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the future is uncertain October 12, 2012Posted by nicholas gill in Economy, Knowledge Peers, Morgan cars, social business, social media.
Last week I attended the Knowledge Peers Exchange 2012. Some of you may remember I presented to a select group of members a while back (just over a year ago having checked – yikes!) on social business so this was my chance to sit back and learn some things. Here's some stuff and things I found interesting:
Challenges for business heading into 2020
We're working against a backdrop of constant change, where knowledge/information workers make up over 80% of the salaried workforce.
Where IT/enterprise driven choices have created silos that are damaging business agility.
Where Europe is an ageing population and the emerging BRIC economies are flush with youth.
Where the US and European debt situations will take greater than 10 years to resolve.
Where the continued demand for energy will result in a supply gap.
Where greater consumerisation and socially savvy employees place business at a junction. Do they enable these new employees or do they hinder them with their current working practices?
The business of 2020 will need to:
- Adapt to a changing world.
- Understand the market evolution and composition (particularly emerging economies and SE Asia)
- Exploit and harness the collective knowledge of the information wrorkers
- Understand and balance the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data.
- Deliver value-add.
- Invent and innovate.
Bring Your Own Device (BOYD) is un-managed
57.1% of FTE's globally use their own devices to access work data. This is not skewed to any geography (although Asia/BRIC is higher) or vertical.
Only 11.9% have a managed BYOD policy or guidelines leading to an opportunity where over 70% of BYOD are unmanaged. While clearly this is a consultancy opportunity, it also shows just how mobile has infiltrated our every day lives so seamlessly that we think nothing of accessing data on on our SmartPhones. Clearly the younger, agile businesses that are not held back by swathes of servers and IT rules will be ahead of the game here. While the panel talked about the security elements, a lot must come down to common sense too. As well as who owns, maintains and replaces the device if it is "personal" but being routinely used – and therefore an essential too – for business use. All this was wrapped under a banner of "Enterprise Mobility Management" which sounds very consultancy and clearly an opportunity to make money. Where's my CV?
Morgan Cars
You can never repeat the past but you can be inspired by it
The quote is from the Cartier Chairman but one which Charles Morgan has adopted to explain his car company. Considering I work with one of world's leading automotive groups in Fiat, I found Charles' discussion incredibly interesting. How does a small player compete against global giants? The answer is not easily. Not when a typical safety testing programme sets you back £10 million. It would essentially be impossible if it weren't for alliances. Morgan partner with BMW for engines, for example, and would not consider building their own engines because, as TVR experienced, it's the way to ruin. But why would BMW be interested in a small, British car brand? Because German's love British car brands. Remember they bought Rover. Charles said they do it because 1) they love it and 2) they learn something by placing their engines in smaller, lighter and more agile automobiles. Their leading engineer even screamed in delight on a race track that "I can hear my engine!!!". Which given the excellent sound proofing and refinement in a BMW is something they've clearly missed. Morgan lets the engineers be petrol heads again.
Another key part of the Morgan business model is exporting. They make 1,500 cars a year and over 70% are exported. Nice that a British marque is appreciated abroad but sad too that we buy so much homogenous automotive design now that we don't appreciate our own iconic marques as much. I loved Charles' observation that modern cars are pretty much an extension of your living room; a car should excite you and put a smile on your face.
Which is why they're investing in social media. Not only does it cut across the stuffy old Morgan image that some may have but allows them to express that desire of driving excitement.
This is a nice video of Morgan.
Social Enterprise
The key theme here was that there's still a lot of fear about moving to a more social business and adopting the cloud. What if? Why? Some examples included swapping email for social collaboration tools and just getting more noise back. The answer is (scroll back through previous posts on this) about context. Email is bad when used poorly. The same goes with any social platform. But they have the advantage of control, filtering and collaboration.
The link between social, mobile and the cloud is still unclear but companies like Salesforce.com are stealing a march with their offerings here.
The UK economy outlook
Barry Nesbitt, the Chief Economist of Santander UK, gave us an overview of the current and future state of the economy. There is no magic wand. The recession started in 2008 and the conditions are still challenging. It's the longest recession we've faced where by this stage we haven't got back to the levels of GDP output pre-recession.
2013 is predicted to show some growth but before you get excited, it's small.
But they key theme was one of uncertainty. As the chart below shows, the economists have a huge range of expectations for the coming years for both GDP and inflation. It could be OK (although the growth is still small) or it could not be. Trouble is, the uncertainty causes subdued expectations. And with inflation still higher than our earnings, none of us are spending any money because we're uncertain. There is a subdued outlook in the services industry and construction and manufacturing which traditionally drives GDP output.
So, heads down.
- 1. The future is uncertain « Doner: Our Blog - October 12, 2012
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A Conservative MP says he would like to see the creation of a national registry that would track causes of all unnatural deaths in Canada in the wake of a Postmedia News series examining this country's patchwork system of coroner's inquests and fatality inquiries.
Terence Young, a backbencher from Oakville, Ont., also suggested that the auditor general of Canada could be tapped to monitor federal agencies' responses to recommendations from inquests and inquiries, as compliance is a "very big problem."
The death inquest system is a topic that Young knows intimately well. In 2000, his 15-year-old daughter, Vanessa, died suddenly after taking the prescription medication, Prepulsid, to treat a stomach disorder. Young has been on a crusade ever since to get action on dozens of recommendations from a coroner's jury aimed at improving drug safety in Canada.
"Coroners' reports with recommendations, once they've been replied to are basically a dead letter. No one follows up. … It's a very big problem," Young said. "All the organizations that get them should be more accountable."
Postmedia's investigation found that scores of recommendations from inquests and inquiries over the years have gone unheeded or ignored, despite their potential to prevent future deaths.
Part of the problem is that provincial governments devote few resources to tracking recommendations. Nor are they doing a very good job of sharing findings with each other and identifying trends.
"When I want to try to find out how many deaths were caused by prescription drugs, shortly after Vanessa died, no one knows," Young said.
Officials with Statistics Canada confirmed late Friday that the agency does collect death investigation records from coroners and medical examiner offices but could not provide further details about how data is organized. The agency's website states the aim of the database is to identify "emerging and known safety hazards."
In 2001, the coroner's jury that examined the death of Young's daughter issued 59 recommendations to Health Canada, the pharmaceutical industry, Ontario's College of Physicians and Surgeons and that province's health ministry, calling for mandatory reporting of adverse drug reactions, as well as better drug labelling and communication to the public about warnings or risks associated with drugs.
Nine years later, another coroner's jury delivered many of the same recommendations after examining the death of 18-year-old Sara Carlin, who committed suicide while taking the anti-depressant medication Paxil.
That jury heard that a Health Canada advisory had warned that Paxil should not be used by children under 18 (Sara was 17 when prescribed the medication) and that there was evidence taking the drug could increase the risk of suicidal thinking.
Yet, many of the recommendations still went unheeded — "nothing significant changed," Young said — prompting the MP to initiate face-to-face meetings with Health Canada regulators a couple of years ago.
The outcome of those discussions was Vanessa's Law, which was introduced in December by Young alongside Health Minister Rona Ambrose.
The proposed legislation would require hospitals to report serious adverse drug reactions directly to Health Canada; increase maximum penalties for failing to pull unsafe drugs off shelves to $5 million per day from $5,000 per day; allow Health Canada to recall unsafe products; and allow Health Canada to compel drug companies to revise labels to reflect risks and to compel companies to do further testing when issues are identified.
Still, Young can't get over the fact that recommendations from those previous inquests weren't acted on sooner.
"I have asked myself why it took 13 years to get Vanessa's Law introduced," he said.
That's why he thinks the auditor general of Canada's office could be "ideal" for monitoring federal agencies' compliance with inquest recommendations.
"When they publish their reports everyone sits down , everyone in Ottawa pays close attention," he said.
The jury at the recently concluded inquest into the death of Ashley Smith, the young woman who strangled herself in front of prison guards, similarly called on the federal auditor general to monitor the Correctional Service of Canada's compliance with the jury's recommendations.
Advocates have also suggested that provincial ombudsman offices could play a role in monitoring compliance by provincial agencies to inquest recommendations.

subset: commoncrawl


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I have more than a few projects going at the moment and here is another one. This one has been a while in the making.
Here it is, Only missing a sear at the moment and it is so light it feels like a toy. I will get a true weight at the post office later because my scale wont work at the moment. Its well under 2 lbs though.
This was a collaboration between me and the Devil (Devilman). I still plan to take a good amount of weight off the valve but the progress so far and it is looking good.


