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Reid Sends "Personal Regrets" to Republicans
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is circulating a letter of apology to 33 Republican senators for singling them out by name in a political research document entitled, "Republican Abuse of Power."
"I am writing to apologize for the tone of this document and the decision to single out individual Senators for criticism in it," writes Reid. "I myself have been the subject of similar personal attacks from Republicans outlets...[and] understand the unfair picture they can paint and the pain they cause." The research document was released yesterday by Reid's office; a PDF of the 27-page memo is online here.
Early last year, Reid reacted angrily to a research document distributed by the Republican National Committee that cast the Nevada senator as the chief obstructionist to President Bush's agenda on issues arranging from the confirmation of judicial nominees to the creation of the Homeland Security Department.
Democrats have moved quickly to capitalize politically on lobbyist Jack Abramoff's ties to some Republican lawmakers, an effort that culminated in a high-profile press conference on Capitol Hill yesterday where Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) introduced an ethics and lobbying reform bill. The research document distributed by Reid, which listed Republican senators' ties to Abramoff, was released in conjunction with that effort.
"Whether we like it or not, the Abramoff scandal has put the subject of ethics before the American people," Reid writes. "Democrats will continue to press for reforms that address legitimate concerns about lobbying abuses and related matters."
"But," his message to the Republicans continues, "the document released by my office yesterday went too far, and I want to convey to you my personal regrets."
Reid spokesman Jim Manley offered this additional comment, "Sen. Reid more than anyone knows that politics is a contact sport, and he is never afraid to take off the gloves. However, he feels this one hit too hard, and doesn't reflect his respect for his colleagues nor his love of the Senate."
Chris Cillizza
January 19, 2006; 3:02 PM ET
Categories: Senate
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Posted by: Indianz | January 24, 2006 7:44 AM | Report abuse
'how low can they go?', if you're refering this question to Mark's fictional story about "questionable" purple hearts then you're one the most gullible moonbat morons in this country. Just because you see an "(AP)" preceding a bunch of paragraphs doesn't mean it's true. This just proves how all of you moonbat liberals will beleieve anything you read or hear as long as it's something you agree with.
ignorance is bliss.
Posted by: KTC | January 20, 2006 5:18 PM | Report abuse
Did Harry give his Abramoff money back yet? And is Pelosi still trying to get Hunters Point transfered to her brothers development firm?
Posted by: Crazy Politico | January 19, 2006 9:47 PM | Report abuse
Jack Landers wrote:
"Sully and Drindl, you better take a second look at Harry Reid. Every single political victory or major blow struck by Democrats against Republicans in the last year has been thanks to him."
Well that's exactly my point. The only victories against the corrupt reps has been Fitzgerald's indictment of Scooter and Ronnie Earle's indictment of Delay. Everything else has been a stalemate or loss. Can the dems filibuster Alito? Only if the gang of 14 says so. You call that a victory? How about getting the ethics committee going? A stalemate there! How about getting out in front of this wiretapping and leading the Senate by embarassing every member who says it might have been legal. Reid is silent.
If Reid is playing the game 5 levels deep then that must be why no one sees nor hears from him. Time to come to the surface so he can be heard. I mean, attacking republicans these days would be like shooting fish in a barrel, but Reid is playing it too cool.
Reid may have a few notches on his belt but its pretty obvious he has been marginalized and become ineffective. He's a nice guy, no doubt, but in this republican controlled Senate, nice guys finish last. We need a guy/gal who has balls and won't be so nice. Where is Tip O'Neill when you need him? At least Hillary had the balls to call the House what it really is and stand by her statement. Al Gore had the balls to lay out the indictment of Bush's crimes. More balls, less working 5 levels deep. I mean, when a bank robber is new in town you work quietly (5 levels deep) to stop him but after the 10th robbery you go after him guns blazing! Know what I mean?.
Posted by: Sully | January 19, 2006 8:36 PM | Report abuse
LOL. I gave up on the idea of a Post ombudsman bucking the paper's power structure on about my 100th unanswered letter re the Bush Iraq lies they were printing as if implicitly supported by fact.
It started with Bush's disinfo campaign to convince America, via innuendo, that Saddam had orchestrated 9/11. They took a polite and cooperative two years to cover this surreal aspect of the runup to the invasion, which successfully duped 70% of America on a laughably basic factual notion. Their silence helped keep the public from getting a reality check, ensuring the success of the disinfo push. I'm sure several editors were paid off handsomely for their reticence there.
Then there was the year of constant demagoguing that "we are fighting the terrorists in Iraq". This occurred in the midst of several independent analyses and countless anecdotal observations by generals and freelancers that only 5 to 10% of the insurgency was comprised of foreign fighters fitting the al Qaida profile. This info was out there, but did the Post ever cite it to put the presidential propaganda mantras into a factual context? Of course not. It took the freaking government of Iraq itself to point out "hey, they oppose us but they're not all terrorists". What an amazing moment of ignominy in our media's history. I guess it would have been "editorializing" to follow up Bush's mindless "fighting the terrorists" line with a reference to these analyses that put the lie to it. Yeah, that's the ticket. We don't need to report the facts until the government actually fighting the insurgency points out that they're not terrorists. Good God.
The saying goes that "in war, truth is the first casualty". Apparently the Post's Job #1 is to help enforce this axiom to the hilt.
The same goes for ersatz "media critic" Coward Curtzy. He'll mouth off on the "Girl in Aruba" tabloid stories till the cows come home, and then occasionally shake his finger at the cartoonish politicians on both sides in order to establish his veneer of "objectivity". But when it comes to correcting the media's lapses in putting White House propaganda into a reality context, he's as complicit as the other MSM actors who are known to be on the Administration payroll. He serves no real purpose as far as I can discern. And I've tried.
The Post is a sad shell of what it supposedly was in the W&B days. About the only positive thing it offers now is the online chats - in which reporters occasionally slip and admit what they cannot write about - and these blog commentary forums. At least here we can get a little reality check from fellow frustrated readers. It's a relief to confirm that indeed, the emperor really was naked, as you had thought before the media's sartorial exposition made you start to doubt your sanity.
Posted by: Mark | January 19, 2006 5:38 PM | Report abuse
Reid is an idiot. He took money from the Indian tribes, and within days voted the way they wanted him to. We have not heard about Congressman Jefferson's $90,000 in the freezer and his hijacking of national guard troops during hurricane recovery to get his "records" from his house. The wacky media is so determined to put halos on democrats, yet it does not appear to be working. Ole Harry is still bought and sold. By the way, guess what Nancy Pelosi's chief of staff just quit her job to become: A lobbyist.
Posted by: Karen | January 19, 2006 5:30 PM | Report abuse
Harry is brilliant!
Exactly Nick S. "Republican Abuse of Power" is out there.
Did you get your copy?
Posted by: sushigood | January 19, 2006 5:14 PM | Report abuse
"I am furious with Harry Reid for aplogizing to them. For fucking what? For pointing out that they're criminals?"
Oh, it's smart politics. 'I regret the tone of the release pointing out the number of criminals on the other side.' Note that he didn't retract any of the substance.
Posted by: Nick S | January 19, 2006 5:08 PM | Report abuse
If this were a GOPer the headline would have read: "Republican Sen. Retreats Under Fire from Blast Against Dems"
Kid gloves.
Posted by: WTF? | January 19, 2006 5:01 PM | Report abuse
Sadly, the "Brezhnev Republicans" and their stenographer factory otherwise known as the media have made it impossible for any civil debate to take place. "Taking the gloves off," is the only way to get the message through. Since progressives have a concious however we're not as effective at the game of mud.
P.S. The Washington Post's obudsman should resign fortwith for her current policy of not responding to critcism. The purpose of an obudsman is to faciliate dialogue between a newspaper and its readers as well as encourage transparency and accountability from that newspaper. By allowing her to continue in her position the Washington Post is becoming more like Pravda every day. Appropriate because they're serving as stenographers for "Brezhnev Republicans."
Posted by: Intrepid Liberal | January 19, 2006 4:54 PM | Report abuse
I've come to believe that Harry Reid is usually right. He's right, he's tough, he's fair and he's a gentleman.
Sully and Drindl, you better take a second look at Harry Reid. Every single political victory or major blow struck by Democrats against Republicans in the last year has been thanks to him. He set Bush up with Harriet Miers and made Bush into a laughing stock. He essentially smacked Bill Frist across the face with that bit with putting the Senate into lockdown mode. He created a Democratic Senate caucus war room to centralize and control the party's message and communications. Harry Reid is always playing a game that is 5 levels deeper than anyone around him realizes. He is the most politically brilliant and deft party leader that the Senate has seen since LBJ. Look at how effectively he has blocked ALL of Bush's second term legislative agenda despite having a minority. What more could you possibly ask of a minority leader? Watch him more closely and think more carefully about what he does and what the long term consequences are. This is not a guy whom anyone should ever underestimate. The Democratic party owes him a massive debt of gratitude.
Posted by: Jack Landers | January 19, 2006 4:51 PM | Report abuse
I wonder if there is a report on the activities of "reformer congressman" John Sweeney, http://thetenthousandthings.blogspot.com, getting caught (and not liking it) calling for sweeping House leadership changes just before jetting off for a fund raising "Skiing with Sweeney" weekend featuring dinner with a big pharma lobbyist?
What do you say about a guy like that?
Posted by: Andrew C. White | January 19, 2006 4:47 PM | Report abuse
I keep saying, 'how low can they go?' and then they go lower. The Republicans in Congress now are, quite simply, the most venal and evil caricatures I have ever seen.
And I am furious with Harry Reid for aplogizing to them. For fucking what? For pointing out that they're criminals? It's not like it's a surprise to them. And if he's worried about their feelings -- they don't have feelings. They're not human.
Posted by: Drindl | January 19, 2006 4:38 PM | Report abuse
Reid is too nice a guy. He's constantly getting beaten up in the school yard then apologizing to the bullies in the classroom. Time for a new leader, someone who will hit back and stop the bullies and never have a reason to apologize ... but who?
(That goes for Polosi too).
Posted by: Sully | January 19, 2006 4:35 PM | Report abuse
Wow, what a wuss.
Posted by: Glenn Gervasio | January 19, 2006 4:28 PM | Report abuse
classic story LoL
Posted by: spur | January 19, 2006 4:25 PM | Report abuse
Well, they may be doing a "so what" on the corruption scandals, but at least the GOP is out front on one issue of critical national significance:
House to Investigate Medal Awardees
Washington (AP) The Republican-controlled congress, concerned that some American combat veterans may not have been wounded as critically as others, has voted to formally address the issue during the current session. Calling it a "compelling public problem", party leaders said they would make it top priority to re-evaluate all prior Purple Heart awardees. Reportedly, the program is set to begin with all veterans who have registered Democrat at any time in the past twenty years.
"We had to start somewhere", explained Representative Sam Johnson (R-TX). "Since the Democrats have questioned the president's Iraq policy, it is only logical to start by examining the circumstances surrounding their medal awards. It's nothing personal or political, it's just to establish once and for all who is allowed to comment on the prosecution of the war, and who is not."
Congresswoman Jean Schmidt (R-OH) elaborated further. "We had been dealing with this issue piecemeal previously. First we questioned John Kerry's Purple Hearts after his comments about rolling back the president's upper-bracket tax cuts. Then I had to call John Murtha a coward when he kept talking about a finite timeline in Iraq. This legislation, we believe, will more systematically and fairly question the service of all of our veterans."
Senator John McCain (R-AZ), a Vietnam era POW who was tortured while in captivity and whose military service was questioned by the Bush campaign during the 2000 primaries, has been uncharacteristically silent on the probe. McCain is widely presumed to be seeking the Republican presidential nomination in 2008.
Republican leaders said that members of the Bush Administration would be exempt from the investigation. Records show that few, if any, of them have served in combat.
Posted by: Mark | January 19, 2006 3:56 PM | Report abuse
Newsmax my ass.
Posted by: Anonymous | January 19, 2006 3:50 PM | Report abuse
Harry Reid has been forced to apologize a lot for inappropriate comments/actions.
Maybe he should be concerned about his own connections to Abramoff, even though they are arguably as tenuous as the one's he claims against Republicans in his document.
From News Max article on January 3:
In a little-noticed story in November, The Associated Press revealed that Reid had accepted tens of thousands of dollars from an Abramoff client, the Coushatta Indian tribe, after interceding with Secretary of the Interior Gail Norton over a casino dispute with a rival tribe.
Reid "sent a letter to Norton on March 5, 2002," reported the AP. "The next day, the Coushattas issued a $5,000 check to Reid's tax-exempt political group, the Searchlight Leadership Fund. A second tribe represented by Abramoff sent an additional $5,000 to Reid's group. Reid ultimately received more than $66,000 in Abramoff-related donations between 2001 and 2004."
Posted by: Not a Reid Fan | January 19, 2006 3:44 PM | Report abuse
Harry has a conscience, unlike the Republicans that demand the opposition play nice then use their surrogates to swiftboat their democratic opponents
"Lincoln said you can fool some of the people all the time and those are the ones I concentrate on."
George W. Bush 2000
Posted by: Anonymous | January 19, 2006 3:30 PM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.


