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|2011-03-20, 12:00
|Link #242
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: forever lost inside a logic error
That's what pisses me off. If it wasn't important why he made the readers think about that for four long years?
He made use speculate about the mystery, he enforced us to do so over and over, he even used Featherine as a way to berate those who don't try to reason.
Whodunnit, howdunnit, whydunnit. These concepts were repeated ad nauseam! And he never planned to reveal them in the end, or rather he wanted us to think about those and speculate about those until our head would blow just to tell us in the end that "it isn't that important".
Ah, yes it was his "grand plan", but I don't really feel like thanking him for toying with me and wasting my time.
It would have been better if Umineko was openly stated to be some artistic work or pure entertaining instead of a "game".
I just can't believe that Malkuth was right all along, there was the whole forum against him and now people are just saying what he was saying one and a half year ago.
Did you completely forget him?
Here, please read, it's tragically funny how prophetic was what he wrote, and how funny how he was the first to mention David Lynch when no one didn't even consider the chance that Umineko would follow that style and now everyone is doing the same.
And how pathetic the people that tried to defend the series (me included) look now.
|2011-03-20, 12:08
|Link #243
Join Date: May 2009
|2011-03-20, 12:44
|Link #244
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
I'm honestly finding that hilarious.
|2011-03-20, 13:00
|Link #245
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Renall called the amnesia bit, but i don't think the reaction was very vehement.
Wow, that Malkuth buy called EVERYTHING. And the responses of that 1983 guy are truly precious, in hindsight. Thanks for that, Jan-Poo.
Last edited by Chron; 2011-03-20 at 13:20.
|2011-03-20, 14:14
|Link #246
Slashy Slashy!
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: USA
Age: 29
The culprit really is not important. By not revealing it, Ryukishi says "Blaming someone was not the point of my work, and I don't want anyone to think that it ever was." He wrote a story about compassion and tolerance, not assigning blame. That's what the story has been about since EP4 onward. Sometimes it is better to leave the truth unknown.
And really, sometimes in real life, there is no way to find the truth. There is such a thing as a perfect crime, which no detective (no matter how brilliant) could solve. That's the break between mystery novels and reality, and why, in the end, mystery novels aren't any more true to life than fantasy novels. Real life detectives have to try to solve crimes without any guarantee that their crimes are even solvable. But they still do it, they don't give up because it might be impossible.
Take the solution away from an Ellery Queen novel, and what are you left with? Why, nothing much. A short novel with mostly uninteresting characters, who have a habit of dying in unusual ways. It doesn't say anything about life, or the human condition. Now take the solution away from Umineko (or rather, leave it as it is), and what do you have? Quite a lot! We have wonderful characters who we've seen grow and develop. We have a few very good themes. We have some interesting insights into the mystery and fantasy genres. In short, even without a solution, Umineko still works, it still has something (in my opinion, it is even more powerful without a solution). This, mes amis, is why Umineko is art.
I think if your main concern is about finding the "true culprit", then you've missed the point of Umineko rather badly. But what do I know, I'm just a silly armchair philosopher.
|2011-03-20, 14:15
|Link #247
The True Culprit
|2011-03-20, 14:34
|Link #248
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: forever lost inside a logic error
Unfortunately unless you can prove that this has always be your idea I can't shake the feeling that you're just defending this position because that's what Ryuukishi did.
I had a hell of a hard time just trying to make people accept that Rokkenjima was affected by a large scale disaster, because "it wouldn't be a mystery if there wasn't a clear crime scene" and now people show up saying that finding the culprit has never been important.
Give me a break...
|2011-03-20, 14:43
|Link #249
Slashy Slashy!
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: USA
Age: 29
But just because I haven't been right all along doesn't mean my opinion doesn't hold water. I'm not trying to say "Look how superior I am! I've been right this whole time, and you've all been on a wild goose chase!" That's not the case at all, I've done my fair share of goose hunting.
What I'm asking you to do is to step back and maybe see that maybe the culprit is not what is the most important thing to take from Umineko. Maybe it is instead the lessons about love, and tolerance, and forgiveness? Maybe the goose chase was just an excuse to show us something far more beautiful than any old goose could be?
And now I am getting sappy, hmph.
|2011-03-20, 14:48
|Link #250
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Overall, I'd say Ryukishi was trying to make a "whydunnit". We didn't know what happened. We didn't have any alibis for anyone. All we have is the motives, characters and situations of everyone on the island that day. As such... you can only work out who the killer is if you understand their heart.
Whether or not you think this was successful is up to you.
In the 3rd episode onwards, it's written by amnesiac Battler. As far as I know he's going based on scraps of what he remembers and the stories by Beatrice. Therefore, once again... he'll focus on the people who matter.
|2011-03-20, 14:57
|Link #251
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Sure he might have made some people care about it, but let's be frank. He has certain types of fans(not saying you are one of them) who will blindly follow what he says.
"Forgive mass murderers because hey we all make mistakes! Forgive your raping father that raped your mother that was his daughter, because hey we all make mistakes! Forgive me for being a bad writer! It's perfectly fine to use escapism to love three different people at once while tricking them!"
To me, this quote from the Kayne west article describes Umineko's approach to most themes very appropriately.
|2011-03-20, 15:11
|Link #252
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
...If you actually were in Ange's position, I don't think it'd be an entirely bad thing to put it to the back of your mind and move on with your life. It doesn't mean you've forgiven the criminal or Kinzo... you're just using "magic" so that your life isn't destroyed even more than it needs to be.
|2011-03-20, 15:14
|Link #253
The True Culprit
I still like my theory that Battler was bullshitting because giving someone information they can't possess through non-magical means is impossible, so he decided to just make her feel better.
|2011-03-20, 15:16
|Link #254
Slashy Slashy!
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: USA
Age: 29
That, in my opinion, is far better, and far more beautiful than having Lion kill Kinzo for his crimes, or portraying Beatrice exclusively as a killer, rather than as a victim herself.
|2011-03-20, 15:20
|Link #255
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
He lead us on a several year wild goose chase for the sake of making his ham-handed point about truth (which is stupid in this medium, and insulting in how he went about it), and that's the truth of the matter. He knows what his audience is, its common knowledge that he pays attention to his fanbase, so there really can't be any way to explain his intent other than that.
Ryuukishi thinks he's better than the mystery genre, than his readers, than the need for proofreading. What else is that other than hubris? Especially since he's mistaken on all there counts.
You're arguing that ryuukishi's a genius. I'm saying he's just mediocre, so tell me something: Where's the genius in Umineko? I don't see it. I see no reason to be impressed with what ryuukishi has done here.
|2011-03-20, 15:25
|Link #256
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: forever lost inside a logic error
I did not if there's one that has the right to say those words it's me, and it ticks me off that now people make such kind of claims after the facts.
But you recognize that you've been looking for a culprit in the beginning, and you know that everyone did the same. So you should choose your words differently else it looks like you are claiming that practically everyone missed the point completely.
Now you changed your mind? Why you say it only now? Give me something to shake this feeling that you just changed your mind because "God" has spoken.
How can I forgive someone without even knowing who is the sinner and what's the sin?
Ah! I'm ready to forgive anyone anytime, as long as they show their face and they show regret for their actions and the will to take responsibility.
I see nothing of that. Talking about forgiveness at these conditions is unacceptable.
|2011-03-20, 15:42
|Link #257
Senior Member
Ordeal by Innocence (Christie) probably showed your point better.
|2011-03-20, 15:42
|Link #258
Mystery buff
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Gone Fishin!
He clearly like to come up with deep themes for his stories, and that's not the worst thing in the world. It's just the vector he chose to deliver Umineko's message is a weird way to do it.
|2011-03-20, 15:43
|Link #259
Slashy Slashy!
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: USA
Age: 29
Later on, you are supposed to realize that there is no evil witch to combat, just a sad, mentally deranged girl, and that cruelly seeking the truth regardless of its consequences is actually not a good thing.
So if you're still trying to find the culprit, then you have missed the point of Umineko entirely. It's not about blaming someone, it's about understanding someone.
You insinuate that I am a mindless Ryukishi-fan who would worship Umineko regardless of its actual content? I say that I would not; there were many things about Umineko which I did not like (the beginning of EP2, the magic battles in EP3, the love trial in EP6).
But if you demand proof that I actually have a brain, well... I cannot prove that to you, I'm sorry. Feel free to ignore me if you find my opinions so worthless.
|2011-03-20, 15:47
|Link #260
Join Date: May 2009
And if anyone "thinks that it ever was" important, it's because Ryukishi himself MADE IT IMPORTANT. People did not pluck this idea idiotically out of thin air. It's important because he created the impression that an injustice may have been done. It is evil to say "eh, but if it was, it doesn't matter to Ange so it doesn't matter to anyone."
Gohda's Mom Problem. Stop giving a bad resolution a pass because you don't care.
"Well some things are unknowable!"
Okay, then evil won in Umineko. Evil. Won. And nobody cares because Beatrice and Battler were too selfish, because Eva was too selfish, because Ange was too selfish. Because no one actually cares about anyone but themselves. You ever notice how selfish and possessive so much of the "love" in Umineko is? Hell, Yasu's love for Battler seems almost hopelessly selfish. The only person who loved unconditionally was Maria and we all see where that got her.
So yeah, I can't condemn the culprit, but I guess I can condemn all the protagonists. They're terrible, terrible people. They are indirect agents of the culprit (presuming, again, there was one, and if there wasn't that should be known) and they ensured his or her victory.
There's your precious "moral." Money and greed blind a person to the truth. Love blinds people just as hard. That may not be what he's saying directly, but that's what the text actually shows: Love and truth are in direct opposition in Ryukishi's mind.
What a deplorable state of affairs.
|Thread Tools


