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Responses to Piracy<br>by US Rep. Ron PaulWritten by Powell Gammill Subject: World News
Already the administration is saber-rattling with typical big government so-called solutions, like "diplomatically" threatening the weak Somalian government, or any government of any country where pirates are thought to live, with military action if they fail to control the situation. There are calls to increase the size of the navy until it is nearly omnipresent on the seas. I was pleased to see they got one thing partially right in stating that the government should work with shippers and the insurance industry to address gaps in their self-defense, if by "work with" they mean "get out of the way". But I fear this will be soon be brushed aside in favor of the more elaborate, interventionist and expensive measures. Self-defense is the most obvious, most effective and least expensive solution, but that has never stopped the government from spending money they don't have to make problems worse.
The situation is not unlike the situation with the non-state thugs that perpetrated the attacks on 9/11. We were not attacked by any country, and yet our response was to start wars with countries out of a need for misguided retaliation. This destroyed most of the goodwill our nation had in the world, and helped terrorists recruit and grow even more powerful. The worst thing we could possibly do is react to this incident with the same misguided fervor, producing equally damaging results.
First and foremost, the people and entities closest to the situation need to be empowered to defend themselves. In the case of private shipping companies, the owners and operators need to be allowed to carry weapons to deter and defend from attacks. But because many governments, including ours, have anti-gun laws in place in ports and territorial waters, ironically to discourage piracy, it is nearly impossible to legally carry weapons at sea for peaceful and defensive purposes. This sets up the predictable situation that only criminals and military vessels remain armed, making legitimate shipping operations ridiculously easy prey. I strongly believe that standing behind the basic human right to self-defense is the best deterrent to both terrorism and piracy, which is why I also argued for allowing pilots to be armed after 9/11. What governments call a gun-free zone is in reality a target rich environment to a criminal.
The second line of defense would be for Congress to act within the Constitution and issue letters of marque and reprisal, deputizing private organizations to act within the law to disable and capture those engaged in piracy. This approach to keeping ships safe at sea would minimize the effect on international relations by keeping our Navy out of it, as well as keeping costs to a minimum.


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Mariah Carey Live in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2014 - This is the latest news in August 2014 where the Grammy winning superstar is set to perform at Stadium Merdeka on 22nd October. Supported fully by Tourism Malaysia and Malaysia Major Events, a local concert promoter has won a bid to get her to perform here just two days before her Singapore Concert and also part of her world tour series. This is amazing news for Malaysians as the country has been trying hard to get her to perform here.
The Mariah Carey Live in KL, Malaysia concert is also the start of her Southeast Asia leg of her world tour before heading to Singapore and then to the Philippines. Even more exciting, Mariah Carey has decided to launch her world tour here in Asia before the United States. Though Mariah has also not announced what songs she will perform in KL, it is expected that her latest album, 'Me, I Am Mariah…The Elusive Chanteuse' will be part of the line-up. Mariah Carey will also be performing live in Japan and China before coming to KL for her second concert here.
As this is the second time Mariah Carey is going to perform in Malaysia, her first time here was back on 20th February 2004 and also at the same venue of Stadium Merdeka, her 90 minute show attracted over 30,000 fans. She opened the provious concert with her hit song 'Heartbreker' while driving onto the stage in an open top BMW convertible. She later told her Malaysian fans that she normally changed about eight costumes for her concert but had to make an exception for her Malaysian concert as the dress code regulations required her to stick to one safe outfit. Mariah said "I'm so sorry that I'm so boring but I'm just playing by the rules".
|Official poster for Mariah Carey Live in Malaysia 2014
Recently in early August after the news that Mariah Carey was performing in Kuala Lumpur, Deputy Communications And Multimedia Minister Datuk Jailani Johari told The Rakyat Post (local daily), there was a process and guideline to getting this approval that the concert promoter must follow.
"Looking back at previous cancellations and even the incident in Selangor (FMFA) we don't want any repeats," he said, referring to the death of six people due to methamphetamine overdose at the Future Music Festival Asia (FMFA) 2014 at Bukit Jalil Stadium, recently.
"There is ample time for the promoters to adhere to these guidelines and comply with our requirements," he said, pointing out that tickets should not be sold before these conditions are met.
"If they are using a stadium, they must get authorities to approve it as well. They must comply with these guidelines to make sure safety and due diligence is carried out before hosting the concert," he said.
He added that a concert in the magnitude of Carey would spark a lot of fan attention.
"Therefore it would be a responsible move for them to get the approvals and represent her in the best manner," he said.
Some of Mariah Carey's latest photos taken in July 2014 - source mariahcarey.com
Mariah Carey Asia Tour Dates and Venues
- Oct 4 2014: Tokyo, Japan - Makuhari Messe Arena
- Oct 6 2014: Yokohama Japan - Yokohama Arena
- Oct 15 2014: Chongqing China - Olympic Center
- Oct 22 2014: Kuala Lumpur Malaysia - Stadium Merdeka
- Oct 24 2014: Singapore - Singapore Indoor Stadium
- Oct 28 2014: Manila, Philippines - Malls of Asia Arena
Mariah Carey Live in Kuala Lumpur Tickets
- RM680 (VVIP number seat)
- RM580 (number seat)
- RM480 (number seat)
- RM380 (number seat)
- RM280 (free seating)
- RM120 (free seating)
Mariah Carey Online tickets purchase are available from 17th August 2014 through official ticketing agency;
- Ticket Charge – www.ticketcharge.com.my
- Phone In – TicketCharge hotline +603 92228811
- IME Productions hotline – +6011-23166198 or +603 21666166
- Date: 22nd October (Wednesday)
- Time: 8.00 PM
- Venue: Stadium Merdeka, KL
Currently there is no available immediate information on tickets and so on. But the information should be out soon and we will publish it here. The local official supporters for the Mariah Carey Live Concert in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia are Malaysia Major Events and Tourism Malaysia for part of the Visit Malaysia Year 2014 or VMY2014.
For those planning to travel to KL for the Mariah Carey Concert here, you are advised to make prior bookings for your hotels and transportation. The best possible place to stay is around Chinatown area in Kuala Lumpur as it is walking distance to Stadium Merdeka. Another place would be around the Bukit Bintang or Golden Triangle area of KL but it will be a 15-20 minute walk to the stadium. For more information about Mariah Carey, her tours, products and news, visit the official Mariah Carey Website. For those who are going for this, see you at the concert of Mariah Carey Live in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2014.
Mariah Carey Live in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2014 Reviewed by Malaysia Asia on Saturday, August 09, 2014 Rating:

subset: commoncrawl


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Who's wearing what on Oscar's red carpet?
It's the annual dilemma.
Watching E!'s coverage of red carpet arrivals.
Need (designer) names here, dudes.
Who cares about their motivation for films already in the can?
Vera Farmiga in great looking fan-front Marchesa
Maggie Gyllenhaal in terrific Dries Van Noten.
Tina Fey in one-shoulder Michael Kors.
One-shoulders and strapless seem to be the vibe.
And color!
Who knew?


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'Blue' band to visit Mongolia
By B.Anu
World-famous English band and Brit award winner "Blue" will come to Mongolia. The "Blue" band, which is well-known by their "All Rise," "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word," and "Fly by" singles, will give a concert in Ulaanbaatar upon the invitation of the "EVENTO" company. The concert, where "Blue" will sing their hit songs, will take place at the Central Stadium on September 14.
On February 26, 2013, their London concert was scheduled to be held in the "Hammersmith Apollo" theater for only one time. But the concert tickets were sold out after only two minutes. Their producer then decided to organize a world tour instead.
Producer and media magnate Simon Cowell put the band together with Lee Ryan and Anthony Costa in 2000. With Duncan James and Simon Webbe joining, the band was officially formed. They released their debut single "All Rise" in May 2011 and it reached number four on the UK chart. Their "Too Close" single peaked at number one on the UK chart for seven weeks. Their album "All Rise" sold over 1.8 million copies in the UK. "Blue" split in 2004 to concentrate on their solo careers only to reform in 2011 and return onstage.
The band also worked alongside artists such as Stevie Wonder, Elton John, RedOne, and Bruno Mars. They released their fourth studio album "Roulette" on January 25, 2013. The band has sold over 13 million records worldwide.
Short URL: http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=5591


