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As members of a democratic republic, Americans are free to debate how, or even if, we should fight wars.
We argue about whether to go to war, we argue about how a particular war is being conducted and we argue for years about the outcome.
We do all that because democracies don't like war. Democracies believe war is the weapon of last resort — so when they're forced to fight, they want to see something good come of it.
But it's always possible to take robust policy debates too far. When war debate turns to undermining the civil society that allows for healthy disagreements in wartime, there's a problem.
Consider the latest move by MoveOn.org.
The group has announced it's "launching an important new project with our friends at VoteVets.org that will use the power of Internet video to help spread the truth about how veterans and military families feel about the war."
Really? All military families? That would require millions of videos.
No, the MoveOn.org project focuses on particular families — those that oppose our military interventions.
While there's nothing inappropriate about veterans voicing strong opinions about operations in Iraq or Afghanistan, it's wrong to use the uniform they wore to make an overtly political statement.
No one should play politics with the lives of the men and women wearing a military uniform. Those who oppose the course of the war in Iraq should find other ways to make their case.
Of course, that's exactly what has proven so difficult for anyone who opposes America's involvement in any war: how to oppose the war without appearing to oppose the troops.
Throughout its history, America's army has been filled with citizen-soldiers. Critics of the Iraq war have had to think hard about how to speak about their fellow citizens.
After all, wars cannot be fought without soldiers, and when critics want to end a war they often feel compelled to make the case that their neighbors — the very people facing death on the front lines while serving their country — are wrong.
In the Vietnam era, opponents chose to demonize the military. The war, they said, was "evil," and thus so was anyone who fought in it.
When John Kerry told the Senate in 1971 that American soldiers had "razed villages in a fashion reminiscent of Genghis Khan," he was simply mimicking the rhetoric of the day.
Fortunately, the military-is-evil moniker didn't stand the test of time.
The "Winter Soldier Investigation" Kerry cited, for example, was a collection of oral testimonies meant to highlight U.S. atrocities. But it proved to be largely a mess of undocumented assertions.
History showed that intentional acts of barbarism, such as the My Lai massacre, were tragic exceptions, not the rule.
In addition, over the next 20 years the junior officers and sergeants who fought in Vietnam proved pretty adept at building the best military in American history, so they couldn't have been so bad after all.
Sober assessors of the anti-war movement would acknowledge that demonizing the military was wrong. It was simply a fiction promoted to push a political agenda.
As a result, today, almost no one attempts to replicate the Vietnam approach. Everybody wants to "support the troops," recognizing that deplorable incidents such as Abu Ghraib don't reflect the true character of the millions in uniform.
But the temptation to play politics again is proving too strong. Hence a new anti-war narrative: the "soldiers are victims" rhetoric.
Some claim the burden of fighting the war falls on the poor and uneducated who can't find any other job. Yet studies examining the geographical distribution and income of recruits show this isn't the case.
Portraying members of the armed forces as victims may be an effective way for the anti-war crowd to win sympathy. But just because it's effective doesn't make it right.
The fact that Americans argue about the course of the war in Iraq isn't a sign of American weakness; it's the symbol of the nation's greatest strength, a vibrant civil society that can be questioning and self-examining even during the course of conflict.
But we shouldn't drag the military into the argument. If our missions are going to succeed, we must also leave the troops to do their job while the rest of us argue about what we want them to do.
James Jay Carafano, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, is a senior research fellow at The Heritage Foundation (http://www.heritage.org).
James Jay Carafano is vice president of foreign and defense policy studies The Heritage Foundation. Follow him on Twitter @JJCarafano.