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Here is an 11" Crown Point Barrel. Hold on a minute while I put my barrel marketing hat on..... ok here is why this is the best barrel in the world.
The most important feature is the Crown Point itself. A paintball is a light fragile object that is transitioning at high speed from a contained area out into the cruel world. The transition happens quickly and violently as the airflow completely changes polarity around the ball as it goes from being pushed by a tail wind to going into a 200 mph headwind. This dramatic, high speed reversal of airflow confuses the ball as it tries to find the path of least resistance. During the turbulent transition phase the ball can see uneven airflow and that means uneven air pressure on any part of it's surface. This uneven pressure PUSHES your ball off it intended path and DIRECTLY and IMMEDEATELY affects your ACCURACY!!!
I can even PROVE it to you!! Ever drop a rock or marble into the water? Did it EVER go straight in?? NO it ALWAYS did something stupid before it sank to the bottom. The EXACT same thing happens when that poor light little paintball sees the light of day with a 200 mph blast in the face!!
How much do you think getting off only a few thousandths of an inch at the beginning of the balls flight affects the aim point all the way down range? Ask yourself, where is the LAST place I want to mess with the trajectory of the ball. RIGHT AT THE BEGINING!!!
Now think back, how many times have you shot your marker and watched that ball leave the barrel and do a nice straight smooth arc and TOTALLY MISS THE TARGET!!! Once? Twice? NO! It happens ALL THE TIME!! The airflow reversal gremlins got you again!
So you went out and got that boomstick and it was better. The stepped barrels try and accomplish the same thing by stepping the barrel and degassing the air pressure behind it. This allows the ball to see a headwind before it leaves. GREAT you say, BUT NO!! THEY ARE MISSING THE POINT!! The stepped barrels are BIGGER in the last half and the ball STILL is getting hammered around in there BEFORE it leaves!! Think I am lying? POWDER YOUR BARREL AND FIND OUT! Go home crying to your momma when you find out your lame accuracy is due to your lack of physics knowledge.
LISTEN to me, doesn't this make sense? If you had to transition something from inside to outside would you do it fast or slow? Would you do it SMOOTH or rough? ALL AT ONCE, or a little, at a ....time.
The crack engineering team here at BFL spends days thinking about how this stuff works. We knew that ANY small improvement in the transition area would mean MAJOR increase in accuracy down range! We watched as the balls jinked right out of the barrel and knew there had to be a better way.
That better way gentlemen is the Crown Point Barrel!!
The triangular cutouts in the barrel tip, the Crown Points, allow the barrel to "fade away gradually" as the ball moves from the safe confinement of the barrel bore to the massive airflow of the outside world. While the ball is adjusting to it's new environment, little at a time, the points are still holding it on course and ON TARGET! At the end of the transition phase the points are almost gone, and the ball is free to continue on it's way fully stabilized with a smooth airflow and completely on target!!!
How long does this take to get the ball "WET" with the outside world? About the length of the ball. When you dive in the pool, how long does it take to get you wet? About the length of your body! The Crown Points assure complete stability by being THREE TIMES longer than the ball! Any more is a COMPLETE WAIST of time. This is physically, simply and LOGICALLY the shortest possible accurate barrel configuration on the planet.
Why DO you have that long tube with holes on the end of your barrel? Like the length? Like the weight? Like paying for all those holes? Like CLEANING them even more? Thought they DID something? Cause pros use them? Think Michael Jordan wears the same Nike's you buy at the store? Your buddy�s shoots darts? You ever seen a crown point shoot? Or are you comparing it to that other tube with holes? Think the laws of physics work different in your neighborhood? Think if you shot out of a tube at 200 mph you wouldn't have any issues? A paintball is a bag of fluid, you are a bag of fluid, which do you think would be more accurate?
Stick with science, your accuracy will improve, your game will get better. Your friends will respect you and you will get picked first to play. You will be a leader and explain to everyone why you are so good and your gun is SO accurate! They will think your crazy at first but when you snap shoot them out they will stop dissing you and ask where to get one. Then you will experience that special feeling inside, you won't say anything, because you know you won on and off the field.
Buy a Crown Point Barrel and BE somebody!!


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DURHAM, N.C. – Behind a stellar performance from senior libero Ali McCurdy, the 15th-ranked Duke volleyball team clinched a share of the 2013 ACC Championship Wednesday afternoon, defeating NC State 3-1 (25-20, 25-14, 20-25, 25-18) in Cameron Indoor Stadium. With a one game lead over both North Carolina and Florida State heading into the season finale, Duke has the opportunity to win the league title outright Friday against the Tar Heels.
In her penultimate regular season home match, McCurdy did not disappoint as the Tampa, Fla., native anchored a solid defensive outing by the Blue Devils. McCurdy matched her career high with an astounding 37 digs, extending her ACC-record career total to 2,463. Duke (26-4, 17-2 ACC) also received a career-high-tying seven blocks from freshman middle blocker Jordan Tucker to help hold the NC State (20-11, 11-8 ACC) offense in check for much of the match.
"We're really happy we got this win today," said head coach Jolene Nagel. "NC State plays tremendous defense. They keep the ball alive forever, they keep coming at you and they're a great team. [NC State] has a lot of great hitters, so I was pleased with how our team executed on the block and on defense."
McCurdy was not the only Blue Devil standout on the day as sophomore outside Emily Sklar added her eighth double-double of the season with a career-high 21 kills and season-high 19 digs. In addition, setter Maggie Deichmeister notched her eighth double-double with a 49-assist, 10-dig outing and rightside hitter Elizabeth Campbell hit .400 with 14 kills, nine digs and four blocks.
Looking to avenge an Oct. 13 loss in Raleigh, the Blue Devils never trailed in the first set and stormed out to an 11-7 advantage. NC State chipped away at the margin and tied the frame at 16-all before Duke took command with a 4-0 spurt. NC State would come no closer than three the rest of the way, and Duke iced the frame with a Sklar kill. Duke's defense was on point in the first set, holding the Wolfpack to .043 hitting behind 10 digs each from McCurdy and Sklar.
The Duke attack knocked down 15 kills with just two attack errors in the second game to earn the victory in dominating fashion, 25-14. Hitters Jeme Obeime, Campbell and Sklar contributed four kills each to pace a balanced offensive front. One of three Blue Devils in double-digit kills, Obeime would end the day with 11 overall.
Costly errors proved to be the difference in the third stanza, a 25-20 decision for NC State. Duke led 17-15 following a Sklar kill before the Wolfpack closed out the frame on a 10-3 run, aided by four kills from outside hitter Rachel Buckley and four Blue Devil errors.
Errors seemed to haunt Duke again as back-to-back miscues tied the fourth-set score at 9-9. Undaunted, the Blue Devils regained their composure and rallied with an 8-4 streak capped by Sklar's 22nd service ace of the season. Duke kept the Wolfpack at bay the rest of the way and finished off the victory with three Sklar kills to improve to 14-0 at home.
Buckley led all NC State players with 11 kills, while middle Brie Merriwether added 10. Freshman libero Rachel Eppley paced a quartet of Wolfpack players in double-digit digs, picking up 15.
With the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament on the line, Duke plays its final regular season match Friday, Nov. 29 at 3 p.m. against No. 14 North Carolina in Cameron Indoor Stadium.


text: Thousands of jobless workers in Oklahoma receiving federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation will soon see a reduction in their weekly benefits because of sequestration. EUC is a federally funded benefit for long-term unemployed workers who exhaust regular state unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. Due to sequestration-forced budget cuts, payments of EUC made on or after March 31, 2013, must be reduced by 10.7 percent. The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission is sending notices to the active EUC recipients impacted by these cuts.


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By DENNIS DEITCH
NASHVILLE, Tenn. � Ruben Amaro Jr. is not reluctant to use diversionary tactics when he�s cooking something up on the Hot Stove. However, even the Phillies� deceptive general manager has some standards.
So when his mother starts texting him, outraged about a rumor alleging Cliff Lee was being discussed as trade bait to get Arizona outfielder Justin Upton, Amaro feels the need to clear the air.
�Arizona is not even one of Lee�s trade teams,� Amaro said, referring to the limited no-trade clause Lee has in his contract that restricts where he can be dealt. �I don�t know where that would come from, but as you all well know there are a lot of false (rumors) out there. And that�s absolutely one of them.�
The rumor started with ESPN reporter Pedro Gomes using Twitter to announce that doozy, just minutes before Amaro�s afternoon fireside chat with writers at the Opryland Hotel. Amaro reiterated something he has said in the past few months: Roy Halladay�s shaky health last season has made any serious investigation into trading Lee impossible.
�I think our best chances are to keep the core together,� Amaro said. �Our best chance to win is to keep the core together and healthy. We probably won�t move any of the core players on our club because I think it would just weaken us too much. I don�t think we�d get the value that we would need if we moved any of those guys to make us a better club.�
There were some preliminary trade discussions, and Amaro started movement on a few free agents. Shane Victorino was not one of them; the Phillies� 2012 opening-day center fielder signed a three-year deal with Boston worth $37 million � an eyebrow-raising number for a guy who struggled badly last season.
Although Amaro wouldn�t discuss whether he had any contact with Scott Boras at the Winter Meetings, the high-profile, high-headache agent was a busy guy Tuesday, playing hardball with the Dodgers on Korean pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu. But the Boras player in whom the Phils could be interested at the right price is Michael Bourn, and the former Phil finally started to see some action stir when Boras met with Seattle about the two-time Gold Glove center fielder.
Although Amaro was coy about Boras, Charlie Manuel certainly sounded like someone who would like to see the speedster covering ground for him � and perhaps allow Jimmy Rollins to move out of the leadoff position in the batting order.
�I think (Rollins) likes (hitting leadoff),� said Manuel, who arrived in Nashville Tuesday, �but I think if we had someone like Michael Bourn (Rollins) would do what�s best for our club � if we decided that Bourn will be our leadoff hitter.
�If we batted Bourn second we�d have three left-handed hitters in a row � I think (Rollins) will (accept a change) because he does recognize the team and what we want to do.�
The big issue is what, exactly, Bourn will get when push comes to shove. B.J. Upton (five years, $75 million) seemed to get the contract most expected he would from the Braves, while Angel Pagan (four years, $40 million to stay in San Francisco) received a generous contract and Victorino�s was even more generous.
Although the six-year, $100 million numbers being tossed around for Bourn during the season seems above reality, it wouldn�t be a shock to see him get a deal that mirrors Upton�s. Or even a little more generous, just to massage Boras� ego.
�We had a lot of really interesting discussions today with free agents and other clubs,� Amaro said. �It was an encouraging day because there are some things out there that I like.
�It�s pretty obvious (that) Michael is a good speed guy. He�s a good leadoff guy. He scores runs. He�s proven that he can hit at the top of the lineup.�
Another Boras client probably had his ticket punched out of Boston by the Victorino signing, and that�s Jacoby Ellsbury. The baffling outfielder had 32 home runs, 39 stolen bases and hit .321 in 2011, a massive season that resulted in him finishing second in the American League MVP voting. But both last season and in 2010 he was ravaged by injuries and he never has put up numbers remotely close to those 2011 figures in any other season. Reports are the Red Sox want starting pitching in a deal for Ellsbury. But how much, and of what quality? And Ellsbury becomes a free agent after 2013, and trying to figure out his contract value at this stage is almost impossible.
However, there are only so many choices out there. Whether something happens before the Phillies pack up their cowboy boots and skip town Thursday afternoon is difficult to project.
�I guess it�s possible, judging from some of the dialogue,� Amaro said. �But just like in any other situation, there are ebbs and flows. One day you think you have a deal done, and 30 minutes later it�s off. When you say, �Are you close to something?� Close doesn�t mean bleep.�


