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Given the low diagnostic success rate, the high cost of laboratory work, and the low profit margin in both the beef and dairy industries, veterinarians should not attempt to make an etiologic diagnosis in every abortion. Instead, veterinarians should become concerned if fetal loss is >3%–5% per year or per month.
Noninfectious Causes
The actual incidence of abortions in cows due to genetic factors is unknown. Some genetically caused abortions may not have phenotypically recognizable lesions. Most lethal genes cause early abortion or early embryonic death.
Vitamins A and E, selenium, and iron have been implicated in bovine abortions, but documentation based on experiments is available only for vitamin A.
Heat stress causes fetal hypotension, hypoxia, and acidosis. High maternal temperature due to fever may be more important than environmentally induced heat stress.
Although severe trauma may rarely result in abortion (the bovine fetus is well protected by the amniotic fluid), farmers undoubtedly blame too many abortions on the cow "getting bumped."
A number of toxins can cause abortion in cows. Ponderosa pine needles can cause abortion if ingested in the last trimester; the cows may become moribund after delivery and hemorrhage excessively. The main abortifacient compounds in Ponderosa pine needles are isocupressic acid and labdane resin. Locoweed (Oxytropis or Astragalus sp) contains an indolizidine alkaloid that can affect the corpus luteum, chorioallantois, and neurons, resulting in abortion or deformities. Broomweed (Guttierrezia microcephala) ingestion can also cause abortion, as can coumarins from rat poison Overview of Rodenticide Poisoning in Animals Through centuries past, a variety of methods, active ingredients, formulations, and control measures have been used for rodent pest control. These efforts become more apparent as urban areas... read more , many grasses, or moldy sweet clover Sweet Clover Poisoning in Animals Melilotus spp (sweet clover). In the 1920s, cattle in North America developed a fatal hemorrhagic disease. Various causes, including pathogenic organisms and nutritional deficiencies... read more . Sodium iodide, IV, has been contraindicated in pregnant cows, but no abortions or adverse effects occurred in pregnant cows treated with a single high dose in some studies. Mycotoxins Overview of Mycotoxicoses in Animals For discussion of mycotoxicoses in poultry, see Mycotoxicoses in Poultry. Acute or chronic toxicoses in animals can result from exposure to feed or bedding contaminated with toxins produced... read more , especially those with estrogenic activity, have been implicated in bovine abortions. Nitrates or nitrites have also been incriminated, but experimental evidence is controversial.
Infectious Causes
Bluetongue as a Cause of Abortion in Cattle
Bluetongue Bluetongue is caused by an Orbivirus with 24 serotypes and is transmitted by biting midges of the genus Culicoides. Historically, bluetongue occurred from approximately latitude 35°S to 40°N, except in the western USA, where it occurs to 45°N. After introduction of an attenuated, live virus serotype 10 vaccine in the 1950s, abortion, mummification, stillbirth, and the birth of live offspring with CNS malformations occurred in cattle and sheep. Since then, multiple bluetongue serotypes have been identified as causes of similar reproductive losses in cattle and sheep. Attenuation of bluetongue virus can increase its ability to cross the placenta. There is evidence that before 2007, reproductive losses were caused by attenuated bluetongue vaccine viruses, either by vaccination of pregnant animals or by spread of vaccine virus in nature by Culicoides spp.
In 2006, serotype 8 bluetongue virus appeared, spread, and became endemic across northwestern Europe (north of 50°N), where bluetongue was previously unknown. Beginning in 2007, abortions and birth of "dummy" calves with brain malformations occurred in bluetongue-infected herds; affected calves were documented to have been infected in utero. Since then, many such cases have been reported.
Diagnosis is by identification of precolostral antibodies to bluetongue or identification of the virus by PCR. Brain, spleen, and whole blood are the preferred samples from fetuses and neonates for PCR. Control of bluetongue is by vaccination and management procedures to reduce exposure to biting midges. Modified-live and inactivated vaccines are available, but their availability and use varies between countries.
Bovine Viral Diarrhea as a Cause of Abortion in Cattle
In several surveys, bovine viral diarrhea Bovine Viral Diarrhea and Mucosal Disease Complex Bovine viral diarrhea/mucosal disease is a pestivirus infection of cattle and other ruminants. Infection leads to immunosuppression and can cause signs in multiple body systems in addition to... read more (BVD) was the most commonly diagnosed virus in bovine abortion cases.
The pathology of BVD in the developing fetus is complex. Infection before insemination or during the first 40 days of pregnancy results in infertility or embryonic death. Infection between 40 and 125 days of pregnancy results in birth of persistently infected calves if the fetus survives. Fetal infection during the period of organogenesis (100–150 days) may result in congenital malformations of the CNS (cerebellar hypoplasia, hydrancephaly, hydrocephalus, microencephaly, and spinal cord hypoplasia). Congenital ocular defects have also been seen (cataracts, optic neuritis, retinal degeneration, microphthalmia). After 125 days of gestation, BVD may cause abortion, or the fetal immune response may clear the virus.
Diagnosis is made via identification of BVD virus by means of isolation, immunologic staining, PCR assay, or detection of precolostral antibodies in aborted calves. The virus is present in a wide variety of tissues, but the spleen is the tissue of choice for testing. Increasing BVD antibody titers in aborting animals or herdmates is diagnostic for recent infection. BVD virus is immunosuppressive and is found in many fetuses with infections caused by other agents (eg, bacteria, N caninum). Outbreaks of abortions by organisms that typically cause sporadic abortion should raise suspicion for possible concurrent BVD virus infection.
Prevention should focus on removal of persistently infected cattle and herd vaccination.
Brucellosis as a Cause of Abortion in Cattle
Brucellosis Brucellosis in Large Animals (Bang's disease) is a threat in most countries where cattle are raised. In the USA, active control programs, including test, slaughter, and heifer vaccination, have greatly decreased its incidence. Brucellosis causes abortions in the second half of gestation (usually ~7 months), and ~80% of unvaccinated cows in later gestation will abort if exposed to Brucella abortus. The organisms enter via mucous membranes and invade the udder, lymph nodes, and uterus, causing a placentitis, which may be acute or chronic. Abortion or stillbirth occurs 2 weeks to 5 months after initial infection. Affected cotyledons may be normal to necrotic, and red or yellow. The intercotyledonary area is focally thickened with a wet, leathery appearance. The fetus may be normal or autolytic with bronchopneumonia. Diagnosis can be made by maternal serology combined with fluorescent antibody staining of placenta and fetus or isolation of B abortus from placenta, fetus (abomasal contents and lung), or uterine discharge. Prevention is by calfhood vaccination of heifers.
Brucellosis is a serious zoonosis and a reportable disease, and the appropriate authorities should be contacted.
Campylobacteriosis as a Cause of Abortion in Cattle
Campylobacter fetus venerealis causes venereal disease that usually results in infertility or early embryonic death but occasionally causes abortion between 4 and 8 months of gestation. C fetus fetus and C jejuni are transmitted by ingestion and subsequent hematogenous spread to the placenta. Both cause sporadic abortions, usually in the last half of gestation. The fetus can be fresh with partially expanded lungs or severely autolyzed. Mild fibrinous pleuritis and peritonitis may be noted, as well as bronchopneumonia. Placentitis is mild with hemorrhagic cotyledons and an edematous intercotyledonary area. Campylobacter spp can be identified by darkfield examination of abomasal contents or culture of placenta or abomasal contents. Isolation and identification of the species involved is important if vaccination is to be instituted. Venereal campylobacteriosis can be controlled by artificial insemination and vaccination. Campylobacter spp are zoonotic, and C jejuni is an important cause of enteritis in people. ( See also Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis .)
Chlamydiosis as a Cause of Abortion in Cattle
Chlamydophila abortus, the cause of enzootic abortion of ewes, causes sporadic abortion in cattle. Most abortions occur near the end of the last trimester, but they can occur earlier. Placental lesions consist of thickening and yellow-brown exudate adhered to the cotyledons and intercotyledonary areas. Histologically, placentitis is consistently present, and pneumonia and hepatitis can be found in some cases. C abortus can be identified by examination of stained smears of the placenta or by ELISA, fluorescent antibody staining, PCR, or isolation in embryonated chicken eggs or cell culture. Organisms can often be identified in the lungs and liver but not as consistently as in the placenta. There are no vaccines for cattle, although they are produced for sheep Enzootic Abortion of Ewes (EAE) Also see Management of Reproduction: Sheep. Abortion in ewes, as in cows, is not always easily diagnosed. Although many of the toxins that cause abortion in cows also cause problems in ewes... read more . The bacterium is zoonotic, occasionally producing life-threatening disease and abortion in pregnant women.
Epizootic Bovine Abortion (Foothill Abortion) in Cattle
Epizootic bovine abortion is localized to the foothill region surrounding the Sacramento/San Joaquin Valley and the Eastern Sierra Nevada range of California, Oregon, and Nevada. Epizootic bovine abortion usually causes a protracted abortion storm affecting primarily heifers or cows recently introduced to the geographic region; however, abortion can occur 3–5 months after leaving the endemic area. Abortion is usually in the last trimester, and rates may be as high as 60%. The animals abort without illness, and the fetus is seldom autolyzed.
A novel Deltaproteobacterium closely related to Myxococcales,Pajaroellobacter abortibovis, has been identified as the etiologic agent. It is transmitted by the argasid tick Ornithodoros coriaceus ("pajaroello tick"). The aborted fetus may have hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and generalized lymphomegaly. Microscopically, there is marked lymphoid hyperplasia in the spleen and lymph nodes and granulomatous inflammation in most organs. Fetal IgG is increased. Cows seldom abort in subsequent pregnancies, and heifers are often exposed to endemic areas before breeding age in an effort to prevent abortions.
Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR, Bovine Herpesvirus 1) as a Cause of Abortion in Cattle
Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) is a major cause of viral abortion worldwide, with abortion rates of 5%–60% in nonvaccinated herds.
The virus is widespread, causes latent infections, and can recrudesce; therefore, any cow with a positive IBR titer is a possible carrier. The virus is carried to the placenta in WBCs; over the next 2 weeks to 4 months, it causes a placentitis, then infects the fetus and kills it in 24 hours.
Abortion can occur any time but usually is from 4 months to term. Autolysis is consistently present. Occasionally, there are small foci of necrosis in the liver, but in a large majority of cases there are no gross lesions in the placenta or fetus. Microscopically, small foci of necrosis with minimal inflammation are consistently present in the liver. Necrotizing vasculitis is common in the placenta.
Diagnosis can be made by immunologic staining of the kidney, lung, liver, placenta, and adrenal glands. IBR virus can be isolated from ~50% of infected fetuses (most successfully from the placenta). In most cases, maternal titers have peaked by the time of abortion. In abortion storms, rising titers can often be demonstrated in herdmates. Control is by herd vaccination; intranasal, modified-live virus, and killed vaccines are available. ( See also Bovine Herpesvirus 1 Bovine Herpesvirus 1 Bovine herpesvirus 1 infections are widespread in the cattle population. In feedlot cattle, the respiratory form is most common. The viral infection alone is not life-threatening but predisposes... read more .)
Leptospirosis as a Cause of Abortion in Cattle
The pathogenic leptospires were formerly classified as serovars of Leptospira interrogans, but they have been reclassified into 7 species with >200 recognized serovars. Leptospira serovars Grippotyphosa, Pomona, Canicola, and Icterohaemorrhagiae usually cause abortions in the last trimester, 2–6 weeks after maternal infection. The most common organisms in cattle are L borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo type hardjobovis, L interrogans serovar Hardjo type hardjoprajitno, L interrogans serovar Pomona, and L kirschneri serovar Grippotyphosa.
Serovar Hardjo is host adapted to cattle and can establish lifelong infections in the kidneys and reproductive tracts. In addition to third trimester abortions, serovar Hardjo reduces conception rates in carrier cows and cows bred to carrier bulls.
Although dams may show clinical signs of leptospirosis, most abortions are in otherwise healthy cattle. Abortion rates vary from 5%–40% or more.
The leptospires cause a diffuse placentitis with avascular, light tan cotyledons and edematous, yellowish intercotyledonary areas. The fetus usually dies 1–2 days before expulsion and therefore is autolyzed. Occasionally, calves are born alive but weak. Fetuses infected with serovar Pomona may show icterus. There are no specific lesions, but placenta and fetus should be submitted to the laboratory for fluorescent antibody staining or PCR testing for Leptospira.
Although maternal titers are probably waning by the time of abortion, an initial titer of >1:800 may be suspicious. Approximately one-third of cows aborting because of serovar Hardjo have titers of < 1:100 at the time of abortion. Cows infected with serovar Hardjo can shed the organism in urine throughout life. For other serovars, the dam's urine can be cultured or examined for leptospires within 2 weeks of abortion.
For control, sources of infection (such as feed or water contaminated by dogs, rats, or wildlife) should be identified and eliminated. There is very little or no cross-protection among serovars. Immunization is based on the use of multivalent vaccines. The primary vaccination requires two doses at a 4- to 6-week interval followed by an annual booster. In some areas, use of a bacterin every 6 months provides good protection against serovars Grippotyphosa, Pomona, Canicola, and Icterohaemorrhagiae but does not protect against infection and renal shedding by serovar Hardjo. New monovalent serovar Hardjo vaccines that prevent infection, but do not cure existing infections, are available.
The following treatments have been found to eliminate the renal carrier state: a single injection of oxytetracycline (20 mg/kg, IM), a single injection of tilmicosin (10 mg/kg, SC), ceftiofur (5 mg/kg/day, IM, for 5 days or 20 mg/kg/day, IM, for 3 days), or amoxicillin (15 mg/kg, IM, two injections 48 hours apart).
Leptospirosis is zoonotic, and urine and milk of dams may be infective for up to 3 months, except for Hardjo, in which case cows can be infective for life if not treated. ( See also Leptospirosis Leptospirosis .)
Listeriosis as a Cause of Abortion in Cattle
Listeria monocytogenes can cause placentitis and fetal septicemia. Abortions are usually sporadic but may affect 10%–20% of a herd. Abortion occurs at any stage of gestation, and the dam may have fever and anorexia before the abortion; retained placenta is common. The fetus is retained for 2–3 days after death, so autolysis may be extensive. Fibrinous polyserositis and white necrotic foci in the liver and/or cotyledons are common. Diagnosis is by culture of Listeria from fetus or placenta. There is no available bacterin. Listeriosis Listeriosis is a reportable disease in many areas and is a serious zoonosis, with spread possible through improperly pasteurized milk.
Mycotic Abortion in Cattle
Fungal placentitis due to Aspergillus sp (septated fungi, 60%–80% of cases), or to Mucor sp, Absidia, Rhizopus sp, and a few other nonseptated fungi, is an important cause of sporadic bovine abortion. Abortions occur from 4 months to term and are most common in winter. It is believed the fungi gain entry through the oral or respiratory tracts and travel hematogenously to the placenta. Placentitis is severe and necrotizing. Cotyledons are enlarged and necrotic with turned-in margins. The intercotyledonary area is thickened and leathery. Adventitious placentation is common. The fetus seldom is autolyzed, although it may be dehydrated; ~30% have gray ringworm-like skin lesions principally involving the head and shoulders. The diagnosis is based on the presence of fungal hyphae associated with necrotizing placentitis, dermatitis, or pneumonia. Fungi can also be isolated from the stomach contents, placenta, and skin lesions. Isolation must be correlated with microscopic and gross lesions to exclude contamination after abortion.
For control, moldy feed should be avoided. ( See also Mycotoxicoses Mycotoxicoses .)
Neosporosis as a Cause of Abortion in Cattle
Neospora caninum is found worldwide and is the most common cause of abortion in dairy and beef cattle in many parts of the USA.
Dogs and coyotes are definitive hosts for N caninum and can be the source of infection. Abortion can occur any time after 3 months of gestation but is most common between 4 and 6 months of gestation. Neospora can be associated with sporadic abortions or abortion storms, and repeat abortions in cows have been reported.
Most infections result in an asymptomatic congenitally infected calf. Some infected calves are born with paralysis or proprioceptive deficits. Cows are not clinically ill, and placental retention is not common. The fetus is usually autolyzed or, in a few cases, mummified and rarely has gross lesions.
Microscopically, nonsuppurative inflammation is common in the brain, heart, and skeletal muscles. Organisms can be identified in these tissues and the kidneys by means of immunohistochemical staining and PCR assay. Many late gestation fetuses have detectable precolostral antibodies. They remain infected for years and possibly for life. Vertical transmission is common.
During pregnancy, Neospora Neosporosis organisms can become activated and infect the fetus. This is thought to be the most common source of infection. There is no treatment. Strict hygiene to prevent fecal contamination of feed by dogs or coyotes may aid in prevention. A commercial vaccine is available.
Trichomoniasis as a Cause of Abortion in Cattle
Tritrichomonas foetus infection causes a venereal disease that usually results in infertility but occasionally causes abortion in the first half of gestation. Placentitis is relatively mild, with hemorrhagic cotyledons and thickened intercotyledonary areas covered with flocculent exudate. The placenta is often retained after abortion. A significant proportion of cows develop pyometra.
The fetus has no specific lesions, although T foetus can be found in abomasal contents, placental fluids, and uterine discharges. Infected cows typically clear the organism within 20 weeks, but bulls, especially those infected after 3 years of age, can become lifelong carriers. There is no legal, effective treatment for individual animals. Herd treatment is based on identifying and segregating pregnant females from "at-risk" females for ≥5 months and by identifying and culling all infected bulls. Prevention is by artificial insemination or natural insemination using noninfected bulls. A killed, whole-cell vaccine is available for use in cows to help reduce shedding. ( See also Trichomoniasis Trichomoniasis .)
Trueperella pyogenes as a Cause of Abortion in Cattle
Trueperella pyogenes causes sporadic abortion at any stage of pregnancy. Rarely, the incidence in a herd may reach epizootic levels. The bacterium is present in the nasopharynx of many healthy cows and in abscesses. It is not normally present, even as a contaminant, in fetuses or fetal membranes, and isolation is almost always significant. It gains entry to the bloodstream and causes an endometritis and placentitis, which is diffuse with a reddish brown to brown color. The fetus is usually autolyzed, with fibrinous pericarditis, pleuritis, or peritonitis possible.
Bronchopneumonia may be evident on histopathology, but T pyogenes is best cultured from placenta or abomasal contents. Abortion is usually sporadic, and no effective bacterin is available.
Ureaplasma diversum Infection as a Cause of Abortion in Cattle
Ureaplasma diversum is a common inhabitant of the vagina and prepuce of cattle that also causes abortions. Abortions are usually sporadic, but severe outbreaks occur on occasion. The infection may also result in stillbirths and birth of weak calves. Most fetuses are aborted in the third trimester and are well preserved. The cows are not sick, but retained placentas are common. Placentitis and a necrotic amniotic membrane are common features. The intercotyledonary areas are usually thickened and sometimes contain areas of fibrin deposition and hemorrhage. There are no gross lesions in the fetus. Microscopically, there is nonsuppurative placentitis and pneumonia characterized by accumulations of lymphocytes around bronchi and by diffuse alveolitis. Diagnosis is by isolation of U diversum from the placenta, lungs, and/or abomasal contents.
Other Causes of Abortion in Cattle
Akabane virus Akabane and Related Simbu Serogroup Virus Infections in Ruminants Akabane and related Simbu serogroup viruses are transmitted to ruminants by Culicoides midges. They cause congenital abnormalities of the CNS and musculoskeletal system in ruminants.... read more (where present) causes abortion and fetal anomalies. Parainfluenza-3 virus causes abortion in experimentally inoculated seronegative cattle, but is seldom, if ever, diagnosed in field cases of abortion. Occasionally, Salmonella spp cause abortion storms. The cows are usually sick, and the fetuses and placentas are autolyzed and emphysematous. Salmonellae can be isolated from the abomasal contents and fetal tissues and from uterine fluids and the dams' feces. Mycoplasma spp, Histophilus somni, and a wide variety of other bacteria can also cause sporadic abortions in cattle. Schmallenberg virus, discovered in Europe in 2011, belongs to the Simbu serogroup and has been associated with infertility, abortion, and fetal malformation in several ruminant species.