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signatories is a valid word in this word list. For a definition, see the external dictionary links below.
The word "signatories" uses 11 letters: A E G I I N O R S S T.
No direct anagrams for signatories found in this word list.
Words formed by adding one letter before or after signatories (in bold), or to aegiinorsst in any order:
l - regionalists n - resignations
Try a search for signatories in these online resources (some words may not be found):
Wiktionary - OneLook Dictionaries - Merriam-Webster - Google Search
Each search will normally open in a new window.
List all words starting with signatories, words containing signatories or words ending with signatories
All words formed from signatories by changing one letter
Other words with the same letter pairs: si ig gn na at to or ri ie es
Browse words starting with signatories by next letter
Previous word in list: signals
Next word in list: signatory
Some random words: mobile kraal aasvogel stab drab eel tweak
This is not a dictionary, it's a word game wordfinder.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Thunderbird to get new branding!
Looks like Thunderbird is up for a design update with new branding like what happened with the renaming of Firebird to Firefox. Check out the teaser at hicksdesign.
Also spotted on that page:
You're in luck. The same folks that made the pinstripe theme for OS X are working on a new theme [for Win32] right now….


text:
Affordable Products Made Right Here.
Sof-Tek is a U.S. contract manufacturer that invents, innovates, and assembles products on time, with zero defects.
Customer Stories: Bill
We're ready to grow with you. Our capabilities are deep and our facilities are best-in-class.
How do we measure the value of our facilities? By how much they meet the goals of your business.


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Chia seeds are a powerhouse of nutrients. They're loaded with protein, Omega 3s, and fiber. Plus they're packed with calcium, magnesium and manganese. They are also gluten-free!
Here are 10 fun ways to eat chia seeds:
1. Chia pudding with kiwi fruit and pomegranate seeds
- Place 3 tablespoons of chia seed in a mason jar and pour over 12 ounces of almond milk.
- Shake the jar until the chia seeds are fully immersed in the liquid. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Once seeds have swelled to a tapioca consistency, stir in 1 tsp of coconut sugar.
- Pour into a serving bowl and top with chopped kiwi fruit and pomegranate seeds.
- Place 3 tablespoons of chia seed in a mason jar and pour over 12 ounces of coconut milk (from a can).
- Shake the jar until the chia seeds are fully immersed in the liquid. Add 1 tablespoon of coconut sugar and 3/4 cup of raspberries. Stir well.
- Let chia pudding set for 2 hours then pour into ice-pop molds and freeze overnight.
- Pour 1 can of coconut cream into a blender, add 1/4 cup of chia seeds, 1/4 cup of maple syrup and 1/2 cup of cacao powder.
- Let it sit it blender for 10 minutes to allow chia seed to swell to 10 times their size.
- Once it has formed a tapioca consistency, puree it for 30 seconds or until smooth.
- Pour into serving cups and let it set for 4 hours.
- Top with fresh cherries.
Add the following to a pitcher:
- 2 cups of coconut water
- Juice 1/2 lemon
- 3/4 cup of blended raspberries
- 2 teaspoons of coconut sugar
- 3 tablespoons of chia seed
5. Raw cherry and chia bars
In a food processor, add the following:
- 1 cup of raw pecans
- 1/2 cup of dried cherries
- 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
- 2 tablespoons of chia seeds
- 1/3 cup of almond butter
- 2 tablespoons of maple syrup
- 1/4 cup of shredded coconut
6. Seeded granola with dried apricots
In a food processor, add the following:
- 1/2 cup of raw pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup of raw sunflower seeds
- 2 tablespoons of chia seeds
- 1/2 cup of shredded coconut
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup and salt.
Add to pre-heated oven at 300F for about 20 minutes, stirring half-way through to avoid burning. You could also use a dehydrator set to 118F for 4 to 5 hours. Allow the toasted granola to cool completely, then stir in the chopped dried apricots and store in an airtight container. Serve with almond milk.
7. Lemon and mango chia parfait
- Place 3 tablespoons of ground white chia seed in a mason jar and pour over a can of coconut milk.
- Add a pinch of vanilla bean, 1 teaspoon of lemon zest and 3 tablespoons of maple syrup.
- Let it sit for 30 minutes or overnight until thick.
- Pour into serving glasses then top with freshly sliced mango.
8. Avocado on toast with chia seed.
Top gluten-free toast with avocado dusted in chia seeds, lemon zest, chili flakes and sea salt.
9. Cacao, chia cherry ice-cream
Add the following to a blender:
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1.5 cans of coconut cream
- 2 tablespoons of cacao powder
- 3 tablespoons of maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ounce melted unsweetened chocolate
- 4 pitted dates
10. Matcha chia smoothie
- Blend 12 ounces of almond milk with 1 teaspoon of matcha green tea powder, 2 pitted dates, 2 cardamon pods and a pinch of vanilla bean for 30 seconds.
- Pour into a large mason jar.
- Add 1 tablespoon of chia seed and shake it well.
- Let it sit for at least 15 minutes until chia seeds starts to swell. Serve over ice.