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25 September 2007
Fore o Efter
I won't post pictures of myself, or use my real name on this blog, but I will show you pictures of the inside of my home. I crack myself up, anyway.
This is my library. With a bare cement floor, after we ripped the carpeting out. The stuff piled up in front of the fireplace is what ended up on the floor when it was all done.
To the left is my kitchen; behind this picture is our main entrance, or rather the entrance we use the most, from the garage. The curtains are down from the sliding glass door because I painted the woodwork. They're not going back, hahahahaha! I hated them, so we ordered new ones last night.That's the entrance from the garage. See the blue painter's tape everywhere? I hate to paint. Two coats of Killz, a heavy-duty primer, and two coats of the color, an ivory-ish white.
And so it begins! The blue stuff is to protect the wood flooring from moisture damage; it is only 6 mm thick. Tennis shoes and work boots rip it very easily, we discovered that the hard way.
Door to the half bath, showing the underlayment, the wood, and the transition to the bathroom, which will eventually have a little thingamabob over it so the seam doesn't show.More of the underlayment. Eventually, we got smart and only put it down as we needed it, instead of laying it out ahead of time, since it tears so easily.
And we're done! We ended up with a box and a half of the laminate flooring left over, so there is one box to return.
The light you see on the floor is from the skylight, this picture was taken in the late afternoon. I'd like to not have drapes over that sliding glass door at all, but...one, this house is very poorly insulated, and the sliding glass doors hemorrhage heat in the winter-time, and two, DH is a nut about his privacy and does not want anyone to be able to look in.
I can't get over how great it looks. So beautiful!
Here's the stats for the project:
Laminate flooring.....about $360. We used 15 boxes, at $19.99 each, plus three rolls of the underlayment, which were about $25 each.
Tools that DH insisted he needed, including two sawhorses, spacers to make sure that there's enough room for expansion in the floor, and a crowbar-esque tool that you use to make sure the planks are firmly joined together.....roughly $100
Killz, foam brushes to apply it, and painter's tape...$20
We didn't need to buy paint because we painted most of this house before moving in, and I had some left over for the woodwork, so $0 for that.
Curtains, not here yet....$50
Felt protectors for the furniture (when it goes back into the room) so that our chairs and coffee table don't scratch the hell out of the new floor....$10
Time to lay the floor...10 hours, 3 people, numerous "Dammit(s)!" and other swears, two arms pinched in between boards as they were snapped into place (ow!) and one thumb bruised to hell.
New floor, no carpeting which bothers my allergies....priceless.
5 comments:
- Dawna said...
I am so doing my future home in laminate if it isn't done already (or well, if it is already hardwood...). What possessed people to put in carpets?
RYC: Kitchener... hee hee. Go you! I should buy you a book I saw titled "Fakin' Eh?" by Dan de Figueiredo.
- 11:06
- MotherMe said...
Beee-yooo-teee-ful! We should so go into the home improvement business together.
- 13:09
- Lucy Arin said...
IDK who ever thought carpet was a good idea, but I hate the stuff. With a burning passion. I'd tile or hardwood floor everything in sight. My dining room is next...someone (not me) thought that WHITE CARPET was a good idea in a dining room. D'oh!
As long as we're getting the males in our life to do the hard labor and you & I are doing all the 'fun' things, I'm there! ;-)
- 14:07
Lucy - it looks gorgeous! I can't wait to see it! -EC
- 09:29
- Lucy Arin said...
Thanks hon! It IS pretty. I'm very happy with it.
Now if I could just get that gnome who drinks all of our beer to clean up the dust that was kicked up all over every single one of my books....that'd be good.
- 11:22


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The Plone Foundation has launched a new version of its open-source content management software this week, emphasising improvements in ease of use and the addition of automatic versioning.
Plone helps users manage documents, files and images through a Web interface and also lets them publish that content to the Internet or to an intranet. The project got under way in 2000 and the software has been downloaded over 1 million times, according to Alexander Limi, Plone's co-founder. Users include eBay, the US Central Intelligence Agency and Novell.
Plone remains a community effort with the Plone Foundation, in place since 2004, acting as a support organisation for the software, its development and marketing. The foundation is the legal owner of the Plone code.
Versioning was the single most requested feature by Plone's user community, Limi said. As changes are made in online content, Plone 3.0 now automatically keeps track of those alterations, providing a trail of who edited what information as well as the ability to roll back to earlier versions of the content.
The new release also reflects a lot of work done by the community to make Plone simpler to use, particularly for those ad-hoc users who may not be fully conversant with content management technology. The improvements are the beginning of a plan to introduce a role-based user interface, Limi said. That capability will likely appear in the next Plone release, he added.
The community has also come up with a new overall look for Plone. "Our design is about five years old," Limi said. "It's starting to look a bit dated." The new design is available in Plone 3.0, but isn't the default setting; that will also come in the next version of the software.
One of the major challenges facing the Plone community is how to deal with the considerable skills gaps between those users up to speed with the latest version of the open-source Zope Web application framework and those who aren't familiar with Zope 3. Plone is based on Zope and is incorporating more and more Zope 3 functionality. One way Plone 3.0 helps address that issue is by providing tools that can wrap around Zope 3 features and make them look and respond as though they were written in Zope 2, Limi said.
There's a temptation for some open-source players to get rid of existing functionality in favour of completely rewriting their software, but that's not an option for Plone, Limi said. As a community-led effort, the project doesn't want to leave any users of older versions of its technology behind. "We're rebuilding the plane as we fly it," he said.
Other new features in Plone 3.0 include improvements to the software's security, search and workflow functionality.
Limi believes the new release and recently passing the 1 million downloads milestone signal that Plone is about to become a mainstream technology and one likely to be embraced by more enterprise users.
Web content management providers Vignette and Microsoft are Plone's main competitors, Limi said. Back in July the British open source content management company, Alfresco, launched in Europe and promised a new, Web 2.0 version of its CMS.


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Gospel of John 13: 1-15 Reflection:
As we enter the Easter festival proper and take part in the ceremonies we experience a quietness of soul as if we were actually at the events. The death of Jesus transcends time. It is such a huge cosmological event, the death of the man/God that it reverberates for all time.
Tonight at the Mass of the Lord's Supper, we have the washing of the feet. Washing feet was the job of a servant not something the master of the house would do himself. In the time of Jesus so many people were used for menial tasks. We have lost any sense of what a servant and slave filled society was like.
Jesus washes the feet of the apostles, he says that he is their servant and that they must serve others in the same way.
It also shows us the position that the Christian may expect to have in a society, the lowest, the servant and the one whose work shall never be appreciated because it is only what is expected of him.
Over the next three days we should reflect often on what is happening, remembering that we are celebrating the death of Jesus, and we are waiting on his resurrection.
This is a solemn time, a deep time, when God and the world are at one, watching and waiting, hoping in the midst of despair. The fact that we all know the story does not prevent the story from being real for us.


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- Description
DetailsSunbrella 2014 and 2015 Indoor/Outdoor Upholstery Fabrics offer modern and classic designs to meet your needs. Durable stripes, patterns, and textures built to last and are available without a minimum requirement. Sunbrella Upholstery Fabric, pattern 56090-0000 Surge Oak
- Width: 54 inches (137.16 cm)
- Collection Name: 54 Inch Solids
- Color Name: Oak
- Fabric Colors: Beige, Brown, Gold, Yellow
- Contents: 100% Sunbrella Acrylic
- Cleaning Code: Mild Soap and Water
- Finish Treatment: U.V. Resistant, Mildew Resistant, Water Repellent, Soil / Stain Resistant
- Flame Resistant Codes : California Bulletin 117-Section E,UFAC Class 1
- Product Weight: 9 oz. per square yard
- Put Up: 40-60 yard(s)
- Specification(s)
Additional Information
Product Width 54 inches (137.16 cm) Minimum Order 1200 yard(s) min – Special Order – typical lead time is 6-8 weeks Application Indoor - Outdoor Upholstery Brand Sunbrella Fabric Collection 54 Inch Solids Pattern Name Surge Pattern Number 56090-0000 Color Name Oak Fabric Design Solids Fabric Type Sunbrella Acrylic Contents 100% Sunbrella Acrylic Horizontal Repeat 0.72 inches Vertical Repeat 2.54 inches Put Up 40-60 yard(s) Performance fire retardant Unit by the Yard Flame Resistant Codes Cal. TB 117-2013, UFAC - Class I Fabric Weight 9.00 oz. per Yard Warranty PDF PDF Download Cleaning PDF PDF Download


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I just got my schedule for next week–I'm on it a whopping 2 days! This means I'm making NO MONEY, just like every single week for the past month. This is a problem, because I'm having the urge to spend. And buy stuff I don't really need. And buy more stuff just because.
This is pretty rare for me. I really don't like to shop unless I have something in mind and once I get to the mall, I want to leave it ASAP. It's crowded, people are oblivious, and I rarely find anything I actually want to buy. Plus, I only ever shop the clearance rack, so it takes a lot of work to find anything. But lately, I've been in a constant mood to shop 'til I drop!
So in an attempt to squelch my eager debit card, I bought this AWESOME pair of boots–a cross between a riding and motorcycle boot, black, knee-length and PERFECT. This was actually more of a need than a want–I got caught wearing ballet flats in the middle of the worst snow storm of the season and they were deeply on sale. But what a rush! I zipped those puppies up and stomped my way through the snow, turning heads and basically killing it. It's amazing how something new can totally affect your mood–I walked out of the store feeling better than I had in days! Plus, the compliments I was getting elevated my attitude even more!
Which lead me to pair of boots #2.
Pair of boots #2 are grey suede, ankle length, and PERFECT. These were definitely more of a want, but were combined with the need to buy something else. I went into the mall deciding I wasn't going to leave until I had a bag in my hand, and I found these an hour into my quest, bought them, and promptly left.
But two pairs of shoes have done little to calm my buying appetite. Now that I have an entire uninterrupted week off, I'm furiously searching for travel deals, all 900 seasons of Saved by the Bell and directions to the Mall of America. It needs to be spring NOW before I waste my weekly income on anything else. But considering my weekly income is less than I made AS AN INTERN, is it even worth it to save? In the grand scheme of things, how will my $150 be best spent–with it sitting in the bank, or with me sitting on the beach?
Maybe this is just a bout of cabin fever–so much snow, so little to do. But I think my urge to shop is stemming from a bigger need to just be satisfied with something in my life—and if that's another three pairs of shoes, I guess I'll do what I have to do.