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"Tiananmen Sid" shakes up a small town
A version of this essay originally appeared on the science blog, the Last Word on Nothing.
My rural western Colorado town of Paonia, population 1,500 on a good day, is in many ways a laboratory-scale model of the USA. We worship both community ties and unfettered independence from the federal government. We're gossipy and private, inclusive and provincial, divided by class and dogma even as we gather under our purple mountains majesty. Our community stew comes to a boil at Cherry Days, the annual Fourth of July celebration, and this year's version -- heated by wildfires and record summer temperatures -- was extra hot and spicy.
The Cherry Days parade was notable for its lead vehicle, a well-preserved Korean-War-era tank complete with a pair of anti-aircraft guns. Even more notable was the tank's owner: billionaire Bill Koch, brother to the liberal bêtes noires Charles and David Koch. Bill Koch, whose interests in sailing, fine wines and antiques are less political than his brothers' though probably just as expensive, is the founder and CEO of Oxbow Group, whose holdings include a local coal mine. Its affiliate Gunnison Energy Corp. is active in local natural-gas development.
In recent years, Bill Koch has also become a part-time neighbor, acquiring a couple of ranches in the mountains and a long list of Paonia-area properties. He's commissioned the construction of a private "Western town," furnished with his collection of frontier memorabilia. He's aroused local suspicion and resentment by pushing for Congressional approval of a public-private land swap that would benefit his ranch and close off access to 40 square miles of wilderness. And for the community activists fighting fast-moving natural-gas development, Bill Koch and Gunnison Energy have become symbols of unwelcome change.
So when Koch's collectible tank creaked down Grand Avenue last week, Sid Lewis — hairdresser, cycling enthusiast and former town councilman — stepped in front of it holding a handwritten cardboard sign about money and democracy and the corruption of the latter by the former. Lewis and his sign were soon escorted off the street, but the story of "Tiananmen Sid" quickly landed on Facebook. By Friday morning, news of the encounter was in The Denver Post, and that night the tale of the hairdresser versus the tank was told onThe Rachel Maddow Show. By the time you read this, local online arguments about the incident will probably have invoked the First Amendment at least 1,098 times (and, if Godwin's Law holds, mentioned Nazis at least once).
To some in town, it turns out, Bill Koch is the benevolent rich guy who buys the groceries, and Sid Lewis is the outsider poking his disrespectful outsider-y nose into a pretty good deal. To others, Koch is the dastardly outsider trying to buy the town and invaluable public land for cheap, and Sid represents the community standing heroically against him. These stories, with different characters in the lead roles and varying degrees of truth, have been told and retold here for generations. Neither is likely to change anyone's mind.
But I was happy that Tiananmen Sid shook up the town's 66th annual Cherry Days celebration, and not only because I happen to prefer beauticians to billionaires. Sid Lewis made the parade a more accurate reflection of my small complicated town and big complicated nation. Most of us, after all, are in a testy, confrontational mood these days.
I was even happier, though, when the parade continued its march, unrolling its humble column of Constitutionalists and conservationists, Republicans and Democrats, Shriners and dancing librarians, organic farmers and volunteer ambulance drivers and the Class of 1982. They straggled slowly along the long, crowded route in pickups and flatbeds and sometimes under their own steam, waving and grinning, separate but more or less on the same path. That's the part of the procession where most of us live our daily lives. When we're lucky, its story is the truest one of all.
Watch a video of Sid Lewis's protest.
Michelle Nijhuis is a contributor to Writers on the Range, a service of High Country News (hcn.org). She is a contributing editor of the magazine and lives in Paonia, Colorado.