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NEW International Teaser Trailer for "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"
Oct 26, 2008
Hang on everyone, there is a BRAND NEW full trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. In this trailer which we have for download here in our video galleries courtesy of Traileraddict.com, we see many many new scenes, including apparition with Dumbledore, Snape, Harry yelling 'fight back you coward,' Fenrir Greyback, Voldemort, the Orphanage, Draco, Ron snogging Lavender Brown, Romilda Vane, a funny scene with Harry and Hermione, the attack at the Burrow, Quidditch, Bellatrix, and most notably, dramatic footage in the Cave with Dumbledore and the ring of fire, and much more. UPDATE: Screencaps are now available here in our image galleries, and the trailer (which you can see below), is on our YouTube channel. Please note, the end of the trailer says "this year," so it is very possible this trailer has been leaked, or released early as the site is calling this the International Teaser Trailer. More when we get it! Enjoy!
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is due to be released July 17 of 2009.


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Sponsored by Department of Visual & Performing ARts
Much Ado About Nothing will be held at the Harvey Wilkins Plaza (in front of Samson-Hoffland at Luther College). Tickets are FREE with Luther ID or $10 without. Tickets can be purchased through the Luther College Box Office or at the door the day of the show. For more information visit: www.facebook.com/luthercollegetheatredance
Questions? Contact andekr08
Learn more at www.facebook.com/luthercollegetheatredance


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September 11September 11, 2009 at 08:16 | Posted in Bits and Pieces, Current Events, Political Opinions | 2 Comments
Tags: Current Events, famiglia, family, immigration, love of family, memories, Peace, Political Opinions, ramblings, September 11
Today many of us are recalling where we were that fateful morning. How many times do we do that exercise concerning the extreme events of our lives? Where were we when the call came that so and so died or was in an accident? I remember where I was for the Big Blackout of the 1960'sw, the riots of the Democratic Convention, the assassinations of JFK and RFK, the first Space Shot for the US, the first step on the moon, the Day the Shuttle blew up (both of them, I witnessed the first in person here in Florida) – my list goes on and on.
And I remember 9-11. That particular morning I was at work, alone in the office. I had a little portable 9 inch TV without cable. I was listening and watching The Today Show as background noise instead of the radio. It seemed time stood still as I watched the first video images of the plane hitting the Tower. Over and over it was played and I could not look away. My boss phoned in, he had heard the radio and wanted to know if I was watching it on the TV. We were in shock as then the second plane hit. We knew then it was not merely a tragic accident but something more sinister. And I cried. The decision was made to close the office immediately – we would do no more business that day but go to our families to be together, to hold them, to love them, to pray for others. No one knew if we were at war or what the next steps would be. We never suspected within a short time that we would hear the tragedy of two more planes approaching their destinations. Life as we knew shrieked to a halt!
I'm the mother of four sons. I began to feel a deep pain in me, deep in the pit of my soul that mothers have felt from time eternal. Would my sons be called to go to war, would we hang stars in the front window? Would this be like other wars? Pride and fear mingled as my young sons discussed their futures. Still too young to go into the service, they nevertheless were realistic and willing to serve if needed. No false visions of glory of war blinded them. They had seen the ravages of the family home that had been bombed to almost nothing in WWII before their father was born. Our family did not lose anyone that fateful day and yet it felt as if everyone lost was part of our family. I cried with each poignant story or photo wall or missing person's poster that was shown. I felt their despair as so many searched for any shred of information about missing family.
I refuse to be pulled into the political fracas of groups such as The 9-11 Truthers. This tragedy was already politics at its worst. It was and is equal to any other war declared or not. I wish, no, I pray that we have had enough lives lost, enough wars. I pray for better solutions, better diplomacy but the reality of life is that wars exist. Mankind is not perfect. People fight, argue, rob, steal, kill. If we cannot convince father to not beat wives, to not rape children, to not kill each other or teenagers to not kill for someone else's IPhone, war will not cease as men fight over land. War will not go away and men will not be tolerant of the rights of others to live, to exist. When we have zero murders in our small towns and our large cities, then maybe we can share how with other countries to live a better way. Apologizing to them for slights real or imagined will not make them like us or listen to us. Telling another country to stop building bombs will not guarantee them obeying or caring what our opinion is. Have we been a perfect country? No. Do I believe our government is perfect? No. DO I believe our government caused, or even allowed 9-11 to happen? Do I believe they knew and turned a blind eye? No. Is it possible I am wrong? Of course. But our country is still one of the greater ones. Since the beginning people have struggled and been willing to risk death to come here. They still do. They come because they dream of a better life here, convinced that what we offer is better than what they have. Few try to build rafts to sail from her to anywhere else. Our celebrities tell us that other countries are better, that we are wrong. They tell us those other leaders, dictators are really heroes and intelligent individuals. Fine – but then why do they choose to stay here and enjoy the benefits of our evil capitalistic society? Our country has not always been perfect and yes, she has even been wrong. But she has always been willing to give of herself to others and help where ever and whenever she can. She has joined in fights not of her own choosing, not of her own making.
One thing is certain as I reflect back on 9-11. It has been said that for one moment in time, one proud moment we were all Americans, all one family united in our pain and in our resolve. I say we are still one family. All of us. We are united still in our pain and in our pride and resolve. Some of us choose never to forget, to not lay blame at the foot of Lady Liberty. Rather we choose to support her tired arm as she holds up her torch. We are proud of our country – we still grieve for those lost on 9-11 and we will not forget them. We will not let their deaths be in vain to serve other's agendas. This country is still the home of the brave, the home of the free. We are willing still to rescue those in need.
Sleep well precious souls of 9-11, sleep well. We stand guard still. We will not forget you – we stand united in our resolve, our pride, our love.
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The universal thought is one of hope and love and entirely "American". True to the hearts and souls of so many who remember September 11, 2001 who have had the advantage of being "American" unlike so many others who simply are not. As difficult as that may be to explain reading words such as these give me strength to know that "America" will be fine. As her people who have ups and downs, good times and bad shall always persevere. Thanks for such a compelling commentary and sending it to me on this day of all days. I shall keep the precious gift deep with me for all the days of my life as I wipe the tears from my face and put them in the same place I have kept all other tears from this date since. A Bible set aside for that specific purpose. Tears of hope and despair. Tears of love and pain. Tears for life and death. Tears for 'our' nation. Amen.
Comment by Pamela A Fuller— September 11, 2009 #
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Mick Jagger is a great-grandpa.
No word on whether Jagger looked at the tyke for the first time and said "Please allow me to introduce myself ..."
I know, that was a softball. C'mon, it's Monday.
Jagger's 21-year-old granddaughter Assisi Jackson gave birth to a baby girl over the weekend, according to the Daily Mail.
The baby is the first for Jackson and her 25-year-old boyfriend, chef Alex Key. They didn't announce the baby's name.
The Rolling Stones frontman has seven children with four women, and four grandchildren. Jackson is the daughter of Jagger's 42-year-old daughter, Jade Jagger, Mick's daughter by ex-wife Bianca Jagger.
"The women in our family just tend to have children young, it runs in the genes," Jackson told Hello! magazine.
Good to know that if there's a big flood, we can count on Mick Jagger to re-populate the planet.
It's been a year of serious highs and lows for Jagger, who has been touring the world with his band to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Jagger's girlfriend, 49-year-old fashion designer L'Wren Scott, committed suicide in March. The couple had been together since 2001.
"I am still struggling to understand how my lover and best friend could end her life in this tragic way," Jagger wrote on Facebook. "We spent many wonderful years together and had made a great life for ourselves."
Scott's death prompted the Stones to reschedule its Australian and New Zealand tour dates. The "14 On Fire" tour will resume May 26 in Oslo.
Contact Tony Hicks at Facebook.com/BayAreaNewsGroup.TonyHicks or Twitter.com/insertfoot.