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Russ Meyer's "A Clean Breast" 3-Volume Book Set
Product Code: Book
Reward Points: 0
Availability: In Stock
Ex Tax: $350.00
Russ Meyer's Autobiography
Let the clarion trumpet blare, the heavens rip asunder to proclaim . . . A CLEAN BREAST lives! Yes, Russ Meyer's three-volume Magnum Opus is available exclusively via RM Films. After a decade of ceaseless toil, the legendary director and Breastman extraordinaire finally unleashed a pictorial account of his life and mind. Surrender yourself to a startlingly intimate look into the personal and professional life of the director. Feast on a carnal adventure as the lensman describes in detail a Tinsel Town debauch replete with classic films and the most cantilevered women ever to undulate over the Earth's surface. And the Women!!! Over 2,500 photos personally selected by Russ Meyer from his vast underground archive nestled deep within the hills of Hollywood. See LORNA MAITLAND, TURA SATANA, legendary USCHI DIGARD, ERICA GAVIN, KITTEN NATIVIDAD, the bumptious TUNDI, MELISSA MOUNDS, LETHA WEAPONS, PANDORA PEAKS and dozens more, as you've never seen them before. Thrill to the lust-crazed filmman's erotic meanderings as he recounts for you his monumental couplings with the most oversized and desirable women ever.
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Our Designs
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Luz Sauceda Ruiz, 62, died Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007 at her residence with her family by her side.
She was born on June 13, 1945, in Corpus Christi to Vidal R. Sauceda and Maria Barrera Sauceda.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Vidal and Maria Sauceda; her husband, Rene Ruiz and her sister, Lupe Bustamante.
She is survived by her three sons, Rene Vidal (Dalia) Ruiz and Johnny Joe Sauceda, both of Robstown, Robert Montes of Amarillo, two daughters: Hilda Montes of Robstown, Irma G. (Adrian) Hernandez of Corpus Christi, four sisters: Lydia Garza, Gloria Martinez, Anita Sauceda and Omedia Sauceda all of Corpus Christi; six brothers, Vidal B. Sauceda, Richard B. Sauceda, Enrique Sauceda, Hector Sauceda, Armando Sauceda all of Corpus Christi and Eddie B. Sauceda of Houston; her brother in law: Pilar (Maria) Ruiz of Cuero, 10 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
A Rosary was recited at 7 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 5 and 6, 2007 at Ramon Funeral Home Chapel in Robstown. The funeral Mass was celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Robstown. Interment followed in Memorial Park Cemetery in Robstown.
Ramon Funeral Home Inc.


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Loyola University New Orleans Releases "Streetcar Stories"
Loyola press release - October 26, 2016
Ding! Ding! Loyola University New Orleans today releases "Streetcar Stories," a new web series that will have a new episode every week and is an easy way to provide prospective students and parents, as well as members of the Loyola community, a sneak peak of the student experience at Loyola.
Hosted by mass communications major and Loyola senior Edwin Unzalu, Streetcar Stories features a new member of the Loyola community in a casual, fun conversation about a variety of topics germaine to Loyola.
Discussions take place on the iconic St. Charles Avenue streetcar; Unzalu and guests chat about life at Loyola while riding past historic sites, century-old oak trees and beautiful mansions.
The scenery provides a perspective of the environment Loyola students enjoy every day. Built in 1912, the university's palm-tree lined and historic campus is located across the street from the idyllic Audubon Park, replete with riding stables, running trails, lagoons, golf, athletic fields, and other amenities, including the Audubon Zoo.
"Streetcar Stories provides outsiders an inside look at Loyola – and at life as a student in New Orleans," said Loyola Digital Media Manager Angelique Dyer, who graduated from Loyola's award-winning School of Mass Communication in May 2011. "The streetcar in New Orleans is iconic, and so is Loyola, so to put those two together alongside food, music, Loyola lingo and holiday fun has been an exciting adventure."
The series is a joint product of Loyola's Office of Marketing and Communications and Elektrik Zoo, a New Orleans-based creative partnership founded by Loyola alumni Daneeta Loretta Jackson and Patrick Jackson. Led by Loyola Vice President of Marketing and Communications Laura F. Kurzu, the creative team includes Dyer, Unzalu, and other members of the Loyola community.
Future guests will include members of the Loyola community – and a few surprise celebrity guests. The web series will continue through the fall semester – and like students, will take time off for Thanksgiving break.
View Episode One here.