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Apple rep says iPhone OS is open, Flash is closed and proprietary
The war of words between Adobe and Apple over the latter company's apparent campaign to dethrone Flash as a standard web development technology continues to escalate.
Besides declining to work with Adobe to bring Flash to the iPhone OS, Apple has recently changed the Terms of Service for the iPhone SDK to disallow development with unauthorized tools like Adobe's new Creative Studio 5.
Earlier this week Adobe's Mike Chambers indicated that due to the new restrictions in the iPhone SDK TOS, Adobe won't contine development of tools to create iPhone apps in Flash CS5. Chambers wrote that Apple wants to "make it difficult for developers to target other platforms."
Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller shot back in a statement pointing out that the iPhone OS supports common open standards like HTML5, CSS, Javascript and H.264, calling Flash "closed and proprietary."
But does support for open standards actually make the iPhone OS itself open? After all, Flash also supports H.264, but as Muller correctly points out that doesn't stop it from being closed.
Does Apple's decision to restrict development tools and methods really have anything to do with openness? It seems unlikely.
Apple's own approach, the iPhone SDK, is proprietary and closed as well and gives Apple control all the way through distribution to consumers.
In response to an email from an OS X developer critical of the new SDK TOS, Steve Jobs recently outlined a more believable, if not entirely accurate, rationale.
Jobs wrote, "intermediate layers between the platform and the developer ultimately produces sub-standard apps and hinders the progress of the platform."
The problem with this argument is that using non-Apple sanctioned (ie controlled) development tools isn't an indication of poor quality any more than using the official tools improves it. Ultimately quality is in the developer's hands.
As to hindering progress, that's only true if you define platform as the iPhone SDK, rather than the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad or even iPhone OS itself. In reality app development on these platform is limited by the iPhone SDK
Their capabilities could be exploited to come up with even more innovative apps by third parties if not for Apple's obstruction.
It's hard to believe that Apple's reliance on DMCA anti-circumvention language and restrictive language in SDK agreements with developers is either open or conducive to progress. Both are artificial barriers to the creative process of developing software.
Even harder to believe is that Apple is oblivious to the growing government interest in various aspects of the iPhone business, including the app approval process.
Apple is already involved in various iPhone related patent lawuits against companies including prominent Android phone vendor HTC and worldwide mobile phone (and smartphone) industry leader Nokia. Federal investigators have already gotten involved in the Nokia dispute.
If Adobe ends up filing a lawsuit against Apple, which seems to be the rumor or speculation du jour every day, it would certainly lead to more pressure on Congress and federal regulators.
There's no doubt Apple's decision to outlaw converted Flash apps from the App Store will have a negative impact on Adobe, particularly with their new CS5 software having just been released. Some have argued that the reason for Apple's oddly timed introduction of the next iPhone OS to developers was intended to coincide with Adobe's CS5 launch.
The ability to convert Flash projects to iPhone apps has been touted as a major selling point for months, and with good reason given the number of App Store downloads. However that doesn't automatically make what Apple is doing illegal.
Which may explain why there's been no lawsuit from Adobe yet. The only grounds for forcing Apple to open the iPhone OS to third party application frameworks would seem to be an antitrust claim.
The iPhone, successful as it has been, hasn't made Apple the number 1 mobile phone or even smartphone vendor in the US. Those titles belong to Motorola and Research In Motion (RIM) respectively.
Without a dominant market position Apple certainly can't hold a monopoly so any antitrust complaint seems doomed.
However there still might be an alternative solution for Adobe and other companies who want to develop software for the iPhone without Apple's blessing. They could throw support behind the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) effort to get a DMCA exemption for smartphone jailbreaking.
Such an exemption would allow Adobe, Microsoft, Sun or any other application framework provider the chance to extend their architecture to the iPhone by piggybacking on consumer rights.
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9 Inch Ford Cut-to-Fit Axle w/ Bearing, Big Ford/New Style
Ford 9", Single Shaft Axle Type, Steel, Multi: 5 on 5" | 4.75" | 4.50" Bolt Pattern
Important Messages:
- Get FREE shipping when your order includes this item and exceeds $99! Ground shipping only in the contiguous US.
These steel axle shafts have a natural finish and are sold individually. They are perfect for small shops and will allow you to build your own custom width rear end easily. Axle length is measured from the flange to the end of the splines. Be sure to select your choice length; short or long, and either 28 or 31 spline.
- Circle track / off road application 5/8" thread wheel studs sold separately 910-05957 and 910-05958
- Street application 1/2" thread wheel studs sold separately 910-05959 and 545-46190
- 9 Inch Ford
- 28 or 31 spline axle
- Long or Short
- Axle has the new style big bearing ends on it
- Bearing measures 3.150"
- Bearings already pressed in
- 2-1/2" Offset
- Drilled for 5 on 4-1/2", 5 on 4-3/4", and 5 on 5" wheel bolt patterns using 0.685" knurl dia.
- PA20 set bearing
- AR375 Torino retainer
- Axle length is from the flange to the end of the splines
- Axles sold each, not as a pair
- Axles have 3 bolt patterns in them: 5 on 4-1/2", 5 on 4-3/4", and 5 on 5"
- The hub pilot (center of the axle flange) measures 3.055"
- The O.D. of the axle flange measures 5.93"
For more information on determining the proper axle length and the Ford 9 Inch, be sure to check out our tech articles; How to Measure and ID Differential Housings and The Rearend Debate: Ford vs. Chevy.
- Long:
- 33" length with 9-1/4" of spline
- Short:
- 29.51" length with 10" of spline
Installation Notes:
Disc brake kits may require increasing the i/d of the center hole in the rotor to match the o/d register or hub pilot on the axle flange, or reducing the diameter of the register or hub pilot on the axle to fit properly to the i/d of the rotor.
When installing new axles in rearends with posi traction differentials, be sure to install the driver's side axle first to keep the splines properly aligned. Failure to do so may move the two splined gears out of alignment, and it may be difficult to install the driver's side axle properly if the passenger side axle is already installed.
If installation of passenger side axle is done first it may require two people when installing the driver's side axle, with both parties rotating reach axle until splines are in line and the driver's side axle fully sides into the housing.
When cutting axles to desired lengths, it is recommended that the following procedures are performed:
- Normal steel cutting machinery (cold saw, band saw, chop saw, etc.)
- Using a sleeve around the axle such as a small piece of PVC tubing - this allows:
- The axle to be spun in place while being cut
- A perimeter cut around the outer diameter assisting in keeping the cut square
- Avoiding the build-up of too much heat by doing a straight cut (like a knife though a stick of butter)
To ensure you get the most out of your new 9 Inch components, it is recommended that you perform a proper break-in process:
- Use a name brand mineral-based gear oil, preferably 85w140 (Extremely high quality synthetic oils may be used once break-in process has been successfully performed)
- Place vehicle on jack stands and let the rearend spin while the vehicle idles - run transmission in both forward and reverse periodically throughout the process
- Continue to run the rearend until the pinion gets hot (place hand on bottom of the differential housing to verify this)
- Proper break-in allows:
- The ability to install new axles and hit the track the same day without worry
- Extended life for rearend components
- Keeps the quality and life of your gear oil
Also available for consideration when a replacement axle bearing retainer for either of the following Ford applications may be required:
- Big Ford Old Style Axle Housing Bearing Retainer Application # 910-48376
- Big Ford New Style Axle Housing Bearing Reatiner Application # 910-48379
More Like This
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Solid Wide 5 Double Splined Axle, 31 Spline
Solid Wide 5 Double Splined Axle, 28 Spline
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Winters Performance Double Splined Gun Drilled Axle, 31 Spline
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Currie 98832 9 Inch Ford Cut-To-Fit 28 Spline Axle, 32 Inch
Pat talks about our 67-72 pickup rear end housing and some of the options we have for it.
Finally, Project Chevelle gets a real hot rod engine under its hood! And what about that flimsy old column shift three-speed? We've got that covered too.
In this Tech Tip, John responds to a customer looking to upgrade the 8" stock differential in his Cougar to a 9" open diff.


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I am a photography enthusiast for over 20 years and during these years I have acquired quite few cameras, lenses and various accessories. I am still using most of them, film and digital, 35mm and 4x5, Polaroid and iPad, whatever is available or suitable for the moment. Interestingly, I found that old and new technologies can complement each other very well. I put this blog site together to share my photography and observations using various cameras, films, lenses and software. It is not a scientific research, you can find plenty of charts and graphs on other sites. This blog is about my personal experience and opinion, what I do like and what I don't. I am not good at telling stories, so I let my pictures speak for themselves.
Thank you for visiting and I hope that you enjoyed your stay.