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TV show description:
This series is inspired by true events and focuses on the lives of undercover agents from the FBI, DEA, and US Customs who reside and operate under one roof. When forced to give up any shred of normalcy and the question of trust is a matter of life or death, the house becomes a sanctuary — their "Graceland."
Senior FBI agent Paul Briggs (Daniel Sunjata) has a legendary track record in the bureau. However, after a mysterious event that sent him on an unexplained leave of absence a few years ago, he traded in his suit and tie for a more Zen existence. He is assigned to train rookie Mike Warren who has just arrived at the house, — a task he reluctantly takes on.
FBI Agent Mike Warren (Aaron Tveit) is fresh out of the Academy. He's sent to live at Graceland and work with Briggs, whom he idolizes. What he doesn't have in life experience he makes up for in smarts — which he'll need them to fulfill his secret mission at Graceland, one that will put him at odds with his roommates.
Catherine "Charlie" DeMarco (Vanessa Ferlito) is a strong-willed undercover FBI agent. She's a chameleon on the job, easily turning herself into anything from a believable junkie to a classy businesswoman. Whatever her guise, she's brimming with attitude and determined to take the bad guys down.
Joe "Johnny" Tuturro (Manny Montana) is the fun-loving prankster of the house. He's also Briggs' right hand man and the heart of Graceland. Growing up, Johnny almost followed in his brother's footsteps and joined a gang. Instead, he became a Navy Seal trainee, where he learned everything from undersea recoveries to diffusing bombs, and then finally joined the FBI.
Dale "DJ" Jakes (Brandon Jay McLaren) is a quick-tempered US Customs agent and the most territorial of the roommates. He's a tough nut to crack, but underneath his shell is a truly dedicated agent with a lot of wisdom. Jakes is a bit of a lone wolf, but he's always there to help the team when needed.
And finally, Paige Arkin (Serinda Swan) is a smart and sexy DEA undercover agent. She has a smile that lights up the room but can follow that up with a killer left-hook. She drinks hard, plays hard and isn't afraid to get her hands dirty. She'll do whatever it takes to arrest the enemy and after she has them in cuffs, she uses her talents for ball-busting to make even the hardest criminal cooperate.
Episode #38 — No Old Tigers
With Martuun in prison and the gang war over, Briggs writes up a version of events that will tie up all the loose ends in one big bow that takes himself off the hook. But while the pragmatic Agent Logan is willing to put his personal feelings for Briggs aside and take the win, Mike's nagging conscience won't allow him to turn away from the truth, not with so many lives lost and Gusti waiting to take the fall for the Sarin.
Elsewhere, Jakes tries to keep reality at arm's length as he continues to fall hard for Courtney, but Johnny warns him that their relationship can't be built on a lie. And when Mike refuses to sign off on Briggs's report, his call for accountability will put the entire house on edge and force Jakes to make a choice between the life he wants and the life he has.
Meanwhile, Briggs hunts for the one person who can bring his house of cards tumbling down – Ari. The question is, once Briggs finds him, what does he plan on doing with him? Briggs has no intention of going to jail, but then neither does Ari, and with Soto Street still looking to even the score, someone will end up with blood on their hands. (Courtesy USA)
First aired: September 17, 2015.
What do you think? Do you like the Graceland TV series? Do you think it should have been cancelled or renewed for a fourth season?


