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Feb 18, 2009, 11:00 AM
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Climbing Cerro Blanco in Durango, Mexico
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Since our earlier trip to El Gigante, Mike Knarzer and I have talked up a trip to Cerro Blanco in the state of Durango, Mexico. It is 1,200 at its tallest with several hard routes going up this huge south-facing crag. Our plan is to blast through the state of Chihuahua and move onto Durango in two days of hard driving on a mix of two lane highways and 4 lane toll roads. On February 7, 2009 we leave Tempe, Arizona, and head to Douglas, Arizona for the border.
Driving through the border is not difficult, getting the right paperwork done is no problem but I lost my papers from a previous trip and changed my windshield with the required hologram on it. Just a small road block, overcome with humility and a thousand pardons to the clerk behind the counter.
We arrive in the city of Chihuahua a little after sunset and drive to the end of town to position ourselves for the next morning. Around the corner from our hotel, we head for a cantina/ ladies dance bar full of colorful locals and of course, a beautiful bartender named Cynthia! Mike and I are at once befriended and slightly abused, not by the same people, for being from the USA. Mike, long blonde hair, was the main attraction that night. We cut it short and return to the hotel for a well deserved sleep.
As we drive deeper into the state of Chihuahua, we note the similarity between this landscape and the area just south of Tucson, Arizona. As we drive by mountains and valleys populated by cattle and cactus, the storm we are escaping produces significant wind; it constantly pushes our truck around.
On our way down, we have one untimely incident when we take an unplanned detour to Hidalgo Del Parral, a 2.5 hour mistake which caused us to arrive after dark. As a result, we pull into the small town of Penon Blanco hungry and unsure of our destination, the small village of Nuevo Covadonga at the base of Cerro Blanco. Carlos Ayala Garcias notes on his website ( http://www.simuchi.com.mx/ ) recommends using the mayor and owner of the towns mini-super (local store) to procure a guide. Instead, when we stop in at the first restaurant we see on arrival we meet Alvaro, the owner and a former resident of Chicago for many years. He immediately fed us and invited himself along as our guide and companion. He admitted to not knowing the trail but he did know the start. After a quiet night in a local hotel, we meet Alvaro and head to Nuevo Covadonga. The road is easily found by staying on the main road and turning right just past the plaza and police station in Penon Blanco. Shortly after leaving town, you can see the crag. Vaqueros preparing to move cattle as we head to Nuevo Covadonga and a great view of the areas thorny brush.
Enjoying magnificent views of the dominant white rock weve come to climb, we enter the final stopping place and get our gear sorted. Our hike up is to be a slightly rising trail to a small pass leading to a plateau, a walk of one hour or so, based on topos I have copied from the internet.
As we reach the pass, Mike heads up and gets into thick thorny brush and advises us to go around and meet him on the other side. As we walk along, there is a maze of trails, probably javelina according to our guide. I end up following Alvaro along the wrong path until we get to the top of a huge buttress below the little Cerro Blanco. By the time we finally reach Mike, my pack has worn grooves in my bony shoulders and Alvaro throws out Thank God were saved when we see him way below us. The correct path found again and lost and found again, finally brings us to the Piedra Partida (split rock) where we make camp. A nice sandy open area and a climb next to us make it a climbers perfect bivy.
The nights are cool but not cold, probably down to high 40s or low 50s and dry windy conditions. With plenty of wood, we have a great time telling stories by the fire. Alvaro recounts numerous hunts where he bagged mountain lions aplenty. Apparently foals and colts are their favorite food and the farmers are constantly fighting them for supremacy. I was hurting from the extra time and effort spent wandering off the trail. I slept soundly. Alvaro and I enjoy a gorgeous sunset and fun stories and wine!
Next morning is cool and windy in camp. We packed to climb a warm-up for tomorrows objective, the center of the 1,200 face, Via Lactea, 5.12 mixed bolted face and cracks soaring up the center to a huge overhanging off-width dihedral to finish it all. But first, we were going to climb Mi Flaquita (my skinny girl) a 5.9 on the right shoulder of the wall, hopefully getting a peek at Via Lactea as we went. That was the plan.
Just getting to the base, following Oriol Anglada s instructions and topo, was not possible. Since he and his wife developed the route in November 2006, the path he drew no longer existed. Thats ok for men of the desert like Mike and me; we just found our own path. We bashed through hip tall grass and thorny brush interspersed with rocks just like hiking at home. We took about 30 minutes to reach the base of the wall from camp at a slow uphill pace. I didnt have a topo for the route, just a line and brief description on a Mexican climbing website(http://escalando.net/ ). As long as we can find a climb, we are confident that we can do it. We are here for adventure so I graciously give Mike the first pitch, a combination of a short and long pitch in one. During the whole climb we are blasted continuously by an increasing wind.
As we get higher on the slab, the wind reaches such a high velocity that my helmet pulls up hard on my chinstrap causing me some discomfort and dismay. I try to climb two pitches together up high but the runout and traversing nature of the pitch, combined with climbing on the edge of the massif, serves me a dose of severe wind flogging. I move up the steep slab slowly, trying to work with the wind and at the same time the rope drag pulls me down. For a time, I am literally pushed off the shoulder by the wind and pulled down by the rope drag. I end up at a steep 20 to the next bolt where I bail after suffering from the intensity of the pitch; ok, I was scared. I lower to the intermediate anchor and Mike leads the way. He pulls off some difficult sketchy moves and we continue up the shoulder. As we move up, we have a bit more shelter but the wind is still blasting. Mike continues on the lead; I was finished leading, the wind totally sucked my motivation out. A couple more pitches and we arrive at the top of the climb, just shy of the actual summit.
Getting down proves to be a difficult endeavor; we rappel slowly, trying to keep the ropes from getting stuck. The wind seems to intensify and we move slower, coiling and keeping ropes under control requires constant vigilance. Down we come and then the thorny brushy hike doesnt seem so bad, not after the treatment we endured on the crag. With the wind this burly, Mike and I begin having second thoughts about tackling a big climb. Not only that, but we were running out of water. Our amigo, Alvaro, hadnt brought more than a canteen; Mike and I brought more but not enough to enjoy a third night and climb the next day. We weighed our decision to bail on our desired climb based on the lack of water and excessive wind. That night, we enjoyed the moonlight, had a fire with more of Alvaros stories about slaying furry mammals near his familys ranch nearby. A great benefit to having a local is that he is able to find water for morning coffee. We had earlier found a muddy but dry spring and Alvaro dug mud out of it to allow it to fill with water. That morning he went back, filled a bottle with muddy spring water (no cattle can reach this plateau) and we boiled it for coffee. Since both Mike and I like dark coffee, it was perfect. Now we can say that we carried home a small part of Cerro Blanco with us. After coffee, Mike onsights the difficult arête in camp.
Our next stop, Pueblo Magico, a small dusty adobe village on the main road we left earlier,is known for its hot springs. After driving a short while down a back road, our way is blocked by a gated fence. We return to the main highway and drive easily to the town. The hot soak is really a bit too hot but we suffer through. I enjoy the view nearly as much as the soak, the crag we had been on is the dominant feature in the landscape. The people bathing were friendly and sharing. On the premises a hotel is available for those who want to make a full day of it. All too soon, we were on the road north after a meal at Alvaros restaurant.
Our next stop, after finding the right exit is Presa Francisco Zarco, a reservoir with climbing below the dam. We arrive well after dark and I can tell we are entering a big canyon. I see a sign bajada al rio (descent to the river) and drive down to the river bank. Mike and I toss our pads and bags and fall asleep while admiring the river flowing by. Sleeping in a strange area makes me a bit nervous. As I am waking, I hear a couple of cars drive by on the highway above and not much else until just before daylight. In the grey gloom, I suddenly hear heavy footsteps on the river rock surrounding us. I unzip my bag, jump up and see a mare and her foal come to get morning water. I sink back down and they leave after drinking.
After we arise, we drive to the dam to check out the reservoir. It is huge. Not only that, we can make out a large cliff way at the back. Next time we bring a boat. As we drive back the way we came, looking for routes, we pass lots of rock not far from the road. One feature, a large pinnacle, maybe 300 tall, was boltless and it had a crack! Nice, next time too!
Finally we find the spot with routes easily reached from the road, in fact beginning next to it! Talk about contrast, from backpacking to a crag and drive up access, Mexico has it all. We only have time for a few routes so we stick to the easiest approach and climb two routes to get the feel of the place. The first route is on the edge of a huge buttress with a line of bolts heading up the left side of it. I lead it in one long pitch instead of two. I feel as if I am climbing at Potrero Chico, the limestone feels very similar. An easy slab start to a ledge then the business on steep holds and steeper rock felt like a solid 11ish rating.
Next, Mike got on a route on the sunny side of the giant fin, much easier and fun climbing on great rock. I lead it after him and he tied me off to run up and get a photo with the river in the background. Escaping the belay is an important ability, practice makes perfect. We left shortly after to avoid as much driving in the dark as we could.
We reach Chihuahua City just after dark by blasting up the cuota (toll) road. Gratefully we find a clean hotel and just sink into sleep immediately. Breakfast isnt a real big thing in Mexico, not many Dennys around. We manage to get to the university where we find plenty of restaurants with great coffee and desayuno (breakfast). Finally we are on the road for our last stretch, gratefully uneventful, except for the army checkpoints. All they do is examine our gear and ask questions about where we have been and what we are up to. No problems. To get home, all we need is to pass through the border; just a matter of time and a passport. Well, not quite home yet. We stop in on Sushi Fest at Cochise Stronghold. What could top our trip off better than raw fish and worn soles! Our friends are just gathering as we arrive earlier than expected.
