50 bookstore gift card.
Register online or at the library – ask at the reference desk for more details!


text: Fox Sports Canceled The Show That Made Fun Of USC's Asian StudentsEmma Carmichael9/08/11 5:30pmFiled to: Fox SportsRacismUscBob oschackterrible peopleJesus christ white peoplesayonaraCollege Football8EditPromoteShare to KinjaToggle Conversation toolsGo to permalinkFox Sports announced yesterday that it has permanently canceled the show "The College Experiment," which last week aired a poorly-received experiment at USC. We won't miss you, Bob Oschack! [AP]


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Queens: MASPETH: |
1.) Mt. Zion C 2nd Ward, Queens, NYC, NY. Source: Marci Hafkin 2.) map 486: (organized 18 Nov 1900,) path 4a left, gate 10, surveyed 07 Dec 1936. Source: Gertrude Ogushwitz, firstname.lastname@example.com 3.) Map #699 map 701, path 22 right, gate 24, surveyed 02 Oct 1944. Source: Gertrude Ogushwitz, firstname.lastname@example.com 4.) photographs and inscriptions from 18 graves located in the Moses Sher Family Plot of Congregation Nachlach Zee. Source: Jane Wechsler, email@example.com Kishineff Sick Benevolent Society A xerox copy of the society's 1923 year book for celebrating their 20th anniversary (1903-1923 is at Brandeis University as well as a copy of the 1913 Incorporation Papers filed in New York City that includes the names and addresses of the original board members. The year book has a brief history of the Society, greetings from several officers and names of people on various committees, and also contributors, their addresses, telephone numbers and in most cases their business or profession. Has a copy: Mary Floy Schulz Katzman, Framingham, MA: firstname.lastname@example.com Karawasser Friendship Society: Path B-9, Left. Source: Jeffrey D. Beller; email@example.com Kovner Unt. Verein Inc.: {10724} Path A13 Left Gate 18 (K.U.V.) Kranken Untershtitzung Verein: see Erste Sadagera KUV above Noworadomsker Society sections: Source: Gloria Berkenstat Freund, firstname.lastname@example.com Ostrow Mazowiecka: Chevra Bakish Sholom Anshei Ostrover Burial Society Source: email@example.com Rohatyner Young Mens Society Inc: cemetery chairman, Alvin Edelstein. graves in Mt. Hebron Cemetery Block 57 and in Mt. Zion Cemetery (path 14), 59-63 54 Ave. Rostover Handwerker Unt. Verein: (Path 14R, Gate 6) and (Path 18R, Gate 4) This is the landsmannschaft for Rostov, Russia. Contact: David and Sonia Hoffman. Sadgora: Sheva Ben Issac Anshe Ropcycz: see current name: Cong Brith Sholem Beni Yitzchok Sheveth Achim Anshe Slonim: map 699, path 2, gate 11, surveyed 04 Aug 1944; Gertrude Ogushwitz firstname.lastname@example.com Wilkomirer Prog. Young Mens: (Path 41 Right, Gate 9) The Workmen's Circle Inc.: (718)-335-2500; 45 E 33rd St., NY 10016, (212)532-1001; fax (212) 532-1573 has a lists of their members buried here. Source: Faith Weinberg, Asst. Director, Member Benefits Zabludover KUV, Block 3, Section XIII: http://www.zabludow.com/mountZion.html Zoliner Chevra: see first Chevre Zoliner. Some victims of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire of 1911 are buried in a mass grave in this section. I have photos of the gates for the Vasilishok / Warshilishker Burial Society in Mount Zion Cemetery, Maspeth, New York. Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Queens, New York. .If you are interested, please contact me at firstname.lastname@example.com. Loren Greenberg, Venice, California [May 2013] |
Last Updated on Tuesday, 11 November 2014 13:33 |


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You have a growing anger among millions of NYers who have been living without power, hot water, etc...have damaged homes, their lives are in turmoil.
They will use this event as a way of taking out their anger. Please scan BB from JI to political forums...there are many, many people who say they will take to the streets in protest...My friend works for the city council and they are begging the mayors office to cancel...the police department wants to cancel as they fear rioting as well.
So please eleaborate on how this is "nonsense"