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3 Tips from Someone With Experience
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How to Achieve Maximum Success with


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Weekly walks led by Andy Falender and Jackie Lenth. Friday afternoons at 1:30 we'll meet and walk silently about 30 feet apart observing and appreciating the local "wilderness" of Lincoln and surrounding areas. We'll usually walk for slightly over an hour (for about 2 miles) then gather in a circle to share our observations. It's probably best to reserve an hour and a half for each Friday afternoon. Check the weekly News Briefs for meeting location or contact Andy Falender.
Quiet Walks
December 8 @ 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)
An event every week that begins at 1:30 pm on Friday, repeating until December 29, 2023


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« PreviousContinue »
John iii. 3. Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Ver. 5. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
1. Cor. vi. 9. Know ye not, that the unrighteous shall not enter into the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind.
Ver. 10. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God.
xv. 50. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal. v. 19. The works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness.
Ver. 20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies.
Ver. 21. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings and such like, of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things, shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Eph. v. 5. No whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of God and of Christ.
Heb. iii. 19. The Jews could not enter into the promised land, because of unbelief.
iv. 1. Let us fear,lest a promise being left us, of entering into his rest, any of you I should seem to come short of it.
Rev. xxi 27. There shall in no wise enter into the heavenly Jerusalem, any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh an abomination, or maketh a lie. Chap. xx. 15.
xxii. 15. Without are dogs and sorcerers, and whoremongers and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Chap. xxi. 8.
XXVIII. The greatest punishment and sufferings in this life, set forth in the language expressive of future punishments. Deut. iv. 24. The Lord thy God is a consuming fire. Heb. xii. 29. xxxii. 22. A fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
Ps. xi. 6. Upon the wicked he shall rain fire and brimstone and an horrible tempest. Ps. 1. 3.
Ps. xcvii. 3. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. See instances hereof. Gen. xix. 24. Exod. ix. 23, 24. Lev. x 2. 2 Kings i. 12.
Isa. xiv. 9. Hell from beneath is moved, to meet thee at thy coming. xxxiii. 14. Who of us shall dwell with devouring fire, who of us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
xxxv. 4. God will come with vengeance, &c.
Ixvi. 14. The indignation of the Lord shall be known toward his enemies.
Ver. 15. For behold the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots, like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
Isa. lxvi. 24. The men that have transgressed against me, their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched.
Jer. iv. 4. Circumcise your hearts to the Lord, take away the foreskin of your hearts, lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, for the evil of your doings. Ch. xxi. 12.
Lam. ii. 4. He poured out his fury like fire. Ezek. xxxviii. 22.
Amos. v. 6. Seek ye the Lord and ye shall live, lest he break out like fire, and devour, and there be none to quench it.
Nah. i. 5. The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burnt up at his presence, yea the world and all that dwell therein.
Hab. iii. 5. Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.
Mal. iii. 2. Who may abide the day of his coming, and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire and fuller's soap.
iv. 1. Behold the day of the Lord cometh, that shall burn as an o ven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts.
XXIX. The punishment of the wicked in a future state is thus set forth. Ps. ix. 17. The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. Ps. lxxix. 6.
Matt. iii. 10. Every branch that beareth not fruit, is hewn down and cast into the fire. Ch. vii. 19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
v. 22. Whosoever shall say to his brother, thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
x. 28. Fear him that is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. xiii. 40. As the tares are gathered, and burnt in the fire, so shall it be in the end of the world.
Ver. 41. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity.
Ver. 42. And shall cast them into a furnace of fire, there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
xxiii. 29. Woe unto you hypocrites, &c.
Ver. 33. How can ye escape the damnation of hell?
xxv. 41. Christ shall say unto them on the left hand, depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Ver. 42. For I was an hungered, and he gave me no meat, I was thirsty and ye gave me no drink.
Ver. 43. I was a stranger, and ye took me not in, naked and ye clothed me not, sick and in prison and ye visted me not.
Ver. 45. Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did not unto me.
Ver. 46. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment. Mark ix. 43. If thy hand offend thee cut it off, it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell. Ver. 45. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off, it is better for thee
to enter halt into life, than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched.
Mark ix. 47. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.
Ver. 48. Where their worm dieth not, and their fire is not quench ed. Matt. v. 29.-xviii. 8, 9.
Luke iii. 17 He will gather the wheat into his garner, but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
xvi 23. In hell the rich man lift up his eyes, being in torment.
Ver. 24. Tormented in this flame. Ver. 25, 28.
Rom. ix. 22. God endureth with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath, fitted to destruction.
Phil. iii. 18, 19. The enemies of the cross of Christ, their end is destruction.
1 Thess. v. 2. The day of the Lord so cometh, as a thief in the night.
Ver. 3. When they shall say peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape. 2 Pet. iii. 10, 12. Rev. iii. 3.-xvi. 15.
2 Thess. i. 7. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
Ver. 8. In flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ver. 9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.
ii. 8. Then shall that wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.
Ver. 12. That they all might be damned, who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Heb. vi. 8. The end of the unfruitful is to be burned. Matt. iii. 10.-vii. 19.
x. 27. Fiery indignation shall devour the adversaries.
Ver. 28. He that despised Moses law died without mercy.
Ver. 29. Of how much sorer punishment shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Ver. 30. Vengeance is mine, I will recompense, saith the Lord. Ver. 31. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Heb. xii. 29. For our God is a consuming fire.
2 Pet. ii. 4. He spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgment.
Ver. 9. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.
Ver. 10. But chiefly them who walk after the flesh, in the lusts of uncleanness.
iii. 7. The heavens and the earth are kept in store, reserved unto fire, against the day of judgment, and perdition of ungodly men.
Jude 7. Sodom and Gomorrha are set for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Rev. xiv. 9. If any man shall worship the beast and his image, and shall receive his mark in his forebead, or in his hand,
Ver. 10. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, poured out without mixture, into the cup of his indignation, and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone.
Ver. 11. The smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever, and they have no rest day nor night.
xviii. 9. They shall see the smoke of their burning.
xix. 20. The beast and the false prophet were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
xx. 10. The devil was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day an night, for ever and ever.
Ver. 14. Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire; this is the second death.
Vér. 15. And whosoever was not found written in the Lamb's book of life, was cast into the lake of fire.
xxi. 8. The fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and adulterers, and liars, shall have their part in the lake, that burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. Ch. xxii. 5.
N. B. The reader may observe the dreadfulness and duration of the foregoing punishments mentioned: Also, against what sins they are denounced. See also threats denounced against the various sorts of sinners, in the words Wicked, Ungodly, Disobedient, Unbelievers, &c. in this work.
ABHORRED of God, who are so,
Abhorring one's self for sin, xxx.
Abominableness of sin, cxii. 297.
lxxxvii. 389.
Affliction, deliverance from it, matter
Almighty God, lx. 16.
-Their employment about mankind,
-They have revealed God's will, xxiii.
-They have inflicted God's
xxvi. 64.
Their power, cxvi. 402.
-Their work at the day of judgment,
-They worship God, xxviii. 65.
-Anger ascribed to God, cxlvii. 53.
Applause of men not sought by Christ,
Anger in men, xvi. xvii. xviii. 339.
-Not sought by ministers of Christ,
Appointments of God, x. 72.
Atonement of Christ, xxxiv. 156.
judg-Benefits of Christ against sin, xvii. 150
--To whom promised, cxliv. 51.
Back-biting, clxxxv. 445.
Bearing with one another's weaknes.
Believers, promises to them, 186. to
Benefits of Christ to mankind, 144,
to 158.
-Through Christ, matter of praise,