Our final climb is on Sheepshead, a 1,000 dome full of great climbing. Stampede (5.11, III) is a route up the right side of the formation known for supposedly scary runouts. Yeah, there are runouts but if you are ok with great exposure then youll enjoy the climb as much as we did. Mike belayed me on the first pitch with its crux moves two bolts off the ground. Mike follows easily on smooth slab.
A boulder problem then slab, what could be easier? Well, it turned out to be thin and thinner but well bolted. I fell near the top bolt working a mono (I know, on a slab???) and just ran backwards down the slab until Mike stopped me. He thought I was pulling slack and fed me rope as I ran down slope until I started whining for him to stop me. Mike torquing a finger in the mono!
The climbs crux on the second pitch is very scenic and tricky so it is Mikes turn again! Mike makes a move around a corner to gain a slab above us. Hard to see from the belay, still he makes short work of it.
The third pitch is great, definitely the most enjoyable pitch, we both agree. The last is the least enjoyable but it made a beeline for the top unlike the original finish which heads way left to the end of the giant ledge. We both had already done that finish, same as Too Tough to Die, so Mike topped out on it. Glad he did it, the crux section in the photo is weird because the rock is generally grainy, especially at the top but this portion had down sloping slick holds for hands and feet. Still, my good friend drags me up to the summit and a break before rapping the new 5.9 route on the same side of the buttress. We do this to avoid walking down the back of Sheepshead in our climbing shoes. That rappel begins as a single 60m followed by a second of double 60m to the gully and another long double 60m rappel. We run into fellow fish fans here from Santa Fe for the party. You can see just past Mike, Ed is working Sheep Thrills, 5.11c (mixed route).
During the next two days we enjoy a live band, great sushi (thanks Doug) and great company to welcome us home. Our trip took about 2,000 miles in a week. We crossed the entire state of Chihuahua from north to south, climbed our primary objective Cerro Blanco visited Presa Francisco Zarco and had a great Sushi Fest to top it off! I just have to rest a few days while I plan my next journey.
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by sonso45 on Feb 18, 2009, 11:23 AM)
Feb 18, 2009, 12:04 PM
Post #2 of 9 (6998 views)
Registered: Aug 25, 2003
Posts: 5
Re: [sonso45] Climbing Cerro Blanco in Durango, Mexico
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great report, thanks!
Feb 18, 2009, 12:04 PM
Post #3 of 9 (6998 views)
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Posts: 356
Re: [sonso45] Climbing Cerro Blanco in Durango, Mexico
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Enjoyable read. Sounds like a fun adventure. Too bad about the wind, you'll get the 12 line next time.
Feb 18, 2009, 12:25 PM
Post #4 of 9 (6984 views)
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Posts: 3
Re: [sonso45] Climbing Cerro Blanco in Durango, Mexico
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Nice TR, Manny! Thanks for posting it up!
Feb 18, 2009, 1:21 PM
Post #5 of 9 (6965 views)
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Posts: 78
Re: [Bret] Climbing Cerro Blanco in Durango, Mexico
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Oh, you kids!
Nice TR, Manny!
Feb 19, 2009, 11:45 AM
Post #6 of 9 (6885 views)
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Re: [sonso45] Climbing Cerro Blanco in Durango, Mexico
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sounds like a great trip! either you left out some of the adventure or you learned something from last time!
Feb 19, 2009, 11:47 AM
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Re: [markguycan] Climbing Cerro Blanco in Durango, Mexico
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You know us too well. We did leave some stuff out, that's for the campfire.
Feb 21, 2009, 4:11 PM
Post #8 of 9 (6818 views)
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Re: [sonso45] Climbing Cerro Blanco in Durango, Mexico
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"that's for the campfire"
Dang! I knew I should gotten to that stronghold sushi fest!
Man, Manny, as long as I've known you you've had some of the wildest adventures of any of us!
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by jaybro on Feb 21, 2009, 6:45 PM)
Apr 27, 2009, 5:28 PM
Post #9 of 9 (6497 views)
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Re: [sonso45] Climbing Cerro Blanco in Durango, Mexico
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Its great that you had a nice rock climbing trip in Mexico, i am glad escalando.net had some usefull information for you!
now we have a new map of rock climbing areas in mexico and you can translate the information to english! be shure to check it out and leave your coments and photos of climbing in cerro blanco!
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With prayer and thought, I was able to pinpoint the moment when I began to see my brother priests in a different light. I was participating in the Catholic Leadership Institute's "Good Leaders Good Shepherds" program with 30 other diocesan brothers. On the first day the instructor had us each stand one at a time and introduce ourselves. In addition to saying our name we were suppose to also name our three most positive qualities. I stood up and said, "My name is Father Tom and I am smart, organized and loyal." All the priest in the room seemed to agree that the three adjectives that I used described me pretty well.
After we went around the room, the instructor told us that we were going to do the exercise again but this time, we were going to state the negative expressions of those strengths — not the opposite but the negative. This time when I stood up I said, "My name is Father Tom and I am a know-it-all, a control-freak, and a follower."
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A content provider is a network service that makes a collection available. A content provider may disclose metadata about its resources through a structured network service. In the context of the JISC IE, a content provider interacts with brokers, aggregators and portals using Z39.50, the OAI-PMH and RSS/HTTP. Note that 'content provider' may also refer to the organisation that makes collections available - which may be a JISC-funded service, an HE/FE institution, or some other organisation. (Excerpt from JISC Information Environment Glossary)
|content syndication
Web syndication is a form of syndication in which website material is made available to multiple other sites. Most commonly, web syndication refers to making web feeds available from a site in order to provide other people with a summary or update of the website's recently added content (for example, the latest news or forum posts). The term can also be used to describe other kinds of licensing website content so that other websites can use it. (Excerpt from Wikipedia article: Content syndication)
|context objects in spans
ContextObjects in Spans, commonly abbreviated COinS, is a method to embed bibliographic metadata in the HTML code of web pages. This allows bibliographic software to publish machine-readable bibliographic items and client reference management software to retrieve bibliographic metadata. The metadata can also be sent to an OpenURL resolver. This allows, for instance, searching for a copy of a book in one's own library. (Excerpt from Wikipedia article: COinS)
|controlled vocabularies
Controlled vocabularies provide a way to organize knowledge for subsequent retrieval. They are used in subject indexing schemes, subject headings, thesauri and taxonomies. Controlled vocabulary schemes mandate the use of predefined, authorised terms that have been preselected by the designer of the vocabulary, in contrast to natural language vocabularies, where there is no restriction on the vocabulary. (Excerpt from Wikipedia article: Controlled vocabularies)
A cookie, also known as an HTTP cookie, web cookie, or browser cookie, is used for an origin website to send state information to a user's browser and for the browser to return the state information to the origin site. The state information can be used for authentication, identification of a user session, user's preferences, shopping cart contents, or anything else that can be accomplished through storing text data on the user's computer. Cookies are not software. They cannot be programmed, cannot carry viruses, and cannot install malware on the host computer. However, they can be used by spyware to track user's browsing activities – a major privacy concern that prompted European and US law makers to take action. Cookies can also be stolen by hackers to gain access to a victim's web account. (Excerpt from Wikipedia article: HTTP cookies)
|cool uri
What makes a cool URI? A cool URI is one which does not change....Keeping URIs so that they will still be around in 2, 20 or 200 or even 2000 years is clearly not as simple as it sounds. However, all over the Web, webmasters are making decisions which will make it really difficult for themselves in the future. Often, this is because they are using tools whose task is seen as to present the best site in the moment, and no one has evaluated what will happen to the links when things change. The message here is, however, that many, many things can change and your URIs can and should stay the same. They only can if you think about how you design them. (Excerpt from this source)
Copac is a union catalogue which provides free access to the merged online catalogues of many major university research libraries in the United Kingdom and Ireland, plus an increasing number of specialist libraries and the British Library, the National Library of Scotland and the National Library of Wales. It has over 35 million records from over 50 libraries, representing a wide range of materials across all subject areas. Copac is freely available to all. (Excerpt from Wikipedia article: Copac)
Copyright is a set of exclusive rights granted to the author or creator of an original work, including the right to copy, distribute and adapt the work. Copyright does not protect ideas, only their expression. In most jurisdictions copyright arises upon fixation and does not need to be registered. Copyright owners have the exclusive statutory right to exercise control over copying and other exploitation of the works for a specific period of time, after which the work is said to enter the public domain. Uses covered under limitations and exceptions to copyright, such as fair use, do not require permission from the copyright owner. All other uses require permission. Copyright owners can license or permanently transfer or assign their exclusive rights to others. (Excerpt from Wikipedia article: Copyright)
The Advanced Distributed Learning Registry was developed by the ADL Initiative and is the central search point for the discovery of digital objects related to DoD training, education, performance, and decision-aiding that can be redeployed, rearranged, repurposed, and rewritten. In much the same way that a card from the card catalog contains descriptive information about books in a library, the ADL Registry contains all of the registered entries that contain metadata about the digital object in a repository. "It is the first instance of a registry-based approach to repository federation resulting from the Content Object Repository Discovery and Registration/Resolution Architecture (CORDRA) project. (Excerpt from Wikipedia article: Content Object Repository Discovery and Registration/Resolution Architecture)
|counting online usage of networked electronic resources