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Gateway has release a Gateway ID59C04u. Gateway ID59C04u laptop is packed with Gateway Social Networks Key, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit and Stereo speakers with third-generation Dolby Home Theater audio enhancement technologies.
With Gateway Social Networks Key you can connect to most popular social sites a snap by instantly launching Facebook, Flickr, twitter, and YouTube with the push of one key and a log in. Gateway ID59C04u equipped with a 2.53GHz Intel Core i5-460M processor, 15.6-inch LED backlit display with 1366 x 768 pixels, Intel HD graphics card with 128MB, 500GB hard drive, 4GB RAM, 1.3-megapixel camera, multigesture touchpad and a 6-cell battery that can last up to 5,5 hours life.
Other specifications include Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Gigabit Ethernet, a 8X DVD-SuperMulti Double-Layer Drive, S-Sub and HDMI outputs, and measuring is 372 x 255 x 22-26 mm with weight 2.5 kg.
The Gateway ID59C04u comes with Ultra-thin elegance design and premium lifestyle performance features. The ID59C04u notebook now available in the US market for the price of $800 (include windows 7).
Gateway ID59C04u Specifications
Processor : Intel Core i5-460M Processor1 2.53GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.8GHz (3MB L3 Cache)
Chipset : Mobile Intel HM55 Express Chipset
Main Memory : 4GB Dual-Channel DDR3 1066MHz sDRAM
Graphic system : Intel HD Graphics with 128MB of dedicated system memory supporting Microsoft 10
Display : 15.6″ HD Widescreen Ultrabright™ TFT LED-backlit Display (1366 x 768 resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio)
Hard Disk : 500GB 5400RPM SATA hard drive
Webcamera : Built-In 1.3MP HD Webcam (1280 x 1024)
Optical Disc Drive : 8x DVD-Super Multi Double-Layer Drive
Sound : Dolby Home Theater v3 Audio Enhancment, High-Definition Audio Support, Built-In speakers, Microphone, headphone/Speaker/Line-Out Jack with S/PDIF support
Wireles : 802.11b/g/n
Input/Output Port : 4 x USB 2.0, 1 x VGA Port, 1 x HDMI Port, 1 x LAN
Expansion Slots : Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader (Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Multi Media Card, Secure Digital, xD-Picture Card
Battery : 6-cell Li-ion Battery (4400 mAh), up to 5.5-hours
Dimensions : 21.9-26.3mm (H) x 440mm (W) x 325mm (D)
Weight : 5.5 lbs. (2.5 kg)
Operating System : Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)