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by Steve Ussery (firstname.lastname@example.com)
Whenever people discuss government they usually do so in a negative way. They love to use popular phrases such as: bureaucracy, red-tape, or pork-barrel. They see government as an insidious plot to rob them of the hard-earned fruits of their labor; as a monstrous entity that intrudes into their private affairs; and even by some as a ubiquitous conspiracy to deny them fundamental rights. There has always been an element of apathy and cynicism in the ordinary citizen's outlook on government but seldom has it risen to such epidemic proportions as it has today. Where does this cynicism come from? Is this cynicism justified? The short answer to the latter question is: no. The answer to the prior question requires a more lengthy response.
Before we tackle the harder question we should start off with the fundamental one: What is government? Surprisingly, there is no consensus as to the answer to that question. That should give us our first real clue as to the nature of the problem. It is hard if not impossible to imagine a more ridiculous race of creatures than we human beings. It makes one wonder if the great cosmic architect himself did not have a colossal sense of humor. We are all unique individuals with our own private collection prejudices, passions, interests, and notions that we assume are a reality shared by all. Actually, if we have anything in common at all it is that we are all different from one another. Our languages, cultures, and nationalities tend to obscure this fact but it remains nevertheless. Government is the most successful system of all for hiding this fact. It allows a multitude of dissimilar people with their network tangle of different purposes and interests the illusion of similarity. From that illusion comes the prime benefit of many working together for the common good.
To understand the concept of Government it is best to first discuss the concept of the "social contract". It is not clear who first used the term "social contract", but the roots for the concept lay in ancient Greek philosophy. One of the first places the term was used in print, (in the English language that is), is in Thomas Hobbes' "Leviathan". Written at a time of great political unrest, the English Civil war, and published in 1651, it was for its time a masterpiece of political philosophy. Hobbes saw human beings in their natural state as individuals who pursue their own ends and in perpetual conflict with one another in the struggle for existence. He believed that men, to avoid an unending "state of war," give up their individual liberty and form by "Contract" a civil society. Hobbes felt that individuals must transfer their right to act as free individuals by accepting the authority of a sovereign (i.e., a King), in order to peacefully coexist. "Leviathan" was very controversial for its time because it implied that the King's authority derived from consent of the ruled rather than divine authority from God.
Later French and English philosophers built upon Hobbes' ideas. In particular, they replaced the idea of a King being granted authority to rule with the idea of an elected assembly. One of the most famous of these philosophers was the Englishman, John Locke. Locke's clear thinking inspired middle class Englishmen to push for parliamentary government and it help set off a new struggle against the aristocratic order of the monarchy. Locke's "Two Treatises of Government", published in 1690, set forth the view that the state exists to preserve the natural rights of its citizens. When governments fail in their obligations, citizens have the right and the duty to withdraw their support and even to revolt. Locke, as opposed to Hobbes, believed that the state of nature was a tolerant and cheerful one, and that the social contract preserved the preexistent natural rights of the individual to life, liberty, and property, and that the enjoyment of private rights (i.e. the pursuit of happiness), led to society's common good.
In 1762, Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote his legendary book "The Social Contract". This book served as the political inspiration of many other men, and was one of the sparks that ignited the explosive French revolution in the late 18th century. In his book, Rousseau shows us that men in society must enter into a social contract with each other for mutual benefit and to accomplish collectively what one individual could never do. If there is no contract or agreement among the people to work together for the common good, then, there is no reason for doing so, for otherwise no individual could be guaranteed the benefit of such a social union. Do not confuse this social contract with a written document of law. When we use the term "social contract," we allude to an implicit understanding between individuals in society, not a formal written agreement. (Some may find the term "mutual covenant" preferable to the term "social contract.") English statesmen preferred the term "Commonwealth," whereas American statesmen such as Jefferson and Lincoln referred to this contract as "The Union." The social contract exists in all societies from the most primitive to the most advanced. It is nothing more than the union of human beings tied together in a cooperative bond we call society. The most elemental and basic form of this contract in any society is the marriage between a man and a woman. A matrimonial contract, regardless if it exists on paper or not, is for the mutual bonding of two human beings into a cooperative union for their common good and to achieve results (e.g. children) that they would not be able to do on their own. As it is in this type of social contract, so it is in all others.
What then is government? Government is nothing more than the formalization of the social contract itself. Instead of an unconscious implicit agreement it is an explicit formal one. We call this formalization "the State" and the individual elements of the agreement "the Law". This observation should lead us to conclude that the State has two equal purposes. The first is to provide a collective will and strength for services for its citizens for their common good. Services which they would be unable to accomplish as individuals acting solely on their own. The second is to protect the security and the individual civil rights of each and every citizen. In a free and democratic State this responsibility rests with the citizens of the State themselves. The government of a democratic State is not the representatives elected nor is it appointed officials who act in the capacity of governing, rather it is the people themselves. Representatives and government officers serve as a consequence of the collective will of the citizens of a free State and are therefore merely agents of the common will.
Now that we have a basic idea of government let us look into the source of cynicism and apathy that seems to arise from it. Since government is essentially a collection of human beings working together for some purpose, it is neither better nor worse than the elements of that collection themselves. Put more simply: we are individually imperfect and flawed creatures therefore the union of our efforts is necessarily just as imperfect and flawed. The problem is that our expectations our much higher than that. We expect our governments to be faultless. Ironically, we allow ourselves mistakes in judgment but not our governments. Our own unreasonable expectations result in a general sense of dissatisfaction and this in turn leads to apathy and criticism. We will have perfect governments as soon as we have perfect men. If you are waiting for that day to come, you are going to have a very long wait.
Mentioned briefly above was a second source of dissatisfaction. It comes from assuming that our needs are everyone's needs. Man has a persistent history of assuming that his point of view is irrevocable fact when it is actually nothing but self-serving opinion. Any man or woman who is willing to stand by noble and good principles no matter the consequences goes high up on a lofty pedestal for the rest of us to admire. But the ones who wisely know when they must compromise to achieve progress have the highest place reserved for them. Yet, we can not all rise above our own selfish needs. It is natural to be unhappy when we do not get our way. Moreover, it is inevitable that our government should be the target of that unhappiness. Unfortunately, the subsequent loss of respect for the institution of government is counterproductive of its goal of uniting us. If we fail to work together to compromise and resolve our differences in a civilized manner the resulting factional disputes tear apart the very essence of government itself.
Behind the average citizen's apathy and indifference is the contagious belief that their contribution cannot make a difference. That belief is, of course, a self fulfilling prophecy. If you believe it true, it shall be true. Can everyone's participation make a difference? Perhaps not. But, how will we know if we do not try? There is no penalty for making the effort.
How can we combat this harmful cynicism and indifference? In two ways. First: By learning to tolerate views that are different from our own. We do not have to agree with them. It is even perfectly acceptable to debate them. But we must not attempt to silence them. Second: Government is your business; not someone else's. As a minimum it is our responsibility to obey the just laws of the State, share in public expenses when appropriate, to be informed of critical issues, to vote for government representatives, to respect and safeguard the civil liberties of all citizens, to serve on a jury when called to do so, and to defend our country against hostile aggression whenever necessary.
One should not expect to enjoy the benefits of a democratic society without fulfilling his or her social duty that arises from its creation. Remember, this obligation is not to the elected government of the State -- it is to the State itself. In other words, it is a promise we make to each other. The State, as a consequence of its existence, serves each of us, and we to a lesser degree must serve the State. The implicit agreement, which forms the social union of the State, is a two way process; with civil rights comes civil responsibility as an inseparable part. Therefore, we are mutually obligated to serve one another and to protect the security and welfare of each other.
Government is a our only real tool for solving complex social problems. If we allow it to become a problem of itself, then the fault lies squarely on each of us. If you will approach it as a determined, enlightened, and involved person, you will find your respect for the institution of government measurably improved. It will still be imperfect but it will be tolerably imperfect. If we are not willing to work together than there is no need for government at all. In that event, it is time to pack our bags, put on our animal-skin loin clothes, and move back into caves of pre-civilization where the only law is the strong over the weak.


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My mother found this recipe years ago. It is so much easier than standing over a stove and stirring a double boiler full of custard and hoping it turns out right. I've never had this one fail. It's a versatile recipe. I use it to make banana pudding, coconut pie, chocolate pie and many other goodies. The recipe calls for a cup of sugar but I seldom use that much. I probably use about 2/3 cup.
Basic Pudding and Pie filling
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
In a small bowl thoroughly mix the flour, sugar and salt
Break the eggs into a large microwavable bowl. Add the milk and whisk them until they are well incorporated. Add the dry mixture a little at a time continuing to whisk. When all of the dry mixture is incorporated and there are no lumps, place the bowl in the microwave and set it for 2 minutes. When it stops, whisk the mixture and microwave it again for a minute. Whisk again when it stops. Continue to do this at one minute intervals. By about the 3rd time, you should start to see it thicken. Stop when the mixture is the consistency of pudding. Add the vanilla and whisk thoroughly. At this point, you have the base for a pie or pudding of your choice. The hardest part of this recipe is waiting for it to chill before you eat it.
You can make a chocolate pudding by adding cocoa powder to the dry ingredients. You can add coconut to the finished product and put it in a pie shell then top it with whipped topping or meringue. You can use it in a parfait. You get the idea. Have fun.


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Coming from Tesla are some T-shirts and hoodies. All are available in black or grey colors with vertical logo on the front and in the middle of the back.
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Well my blog doesn't really try that hard to be topical but to see in the news that scientists at the Large Hadron Collider in Cern have decidied now that the big bang probably didn't happen but that our universe is eternal and part of a multidimensional reality where gravity leaks though blackholes to higher and lower dimensions seemed rather coincidental seeing as my last post quoted David Bently Hart saying:
At some point, then, at the source of all sources and the origin of all origins, the contingent must rest upon the absolute. One will not understand this line of reasoning properly, however, unless one recognizes [sic] that it is not concerned with the question of the temporal origin of the universe; it would make no difference for the argument whatsoever if it should turn out that the universe has existed forever and will go on existing eternally, without beginning or end, or that it belongs to some beginningless and endless succession of universes. (102)So don't panic, while the Cern LHC may blow up the planet now that it has been juiced up to twice the power at least it wont disprove the existence of God. Phew!