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[The above photo is of me and Tim Scott.]
[The above picture is of me and two of Tim Scott's aides (Brandon Rowland on the left in the white shirt and Dan Asdot on the right in the blue shirt).]
As many of you are aware, Tim Scott has been campaigning hard for many months to become the US congressman to represent South Carolina's 1st Congressional District. Mr. Scott has recently endured a grueling primary battle in order to win the Republican nomination; however, there is a lot more to this man than just politics.
Mr. Scott has a very inspirational life story and has had to overcome a lot of hurdles in his life. He grew up in the projects of North Charleston and was raised by a single mother who worked two jobs to keep him and his brother off of welfare. Scott was failing out of high school until he found a mentor by the name of John Moniz (a local Chick-fil-A owner who told Tim that, "You can think your way out of poverty"). He then went on to become a successful businessman, a thirteen year member of the Charleston County Council, and a member of the SC State Legislature–all before finally running for congress in 2010.
Well, on Tuesday night, Tim Scott's tenacity paid off because he made history by being elected the first African-American Republican US congressman to represent SC since Reconstruction.
The victory party began by Tim Scott giving a rousing speech (that I have embedded above). However, here are the high points of Mr. Scott's speech in case you don't have the time to listen to the whole thing.
Scott was introduced by his campaign manager, Joe McKeown, who explained that, "Tim is still the guy who calls his mama twice a day and takes his grandfather out to lunch every Sunday".
He began his speech by excitedly telling the audience that, "It's no longer half time" (and that June 22'nd was half time).
Scott then quoted Ephesians 3: 20-21:
"That God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we ask and even imagine."
Scott further stated the following:
"If we remember that all things are possible and that American exceptionalism is alive and well, then we MUST go to work."
He, then, quoted Jack Kemp (who he calls "a bleeding heart conservative") who said that:
"It had to be done, but it wasn't the government's responsibility to do it–it was our responsibility."
Next, Scott brought his mother, Frances Scott, on stage and hailed her as "a super hero who is responsible for the American dream that I am living today." He went on to state that America needs the kind of tough love that his mother gave him.
Specifically, Scott stated the following:
"We must win back this country FOR the American people–not FROM the Democrats or the Republicans."
[Great message!!]
Then, Mr. Scott laid out his formula for American greatness–
1.) Limit the role of the federal government.
2.) Lower taxes and encourage job creation. ("If the federal government could create jobs, then communism would have worked.")
3.) Lastly, Scott got the audience to repeat loudly three times, "If you don't have it, don't spend it!!"
And finally, Mr. Scott wrapped up his stem-winder with the following remark:
"I'm amazed by the fact that the Good Lord allowed me to be born in America."
However, Tim Scott's uplifting speech was just the beginning of the party–there was way more fun to come. Below are some of the snapshots that were taken throughout the evening.
Above is a photo of Andrew Boucher (a Republican consultant working for the Scott campaign) and me.
Above is a picture of me and Lizzy Simmons–who is one of Tim Scott's aides.
Above is a photo of me and Jeff Shcreiber of America's Right (who I had the pleasure of meeting recently at Blog Con).
Above is a picture of my husband and me.
Above is another picture of me and Tim Scott. (Funny anecdote here. When I initially went up to Mr. Scott to congratulate him right before this picture was taken, I specifically said, "Congratulations Tim!"–then I caught myself and sheepishly said, "Oh, I meant Congressman Scott". However, he patted me on the shoulder and replied, "No, it's Tim.")
Above is a photo of my husband, Tim Scott and me.
Above is a picture of Tim Scott's cake.
And, above is a photo of me stuffing my face with cake.
Above is another snapshot of me and Brandon Rowland.
Above is a picture of me and Jay Henderson–who is one of Tim Scott's aides.
And finally, above is a photo of me waiting for my husband to bring the car around. It was at this point at the end of the evening that I had the chance to ask Tim what he thought the take home message was from the recent midterm elections. He responded that he thought that, "The American people had sent a clear message, and that it was our job (Congress') to follow their directions".
So, in conclusion, I think that Tim Scott will be a great representative for the state of South Carolina. Why? Because for Mr. Scott it's not all about him. He's "in this" to serve the good people of SC and because he truly believes in American exceptionalism–not for his own personal glory. Tim Scott has truly earned the title of "Congressman". (Barbara "call me Senator" Boxer could really learn a thing or two about humility from Congressman Scott.) Mr. Scott has overcome unbelievable obstacles to become the congressman to represent South Carolina's 1st Congressional District. I am very proud to call him "Congressman Scott". Tuesday night, Tim Scott had a lot to celebrate–nay–we all had a lot to celebrate.
Cross-posted from The Minority Report, Redstate.com and Hillbillypolitics.


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Tripoli air traffic controllers strike over pay
Tripoli, September 16, 2012
Air traffic controllers at Tripoli airport in Libya staged a strike over pay on Sunday that affected flights in the capital and other cities, the airport director said.
"They are striking over pay and for technical reasons," director Milad Maatouq said. "Negotiations are under way with the striking workers."
The strike hit airports in Tripoli and the eastern city of Benghazi, where certain flights take directions from air traffic controllers in the Libyan capital.
A Qatar Airways plane bound for Benghazi in the early afternoon was diverted to Alexandria in Egypt, a Reuters reporter said.
Several international airlines fly into Libya daily.
Libya's air traffic controllers have staged such strikes before. In December they walked off their jobs because they were unhappy about the appointment of new management.
Libya has been trying to return to business as usual after last year's war that toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi. But security problems and chaos can still be disruptive.


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San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - Marco Scutaro hit a go-ahead leadoff homer in the top of the ninth inning on Tuesday and the Rockies defeated the Giants, 5-4, in the finale of two-game series.
The Giants scored three runs in the seventh to tie the game, but left the bases loaded in the eighth and Scutaro got just enough of a 1-2 fastball from Santiago Casilla (0-2) to send it over the left field wall in the ninth.
Rex Brothers (2-2) pitched out of the bases-loaded jam in the eighth, striking out Brandon Belt and Melky Cabrera to end the inning and Rafael Betancourt fanned Nate Schierholtz with two aboard in the ninth to record his seventh save of the season.
Jeremy Guthrie returned from the disabled list and allowed one unearned run over 5 1/3 innings for the Rockies, who halted a four-game skid and earned a split of the series.
"Sometimes we pitch good and we don't hit, sometimes we hit good and we don't pitch. We just need to put those two things together and you're gonna see good results," said Scutaro.
Although Cabrera struck out to end the eighth, he helped tie the game an inning earlier when he hit a two-run double and later scored on Angel Pagan's two-out single.
Tim Lincecum gave up four runs in seven innings for the Giants, who saw their three-game win streak come to an end.
"It was one of those starts where he made some mistakes and didn't get away with them," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said of Lincecum. "But I see him getting better and better."
Josh Outman, who relieved Guthrie in the sixth, issued consecutive walks to start the seventh. Cabrera then slapped a two-run double into the right-field corner. Pagan's line drive single to left off of Matt Belisle brought around Cabrera, who slid in ahead of the throw for the tying run.
Brothers walked the bases loaded with one down in the eighth before retiring Belt and Cabrera. In the ninth, Pagan singled and Brandon Crawford walked with two down, but Schierholtz's bat didn't leave his shoulder as Betancourt delivered a 3-2, belt-high cutter across the middle of the plate for the game's final out.
Gregor Blanco scored the game's initial run. He led off with a single, stole second, moved to third on catcher Ramon Hernandez's throwing error and came home on Belt's sacrifice fly.
A half-inning later, Troy Tulowitzki singled on the heels of Carlos Gonzalez's double to make it 1-1.
In the sixth Tulowitzki singled again and advanced to third on an error by Pagan. A walk to Todd Helton preceded Michael Cuddyer's double to left, which plated Tulowitzki. Lincecum then walked Hernandez to load the bases and Jordan Pacheco delivered with a sac fly for a 3-1 Colorado lead.
The Rockies added to their advantage with a run in the seventh before relinquishing said advantage in the bottom half.
Tyler Colvin helped make it 4-1 when he singled, stole second, moved to third on a throwing error by catcher Buster Posey, then came home on Gonzalez's single.
Game Notes
Guthrie He was on the DL with an injured shoulder, which he suffered when he fell off of his bicycle...The Giants had won 10 of their previous 12 meetings with the Rockies dating back to last season...Giants infielder Joaquin Arias left the game with a forearm contusion.