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Any fans of the DC-9 Classic and FSX: Steam Edition out there? If so, this is your lucky day! A hotfix to make the DC-9 Classic compatible with FSX: Steam Edition has now been released.
Service Pack 1 Hotfix 3 for the DC-9 Classic is now available for download.
Some people seem to dislike the window reflection effect in the DC-9 Classic virtual cockpit. If you are not a fan of these VC reflections, here is a solution for you.
Matt Davies of the Youtube channel Belynz has put up the first of a series of videos featuring the DC-9 Classic. Matt gives you an in-depth look of the DC-9 and shows you how to fly it.
Coolsky, McPhat Studios and Flight One Software is proud to present the DC-9 Classic Cargo Expansion!
The is a replacement sound set for the DC-9 Classic.
Created by Raymond Norum of RNJLabs - www.rnjlabs.com
The sound files contained within this package are a bit louder and more powerful than those included in the original DC-9 Classic sound set. While this may not be more realistic than the original sound set, it certainly has a great impact on the overal immersion factor and feeling of being there when flying the DC-9 Classic.
Download the DC-9 Classic Repaint Kit by McPhat Studios now! This repaint kit allows you to paint the DC-9 Classic in any livery you want; real or imagined.
Multi Crew Experience now fully supports the DC-9 Classic.
Multi Crew Experience is a new add-on to the award winning, Microsoft Flight Simulator X, and FS2004® software. It adds the missing elements, like crew coordination, interactive checklist reading, realistic ATC operation, call-outs and warnings against deviation from standards, as well as extras, like user interface voice control.
The DC-9 Classic boxed edition is now available for purchase.
Coolsky brings this popular aircraft to your desktop with the release of Ultimate Airliners: The DC-9 Classic. This aircraft addon is a state of the art simulation of the Douglas DC-9 aircraft for Flight Simulator X. The DC-9 Classic simulates the DC-9-30 series aircraft and represents a new level of realism, simulation accuracy, graphics quality and included features.
The cowboy's checklist for the DC-9 Classic, created by Thomas Thurnheer, contains the minimal steps needed to operate the DC-9 Classic. This checklist has been designed for those who like to keep the workload low while starting out flying the DC-9 Classic or for flying online.


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Shocker: Tamra Judge wipes her hands clean of the RHOC sushi party fiasco
Oh, Tamra Judge, we love you to pieces, but you've got to start owning up to when you insert yourself in everyone else's business and make things more dramatic than they already are.
Judge's latest blog addresses the shenanigans that went down at the pre-pregnancy party she threw for Meghan Edmonds that aired on last week's episode, and — surprise, surprise — Judge pretty much denies that she helped stir the pot that led to the gargantuan kerfuffle between Kelly Dodd and Shannon Beador at the '70s party a couple of episodes ago.
"Let me get straight to the point! First off I NEVER said that Nina called Kelly a prostitute, those are Kelly's words," Judge wrote in her blog. "How it got brought up at dinner is not clear to me, we were having such a great time."
More: Dear people who thought Heather Dubrow was fake crying on RHOC: Puh-lease
So, maybe there's a possibility that the word "prostitute" never came out of Judge's mouth, but we all know that she has a storied history of repeating things that other people have said to her at inopportune moments. Maybe her intentions are pure, but let's be real, Judge had just as much to do with the spat as Dodd, Beador and Beador's crazy friends.
Judge goes on to illustrate how the pre-pregnancy party went down, from her point of view.
More: Stop painting Tamra Judge as a terrible mom — she's doing all she can
"What Kelly did was way out of line and downright crazy. Not only did she call Shannon a c*** and me a dumb f***, she called other people names as well," Judge writes. "She told Meghan she didn't know anything because she doesn't have kids. I have learned that when Kelly is mad she will go off on everyone around her. When she went off on me I knew better than to fight with her, it was better for me to roll my eyes and sit back. I knew nothing good would come out of it. In the past I probably would have jumped over the table."
Sure, Judge didn't get physically ruffled at the sushi party, but what she does neglect to mention in her blog is that she felt inclined to point out Beador's friend said Dodd "sucked dick to pay her bills" after Beador tried to defend the situation by saying the word "prostitute" was never mentioned in reference to Dodd.
Judge also claims she actually feels sorry for Dodd.
More: RHOC's Kelly Dodd listing her home for sale sparks divorce rumors
"There is a big part of me that feels bad for Kelly," she wrote. "I am really trying to give her a break and not be judgmental. When people act like that it usually is because they are in some kind of pain. At that point in our friendship I was trying to figure out what was going on with her and being compassionate. More to come with my 'let's figure Kelly out' journey."
It all sounds a little familiar, right? Remember when Judge was going around talking about Beador, saying that she felt sorry for her because she has a miserable life?
You've got to admit this scene from the recent episode...
... looks alarming similar to this scene from Season 9.
Maybe Beador and Dodd have more in common than they think?