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I think I'm finding that nut butter and jam just really make the best French toast combos, after the 4th recipe in this 'French Toast' series. 🙂 I don't think I've ever had so much fun with breakfast/breakfast for lunch before, and I'm sorry (not sorry) if you're sick of French Toast?
But… I can't just be all light and fluffy here, because I have to share that I've been struggling a lot, but I've been seeing so much victory this week. This hymn pretty much just sums it all up.
1 Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.
2 Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law's demands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.
3 Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.
4 While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.
Hiding in Jesus. That is all.
Now this French toast recipe was born out of …. scratching my head and thinking, 'What would go well with these amazing silky creamy Jem Organics Nut butters?' They sent me 4 of their cute mini jars to do a few French toast recipes with, and they have the coolest flavors like:
Cinnamon Red Maca
Superberry Maqui Camu
Hazelnut Raw Cacao
Cashew Cardamom
Have you ever heard of such exotic names? …. And they certainly live up to their names. They are so powerful and silky, you could almost drink them. I think Chrissa, my friend who got me onto them, might agree?
You should have seen me trying to get photos of this … It would have probably been comical to the average food blogger, because I really need to bite the bullet and get more equipment but this is the result of Emily still pinching pennies.
This cutting board is amazing to take pictures on it, and I'm so thankful for the verse of reminder on it too.
Speaking of verses, I know this may seem random, but yesterday I was feeling really discouraged, and I typed 'Book of Hosea Out Loud' into You Tube.
There were some really powerful verses. Trusting in God's promises and who He is no matter what happens, no matter how hard things can be is what I came away with after listening to the small book. God's promises and His encouragements to His children are always sweet words to my soul. They can hurt, but they also heal the deepest wounds.
'Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.' (Hosea 10:12)
Well, I'm honestly rationing out Just Jan's Jams because they are so good, and I don't want them to be gone too quickly. However, when they are gone, you can be sure that I will definitely place my first order for Just Jan's after getting to try them out for the blog.
This one had the deep, juicy red raspberry jam in it, and it did not disappoint.
Have you ever bit into a sandwich and the flavors explode into your mouth? That's what this one was like.
Apples and cinnamon just seem to go really well together, although I did sprinkle about a tablespoon of cinnamon on top of this, and that might have been a little bit too much….
Well I need to stop talking and go to bed, but we can not end here without sharing this super easy, single serving recipe with you. (I actually ate half of it yesterday, but… I was pretty hungry about an hour later, so I should have eaten the last part. Needless to say, I was eating …. shortly after that. The hungriness is real, y'all.)
Apple Cinnamon Maca French Toast W/Raspberry Jam
|Yield: 1-2 servings
A soft French Toast breakfast sandwich with the explosive flavors of cinnamon, the crunch of apple, and silky nut butter.
You'll Need...
- 1 TBSP. Jem Organics Cinnamon Maca Butter
- 1 TBSP. Just Jan's Raspberry Spread
- 2 slices of apple
- 2 slices bread
- 1 egg, whisked
- 1 tbsp. yogurt (Omit if you don't eat dairy)
- Topping:
- More Nut butter, jam, more apples, and honey...
- Preheat skillet to 250-300 degrees. Grease with coconut oil or butter. Make the sandwich by spreading one side with the nut butter and one side with the jam. Put the tablespoon of yogurt and 2 slices of apple in the middle. Dip the sandwich into the whisked egg and fry it until the egg is cooked (about 30 seconds on each side.)
- Top with more nut butter, jam, and raw honey! Enjoy!
I'm linking up with Deborah & Miss Whisk for Meatless Monday and all the gals, Jess, Farrah, Fit Foodie Mama, and Chocolate Runner Girl for Foodie Friday. 🙂 And dis girl is needing more sleep and such, so she's going to be not blogging for the next few days (which is always good, cause then we can catch up on posts, right?)
Tell me now:
Have you ever tried Jem Nut Butters?
How many jars of nut butter do you have in your refrigerator (or cupboard?
Do you like to take time to put recipes together or make food?
Apple or bananas? Which is your favorite fruit?
Pin dis baby for later:


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Architects and designers interested in the most vital office renovation projects look to the sustainable models in this 10/10 review.
The U.S. federal General Services Administration (GSA) GSA Office of Government wide Policy has been instrumental in creating prototypes for a future of environmental sustainability in public sector architecture. Office renovations conducted by the GSA reflect the energy efficiency goals of the federal government's policy on GHG emissions reductions, and also exploit local resources to maximize efficiency.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) distinguishes Green Projects as those in compliance with the U.S. Green Building Council LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) system. Reduction of an office building's ecological footprint is the objective in design, building and maintenance of GSA sustainable projects.
Stewardship for the environment in construction and in control of waste in the ten '10' GSA case studies, illustrates public-private partnership in public sector LEED projects since 1999:
1. PBS WorkPlace 20•20 Pilot, 2005
2. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 2003
3. Treasury Inspector for Tax Administration, 2003
4. Deutsche Bank, 2002
5. Millennium Pharmaceuticals, 2002
6. Cigna, 2002
7. University of Miami, 1995-2002
8. Herman Miller Marketplace, 2001
9. GSA Office of the Future, 2000
10. GSA Adaptable Workplace Lab, 1999
Ten '10' LEED recommendations for awesome office renovations in compliance with Green Building Council codes:
1. Lead Paint Removal - if a building was constructed prior to 1978, it is likely it contains lead paint. Owners are required by law to evidence lead-free certification.
2. Asbestos Removal - another hazard that must be removed from office environments prior to renovation, asbestos is found in 'popcorn' ceilings, insulation, and sometimes vinyl flooring.
3. Mould Removal - renovation activities can expose hidden mould and water damaged areas not seen prior to rehabilitation. Mould abatement is essential to meeting EPA and LEED standards in building renovation.
4. Sustainable Design - LEED certified contractors, designers, and suppliers can guide the renovation and ensure that an office building is a sustainable, healthy work environment.
5. Eco-building Resources - building products designated as 'eco-building' materials are those not made with PVC (polyvinyl chloride/vinyl), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) or phthalate chemicals. VOC (volatile organic compounds) products should be sought when requisitioning adhesives, composite wood products, paints, finishes, insulation, and flooring.
6. Journeymen Stewards - third-party eco-certified contractors working on an office renovation can attribute value in identification of hazards in process.
7. Safety Precautions - protection of workers from dust exposure with containment, respirators and adequate ventilation will reduce potential liability.
8. Durability - quality materials will last years, making them better for the surrounding environment.
9. Laboratories - when in doubt, a test lab can assist in audit of salvaged building materials.
10. Site of Advocacy - once a green building renovation is complete, put it on the community map with social media. Information about a LEED sustainable project may inspire others.


text: This issue cannot take the second place when it comes to growing a successful business. This was once said by the foremost richest man in Nigeria - Aliko Dangote; he said "if you must succeed in business, you must know your business in and out." This is usually the bed rock of any successful business. This is also very important in branding and marketing as you can never be … [Read more...]


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Join us for the perfect day to kick-off the Fall season in the beautiful Virginia Piedmont!
Some of the activities for the day include:
- Grape Stomping (Be sure to bring your camera and a towel/change of clothing should you need them!)
- Participating in our Scarecrow Making competition with one complimentary glass of wine for all participants over the age of 21
- Visiting our Fall Market with an abundance of vendors -- sipping wine & shopping -- what a wonderful combination! (Note: as time gets closer we will be including a list of the fabulous vendors attending)
- Enjoying a performance by Jerry Irwin under our small pavilion from 1:00pm until 5:00pm
- Drinking glass after glass of our delicious wine ... and did we mention we're making our famous Hot Mulled wine for this special event???
Although "stomping" is free, we recommend calling (540) 364-0228 for a reservation for the grape stomp, so you don't have to wait.


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2017 Audi RS5 Cabriolet Review
2017 Audi RS5 Cabriolet Review– Audi has prepared some new vehicles to be discharged and considered one of them would be the new 2017 Audi RS5 Cabriolet. It's touching base with some exciting improvements that can end it when it's prepared to be discharged by Audi. With numerous capacities, it may be adequate for the auto to have higher necessities and effectivity. The progressions are furthermore determined for the engine program. Quickly, an additional connecting with variant is plausible to be discharged, that is 2017 RS5. As customers, we can not reject that the engine necessities is the thing that we'd like and it's the major sooner than that we wish to concentrate on sooner than purchasing an auto.
2017 Audi RS5 Cabriolet Redesign
The motivation behind why the unreleased 2017 Audi RS5 auto is exceptionally foreseen is just in light of the fact that it is relied upon to be the zenith of comfort and in addition extravagance subtlety. Bound to be discharged one year from now, this auto is said to have a delightful configuration with the execution of a games auto and in this way bound to draw in a much more youthful group of onlookers. Here are a percentage of the elements that you ought to anticipate.
The primary thing that might be expressed is that there are theories that new Audi RS5 could be delivered on the reason of MLB stage. The second most essential component is that this auto could be delivered with two entryways, i.e. as a car, and a trunk entryway. The general outline could be exceptionally present day and trendy which is most prominent found in auto's perfect and slick strains that are enhanced by the consolidation of headlights and taillights which may utilize the freshest LED innovation. Also, the grille and the passageway guard are cross section looking, and all things considered moreover they give the impression of vitality and forcefulness. The auto could be made from lighter supplies with an end goal to downsize the general weight however to expand speed.
See Also : 2017 Audi R8
2017 Audi RS5 Cabriolet Review
In any case that new 2017 Audi RS5 can be a car, it will be able to acquire as much as 5 travelers on two seat columns. And still, at the end of the day, the relief can be totally guaranteed for the reason that maker would completely utilize top of the reach supplies for seats and fabric. The maker would moreover utilize bunches of cutting edge hardware with the aim to make the car additional fascinating to more youthful eras, some of them would accompany satellite route, touchscreen and so forth.
2017 Audi RS5 Cabriolet Specs
In the engine, 2017 Audi RS5 Cabriolet can be extremely terrific with progressive motor. It's fueled with 3.0 liter motor with V6 engine that might be fit to deliver the yield more noteworthy than 400 hp. This auto also might have one other motor decision relating to Twin Turbo V8 engine. It's foreseen that these motor will be able to convey the yield of six-velocity data gear program. Also it is expected that audi will give twofold programmed transmitting program.
2017 Audi RS5 Cabriolet Price and Release Date
It's expected that 2017 Audi RS5 Cabriolet will land out there over the long haul of 2016. There's not but rather the official warning from Audi about its discharge and cost, however this auto will most likely be expected to be evaluated in round $150,000. 2017 Audi RS5 Cabriolet will also be released in countries UK, USA, Canada, Malaysia and Australia.