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Storybook Mountain Winery sits at the northern end of the Napa Valley, about a fifty-five minute drive from The Inn On First, a premier lodging property in Napa. Best known for Zinfandel, it has been named repeatedly as one of Wine and Spirits Magazine's favorite wineries for Zinfandel. Guests of the inn have also raved about this place.Founded by two brothers named Grimm in the late 1800's, it closed around prohibition, opened again for a short time until a fire in the 60's cleared out the buildings. It wasn't until years later (70's) that the current owners came and renamed the place with a whimsical name to reflect the winery's past history. They were told at the time that Zinfandel was best with the particular soil type found at the winery, and the advice they were given has proven its veracity.
We were given a tour of the property which, amazingly, is only tended to by four vineyard workers; they bring in no outside help. So you can imagine how carefully the vines are tended to throughout the year. Once up the small hillside you begin to understand the beauty of the northern Napa Valley, north of Calistoga. Forested hillsides surround you versus the broad plain of the southern Napa Valley.
Entering the caves we were led to the final tasting room under the hillside where we enjoyed a selection of their wines: the Napa Estate Zinfandel (100% Zinfandel, with cherry tones, balanced fruit and oak), Antaeus (50% Zinfandel, then blended, big fruit flavor with a bit more oak than the first, with a nice oak finish), the Napa Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (very fruit forward, light tannins, toasted wood finish), and the Napa Estate Viognier (beautiful floral, honey nose, little acidity, not buttery, not oaken, just right).Wines range from $36 to $90. Picnicking is allowed prior to or after your tasting in a grassy knoll surrounded by redwood trees. Reservations are a must, and they are closed on Sundays.


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The sign outside a restaurant a mile up the road from where Rob Gronkowski scores touchdowns has a flashing suggestion for motorists: "HONK FOR GRONK!"
Plenty of car horns will be blaring if the fun-loving tight end returns next Monday as a Super Bowl champion.
Gronkowski will have a major role when the New England Patriots face the New York Giants next Sunday in Super Bowl XLVI. It's a sign of his importance that much of the Super Bowl talk to date has focused on his high left ankle sprain.
"He's had a lot of production," coach Bill Belichick said. "He's had a lot of touchdowns. He's had a lot of good blocks. I don't know what a `game changer' is, but he's definitely made some plays."
Gronkowski's teammates are confident he'll play in the Super Bowl after he was injured during the third quarter of a 23-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game. Gronkowski didn't practice on Thursday or Friday but he was walking briskly while wearing a walking boot on his left foot when he got off the team plane Sunday in Indianapolis.
"He's kind of a once-in-a-lifetime talent with the skill set that he has," wide receiver Matthew Slater said. "So we love getting him the ball in his hands, and he loves having the ball in his hands, and he does special things when he has the ball in his hands."
The 2010 second-round draft pick from Arizona set an NFL single-season record for tight ends with 17 touchdown catches this season. His 90 receptions were fifth in the NFL and his 1,327 yards receiving were sixth.
"Get a ladder, probably," Giants coach Tom Coughlin joked about stopping Gronkowski. "This is a very gifted tight end and there's two of them, as you know. He's had an outstanding career and rewritten some of the record books along the way and has done a very good job of making the big-play catch as well. He's become someone that Brady looks to go to in certain areas of the field as well, certainly in the red zone."
His success on the field has made Gronkowski a folk hero of sorts, a cultural icon for football-mad Patriots rooters and a part of their lexicon -- gronking means spiking.
"It's unbelievable," Gronkowski said after the win over the Ravens put the Patriots in their fifth Super Bowl in 11 years. "It's my second year in the league, playing with a great team, and you have to enjoy the moment. It doesn't even feel right, especially playing with the veterans here. I watched them go to the Super Bowl as I was growing up and now I'm part of it? It is an unreal moment and you can't take it for granted."
The Associated Press contributed to this report


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Making Mobile Marketing Work For Your Business
Did you know that mobile marketing not only covers the most commonly referenced area of mobile devices, but also mobile billboards, travelling expos and any type of advertising that is in some sort of motion. If you ever wanted to further your knowledge of mobile marketing, then check out the next few paragraphs.
Design your mobile ads so that they are interactive and sharable. Many cell phone users have a natural affinity for sharing and some will 'like' your ad on Facebook or 'tweet' about it on twitter if the option is available. This can bring your ad to a whole new audience without you having to pay any extra money. Additionally, a lots of people like to comment of ads. If your ad campaign has lots of comments, it can significantly increase your company's visibility in the marketplace.
Do not send out offers by text too frequently. If you send them out too often, customers will not have the incentive to take up your offer because they know there will another one coming soon. You want to make your offer special so that customers will feel like they cannot miss a good deal which might not come again any time soon.
Do not send your messages anytime. People will not appreciate getting a message from you in the middle of the night. Perhaps you can even divide your customer base by time zones so that you do not send a message at an odd hour. Avoid sending messages during holidays, except if it is relevant to your campaign.
Separate your customers. If you have a business that offers many different types of products or services, you may want to poll your customers to find out what they most want to hear about. Doing so can give you separate lists of customers with similar interests, so you will be able to send them information pertinent to them.
Perhaps mobile users would like to be treated a little better than the average user, and perhaps you could make them feel as if they're getting a little extra by subscribing to your mobile site or app. You can offer special rewards just for mobile users in order to increase the mobile side of your business.
Out of pure etiquette, refrain from sending messages out to your customers on Sundays or late at night. And even though time zones vary, make sure you never send out messages when it's nighttime in your neck of the woods. Just wait until midday to be safe, and always avoid Sundays and Saturdays too if you can help it.
Make sure your website is accessible from any mobile phone. This way, you'll make sure that every prospective customer has the ability to see what you're offering the way you want them to. Load your site on various platforms to see how it appears, and make changes as necessary so that everyone who visits your site can enjoy the same functionality.
In conclusion, not only does mobile marketing cover a wide amount of media types, but it can also be used to appeal to a wide variety of customers. You should definitely give the tips and tricks provided in this article a try; and you should be ecstatic with the results that you see.


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DS5015 European Power Socket:
A selection of high quality plugs, sockets, adapters and accessories for automotive, motorbike and marine markets. Our range includes waterproof USB socket, car voltmeter, car ammeter, waterproof car cigarette lighter, european power socket for charging and powering devices with a variety of fixing options as well as several universal DIN and cigar lighter plugs where the red adapter can be removed to use as a DIN power plugs, also known as Hella plugs as frequently found on motorbikes and scooters.
12V / 24 Volt marine and automotive digital voltmeter with LED display. Supplied with fixing nut for through hole mounting. Recommended mounting hole size 29mm. Supplied with 6.35mm tab terminals for electrical installation. RoHS. Suitable for marine, motorcycle or other automotive use. Can be dashboard mounted. Best quality.
We can't talk out their advantage in a few words, but they are more and more popular in the world. We provide our product at Factory Price. Contact Directly & Get Live Quotes Now!
Pls check the datasheet below:
|Waterproof Grade:
|Contact Resistance:
|35mΩ max
|Operating Temperature:
|Insulation Resistance:
|100mΩ min (500VDC)
|Electrical Life:
|≥ 10,000 Cycles
|Dielectric strength:
|1500VAC 1 minute
|Mechanical Life:
|≥ 100,000 Cycles