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Bridgend Ravens welcome their old rivals Cardiff RFC to the Riverside Hardware Brewery Field for a midweek encounter in the Principality Premiership (Kick off 7:15pm).
The Ravens will be keen to avenge two consecutive defeats after an excellent victory against Llanelli on the opening weekend. Having beaten the Scarlets, Bridgend then came up short against Cross Keys (35-15) and Llandovery (37-12).
Cardiff started the season with two heavy defeats against Llandovery and Carmarthen Quins. This was followed by a crushing victory over Newport at the Arms Park on Saturday. The Blue and Blacks smashed the Black and Ambers 62-17, running in nine tries.
Captain Jonathon Vaughan is hoping to be fit for the clash and is excited by the challenge the capital side will bring.
'After coming off the back of two poor away performances, the aim is to come out and deliver a winning performance in front of our fantastic home crowd.'
'I feel that winning our home games is vital in this league because every team is finding it extremely difficult to win away from home.'
'Cardiff are not to be taken lightly following their win on Saturday against Newport, but we are desperate to get our show back on the road and get a win. The boys are excited to be back playing at the Riverside Hardware Brewery Field and the mood in the camp is good – confidence is high.'
'We will look to get the basics right and then hopefully play the way we want to play and put a smile back on the faces of our fans.'
Head coach Ben Rose is also in pessimistic mood ahead of the clash.
'It is good to be home after two difficult away trips against experienced sides.'
'Cardiff seem to be a developing team with a similar philosophy to ourselves - bringing through young players.'
'I hope that both sides will be encouraged to play the game at pace.'
'Despite the defeats the performances of the boys have been improving and we hope that a Wednesday night atmosphere will bring out the best in our group of players.'
'Against Llanelli the crowd helped us to a victory and I hope the same will happen on Wednesday.'
After three games, Bridgend Ravens top scorer is Ospreys full back Ross Jones with twenty five points (two tries and five penalties) followed by youngster Ben Thomas who has twelve (2 penalties and three conversions).
Cardiff came out victorious in the reverse encounter last season, with an impressive 20-26 win at the Riverside Hardware Brewery Field. Bridgend tries that day were scored by Ospreys wing Luke Morgan and two from Steve Cullen, who has now joined Cardiff. The rest of the points came from the boot of Dai Flanagan. That victory is part of an impressive run from the Blue and Blacks, who have won their previous three games against Bridgend at the Riverside Hardware Brewery Field.
The meeting on Wednesday evening is the first of four encounters this season, with the Ravens and Cardiff having been drawn in the same group in the British and Irish Cup.


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Ambassador to Timor-Leste: Who Is Judith Fergin?
Saturday, October 23, 2010
The impoverished nation of Timor-Leste, which only recently emerged from years of colonial rule, has a new U.S. ambassador with significant experience in the Australasian region. President Barack Obama nominated Judith R. Fergin to the post June 15, 2010. Her confirmation hearing was held on July 21, she was confirmed by the Senate August 5, and she took charge of her post September 9.
Born and raised in Falmouth, Maine, Fergin earned a B.A. in Government from Smith College in 1973, a Master's degree in International Relations from the University of Virginia, and a second Master's degree in National Resource Management from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces of the National Defense University.
Fergin is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service. She served as Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 1997 to 2001. From 2002 to 2003, she participated in a diplomatic exchange program at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and then moved to Canberra, where she served as Economic Counselor at the embassy for 2003 and 2004, when the bilateral Free Trade Agreement negotiations between the U.S. and Australia were finalized. She was Deputy Chief of Mission at the embassy in Singapore from 2004 to 2007. Returning to Australia in July 2007, she served as Consul General in Sydney to June 2010. Other overseas posts include Moscow, Russia; Monrovia, Liberia; Pretoria, South Africa; and Munich, Germany.
Fergin has seen at least her share of danger and drama over the years. In Jakarta, military upheaval forced Fergin's husband and children to leave the country for a time, while Fergin remained at the embassy. In Russia, a rocket destroyed a photocopier in an office one floor beneath Fergin's.
Fergin is married to fellow Foreign Service Officer Gregory C. Fergin, a retired senior Foreign Service officer. They have two children, William and Amalia. Over the years, the Fergins have contributed $4,550 to the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) PAC and Legislative Action Fund. The AFSA is the professional association certified to represent members of the United States Foreign Service, and the PAC and LAF are its political arms.
- Matt Bewig
Judith Fergin US-Diplomat Relays Life Story (by Jackie Myers, Southern Highland News)
John 8 years ago
Timor-Leste did not emerge "from years of bloody civil war." In 1999, the East Timorese people voted for independence, a right to self-determination denied them in 1975 when Indonesia invaded the Portuguese colony. Indonesia's invasion and occupation were backed by the U.S. and resulted in in up to 200,000 deaths. After the pro-independence vote, Indonesia's security forces killed at least 1450 people, destroyed most of its infrastructure and forced two-thirds of its population from their homes. Timor became independent in 2002 after several years of direct UN rule. The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (etan.org) has been supporting the people in their quest for justice and accountability.
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On our trip to snowy Colorado last May, my college roommate and I had dreams of climbing a 14er. After seeing all the snow, we decided that a climb to 14,000 feet elevation may be unrealistic. Maybe 13,000? 11,000?
After hiking over feet of packed snow to Mills Lake, we ruled out many of the peaks that we had hoped to conquer. We heard that the Twin Sisters peak hike, at 11,428 feet, was snow free. While it looked like perfect ground for a bear or mountain lion, the hike was free of snow. One thing it was not free of was…a landslide.
At another impasse, we took some advice from a local to attempt Estes Cone at 11,002 feet. Success.
During our hiking adventures, we enjoyed views of elk and some smaller creatures – tiny chipmunks and a caterpillar that a young girl had named "Shadow Ninja."
I'll end with a picture of me and my travel buddy back at Mills Lake. Thanks, Wendy, such an adventure.
(c) Website and all images copyright Kaitlin Taylor 2014


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Produced by: The New Yorker and WNYC Studios


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Wake Ed
Some Triangle school systems not making up January snow days
Some Triangle students won't have to pay the price for January's wintry weather that resulted in as many as three days of missed classes.
The Orange County and Chatham County school systems will not require students to make up the snow days from last Friday, Monday and Tuesday. In contrast, school systems such as Wake County are making up the time with year-round students scheduled to have their first make-up day on Saturday.
Those responses to this month's storm highlight the different ways school systems are handling the missed days of instruction.
North Carolina school systems are required to either have 185 days of school or 1,025 hours of instruction each year. Most school districts follow the time requirement.
Every school system has more than 1,025 hours built into their schedules. This extra time gives districts a cushion they can use to "forgive" some snow days. Some districts turn to the banked time first while others convert teacher workdays into school days before forgiving snow days.
"We will apply hours already built into the schedule that exceed the minimum number required to account for the instructional time missed," said Lori Carlin, a spokeswoman for the Chatham County school system. "Please keep in mind that should we miss additional days due to inclement weather, it may be necessary to amend the calendar to provide the required number of instructional hours."
Like Chatham, Orange County schools is turning first to its banked instructional hours for dealing with snow days. Students in those two districts will face having make-up days if the number of snow days exceeds the amount of banked time available.
In Orange County, all schools have at least 32.5 hours more than the state's required amount of time. This means the district's inclement weather plan says the first step is to forgive up to five snow days.
After those five days are gone, Orange County will switch to converting early release days to full days. Then would come use of any remaining teacher workdays and then classes on Saturdays.
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system, which is located in Orange County but is separate from the county system, is using a different approach to the inclement weather. Chapel Hill is switching three teacher workdays to school days to make up the lost time.
Wake County's weather plan for traditional-calendar schools follows a different order than the Orange and Chatham school systems. Wake's first option is using teacher workdays as class days. Only after they're exhausted would Wake use the extra banked instructional time it has to forgive up to three snow days.
The remaining order is to switch early release days to full days, hold school on Saturday April 16, cut up to three days from spring break and lastly extend the end of the school year.
As I previously blogged about, Wake staff had recommended the approach being used in Chatham and Orange to use banked time first. But the school board told staff to go with teacher workdays first so that students wouldn't miss the instructional time.
Click here for a blog post listing the different make-up days for each Wake County calendar.
In terms of Wake's year-round schools, their make-up days are on Saturdays because most schools follow the multi-track calendar. This means there aren't weekdays where the buildings are empty of students that could be used as instructional days.


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You are hereCrappie Forums / Crappie Fishing Reports / Mississippi / Sardis Lake Crappie Fishing Reports / John Woods Guide Service crappie fishing on Sardis Lake 1-25-12
John Woods Guide Service crappie fishing on Sardis Lake 1-25-12
It was a little slower crappie fishingi out on Sardis lake today compared to couple days ago. Only caught 14 good crappiei. Still slow trolling B&M 14' PST'S.
Thanks for stopping by www.crappie101.com. We are the site dedicated to crappie fishingi. We bring you tips and techniques from crappie country's top pros and the everyday fisherman not to mention the most complete information on crappie lakes from all around the country.