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MATLAB Projects
Among the various programming languages, MATLAB is one of the best for industry automation and problem solving. It provides an interactive environment that enables you to easily develop algorithm, visualize data, and also for numerical computation.
You can solve technical computing problems quickly and easily. It takes less time than with other traditional programming languages such as the C, C++ and FORTRAN etc.
Applications of MATLAB
MATLAB can be used quite extensively. Some of its applications include signal and image processing, communication, control design, financial modeling and analysis, computational biology, and test and measurement.
MATLAB also provides add-on toolboxes which are basically a collection of special purpose functions, which extends special environment to solve problems included in a particular class of applications.
Features of MATLAB
MATLAB provides a number of features that help you in documenting and sharing your work.
Integration of MATLAB code with other languages and applications is possible and quite simple to perform. You could also distribute MATLAB algorithms and applications easily.
Some of the key features of MATLAB include
· Language that is of high level to perform technical computing.
· Tools that are interactive to design and solve problems.
· Mathematical functions that can be used for linear algebra, statistics, filtering, numerical integration and optimization etc.
· Visualization data enabled with 2D and 3D graphics function.
· Tools that help to build custom graphical user interfaces.
· Integration of MATLAB based algorithms with other languages, applications etc like the C, C++, FORTRAN, JAVA, COM AND Microsoft Excel.
Video and Image Processing
1. Method for Fingerprints Age Determination.
2. Enhancement of Angiogram Images Using Pseudo Color Processing.
3. A Human Computer Interface based on Real Time Eye Tracking.
4. Sex Determination from Fingerprint Ridge Density.
5. A Fire-Alarming Method Based on Video Processing.
6. Automatic Exudates Detection From Diabetic Retinopathy Retinal Image Using Fuzzy C-Means and
Morphological Methods.
Image Processing Projects for Water Marking
2. Combined DWT-DCT Digital Image Watermarking.
3. SVD-based digital image watermarking using complex wavelet transform.
4. Image Adaptive Watermarking Using Wavelet Domain Singular Value Decomposition.
5. Robust Algorithm of Digital Image Watermarking Based on Discrete Wavelet Transform.
6. Video Watermarking Scheme Based on Principal Component Analysis and Wavelet Transform.
Image Processing Projects for Face Recognition:
1. Automatic feature detection of a face and recovery of its pose.
2. Face Verification across Age Progression.
Wireless Projects for MATLAB:
1. Mobility Profile based Routing within Intermittently Connected Mobile Ad hoc Networks (ICMAN).
2. Impact of MAC Layer on the Performance of Routing Protocols in Mobile Ad hoc Networks.
3. A Simple Transmit Diversity Technique for Wireless Communications.
4. Space-Time Codes for High Data Rate Wireless Communication:Performance Criterion and Code Construction.
5. Simulation of Space-Time Trellis Codes.
1) Implementation of IEEE802.11b WLAN PHY layer using the direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) system.
2) DBPSK modulation and Barker code spreading IEEE802.11b Physical layer.
3) Design and Simulation of direct sequence spread spectrum system for 1 Mbps payload data rates using DBPSK.
4) Design and Simulation of direct sequence spread spectrum system for 2 Mbps payload data rates using DQPSK.
5) Design and Simulation of direct sequence spread spectrum system with Barker code for 5.5 MBPS Module using CCK.
6) Design and Simulation of direct sequence spread spectrum system with Barker code using 11 MBPS Module using CCK.
7) Base band model of the physical layer of a wireless local area network (WLAN) according to the IEEE 802.11a standard.
8) Base band model of the physical layer of a wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN) according to the IEEE 802.16-2004 standard.
9) 256- Channel of the asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) technology for transmitting data and multimedia information over telephone lines.
10) Gaussian frequency Shift Keying Techniques using Bluetooth Frequency Hopping.
11) Design and Simulation of Voice transmission using Bluetooth. Long-haul and tactical communications over HF (high frequency) channels for Defense communications.
12) Design and Simulation Digital Video Broadcasting using cable system transmission.
13) Design and Simulation of Terrestrial transmission of digital television signals.
14) High-performance radio local area network using Quadradure Amplitude modulation.
15) Design and Simulation of WCDMA Coding and Multiplexing.
16) Spreading and modulation for an FDD downlink DPCH channels using WCDMA.(WCDMA Spreading and Modulation)
1) PSPICE Simulation and Implementation of closed loop controlled ZVS LCL push-pull DC-DC converter.
2) Design and Simulation of the transient response of a DC motor using Matlab/Simulink.
3) Induction Motor - Tests Using Simulink.
4) A generalized dynamic and steady state analysis of self excited induction generator (SEIG) based on MATLAB.
5) A study on the distributed energy of the CFA6470 hybrid electric vehicle based on MATLAB.
6) Analysis of a small generator using flux tube method and MATLAB.
7) Research on simulation model of doubly-fed electrical generating system and its OPC interface based on Matlab.
8) DCPD acquisition and analysis for HV storage capacitor based on Matlab.
9) FACTS Control Devices (Statcom, SSSC and UPFC) Re- Configuration Techniques using MATLAB.
10) Defining power factor for intermittent duty load conditions.
11) Determination of failure in stator coil windings due to voltage surges using MATLAB.
12) Simulation of motor faults and protections based on MATLAB.
13) Optimal power flow via interior point methods: an educational tool in Matlab.
14) Faults analysis and simulation for interior permanent magnet synchronous motor using Simulink / MATLAB.
15) Combined electrical and thermal simulation of power electronic systems in Simulink.
16) Dynamic Simulations of Electric Machinery: Using MATLAB/SIMULINK.
1.Super-Resolution From Unregistered and Totally Aliased Signals Using Subspace Methods.
2.Convolution Using Discrete Sine and Cosine Transforms.
3.Fast and Stable Subspace Tracking.
4.Fast Complexified Quaternion Fourier Transform.
5.Audio Denoising by Time-Frequency Block Thresholding.
6.Convolution Using Discrete Sine and Cosine Transforms.
1.Noise cancellation from Sound Signal.
2.Subspace identification method for combined deterministic and stochastic bilinear system.
3.Indoor navigation using Bluetooth.
4.Space craft navigation using kalman filtering
5.Implementation of kalman filter.
6.Implementation of optical beamformer.
7.DPSK Modulation & Barker code spreading on a synchronized 802.11b link using Matlab.
8.Iterative Decoding of a Serially Concatenated Convolutional Code.
9.Acoustic Echo Cancellation.
10.Active Noise Control Using a Filtered-X LMS FIR Adaptive Filter.
11.Design and Simulation of GSM Digital down Converter.
12.Radar Tracking, design and simulation.
13.Design and Simulation of DTMF Generator and Receiver.
14.Wireless system design- receiver synchronization.
15.Echo generation - Model based Design, Automatic code generation and testing.
16.Sample-based and Frame-based processing implementation of SSB-Modulation
17.Audio decoding format supports the segmentation of encoded data into small packets for network transmission.
18.The convergence Techniques using different adaptive filtering algorithms.
19.Intuitive implementation of sound effects using Signal Processing.
20.Design of a cochlear implant Speech Processor.
21.Implements the Internet Low Bitrate Codec for VoIP.
22.The simulation of synthetic stereo from a mono source Using Data Acquisition Hardware.
23.Speech signal using the Short-Time FFT and Inverse Short-Time FFT.
24.Spectral Analysis Using the Periodogram Method.
25.Spectral Analysis Using Data Acquisition Hardware.
1.A parametric approach for measuring Limbus Cornea from Image.
2.A faster Converging snake algorithm to locate object boundaries.
3.Shape based hand recognitation.
4.Seem less image stitching.
5.Automatic road extraction.
6.JPEG 2000 encoding with perceptual distortion.
7.Multiscale hybrid linear model for lossy image representation.
8.Anew sure approach to image denoising: interscale orthonormal wavelet thresholding.
9.Multidimensional directional filter banks and surfacelets.
10.Pace and unwrapping via graph Cuts.
11.Skin Cancer Identification
12.Breast Cancer Identification.
13.Video processing via implicit and distributed motion mode.
14. The Nonsubsampled Contourlet - Wavelet Hybrid Transform: Design and Application to Image Watermarking.
15. Spatial median Filter for Noise Removal In Digital Images.
16. Palmprint Identification Using Sequential Modified Haar Wavelet Energy.
17. Steganography in sms by Sudoku Puzzle.
18 A Digital Watermarking Scheme Based on Singular Value Decomposition
19. A framelet-based image inpainting algorithm
20. A new adaptive center weighted median filter for suppressing impulsive noise in images
21. A Watermarking Scheme Based on Discrete Non-separable Wavelet Transform
22. Blind Image Data Hiding in the Wavelet Domain
23.Wavelet Image Denoising Using Localized Thresholding Operators
24. The Hybrid Principal Component Analysis Based on Wavelets and Moving Median Filter
25. SVD-Based Approach to Transparent Embedding Data into Digital Images
26. PCA-Based Recognition for Efficient Inpainting
1. Virtual Guitar-Design and Simulation.
2. Detection of an object in a Movie.
3. Detection of trespass Model Design and Implementation.
4. Tracking Cars Using Background Estimation.
5. Picture in Picture Model Based Design and Simulation.
6. Text to Speech Conversion Design and Implementation.
7. Stepper motor Control Design and Implementation.
8. Design and Simulation of Quiz Program software
9. Home Alarm System Design and Simulation.
10. Tic-Tac-Flow: Model of a Hand-held Game Design and Implementation.
11. Tank Fill and Empty with Animation Design and Simulation.
12. Sliding Puzzle Game Design and Simulation.
13. The Minesweeper Game Design and Simulation
14. Script Identification using Tamil or English.
1) Blind and Semi-Blind Deblurring of Natural Images
2) Automatic Histogram Threshold Using Fuzzy Measures
3) Unsupervised Multiphase Segmentation: A Phase Balancing Model
4) Biologically Inspired Feature Manifold for Scene Classification
5) Image Reconstruction Using Particle Filters and Multiple Hypotheses Testing
6) Compression Quality Prediction Model for JPEG2000
7) Image Thumbnails That Represent Blur and Noise
8) Perceptual Image Hashing Based on Virtual Watermark Detection
9) Contour let-Based Image Watermarking Using Optimum Detector in a Noisy Environment
10) Steerable Weighted Median Filters
11) Perceptual Image Hashing Based on Virtual Watermark Detection
12) A Perceptually Relevant Approach to Ringing Region Detection
13) An Optical Flow-Based Approach to Robust Face Recognition Under Expression Variations
14) Spatially Variant Convolution With Scaled B-Splines
15) High-Accuracy Sub-Pixel Motion Estimation From Noisy Images in Fourier Domain
16) A Robust Fuzzy Local Information C-Means Clustering Algorithm
17) Maximum a Posteriori Video Super-Resolution Using a New Multichannel Image Prior
18) Adaptive Directional Wavelet Transform Based on Directional Pre filtering
19) Data Embedding in JPEG Bit stream by Code Mapping
1. A Digital Watermarking Scheme Based on Singular Value Decomposition
2. A Digital Watermarking Scheme in JPEG-2000 Using the Properties of Wavelet Coefficient Sign
3. A framelet-based image inpainting algorithm
4. A new adaptive center weighted median filter for suppressing impulsive noise in images
5. A New Inpainting Method for Highlights Elimination by Colour Morphology
6. A new vector median filter for colour image processing
7. A SVD-Based Fragile Watermarking Scheme for Image Authentication
8. A Watermarking Scheme Based on Discrete Non-separable Wavelet Transform
9. A Wavelet Based Image Retrieval
10. A Wavelet-Based Fragile Watermarking Scheme for Secure Image Authentication
11. An Image Inpainting Algorithm Based on Local Geometric Similarity
12. Blind Image Data Hiding in the Wavelet Domain
13. Block-based image inpainting in the wavelet domain
14. Efficient Optimization of Inpainting Scheme and Line Scratch Detection for Old Film Restoration
15. Extracting Facial Features and Face Inpainting
16. Extracting Facial Features and Face Inpainting
17. Image De-noising via Overlapping Wavelet Atoms
18. Image restoration using digital inpainting and noise removal
19. Image Similarity Comparison Using Dual-Tree Wavelet Transform
20. PCA-Based Recognition for Efficient Inpainting
21. Semi Fragile Watermarking Based on Wavelet Transform
22. Super-resolution in painting
23. SVD-Based Approach to Transparent Embedding Data into Digital Images
24. The Hybrid Principal Component Analysis Based on Wavelets and Moving Median Filter
25. Total Variation Wavelet in painting
26. Two Properties of SVD and Its Application in Data Hiding
27. Video and Image Processing
28. Wavelet Based Noise Reduction by Identification of Correlations
29. Wavelet Image Denoising Using Localized Thresholding Operators
30. Wavelet-Based Methods for Improving Signal-to-Noise Ratio in Phase Images
31. Wavelet-Based Salient Region Extraction
1. A Robust Fuzzy Local Information C-Means Clustering Algorithm
2. Automatic Histogram Threshold Using Fuzzy Measures
3. Efficient Compression of Encrypted Grayscale Images
4. x - Image Inpainting by Patch Propagation Using Patch Sparsity
1. A New Statistical Detector for DWT-Based Additive Image Watermarking Using the Gauss–Hermite Expansion
2. Facial Recognition Using Multisensor Images Based on Localized Kernel Eigen Spaces
3. Morphological Background Detection and Enhancement of Images With Poor Lighting
4. PCA-Based Spatially Adaptive Denoising of CFA Images for Single-Sensor Digital Cameras
5. Radon Representation-Based Feature Descriptor for Texture Classification.
6. A Nonisolated Bidirectional ZVS-PWM Active Clamped DC–DC Converter
7. A Novel Three-Phase Three-Leg ACAC Converter Using Nine IGBTs
8. Family of Soft-Switching PWM Converters With Current Sharing in Switches
9. Multilevel Inverter For Grid-Connected PV System Employing Digital PI Controller
10. Phase Feedforward Control for Single-Phase Boost-Type SMR
11. Zero-Voltage Transition Current-Fed Full-Bridge PWM Converter
Power Electronics
1. A Soft-Switching DCDC Converter With High Voltage Gain.pdf
2. High-Efficiency ACDC Converter With Quasi-Active Power Factor Correction.pdf
3. High-Efficient Multilevel Half-Bridge Converter.pdf
3. High-Efficient Multilevel Half-Bridge Converter.pdf
5. Space Vectors Modulation forNine-Switch Converters.pdf
6. STATCOM-Based Indirect Torque Control of Induction Machines During Voltage Recovery After Grid Faults.pdfAll these projects are carried out by Delibers Technologies - http://www.delibers.com