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Pope's Warning to the Mafia
Pope Francis, in an annual ceremony held to remember the hundreds of innocent people murdered by the Italian mafia, made a solemn plea for mobsters to change or else "end up in hell".
The mafia continues to plague much of southern Italy: just on Monday, a four-year-old boy was shot dead, along with his mother and her boyfriend, near the southern city of Taranto in a suspected mob hit.
At the end of an emotional ceremony in Rome in which the relatives of those murdered read the names of about 900 innocent mafia victims, the pope said the mafia "has no pity even for a child".
"You have power and money now from much dirty business and many mafia crimes – it is blood money and blood power, and you can't take it with you to the afterlife," Francis said in a Rome parish church packed with almost 900 relatives, many of whom held pictures of their slain loved ones.
"Men and women of the mafia, please change your lives. Convert. Stop doing evil … There's still time to stay out of hell. That's what's waiting for you if you stay on this path."
Francis's words recalled those of Pope John Paul, who in 1993 angrily called on mafiosi to "repent, because one day you will face the judgment of God".
The pope's stand is important because, according to investigators, mob bosses often seek to establish close ties to local priests as a way to show that their authority is recognised even by the Church.
It is the first time a pope has attended the annual event – now in its 19th year – which is always held on the first day of spring "as a sign of hope and rebirth," said Turin priest don Luigi Ciotti, who founded the anti-mafia group Libera, which organises the ceremony.
"My mother lost her life in the name of democracy, in the name of freedom, and for her commitment to civil society," said Viviana Matrangola, the daughter of Renata Fonte, a city council member in the small southern town of Nardo who was shot to death by the mafia in 1984.
Organised crime controls almost all economic and criminal activity in Calabria, Sicily and parts of Campania and Apulia, and it has greatly extended its influence in Rome and Milan in the past two decades.
Italy's main crime groups – Sicily's Cosa Nostra, Calabria's 'Ndrangheta, and the Camorra from around the southern city of Naples – have a joint annual turnover of 116 billion euros, according to a United Nations estimate.
The mob continues to use violence and threats to keep its grip on the territory. Threats against local government officials have risen 66 percent since 2010, when the figures were first collected, according to a report published on Friday.
The most popular means of intimidation used by the mafia is
setting fire to officials' cars, while threatening letters – also by Facebook or email – is the second most common method.
Forty one local administrators have been assassinated by the mafia over the past century, said Avviso Pubblico, the anti-mafia group that collected the data, and 243 city governments have been dissolved for organised crime infiltration since 1991.
Denisha Sahadevan


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In a 1935 essay entitled the " Propaganda of History" , W. E. B. Du Bois wrote that influential European American scholars falsified the history of the Civil War in order to suppress the fact that the United States government, the Union, " had to call in the black men to save the Union, abolish slavery and established democracy." The success of the propaganda campaign that Du Bois identified resonates today in the attempts to make Juneteenth Day (June 19) a national holiday. Over thirty states have made June 19 a state holiday, representing a major victory for the historians or rather the propagandists who deliberately falsified Civil War history to make African Americans appear to be " inert recipients of freedom" who did nothing to free themselves.
The National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) under the leadership of Ronald V. Myers aggressively seeks to make June 19 a national holiday. Announcing that Nevada had become the 39th state to establish June 19 as a state holiday, NJOF explained the significance of the Juneteenth. In this news release dated May 11, 2011, the explanation reads:
Juneteenth recognizes the day, June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to read General Order #3, announcing "all slaves are free" through the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln. It took over two and a half years for the news to reach Southwest Texas, the last geographic area in America where slavery was practiced, creating the oldest African American freedom celebration and America's second Independence Day.
Let us closely examine the veracity of this statement and show how it' s lack of historical accuracy aligns with the propaganda or simply the lies of those who have sought to suppress the history of how Americans of African descent freed themselves while saving the Union.
NJOF states, " It took over two and a half years for the news [of President Lincoln' s Emancipation Proclamation] to reach Southwest Texas." Clearly implied is that the enslaved in Southwest Texas were doing nothing to free themselves between January 1863 and June 19, 1865, and clearly advanced is the description of the Negroes in Texas as woefully ignorant of events related to the bloody national debate. NJOF' s statement is perfectly aligned with the deliberate lie of W. E. Woodward when he wrote: " The American Negroes are the only people in the history of the world, so far as I know, that ever became free without any effort of their own." To state that slaves in Texas did not get the " news" that they were free until June 19, 1865 when Granger announced " all slaves are free" is to assert that slaves in Texas (and in all the states where the Emancipation Proclamation applied) were freed " without any effort of their own."
Also NJOF purports that Southwest Texas was " the last geographic area in America where slavery was practiced" and that slavery came to an end there when Granger read his order in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865. Galveston however is not in Southwest Texas. It is in Southeast Texas. The Union Army under General Nathaniel P. Banks captured Brownsville, Texas, which is in Southwest Texas, in November 1863. (See Harper' s Weekly, November 28, 1863 at http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1863/brazos-santiago-texas.htm. Also see December 12, 1863 article entitled " The Texas Campaign" at http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1863/civil-war-guerrillas.htm. See also January 16, 1864 article entitled " Texas" at http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1864/january/texas-expedition.htm. ) Five African descent regiments took part in this Union victory that resulted the Union Army occupying the southwestern tip of Texas for the duration of the war. These regiments became a part of the Union' s occupation force in Southwest Texas from 1863 to the end of the war in 1865. (See National Park Service Soldiers and Sailors System (NPSSS): http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/regiments.cfm " Search Regiments" and submit query for the " Union" 85th US Colored Troops, 87th US Colored Troops, 95th US Colored Troops, 96th US Colored Troops and 97th US Colored Troops.) Two additional regiments of US Colored Troops were added to the occupation force in 1864. (See NPSSS and submit query for 20th US Colored Troops and 62nd US Colored Troops.)
Another notable error in the NJOF press release is the proclamation that Southwest Texas was "the last geographic area in America where slavery was practiced." Kentucky, Delaware, twelve parishes in Louisiana and seven counties in Virginia that were exempt from the Emancipation Proclamation were, in fact, " the last geographic area[s] in America where slavery was practiced." (See the " Emancipation Proclamation" .) In these geographic areas slavery did not come to an end until December 1865 when the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified. NJOF also claims that Juneteenth is " the oldest African American freedom celebration." However, based on events during the Civil War, Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia (April 16, 1862) was the first African American freedom celebration, therefore, the oldest such celebration related to the Civil War. (See National Archives Records Administration " Featured Documents" http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/dc_emancipation_act/ .)
Without an appreciation of the facts related to emancipation, Ronald Myers and his foundation continues to lobby Congress in hopes of establishing Juneteenth Day as a national holiday. The foundation' s premise for Juneteenth is clearly false. The official explanation of the historical significance of the day is fictitious. Therefore, Myers and his foundation are attempting to legitimize false history. Unwittingly, this African American organization is suppressing the empowering story of how Americans of African descent freed themselves while saving the Union. This African American foundation enthusiastically makes it appear that African Americans " are the only people in the history of the world… that ever became free without any effort of their own." Myers and his foundation perpetuate the false assertions of Woodward and others who have sought to conceal the accurate story. Woodward was clearly a propagandist who lacked integrity, and Ronald Myers as president of the NJOF is unwittingly a Woodward disciple.
The truth is that African Americans played a critical role in their own liberations, and this story needs to be told and celebrated. African American soldiers were instrumental in the Union gaining a stronghold in Southwest Texas in 1863; in capturing Charleston, South Carolina, the Cradle of Secession, on February 18, 1865; in capturing Richmond, Virginia, the Capital of the Confederacy on April 3, 1865; and in driving the Confederate governor of Texas and his army out of Texas, out of the country into Mexico on June 15, 1865, four days before Granger arrived in Galveston. Without knowledge of such historical facts, thousands of conscious African Americans celebrate Juneteenth Day. Knowledge of the successful efforts of victorious African American freedom fighters in the Civil War compels us to reject the history presented by Woodward and his unwitting disciples. Conscious men such as Myers are victims of a very successful propaganda campaign and are apparently unaware of the facts. Section two of the Nevada legislation calls on educators to advance the false statement that June 19, 1865 is " when the last slaves in the United States were emancipated." Consequently, a lie has become law in Nevada. How has this happened in thirty-nine states when the accurate history is easily accessible? It has happened because the propaganda campaign identified by Du Bois was successful in mis-educating many conscious African Americans, and these African Americans have successfully institutionalized a lie that suppresses the accomplishments of their own ancestors.
Du Bois wrote in his 1935 essay: " One has but to read the debates in Congress and state papers from Abraham Lincoln down to know that the decisive action which ended the Civil War was the emancipation and arming of the black slave; that, as Lincoln said: ' Without the military help of black freedmen, the war against the South could not have been won.' The freedmen, far from being the inert recipients of freedom at the hands of philanthropists, furnished 200,000 soldiers in the Civil War who took part in nearly 200 battles and skirmishes, and in addition perhaps 300,000 other as effective laborers and helpers."
The victims, the mis-educated, must be made aware of the truth. And after being exposed to the truth they should cease and desist from advancing Woodward' s lie by celebrating Juneteenth as the day when the last enslaved people got word that someone in Washington had freed them. Certainly, informed and knowledgeable people should not celebrate the suppression of their own history. Juneteenth Day is a de facto celebration of such suppression. Americans, especially Americans of African descent, should not celebrate that which suppresses the story of how our " new birth of freedom" was conceived. We should celebrate the story of how America' s enslaved freed themselves by helping to save the Union. Such freedmen were heroes not spectators, and their story is currently being suppressed by the advocates of the Juneteenth national holiday.
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Local Attractions
Indoor Activities
Outdoor Adventures
At the Black Boy Inn we have the breathtaking beauty of North Wales on our doorstep, with something to suit every taste. You don't need to travel far to take advantage of the numerous sights and attractions Caernarfon and the surrounding area has to offer. For instance, it is just a minute's walk to reach Wales' most magnificent castle; a looming, fantastical World Heritage Site built by Edward I as a medieval show of English strength. Nine hundred yards further is the starting point of the Welsh Highland Railway, offering a journey on one of the world's most powerful 2′ gauge steam locomotives. A few miles' drive is Snowdonia National Park which plays host to the highest mountain in Wales, and Anglesey, home of Beaumaris Castle, the last and largest of the castles to be built in Wales.