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Bike with Kimberly Cartwright
Thursday, 8:30 AM
Indoor cycling strengthens the cardiovascular system using high interval training. If you want to burn a lot of calories this is the class for you. Bring a towel and water.
Mansion House
Main Street, Vineyard Haven
(508) 693-2200
Mansion House's web site
Back to fitness class schedule


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Body Weight Exercises
My Top 5 Beginner Strength & Fitness Exercises
When you first start to workout it can be both intimidating and daunting. You may be unfamiliar with gyms and exercise in general. This may make you reluctant to even start a program or continue your current training program. Unfortunately if this is the case you are doomed from the start.
As a strength coach, I recommend and insist that everyone I work with master a few basic exercises before training escalates.
All the exercises I recommend our basic and do not require any equipment whatsoever. The five basics are all body weight exercises and they will give you a good foundation to build on your fitness matter what level you're currently at. Here are the five exercises I recommend you master before adding additional loading into your programs. I recommend you be able to do at least 12 complete perfect reps before you think about adding weight.
The Men's Fitness and More 5 strength exercises for the beginners workout:
- Push-Up
- Squat
- Inverted Row
- Plank
- Hyper Extension
(1) The Push-Up – I consider the push-up to be one of the best basic strengths movement for upper body pushing. It works the chest, shoulders, arms, and core. Once you're able to do 15 to 20 push-ups with perfect form you can think about moving to the benchpress, but I prefer to add weight. This can be done in various, ways just use imagination. Two suggestions are: user rubber bands, use chains. Both will go around your back, and shoulders.
(2) The Squat – This may be the best lower body exercise there is. Is an excellent movement to develop strength in both the hamstrings and quads as well as some but development. As you get proficient at this exercise and add an external loads you'll find this is also great for core development.
(3) Inverter Rows - This may be the most difficult exercise on the list. The inverted row is an upper body pulling exercise that will develop excellent strength in the lats and arms. As I mention this is an extremely difficult exercise and it may take you some time to build to do a single pull-up. What I suggest is for you to start with inverted rows, that is where your feet are on the floor and you pull yourself up to a bar. Kind of like a push-up but in reverse.  To increase the difficulty change or bottom position so becomes more and more parallel to the floor. See the photo to the left for an example of a more advanced level inverted row. See how in diagram A is not very steep. Latter on you will want to try upper back dumbbell exercises too.
(4) Plank – this is excellent for building core strength, great for the abs. There two versions that you may want to think about doing. The first is the traditional plank where you're on your elbows and toes facing the floor. The second is where you are on her elbows and toes again but you're now sideways.The days of endless crunches and situps are over, the plank is an excellent way to work your core. Hold for time, and push it each week.
(5) Hyper Extensions – This is great for building strength in the low back. It's a static move, and is held for time, just like the plank. Gradually build up two minutes per hold, once you accomplish that you will have some great low back strength.
As you progress these exercises will still be the cornerstone of your workout template. Every exercise mentioned can be increased in difficulty to make for an excellent workout. If you're looking to build size and put on muscle, increase strength, or lose weight is a good idea to include a version of these exercises in your fitness routine.
If you are looking for more challenging bodyweight exercises make sure you see my I consider the 3 best body weight exercises.
I would love to hear what you have to say. Please leave a comment below and feel free to tell me what you consider your basic exercise moves, or what you consider fundamentals for weight training.
I look forward to hearing what you have to say.


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Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Tuesday decried Buddhist monks' attacks on Muslims in Myanmar, saying killing in the name of religion was "unthinkable."
The Dalai Lama, a foremost Buddhist leader, told an audience at the University of Maryland at the start of a U.S. tour that the root of seemingly sectarian conflict was political, not spiritual.
"Really, killing people in the name of religion is unthinkable, very sad. Nowadays even Buddhists are involved in Burma," another name for Myanmar, with monks attacking Muslim mosques, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate said after delivering the Anwar Sadat Lecture for Peace at the university.
"I think it is very sad," he said, adding, "I pray for them (the monks) to think of the face of Buddha," who had been a protector of Muslims.


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Last weekend, as the threat of looming downpours for much of Tasmania was forecast, I went to a biochar workshop organised by the Huon Producers' Network, and I reckon it was the best thirty five bucks I ever spent……. I've read quite a bit on the matter, and have always been fascinated by Terra Preta. Having cut down some fifty trees to make way and building material for our new house, I'm not exactly short of biomass to get rid of…. I had four huge piles of the stuff, and unfortunately, sometimes even the best laid plans have to yield to reality and two of them have been burned to make way for 'development' on the Fanny Farm. Each time I burned the piles, I got the guilts knowing all that resource was going to waste and contributing to climate change, but having inadvertently put several tonnes of wood in the wrong place (designing my patch is an evolutionary process) and having no quick means of moving them, I just put a match to it. At least, the ash went on the current market garden patch……
I had some expectations of what I was going to be shown, but they were all thrown out the window…. I had been expecting to see kilns such as the one at right which are all enclosed for the purpose of starving the fire of Oxygen so as to pyrolise the wood and make charcoal. My friend Bruce in Queensland has been making charcoal this way for thirty years to satisfy his blacksmithing habit (and those of many others I might add), and he has this down to a fine art. But it appears there's a revolution underway…..
The presenter on the day was Frank Strie, who thirty years ago emigrated from Germany with his whole family to Tasmania. "We started to plant lots of different fruit trees" Frank says on his website, "such as Cherries, Apricots, Peaches, Plums, Prunes and various apple and pear trees. And of course, we wanted to grow our own vegetables. Also, about 20 years ago we established a Hazelnut Orchard, which covers nearly one third of the property." It's all organic of course, and he sounds like he's pretty good mates with Peter Cundall, Tassie's gardening guru…… See his Terra Preta website.
The fact that he brought three kilns on a trailer and the back of a ute all the way from Launceston just shows how versatile and portable his gear is.
The new kilns are open topped, and most interestingly, funnel shaped. They make the process faster – like maybe half the time or better – and allow for activation of the charcoal (which is what turns it into biochar) all in one go. Being able to just tip the finished product onto the ground instead of laboriously shoveling it out of the kiln looks good to this old man with a bad back as well.
Andrew, a local also known as Stretch – and so tall he can't fit in photos – was also there to ably assist Frank; he'd organised lots of firewood and stacked it in piles of graded sizes along with cardboard and kindling. We actually got three kilns started; from a smallish one designed for hobby gardeners, to something that will make a cubic metre at a time (and double up as a BBQ!) to the farm sized device I could probably use but can't afford….. though there is now talk of buying one as a community resource which is a darn good idea!
The idea of the funnel shape is that as the air outside is heated, it rises up the sides, and when it reaches the lip, a vortex effect is created causing the air to be sucked into the kiln speeding up the burn. The 'big one' even comes with a skirt that acts as a venturi, speeding up the air as it is squeezed between the kiln and skirt at the lip of the kiln. The effect was clearly visible, though nigh impossible to catch in a still photo.
The 'smothering' effect is created by simply adding more and more firewood to the pile. Before combustion is complete, the fire is quenched (with water on this particular day, but normally a liquid fertiliser would be used) from the bottom up. The bottom of the kiln is plumbed to a pipe which can be used for both removing excess liquid, or adding it under pressure from an IBC on, say, the back of a ute. On the day, Frank used a garden hose, because we could not do what he normally does because of where we were….
On the day, the kiln was not filled to capacity due to location and time constraints, but you can clearly see the results. The big kiln even comes with a winch to tip the biochar out for easy work, and if it wasn't for the fact I'm far too busy house building and counting my remaining pennies, I would buy one tomorrow,
To learn more about biochar, here is an interesting link supplied by Frank that anyone keen on this process would find enlightening. I think this is definitely the way of the future, a bright light among all the rubbish we see every day about renewable energy and electric cars. This has the potential to sequester huge amounts of Carbon, and even more importantly, prepare farm soil for the post oil era looming on the horizon.


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CALGARY—The sighs of relief sweeping Alberta are almost audible. It's not that most Albertans are relieved that the Progressive Conservatives won the election, yet again. But rather that it is now abundantly clear that most Albertans are not racists and homophobes.
Other Canadians likely feel they don't need to prove this. But in Alberta we had a history that clung to us like an old, tattered sheet.
The Social Credit party, which governed Alberta for 35 years, was overtly anti-Semitic in its early days.
In the early 1980s anti-Semitism reared its ugly head again when it was revealed that a social studies teacher in a public high school was teaching students that the Holocaust was a hoax.
Jim Keegstra was quickly booted from his teaching job and eventually convicted of wilfully promoting hate, a decision upheld in 1990 by the Supreme Court.
Nevertheless, Alberta gained a reputation as a place where anti-Semitism thrives, a stereotype that has prevailed for a long, long time. Just last year a national newspaper ran a full-page article about Calgary being the centre of neo-Nazism in Canada when in fact neo-Nazis here have aroused so much public opposition they have abandoned their White Pride marches.
Albertans also got a reputation for being hostile to gays and lesbians, thanks to premier Ralph Klein. In the 1990s Klein refused to include sexual orientation in Alberta's Human Rights Act until the Supreme Court told him that was unconstitutional. He also vociferously opposed the legalization of same-sex marriage and was forced to back down on that as well.
It was this history that came back to haunt us during the latter part of the election campaign thanks to Danielle Smith and the Wildrose party. The haunting began when Smith declared that marriage commissioners should be able to exercise their "conscience rights" and opt out of marrying gays and lesbians if they thought it was wrong.
Smith then said that complaints about discrimination should be handled by a special court. That sounded like she wanted to abolish the Human Rights Commission.
A Wildrose candidate, a minister running in a very ethnically diverse part of Calgary, said more than once that he was better qualified to handle a multicultural constituency because he was Caucasian. An Edmonton candidate, also a minister, called homosexuals sinners who "will suffer the rest of eternity in the lake of fire, hell . . ."
All of this frightened a lot of people. Edmonton's Jewish mayor publicly objected; as did Calgary's Muslim mayor.
Kelly Ernst, a Calgarian who has worked long and hard for gay and lesbian rights in the province, said that during the last few days of the campaign he could see through social media that people who were intending to vote Wildrose because they wanted change were turning back to the PCs because of the racist and homophobic comments coming out of the Wildrose camp.
"People within the Wildrose, and the media, have a perpetual problem describing the sentiment of Albertans. They are too blinded by the 40-plus years of one government and the power of the Albertan stereotype," he told me.
Smith could have easily shut down the candidates, she could have disqualified them. But instead she defended them by invoking their right to free speech. She didn't seem to understand that political candidates voluntarily give up their freedom of speech to toe the party line. This left people wondering just exactly what the party line is on such issues.
To be sure there was a wing of the Alberta PC party that hewed to this sort of discrimination, and many of those PCs eventually joined the Wildrose because they felt more at home there.
But it was always easy to see that the majority of Albertans did not hold those views.
When Klein was fighting same-sex marriage, several opinion polls showed that most Albertans didn't support him.
When Ted Morton, who opposed same-sex marriage and abortion, ran for the PC leadership in 2006 it looked as though he might win but his support stopped dead at 30 per cent of PC members.
Now that social conservative wing of the PC party has been rooted out. It sits in opposition, leaving Premier Alison Redford and the PCs freer to adopt more liberal social policies.
"The Albertan stereotype was embodied by the Wildrose, yet Albertans soundly rejected it," says Kelly Ernst.
Yes indeed. The Wildrose provided Albertans with an opportunity to take a stand against bigotry, against the history that has haunted us. An opportunity that proved irresistible.
Gillian Steward is a Calgary writer and journalist, and former managing editor of the Calgary Herald. Her column appears every other week. firstname.lastname@example.com