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Marketing With Social Media
Reaching out to bloggers and social-media sites can help small companies build buzz even when marketing budgets are small. These outlets also may be useful for creating a dialogue between your company and its customers, says Scott Monty, relationship director in Boston at Crayon, a marketing company.
WSJ.com asked Mr. Monty, who blogs on social-media marketing at scottmonty.com, to recommend a list of blogs and books for owners and managers at small companies looking to learn more about tapping social media to engage customers online. Here are his picks:
- MarketingProfs Daily Fix
"Marketing Profs does an amazing job of aggregating content from all over the Web to provide rich information from different perspectives. Educate yourself on a variety of topics in the archive."
- Web Strategy by Jeremiah
"Jeremiah Owyang provides insightful analysis and context in this constantly developing field. He pulls out the trends and developments worth noting."
- What's Next Blog
"B.L. Ochman gives examples of bad blogger outreach, but is just as free with her praise. She also has tips for getting started in social media and making the most out of small-business efforts."
- PR Squared's Jedi Training for PR 2.0 Tactics
"Todd Defren created a collection of resources and posts for public relations 101. It encompasses social-media tactics, free online services that appeal to small businesses and creating a news release for an online community."
- For Immediate Release: The Hobson & Holtz Report
"The podcast covers current events in social networks, corporate communications and marketing. It offers tips and best practices for individuals and companies interested in podcasting to support their business, showing how to launch podcasts aimed at a niche that don't just promote products but engage the community."
- "The New Influencers: A Marketer's Guide to the New Social Media" by Paul Gillin
"This book uncovers who the "new influencers" are -- bloggers who have sway within their communities and can make-or-break a campaign or customer-service issue. There are numerous case studies on things that have worked -- and gone wrong -- in tapping the blogosphere to help get your message out."
- "Now Is Gone: A Primer for Executives and Entrepreneurs" by Geoff Livingston with Brian Solis (www.nowisgone.com)
"He boils down the basics of new PR practices -- understanding what new media is, how to participate in communities, deciding whether your organization is ready for it, how to go about starting a new-media effort, and how to activate your community once you've gotten started. It's a companion blog is ."
- "The New Rules of Marketing & PR: How to Use News Releases, Blogs, Podcasting, Viral Marketing and Online Media to Reach Buyers Directly" by David Meerman Scott
"A must-read. Mr. Scott delves into strategies of how to reach consumers directly and how to get into the social-networking space."
Write to Shelly Banjo at email@example.com