text:
Publix SuperMarkets Inc. has come up with a new way for shoppers to save money.
The Coupon Savings Helper, an online program that launched in late April, matches coupons from money saving websites like SmartSource and Red Plum automatically with the weekly Publix circular ad that are issued in print every Sunday.
"All shoppers have to do is log in (at publix.com/coupon/CouponHelper) and type in which stores they use in their hometown, and the Publix website will do the rest," said Brian West, Publix spokesman.
Shoppers can select the sales items or coupons that interest them from any three sources and print it as one easily organized shopping list.
The Lakeland-based grocer has made aggressive steps to improve online programs in the last year. Publix launched a digital coupon-clipping program in late 2012, which is now available at stores nationwide. The grocer also debuted an online deli sandwich ordering program, where shoppers can order their favorite sub sandwich online and pick it up in stores without the wait last year.
Publix's Twitter account went live in February after a long period of inactivity. The company created a new sub sandwich in January through a Facebook campaign that encouraged shoppers to design their favorite sub.
Photo by Dan Wagner, Herald-Tribune staff.
For more shopping news in Southwest Florida, follow reporter Justine Griffin on Twitter and Facebook or email her at email@example.com. Read What's In Store in print on Tuesdays.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
University Policies are formal policies and procedures at the University of South Carolina that have campus-wide or system-wide application.
The University uses a standard policy format and a uniform review and approval process for University Policies to improve communication, promote administrative consistency and efficiency, and ensure compliance with pertinent state and federal laws as well as state and regional accreditation requirements.
University Policy Index
All current University Policies are listed here, organized by subject or policy division, as well as draft policies under review with deadline for comments when applicable.
Faculty Manuals
Links to all Faculty Manuals across the USC system, as well as detailed information about ongoing faculty governance oversight and revision of the USC Columbia Faculty Manual.
Policy Oversight and Approval
Links to the current list of Responsible Officers and Policy Liaisons by administrative division or system campus, a sample policy format, and a flowchart outlining the University Policy approval process.
Links to related publications and resources such as the academic bulletins and department- or campus-specific policies or procedures.


text:
I've had great success scaling-up SQL Server by using large, symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) servers attached to roaring fast SANs through zoned fibre switches. But my colleague, Rich Johnson, a BI Architect with Microsoft Consulting Services, has been whispering in my ear about impressive numbers from his new prototype BI Server, which I call the "SQL Server Microwave."
I don't want to steal Rich's thunder because he describes the prototype in concise and compelling feature article, "Pare Down and Power Up," ( http://www.sqlmag.com/Article/ArticleID/49011/sql_server_49011.html ) in the March issue of SQL Server Magazine. In the article, Rich outlines his design for the database server and storage platform he's been testing. The platform consists of a low-cost, high-performance, 4-way, dual-core x64 server with 32GB of RAM and 64 local SATA disk drives. The platform yields a screaming SQL Server configuration that performs unbelievably--and the hardware costs a fraction of present-day enterprise server and SAN configurations. The article sticks to the facts, describing the speed and performance Rich and his colleagues have seen in their tests so far.
But once you step outside the article's scope and soak in the facts, you'll ask the same question I did: What will this prototype do to the hardware landscape? I call the prototype the "SQL Server Microwave" because it yields dramatically faster performance than conventional methods. Because the prototype can configure as a turn-key, enterprise solution for such a low price, it doesn't have to be as future-proof as the higher-priced servers. It's an appliance; if it breaks or loses novelty, you can simply buy another one because it's cheaper than pouring expensive man-hours and replacement parts into the one you have. This platform will be very popular in development, test, and QA environments in which where it's cost-prohibitive to mirror a production platform's performance or storage capacity.
Nothing is going to happen overnight as a result of Rich's research and testing, but it's the beginning of an interesting ride for the upcoming year. When Amazon starts selling SQL Server Microwaves, you can bet they'll be on backorder right away.