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Mercury Flyby Sets Stage for New Discoveries
January 21, 2008:
"Discoveries are at hand!" That's what members of the MESSENGER science team are saying after their spacecraft flew past Mercury on Jan. 14th at a distance of only 124 miles. The historic flyby netted 500 megabytes of data (now safely downloaded to Earth) and more than 1200 photos covering nearly six million square miles of previously unseen terrain.
"We're inundated with data—it's wonderful," says mission scientist and planetary geologist Scott Murchie of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab.
One of the first images beamed back from the spacecraft revealed a side of Mercury researchers have been waiting three decades to see.
Above: New terrain on Mercury revealed by MESSENGER's cameras during the Jan. 14, 2008, flyby. Caloris Basin is circled.
The cratered expanse pictured above was mostly in darkness 30 years ago when NASA's Mariner 10 spacecraft made the first and (until now) only flybys of Mercury. Last week, MESSENGER caught the terrain in sunlight for the first time.
At first glance, the photo seems to show little more than a wasteland of craters, but researchers are excited.
"These are fantastic images," says Murchie. For one thing, "we've gotten our first good look at Caloris Basin," the biggest known impact crater on Mercury and one of the biggest craters in the entire solar system.
In the mid-1970s, Mariner 10 caught a tantalizing glimpse of the basin's edge, a ring of shadowed mountains thrown up long ago by some catastrophic impact.
A comet or asteroid had smashed Mercury and gouged a crater bigger than the state of Texas. What was inside? No one could say.
"Big impacts are revealing," says Murchie. "They're natural drill holes that expose the interior of the planet—which of course we're dying to see."
MESSENGER snapped the picture that geologists had long wanted: Caloris in its entirety, a top-down view in broad daylight—and the results were surprising.
Many experts expected the interior of Caloris Basin to be dark, like the dark 'seas' of hardened lava that fill major impact basins on the Moon and give anthropomorphic form to the "Man in the Moon." Instead, Caloris is bright inside and pitted with regions of interesting color.
Color is something MESSENGER excels at. "Color reveals mineralogy," says Murchie.
"Two of the instruments onboard MESSENGER are able to map the surface of Mercury in wavelengths ranging from ultraviolet across the visible spectrum to near-infrared. We're calibrating the data now and plan to release some full-color images soon."
Typical of the images returned by MESSENGER, this horizon shot shows the beautifully shadowed crater named Sholem Aleichem.
Another early highlight of the flyby are ridges geologists call lobate scarps: photo. These are fractures in Mercury's crust formed, perhaps, as a result of planetary shrinkage. (Think wrinkles on a raisin.) What could cause a rigid, rocky planet to shrink? Billions of years ago, "Mercury may have undergone a period of contraction as its molten core cooled," suggests Murchie. High-resolution MESSENGER photos of Mercury's scarps will allow geologists to test this and other ideas.
Other snapshots of note include a telephone-shaped crater, Mercury's Antarctic, and a "fresh" crater with many secondary crater chains.
"We're leaving no stone unturned," says Murchie. In all, there are 110+ scientists, students and engineers sifting through the harvest of photography, spectroscopy, laser radar echoes and magnetic field measurements from the Jan. 14th flyby. Discoveries are sure to ensue.
And remember, he says, "this is just the first of three flybys" in preparation for orbit insertion in 2011.
The next encounters are scheduled for Oct. 2008 and Sept. 2009.
More than a third of Mercury's surface has yet to be photographed and those flybys will fill in many gaps. Meanwhile, researchers are fully occupied.
The MESSENGER project is the seventh in NASA's Discovery Program of
low-cost, scientifically focused space missions. The Applied Physics
Laboratory designed, built and operates the spacecraft and manages
the mission for NASA.