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- slide 1 of 2
Adding and Editing Text
One of the nice features of Google Page Creator -- although it can also be one of the drawbacks of the program -- is that once you select a layout for your site, all the necessary text boxes will automatically be included and formatted. All you have to do is add the text.
But what if you're not happy with the font or the size of the text? It's easy enough to change them. FIrst, highlight the text that you want to change. Then, from the toolbar above the text window, select the Font button or the Size button, as shown in Figure 1.
When you click one of these buttons, a drop-down menu appears. Select the change you would like to make from the menu, and the text you have highlighted changes according to your choice.
Like changing the layout of the page, however, this effective only on a single page. So, if you want to change all the text on every page of your site to a different font, you need to highlight and change the text in each text box on every page. It's a pain, but for consistency's sake, you should make sure that the text is consistent in appearance and size throughout your site.
- slide 2 of 2
Headings and Text Structure
Most documents have some type of text structure that aids in the reading of the text. This about a book, for example. When you pick up a book, you can tell immediately that chapter titles will be in a specific size and type of font throughout. Depending on the book, different types of text might mean different things -- italicized text may mean there's a quote you should pay special attention to, whereas bold, left-aligned text may identify sections and help you see quickly what the text following will be able.
This is all text structure, and just about every document has some kind of structure, even if it's not a good one. For it's part, Google Page Creator gives you some textual structure controls to help you create -- and readers to read -- the text for your site.
These controls are used for functions such as creating a heading, subheading, or minor heading, or for switching back to normal text after creating one of those other elements.
How you use the controls is entirely up to you. But remember that when creating a web site you should keep the end user in mind. Design your site in such a way that it's easy to read and is consistent throughout. You might want to take some time to surf around the Net and look at how sites similar to yours are designed.
Text can be an interesting and evena vital part of your web site. Keep in mind that some fonts are easier to read than others. The designers who created Google Page Creator templates have already set up a textual structure for you. Unless you really hate it, don't change it except to add things such as headings and subheadings to the text.
[This article is excerpted from Google Powered: Productivity with Online Tools by Jerri L. Ledford (ISBN: 978-0470109656, Wiley, Jan. 2007).]
Create Your Own Web Page Using Google Page Creator
- Navigating Google Page Creator
- Google Page Creator: Creating a Web Site
- Google Page Creator: Choosing a Layout
- Google Page Creator: Adding Pages
- Google Page Creator: Changing and Editing Links
- Google Page Creator: Working with Text
- Google Page Creator: Adding Color and Effects
- Google Page Creator: Adding Graphics to Your Web Site
- Google Page Creator: Publishing Your Site
- Google Page Creator: Unpublishing Your Web Site


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Even the Swiss know that good things come in small packagesWednesday, October 23rd, 2013
Back in the 1880s, the Swiss Army was in dire need of a compact and sturdy folding knife for various purposes from opening their canned food to disassembling a rifle. The founder of Victorinox Swiss Army Knife, Karl Elsener came up with the revolutionary idea of creating this marvellous tool with a sophisticated twist. Standard folding knives would have a blade, a can opener as well as a screwdriver. These tools were attached to a pivot point mechanism on the knife's handle – a very smart and practical way of assembling a folding knife. Elsener then changed this mechanism to a spring mechanism which allowed twice as many tools to be attached to this small package.
Centuries have passed and the Swiss Army knife has evolved into a highly crafted and useful tool which is carried by many professionals in their field. Astronauts, rangers, mountain climbers, and athletes have this small gadget handy in their pockets to assist them in time of need. But then, out comes our wondrous Victorinox Swiss Army Golf tool – perfectly suited for the golf professionals out there. This tool has ten different useful items in the one little device, making it the most versatile item to help golfers on the course. Attachments include a one-hand locking Divot Repair tool, Ball Marker, Tee Punch with Groove Cleaner, Bottle opener, Nail file, Blade, Tweezers, Toothpick and even a pair of Scissors. Looking for a gift that will be cherished and pocketed 24/7 by your golf-loving groomsmen? Ta-dah………!!! Big things do come in small packages!


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Use the following procedure to configure the URL format for built-in modules that have single content type. For example, News.
For example, the default format for generating the URLs of news items is YYYY/MM/DD/NewsTitle. However, if you want to publish on the same date several news with the same title, this will cause URL conflict. You can overcome this by changing the way the URL is generated.
Perform the following procedure:
Back To Top


text:
iTunes 11, Apple's desktop software for managing its iDevices, is expected to be available from today -shortly after the company's press event, if its own hints are anything to go by.
Apple first detailed that iTunes would be getting a major overhaul in Septemeber at the company's iPhone 5 event. It promised the software would be on users' computers before the end of October, with a bevy of enhancements to the current offering.
In a hint that suggests launch of the new software is imminent, Apple has told people to get ready for the new version of iTunes on its Inside Apple blog.
"The arrival of a new version of iTunes presents a good opportunity to spruce up your library for its new surroundings," starts the post titled, "Get ready for the new iTunes".
"The new highly visual approach to browsing through both your library and the iTunes Store leverages the memorability of images while presenting your choices quickly and fluidly."
The blog post recommends people sync available album art, and at the same time have a look at whether they should do a little spring cleaning of their music collection.
While we wait for the new iTunes 11 update to arrive, check out our iTunes 11: What's new? feature.