text:
National Cyber Olympiad (NCO)
During 2012-13, the first Round of NCO exam will be held on 20th September, 2012 and 27th September 2012 at participating schools. Schools may choose any one date for conducting the NCO exam.
State level awards function schedule 2011-12:
- Punjab & Chandigarh – 15th April
- Delhi/NCR – 22nd April
- UP/Uttarkhand – 29th April
- Rajasthan – 6th May
- Jharkhand – 20th May
- Kerala – 27th May
- Karnataka – 3rd June
- Tamilnadu / Puducherry – 10th June
- Andhra Pradesh – 17th June
- Gujarat/Daman – 24th June
- Madhaya Pradesh – 1st Julyx
- Maharastra/ Goa – 8th July
- Bihar – 15th July
- West Bengal – 22nd July
- Chhattishgarh – 29th July
- Orissa – 5th August
- Jammu & Kashmir – 5th August
Students of classes 2nd to 12th are eligible to appear for the NCO. There is no other eligibility criteria like minimum marks. The top 500 All-India ranked students of the first round from each class are eligible to appear in the 2nd level online / offline exam.
Participants of NCO are ranked on the basis of marks obtained. Hence, after taking the first level of the test, students can judge themselves academically at four different levels – within the school, at city and state level, and above all at All-India level. Finally students are suitably awarded based on their national ranking. Prizes include medals, books and magazines, cash prizes, computers, laptops, etc.. The prizes for the first 3 toppers of each class are awarded at a grand prize distribution ceremony presided over by an eminent personality.
How to Participate ?
Level 1 : The first level of the test is organized in the respective schools of the participants during the school hours.
(i) The level 1 competition is a written objective-type test of 60 minutes duration comprising 50 objective-type (Multiple Choice) questions for class 2 to class 12.
(ii) The question paper consists of :
(A) Mental Ability, (B) Logical and Analytical Reasoning, (C) Computer and Information Technology
(iii) There are separate question papers for each class.
(iv) The medium of the test is English.
(v) CBSE, ICSE/ISC and State Board syllabus is followed for setting the test papers.
(vi) The exam is conducted during school hours, preferably between 10.00 a.m. and 11a.m.
Level 2 : Online Examination at Reliance webstores Top 500 Students of level 1 qualify for the level 2 from each class. For the level 2, admit card containing all information regarding exam centre, date, timing, etc. is issued to the qualified students through their respective schools.
Registration of Students : The event is open to the students of classes 2 to 12 and registrations are received from the schools in the prescribed pro-forma. Registration sheet for the school / students and the information booklet are posted to the schools all over India.
Minimum of 50 students need to be registered from each school for feasibility reasons. Students should be registered through the schools only. Individual registration by the student is not encouraged.
Fees : A nominal participation fee is charged from each student. Part of it is retained by the school for its expenses as exam centre. Details about the fee / mode of payment etc. are given in the School Registration Forms sent to schools.
NCO Sample Papers
Sample Papers are sent to all the registered schools.
- NCO Sample Paper For Class 2
- NCO Sample Paper For Class 3
- NCO Sample Paper For Class 4
- NCO Sample Paper For Class 5
- NCO Sample Paper For Class 6
- NCO Sample Paper For Class 7
- NCO Sample Paper For Class 8
- NCO Sample Paper For Class 9
- NCO Sample Paper For Class 10
- NCO Sample Paper For Class 11
- NCO Sample Paper For Class 12
The syllabus of the NCO is the Computers and Mathematics syllabus as is prescribed by the CBSE, ICSE or various state boards.
Section – I (Mental ability) : Number system, Introduction to irrational numbers, Algebra, Factorization of polynomials, Ratio and proportion, Linear equations in two variables, Percentage, Profit and loss, Discount, Compound interest, Cost of living index, Sales tax, Banking, Lines and angles, Congruence, Inequalities in a triangle, Concurrent lines in a triangle, Parallelograms, Areas, Construction, Trigonometric ratios, Plane figures, Solids, Polynomials, Quadratic equations.
Section – II (Logical and analytical reasoning) : Problems based on figures, Find odd numeral out, Series completion, Coding-decoding, Mathematical reasoning, Analytical reasoning, Mirror images, Embedded figures, Direction sense test, Cubes and dice.
Section – III (Computer and IT) : Computer system – An overview, Computer software, Communication technology, MS windows ,MS word, MS excel, MS power point.
Section – I (Mental ability) : Linear equations in two variables, Polynomials, Rational expressions, Quadratic equations, Arithmetic progressions (A.P), Installments, Income tax, Similar triangles, Circles, Constructions, Mean, Probability, Pictorial representation of data, Coordinate geometry, Sets, Relations and functions logarithms, Geometrical progressions.
Section – II (logical and analytical reasoning) : Problems based on figures, Find odd numeral out, Series completion, Coding-decoding, Mathematical reasoning, Analytical reasoning, Mirror images, Embedded figures, Direction sense test, Cubes and dice.
Section – III (Computer and IT) : IT basics, Internet, Service available on internet, IT tools, MS access, Hyper text markup language, Html fundamentals, IT applications, Database, Website designing.
Section – I (Mental ability) : Sets, Relations and functions, Mathematical induction, Logarithms, Complex numbers, Linear inequation, Quadratic equation, Sequences and series, Trigonometry, Cartesian system of rectangular coordinates, Straight line and family of straight lines, Circles, Conic section, Permutations and combinations, Binomial theorem, Exponential and logarithmic series, Mathematical logic, Statistics, Introduction to three dimensional geometry, Vectors, Stocks, Shares and debentures, Average and partition values, Index numbers, Matrices and determinants, Limits, Differential calculus.
Section – II (Logical and analytical reasoning) : Verbal and nonverbal reasoning.
Section – III (Computers and IT) : Computer fundamentals, Programming methodology, Introduction to programming in C++, Computer system organization.
NCO Results
Results of both the levels of NCO are declared within 7-8 weeks of the examination. The results are sent to the schools concerned. The results are also made available on www.sofworld.org
Email : [email protected]
Phone Nos : +91- 011-46686000, 09312680857,
Fax – +91-11-26194317
Address : B-8 & 406, Taj Apartment, Ring Road, Adjacent Safdurjung Hospital, New Delhi – 110029
- CBSE Group Mathematical Olympiad (GMO)
- IGNOU-UNESCO Science Olympiad
- Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO)
- International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO)
- International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
- Junior Mathematics Olympiad (JMO)
- Junior Science Olympiad (JSO)
- Junior Science Talent Search (JSTS) Exam
- National Informatics Olympiad (NIO)
- National Science Olympiad (NSO)
- Zonal Informatics Olympiad (ZIO)


text:
The PHP-GTK Community Site has two new posts pointing out two new simple PHP-GTK applications - PHP-GTK SMS and freeFAX.
- GTKSMS allows you to send messages to cellphones (SMS) without needing a phone.
- freeFAX does Fax over IP and is a very small php-gtk2 application to send faxes using an Internet Service Provider fax gateway.
Check out these and more great applications on the applications section of the PHP-GTK Community website.