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MONTGOMERY | A bill setting stricter standards for Alabama's five abortion clinics is getting closer to becoming law.
MONTGOMERY | A bill setting stricter standards for Alabama's five abortion clinics is getting closer to becoming law.
The Senate Health Committee approved the bill on a 7-3 vote on Wednesday, with all "yes" votes coming from Republican men and the no votes from the two women on the committee and a Democratic man.
The House approved the bill 73-23 on Feb. 19. It now goes to the Senate for what could be a final vote. Republican Gov. Robert Bentley said Tuesday that he will sign the bill into law if the Legislature passes it.
Among several other provisions, the bill requires abortion clinics to use doctors who have approval to admit patients to hospitals in the same city. Some clinics now use doctors from other cities that don't have local hospital privileges. A similar law in Mississippi is threatening to close the state's only abortion clinic.
"We urge the legislators to stop these onerous attacks on women's rights," said Nikema Williams, Planned Parenthood's southeast vice president of public policy.
The sponsor, Republican Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin of Pelham, said she's optimistic the Senate will pass it. She called the committee's vote "an indication of support" in the Republican-controlled Senate.
McClurkin said her goal is to make abortion clinics safer.
The bill has been introduced in previous sessions without success, but it picked up supporters after Alabama's oldest licensed abortion clinic, New Woman All Women in Birmingham, closed in May 2012. The operator agreed to shut down after being cited by the state health department for violations, including two patients being given overdoses of drugs and needing to be taken to a hospital.
The bill also sets stricter building requirements that match those for outpatient surgery centers, including wider halls and doors and better fire suppression systems. State Health Officer Don Williamson, whose office regulates abortion clinics, said most do not meet the stricter standards.
Abortion clinics also would be required to ask any girl under 16 the name and age of the person who got her pregnant. She doesn't have to answer. If she does answer and the father is more than two years older, the clinic must report that to police for investigation of a possible sex crime. If the girl is younger than 14, the clinic must report her name to the state Department of Human Resources for review.
Proponents said the requirements are to protect against incest and against girls being lured into sex by older men.
Voting for the bill were Republican Sens. Paul Bussman of Cullman, Gerald Dial of Lineville, Jerry Fielding of Talladega, Cam Ward of Alabaster, Jabo Waggoner of Vestavia Hills, Tom Whatley of Auburn, and Greg Reed of Jasper.
Voting against it were Democratic Sens. Linda Coleman of Birmingham and Billy Beasley of Clayton and independent Sen. Harri Anne Smith of Slocomb. Smith, a former Republican, questioned whether the bill was really about safety for women because she said it focused more on building conditions than medical care.


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For many of us the holiday season is a time of celebration, family and warm tidings. For others it can be a time of PANIC! If you are a member of that second group, here are some tips to tone anxiety and turn up the cheer:
* Have a positive attitude. Thinking things will go all wrong, (just like they did last year) ...and they probably will.
* Try not to worry about things out of your control. No one really will notice if you got there late or if you bought cookies instead of baked. Think, what am I trying to achieve and then find the most efficient way for YOU to achieve it.
* Problem solve with people around you. Ask them to help you alleviate stress. Don't be afraid to say help or even, no thanks not this year. Maybe Aunt Betty would like to take that on?
* Exercise. A few extra minutes of exercise a day can benefit your overall health. Besides if you look and feel better you will cope better with every new curve ball.
* Eat Nutritional food. Decrease the amount of fat and sugar you eat. Holiday foods are yummy but tend to be short on energy and they also wear down your resistance. Get some protein and leafy greens in with those sugar cookies.
*Avoid too much caffeine. It can make your small anxieties seem large and although it gives you a boost, it dehydrates your body in the long run leaving you feeling lethargic.
Avoid too much alcohol - It is the time of cheer but make sure it's not beer after beer after beer as well. This step is especially important for keeping the body fit and active, but safe as well. If you do indulge pick a designated driver for the evening.
* Meditate, or take a class in relaxation and stretching techniques --like Tai Chi or Yoga. You may need to just step away from the whirlwind swirling about you -- even if it is all family.
* Get a massage. A massage can be beneficial for the mind and body. It's not wrong to give yourself the gift in this season of giving!
*Get plenty of rest. I you can try to get eight hours a day so that you can face the world without feelings of grouchiness or utterances of bah-humbug!


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To ask a question, find your topic section shown below, select it, and hit REPLY to create your question. Type your question into the BODY section, and you must enter the code shown, then click POST when done.
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Enduring Memories from a White House Visit
Randy York's N-Sider Blog
The Official Blog of the Huskers
Surely you saw 7-year-old Jack Hoffman staring up at President Barack Obama on Monday. It was a compelling photo for brain cancer awareness with the light dramatizing one of Jack's scars from two major brain surgeries … an important reminder of why the Hoffmans were at the White House talking to the free world's most important leader.
That scar became its own badge of courage that commemorated a day when Andy and Brianna Hoffman described an experience so dreamlike it simply could not have been more memorable. Today's N-Sider gives you a closer look at the enduring memories from a surreal Monday that was chronicled on the front pages of Nebraska's two largest newspapers, just like ABC News, ESPN and the Cincinnati Bengals Blog that ties Jack to his big brother-like buddy, Rex Burkhead.
Tuesday, I asked Andy and Bri for some reflection upon returning from the Nation's Capital back to their hometown in Atkinson, Neb., where they love living and will forever frame their White House memories. When the Hoffmans were in the West Wing waiting room to see the President, Bri told her three children that they were about to experience something most people only dream about, so they should "look around and pay real close attention because this is the last time you will ever see this part of the White House again," she said. A nice man, also waiting to see the President, heard the comment and politely corrected a mother he did not know. "Don't say that," he told Bri. "Any one of these three kids could be President someday."
Obama Focused First on Jack, Then on Rex
Bri and Andy smiled, picking up the positive vibes and agreeing with that assessment. Even though the family would walk out the door and Andy would accommodate interviews with USA Today, NBC and CBS, among others, they cherished every second of their 15 illuminated minutes of White House fame. They were thrilled that President Obama used that precious time just like they envisioned and wanted him to use it – the vast majority focusing on Jack and everything left over acknowledging Rex's role and the inspiration the two draw from each other.
"What a nice guy," Andy said. "I really liked the way he honored Jack."
"Saw you on ESPN," the President told Jack. "Boy was that a nice run!"
The President thenasked Jack to introduce him to his parents, his two younger sisters and his special guest.
"I've got something for you, Jack," Obama said, admitting that his white football with the Presidential White House Seal and a special message to Jack "isn't nearly as cool" as having a signed football from his favorite team, but he wanted to give it to him anyway.
"Jack, we're so proud of you!" the President said, repeating the same message he wrote on the white football before signing it himself.
President Knows Hard Knocks Coming Rex's Way
PresidentObama also engaged with Burkhead, the honorary captain of college football's 2012 Good Works Team.
"Cincinnati Bengals?" the President asked Burkhead. He asked Rex what was ahead for him. When Rex finished his answer, Obama changed to a serious tone, implying that he knows what comes next. He then confided the source of his information: Hard Knocks on HBO. Yes, it was truly another lighthearted moment.
The President seemed to grasp the essence of Team Jack. "You could tell he took the time to understand what the story is all about," Andy said. PresidentObama then thanked Rex for everything that he had done for Jack. "It was a nice Presidential thank you for Rex, and that gesture was a very rewarding part of the visit," Andy said.
When the Hoffmans thanked President Obama for raising awareness for pediatric brain cancer, the President seized the opportunity to discuss with the Hoffmans and Rex the new brain science initiative that he was working on. The President said he was committed to science and to brain research and went on to explain his new initiative.
This Bo-liever Didn't See Bo, the White House Dog
Jack was hoping to see Bo, the First Family's dog. "We didn't get to see Bo, but we got his trading card in the gift bag," Jack said.
"That was the quote of the day from Jack because he ended up getting some M&Ms and some coins and some pictures and the Bo card and a yo-yo," Andy said. "Jack really enjoyed being able to read about Bo."
We're talking Bo the dog, not the other Bo, even though Coach Pelini is right at the top of Jack's major hero list.
The Hoffmans gave the Obamas six Team Jack Tee-shirts. They were impressed with the President's engagement with all three kids. "Jack was Jack. He was very calm," Andy said. "Even though his little sisters became somewhat rambunctious, the President handled them well."
Bri agreed. "The scene was somewhat surreal, but the President was awesome," she said. "He's charismatic, concerned, and I found him to be very warm. When we got up to leave, the president was shaking everyone's hand."
Instead of shaking her hand, Obama said: "Moms get hugs." He then leaned forward and gave Bri a Presidential hug.
Presidential Advice: Thank Your Nebraska Senator
"I thought he was really nice and really genuine," Bri said. "While we were there, I got the feeling that he really wants to help people, and I feel the same way now. I don't know how the experience could have gone much better."
On their way out the door, President Obama reminded the Hoffmans to thank Senator Deb Fischer because she helped enable the White House visit from the very beginning.
"We have thanked Deb, and we will thank her again," Andy said, "even though it's still hard for us to believe that all of this actually happened."
Send a comment to firstname.lastname@example.com (Include town/city, state)
Follow Randy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RandyYorkNsider