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Mind your manners when communicating.
You need to know for sure that you really are making the most out of the day and that you are communicating with the wedding vendors such as your wedding photographer Norfolk with the respect that they deserve. Even if you are paying out for their services, you have to understand the fact that you are dealing with professionals in what they do and who are oftentimes respected and revered in the social and business circles that they are in. you need to be courteous and polite whenever you are communicating with them. Even if you would like to get a message across, remember the fact that there are always better ways of saying things somewhere in the process and this is what you ought to go ahead and take into account when it all comes down to it.
You're not their only client.
It would be nice for you to know what your rights are as a client in the first place but try not to go overboard with this because when you come to think about it, you are not at the center of their universe. Although most brides seem to understand this well enough, the thing is, there are still a lot of others out there who feel as if wedding vendors such as their wedding photographer Norfolk could be at their every beck and call just because of the fact that they have set up a down payment already even of the wedding is still months and months up ahead. Know what your rights are but try not to be overly demanding because they have busy business calendars as well and you need to be understanding about that. Be rest assured of the fact that for as long as they are properly vetted and are true professionals in what they do, they will always deliver on what they have offered out up on the table.
Feed them properly.
It would be inhumane for you to just neglect your wedding vendors during the day of the wedding and you ought to get something done about this when it all comes down to it. If you feel as if feeding your vendors the regular wedding menu will take a toll on your wedding budget or finances, come up with some sort of meal plan that will get them fed well without costing too much somewhere in the process.
Respect their creativity.
Although you may have some inspiration pegs or some ideas for the wedding, you have to give them a little bit of space and opportunity to be as creative as they would like to be, given the right parameters.
Say thank you.
Something as simple as this can really go a long way and can really turn out to make quite a difference in the world so make sure that you at least get this taken into account one way or the other. it's the little things that count and make the most kind of impact, after all.


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Sport Brighton programme information
Sport Brighton offers a range of programmes to its students, staff and wider community. To find out more about the opportunities available to you, browse through the menu items on the left.
If you are unable to find what you were interested in then please contact us.


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Encased in white-framed boxes are Crystal Wagner's intricate cut paper sculptures. Like specimens meant for studying, parts of textured tentacles and honeycomb-esque patterns wrap around themselves as well as non-representational wavy shapes. Wagner's work is meticulous, and each scalloped edge has its own slightly-curled edge. It's reminiscent of a dragon or a reptile, but not one that we've ever seen before. The vibrant colors feature jewel-toned gradients that push her sculptures from quasi-reality into full-blown fantasy.
These works first made their appearance at the Hashimoto Contemporary gallery in San Francisco in 2014. Her exhibition was titled Synesthesia, and the intention was to explore the psychological realm between the familiar and strange. The gallery writes, "…combining screen printing, cut paper and various dollar store items, Wagner meticulously assembles her sculptures with a sense of organic growth. Allowing her materials to build upon themselves, layer by layer, each structure swells into a mass of movement, as if grown from the soil of another planet."
If you're a fan of Wagner's work, check out her large-scale, site specific installations.