text:
Join us for the next episode of FGS Radio - My Society, an Internet radio show on Blog talk Radio presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies. The Saturday, March 3d show is "Technology & Marketing Workshop for Genealogy Societies."
This week's host is Thomas MacEntee and he will answer your questions about the latest in technology and marketing for your genealogy society. Call in your questions during the show at +1 (619) 638-8565 or email
your questions ahead of time to email@example.com or join in the helpful online chat room during the show. Afterwards, there'll be a list of resources discussed during the show on the FGS Voice website (http://voice.fgs.org).
The Delaware Genealogical Society, an FGS Member Society, is the featured organization in the weekly Society Spotlight.
Tune in to FGS Radio - My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.
Click this link to set a reminder or to tune in at 2:00 EST, 1:00 CST, Noon MST, and 11:00 PST. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mysociety/2012/03/03/technology-marketing-workshop-for-genealogy-societies
02 March 2012
FGS Radio March 3d: Technology & Marketing
Posted by Paula Stuart-Warren at 11:02 PM
Labels: Federation of Genealogical Societies, FGS, FGS Radio
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text:
Today is the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising in 1943, and the day designated as Holocaust Remembrance Day. Ari Shavit, senior correspondent and editorial board member of Haaretz newspaper has some important reflections on how that remembrance is used and misused.
We are being torn between those who mention Auschwitz so that Israel will be deemed innocent in every situation, and those who distance themselves from Auschwitz so that Israel will always be guilty. As a nation, we have lost the ability to experience the Holocaust both as a universal event with humanitarian significance and as a unique event with Jewish and Israeli significance. …
It is our duty not to speak harshly and not to exploit it. The Holocaust was a terrifying event of insanity. The true imperative to be derived from the Holocaust is the imperative of sanity. Not to be enslaved to the past but also not to be alienated from it. To observe death, and to remember death - and to choose life.
In a world that seems dominated by death – from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria; to South Sudan and the Congo; this day should allow us to reflect on the 6 million Jews who died in Europe and to redouble our efforts to work for life for the millions dying or threatened with death today.
Duane Shank is Senior Policy Advisor at Sojourners. You can follow him on Twitter @DShankDC.
Have Something to Say?
"Remembering the Holocaust"


text:
Despite much interest in amniote systematics, the origin of turtles remains elusive. Traditional morphological phylogenetic analyses place turtles outside Diapsida—amniotes whose ancestor had two fenestrae in the temporal region of the skull (among the living forms the tuatara, lizards, birds and crocodilians)—and allied with some unfenestrate-skulled (anapsid) taxa. Nonetheless, some morphological analyses place turtles within Diapsida, allied with Lepidosauria (tuatara and lizards). Most molecular studies agree that turtles are diapsids, but rather than allying them with lepidosaurs, instead place turtles near or within Archosauria (crocodilians and birds). Thus, three basic phylogenetic positions for turtles with respect to extant Diapsida are currently debated: (i) sister to Diapsida, (ii) sister to Lepidosauria, or (iii) sister to, or within, Archosauria. Interestingly, although these three alternatives are consistent with a single unrooted four-taxon tree for extant reptiles, they differ with respect to the position of the root. Here, we apply a novel molecular dataset, the presence versus absence of specific microRNAs, to the problem of the phylogenetic position of turtles and the root of the reptilian tree, and find that this dataset unambiguously supports a turtle + lepidosaur group. We find that turtles and lizards share four unique miRNA gene families that are not found in any other organisms' genome or small RNA library, and no miRNAs are found in all diapsids but not turtles, or in turtles and archosaurs but not in lizards. The concordance between our result and some morphological analyses suggests that there have been numerous morphological convergences and reversals in reptile phylogeny, including the loss of temporal fenestrae.
1. Introduction
The phylogenetic position of turtles remains labile, owing in part to the fact that, while many primitive cranial features suggest a basal position outside Diapsida [1–3], almost as many derived post-cranial traits support a turtle + Lepidosauria sister relationship [4–7], which results in two weakly supported morphological signals [8]. In addition, morphological analyses are hampered by the highly modified anatomy exhibited by turtles (e.g. shell) and lepidosaurs (e.g. cranial kinesis). Stem Testudines have recently been described [3,7], but the least controversial of these have already acquired many of the distinctive autapomorphies of the crown. Likewise, the most basal unequivocal stem lepidosaurs are the kuehneosaurs, gliding reptiles from the Late Triassic [9]; comparing reptiles modified for parachute gliding with those designed as armoured tanks has proven difficult. As a result, many evolutionary biologists accept the molecular hypothesis that turtles are sister to (or nested within) the archosaurs ([10–12]; but see [13]), a hypothesis that has little morphological support [14,15].
Despite the conflict between the morphological and molecular datasets [8,12], all three hypotheses actually agree on the topology of the reptile tree, they simply disagree on the position of its root (figure 1). Thus, the problem is not one of deciding inter-relationships per se, but one of simply determining polarity. Correct rooting in morphological studies relying on highly divergent outgroups is often hampered by difficulty in establishing polarity for individual characters [16], while rooting in traditional molecular phylogenetic analyses is affected by rate and compositional heterogeneity [17]. Given that there is clear homoplasy in reptile morphology irrespective of the true phylogenetic position of turtles [8], and clear rate heterogeneity in molecular sequences in amniotes [12], an alternative data source is needed to correctly root the reptile tree.
Here, we apply a novel molecular dataset, the presence versus absence of specific microRNAs (miRNAs)—genes that encode approximately 22 nucleotide non-coding regulatory RNAs—to this problem. miRNA-based phylogenetics have been successfully applied to many metazoan clades, including vertebrates [18], as miRNAs show a number of characteristics that make them ideal phylogenetic characters, including the fact that new miRNAs are continually added to metazoan genomes through time and, once added, are rarely lost in most metazoan taxa [19–21]. In addition, miRNAs show extreme nucleotide conservation of the mature sequence, and structural considerations based on the requirement to fold into the canonical miRNA hairpin structure make convergence highly unlikely, resulting in little homoplasy [19,20]. Because the acquisition of a novel miRNA family represents the gain of a de novo trans-acting gene class, where the outgroup state (absence) can be established with certainty, miRNAs are ideal candidates for delineating the position of the root.
2. Material and methods
RNA was extracted from single individuals of the turtle Chrysemys picta bellii, the lizard Anolis carolinensis (both purchased from Kingsnake.com) and the alligator Alligator mississippiensis (purchased from Watch Them Grow Reptiles) following standard animal care protocols (IACUC number 2009-11302). Total RNA was extracted as described in Wheeler et al. [19]. Small RNA libraries were prepared at the Yale University School of Medicine W. M. Keck Facility according to manufacturer's instructions, and sequenced on the Illumina Genome Analyzer II platform. The number of reads sequenced per library was 23 765 521 (C. picta bellii), 23 488 055 (A. carolinensis) and 21 731 314 (A. mississippiensis). These reads were analysed using miRMiner [19] to discover previously identified miRNAs (electronic supplementary material, figure S1), and novel miRNA genes specific to A. carolinensis were identified with the v. 1 genome assembly using Blastn from the NCBI BLAST v. 2.2.23+ package (word size = 11, expectation value threshold = 1000).
These were then compared with previously published data in miRBase, coupled with new genomic searches, for the mammals Ornithorhyncus anatinus (platypus), Monodelphis domestica (opossum) and Homo sapiens, the birds Gallus gallus (chicken) and Taeniopygia guttata (zebrafinch), using Xenopus laevis (frog) and the three mammals as the outgroups. A matrix (electronic supplementary material, file S2) of all relevant amniote miRNAs was coded for these taxa, and a maximum parsimony analysis was performed using PAUP 4.0b10 [22] with all characters given equal weight and using the branch and bound search algorithm. Support for each node was measured by calculating the Bremer support [23] using TreeRot v. 3 [24].
3. Results
Two hundred and eighty two miRNA genes were annotated, belonging to 186 miRNA families [20] (electronic supplementary material, file S1), with 77 new miRNA families discovered that appear to be specific to Anolis (electronic supplementary material, file S1). As expected, given our understanding of how miRNAs evolve in most taxa [19–21], only two families appear to have been secondarily lost in the lizard: miR-457 and miR-2184. Similarly, in the turtle, reads were not detected for miR-147 and -208, and in the alligator, reads were not detected for miR-726 and -727 (the latter a potential shared loss with birds; electronic supplementary material, file S1). Thus, out of the 100 expected miRNA families in the last common ancestor of Tetrapoda (electronic supplementary material, file S3), each of these species has 98, making the occurrence of secondary loss in all these taxa no more than 2 per cent.
The phylogenetic analysis resulted in a single most parsimonious tree with a tree length of 36 (CI = 0.97; RI 0.99). Each of the reptile clades identified in this study is characterized by at least one miRNA acquisition—the alligator shares one miRNA with the birds (miR-1791), supporting the monophyly of Archosauria, and all reptiles analysed herein share miR-1677 (figure 2a). Importantly, we find that turtles and lizards share four of the 77 unique miRNA gene families identified in Anolis that are not found in any other organisms' genome or small RNA library (figure 2a; electronic supplementary material, file S1). Thus, these sequences are indeed restricted to the reptiles, and a phylogenetic analysis of the presence/absence of miRNAs families in these taxa (electronic supplementary material, file S2) unambiguously supports a turtle + lizard sister group relationship (figure 2b), as no miRNAs were found in all diapsids but not in turtles, or in turtles and archosaurs but not in lizards. Other nodes including Amniota, Mammalia, Theria and Aves are each supported by one or more unique miRNA (figure 2b).
4. Discussion
Turtles as sister group to lizards are recovered in some morphological analyses [4–7] and this is supported by some, mostly postcranial, characters including the fusion of the astragalus and calcaneum in postnatal ontogeny [25]. However, a diapsid affinity also requires several morphological reversals in turtles, including the closure of the temporal fenestrae [25]. In addition, it suggests that molecular analyses that recover an archosaur affinity might be the result of a systematic artefact caused by the attraction of the long-branched lizards towards the outgroup [8].
The consilience between at least some morphological apomorphies and the evolutionary acquisition of miRNAs suggests the validity of the sister group relationship between lepidosaurs and turtles. Hence, we propose 'Ankylopoda' ('fused foot' in reference to the fused ankle bones—astragalus and calcaneum—shared by lepidosaurs and turtles) as the name of the Lepidosauria + Testudines crown clade, which is defined as the last common ancestor of Chrysemys picta and A. carolinensis and all of its descendants living or extinct (electronic supplementary material, file S4). If Lepidosauria + Testudines is indeed a monophyletic group, then this implies significant convergence in molecular (nuclear and mitochondrial), developmental and morphological characters, including the loss of temporal fenestrae, in the early evolutionary history of turtles. Further, our study suggests that lizards are the appropriate outgroup comparison for understanding the origin of the turtle body plan.
We thank G. Watkins-Colwell (YPM) for assistance with acquiring specimens. Funding for this project was provided by a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship to TRL and Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History to JAG. KJP is supported by NASA-Ames and the National Science Foundation. BLK was supported by Award Number P20RR016463 from the National Centre for Research Resources. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Centre for Research Resources or the National Institutes of Health.
- Received May 5, 2011.
- Accepted June 27, 2011.
- This journal is © 2011 The Royal Society