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Delano Clanton lit it up for a 29-point night and Marcus Jones wasn't far behind with 28 as the Guilford Vikings got into a rhythm in the second half of their 88-77 non-conference road win over DeKalb on Tuesday night. Jones had a pair of 3-pointers, but Guilford led by just three at half before scoring 53 second-half points to pull away.
Freeport 55, Sterling 45: The Pretzels fell behind by six in the first period and trailed by four headed into the fourth quarter, but that's where they turned it on for their own non-conference road victory over Sterling. Giovanni Offard led the way for Freeport with 19 points, while both Devonair McClain and Quaveon Meeks each scored 11 points and Demetri Offard added 10.
Rochelle 95, South Beloit 49: The Hubs turned a four-point, second-quarter lead into a 42-25 advantage en route to the blowout victory over South Beloit. Tyler Joyce scored 25 points in the win for Rochelle while South Beloit's Tommy Honaker tallied 15 points in the losing cause.
Forreston tourney
Freeport Aquin 58, Byron 48: Sparked by a pair of players - Aiden Chang and Zach Martin - who scored 15 points, the Bulldogs held off a second-half surge by the Tigers for the tourney win. Byron was led by Clayton Hoover's five 3-pointers and 17 points and Daniel Lowe's 14 points.
Rockford Christian Life 57, Forreston 53: The Cardinals held an early lead and maintained it through halftime, but Christian Life used a 15-3 third-quarter run to nab the victory. The Eagles got 18 points from Niko Sanchez, but Forreston's depth shown through, led by Ethan Groom's 16 points and Kalen Reining's 13 points.
Pearl City 50, Morrison 37: Despite a late Morrison push, Pearl City held on for the tourney win, with T.J. Wingert scoring 14 points and Cody Kluck reeling in a 12-point night.
Sterling Newman 66, River Ridge 57: River Ridge had four players score in double figures, but Sterling's Newman A.J. Sharp was sharp during his 18-point night in the win.
Harlem 58, Belvidere 55, OT: The Bucs, led by Cynthia Santiago's 22-point performance, led by five at halftime and by one point headed into the fourth quarter, but the Huskies prevailed in overtime. Harlem outscored the Bucs 9-5 in the extra stanza, with McKaela Schmelzer (15 points) and Justina Galindo (14) leading the way.
Boylan 67, Jefferson 24: It was a rout from the start as the Titans stormed out to a 14-1 lead in the first quarter and took off. Boylan's Kayla Steward and Halle Stull finished with 12 points each while Courtney Moss had four 3-pointers and scored 12 herself, but that was half of the J-Hawks' points.
Belvidere North 64, Guilford 47: The Blue Thunder built a 20-point halftime lead and held steady in the second half, getting 23 points from Keri Dodson to lead the way. Guilford's Taylor Franklin scored 16 points in the loss.
Pecatonica tourney
Dakota 39, Genoa-Kingston 30: Dakota broke out in the third quarter for a 17-5 run, setting up a 39-30 win over Genoa-Kingston in the Pecatonica Tournament. Eden Meier tallied 12 points while Jaycee Cleaver scored 11 points for the balanced Indians.
Polo tourney
Forreston 58, Polo 27: The Cardinals held Polo to two points in the second quarter as they pulled away, and Maggie Curry finished with 26 points in the eventual rout. Polo's KeeLey Meyer had 10 points and Forreston's Morgan Heinz also scored 10 in the tourney blowout.
Prophetstown 65, West Carroll 28: Prophetstown clicked from the get-go, pulling out to a 20-5 lead and getting three 3-pointers and 18 points from Cassie Reiley while cruising to the tourney win.
Oregon 60, Milledgeville 19: The Hawks charged out to a 17-2 first-quarter lead and plowed past the Missiles. Kayleigh Leddy scored 12 of Milledgeville's 19 points, but Oregon got 20 points from Sam Lambrigtsen and rolled.
Pearl City tourney
Freeport Aquin 56, Lena-Winslow 46: Cassidy Arndt tallied 18 points and Katie Stykel had four 3-pointers during her 12-point night as the Bulldogs tore past Le-Win. The Panthers, who managed just 21 points in the second half, were led by Courtney Haight's 18-point evening.


text: �By Ed email@example.com � After all the big shots, defensive stands, nail biters and blowouts, the second season for girls basketball teams throughout the state has arrived.This week marks the beginning of the girls basketball state playoffs with the district tournaments. The majority of districts begin play tonight, with the semifinals take place Wednesday and the championships being decided Friday. Other districts have only four teams and will play just two rounds Wednesday and Friday. Winners from each district will advance to next week's regional tournaments.Playoff action will be at three Hillsdale County schools this week. Jonesville will host the Class C district tournament, while North Adams-Jerome and Pittsford are hosting Class D district tournaments. Reading will travel to Centreville for its Class C district."It can't hurt to have teams come to our place," Jonesville coach Tom Dunn said. "Home court advantage plays a big role in terms of scheduling."For teams that had struggled for most of the regular season, the playoffs bring new life and a clean slate. Teams that enjoyed strong regular seasons and won conference titles are looking to validate themselves with a long postseason run."We talked last week that everyone is now 0-0," said Kevin Reed, who's Hillsdale Academy girls basketball team captured the Southern Central Athletic Association championship. "It's now a new season and time to refocus."Class C district at JonesvilleHillsdale opens the district tournament against Hudson tonight at 8 p.m. The winner of that game will face the host Comets in the semifinals Wednesday at 8 p.m. The other side of the bracket will see Addison and Sand Creek meet in the opening round tonight, with the winner facing powerful Adrian Madison in Wednesday's semifinal. The district final is Friday at 7 p.m.The Hornets have plenty of history on their side as they have advanced past districts the last two years. Hillsdale swept the two meetings with LCAA rival Hudson this season, including a 74-40 homecoming victory Feb. 1."It's hard to beat a team three times, and Hudson is looking to come out and make their season," Hillsdale coach Nick Langston said. "We feel we have a good draw, but anyone can beat anyone on any given night."Hillsdale was also 2-0 against Jonesville (5-15) during the regular season. After a home victory in early December, the Hornets defeated the Comets in the finals of the Pat Patterson Holiday Class on Dec. 28.Hillsdale won last year's district title by defeating the Comets in the finals."Anything can happen, and if we can't get up for Hillsdale than something is wrong," Dunn said. "Our record may not be that good this year, but we've been in close games and we've made progress. We know that we're going to play hard."Addison finished in the top half of the Cascades Conference, while Sand Creek is two years removed from a state semifinal appearance. Madison has received votes in the Class C state polls."You have to go into this time of year with confidence," Langston said. "We feel our conference prepared us well and the girls are excited to win a championship."Class C district at CentrevilleReading has the farthest travel of the county teams for districts, heading west to Centreville. The Rangers will face Schoolcraft in tonight's opening round at 6 p.m. The winner will face Quincy in the semifinal Wednesday. The other opening round game pits Union City against the host Bulldogs, with the winner facing Bronson. The district final is Friday.The Rangers have only faced Big Eight rivals Union City and Quincy this season."It's a different feeling now and you have to play with a sense of urgency or it's your last game," Reading coach Ryan Mulnix said. "I think we have a good shot and the district is wide open. We've been playing well lately and had some good wins down the stretch."Class C district at North Adams-JeromeA four-time all-Hillsdale County district will take place in North Adams. SCAA champion Hillsdale Academy will face the host Rams in Wednesday's semifinal, while Litchfield meets Will Carleton Academy. The winners will play in Friday's championship game.Hillsdale Academy (19-1) comes in as the odds-on-favorite, having swept both North Adams-Jerome and Litchfield during the regular season. However, the Rams were very competitive in a loss loss to the Colts earlier this month."We're definitely preparing for North Adams and they played us tough less than 10 days ago," Hillsdale Academy coach Kevin Reed said. "They're going to bring their best effort and they're very much improved. We welcome the opportunity to get everyone's best effort, and we have to worry about bringing our best effort or we're in trouble."Litchfield defeated Will Carleton in the teams' lone meeting of the season.Class C district at PittsfordWaldron opens the district tournament tonight against defending Class D district champion Lenawee Christian, with the winner facing Morenci in Wednesday's semifinal. Pittsford and Camden-Frontier will meet in Wednesday's other semifinal.Lenawee Christian advanced to last year's Class D state quarterfinal before falling to Lansing Christian. Morenci played in the state semifinals in 2011. Waldron has battled the injury bug, losing standout Lindsey Lockwood, but key contributions from Kaila Fidler, Alexis Birdsell and Alicia Roney have kept the Spartans competitive down the stretch.Pittsford and Camden-Frontier will meet for the third time in three weeks. The Wildcats swept the regular season series from Camden, but know that a third win is always tough to get."They played us tough last Thursday and (coach) Mandy Vincent does some good things," Pittsford coach Chris Hodos said. "We can't wait to play, and this is a great thing for the Pittsford community."The Wildcats are seeking their first district title since 2000. After winning a combined 10 games over three years, Pittsford went 14-5 this season.�


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LONGMONT -- Three Democratic lawmakers were offered something of a Wednesday night break from defending their positions and votes on the controversial gun-control bills being debated at the state Capitol.
The Longmont Area Democrats organization gave Sen. Matt Jones and Reps. Jonathan Singer and Mike Foote an opportunity to talk about some of their own proposals for state laws, as well as some of the non-firearms issues pending in the Legislature.
Foote, Singer and Jones took the local group up on that offer, describing such measures as: Singer's bill to allow 16- and 17-year-old Coloradans to pre-register to vote when those youths get their driver's licenses; Jones' efforts to assure the energy efficiency of state buildings; and Foote's proposed "Crimes Against Pregnant Women Act," a bill that would allow prosecutors to charge a suspected drunken driver with illegally terminating a woman's pregnancy, for example, when the woman loses her baby as the result of being struck by that driver.
"There is a lot of good stuff going on at the Capitol," Foote told the 20 people attending the Longmont Area Democrats' monthly meeting at Front Range Community College's Longmont campus.
Foote said he and his two colleagues at Wednesday's meeting have been working on things the voters last fall elected them to try to address in the 2013 legislative session -- policy issues, he said, like jobs, education and health care.
Said Louisville Democrat Jones: "I ran to try to help get the state back on track," when it comes to such needs as attention to job creation, energy and the environment.
Longmont Democrat Singer, a former Boulder County human services worker, said, "My big focus this year has been on child welfare."
However, the three lawmakers themselves also chose on Wednesday night to mention the Democratic-sponsored gun-control bills and debates that have stretched into late-night hours and packed House and Senate committee rooms and state Capitol hallways in recent weeks.
Singer said that in some respects, the news media "have overblown the rancor and anger" between opponents and supporters of those bills and have oversimplified people's differing positions by trying to separate them into "black and white" categories.
The proposed gun-control laws have been "a contentious issue," Foote acknowledged, with gun owners' rights activists sometimes "questioning lawmakers' loyalty to the country" if those lawmakers vote for any firearms-control measures. Legislators supporting the bills also have been accused of not upholding the U.S. Constitution, Foote said, adding that "that's not true."
On any such controversial issue, "the people who are against something are usually more noisy than the people who are for something," Foote said, suggesting that that's been the case when gun-control opponents write or telephone lawmakers or show up at lawmakers' town hall meetings or at the statehouse.
Foote said that "it'd be great" if people supporting the gun-control proposals also would show up in person, if possible, and also would contact state lawmakers about that support. Otherwise, he said, opponents to proposed laws can make it seem like no one supports those proposals.
As it stands now, "sometimes the opponents seem to be outnumbering the supporters," Foote said.
At the start of Wednesday's meeting, Longmont Area Democrats president Marilyn Hughes said the three lawmakers -- all of whose districts include at least parts of Longmont -- have been getting a lot of attention and pressure because of their positions on gun issues and other measures being considered in this year's legislative session.
"They need to know from us that we have their backs," Hughes said.
Said Bob Norris, one of the meeting-goers: "We worked hard to get these guys down there" and into the Legislature. "We need to support them."
Strider Benston, a Longmont Area Democrats board member, asked the lawmakers for advice in explaining, to the general public, "the concept of civil discourse" -- something he said is desperately needed when it comes to discussing controversial issues.
Singer told of his efforts to reach out to people on all sides of the gun-control bills and to listen to their points of view before making his own decisions about how to vote on the bills. In at least some cases, Singer said, that's resulted in gun-control opponents telling him afterward that they disagreed with how he wound up voting but looked forward to working with him on other issuers.
Singer said the gun issues have given lawmakers and people with strongly held positions on both sides of those issues the chance to learn "how we can talk to each other," if those lawmakers and those people will take advantage of that opportunity.
Foote said that on many controversial issues, lawmakers and their constituents realize that "you're not going to get all you want" in trying to pass measures to solve a problem.
"We haven't seen that at the Capitol" on the issue of gun laws, though, Foote said. "Anything that's been proposed" in the way of stricter gun laws "has been adamantly opposed" by gun owners' rights advocates.
That's not only unfortunate, Foote said, but it has also set the tone of the debates.
John Fryar can be reached at 303-684-5211 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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CHELMSFORD -- The town will turn to the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments for help trying to solve traffic issues on Golden Cove Road, including busy intersections at its north and south ends.
Vocal residents of the road, which runs from Billerica Road (Route 129) to Chelmsford Street (Route 110), have pushed for a truck ban on the street, but two traffic-count studies have shown that truck traffic does not account for enough of the overall traffic to meet the state's threshold for a ban. Selectmen have been reluctant to request a truck ban from the state Department of Transportation, and on Monday a motion to take that step was withdrawn when it received no support.
"The data says it's not the trucks," that are the problem, Selectman James Lane said.
Two studies pegged the percent of traffic from trucks at 2 percent and 3 percent. The state requires 5 percent to 8 percent, according to town Engineer Stephen Jahnle.
Instead, the town will work with the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments to look at the Golden Cove Road traffic on a broader scale, including intersections on Billerica Road and Chelmsford Street. The regional planning agency, known as NMCOG, offers transportation and development planning and other assistance to its eight member communities in Greater Lowell.
NMCOG will have its staff work with town officials to figure out how they might be able to find a solution, said Beverly Woods, executive director of the agency.
Town officials have expressed worry that trucks might use Wilson Street instead, for example. But that street is too narrow for large trucks, and trucks have on multiple occasions damaged a streetlight at the corner of Billerica Road and Chelmsford Street in the town center when taking the sharp right turn, Jahnle said.
Golden Cove Road residents have been outspoken in a series of selectmen meetings about high traffic on their street, particularly, they say, from large trucks. The board voted last month to install signs banning left-hand turns weekdays from 7-9 a.m. from Golden Cove Road to three residential roads used as cut-throughs: Dawn Drive, New Fletcher Street and New Spaulding Street.
Selectmen said they wanted to help the residents but found a truck ban too unlikely.
"Folks, I know you're frustrated. We are, too," Chairman Jon Kurland said. "I'd like us to submit something that has some likelihood of success."
A weeklong traffic study in November measured an average of more than 8,600 vehicles per day, with trucks accounting for 172. A second, 24-hour count on a weekday totaled more than 11,000, with trucks accounting for around 300 of those vehicles.
Follow Grant Welker at Twitter.com/SunGrantWelker.