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For Immediate Release, February 25, 2008
Contact: Peter Galvin, (520) 970-1533
UN Delegation's Visit Highlights Inadequate Studies of Dams' Effects;
Panama Prevents On-the-Ground Visit to La Amistad Park
PANAMA– Over the past week, conservation groups from Panama, Costa Rica, and the United States met with a delegation from the United Nations World Heritage Centre and World Conservation Union, or IUCN, in Panama and Costa Rica to discuss threats to La Amistad International Park. La Amistad is a World Heritage site shared by Panama and Costa Rica that protects the largest, most diverse virgin rainforest remaining in Central America. It is one of the last refuges for such endangered species as the jaguar, ocelot, Central American tapir, resplendent quetzal, and harpy eagle. According to the IUCN, the floral diversity of La Amistad is "perhaps unequaled in any other reserve of equivalent size in the world."
The delegation visited La Amistad after receiving a petition filed last April by the Center for Biological Diversity and more than 30 other conservation and indigenous organizations to declare La Amistad as a World Heritage site "in danger," due in large part to the pending construction of four hydroelectric dams in the site's buffer zone. The delegation met with governmental agencies in both countries, and discussed threats to the park with non-governmental and private sector parties. In particular, the visit focused on assessing the incompatibility of constructing dams near World Heritage sites and maintaining the sites' integrity.
Despite attempts by Panama's National Environment Authority to discredit and exclude a growing coalition of environmental groups from meetings, environmentalists were able to meet repeatedly with the delegation. According to David Samudio, an environmental leader from Cerro Punta: "We were able to coordinate our coalition in such a way as to participate in multiple meetings, including during the final day's working sessions. Never before have so many environmental groups concerned with the conservation of La Amistad been able to participate with as much cohesion as during this delegation's visit." Throughout the week, "Our coalition provided clear evidence that threats such as illegal hunting, logging, and inadequate surveillance have created a disastrous state of management for La Amistad," said Ezequiel Miranda, president of the Asociación para la Conservación de la Biosfera.
To make matters worse, the construction of hydroelectric dams in the park's buffer zone will irreversibly affect aquatic species in and outside of La Amistad. Three dams are set to be built on the Changuinola River by U.S.-based AES Corporation and one on the Bonyic River by Colombian Empresas Publicas de Medellin. Both rivers originate inside La Amistad, and the resulting change in the river system will alter the ecology of La Amistad by blocking water passage for many migratory aquatic species and creating large, standing reservoirs. These dams have already begun to wreak havoc on indigenous Naso and Ngobe communities who have lived in the area for generations. Indigenous rights groups are increasingly concerned about human rights violations on the part of the government and the two companies.
Conservation groups have also criticized these dams and other threats to La Amistad for violating environmental laws in Panama. The Center for Biological Diversity has assisted environmental lawyers in Panama in submitting several lawsuits challenging the dams. According to Susana Serracin, an environmental lawyer in Panama: "The companies were given concessions to build based on environmental impact studies that did not comply with Panama's environmental laws. Among other irregularities, the government approved these studies without the required baseline data on species living in the rivers." Currently, the companies have paid for some studies on the dams' potential impact on their immediate surrounding area, but only after they had already built roads to the dam construction areas.
Throughout the week, it became clear that no one has studied the cumulative impact these dams will have on the World Heritage site, its buffer zone, or downstream areas. In fact, during one of the meetings with the World Heritage delegation, an environmental consultant for AES said that he could not speak to impacts on La Amistad, because he knew nothing of La Amistad. "The lack of understanding of the importance of effectively managing a World Heritage site for biodiversity conservation may be the greatest threat to the integrity of La Amistad International Park," lamented Ariel Rodriguez, president of the Alianza para la Conservacion y el Desarrollo.
Of equal concern, the Panamanian government was able to keep the delegation from visiting areas in and around La Amistad that conservation groups had signaled as critical for combating conservation threats. The delegation did conduct several over-flights of the Panamanian and Costa Rican portions of the Park. However, due to the program they were given by the government, and the short duration of the mission, the World Heritage Centre and IUCN never actually set foot inside the Panamanian portion of La Amistad International Park. "While we are pleased our coalition had time to discuss with the delegation, we are concerned that they left the region without an on-the-ground assessment of La Amistad's conservation status," said Linda Barrera, of the Center for Biological Diversity.
The UN delegation will draft a report during the coming months to the governments of Panama and Costa Rica. Following this report, it will work on developing a recommended course of action for the World Heritage Committee during its 32nd session in the summer of 2008. If adequate steps are not taken by both countries to counter the threats to La Amistad, the committee may decide to include it on the List of World Heritage sites in Danger, as recommended by the petition.
The Center for Biological Diversity will continue assisting the efforts of environmental and indigenous groups in Panama to conduct a public awareness campaign and challenge violations of environmental regulations.
Both Spanish and English versions of the La Amistad World Heritage "in danger" petition are available. Please click here for the English version and here for the Spanish.
The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 40,000 members dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. www.biologicaldiversity.org.
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Sometimes when the required libraries / dependencies is not available in the Maven Central Repository we need to manually install it to our local repository. This library must be placed in the correct directory in our local repository to enable Maven to find it. The default location is under the
To make this job easier Maven provides a
maven-install-plugin that will help us to install the third-party library in the correct place. The following command shows how to do it.
The long command
mvn install:install-file -Dfile=<path-to-file> -DgroupId=<group-id> \
-DartifactId=<artifact-id> -Dversion=<version> -Dpackaging=<packaging>
-Dfile= path to the third-party library file
-DgroupId= the
groupIdof the library
-DartifactId= the
artifactIdof the library
-Dversion= the
versionnumber of the library
-Dpackaging= the library packaging
An example to install an Oracle JDBC library to your local repository is:
mvn install:install-file -Dfile=ojdbc7.jar -DgroupId=com.oracle \
-DartifactId=ojdbc7 -Dversion=188.8.131.52 -Dpackaging=jar
The simple command
If you have the
pom.xml file, you can install it with the following command:
mvn install:install-file \
-Dfile=<path-to-file> \
-Dfile= path to the third-party library file
-DpomFile= the location to the library
Starting with the Maven version 2.5 you can use even a simpler command. When the library is build by Maven, a
pom.xml file will be placed under the
META-INF directory. This
pom.xml file will be used by default when we install the library. To install a library all you need is the following command:
mvn install:install-file -Dfile=<path-to-file>


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wcwidth - number of column positions of a wide-character code
#include <wchar.h> int wcwidth(wchar_t wc);
The wcwidth() function determines the number of column positions required for the wide character wc. The value of wc must be a character representable as a wchar_t, and must be a wide-character code corresponding to a valid character in the current locale.
The wcwidth() function either returns 0 (if wc is a null wide-character code), or returns the number of column positions to be occupied by the wide-character code wc, or returns -1 (if wc does not correspond to a printing wide-character code).
No errors are defined.
This function was removed from the final ISO C Amendment 1, and the return value for a non-printable wide character is not specified.
wcswidth(), <wchar.h>.
Derived from MSE working draft.