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CRESTVIEW � It took nine months and countless hours� research, but for the first time in 15 years, city officials and staff members can glance at a map and see Crestview�s boundaries.
CRESTVIEW � It took nine months and countless hours� research, but for the first time in 15 years, city officials and staff members can glance at a map and see Crestview�s boundaries.
The City Council on Monday unanimously accepted the updated map and approved having future updates incorporated into the document within 30 days of approved changes, such as annexations.
See a full size copy of the map here.
Teresa Gaillard, the Administrative Services Department's mapping analyst and city planner, spearheaded the project to produce an accurate city map.
�...She went back and researched all the ordinances and everything," City Clerk Betsy Roy said. "Now, going forward, she'll be able to update the map without going through the council. Now it can be updated whenever there's an annexation."
City attorney Jerry Miller expressed concern for the lack of an updated city map when he started his position in spring 2012. Monday, he called failure to update the old map a "ministerial deficiency."
"Knowing exactly where your city limits are and having them described in a uniform way is critical to so many jurisdictional issues," he said.
He called the previous map, which lacked updates on annexations, comprehensive plan amendments and rezoning, "an absolute heyday for any (legal) challenges."
From 2004 to 2010, the city has more than doubled in acreage, but updates to the previous map had not kept pace with the city's growth, Roy said.
Land surveyor Kermit George produced Crestview�s last comprehensive map in 1998; it was sporadically but not comprehensively updated, Roy stated in an agenda brief.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.


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Which Actress Slept with Several of Her Costars on the Same Movie Set?
This leading lady slept with several of the men and at least one of the women who costarred with her in this movie. This actor is pretending to be back on drugs for publicity. He should try sleeping around: it's much more fun and much more scandalous.
1. "Maybe orgy is the wrong word to describe what happened on the making of this movie, but there was certainly lots of rampant sex going on. It all started with an A list movie actress at the time who was starring in a franchise and wanted to keep her glory. She hated doing this movie, but she was committed so decided to make the best of it. For her, this meant having as much sex and doing as many drugs as possible while making the movie. Every co-star was fair game and when one actor thought he was the one she found special, he would be replaced and a new one brought in. She was the goddess of the movie and acted like it. She was a way larger star than any other actor on the film, primarily because she was charging so much to be in it that there was no budget for anyone else.
Besides having sex with the actors on the set, she also brought in an old co-star who was still hanging on to his A list acting fame at the time. An Academy Award winner, he dropped by the set and the next thing you know, the pair were in his hotel room and not her trailer. He was with his now wife at the time, but he had wanted the goddess when they had last made a movie together and she had turned him down. This time he was having her, marriage be damned. Oh, there was the B list movie actress with the alliteration for a name who stopped by one day and they reunited after a few years apart. This actress has played in some very steamy roles of her own. There was one actor, now a B- list who claimed he had never had sex with a woman before. Men yes, but not women, so our goddess had to have him. She did. Now he is married to a B list actress." [CDaN]
2. "Is this award-winning actor is slipping back into bad habits? Even though this is the same behavior that got him condemned by the public and got him fired from a cushy gig and got his kids taken away, there are fears that he's back at it. Well, we have some good news to report. He's fine. It's all just talk to stir up buzz about his newest project. Publicity: it's a hell of a drug." [Blind Gossip]


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Police hunting for suspect in Old Town robberies
The Beaumont Police Department reported that it is looking for 18-year-old Caleb Broussard.
Broussard has two aggravated robbery warrants with $25,000-dollar bonds for each warrant. He has been identified as being part of the robberies in Old Town. The investigation is continuing, according to police.
Anyone with information is asked to call (409) 833-TIPS, visit BeaumontCrimeStoppers.com, or text "BMT" plus the tip to CRIMES. All tips are anonymous and could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.