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- Research article
- Open Access
Pro-protein convertases control the maturation and processing of the iron-regulatory protein, RGMc/hemojuvelin
- David Kuninger1,
- Robin Kuns-Hashimoto1,
- Mahta Nili1 and
- Peter Rotwein1Email author
© Kuninger et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2008
- Received: 22 December 2007
- Accepted: 02 April 2008
- Published: 02 April 2008
Repulsive guidance molecule c (RGMc or hemojuvelin), a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked glycoprotein expressed in liver and striated muscle, plays a central role in systemic iron balance. Inactivating mutations in the RGMc gene cause juvenile hemochromatosis (JH), a rapidly progressing iron storage disorder with severe systemic manifestations. RGMc undergoes complex biosynthetic steps leading to membrane-bound and soluble forms of the protein, including both 50 and 40 kDa single-chain species.
We now show that pro-protein convertases (PC) are responsible for conversion of 50 kDa RGMc to a 40 kDa protein with a truncated COOH-terminus. Unlike related molecules RGMa and RGMb, RGMc encodes a conserved PC recognition and cleavage site, and JH-associated RGMc frame-shift mutants undergo COOH-terminal cleavage only if this site is present. A cell-impermeable peptide PC inhibitor blocks the appearance of 40 kDa RGMc in extra-cellular fluid, as does an engineered mutation in the conserved PC recognition sequence, while the PC furin cleaves 50 kDa RGMc in vitro into a 40 kDa molecule with an intact NH2-terminus. Iron loading reduces release of RGMc from the cell membrane, and diminishes accumulation of the 40 kDa species in cell culture medium.
Our results define a role for PCs in the maturation of RGMc that may have implications for the physiological actions of this critical iron-regulatory protein.
- Deferoxamine
- Iron Homeostasis
- Hep3B Cell
- Iron Loading
- Ferric Ammonium Citrate
Iron is an essential element required for many cellular processes, including energy metabolism, oxygen transport, and respiration [1]. Iron homeostasis is tightly regulated, and there are major health consequences linked to both its deficiency and excess [1] Normal iron homeostasis is disrupted in hemochromatosis, a heterogenous hereditary disorder of iron overload. Juvenile hemochromatosis (JH) is a rapidly progressive form of this disease with severe systemic consequences if untreated [3]. Many patients with JH have mutations in the HJV gene, which encodes hemojuvelin [4–7], and mice lacking hjv develop an iron-overload phenotype [8, 9]. Hemojuvelin is identical to RGMc, and with RGMa and RGMb, comprise the repulsive guidance molecule (RGM) family [4, 10, 11]. RGMa and b are produced primarily in the central nervous system [11, 12], and play roles in neuronal survival and patterning [11, 12], while RGMc is synthesized in liver and striated muscle [10, 11, 13, 14]. All three RGM genes encode glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored and soluble glycoproteins. For RGMc, these consist of single-chain and heterodimeric membrane-linked molecules, and soluble 50 and 40 kDa single-chain proteins that arise from an incompletely defined biosynthetic and processing pathway [14–17].
The mechanisms by which RGMc participates in systemic iron balance are unknown. The liver-derived hormone, hepcidin, is an essential regulator of iron homeostasis that acts by controlling intestinal iron absorption and recovery from macrophages [1]. Hepcidin binds to the membrane iron transporter, ferroportin, leading to its degradation [2]. In hemochromatosis, hepcidin levels are low, and dietary iron uptake is excessive [3]. Recent studies have suggested that membrane-associated RGMc increases hepcidin gene expression in the liver by collaboration with signaling pathways activated by bone morphogenic proteins (BMP) 2 and 4 [18, 19], and thus acts to prevent iron import. By contrast, soluble RGMc may inhibit hepcidin synthesis [15, 20]. RGMc also may promote iron uptake into cells [16], but biochemical mechanisms have not been defined.
Here we demonstrate a role for pro-protein convertases (PC) in the biogenesis of RGMc, and in their regulation by iron. Through biochemical and cell-based approaches we show that PCs cleave full-length 50 kDa RGMc at an evolutionarily conserved recognition site into a 40 kDa soluble species truncated at its COOH-terminus. Both 50 and 40 kDa RGMc are found in the blood of humans and mice, and in extra-cellular fluid of cultured cells. The relative ratio and overall abundance of both RGMc species appears to be altered by cellular iron levels, with iron loading leading to a decline in soluble RGMc, but an increase in the 50 kDa isoform and in the amount of single chain RGMc retained on the cell membrane. Thus our results define potential interactions between PCs and iron to control the expression of a critical iron-regulatory protein.
Cell culture
All cells were incubated at 37°C in humidified air and 5% CO2. The following established cell lines were used. Murine C3H10T1/2 cells (ATCC #CCL-226, Manassas, VA, USA) and C2 myoblasts [14] were grown on gelatin-coated dishes in DMEM (Mediatech-Cellgro, Herndon, VA, USA) plus 10% heat-inactivated fetal calf serum (FCS, Hyclone, Logan, UT, USA). C3H10T1/2 cells were infected at ~50% of confluent density with a recombinant adenovirus encoding MyoD, as described [14], and muscle differentiation-promoting medium (DMEM and 2% horse serum (Hyclone)) was added 24 h later. C2 myoblasts were incubated at confluent cell density in muscle differentiation-promoting medium, as described [14]. Cos-7 (ATCC #CRL-1651) and Hep3B cells (ATCC #HB-8064) were grown in DMEM and 10% FCS. Ferric ammonium choride or the iron chelator deferoxamine (Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA) was added to medium for 24 h.
Recombinant adenoviruses
Ad-MyoD, Ad-tTA (tetracycline transactivator protein), Ad-HA-RGMc, and Ad-HA-RGMcΔGPI have been described [14, 21]. At 18 h after viral infection, new medium was added (DMEM and 2% horse serum) containing the cell-impermeable pro-protein convertase inhibitor, decanoyl-Arg-Val-Lys-Arg-chloromethyl-ketone [10 μM] (RVKR, Alexis Biochemicals, San Diego, CA, USA) or DMSO. Cells and medium were harvested over the next 24 h. Hep3B cells were infected at ~50% confluent density with Ad-HA-RGMc or Ad-HA-RGMcΔGPI, and Ad-tTA, and treated similarly.
Expression of RGMc mutants
We previously cloned a mouse RGMc cDNA from skeletal muscle cells [13]. The following codon changes were introduced into the cDNA by site-directed mutagenesis (Stratagene, San Diego, CA, USA): R318G, R321A, R324A. Mouse RGMc truncation mutants were made by PCR by replacing codons after R378, C354, S321 and Q305 with a 6× His epitope tag and stop codon. These alterations correspond respectively to human JH-associated frame-shift mutations R385X, C361fsX366, S328fsX337 and Q312X [4–7]. DNA sequencing was used to confirm all nucleotide changes, and the regions with mutations were subcloned into HA-RGMc in pcDNA3 [13]. Transient transfections were performed using 2 μg of DNA/35 mm dish, and RVKR or DMSO were added 18 h later. Cells and medium were harvested after an additional 24 h.
Conditions for preparation of whole cell protein lysates and culture medium, SDS-PAGE, and immunoblotting have been described [14]. Primary antibodies included: mouse RGMc (1:750 dilution) [14], HA (Covance, Denver, PA, USA; 1:4000), α-tubulin (Sigma, 1:4000), His (Abcam, Cambridge, MA, USA; 1:1000), and pan-cadherin (Cell Signaling, Danvers, MA, USA; 1:1000). Secondary antibodies included Alexa 680-conjugated anti-mouse IgG (Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR, USA; 1:4000) and IRD 800-conjugated anti-rabbit IgG (Rockland, Gilbertsville, PA, USA; 1:4000).
Purification of RGMc
An antibody affinity column was prepared by coupling 1.5 mg of antigen-purified rabbit anti-RGMc IgG to CNBr-activated Sephadex 4B (Amersham-Pharmacia, Piscataway, NJ, USA). Serum was obtained from two healthy humans (ages 25 and 35), and two male mice (age 10 and 12 weeks). Mouse or human serum (0.5 ml) or conditioned culture medium (1 ml) was diluted into 10 mM TrisHCl, pH 7.4, 0.05% Tween-20, and protease inhibitors (Roche, Indianapolis, IN, USA). Samples were pre-cleared with protein-A agarose (Sigma) for 4 h at 4°C, then incubated with affinity resin for 16 h at 4°C. Following washes (10 column volumes of 10 mM TrisHCl, pH 7.4, 0.05% Tween-20), proteins were eluted with 0.5 ml of 100 mM glycine, pH 2.5, and neutralized with 1 M TrisHCl, pH 8.0. A total of 50 μl was used for detection by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting [14].
Cell-surface biotin labeling
Monolayer cultures were incubated with EZ-link sulfo-NHS-biotin (1 mg/ml, Pierce, Rockford, IL) for 30 min at 4°C, followed by incubation in medium ± RVKR, 'pull-down' of protein extracts or culture medium with streptavidin-agarose, and SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting [14].
Incubation of RGMc with cells or recombinant furin
Conditioned medium from cells expressing RGMc plus RVKR was dialyzed to remove inhibitor. Aliquots (200 μl) were added to Hep3B cells plus fresh RVKR or DMSO for 24 h at 37°C, followed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. Dialyzed medium (25 μl) was incubated with 10 U recombinant human furin for 4 h at 30°C in 100 mM Hepes, pH 7.4, 1 mM CaCl2, and 0.5% Triton-X100, followed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting.
A pro-protein convertase inhibitor prevents accumulation of soluble 40 kDa RGMc
RGMc is produced by hepatocytes and striated muscle [8, 13, 15]. We have detected RGMc on muscle cell membranes, and have found that proteins of ~50, 35, and 20 kDa are released into the extracellular fluid after incubation with bacterial PI-PLC [14], illustrating that RGMc is attached to the membrane by a GPI linkage. The two smaller protein bands comprise a disulfide-linked heterodimer, while the larger species is full-length single-chain RGMc [14]. Similar results have been observed for RGMc over-expressed in cell lines [14–16]. RGMc also accumulates in medium conditioned by muscle cells as 50 and 40 kDa single-chain proteins [14], suggesting either direct secretion or release from the plasma membrane.
Mapping the location of PC cleavage by analysis of JH-associated RGMc frame-shift mutations
Altered processing of newly synthesized RGMc in the presence of PC inhibitor
We used cell surface-labeling experiments to study the impact of PC inhibition on acute release of membrane-linked RGMc into the medium. In Hep3B cells expressing HA-RGMc, membrane proteins were labeled for 30 min with cell-impermeable biotin cross-linker followed by addition of RVKR or vehicle. Release of RGMc from the cell surface was monitored by immunoblotting after streptavidin pull-down of culture medium. Biotinylated 40 and 50 kDa RGMc were detected in medium at 2 and 4 h after labeling, and more 50 kDa RGMc was seen with RVKR, although the total amount of RGMc declined by ~35% (Fig. 3B). These results show that both 50 and 40 kDa soluble RGMc species derive from cell-associated 50 kDa RGMc, and demonstrate that inhibition of PC activity diminishes but does not prevent release of membrane-linked RGMc into extracellular fluid.
Furin cleaves 50 kDa RGMc to produce a 40 kDa species
PC activity may be found in intracellular compartments, at the membrane, and in the extra-cellular milieu [22]. To determine where cleavage of 50 kDa RGMc may occur, conditioned medium from Cos-7 cells expressing HA-RGMc was collected in the presence of RVKR, and after dialysis to remove the inhibitor, added to Hep3B cells. Following incubation for 24 h, significant conversion to 40 kDa RGMc was observed, but was not seen when RVKR was added (Fig. 4B), indicating that these cells produce PCs that act extra-cellularly.
The R-N-R-R sequence in RGMc (Fig. 1A) represents an optimal furin site [23]. In agreement with this idea, incubation of 50 kDa RGMc with recombinant furin in vitro led to its efficient cleavage into a 40 kDa species with an intact NH2-terminus, as shown by detection with both anti-HA and anti-RGMc antibodies (Fig. 4C). Thus by several criteria, 50 kDa RGMc is a PC substrate.
Effects of iron on processing of RGMc and its release from the cell membrane
In this manuscript we show that RGMc accumulates in extra-cellular fluid of cultured cells and in mouse and human serum as 50 and 40 kDa protein species (Fig. 1). As is evident from cell-surface binding experiments, both molecules originate from cell-membrane-associated GPI-linked single-chain RGMc (Fig. 3), and the 40 kDa isoform is derived from the 50 kDa species by targeted proteolysis mediated by PCs such as furin (Fig. 4), with cleavage occurring at a site that is highly conserved among RGMc orthologues, but is absent in the paralogues, RGMa and RGMb (Fig. 1). Taken together, our results define a key role for PCs in the regulation of RGMc that has implications for the physiological effects of this critical iron-regulatory protein.
Are there specific biological effects of different RGMc protein species?
The biological actions of RGMc are not yet fully defined. A role for RGMc in iron homeostasis is postulated based on the discovery of multiple mutations in the HJV gene in patients with JH [4–7], and on the iron overload phenotype in mice lacking hjv [8, 9]. Loss of RGMc is associated with severe reduction in hepcidin [4, 8, 9], a critical negative regulator of iron absorption, placing RGMc upstream in a pathway controlling hepcidin production in the liver [3]. Cell-associated RGMc can enhance effects of BMPs to increase hepcidin gene expression, potentially through direct binding to BMP2 and 4 [18, 19], but it is not known if these actions are mediated by single-chain or heterodimeric RGMc. In contrast, soluble RGMc appears to inhibit production of hepcidin mRNA [15, 20]. It is not known if 50 or 40 kDa soluble RGMc proteins preferentially bind to BMPs, or if they have other actions, although a recent report showed that soluble 40 kDa RGMc blunted stimulation of hepcidin gene expression by BMP2 in cultured cells [20]. This latter observation indicates that PC activity may influence the biological actions of RGMc.
Does iron regulate RGMc?
Serum levels of RGMc were shown to transiently increase in acutely iron-deficent rats [24], and incubation of cultured cells with holo-transferrin for 24 – 48 h caused a reduction in RGMc in the medium [15, 24]. This latter effect was attributed to a decline in the extent of shedding of membrane-linked RGMc [24]. We find in agreement with these results that iron loading increased the amount of single-chain RGMc on the cell membrane, and caused a commensurate decline in accumulation of 40 kDa RGMc in the extra-cellular fluid, while the abundance of the soluble 50 kDa species increased. Additional work will be needed to define the mechanisms by which iron alters the biogenesis and processing of RGMc, although as suggested by Silvestri et al [25], one possibility may be through control of furin production.
RGMc, pro-protein convertases, and iron metabolism
We thank Dr. Ujwal Shinde for advice and for recombinant furin. These studies were supported in part by NIH grants RO1 DK42748 (P. R.) and F32 DK076348 (R. K-H.).
Authors' Affiliations
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This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