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Stephen "Stippo" Rakes, who claimed that notorious Boston gangster James "Whitey" Bulger forced him — at gunpoint — to sell a liquor store in 1984, was found dead Wednesday in Lincoln, Mass.
According to the Middlesex (Mass.) District Attorney's office, "there were no obvious signs of trauma. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is conducting an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death."
ABC News is reporting that "police told the Rakes family the death appeared to be a suicide. But a source close to the Rakes family [said] that 'he had no phone, no wallet, and police are still looking for his car.' "
Bulger, who was on the lam for 16 years before being captured in June 2011, is on trial in Boston. He's accused of 19 murders and racketeering.
Rakes, 59, had wanted to testify. Our colleagues at WBUR report that he "was on the witness list of U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz, but was told on Tuesday that prosecutors did not plan to call him to testify. WBUR adds that:
"Rakes had long alleged that Bulger and his associates, Stephen Flemmi and Kevin Weeks, extorted his liquor store at gunpoint in 1984. He and his wife at the time, Julie Rakes, had opened the store only a month earlier. Rakes claimed that Bulger and his associates had come to his house with $67,000 in cash, and put a gun on the table in front of Rakes' daughter.
"The South Boston Liquor Mart, on Old Colony Avenue in South Boston, was operated as a legitimate business by Weeks, Bulger's right-hand man, and served as a meeting place for the gang.
"Earlier this month, Weeks was called as a witness for the prosecution, and his testimony included the takeover of the store. He disputed Rakes' account. Weeks claimed the gang had a deal to buy the liquor mart from Rakes for $100,000, but Rakes had changed his mind.
" 'He was trying to shake us out... he wanted more money from us,'" Weeks told the jury. 'It wasn't going to happen.' Weeks said he pulled out the gun. He said Rakes' daughter reached for the gun, so Bulger put it away."
The Boston Herald writes that:
"Last month, attending Bulger's murder and racketeering trial as federal court in Boston, Rakes told the Heraldhe was eager to testify.
" 'I'm not afraid of him anymore. I can't wait to get on the stand and look him right in the eyes,' he said. 'I come here to represent the victims that are afraid to come here. My friends. That's why I'm showing up. And there's not one. There's not 10. There's hundreds. ... They took everything from me. They don't care about nothing. They don't care about what they take from you.'
"He added: 'At least I'm still alive. I'm alive and I'm grateful for that.' "
WBUR's extensive coverage of Bulger and his trial begins here.
NPR's Tovia Smith, who's been covering the trial, will have more on Thursday's All Things Considered. We'll add her report to the top of this post when it's ready. Click here to find an NPR member station that broadcasts or streams the show.
From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Audie Cornish.
And I'm Melissa Block.
In federal court in Boston today, mobster James Whitey Bulger was stared down by his old partner in crime. Stephen Flemmi, nicknamed The Rifleman, is now helping the government try to put Bulger behind bars for life. The 79-year-old Flemmi is a key prosecution witness in the racketeering and murder case against Bulger. And on the same day that Flemmi took the stand, there was another strange development outside the court.
NPR's Tovia Smith joins us now. And, Tovia, let's start with that new development, it's this - that a man was found dead who was on the government witness list to testify at this trial.
TOVIA SMITH, BYLINE: That's right. It was Stephen Rakes. He was 59. His body was found yesterday. He was a man who claimed he was extorted at gunpoint by Bulger because Bulger wanted the liquor store that Rakes owned. Another witness had told us a bit of a different story, so Rakes was very eager to testify. And he was very upset on Tuesday when he was told by prosecutors that he would not be called.
Authorities say they have not yet determined the cause of death, but friends say they cannot fathom that Rakes would have taken his own life. And some admit to being a little rattled by this. For example, Steve Davis - who is a friend of Rakes and whose sister was allegedly a Bulger victim - as he put it, he said, I don't want to go back to the '80s when we were all looking over our shoulders and worrying about our families. But Davis said this is suspicious and it does make you nervous, he said.
BLOCK: And Stephen Rakes had been a regular presence in the courtroom, right?
SMITH: Indeed, with Steve Davis.
BLOCK: The big witness who did testify today, Tovia, was Stephen Flemmi and he was on the stand only briefly. What did he say?
SMITH: Well, he just got started minutes before court adjourned. But even in that short time there was no shortage of drama. This was the first time these two former partners and close friends have seen each other in decades. And I should say, this trial is probably going to be the last time, since Flemmi is serving a life sentence and Bulger is facing one.
Today, these two confronted each other with glares. Flemmi called Bulger and obscenity and the two exchanged unpleasantries. And this was after Flemmi testified that he and Bulger were both informants for the FBI. Flemmi says they did it hundreds of times. And we have seen already at this trial that being called a rat is exactly what gets Bulger to lose his cool in court. He insists he was never an informant. He was only buying information, not giving any. This is important to him, apparently.
His attorney has said that being a rat was about the worst thing in Bulger's mind that anyone could be. And Flemmi is testifying that he was exactly that.
BLOCK: And Flemmi, a key prosecution witness here, is going to be back on the stand tomorrow. What else are folks expecting to hear from him?
SMITH: He will probably talk about Bulger's role in murders, specifically two women. Again, this is something that Bulger maintains he did not, would not do - like being an informant, against his code.
BLOCK: OK. That's NPR's Tovia Smith, speaking with us from Boston about the trial of James Whitey Bulger. Tovia, thanks.
SMITH: Thank you. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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Sunday, February 10, 2008
In-Progress At Daytona: Pole Qualifying for Daytona 500
The NASCAR on Fox broadcast team returns at 1PM Eastern Time Sunday for the Daytona 500 pole qualifying session.
As fans may remember, this is a long process with fifty-plus cars taking runs. The challenge for the TV network, as usual, has always been the placement of commercials.
With no "top 35" rule in effect because of the Daytona format, the entire group will just run in continuous qualifying with no interruption. This should challenge the network to coordinate well in advance their commercial and promotional rundown.
Larry McReynolds is just the person to explain this new qualifying dynamic because of the COT. In pre-season testing he went in-depth about the emphasis on the motor because of the identical body styles of this new car. For those of us who are a little bit older, it will be interesting not to see the complaining about the body styles and who has the advantage. That was a given at Daytona.
SPEED previews this session with a Go or Go Home show at 11:30AM Eastern, and then follows it with a ninety minute NASCAR Live at 4:30PM.
This page will serve to host your comments about the Daytona Pole Qualifying coverage on Fox Sports. To add your comment, simply click on the COMMENTS button below and follow the easy instructions. Thanks again for stopping by.
39 comments:
- Anonymous said...
Is SPEED HD only on DIRECTV? If so is this due to FOX ownership of DIRECTV? I see my local Comcast is adding 8-10 new HD channels on Monday, but SPEED is not one of them.
- February 10, 2008 at 12:47 PM
- Anonymous said...
Why is SPEED blabing away during the National Anthem? Wendy talking away on pit road while everyone else is standing silent for our Anthem.
- February 10, 2008 at 12:58 PM
- SophiaZ123 said...
why is there a national anthem?
Do they do this for qualifying?
I am not familiar with this...also silly me thought THIS go or go home was going to be qualifying...this is the most confusing title for a show.
I did not know Fox owned DIRECT TV.
The things I learn here.
- February 10, 2008 at 1:01 PM
- Newracefan said...
Go or Go Home was what Speed called the last 30 minutes of Nascar Live (right before qualifying) last year although they did not concentrate on those teams outside the top 35 so the title was sort of a joke. This show they did which was a great improvement and made it fit the title. I don't know if this is just for the 500 or ongoing.
- February 10, 2008 at 1:10 PM
- Anonymous said...
FOX does not own DirecTV. DirecTV is partially owned by NEWSCORP, which also happens to own SPEED and FOX.
Due to the relationship between SPEED and DirecTV, DirecTV is the first to carry SPEED HD.
It is your cable company's fault if they do not have SPEED HD. Sure SPEED can do more to get cable companies on board, but the cable CO's are the ones making everyone without direcTV wait for SPEED HD.
- February 10, 2008 at 1:25 PM
- Chad Little said...
So, FOX, SPEED & DIRECTV are owned by same company!!! No reason the cable companies would want to have DIRECTV get first crack at SPEED HD?.
- February 10, 2008 at 1:36 PM
- Anonymous said...
Chad Little said...
So, FOX, SPEED & DIRECTV are owned by same company!!! No reason the cable companies would want to have DIRECTV get first crack at SPEED HD?.
February 10, 2008 1:36 PM
DirecTV is PARTIALLY owned by NEWSCORP.
All this means is DirecTV has more HD channels like SPEED HD at this time. And that should encourage cable companies to get more HD channels.
It is in SPEEDs best interest the be carried on other cable companies as soon as posible.
- February 10, 2008 at 1:47 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Hey Guys,
Let me help you out. DirecTV got SPEED going because of the corporate ownership issue.
All of the other HD providers, both cable and dish, make their own independent decisions about adding a new HD service.
Rick Miner, the SPEED VP in charge of this project, will update us this week on the list of what big cable companies (called MSO's) are in the process of adding the channel.
I will post the info when I get it.
- February 10, 2008 at 1:51 PM
- stricklinfan82 said...
Well obviously my request of yesterday for the Fox production crew to front-load the commercials so they could show all the go-or-go homers run with no interruption at the end of the session got wiped out because NASCAR dropped the ball and for some reason doesn't apply the new qualifying order rule to the Daytona 500. So when there's 7/8 spots on the line for go-or-go homers it's important for them to qualify together so no one gets a big weather advantage, but when there's only 3/4 spots available in time trials it's okay to let go-or-go homers qualify as much as 3 hours apart? Someone's gonna have to explain that one to me. Hopefully the Fox guys interview one of the go-or-go homers and ask them about this because it certainly doesn't seem fair at all.
I wish Fox was using the TiVo style format so we could see every qualifying run but since they aren't they're at least doing the right thing and not skipping any of the go-or-go homers for commercials so far....
- February 10, 2008 at 2:06 PM
- Newracefan said...
Thanks JD I'm confused enough trying to understand why those outside the top 35 don't want one of their own to be one of the top 2 as per Mike Joy to try and figure out why I don't have Speed HD