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The easiest way to find and book accommodation across South Africa!
Find accommodation in South Africa now!
Log in to TravelGround to access and manage your bookings
To reset your password, enter your email address in the field below.
All reviews have been left by TravelGround customers staying in Johannesburg
Own or manage a quality accommodation establishment in South Africa? Apply to list with TravelGround.com and it's sister sites by clicking below.


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NB If an existing member or to book online to save paying the Eventbrite fee, please click here.
MK coNNect™ is now back under the direct control of NN coNNect™; the number 1 networking group in Northants with nearly 150 members and still growing.
If you are looking to engage other ambitious business owners looking to grow their business, then why not come along to see how it might benefit your business?
There is £5 off your first meeting as a new visitor - please use discount code GUEST when booking here.
Plus, now MK coNNect™ is more closely linked with NN coNNect™ members will get access to the same benefits as existing members in Northamptonshire – all from £22 per month:
- Nearly 150 members
- No annual membership fee option
- No joining/admin fee
- Unique mass email facility
- Unique 2-click booking system
- Unique fortnightly video and action/crib sheets
- £250 worth of free training from Referral Institute, Beyond Theory and The Sales
- Payment accepted by cash, card, cheque, direct debit and BACS
- No annual contract – you are not tied in – quit when you like
- No lock-out
- No pressure to refer
- No obligation to attend every meeting
- Not tied to one group – you can visit as many of the groups as you like
- Unique annual member engagement survey – have your say about NN coNNect™
- Active promotion of members on social media


text: Since you can't have one without the other, we proudly present Australian model Kahili Blundell, the other half of the UFC's new "Smashes" ring girl duo. The 23-year-old blonde from Sydney was named RALPH Australian Swimwear Model of the Year 2011, spent two years cheerleading in the Australian National Rugby League, and hustles on the side as a certified make up and spray-tan artist. To our knowledge, she isn't dating a UFC fighter like her co-worker is. Check out more of our favorite Kahili Blundell photos in the gallery above, and if you like what you see, follow her on Twitter @Kahili_Blundell.


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Can I, can I save you from you?
Cause you know there's something missing
And that champagne you've been sippin's not supposed to make you different all the time
It's starting to feel like the wrong thing to do, yeah
Cause with all that recognition it gets hard for you to listen
To the things that I must say to make you mine
But live girl, have some fun girl, we'll be fine
Trying to convince myself I've found one
Making a mistake I never learned from
I swear I always fall for your type, yeah, for your type
Tell me why I always fall for your type, for your type
I just can't explain this shit at all
I just can't explain this shit at all
I just can't explain this shit at all
I just can't explain this shit at all
I believe in people like you
[Verse 2:]
Cause who am I to judge you on the past, girl
I bet there's a reason for it all
You say that you're nothing like the last girl
I just pray that you don't let me down right now
But it's too late, cause I'm already yours
You just gotta promise me, hearts won't break
And end up like before
[Verse 3:]
Look, dress hanging off your shoulder, barely sober
Telling me how you moving away and starting over
Girl, quit playing you just drunk. You just saying shit
Oh you dance, dance like how, like ballet and shit
Oh, wait... No, I get it girl, I'm with it
I've been down this road before and yeah I skidded but forget it
Damn, I wonder why I never why I learned my lesson
It's feeling like the second chance and it's the first impression
And I heard it's nothing new except for someone new
But how you supposed to find the one when anyone will come with you
Talking to myself but I never listen
Cause man it's been a while, and I swear that this ones different
That's why I'mma take you anywhere you wanna go
Let you meet my friends so they can lecture me again about
How reckless I have been
And I'm slowly running out of all the time that I invest in
Making all the same mistakes
And I swear I'm just trying to correct it
And I fall...


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Malaysia Airports Announces Airline Recovery Program
18 November 2009
Sepang, 18 November 2009 - Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) wishes to announce the establishment of an Airline Recovery Program for the airlines
operating at airports managed by MAHB in Malaysia. This program will be effective from this year for a period of three years.
"The basic incentive that we have always given to airlines is the low airport charges. Our airport charges are currently the lowest in the region, if not the world. It has been, and continues to be our intention to ensure that our airport charges remain low," says MAHB's Managing Director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad. "This Recovery Program is an additional incentive on top of the low charges as our show of support to our airline partners through this recovery period," he added.
According to Tan Sri Bashir, Malaysia Airports were proactive in having a series of discussions with the Government, IATA and the airlines before finalising the program.
Under the Airline Recovery Program, new airlines flying into KLIA, KLIA-LCCT and the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport will receive an incentive payment of RM10 per inbound passenger for the first 12 months of operations. In order to promote tourism to other states in Malaysia, a higher incentive payment of RM25 per inbound passenger will be given to all new airlines flying international services to all other airports.
These new airlines flying into Malaysia will enjoy a waiver in landing fees for three years for each new service operated. Also included is free office rental for six months.
According to Tan Sri Bashir, other airports in Malaysia, such as Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Kuching International Airport, Kuala Terengganu Airport and Melaka Airport, have recently experienced a facelift and increase in capacity to handle more airlines. Soon, Penang Airport and Ipoh Airport will also be renovated and upgraded.
Under this Airline Recovery Program, existing airlines will also be entitled to incentive payments. Using 2008 as a base, MAHB's tier based incentive will award RM10 per passenger for the first 10 percent growth, RM12.50 per passenger for the next eight percent growth and RM15 for all additional passengers above 18 percent.
"This Airline Recovery Program will be funded by our commercial revenues which have been steadily increasing," says Tan Sri Bashir.
MAHB's Airline Recovery Program complements the Government's Economic Stimulus Plan for airlines. Under the Stimulus Plan, a 50 percent discount has been offered on all landings for all airlines at all airports in Malaysia for the period of April 2009 to March 2011.
"We already have in place low charges and a 50 percent rebate under the Stimulus Plan. Now, that traffic has stabilised and there are opportunities for growth, we feel that it is prudent of us to support our partners in the industry in their recovery," continues Tan Sri Bashir.