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The Labour Party is now officially at war again. From Polly Toynbee in Saturday's Guardian, through the 2revelations" in the Sunday Telegraph, to Rawnsley in the Observer or Rentoul in the Independent, comes the news that the Miliband brothers are officially NOT TALKING while Ed Balls' private papers have been splashed over the media.
Why is the speech that David didn't give in the headlines? Reports in the Press do not in any way suggest to the average trade unionist that this was a Martin Luther King "I had a dream" moment, rather a run of the mill, rather pedestrian restatement of all that Miliband, D stood for - a platform that the majority of the Labour Party at that point had rejected for good reasons, particularly as "business as usual" was not what was necessary? Yet it is widely noted that the PLP treated it as a Sermon from the Mount from the lost prophet.
Does anyone need reminded that there was enmity not just between Blair and Brown but that it seeped into relationships between other members of the cabinet? Too many people at that time were manoeuvring for position, forgetting why they were in Government and indulging in petty feuding instead. That is why the Labour Party lost the election. Why does the Telegraph feel that the fact that Ministers chose to not use civil servants advice is a revelation? Isn't that why we elect a government to take political decisions rather than simply allow the so-called experts to rule?
Why are the commentariat so delighted that Ed Miliband has rejected an invitation to speak at the Durham Miner's Gala "because he won't be associating with Bob Crowe"? Miliband is a northern MP, representing Doncaster. The Gala is the largest labour movement event in the North of England, representing an honest, working class, long-standing tradition. Miliband, E is the leader of the Labour Party.
What is wrong with the leader of the Labour Party addressing such a gathering? Why did a previous leader of the Labour Party representing a constituency just up the road never deliver a speech there? (One called Tony Blair) And why has the MP for South Shields (Miliband D), whose constituents flock to the event never spoken? Maybe Durham is a bit too wedded to values of solidarity, equality and socialism?
Here's a thought. Those who wanted a Labour Party that rejected its traditional voters, that sees no problem with a pro business, pro private sector bias, for whom political office was a stepping stone to personal wealth and a larger income are fighting back. For convenience sake let's call them Blairites. The need for a Party that articulates the values represented by the Durham Gala escapes them.
Miliband E has a simple decision to make. Who does he represent?
It's a decision that he needs to make quickly, and more importantly, start to publicly articulate. Whether that will be a decision that the trade union movement will support remains to be seen and if it is not a direction that speaks to our values as trade unionists we will need to reassess our support for Labour as a Party. It is a condemnation of his leadership so far that the best speech made by the opposition to the Tories comes from the Archbishop of Canterbury.
UNISONActive is an unofficial blog produced by UNISON activists for UNISON activists. Bringing news, briefings and events from a progressive left perspective.