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Skip to comments.Star Parker: Kermit Gosnell is not an exception
Posted on 04/20/2013 7:43:18 PM PDT by markomalley
Kirsten Powers has done a national service, by virtue of her now-famous USA Today column, of putting the news of the trial of abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell on the national radar screen.
This, of course, is the horror story of a cesspool in Philadelphia posturing as an abortion clinic, operating without inspection for 17 years. Gosnell, the doctor who ran the place, is formally charged with the murder of one woman and seven infants.
However, the grand jury report and testimony of family and staff at the trial indicate that if there were records in this dump, where life and death were meted out daily, Gosnell would be indicted for hundreds of murders of live children.
Most likely, and sadly, this horror story will have its 15 minutes of fame, and the nation will move on. The national press got dragged unwillingly to report it, finally, because of Powers' courageous column.
But there is no way to keep them on a story they don't want to cover. Maybe we can keep this story alive by keeping in mind a few things.
What was happening in Gosnell's Women's Medical Society clinic was not some bizarre exception to the rule.
You can ask Day Gardner, founder and president of the National Black Pro-life Union. Her life is dedicated to covering these realities. In her words, "This is not an exception. These realities are happening every day all over our country."
Despite the sense that no one was paying attention to the Gosnell story before Powers wrote about it, know that Gardner, Dr. Alveda King and other pro-life activists were demonstrating outside Gosnell's clinic as early as February 2011.
They held a press conference about the trial on April 4, a week before Powers' column appeared. King wrote in her blog the day before, " ... Rev. Clenard Childress and ... Dr. Day Gardner ... are in Philadelphia reporting on the Kermit Gosnell trial that the mainstream media is virtually ignoring."
Just this week, the Washington Times reported that Gosnell-like conditions have existed at a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in Vice President Biden's own backyard in Delaware.
The Times reports, "Abortions have been suspended at a Delaware Planned Parenthood, after several 911 calls made from within the clinic prompted a new investigation by Health and Human Services."
Two nurses quit to protect their licenses, one saying, "I couldn't tell you how ridiculously unsafe it was." According to the story, "Since Jan. 4, five patients have been rushed to the emergency room."
Last year, pro-life activists worked assiduously to get press attention on the story of the death of 24-year-old Tonya Reaves, who died after a botched abortion procedure at a Chicago Planned Parenthood clinic.
These realities persist for two reasons. One, we still as a nation are willing to tolerate the reality of abortion. We still allow ourselves to believe that Gosnell should be convicted of murder because he botched an abortion, the live child was born, and he still destroyed it. But that somehow it would have been OK if that same child died while still in the womb.
And two, the squalid conditions allowing this butchery to take place all over the nation persist for the same reason that the Gosnell trial almost went uncovered.
The press does not want to report about the gruesome truths of abortion. And, because it occurs disproportionately among low-income, minority women, they are even less interested.
We can, at minimum, do something as a nation today. We can stop allowing our tax dollars to fund the nation's largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood.
According to Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., who has submitted a bill to stop funding Planned Parenthood, "every 94 seconds, Planned Parenthood performs an abortion and in that amount of time they take in over $1600 in federal taxpayer money."
Abortion is to normalize atheism/paganism in women-—nature gives them a tremendous Natural maternal instinct-—so to eliminate this naturally "nurturing' part of women—little girls hear there is a Right to Abortion (kill their own genetic offspring).
This stems from the Postmodernists who want to "kill God" and Christian Ethics, and Flip "Good and Evil". Christian Ethics have dominated Western Civ for thousand of years and the Marxists "hate" it. Christianity leads to individualism/individual Rights from God. Marxists want slaves/addicts and no "thinking". They have to pervert children—destroy the idea of Truth and Good and Evil-—to create an atheist "Worldview" which is inconsistent with Christianity (Natural Law Theory—Common Sense and Reason).
They use "operant conditioning" which will embed "good feelings" with the "idea" of killing their babies. That is why we have Sandra Flukes-—they have no moral compass-—it is the Atheist/Marxist/pagan worldview where any urge is great-—except "Natural urges" which are targeted in schools to destroy Natural instincts and Common Sense in our children.
That is why when you talk to "Liberals" they seem like they are mentally ill—because there is no Common Sense-—no Logic—no "Laws of Nature"—there.
It was conditioned right OUT of them-—like it is in cultures like Afghanistan.
Children are vulnerable. What ideas are embedded in childhood will be the "worldview" that they have later——with some experience which modify their ideas but the TV/media promote the Atheist/pagan/Satanic ideas 24/7 and most parents have no time for kids nowadays—the State/Media forms their "thinking", so most people will be a part of the Matrix and not even understand reality.
G.K. Chesterton who stated this before the consequences of our government controlled "free education" were not widely known with books like "Why Johnny Can't Read", etc. :
"The purpose of compulsory education is to deprive the common people of their common sense."
Sadly, since the victim was Asian and the doctor and staff were black, I'm afraid that made it easier to overlook. If the victims and perpetrator had been white, from an upscale neighborhood, it might have made more of a splash. Sad but true.
google Malcolm Knarr. Wyandotte Co KS
I was hoping that Star Parker would touch on the induction method of abortion which causes human beings to be birthed and left to die or their spinal cord snipped. I believe this procedure is being done all over the world because of the simplicity and little demand for high skill.
Even so, Star Parker has been a hero of mine since the 90's
Sounds to me this isn't any different than the "unsafe back alley abortions" the feminists were always complaining about.
Does anyone know the race of the babies that were so hideously aborted?
How about the woman who died?
It just occurred to me they might all be Black.
Can you imagine what the MSM would have done with this story if the Doctor was white and all the victims were Black?
She's good. I also have to give props to Kirsten Powers on this, and in general. She's found a way to be a liberal but to maintain some semblence of common sense and rationality (unlike Colmes, Beckel, and others who just spew ideology). She's also made a pretty major turn in her personal beliefs (atheist to Christian) and I'm sure she just drives left-wingnuts up the wall when she stands up on issues like this.
NY Gov. Cuomo's abortion expansion act could cause more "Gosnell's" in NYS.
Yes, but only because they might be accused of racism, that infamous dog whistle that every leftist knows and loves.
Gosnell had a cleaner room to which he took the white "patients". I have a friend-of-a-friend who lost an ovary during an abortion she had in Philly some years ago. I wonder now if this was the abortionist who "worked" on her.
Planned Parenthood knows that if the public ever got the full truth of abortion, including and especially photos of the results of abortion, their activities would be toast.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