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Local Area
Discover Vienna - Palais Hotel
An excellent and advantageous location right in the heart of Vienna, only a short walk from many of the best-known sights, shopping boulevards, restaurants, cafés and bars.
Nearby sights and attractions:
St. Stephen's Cathedral
Vienna's most famous landmark is a 10-minute leisurely walk from the hotel. Right in the heart of the city and an ideal starting point to explore Vienna.
Kunstforum Wien
Modern classics and avant-garde art paired with exciting special exhibitions - this gallery is a treasure trove for art lovers. Located in the 1st District and only a 5-minute walk from the hotel.
Imperial Palace (Die Hofburg)
The magnificent former imperial residence offers a multitude of sights, such as the imperial apartments, the treasury and silver collection, the Sisi museum and the Spanish Riding School. The imperial chapel, Vienna's boys-choir and the amazing ceremonial rooms of the Austrian national library are also in the palace.
Very close to the hotel, only a 10 minute walk away.
Clock and Watch Museum (Wiener Uhrenmuseum)
An interesting display of chronometers of all shapes and forms is housed in a traditional Viennese building directly in the city centre. A journey through time! And only a 5-10 minute walk from the hotel.
Vienna by night – glance at the stars! The city's oldest observatory is an architectural and historical landmark and also houses the famous Urania puppet theatre. 10 minute walk from the hotel.
House of Music (Haus der Musik)
A modern and interactive museum, dedicated to sound and music, is situated in the city centre, a leisurely 10 - 15-minute walk from the hotel.
Kunsthaus Wien
Colourful surfaces, irregular shapes, variety and diversity – all trademarks one associates with the painter Friedensreich Hundertwasser. The Kunsthaus houses a permanent Hundertwasser exhibition as well as seasonal contemporary art shows. Nearby you can find the "Hundertwasser-Haus", Vienna's most famous housing estate. Easily accessible within 5 minutes by tram line
N No.1 or a leisurely 10 – 15-minute walk from the hotel.
Mozarthaus Vienna
Situated in the Domgasse, right in the city centre and only a 10 – 15-minute walk from the hotel, this permanent exhibition is all about Mozart, his time, life and work.
Albertina Museum
Situated directly behind the State Opera and only a 15-minute walk from the hotel, this gallery offers a comprehensive display of graphic arts and prints, as well as interesting seasonal exhibitions.
Stadtpark Vienna
Repose and linger in this wonderful and tranquil park with its famous Johann Strauss memorial. Situated in the 1st District, it's an oasis of calm and recreation, only 15 minutes from the hotel.


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New Car Review
2015 Cadillac Escalade: New Car Review
The Cadillac Escalade has long been known for its bold, expressive styling, its large size, its luxurious interior and its brawny V8 engine. For 2015, the Escalade is completely redesigned, but the all-new model still manages to include each of those important traits.
In terms of styling, the 2015 Cadillac Escalade may look like last year's model, but closer inspection will reveal that a lot has changed. Every panel is new, and there are many new touches -- such as revised headlights and taillights and an updated profile -- that give the Escalade a more modern look. Like previous models, the 2015 Escalade is based on the latest Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon.
Inside, the Escalade is also significantly updated. Not only is the interior revised with a new look, it also features a long list of new equipment, both standard and optional. And as for the V8, it's still there: Last year's 6.2-liter powerplant carries over with a boost to 420 horsepower.
What's New for 2015?
The Escalade is completely redesigned for the 2015 model year. It offers new exterior and interior styling, along with several new features, though it retains last year's 6.2-liter V8.
What We Like
Brawny styling; muscular V8; huge interior room and towing capacity; reasonably priced compared to rivals
What We Don't
Big price increase over last year's model; engine still very thirsty; interior still no match for some luxurious competitors
How Much?
Fuel Economy
The 2015 Escalade is offered with only one engine: a 6.2-liter V8 that makes 420 hp. It's mated to a standard 6-speed automatic, and it returns 15 miles per gallon in the city and 21 mpg on the highway in 2-wheel drive, or 14 mpg city/21 mpg hwy if you opt for 4-wheel drive. Four-wheel-drive versions of the long-wheelbase Escalade ESV carry around enough extra weight to earn a slightly worse Environmental Protection Agency rating of 14 mpg city/20 mpg hwy.
Standard Features & Options
The Escalade comes in two body styles: a regular-length model, called simply the Escalade, and a long-wheelbase version, dubbed the Escalade ESV. Both are available in three trim levels: base-level Standard, mid-level Luxury and range-topping Premium.
Shoppers who choose the Escalade Standard ($72,600 for the Escalade; $76,200 for the ESV) get a long list of standard equipment, including a navigation system, Cadillac's CUE infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD Radio, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, power adjustable pedals, remote starting, tri-zone automatic climate control, 20-in alloy wheels, LED headlights, front and rear park assist and a backup camera.
Step up to the Escalade Luxury ($77,500 for the Escalade; $80,400 for the ESV) and you add 22-in alloy wheels, a power sunroof, a full-color head-up display and a long list of safety technologies, such as rear cross-traffic alert, a blind spot monitoring system, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning and Cadillac's Safety Alert Seat, which vibrates to let you know if you're drifting out of your lane.
Topping the range is the Escalade Premium ($82,000 for the Escalade; $85,000 for the ESV). It includes front and rear automatic braking in the event of a collision, a rear-seat entertainment system, adaptive cruise control and a collision-preparation system.
As for options, the Escalade's list of available extras is primarily limited to features included on upper-level models. Drivers who choose a base-level Escalade, for instance, can add several of the Luxury trim's features. Other options include additional chrome exterior trim and available power retractable running boards.
The 2015 Cadillac Escalade comes with a long list of standard safety features, including dual front airbags, front-side airbags, side-curtain airbags, traction control, stability control, front and rear park assist and a backup camera. Available safety features include rear cross-traffic alert, a blind spot monitoring system, automatic braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, a collision-preparation system and a Safety Alert Seat, which vibrates if a driver should stray from his or her lane.
In terms of crash tests, the Escalade's performance is not yet known due to its recent redesign.
Behind the Wheel
The Escalade may be all new inside and out, but the SUV's basic idea is still largely the same as it ever was. That means big power, a muscular sound and a driving position that looks down on virtually every other vehicle on the road.
If that's what you're looking for, the Escalade is still an excellent SUV for the job; only now, you look down from a slightly nicer perch. The interior is a vast improvement over last year's model, which was itself a vast improvement over its predecessor. We're impressed with how well Cadillac has managed to keep up with the latest in interior design, though the Escalade still can't touch pricey rivals such as the Range Rover for overall quality.
On the road, the Escalade drives much as you'd expect -- like a big, bulky truck. Now in its fourth generation, the Escalade doesn't come with any big surprises here, even with Cadillac's impressive Magnetic Ride Control suspension system. The Escalade may be quick thanks to its 420-hp V8, but it's no sports car, a fact that's especially obvious when you go around corners. Still, the SUV is nicely composed for a luxury vehicle, even if there's a little more body roll than we'd want.
As for comfort, that's where the Escalade shines. While the SUV's ride is a little bumpier than we'd expect, largely owing to 22-in wheels in most trims, the Escalade still offers plush seats and a floaty feel that soaks up most bumps, a quality most luxury-SUV shoppers will truly appreciate.
Other Cars to Consider
GMC Yukon Denali -- GMC's own Yukon Denali is mechanically identical to the Escalade. It also uses many of the same chrome accents and bold styling cues. If you can't find an Escalade at the price you want, consider visiting the local GMC dealer to find out if they'll give you a good deal on a Yukon Denali.
Infiniti QX80 -- The V8-powered Infiniti QX80 shares the Escalade's formula of offering brawny styling and a long list of opulent features. The QX80 is also much less expensive than the Escalade, with a base price of around $64,000 with shipping.
Lexus LX 570 -- Lexus' full-size luxury SUV isn't as well-known as the Escalade, but it offers similar equipment, similar sizing, a brawny V8 and Lexus' famous durability.
Range Rover Sport -- The full-size Range Rover is now a bit too pricey to compete directly with the Escalade, but the recently redesigned Sport is a good rival, offering 3-row seating and available V8 power.
AutoTrader's Advice
If you're a fan of the full-size luxury-SUV segment, you've probably already formed a love-it-or-hate-it opinion of the Cadillac Escalade. With brawny styling, a huge, thirsty V8 and an enormous footprint, the Escalade takes a certain type of buyer to appreciate it. Our personal favorite model is the base-level Escalade Standard, which we feel offers everything you could ever need from a luxury SUV and many luxurious extras.