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Social Snaps: Mulberry x Tim Walker 'Story Teller' Exhibition
Featuring Kate Moss, Kristen McMenamy, Cara Delevigne and Helena Bonham Carter.
Mulberry hosted a party to launch Tim Walker's new 'Story Teller' exhibition. The A-list do went down at Somerset House on Wednesday night, with Kate Moss and Jamie Hince, Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton, Kristen McMenamy and Cara Delevigne all in attendance. The show includes some of Tim's most iconic photos of Lily Cole, Oyster #95 cover star Lindsey Wixson and Alexander McQueen, as well as props like giant dolls used on an Italian Vogue shoot.
Guests were treated to a gustatory delight which included marmalade mule cocktails, beef fillet with crisp parmesan, and truffle and honey-infused goat's cheese on focaccia — legitimate drool. Also, in what was an excellent juxtaposition, the night began with a performance from a Lydian quartet followed by a DJ set from Friendly Fires. Apparently Mulberry knows how to make a bag AND throw a party!


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A modern Croydon hotel with free WIFI and breakfast included
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8 Suri Articles
Katie Holmes Steps Out With Suri At NYC Children's Museum
5 years ago 1Exactly one week after filing for divorce from Tom Cruise, Katie took daughter Suri, 6, to the Children's Museum of the Arts in Manhattan. She must… Read Article ▶
Katie Holmes & Suri Hang Poolside in Miami Beach!
6 years ago 0[gallery] The famous mommy-daughter duo soaked up the sun and enjoyed some down time by the pool! We haven't seen much of Suri Cruise since she… Read Article ▶
Katie Holmes' Black Dress & Green Ribbon: Is It Totally Chic Or Tacky?
6 years ago 1Judging by the ribbon hanging from Katie's dress it looks like she's taking style tips from her daughter, Suri! Katie Holmes ditched her go-to… Read Article ▶
Sweet! Suri Cruise Is A Prima Ballerina — And She Also Loves Ice Cream!
6 years ago 0Awww! Katie Holmes treats Suri to a sweet treat after ballet class. How cute is she in that tutu? HollyMoms, you voted for Tom Cruise and Katie… Read Article ▶
Katie Holmes Is Going To Play Jackie O!
7 years ago 3Does that make Tom Cruise Mr. President? They're both beautiful brunette style icons with powerful, handsome husbands. When you look at the… Read Article ▶
Angelina Jolie, You're Not Alone! Hear What Other Celeb Moms Say About Bringing Their Kids Around The World For Work!
7 years ago 3[caption id="attachment_111583" align="alignnone" width="544" caption="INFphoto.com"][/caption] Angelina Jolie travels the world for her film career… Read Article ▶
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7 years ago 0Is little Sam Alexis upset that dad Tiger Woods won't get to see her adorable pigtails? It looks like mommy Elin Nordegren is excited that… Read Article ▶
EXCLUSIVE! Katie Holmes Cuts Loose Partying Without Tom Cruise at the Sundance Film Festival
7 years ago 2Hey Katie, we're wondering why you seem to have more fun when you're on your own? Now here's a HollyShocker if we ever heard one: Katie Holmes… Read Article ▶
More Suri


text: By Davi Barker When we talk about forgotten Islamic history, we usually look to the philosophers and physicists of the Middle Ages. But there's plenty of interesting forgotten history as recent as the 1970s. Pakistan held its first democratic elections after independence; Iran overthrew the Shah; women strolled through Afghanistan in knee high skirts; and [Read More…]