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NORTON, Mass. - Defending New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) men's swimming & diving champion Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) got off to a fast start during the first day of competition on Friday, as the Engineers swept all five events during the evening's finals portion at Wheaton College's Balfour Natatorium. MIT racked up 303 points, while United States Coast Guard Academy is a close second with 287 points. Springfield College occupies third place with 158. The three-day competition continues Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
MIT senior Luke Cummings played a role in three event victories, including finishing first in the 50-yard freestyle with an NCAA Championship provisional qualifying time of 21.01 while anchoring the winning 200-yard freestyle and 400-yard medley relay teams. Each relay quartet met NCAA meet B cuts, with the 200 free quartet finishing in 1:23.94 and the 400 medley squad in 3:23.79.
Joining Cummings on the 200 free team were senior Jeff Zhou and freshmen Brendan Deveney and Wyatt Ubellacker. For the 400 medley, Cummings sided with senior Rastislav Racz, junior Toomas Sepp and freshman Ron Rosenberg.
Deveney touched the wall first in the 200-yard individual medley with an NCAA provisional time of 1:54.18, while junior Michael Dobson completed the MIT sweep with a B cut time of 4:36.45 in the 500-yard free. The Engineers also finished second in the 50 free and 200 IM, giving them a total of seven all-conference honors. Zhou notched a provisional standard of 21.17 in the 50 free, while sophomore Matt Chapa recorded a B cut time of 1:54.35 in the 200 IM.
MIT sophomore David Parell (Lexington, KY/Paul Laurence Dunbar) also had an NCAA cut in the 200 IM.
Team Standings
1. MIT - 303 points
2. Coast Guard Academy - 287 points
3. Springfield College - 158 points
4. WPI - 96 points
5. Clark University - 87 points
6. Babson College - 72 points
7. Wheaton College - 70 points
1st Place (All-NEWMAC 1st Team)
200 freestyle relay MIT 1:23.94 B
(Jeff Zhou, Wyatt Ubellacker, Brendan Deveney, Luke Cummings)
500 freestyle Michael Dobson, MIT 4:36.45 B
200 individual medley Brendan Deveney, MIT 1:54.18 B
50 freestyle Luke Cummings, MIT 21.01 B
400 medley relay MIT 3:23.79 B
(Ron Rosenberg, Rastislav Racz, Toomas Sepp, Luke Cummings)
2nd Place (All-NEWMAC 2nd Team)
200 freestyle relay Coast Guard 1:24.07 B
(Brian McGuiness, Johnson Knox, Brian Bonomi, Dan Beshoar)
500 freestyle Nicholas Poehler, Coast Guard 4:38.08 B
200 individual medley Matt Chapa, MIT 1:54.35 B
50 freestyle Jeff Zhou, MIT 21.17 B
400 medley relay Coast Guard 3:27.40 B
(Timmy Berry, Matthew Odom, Daniel Alley, Johnson Knox)
A - Denotes NCAA Division III National Championship qualifying A standard (automatic)
B - Denotes NCAA Division III National Championship qualifying B standard (provisional)


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Jimmy Carter
"One of the basic requirements of an Elder is that we are political has-beens – we no longer have power. So we have the ability to represent the principles that do not change, like peace and freedom and justice. The Elders, individually and collectively, go where we please, meet with whom we choose, and say what we believe."
Former US President
"We kept our country at peace. We never went to war. We never dropped a bomb. We never fired a bullet. But still we achieved our international goals."
Nobel Peace Laureate
"War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other's children"
Advocate for Middle East peace
"Peace deals were possible in 1978 and 1993. They still are today, but time is running out and hard decisions need to be made very soon."
Challenging patriarchy
"The abuse of women and girls is the most pervasive and unaddressed human rights violation on earth."