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The history of organized labor in Muncie began during the Gas Boom, the discovery of natural gas and the early days of industrialization, in 1886. Ten years later, there were 30 unions in Muncie, representing 3,766 workers. Unions were organized by workers in numerous industries, from the glass workers, who organized the United Green Glass Workers Association in 1896, to bricklayers and masons and cigar makers. The first women's union, the Women's International Union Label League, was founded in 1899.
The early decades of the twenthieth century saw a decline in the number of unions and union members in Muncie. Businessmen and local civic leaders formed citizen alliances and employer protective associations to promote "the open shop" in Muncie and around Indiana. In 1935, the passage of the Wagner Act secured the rights of workers to organize unions and bargain collectively. Muncie's two largest labor unions, United Auto Workers (UAW) 499 and UAW 287, were organized in the late 1930s and dominated the labor movement in Muncie for the rest of the century. They not only worked to improve working conditions for their members at the Chevrolet and Warner Gear (now BorgWarner) factories, but they also supported educational, welfare, and leisure programs for their members and the citizens of Muncie. Some leaders became active in the labor movement nationally, and others ran for elected positions in the city and state governments. African Americans and women also became increasingly active in the unions as opportunities for them to work in the manufacturing industry expanded.
This exhibit documents the history of organized labor in Muncie from the early years to the closing of the factories and the decline of the unions over the last two decades. The photographs, publications, and other documentation used in the exhibit are only a sampling of the resources available in Archives and Special Collections.
This online exhibit includes selected items from the exhibit on display in Bracken Library, 2nd floor, from November 13, 2006, through January 31, 2007. For further information on this and other exhibits, please contact Ball State University Archives and Special Collections email at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Credits: The "Once There Was a Union Town: A History of Organized Labor in Muncie" exhibit was prepared by Maren Read and student assistants Alexandra Lawrence and Sarah Haynes.


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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG-TV9) - On August 21, daylight will fade to the level of a moonlit night as millions of Americans experience a total solar eclipse.
For the first time since 1918, the dark shadow of the moon will sweep coast-to coast across the United States, putting 14 states in the path of totality and providing a spectacular view of a partial eclipse across all 50 states.
NASA scientist Dr. Alex Young joined us from Maryland via satellite.
NASA says the eclipse is one of the most anticipated and widely observed celestial events in history.
A solar eclipse happens when a rare alignment of the sun and moon casts a shadow on Earth. NASA knows the shape of the moon better than any other planetary body, and this data allows them to accurately predict the shape of the shadow as it falls on the face of Earth.
While everyone in the U.S. will see the eclipse if their local skies are clear, people standing in the path of totality – completely in the moon's shadow – will see stars and planets become visible in what is normally a sunlit sky.
Young says Iowa will experience 91 percent of the sun covered during the eclipse.
Eclipses provide an opportunity for us to see the sun's faint outer atmosphere in a way that cannot be replicated by current human-made instruments.
Scientists believe this region of the sun is the main driver for the sun's constant outpouring of radiation, known as the solar wind, as well as powerful bursts of solar material that can be harmful to our satellites, orbiting astronauts and power grids on the ground.
Young recommends buying save solar viewing glasses to view the solar eclipse.


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The Yreka Miners varsity football team cruised to a 41-22 road win against Modoc on the road Friday night.
With the victory, the Miners are now 4-1 for the year, while the Braves fell to 2-4 overall.
Jacob Maphet had an excellent game for Yreka. He took the opening kick-off 80-yards for the touchdown to start the contest off on the perfect note for the Miners. He finished the game with 10 rushes for 134 yards and three touchdowns.
Anthony Whitaker ran for 64 yards and a score. Signal caller Ty Currie also ran the ball in for a score.
Yreka leapt out to a 21-0 first quarter lead and were up 27-8 at the half and scored twice more in the second half to earn the victory.
Head coach Orlyn Culp commended the offensive line for the way they opened up holes all evening.
"All of them performed well," he said.
Culp also added that running back Thomas Bigelow adid a good job running the ball.
On defense, Culp said that Tyler Adams-Warf and Reno Pitts "played well." and that "Quaid Blanchard played another good game at free safety."
On special teams, Culp praised the work of Aaron Freeze.
"(He) kicked the ball as well as he has on kickoff all season," Culp said. "He's improving and putting our opponents in poor field position."
Up next for the Miners is the Shasta Cascade League opener this Friday night against the Anderson Cubs in Yreka.
Below, Culp gives an overview of the victory.
Orlyn, what do you think were the key reasons your team came away with the victory Friday?
We were prepared and the players and coaches executed the game plan well.
How did you think the squad did overall?
It was a great team win. Every player had the opportunity to contribute to the win. It's great when each player has part. The most important point for me was the fact that we now have film of every player on the team and what each can contribute to help us win NAL games. Now it's up to coaches to really look at each player's film and try to figure out how each will improve enough to help us win in NAL competition.
What do you hope your team takes away from this win?
The satisfaction of being 1-0 this week. Also, it was a chance for all players to earn reps and put their game on film. Now it's up to coaches to find out who can earn playing time to push the team to achieve it's best in NAL play.
How prepared do you think your team is for the NAL opener on Friday vs. Anderson?
We won't know until 10pm, Friday, Oct. 11th. But, I think our players know and understand that everything they've experienced so far will be twice (at least) as difficult to achieve in NAL play. We have to improve each week, and that'll be our goal.
Yreka High Varsity FB: Miners earn 41-22 win at the Braves
The Yreka Miners varsity football team cruised to a 41-22 road win against Modoc on the road Friday night.