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The accidental nature of Kreayshawn's stardom has swelled the ranks of her haters, who include bloggers, other MCs, music critics and the ghostwriter of "Gucci Gucci." She has been the subject of many dis tracks, scattered feuds and leaked nude photos, and was accused of using the N-word in a song (she didn't). Perhaps for the first time in all of human experience, being an attractive white girl has only made things worse. "When you do something that's supposedly not typical, it's always shocking, you know?" she says. "It makes (being a controversial hip-hop star) a bigger deal. I think it was a bigger deal that I was white." Read the full interview with Kreayshawn 9 p.m. Saturday at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St.; $20-$23 (18+); 773-549-4140 or etix.com
Copyright © 2019, Chicago Tribune


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Stage 6 had mountains, a really touching moment with Elisa Longo Borghini, and the surprise disqualification of Fabiana Luperini. Read my race report, and why Amanda Spratt is grumpy with her ORICA DS!
First, the race highlights video, with English interviews with Mara Abbott & Claudia Häusler, and translations of the Italian interviews
and here's Amber Pierce discussing Stage 6, including talking about bike weights and the relationship between riders and mechanics:
An hour of video in 4 parts. To watch the full 50 minutes of the RAI video, which is on Youtube in 4 parts, either start at Part 1 and let the playlist run through, or watch in parts. Part 2, with that adorable Elisa Longo Borghini moment from about 2:50, Part 3 and Part 4


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Life Code: The New Rules for Winning in the Real World
Author: Dr. Phil McGraw
Publisher: Bird Street Books
Date: November 13, 2012
About the Author
"Dr. Phil" (Phillip C. McGraw, Ph.D.) is the host of America's number-one
daytime talk show and is perhaps the most well-known expert in the field of
psychology and human functioning in the world today.
BAITERS - The Bad Guys
Do you give other people the "benefit of the doubt"? Dr. Phil believes you can get in trouble just by being in the wrong place at the wrong time and not listening to your basic instincts. This is why the "benefit of the doubt" is not advised in the new "life code".
Dr. Phil McGraw states that some people "win" just because they play the game of life according to a different set of rules or no rules at all. In the real world, the cheaters sometimes win, the early bird doesn't always get the worm, and doing unto others as you wish they would do unto you doesn't always get you what you want, need or deserve.
BAITERS (Backstabbers/Abusers/Impostors/Takers/Exploiters/Reckless) are those who exploit, cheat and abuse other people. They win at any cost, especially if it is at the expense of others. Dr. Phil explains the tactics, strategies, techniques and behaviors that BAITERS use to hurt you.
New Rules For Wining in the Real World
The second part of this book explains how to be a winner in life. In order to be successful, you have to play smarter and harder in every part of your life. That means changing what you are doing and how you think. Dr. Phil created a "Sweet 16" list of strategies, mindsets and behaviors that he believes are necessary to change your life for the better.
The final part of the book deals with the importance of knowing how to negotiate what you want and need. Almost everything in your life is based on negotiation.
Dr. Phil writes a special chapter to parents at the end of the book. He believes that people who want to harm your children have more access to them than ever before. Parents must teach their children the new rules for dealing with people in their world.
My Thoughts
The world has drastically changed in the past 50 years. I believe Dr. Phil delivers some sound and sensible advice on how to live in modern times.
I wish I had read a book like this many years ago. I have been exposed to many BAITERS in my life. Unfortunately, I have also used some of the tactics that BAITERS use to further my own agendas and causes.
This book should motivate you to take a good look at how you are living your life. It is never too late to make positive changes in your choices, behaviors and relationships.
I read the digital edition of this book on my Kindle Fire. The formatting is a bit rough around the edges, but the content is really outstanding. I think this is the best book that Dr. Phil has written. It is time to "get real" with a new life code!
My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5
FYI ~ I purchased the digital edition of this book with my own funds.
Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.