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HOUSTON, Miss. (WCBI)- There was a nice turn out at the fishing rodeo at Davis Lake in Houston Saturday morning.
Kids ages 4 to 17 years old got their hands on some fishing rods ready to reel in the winning fish. The annual Kid's Fishing Rodeo was sponsored by the Houston "Hawg Callers Bass" Club. The Houston Plus Civitan Club is partnering in the event. Participants brought their own fishing pole and bait for the family fun day. Prizes were awarded to the person with the most fish and the biggest fish. The event was open to the public and snacks and drinks were provided.
Video: Houston Fishing Rodeo
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We will look back on this move and say. RM and DA really ******* this team up when Ro is an all pro with that Pats
Or will we say RM and DA cleaned house and turned us into SB contenders!
Either way a gutsy move!
Time will tell !!
I agree with you on that. But DA and RM have started to change that players have more power and say over the HC culture Al famously had installed. Seems McClain couldn't buy into that culture change and any other player that has been unexpectedly let go in the past year by this new regime.. this move was to weed out that deeper problems this team has had this past decade.
one more down.... keep the chopping block out - i dont know what we are waiting on, clearly more cuts need to be made it would be better sooner than later.
Well It will not be for Babin he signed with the Jags. I still agree with the release though it would be nice to maybe use him as traif bait for the draft.
By any chance did you see his reaction when he was selected by the Raiders. I kinda knew right then and there that this man didn't want to be on this team and was just going to bid his time. He will go somewhere else and play well. I can almost gurantee it, because he never wanted to be here. I really hope if he is cut that he gets claimed by the Jets or the Browns. A team that is just so horrible that he is in an abyss that keeps him in a disfunctional hell. The Raiders will get out of this. Burris and Wheeler are great LB's and will get better over time.
I was a big Ro supporter and I have his jersey. But now, I want him off this team!
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Good deal for DA. Maybe this will send a message to all who think they're the most important part of the team.
I think there's going to be more coming.....stay tuned!
from Corkran
Just recently, McClain supposedly put this on his Facebook page.
"Officially no longer an Oakland Raider!!"
Followed by:
"Well technically I am. But I'm mentally done. Just waiting on my papers"
And: "I'd like to be anywhere besides here."
McClain is earning $970,000 this season in base salary. He is slated to make $4,005,000 in 2013, $4,805,000 in 2014 and $2,665,000 in 2015.
The Punk Isn't gone Yet... But I do want him gone for being a Cry Baby.. F#$K the Loser http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...raiders-roster
He is still listed on the Raiders Rooster for 11/28/2012
I am hoping maybe he is still on cause maybe then plan on trading him... If the Raiders get nothing for him its a Total BUST
Love It ... " Well technically I am. But I'm mentally done " .. A Mental ****** ... Roflmao
Last edited by GangsteRaider; 11-28-2012 at 07:28 PM. Reason: Add On
Darth Raider Meets The Legendary Al Davis !!!
To All My Oakland Raider Nation Brothers Remember .. Never Argue With An Idiot , First They Start The Fight. Then Bring You Down To Their Level And Beat You With Their Experience!
Oakland Raiders Fan For Life ~ GangsteRaider
no one is gonna trade for his contract
ALAMEDA -- Raiders starting middle linebacker Rolando McClain said Wednesday that he no longer is with the team. The Raiders countered by saying McClain still is on their 53-man roster.
Then again, this might be just a matter of semantics, given the deadline to waive McClain came and went without a move being made.
"Officially no longer an Oakland Raider!!" McClain posted on his Facebook page.
He then added, "Well technically I am. But I'm mentally done. Just waiting on my papers" and "I'd like to be anywhere besides here."
What we know for certain is that McClain did not practice Wednesday because of what coach Dennis Allen called "team-related issues."
When asked if he cared to share more
details, Allen said: "No more details, no more comments. Just team-related issues."
The Raiders have until 1 p.m. Thursday to submit McClain to the waiver wire for the transaction to kick in that day. A team spokesman said he doesn't know whether that's going to take place.
He should have went a long time ago.
we should package him along with dmac to get a 2nd,3rd or 4th round pick.
Reading between the lines... he quit on the team.
You get paid an unbelievable amount of money to play football, and you quit on the team?
Good riddance. He'll be back in 'Bama, shooting up more of his friends before too long.