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Infrastructure Slideshow: Gartner's Cloud Computing Outlook 2011
By Dennis McCafferty | Posted 05-10-2011
With cloud computing at a critical crossroads, research from Gartner cautions CIOs to manage inherent risks and unexpected costs during what is expected to be a technology revolution. The research examines key issues driving cloud adoption, and seeks to separate reality from hyperbole with respect to cloud computing. In the end, Gartner concludes that cloud computing is, indeed, the future. "The hype around cloud computing services has increased interest, as well as caution, for CIOs trying to determine where, when and if cloud services can provide valuable outcomes for their businesses," says Frank Ridder, research vice president at Gartner. "Cloud computing is driving discontinuity that introduces exciting opportunities and costly challenges. Organizations need to understand these changes and develop realistic cloud sourcing strategies and contracts that can reduce risk." Here are highlights from Gartner's recent findings:
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20 U.S. Code § 790 - Repealed. Pub. L. 91–346, § 5(d)(3)(B), July 20, 1970, 84 Stat. 445
prev | next
Section, Pub. L. 88–579, § 11, Sept. 3, 1964, 78 Stat. 907, provided that this chapter would not invalidate any act of Congress or Executive order vesting authority in the Commission of Fine Arts or any other Federal advisory body nor would this chapter authorize the National Council on the Arts to undertake any duty or responsibility which belongs to any other Federal advisory body established as of Sept. 3, 1964.
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective July 1, 1970, see section 5(d)(3)(B) of Pub. L. 91–346.
LII has no control over and does not endorse any external Internet site that contains links to or references LII.


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Softening the Edges of a Contemporary Space
As any modern design lover notices from time to time, it can occasionally feel like sleek lines and sharp edges are taking over. Sure, plush cushions and sumptuous textiles can help, but you sometimes need a little something stronger to take the "edge" off.
Nothing will soften a room, add a little comfort and bring in a little sensuality like a strong, no-nonsense curve. We're tempted to call these five items we found "lumps of design," but that frankly just sounds weird. We think you'll see what we mean. Giving off a relaxed, almost shapeless look, these five items mean business when it comes to diminishing hard lines and would do wonders to soften any room's look.
1) West Elm's Pebble Side Table $149
2) Urban Outfitter's Globetrotter Pouf $149
3) CB2 Knitted Poufs $90 each
4) DWR's Granit Salt + Pepper Shakers $38
5) How Now Design's Hand Painted Wooden Tea Light Candle Holder $20
Does your space need softening? Or do you like a room full of sharp lines and sleek edges? Let us know.


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Quarterbacks Speak Fluent Gibberish
New TV Audio Forces NFL Passers to Use Obscure Signals
The moment before an NFL quarterback snaps the football has always been a golden opportunity to play head games.
In most cases, a quarterback will shout a pattern of words that make no sense on their face, but serve as a form of code. These codes can communicate something as simple as telling the center when to snap the ball, or as complex as changing the play to something else.
In the last year, however, there has been a development that is unprecedented in the long history of quarterback signal calling. Thanks to a change in the way television broadcast microphones are positioned on the field, these strings of code that quarterbacks and linemen shout out before the snap are being relayed directly to the ears of millions of fans—and all of the team's future opponents. Realizing their code languages may be compromised week to week, quarterbacks have taken the only avenue available to them: speaking total gibberish.
To camouflage what they're trying to do, all of the NFL's biggest-name quarterbacks are employing a string of random, nonsensical shouts that make them sound, at times, like 1-year olds.
"The quarterback gets up there and they get to talking about anything," said Oakland Raiders safety Tyvon Branch, who said the difference this season is palpable. "You'll hear the quarterback yelling off a lot of random stuff. I'm like, 'All that can't mean anything.' They'll yell 'Blue 80, set, wait wait, check check check' and you know they aren't checking anything."
Prior to the 2011 season, NFL umpires, who wore microphones and doubled as the network's boom operators, captured on-field sounds from their convenient position behind the linebackers. But when the officials were repositioned for safety reasons, the league needed to preserve its close-to-the-action sound. The easiest solution was to place microphones on offensive linemen. Today, all starting guards or centers now must wear a microphone, and all the once-muted pre-snap chatter has become public knowledge, whether teams like it or not.
Not surprisingly, players say that the best NFL quarterbacks are also the best at disguising what they'll do—be it to a viewer at home or to the defensive linemen five feet away.
"It's kind of a funny thing. I watched the Patriots game the other day. Tom Brady always used to say 'Omaha' and that meant the ball was going to be snapped on 'set-hut.' Now he's saying 'Alpha,'" Dolphins guard Richie Incognito said. "I had a conversation with an offensive line coach the other day. They can hear everything. It's wide open. It's something that I don't like. It's something that I definitely think has changed the game. We're constantly going back over stuff and code words, I don't like other teams being able to hear what we're doing."
The secret language of the quarterback is vital to defense and offense alike. A pass-rusher could gain a massive advantage if he knows when the ball will be snapped, since he can start moving toward the quarterback a split-second faster than usual without jumping offsides. The quarterback, of course, has a much simpler goal: making sure he gets rid of the ball before the oncoming 300-pound behemoth pounds him into the turf. In that scenario, even a half a second is crucial.
Many teams now give their defenders recorded broadcasts, the kind millions watch at home, with the idea that they'll crank up the volume and be able to study an opponent's calls.
As a countermeasure, Incognito readily admits that teams, including the Dolphins, like to toy with opponents who may be over-scouting the broadcasts. Players say that Baltimore's Joe Flacco and Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers are among the best in the league at taking advantage of overeager defenders.
So in this brave new world of openness, a few established stars rule. Daniel Muir, a veteran NFL defensive lineman, estimates that 80% of Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning's calls from the line of scrimmage are made up.
And though Manning was the master of the audible before the rule change, players say it has taken on a new importance.
"He'll bluff you just to do it because he knows he can," Muir said. "He's holding up two fingers. He's calling out all these colors, 'purple, blue.' The only time it's funny is when you see someone on TV jump [offsides] and you say, 'Ah, idiot,' but the fact of the matter is that you get out there on Sunday and it could happen to you and they'll be at home laughing at you."
Jets backup quarterback Greg McElroy, who acknowledged that being a modern-day NFL quarterback is akin to an acting gig, said there are also unwritten limits to what quarterbacks can say now that the whole world can hear everything. McElroy said that in high school in Texas and at the University of Alabama, away from live microphones, some of his snap counts "really got weird. We'd come up with some pretty insane stuff, mostly inside jokes."
Write to Kevin Clark at email@example.com


text:
product description
Related Products:
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3. Single Grit Waterstones
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Sharpening Stones
Sharpening and Maintenance Items
Maker: Misc Makers (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 88033
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***Item weight: 43.30 oz.Size: Approx. 205mm x 75mm x 40mm
Description: This exceptional Honyama polish stone was mined prior to WW2. It is a large stone - approx. 205mmx75mmx40mm (8.1in.x3in.x1.6in.). Stones of this size and quality were always rare. Today, these stones are unheard of. This ecru toned natural polish stone will leave a beautiful mist and haze finish and is perfect final polish stone. With a little practice you will be amazed at how sharp you can hone your fine blade. You can use it with or without slurry and it will give fantastic results.
This stone was quarried in the mountains north of Kyoto. These stones are very fast cutting and provide an exceptional polish. This stone has some very minimal surface scratching that is easily made up for by the homogenous grit of the stone.
Despite the excellent performance of synthetic stones, many experienced sharpeners still prefer natural stones for sharpening their finest blades. Natural stones can bring out a blade�s full potential and allow the sharpening process itself to become a pleasant ritual. The finest stones from the Honyama quarries around mount Atago in the Kyoto area are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Natural Japanese stones are soaked in water prior to use but should not be stored in water like some synthetic stones. Following best practices, the sides of this stone have been lacquered. This aids the stone to keep structural strength while soaking. Natural stones have slight natural imperfections and may vary somewhat in size. You will find that different parts of the stone can work steel differently. Through experience with a stone, you find what might be considered a sweet spot.
Availability: Not currently available