- February 10, 2008 at 2:08 PM
- stricklinfan82 said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- February 10, 2008 at 2:17 PM
- stricklinfan82 said...
Here's a clarification to what Mike Joy was saying about the front row / go-or-go home situation....
They take the top 2 go-or-go homers from each Duel, which leaves 3 spots for the fastest qualifiers not already in and 1 for the champion's provisional (or a 4th on Speed).
If Joe Nemechek for example qualifies 3rd fastest, he's guaranteed a spot in the field no matter what because he'll definitely be able to fall back on one of those 3 spots reserved for speeds regardless of what happens on Thursday. However, Joe could still race is way in on Thursday and let another guy make the field based on his speed.
If Joe qualifies on the front row, he's locked in to starting 1st or 2nd in the 500 and won't have the opportunity to "race his way in" on Thursday and open up and extra spot for a fast qualifier.
It's all complicated and hard to understand I know, but hopefully that helped clear things up a little bit anyway.
- February 10, 2008 at 2:19 PM
- Newracefan said...
Thanks Stricklinfan the lightbulb just went on
- February 10, 2008 at 2:22 PM
- SophiaZ123 said...
I never was great in math but I feel one needs to know calculus (or something) to understand the convoluted rules of qualifying...not to mention for Daytona but thanks for posting it here, SLFan !
- February 10, 2008 at 2:23 PM
- stricklinfan82 said...
I don't blame you guys that are a little bit confused. The one element the Fox guys haven't explained is that more than just the 3 fastest go-or-go homers can make the field based on today's speeds.
Last year Boris Said, Sterling Marlin, and Johnny Sauter won the 3 guaranteed spots in qualifying. None of them qualified on the front row so still had a chance to "race their way in" on Thursday and open up another spot for a fast qualifier. Said raced his way in, which let David Reutimann (who was the 4th fastest go-or-go homer in qualifying) make the race.
In 2006 the fastest go-or-go homers in qualifying, in order, were Bill Elliott, Travis Kvapil, Hermie Sadler, Robby Gordon, Kevin Lepage, and Kirk Shelmerdine.
Bill Elliott, Robby Gordon, and Kevin Lepage all raced their way in on Thursday which let Kvapil, Sadler, and Shelmerdine make the field on speeds (Terry Labonte took the champion's provisional).
So the 4th-7th fastest go-or-go homers in qualifying today could still make the 500 if enough go-or-go homers with faster qualifying speeds then them race their way in on Thursday and don't need to fall back on their time (and again, if a go-or-go homer makes the front row, he can't race his way in and will automatically have one of the spots reserved for qualifying speed).
- February 10, 2008 at 2:37 PM
- Newracefan said...
That means Jimmie and Tony need to bump Joe so the Duals are even more nailbiting. Guess I won't get much work done thurs afternoon, too bad I don't have speakers on the office computer.
- February 10, 2008 at 2:42 PM
- stricklinfan82 said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- February 10, 2008 at 2:52 PM
- stricklinfan82 said...
Go figure. I praise Fox for not skipping any go-or-go homers for commercial breaks and then they skip Ken Schrader and Carl Long on back-to-back breaks.
All TV networks, please stop skipping the go-or-go home cars during qualifying! They are the most important cars in these sessions and should never be skipped.
- February 10, 2008 at 2:53 PM
- Newracefan said...
SLF True but at least they talked about Schrader which is a little better than ESPN who acted like they were never on the track. Notice I said a little better
GO JIMMIE wow
- February 10, 2008 at 3:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
Carl Long was not important. He even said himself we would qualify poor.
- February 10, 2008 at 3:09 PM
- stricklinfan82 said...
Yet another go-or-go home car skipped for a commercial break. I expected that from ESPN, I didn't expect that from the usually dependable Fox guys. I'm very disappointed.
- February 10, 2008 at 3:11 PM
- Anonymous said...
People...this broadcast has to be done before the probowl...no chance for "tivo style"
AND all the required commercials need to be put in...where would you put the commercials? over jr's laps or over Carl Long's laps?
it's just part of the business and the scheduling for today...Commercial must be put in somewhere...
- February 10, 2008 at 3:20 PM
- Kevin said...
Great. I live in VA. outside of D.C. My local Fox channel just interrupted qualifying for a news conference, and comments saying Jim Zorn was the new coach. That was in the Washington Post, this MORNING! I'm made because I was caught up in the qualifying runs and then "boom" off to a needless press conference that is still going on. Maybe Fox the network needs to have some say in the local control. I am so pis****.
- February 10, 2008 at 3:24 PM
- Anonymous said...
sorry to hear that...I believe local affiliates are allowed to interrupt for news coverage though.
Hopefully the news conference will be over soon.
- February 10, 2008 at 3:29 PM
- stricklinfan82 said...
You don't have to skip Jeff Gordon or Dale Earnhardt Jr. to show all the go-or-go homers. You can skip the worst of the top 35 teams, for which qualifying is basically irrelevant. If you have 15 commercial breaks skip the guys 21st-35th in the points, unless practice speeds show them as pole threats, in which case you bump up and skip the 20th car, etc.
In my opinion the go-or-go homers should be the primary focus of every qualifying day - whether you're Michael Waltrip, Dale Jarrett, Eric McClure, or Carl Long. They are the drivers that matter the most.
I hate that any driver should ever be skipped, but if someone HAS TO be skipped in a situation like today I think it should be a lower-tier top 35 team, and never a go-or-go home car.
- February 10, 2008 at 3:30 PM
- Anonymous said...
I believe the reason they don't do that is because they are thinking, If they are in the top 35 they must be an OK team and the cars with the biggest fan bases are in the top 35.
That might be up for debate though.
- February 10, 2008 at 3:43 PM
- Newracefan said...
Let's face it unless they can add enough extra time for commercials someone will not be missed. I believe all teams are important and am somewhat torn between seeing Carl Long or Kyle Petty. They are actually doing some of that, did anyone see Paul Menard? Unfortunately there has to be a choice. Perhaps the timing will not always be this crucial and Fox can tivo all the cars. Overall I am happy with the coverage, that of course could be because I'm a JImmie and Mikey fan
- February 10, 2008 at 3:49 PM
- Newracefan said...
I ment will be missed
- February 10, 2008 at 3:50 PM
- Newracefan said...
All this discussion aside, their timing is a little off and the could have tivoed more cars. Were at the last car and this os scheduled to air til 4:30. Now what?
- February 10, 2008 at 3:52 PM
- Anonymous said...
post qualifying show? I think they had to plan a little extra time just in case a crash or any other delay would bring qualifying right up to the start of the probowl.
- February 10, 2008 at 3:57 PM
- stricklinfan82 said...
Okay, for those of you that don't quite understand all the qualifying intricacies here's a cheat sheet that you can reference on Thursday to follow who will or will not make the field:
(this assumes that Michael Waltrip can't "race his way in" as Mike Joy referenced earlier, this is the first time a go-or-go homer ever qualified on the front row so I'm assuming that Joy and I are both correct in our readings of the rules)
Group A: 78, 00, 60, 10, 83, 27
Group B: 2, 44, 21
Group C: 84, 87, 37, 49, 34, 09, 50, 08
Cross out the 2 drivers that race their way into the Daytona 500 in each Duel race. That leaves 3 spots left to make the 500. They will go to the first 2 drivers left in group A and the first driver left in group B (if no drivers are left in group B then revert back to the next available group A driver).
- February 10, 2008 at 3:59 PM
- Newracefan said...
GS Good point I didn't think of that
- February 10, 2008 at 4:00 PM
- SophiaZ123 said...
since they SKIPPED one of my fave guys (schrader) can't they at least repeat his car on the track or would that be stupid? they have 30 minutes left
I gotta agree with StrickFan there has to be a better way to do this.
I AM happy to see Mikey interviewed and happy. Was a horrible year last year.
- February 10, 2008 at 4:06 PM
- SophiaZ123 said...
I will be one of the few watching the Duels live.
I have read online how that works but qualifying for DAYTONA is mighty complicated. Geez.
I can't wait for the new show tomorrow night to see Kenny and hear Mikey be so thankful. Hope I like the new show.
I am glad to know they skipped racers and it wasn't me. it's bitter cold here and I had to break up water several times outside for birds and wildlife.:)
- February 10, 2008 at 4:12 PM
- Anonymous said...
FYI, Newscorp- parent company of Fox and Speed, does not own DirecTV. They haven't for about a year now.
- February 10, 2008 at 4:50 PM
- elena said...
I think Fox did a great job. I am sure they allowed a lot of time due to the Pro Bowl. There is no way they were going to skip the beginning of the game. NFL is still the most popular sport and more popular than the next 2 sports put together. For some of us, 7 month break is a long time.
I will be curious to see what the ratings are (on Fox)this season compared to last. Last season Fox had a 5.9 and that was with 2 rained out dates. Who knows, we might get some fans in NY once they see the Daytona 500 in Central Park on that big screen.
- February 10, 2008 at 4:54 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Since the HD issue is such a hot topic, I will try to put a story together about it for Monday night.
Big media companies like Liberty Media and News Corp. are very interesting, and I will ask them about the DirectTV issue.
I should get a SPEED update on the HD roll-out soon.
- February 10, 2008 at 5:01 PM
- Anonymous said...
Anonymous said...
FYI, Newscorp- parent company of Fox and Speed, does not own DirecTV. They haven't for about a year now.
February 10, 2008 4:50 PM
That may be true, but Rupert Murdoch, chairman of NEWSCORP, is ALSO chairman of DirecTV.
JD, I would like an article about SPEED HD. I also would like an explanation for what I heard from my cable company, COX. They say they have not heard ANYTHING form SPEED about SPEED HD. They say they have no reason to add a channel they have not heard about.
- February 10, 2008 at 5:16 PM
- Rockin Rich said...
Like Kevin, I live in Va., and receive FOX from WTTG in Wash. DC., (via cable on SD TV). They cut in for the Redskins news conference at 3:00, and stayed with it for 30-40 or so minutes.
There was much gnashing of teeth, cussing,etc. at the "GarageBar" where I watch the races with some other guys. I understand the need for WTTG to cover this. There undoubtedly would have been far more very angry complaints if they had not shown the event live. They did run a side by side window with the qualifying in it.
That being said, it was a very poor execution. The window was so small, it was almost impossible to identify the car on the track unless there was a closeup of its number. It absolutely WAS impossible to read the scoring times.
If I had known a number to call and complain, I would have.
It sure would be intriguing to see if this would have happened during the actual race. I expect THAT would have generated some real nasty calls.
Oh well, in the bigger picture, it wasn't an earth shattering event. I hope there isn't an equally important, (to Wash. DC area folks), event during the race.
- February 10, 2008 at 5:42 PM


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