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For sale: Serial killer's prison ID
Credit: AP file photo
A serial killer doing life for raping and strangling eight women from Springfield apparently got his official 2013 Department of Correction ID card into the hands of a "murderabilia" dealer, who is selling it online for $200.
"I would think this would be frowned upon," Andy Kahan of Texas, the nation's pre-eminent anti-murderabilia crusader, said of what is purported to be Alfred Gaynor's laminated ID, with an autograph dated just last week. The card is featured on the website SerialKillersInk.net.
|The article you requested has been archived
- More On:
- murderabilia
- Andy Kahan


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This set of 2 rustic wood "I Do" "Me Too" cupcake toppers are sure to be a hit at your wedding or engagement party.
You will receive a set of two Large cupcake toppers.
Toppers are cut out of 1/8" thick birch wood and measure approximately 2-1/2" (6cm) wide perched atop a 3" (7.6cm) long stick. For size reference, the cupcakes in the photos are about 2.5" (6cm) wide and 4" (10cm) tall.
Toppers are unfinished with burned edges, for subtle rustic charm that can be used as-is. (Or let your inner DIYer loose and get creative with some paint, fancy patterned paper, or glitter.)
You have the option to personalize this item with a date of your choice. Number format works best (dd.mm.yyyy or mm.dd.yyyy)


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Buy-to-Let Mortgage Guide
Get Our Free Money Tips Email!
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes - join the 12m who get it. Don't miss out
Sam | Edited by Sam D
Archived Monthly
The Buy-to-Let market is in the midst of a radical shake-up. Major tax changes have made it much less appealing for ordinary investors and accidental landlords - and more a target for the serious property investor instead.
We've taken down our old guide, and will look to publish a brand new one on the website in the future. In the meantime, you can browse some related mortgage guides below.
Other top mortgage guides...Free First Time Buyers' Mortgage Booklet: Help to Buy schemes and boost your chances of getting a mortgage.
Free Remortgage Booklet: when you should and when you shouldn't.
Mortgage Best Buys: our free tool to find the best buys on the market.
Boost your mortgage chances: make yourself as attractive as possible to lenders.
Get Our Free Money Tips Email!
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes - join the 10m who get it. Don't miss out


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These are great! Moist and rich and the perfect amount of sweetness. I actually got a little adventurous and threw some Marshmallow Bits in them this time but that was a mistake, they completely disintegrated while baking. I'm just going to leave those out of the recipe. They would be really fun as a decoration though.
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3 eggs
1 packet Hot Chocolate
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
6 cups confectioner's sugar
1/4 – 1/2 cup milk
4 candy canes plus 2 more for garnish
We were featured on Red Head Can Decorate Christmas Party!


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DENVER -- Pennies being left around 10 major cities -- including Denver -- as part of a promotion by Ally Financial could be worth $1,000.
There are 100 "lucky pennies," with 10 in each of the major cities across the county.
Anyone who finds the penny will receive a cash prize of $1,000.
According to the Daily Mail, 10 coins were placed in Denver; Austin, Texas; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago; Detroit; Miami; Los Angeles; New York; San Diego; and Washington.
The coins are slightly larger than regular pennies. There is an Ally Financial logo on one side and "100,000 cents" on the other.
The clues to find them are on Ally's social media pages and at AllyLuckyPenny.com.AlertMe