text:
Massachusetts Deaths (FamilySearch Historical Records)
|This article describes a collection of historical records available at FamilySearch.org.
Access the records: Massachusetts, Deaths, 1841-1915 .
- 1 Record Description
- 2 Record Content
- 3 How to Use the Records
- 4 Known Issues with This Collection
- 5 Related Websites
- 6 Related Wiki Articles
- 7 Contributions to This Article
- 8 Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
Record Description
This Collection will include records from 1841 to 1915.
The earlier records were recorded by hand in a register style format. In the early 1900's, individual death certificates came into use.
Starting in 1841, the state required that a copy of each death recorded in a town or city be sent to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Since 1896, the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics has been the repository for the copies. Population coverage is near 100% for later years. Coverage is not as complete for some earlier years.
Deaths were recorded to serve public health needs. They were also used to probate wills and administer the deceased individual's estate.
Death information is generally reliable for the place and date of death of the deceased. Other information will only be as reliable as the informant's knowledge or memory.
Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Records collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.
- "Massachusetts, Deaths, 1841-1915." Index or Images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : accessed 2013. Citing Secretary of State. State Archives, Boston.
Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.
Record Content
Key genealogical facts found in Massachusetts Statewide Deaths are:
- Town and year where death recorded
- Full name and age of deceased
- Death date and place of death
- Gender, marital status and occupation
- Date and place of birth
- Parents' names
- Cause of death
- Place and date of burial
- Name of informant (sometimes shows a relationship to deceased)
- Name of the funeral home or director
How to Use the Records
Conduct a search to locate the indexed entry for your ancestor in the death records.
When searching, it is helpful to know the following:
- The place where the death occurred
- The name of the person at the time of death
- The approximate death date
After selecting an entry from search results, view the corresponding image to confirm the accuracy of the transcription. Compare the information in the death record to what you already know about your ancestor to determine if this is the correct person. You may need to compare the information of more than one person to make this determination.
When you have located your ancestor's death record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family.
For example:
- Use the birth date or age along with the place of birth to find or verify their birth records and parents' names.
- Use the birth date or age along with the place of birth to find the family in census records.
- Use the residence and names of the parents (if the deceased is a child) to locate church and land records.
- Occupations listed can lead you to other types of records such as employment or military records.
- Use the parents' birth places to find former residences and to establish a migration pattern for the family.
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Honda CR-V 1.6 I-Dtec Se Plus 5Dr 2Wd Diesel Estate
17/17 Reg | 8,039 miles | Diesel | Crystal black - Pearl | Manual
03300 96 64 50
Book a Test Drive | Request a Callback
Save | Compare
Insurance groups range from 1 to 50 and dictates the cost of the vehicles insurance. The higher the group, the higher the insurance will be for the vehicle.
Insurance Group
BHP rates the engine performance of vehicles and stands for the brake horsepower.
Performance (BHP)
CO2 is the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the vehicle in grams per kilometre travelled, the lower the CO2 emissions the cleaner the vehicle is for the environment.
CO2 (g/km)
The total number of seats in the vehicle.
Number Of Seats
Road Tax is based upon the CO2 emissions of the vehicle and is split into 13 bands from A to M. The higher the letter the greater the cost of tax paid to drive the vehicle on public roads. In addition to the road tax detailed below, any vehicle that had a manufacturers retail price in excess of �40,000 when first sold, attracts a road tax supplement of an additional �310 per year. This is charged until the vehicle is 6 years old.
Road Tax
"This great value FULL HONDA SERVICE HISTORY! CR-V SE Plus finished in Crystal Black Pearl comes complete with BLUETOOTH, CLIMATE AIR CONDITIONING and Parking Sensors to compliment its stunning looks, low running costs and remainder of the 3 year Honda Warranty and 5 star AA Breakdown Package! Call today to arrange a test drive!"
Kevin Orridge, General Manager
Honda Doncaster
- Climate Control
- Alloy Wheels
- Bluetooth
- Parking Sensors
- Low Mileage
- 1 Owner
- Full Service History
|Body Glass
|Rain sensor
|Rear wiper
|Privacy glass
|Electric front windows/one touch facility
|Electric rear windows + one touch facility
|Brake assist
|Hill start assist
|Trailer stability assist
|Vehicle stability assist
|Bluetooth hands free telephone connection
|Driver Aids
|Cruise control
|Electric power steering
|Rear view camera
|Speed limiter
|Front and rear parking sensors
|Driver Information
|Service interval indicator
|Intelligent multi info display
|Connect with 7" touchscreen, Digital Radio, Mp3, Aha app integration, internet browsing
|Driving Mirrors
|Auto dimming rear view mirror
|Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors
|Door mirrors tilt when reversing
|Electrically retractable door mirrors
|Aspheric door mirrors
|Embellishment Trims
|Brushed alloy inlays
|6 speakers
|Steering wheel mounted controls
|USB/iPod connection
|Exterior Body Features
|Body colour door handles
|Body colour bumpers
|Silver roof rails
|Chrome rear garnish
|Shark fin roof aerial
|Exterior Lights
|Front fog lights
|Daytime running lights
|Welcome home function
|Automatic headlights with dusk sensor
|Rear air vents
|Dual zone automatic climate control
|Interior Features
|Front centre armrest
|Rear centre armrest
|Tonneau cover
|Illuminated glovebox
|Accessory sockets
|Chrome interior door handles
|Cargo hooks
|Leather steering wheel and gear knob
|Tilt/telescopic adjust steering wheel
|Sunglasses holder
|Rear seat conversation mirror
|Interior Lights
|Courtesy lights
|Front map lights
|Boot light
|Illuminated ignition switch
|Ambient interior lighting
|Front side airbags
|Seatbelt warning
|Passenger airbag deactivate switch
|Front and rear curtain airbags
|Dual front SRS airbags
|5 x 3 point seatbelts
|Anti-whiplash front headrests
|Deflation detection system
|City safety braking system
|Rear headrests
|Height adjustable driver's seat
|Driver's electric adjustable lumbar support
|Isofix child seat preparation
|Front seatback pocket
|60/40 split folding rear seat
|Security alarm
|Honda super locks
|Remote central locking with 2 remote folding keys
|Vanity Mirrors
|Driver/passenger sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors
|Wheels - Spare
|Temporary spare wheel
The specification listed for this vehicle was standard when purchased new. The actual specification may vary, for confirmation, please contact our sales department.
Ten Second Review
A Honda SUV with a small and efficient diesel engine? It doesn't seem the likeliest thing but here it is; the CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC. The fourth generation CR-V is proving popular with British buyers and a lightweight diesel that can emit as little as 115g/km could prove even more popular still. There's now the option of a pokier 160PS unit with AWD too.
Let's face it, diesel was a dirty word for a long time at Honda. Initially, the brand was convinced that variable valve timing and petrol engines were a combination that was too good to ignore. But people still wanted the economy of diesel, especially those looking at the company's compact SUV CR-V 'soft-roader'. Rather grudgingly, the Japanese maker inserted a 2.2-litre diesel into this model's line-up, but this engine was never clean, economical or refined enough to really cut the mustard. It's only in recent years that Honda has belatedly got with the program. Still, this being Honda, when the corporate brain power is put to work in a committed fashion, the results can be very special indeed. We saw the results of this thinking shortly after the current fourth generation CR-V arrived on the market with the introduction of the 1.6-litre i-DTEC unit in 120PS form for CR-V buyers. It was - and still is - perfect for this car, clean, economical and with just the right power and torque figures. Unfortunately though, you couldn't have it with the auto gearbox and 4WD options that many customers wanted, these at the launch of the MK model still provided by the thirsty, dirty old 2.2-litre i-DTEC unit. When the time came to substantially improve this generation CR-V in early 2015, Honda moved o rectify this oversight. Out went the older engine and in its place, for buyers needing all-wheel traction and the option of a self-shifter, came the option of a pokier 160PS version of the 1.6 i-DTEC unit. So, there's a straight choice now if you want to fuel this car from the black pump: 120PS and 2WD. Or 160PS and 4WD. How does it all stack up? Let's find out.
Driving Experience
If you've got a nagging feeling of deja vu about the 120PS version of this engine, it's because it's already available plugged into the front of a Civic and very good it is too. True, the output doesn't sound a lot to move such a sizeable vehicle but perhaps more relevant is a torque figure of 300Nm which should be more than adequate to get the job done. This entry-level diesel comes only with 2WD in this car and makes 62mph from rest in 11.2s en route to 113mph. You can't have an automatic gearbox at this level. Previously, that 120PS i-DTEC 1.6 powerplant slotted into the CR-V range below a more powerful 2.2-litre 150PS diesel unit that was set aside for 4WD variants. That bigger engine though, simply couldn't pull its weight when it came to efficiency, so Honda has replaced it with a 160PS version of the 1.6 we're looking at here. This pokier unit comes only with 4WD and a decent slug of pulling power - 350NM of torque. There's also an auto transmission option. On the move, one of the most impressive things about all diesel CR-V models is the refinement you get, with great care having been taken to achieve a significant reduction in the engine and road noise entering the cabin.
Design and Build
The changes to this improved MK4 model could best be described as a facelift, although Honda has gone further than the usual grille, bumpers and lights. Having said that, this enhanced CR-V does have a revised front grille, smarter bumpers and sleeker lights, the latter featuring LED daytime running lamps. At the rear, the LED combination lamps have been restyled. There are revised 17 and 18-inch alloy wheels designs on offer as well. The cabin has been tweaked courtesy of a reshaped chrome-effect inlay running the width of the dashboard, and through the use of higher quality materials on key surfaces. The dashboard has been redesigned to allow better visibility and access to the seven-inch touchscreen displaying the Honda Connect system. This CR-V also features a one action fold down rear seat system, with the rear seats featuring a 60/40 split function. With the seats in place you get an excellent 589-litres of luggage space which transforms to 1,648-litres with the seats folded. The load length is up to 1,570 mm, allowing the CR-V to easily swallow two adult mountain bikes (without having to remove the front wheels) or four sets of golf clubs.
Market and Model
There are two main options for CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC diesel buyers - a 120PS powerplant mated to 2WD - that's the one most will choose. Or, for a £2,000 model-for-model premium, a pokier 160PS unit mated to 4WD. The lower-powered variant looks much cheaper because it alone can be ordered with entry-level 'S' trim. Otherwise with both engines, buyers select between 'SE', 'SR' or 'EX' trim levels. At 'SE' grade, you can specify satellite navigation for around £1,200 more if you want it. Otherwise, further up the trim hierarchy, sat nav comes included. As before, you'll pay a premium of around £1,000 to own a diesel CR-V rather than the equivalent 2.0-litre petrol version. Prices for this 1.6-litre diesel variant have been kept quite competitive, starting at around £23,500 for the 120PS 2WD model in base 'S' trim. This variant is reasonably well equipped, featuring an Intelligent 'i-MID' Multi Info Display, power lumbar support for the driver's seat, Dual Zone Climate Control, cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels, steering wheel stereo controls, power windows and heated power mirrors, plus daytime running lights, an alarm and immobiliser, USB and iPod auxiliary inputs and one touch folding rear seats. You also get a CD tuner and 4 speaker stereo, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), a anti-lock braking system, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Brake Assist, Trailer Stability Assist and Hill Start assist to stop you from drifting backwards on uphill junctions.
Cost of Ownership
Let's start with the 120PS 2WD version of this 1.6 i-DTEC CR-V - the one most will probably want. This manages 62.8mpg on the combined cycle and 119g/km of CO2 thanks to standard features like Idle Stop technology that cuts the engine when you don't need it, stuck in traffic or waiting at the lights. The driver can also do their part thanks to Honda's ECON mode (which helps to minimise fuel consumption) and the Eco Assist system (which advises drivers on how their driving style is impacting on fuel economy). Now let's move further up the range. Getting rid of the old 2.2-litre diesel engine has made 4WD versions of this car look much more efficient. The 160PS 1.6 i-DTEC unit that you'll now find in your CR-V manages 51.4mpg on the combined cycle and 129g/km of CO2 - which is a big improvement of the 153g/km figure that the old 2.2 managed. The fuel economy gives the car a range of around 800 miles on a single tank, while the CO2 figure enables this CR-V to qualify for £0 road tax in year one of ownership, then just £30 a year thereafter. Residual values look set to stack up very well if the last CR-V was anything to go by.
Rain sensor, ABS/EBD, Vehicle stability assist, Bluetooth hands free telephone connection, Cruise control, Service interval indicator, Auto dimming rear view mirror, Brushed alloy inlays, 6 speakers, Body colour door handles...
|0 to 60 mph (secs)
|0 to 62 mph (secs)
|Engine Power - BHP
|Engine Power - KW
|Engine Power - PS
|Engine Power - RPM
|Engine Torque - LBS.FT
|Engine Torque - MKG
|Engine Torque - NM
|Engine Torque - RPM
|Top Speed
|Emissions - ICE
|CO2 (g/km)
|115 (g/km)
|Noise Level dB(A)
|Standard Euro Emissions
|Fuel Consumption - ICE
|EC Combined (mpg)
|EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies
|EC Extra Urban (mpg)
|EC Urban (mpg)
Cash Price
The Cash Price is the �On the road price� that the Dealership offers the vehicle at the point of sale. This is derived from any Manufacturer or Dealer savings from the Recommended Retail Price listed by the Manufacturer.
With thousands of models available we can offer you a competitive cash price quotation against any of our vehicles.
Our deals and offers change on a daily basis so please contact us for most up to date cash price.
PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) a simple cost effective way to buy your new or nearly new
You choose the car, the deposit, how long you want the contract to run for and the mileage you intend to do. You will then receive a quote for fixed cost motoring for the length of the contract. At the end of the contract you have a choice to either buy the car outright for an agreed lump sum (the GFV or final balloon payment), or hand the vehicle back to the lender.
Hire Purchase allows you to take ownership of a car once all payments are made.
This is one of the most popular methods to buy a new vehicle. You pay an initial deposit, then pay off the balance in monthly payments over an agreed period of time, when the payments are complete the car is yours.
One of the main benefits with Hire Purchase is the ability to buy a high value vehicle on
monthly payments.
Hire Purchase allows you to tailor your finance package as deposit, length of time and monthly payments are all flexible.
Personal contract hire is very similar to normal contract hire, but is exclusively for
private individuals. This
is one of the most common form of leasing.
With a personal contract hire agreement you take control of a car for a contractual period � usually referred to as the �lease period�. You will make fixed monthly payments for the duration of the contract � when the contract expires you will simply return the car and take out a new personal contract hire lease. PCH means you never have to worry about resale values of your car.
Need Car Finance? We Can Help!
Our sister company Car Credit Assured is a completely free of charge service offering support and advice to anyone looking for car finance. In partnership with a panel of over 20 lenders we can offer car loans at extremely competitive prices. We are not a broker, as a motor retailer we simply want to ensure you have the correct support when purchasing your vehicle. Whatever your credit profile we can help you find a vehicle with the correct finance product based on your individual circumstances.
Visit our dedicated website Car Credit Assured to apply or for further information.
Opening times: 8.45am-9pm Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm Saturday & 10am-5pm Sunday
Terms & Conditions: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information shown. However, errors do sometimes occur. The specification of each vehicle listed on the Bristol Street Motors website is provided by "CAP". Please note that the Images of each vehicle are range shots, these can include images which do not reflect the precise details of the vehicle you are looking at and are purely used for illustrative purposes. The inclusion of such data does not imply any endorsement of any of its content nor any representation as to its accuracy.