Damned shame. I really thought McClain was going to be a good player - I readily admit, I was wrong.
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The famous garbage can shootout scene with Leslie Nielson in Police Squad. The bad guy is on the other side of the garbage can.
Intense,.. very intense.
This is a discussion on Your Favorite Gunfight Scene within the General Firearm Discussion forums, part of the Related Topics category; Originally Posted by eldiabl0 This is it YouTube - Indiana Jones Sword vs Gun Great scene. Never bring a knife to a gunfight. Did you ...
Great scene. Never bring a knife to a gunfight.
Did you know that this scene was supposed to be a knock down drag out fight scene. But Harrison Ford was sick and didn't want to go to all the trouble so they came up with the idea that he would just shoot the sword wielding bad guy. Classic movie scene!
The famous garbage can shootout scene with Leslie Nielson in Police Squad. The bad guy is on the other side of the garbage can.
Intense,.. very intense.
What we've got here is failure to communicate.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
Thomas Jefferson
At the time I saw it(when it 1st came out at the movies), it was the gunfighter and the knife thrower, and the knife thrower won(I wasn't all that old at the time(1960-I was 15...Jeees), and thought that was cool). Movie;The Magnificent Seven;James Coburn was the Knife thrower.
Chinese Proverb:
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I kinda like the scene - Might be Boston Legal - Where William Shatner plays a big shot attorney - walking to dark parking garage with one of the other attorney's - gets held up by gunpoint - when handing stuff over he's calling out loud each item as he's giving the BG; "Watch" - "Wallet" - "Gun" (Bang) "Foot" (Bang) "Knee" and so on as he shoots the BG.
For God, Family and Country!
NOBODY did it better than John Wayne.....TRUE GRIT, John Wayne, 4 to 1, horse mounted charging each other full speed banging away.
With that being said, second on my list is this, from the Outlaw Josey Wales:YouTube - The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) 9/13
And finally, I have to agree the gunfights in "collateral damage" and the bank robbery in "Heat" are well done.....
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined". - Patrick Henry
man on fire kidnapping scene.....OOOOOOOH
my favorite also....what do you need?...guns...lots of guns...
neo..nobodys ever tried this before....
thats why it will work...
that and the shower scene in big jake....favorite since i was a kid...the guy points a gun at john wayne who is behind the shower doors and says "no hard feelings"...john wayne blows him away with a sawed off through the doors and says "the hell there aint"...my cousin and i laughed about that for years...
Just finished watching 3:10 to Yuma, with Bale, and must say the final fight scene was amazing. I plan on getting the DVD for it eventually.
BLONDIE: You may run the risks, my friend, but I do the cutting. If we cut down my percentage... cigar? Liable to interfere with my aim.
...then there was always the gun scene in When Harry Met Sally.... oh yeah. No, that musta been a different movie.
(just something to counteract all the john wayne testosterone flying around here)
who dug the car as flying projectile surface to air missile taking out a helicopter in Bruce Willis' latest Die Hard flick. Of course, that wasn't a bullet. But it could count? There was lots of lead in that movie, it just wasn't what got remembered.
People who like this sort of thing will find this the sort of thing they like.
- Abraham Lincoln
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
- Winston Churchill
I'm kinda surprised no one has mentioned the newest Punisher movie.
Specifically, the end sequence when he's clearing the hotel after the Russians with their crate of Krinkovs open up on the asian gang.
Great transitions from long-gun to handgun, shooting on the move, he actually reloads when he's out of ammo, massive volume of fire.
Simply awesome!
What you think about, you do ... what you do, you become.
Every gun fight in the "Quick and the Dead" movie.


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Wednesday, Aug. 26
Henry County Public Schools is pleased to host John Halligan's presentation for parents entitled "Bullying, Cyberbullying and Teen Depression" from 7 - 8:30 pm at Henry County High School. Parents from all neighboring counties are welcome to attend.
Friday, Aug. 28
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text:
G. Elvis Phillips
Body Snatchers
Young Marty Malone (Gabrielle Anwar) and her family have just moved to a Southern military base so that her father (Terry Kinney) can study a curious environmental issue. Just as she's settling into her new life, Marty learns that an alien attack is imminent and that the creatures are planning to turn humans into "pod people" as they sleep. Marty and her friends must now band together to fight off the aliens.