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Though she has been missing from the big screen for a while now, Tara Alisha Berry is determined to make her presence felt this year in a bog way. Both her short-film 'You And I' and the web-show 'Love Lost And Confusion' are out on different digital platforms and each of them has been garnering a good number of views and positive response from the viewers. In this interview, she talks about venturing into digital medium and her two feature film releases this year.
Your web-show 'Love Lust And Confusion' and the short film 'You And I' have come out almost at the same time. What do you think about the digital medium?
Some people are of the opinion when a film actor does a show on a digital platform, it leads to over-exposure. What are your thoughts on this?
I shot for two films, 'Agam' and 'Hum Dono Honge Kamyaab', last year and both of them are slated to release this year. Though 'Agam' did make rounds of festivals across the globe, nobody has seen it in India yet. People did not see any of my work last year, so I think it was a great opportunity to reach out to them through the digital medium. Now, both my short film and the web-series are out and I could not have been happier.
There are some well-known names associated with 'Love Lost And Confusion'. Leslie Lewis has done the score.
Yes. There is a point in the story where Poroma, the character I play, tries to get over her fear of singing. To make the whole thing sound natural, we felt that it would be better if I sing the song myself. I went to Leslie Sir's studio and recorded the track in his presence.
'You And I' was shot on an iPhone. How was the experience of working on the film?
Since we were driving around and shooting at outdoor locations with just one phone, the one issue that we faced was transferring the footage from the phone to the laptop again and again. It was the only problem we faced and it was not a major issue as such. We had done a couple of tests shoots earlier, so we did not have any other technical issue.
You play a young, urban Bengali woman in 'Love, Lust and Confusion'. Your mom Nandinii Sen is a Bengali. Did you get a chance to rediscover your roots while playing this character?
I am half-Punjabi and grew up in cities like Bangalore and Mumbai, so as far as cultural influence goes, Poroma is very different from me. But, I could relate to her in a lot of ways. She represents all those people in their 20s who are going through a lot of confusion in their heads about career, love life and other issues.
Two of your films 'Agam' and 'Hum Dono Honge Kamyaab' are slated to release this year. Tell us something about them.
Both the films are completely different from each other. 'Agam' is about three characters and their spiritual journey in Varanasi. 'Hum Dono Honge Kamyaab' is set in Kanpur and is about the societal pressures a couple goes through. First, there is a pressure of getting married and then you are expected to have a child. The film talks about how they deal with these pressures and find love in the process.
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Just a girl and her best bud, Ms Bzzz, in a Springful card featuring a retired Kraftin' Kimmie stamp set, Spellbinders dies, flowery paper, Distress inks, and Perfect Pearls.
I Tack 'n' Peel to adhere the unmounted rubber stamp to the Misti and stamped the image with pink as the base for the "no lines" colouring. If the final project is going to be mostly pink or purple, stamping with pink is easier to 'hide' or blend in than a light tan. I didn't get a good impression on her hands and intended to put a flower embellishment there. I might have to look at past creations of her to see what details I didn't get this time. Oh.. and my stamp has a slight imperfection (noted when Kim offered her at the party), part of her dress, by her hair, has a little gap. Not an issue at all when colouring.
Using Distress ink and a bit of Perfect Pearls with waterbrushes, I coloured/painted Peony. I like the soft shimmer the Perfect Pearls give to the dress. He dress is like the petals of a flower. I was intending it to be a bit more pink, but the purples called to me so loudly *laugh*.
I also coloured up her little friend on the scrap I use to keep notes on the inks used and then punched it out.
I found these two papers in my stash and loved the way they looked together. I used a lacy Spelbinders die to cut an edge on the flowery paper to layer over the chevrony paper.
For the inside, I used the same die and flower paper and added a couple of the flat paper embellishments from the paper's collection.
Crafty Gals Corner: 2+ Designer Papers
Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge: Little Critters
Pearly-Sparkles: Things with Wings
Creative with Stamps: Flowers
Crafty Hazelnut's Pattern Paper challenge: Anything Goes
A Bit More Time to Craft: Anything Goes
Penny's Paper-Crafty: Anything Goes
Inspiration Destination: Anything Goes


text:
Raised in Northern Virginia, David R. Sands received an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and a master's degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He worked as a reporter for several Washington-area business publications before joining The Washington Times.
At The Times, Mr. Sands has covered numerous beats, including international trade, banking, politics and Capitol Hill, and spent eight years on the foreign desk as senior diplomatic correspondent. He is currently the deputy editor for politics. In addition, he has reviewed books and written feature stories for the newspaper and authored The Times' weekly chess column since 1993. He is also senior writer for Washington GolfStyles, a monthly publication covering the Mid-Atlantic golf scene.
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Call me... Oogie.
To start the game, you and a few friends hatch in the ocean and swim to shore. The game's graphics are very Phantom Hourglass-esque; presumably, EA and Nintendo came to a similar conclusion about how to make a good-looking game on the DS. You and your crawling, armless and legless brethren find yourselves assaulted by a spaceship, which sucks up and kidnaps all but you and a single friend. Determined to escape the fate of your nest-mates, you ("Oogie") and your new friend ("Little Oogie") head off to not get kidnapped. It's a noble goal.
The gameplay seems to revolve around finding other animals and befriending them so that you can pick up quests and new body parts. We encountered a friendly animal and attempted to charm it from friendly to downright helpful; a pair of mini-games let us first sing and then dance our new accomplice into working alongside us. In addition to helping in combat and offering up missions, animal friends can offer you new body parts. We don't want to spoil the opening adventure of the game, so we're not going to talk too much about what you spend the first hour or so of your character's life doing. But we will note that the early game's tropical island setting looks charming in Creatures' art style and graphics engine.
After acquiring a few more body parts than the stock few you begin with, it's easy to enter the editor and start plugging in pieces. Selecting from sections of your body such as the torso, the eyes, or the legs is a matter of tapping the appropriate icon and double-tapping the part you want. You then just drag it into position on the touch screen. Each part carries certain consequences, positive and negative. Body parts alter your attack, defense, and social stats, changing how you fight and charm other creatures. They can also offer unique means of locomotion (crawling gets old fast) or Bio-Powers, such as the healing we got early on.
Your creature is controlled by either the d-pad or a Phantom Hourglass-style touch interface. There's some crossover with either control system, but we really like having the option to use the touch screen or the d-pad, just on principle. Combat begins when you approach another creature, tap them, and select the "fight" icon. Then you slash away at the enemy on the touch screen, and it becomes a statistics contest. Hopefully there's more depth to the combat system then we could get into with our limited play time; we'd hate to see Spore Creatures be little other than an Impossible Creatures knock-off for the DS. With any luck it'll live up to the high-falutin' aspirations of the high-powered, amazingly creative PC version.


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4708 NW Bethany Boulevard (Suite E-10)
Portland, OR
7401 SW Bridgeport Road
Tigard, OR
The Bowl & Berry
The only thing I love more than stumbling upon good food is stumbling upon good food that has a great story. I was invited to try The Bowl & Berry, which I was super excited about because I know there aren't many places that offer Acai bowls. I know they have been trendy in California for quite some time, but not so much here in Oregon. With all our fresh berries I have to wonder what has taken so long. Thank goodness George Fox University is cranking out some [Read more…]


text: An interview with Ilya Prigogine* by Yiannis Zisis --- Greece, Astir Palace Hotel, Vouliagmeni, May 2000.*Ilya Prigogine was awarded with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1977. He was director of Solvay Institute. He passed away at the age of 86, in May 28th 2003 at Brussels.Solon NGO would like to thank Ioannis Antoniou, professor of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, for his support and the translation of the interview as well.


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PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has a long history of sacrificing basic human respect for drawing attention to violence against animals. Adland (among many other blogs and websites) has written about this and put together a list of what they consider PETA's most sexist advertising campaigns. These include placing an almost naked woman in plastic wrap covered in what appears to be blood, with the label of "Human Meat," as well as placing a naked pregnant model in a cage in Covent Garden. Recently, Bitch Media brought attention to PETA's shock tactics, including comparing the treatment of animals to the atrocities of the Holocaust. Bitch Media focused primarily on PETA's "My boyfriend went vegan" campaign. In a commercial for this campaign we see a girl walking around with a neck brace and are informed that she is suffering from "my boyfriend went vegan and knocked the bottom out of me." She appears unhappy and in pain. The commercial continues to show that, by going vegan, her boyfriend "can suddenly bring it like a tantric porn star," resulting in sex that is "painful" (in their own words). We are informed that for her, "it is too late," and they advocate for the audience to research how to go vegan "safely." Intimate partner violence is a serious issue and PETA makes light of this violence with the sad music and serious voice over.
Another PETA campaign I have recently discovered online mocks trans people for the sake of animal rights. This one is titled "Fur is a drag" and shows individuals in drag protesting fur coats. Let me be clear: dressing in drag or employing trans individuals for a campaign is not inherently wrong or offensive. Dressing in drag in this context, however, with the implication that "drag" is something bad, mocks trans individuals. PETA wishes fur coats to be seen as despicable and violation of basic rights and they equate this with dressing in drag, playing on connotations of the word "drag."
Comments below the article confirm such interpretations. For instance, "Hanne" writes, "Hahaha brilliant! I mean it shows how stupid it is to wear fur and that I't looks pathetic too wear it." "Hanne" has interpreted this campaign to show how "pathetic" it looks to wear fur because the individuals in drag are intended to be viewed as "stupid" and looking "pathetic." This campaign confirms gender norms implying that cis males and cis women should dress in corresponding gender clothing and anyone who lives outside of these social expectations are "foolish," just like those who wear animal fur coats.