text:
As mentioned last week, a plethora of Linux power tests are on the way now that we have found an AC power meter with USB interface that works under Linux and we've been able to integrate nicely into the Phoronix Test Suite and its sensor monitoring framework. In this article is one of the first tests that have been completed using this power-measuring device as we monitored the Linux kernel power consumption for an old Intel Pentium 4 and ATI Radeon 9200 system for the past several kernel releases. Even this very old desktop system looks to be affected by the kernel power problems.
Read more at Phoronix


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There is quite a bit of news to report on this morning for everyone interested in the story of Rinzai-ji and the allegations of sexual misconduct that have emerged against Joshu Sasaki. First, I'd like to point everyone to the report released by the independent Witness Council for the Rinzai-ji Community that was released to the Sasaki Archive very early this morning. It has four parts to it, which I will link to here below.
Independent Witness Council for the Rinzai-ji Community Report
1. On Authority
2. Council Outline
3. Summary Findings
4. Redacted Index
The Osho Council of Rinzai-ji has also released a public statement of apology today, an encouraging sign. You can find a copy of this here. It is dated January 11, 2013.
Open letter to our fellow practitioners and the American Buddhist community
Recently there has been the allegation of long-term sexual misconduct by Joshu Sasaki Roshi, as well as the inability on the part of the senior practitioners to appropriately address the problem.
Sadly, we cannot deny these accusations. This issue has been a sore on the body of our Sangha for decades, and we are eager and relieved to finally open it to the light of day.
The Rinzai-ji community of practitioners has struggled with our teacher Joshu Sasaki Roshi's sexual misconduct for a significant portion of his career in the United States. Senior members of our community have made several earnest and serious attempts over the years to correct this problem. Ultimately, these attempts failed. Our hearts were not firm enough, our minds were not clear enough, and our practices were not strong enough so that we might persist until the problem was resolved. We fully acknowledge now, without any reservation, and with the heaviest of hearts, that because of our failure to address our teacher's sexual misconduct, women and also men have been hurt, women and men who trusted us with their Zen practices, and whose trust we failed to honor in a fundamental way.
Joshu Sasaki Roshi is no longer teaching. Senior members of our organization have been busy the past year crafting a document that outlines how our community will move forward without him. A key portion of this document is being dedicated to an ethics policy to ensure that the kind of misconduct that we failed to address properly in the past will not occur again—and will be dealt with properly and swiftly if it does. Although we sincerely believe that Sasaki Roshi's teachings have helped a great number of people, and we are profoundly grateful that he brought us this deep and meaningful tradition, clearly we have been doing something fundamentally wrong if harmful behavior could continue for so many years.
It is our deepest and sincerest intention that in directly addressing the issue here, we can begin to contribute in some small way to the larger discussion in American Buddhism about how to manifest the dharma without deceit, dysfunction, unhealthy power imbalances, inappropriate sexual relationships, and, ultimately, the heartbreak that results from all of the above.
Most importantly this means reaching out to those who have suffered from this problem, and doing everything we possibly can to help them heal. As the first step on a long road, we are forming a Bearing Witness Council that will confidentially receive the stories of the women who are hurting, and work with them to move toward healing. (Information about this will be available soon on this site)
Furthermore, as practitioners tasked with teaching the dharma, we must take a look at ourselves, and the way we relate to each other, and at the question of power in our community, with fresh and unyielding eyes. It is our profound and immediate responsibility to make sure that this problem never happens again in our community. Our job now is to face our failures with humility and a firm commitment to change, and as a start, we bow our heads low in apology and ask for the forgiveness of those whom we have hurt over the years through our neglect.
Nine bows,
The Osho Council of Rinzai-ji


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The Rev. Dr. Homer T. Rickabaugh, 80, a distinguished alumnus of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary who also served on the seminary's Alum Board of Directors, died at his home in Statesville, NC on Dec. 28.
A pastor, educator and missionary, Rickabaugh, was born in Wilmington, DE, and raised in Montoursville, PA. A graduate of Maryville College (TN), Rickabaugh graduated from Louisville Seminary in 1957 (MDiv) with a Fielding Lewis Walker Fellowship in Doctrinal Theology. He was ordained by Northumberland Presbytery that same year and took his first call to mission service in South Korea, where he taught at the Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Seoul from 1957-1960 and again from 1961-1979.
"I knew Homer as a colleague through the Presbyterian Church (USA) and before that as a missionary in Korea," said Cliff Kirkpatrick, Visiting Professor of Ecumenical Studies and Global Ministries at Louisville Seminary. "He was a gentle spirit who made a great contribution to the church's world mission and to the church here in the United States."
Between his mission service in South Korea, Rickabaugh completed a Master of Theology (1962) at Union Theological Seminary (VA), where he met and married Natalie Rose Abbott, who survives him.
Upon their return to the United States in 1979, Rickabaugh served as missionary-in-residence at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. He later served pastorates in Raeford and Morganton, NC. He earned a Doctor of Ministry degree in 1981 from San Francisco Seminary.
In 1987 Rickabaugh joined the PC(USA) national staff, where he was consultant and coordinator for more than 100 partnerships between Presbyterian churches in the United States and their partner churches around the world until his retirement in the late 1990s.
In retirement, he stayed active in the Association of Presbyterians for Cross-Cultural Mission and in congregations in Louisville and Statesville. In 2003, he was named a distinguished alumnus by Louisville Seminary. He began serving on the Seminary's Alum Board in 2011.
In addition to his wife, Rickabaugh is survived by three children: Beth Rickabaugh Setzer, Dr. John Clyde Rickabaugh and Judy Rickabaugh Candler; and five grandchildren—Mark Ryan Rickabaugh, John Parker Rickabaugh, Sara Margaret Setzer, Rachel Caroline Setzer, and Andrew Davis Setzer.
Memorial gifts may made to the World Mission Division of the PC(USA), 100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202-1396; Iredell Christian Ministries, 322 East Front St., Statesville, NC 28677; or First Presbyterian Church, 125 North Meeting St., Statesville, NC 28677.


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A police officer has been taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries after a stolen car rammed his motorbike near the Gold Coast.
The car had been pulled over on the Pacific Motorway, but the driver allegedly reversed the vehicle into the motorcycle, forcing the officer to take evasive action, before driving off.
It's believed the vehicle had earlier been stolen from a house at Surfers Paradise about 6am (AEST) on Saturday.
Police stopped the vehicle a second time shortly after the incident and a 32-year-old woman is being questioned over the incident.


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December 06, 2009
Juan L. Rayces, an OSA Fellow Emeritus known for his contributions to lens design, died December 6, 2009, in Tucson, AZ. He was 91.
In a 2003 interview , Mr. Rayces said his lifelong fascination with optics began in high school when he borrowed his big brother's physics textbook and a lens from his mother's discarded spectacles in order to build a few simple optical instruments. After high school he attended the Naval School, Rio Santiago, Argentina, and was commissioned in 1940. While in the Navy, he was first transferred to the Optics Facility at the Naval Base and then enrolled in the Technical Optics Course under Professor Louis Martin (successor to A. E. Conrady) at Imperial College in London. He retired from the Navy in 1948 and took a position at the La Plata Observatory. He immigrated to the United States in 1951.
Rayces' distinguished career included nearly 24 years of service at Perkin-Elmer, where he developed innovative lens design software, more than 25 years as an independent optical consultant to clients worldwide, and the creation of the lens design program, Eikonal. He was also involved with space applications, including an "upside-down" periscope he designed for the Mercury capsule. Mr. Rayces contributed to the simulation of Hubble's primary mirror error and the design of the NIMS Spectrometer on the Galileo Saturn mission. Today, OSC students learning lens design use the Rayces' zero-index trick to model null correctors for astronomical applications.
An OSA member since 1953, Rayces was elevated to the rank of Fellow in 1995.
Juan Rayces' list of honors and awards include SPIE's 2004 A.E. Conrady Award in recognition of his innovative contributions to design, construction, and testing of optical systems and instrumentation, and for lifetime dedication to the art and science of optical design.
Mr. Rayces was very generous with his optical design knowledge. After retirement, he continued to work as a consultant while mentoring and helping students and professionals in the United States and around the world. His enthusiasm and love for optics remained with him until five days before he died.
He is survived by his wife, Maria-Ines, two daughters and several grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in Tucson on Saturday, April 17 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.


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Of all the positions the Mets needed help at – save pitching – they probably could have used a first rate catcher more than anything else.
They didn't get Bengie Molina, but were wise not to cave on the three years. But when the smoke cleared, surely they could have matched the offer Molina signed for. Rod Barajas is still out there, but is he really an upgrade over Henry Blanco and Omir Santos? Probably not.
Perhaps more than any other position, catching was the thinnest in the free agent market this winter.
It looks like it will be a Blanco-Santos platoon, which is hardly inspiring. Then again, there was always bringing back Brian Schneider, he wrote sarcastically.