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...at the Door of the Church. The Unfinished Church...A Place to discuss Faith, Religion, and denomination. God gave us minds: Let's use them!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
And God said....
Monday, October 29, 2007
another murder
News article here.
I am pondering the questions about people that are "evil." Or apparently evil. Why isn't this more evident? Or perhaps most of us are capable of such evil????
I used to watch Roy Rodgers on TV when I was little. I truly thought that when we grow up, we would kill people.
I saw an interview on TV regarding bombings in
I'm sick……..ed. note: Due to SO's comment, I decided to slightly edit the above comment, since I didn't provide the name of the official who said that.
Now we're packing for a trip to
We don't have to bring cold weather jackets for Africa, but on the way back, we'll be stopping over an extra day in
We'll be bringing our own "luxuries:" flashlights, 'Sun Showers,' shampoo and soap, toilet paper, bedding, peanut butter, books. We actually need hardly any money.There will be no backup plan.
Friday, October 26, 2007
100 Truths in 30 Years with Christ
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Christian Reconciliation Carnival, #9, posted.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Saving Marriages
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Living in the Questions
"If you had to choose one thing that you believe your church or tradition does the best, or one contribution you believe your church body makes to Christendom as a whole, what would that be? "
Weekend Fisher posed this question for this month's Christian Reconciliation Carnival. I'm late with my entry; I should know better since I was a previous host.
When thinking of what the
From the Fall/Winter 2002 Ministry Link reports on a sermon by Bishop Hanson: "Lutheran tradition is rich with examples of representing real-life experience by holding opposite concepts in tension. We see that creation is both good in God's eyes and fallen, he said. Each of us is both saint and sinner. God's work in the world is both hidden and revealed.
"Our "consumptive, multi-taking" culture, presents a challenge to the Lutheran tradition of seeing these dialectical tensions in faith and life, Hanson said. 'Folks want a roadmap to life. They don't want the paradox of life and God's grace revealed in weakness,' he said. Yet that understanding is one of the Lutheran movement's great gifts to the Church, he said, calling for Lutherans to engage in 'public prophetic speech' and to present a Lutheran understanding of Scripture to counter the 'fundamentalist' interpretations that are prevalent in the culture.'"
Certainly Lutheranism isn't the only tradition to think about some of the paradoxical tensions in faith, but this way of thinking is certainly in contrast to some of the prominent statements that come from some churches (or perhaps independent preachers) that use the media better than Lutherans do. In my mind, being somewhat comfortable with living in these tensions is a recognition that we humans can't grasp the fullness and complexity of God. We're not trying to pin God down to the finite words in the Bible, even as we believe that God is indeed revealed in the Bible. We recognize that God's ways are not man's ways; they can't be reduced to formulas or simplistic statements.
And yet…..I will mention a few more of these paradoxes or tensions, summarized with some simplistic phrases.
The Kingdom is both Now/Not yet
In the World/Not of the World
God is both transcendent/Immanent
Jesus is both True God/True Man
The communion elements are both the True Body and Blood/in the form of the bread and wine.
Ok, I'm supposed to just write about one topic that is a strength of my denomination, but in the research I did for this essay, I came across this statement by Bishop Hanson, "It's a well-kept secret that the largest provider of social services in this nation is Lutheran Social Services." see here and here.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
struck me as both sad and, well, not exactly funny, but..., hmmmm, ironic???I saw a TV program about a newly retired couple who both went through plastic surgery as a sort of new start to their new life. The camera showed them at the doctor's office. Even the doctor looked "altered." That wasn't a compliment.
A few days ago, a friend noticed that I didn't look so great. I was very tired. I'm not sure that surgery could fix that look.
I wasn't sure what category to put it in either, so I chose "God's World." Maybe, just maybe, the Creator knows best.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Lots of Typing
We've all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the internet, we know this is not true.
Note: not original
Monday, October 15, 2007
The New Hymnal Has Arrived!
The pastor has a plan to ease us into the new hymnal. For the first Sunday, we used a liturgical setting that was almost identical to one of the settings in the green book. We also sang hymns that were old favorites. The sermon traced the use of music and singing in the Bible story of our salvation, and we sang portions of hymns that carried this theme.
For the second Sunday, we sang some hymns that might be new to Lutherans but were actually old favorites for the Choir. For several years, the choir has used an number of hymns that have been published by Catholic music publishing houses. Now many of these are in our hymnal.
So far, there is nothing new there for me. And I do hope we soon try other liturgies since I never did care for the melodies of the green book liturgies.
The Lady and the Haircut
Where's the grace?
I was away starting 9/28, for 9 days. Nine long days and about 1300 miles of driving. I've been both emotionally and physically exhausted since I got back home, so I haven't had the energy to write. Unfortunately, that means I also don't have the energy to fly "out east" to see the new grandbaby.The trip started with a drive through 75 miles of pea soup fog and a stop at a clinic so I could get an immunization. The doctor determined that I needed three immunizations which probably caused the fatigue I started feeling the next day. Then I had lunch with my best friend. I think of S as "grace." I know she has and will accept me as I am, and she has been honest with me when she thought I've been off the deep end on some things.
Then I drove to an annual gathering of relatives. Seven of us spent two days laughing, eating, remembering a recently deceased aunt, and just enjoying each other's company. Every year we wonder if and when this group will change since one of the members is 91 years old and one is very debilitated by a disease. We also went out to eat and to a museum, where we took in the "Omnitheater." I really have a hard time with seeing the "you-are-there-flying" movies. I got stopped by a cop who told me that I had caused a car to swerve. This was unnerving. Actually, I had been forced to go back to my lane when that car was driving up on my so fast that I wasn't able to change lanes. I was also accused of "fleeing" from the cop. Hey, I was going about 5 mph for one block before I found a place to stop!
Then I drove east through rain, across the neighboring state, to visit three other elderly relatives. It is always a challenge to figure out when I can visit each one because they all take naps and go to bed early. I run a few errands for them, if necessary, and for one, I check on the care being given at the facility where she resides. I let myself get too anxious about this aspect of the trip.
I also attempted to deal with the insurance company, since I'm listed on the power of attorney papers, but they wouldn't talk to me since I'm the alternate. HIPA rules, you know. The alternate is supposed to take care of business if the primary POA is unavailable. Well, that was exactly the case, but they wouldn't deal with me without a notarized paper regarding the situation. However, the primary can't leave her home to get a paper notarized due to serious illness. So, the insurance company was supposed to FAX some papers to deal with this in an alternative way. How long should a FAX take? That is a rhetorical question with no answer in this situation, because even after being told that they would FAX the papers on two different days, it never arrived during the week.
At least I had the files to review and I was able to make copies and write a letter to try to get the bills paid. This same insurance company had sent multiple letters saying that the claim was in process and we didn't have to do anything. Yeah right. How about telling us that they were missing multiple papers? I sent them 26 pages of copies.
I took a longer-than-usual way home so that I could visit my sister, who has recently had serious surgery, but seems to be recovering, and see her daughter and her grandbabies. Going home, I had about 100 miles of fog again.
Where's the haircut? Here it comes:
About 3 months ago, I got my hair cut shorter because I just didn't have time to get appointments very often. I don't like fussing with my hair at all. Since that time, wherever I've gone, people have commented on how much they like my hair. It is a nice, though odd, feeling to receive so many compliments, dozens actually, for so long a time.
I'm not responsible for the type of hair I have; I only do wash-and-wear hair dos. I'm not the one who cut my hair. I just smile and say, "Thank you."
These compliments are somehow like grace: UNDESERVED. But I'll take them!
The Lady and the Haircut part two: One of my relatives recently got a new pastor at her church. She hasn't yet met the lady pastor, but has talked to fellow council members about her. It seems that the not-so-young pastor has short hair, so some of the people were "wondering" about her. Code word alert. Ah-ha. They found out that she has a husband; relief was felt by all.
So is "this" sort of thing the first thing that pops into people's minds these days?
Monday, October 08, 2007
Thank God this happened at home.
Yesterday, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the car going backwards on our driveway, faster than normal, for backing up. Since my husband is Mr. Cautious when it comes to driving, this was definitely unusual. Then I looked out another window, and saw that the car had backed into a small tree. The brakes had gone out! Fortunately, the brakes failed at home. And fortunately, thanks to Mr. Columbus, my husband has today off to take care of this. And the car dealer has an opening this morning.


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Story highlights
- World number two Rafael Nadal starts with win at Barcelona Open
- Reigning champion enjoys 30th straight victory in the tournament
- Former world number one Ana Ivanovic loses to qualifier in Stuttgart
- German Mona Barthel watched Ivanovic win French Open whilst at school
Rafael Nadal continued his domination on clay as he crushed compatriot Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-1, 6-2 in the second round of the Barcelona Open.
The Spaniard carved out 15 break points during the match, polishing off Garcia-Lopez in just over 80 minutes. It was Nadal's 30th straight victory at the event, where he has won six of the last seven titles at the Real Club de Tennis.
Nadal has started the season in ominous form. After battling back from a serious knee injury, the world number two won his first title in ten months last week after finally beating rival -- and world number one -- Novak Djokovic in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters.
Last year's beaten finalist David Ferrer also cruised into the third round by beating the Serbian Filip Krajinovic 6-0, 6-3.
"I played pretty well, it was a relatively comfortable start," the Spaniard told AFP.
"The second set was not as good as the first, but I kept my energy and speed. I had shoulder problems but I had treatment here on Friday. But I still didn't know last Sunday if I could play."
Ferrer, who plays fellow Spaniard Albert Montanes next, will be hoping that his shoulder improves significantly over the next few days: he has lost three finals and counting to Nadal.
Elsewhere former women's world number one Ana Ivanovic lost to 21-year-old German wild-card Mona Barthel in the first round of Stuttgart's clay-court WTA tournament.
Barthel fired 11 aces as she beat Ivanovic 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) before admitting that the Serb was something of a hero of hers.
"There was something special, because Ana used to be a bit of a role model for me," Barthel told AFP.
"I was still at school when she won the French Open and I watched it on television.
"At that time all this was a long, long way off for me."
Ivanovic has struggled to recapture the form that saw her win the French Open four years ago. The same can't be said for Barthel who has had an incredible 2012. She won the Hobart WTA tournament in January before reaching the third round at the Australian Open. She was only stopped by eventual winner Victoria Azarenka, the current world number one.
Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska eased into the quarterfinals when she beat Hungary's Greta Arn of Hungary 6-3, 6-4.


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Ankylosaurs, the armored dinosaurs that could pack a punch
Tyrannosaurus rex was the top predator in North America during the last days of the dinosaurs, but there's one dinosaur it may have given a wide berth. That dinosaur is Ankylosaurus magniventris, a low-slung, plant-eating dinosaur covered in bony plates and spikes. Ankylosaurus might not have had the sharp teeth or powerful bite of Tyrannosaurus, but it had its own special weapon: a tail club. In Ankylosaurus and several other species of ankylosaurs, the bones of the end of the tail had evolved into a stiff, interlocking structure, like a baseball bat. Some of the bony plates in its skin had become huge and completely enveloped the tip of the tail. Ankylosaurs also had wide hips, which meant that the muscles that move the tail from side to side were large and powerful.
I wanted to know more about how ankylosaurs might have used their unique tails. The tail club certainly looks like it would have been a formidable weapon, but how hard could an ankylosaur smash its tail club into something? Would a Tyrannosaurus have even noticed getting bopped on the leg by a tail club?
Using information about the size and shape of the tailbones, how large the muscles might have been, and how heavy the knob of bone at the end of the tail was, I calculated a range of impact forces for tail clubs of different sizes. These calculations suggested that the largest ankylosaur tail clubs could have impacted with 10,000 Newtons of force – and maybe much more, depending on how the strength of the tail-swinging muscles is estimated. For comparison, most humans can land a punch with only about 2,000 Newtons.
This study suggests that a tail club may have been a good defensive weapon. A Tyrannosaurus that tried to face off against an Ankylosaurus could have wound up with a broken ankle, a devastating injury for an animal that gets around on two legs. But, an alternative hypothesis is that ankylosaurs could have used their tail clubs against members of their own species to compete for mates or territory, much like how modern-day deer use their antlers. The next questions I'd like to answer as part of my research at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences are how and why ankylosaurs evolved such an unusual weapon, since most animals have weapons on their heads and not on their tails. Perhaps understanding the origins of this unique structure might tell us something about how and why weapons evolve in the animal kingdom.
Arbour is the Brimley Postdoctoral Scholar in the Paleontology & Geology Research Lab at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, a joint appointment with the Department of Biological Sciences at N.C. State.


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As the president of the city police union, I write to correct the several false statements in the editorial "Beware the 'outrage' " (July 13) about the union's position on the proposed sales tax increase. Both the editorial's headline and content falsely state that the union has taken a position opposing this proposal. It has not. Nor do we oppose effective social programs designed to reduce crime as the editorial implied.
Instead, it is this union's hope that this measure will lead to an equitable solution of the present crisis of exceptionally low, non-competitive city police salaries. Otherwise, many officers who want to spend their career fighting the city's crime epidemic, but also need to support their families, may be forced to flee to the St. Louis County police force or surrounding agencies, where officers' wages average approximately $15,000 more due to the passage of Proposition P.
Our union is engaged in collective bargaining with the city to reach an acceptable solution to the wage crisis. The editorial's distortion of our position is helpful to neither that process nor the public's understanding of the sales tax issues. We urge you to get your facts straight next time.
Edward Clark • St. Louis
President, St. Louis Police Officers Association
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