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Researchers have stopped vision decline in dogs with an inherited disease that causes blindness.
The gene therapy technique they used may someday stop vision loss in humans.
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an eye disease that causes the light-sensitive cells in the retina - the rods and cones - to die.
The loss of eyesight normally happens slowly, over years or decades.
RP is caused by a genetic mutation, so scientists at the University of Pennsylvania's Scheie Eye Institute and veterinary school teamed up to see if injecting a normal version of the mutant gene into dogs with the disease would stop the die-off of those light-sensitive cells.
"What we were able to show is that we can stop the degeneration, we can stop the cell death of both the rods and the cones," says University of Pennsylvania veterinary ophthalmologist William Beltran, the study's lead author. "What the gene therapy approach is doing is, in fact, rescuing those cells that are diseased but have not died yet."
Canine RP is like the human variety, which makes dogs a good model for studying the disease and possible treatments.
Beltran says the gene therapy appears to be safe and effective in stopping the progression of the disease, but he cautions that it can't do much to reverse vision loss. It can't restore the light-sensitive cells that have died, and it can't grow new ones.
Beltran says tests in humans are still an estimated four-to-five years off. He wants to do more animal testing to see, for example, if the gene therapy has a long-lasting effect.
"And the reason for doing so is that the likelihood is when we get to treat patients, we will be treating individuals that are at a rather later stage of degeneration."


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GOLDEN GIRLS: Photographs of gold-wreathed women decorated the Bloomingdale's special collections floor last night to fete French photographer Bettina Rheims' exhibit, "Liquid Gold." Her 11 portraits were commissioned by the French wine region of Chablis, which gave Rheims carte blanche in bringing her interpretations of the white wine to life any way she chose.
"It took long research," Rheims said of her process. "I looked at paintings of wine. I wanted to know how the wine is made, the tools that are used, the instruments, how it's put together." Asked if she herself is a big Chablis fan, the artist smiled: "I actually don't drink much. I'm more of a Diet Coke and green tea person."
President of Chablis Wines Michel Laroche was also on hand to toast the special collaboration. "We wanted to communicate wine in a different way," he said of the exhibit. "We see bottles of wine all the time. We wanted to express it artistically." And did Laroche approve of Rheims' interpretation of his brand? "It's definitely a female wine," he said, looking at the pictures. "Red wine is much more of a man — this wine is a woman, and we all know that women have all the power."
"Liquid Gold" can be viewed in the Bloomingdale's windows before making its way to the New York Palace Hotel in July, followed by Metrazur Restaurant in Grand Central Terminal in September.
BOSOM BUDDIES: Diane von Furstenberg had a double helping of Barbra Streisand this week. The designer caught Streisand's concert in Paris Tuesday, and was also invited Thursday night to see the legendary entertainer decorated with a Legion of Honor medal by French President Nicholas Sarkozy at the Elysée Palace. (First Lady Cecilia Sarkozy is a Streisand fan and also took in Tuesday night's show, dressed in Dior.)
While the European tour was a first for Streisand, von Furstenberg continues to spread her roots across the continent. The designer disclosed plans to open DVF boutiques this fall in Madrid and Moscow, plus a second location for London and a third for Paris, on Rue François 1er, only steps away from the Dior flagship on Avenue Montaigne. Von Furstenberg also is opening a boutique in her hometown of Brussels this fall.
Antwerp, Belgium, seems to be a magnet these days for foreign fashion designers. On Thursday, Tommy Hilfiger previewed the Bernhard Willhelm exhibition at the MoMu fashion museum, toured the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and awarded prizes for four top students at the academy's year-end fashion show.
SHOP CAROLYNE'S CLOSET: They say one woman's trash is another's treasure, and this, perhaps, could not be more true than it will be Saturday at Carolyne Roehm's tag sale. The arbiter of style is purging Weatherstone, her Connecticut estate, of years of accumulated objects including vases, china, flatware, linens, garden urns and party props.
"It may be an older Baby Boomer thing, but I want to simplify," Roehme wrote in an Evite to friends, "and I see no better way than to start with a bang."
Proceeds will be donated to the Little Guild of Saint Francis animal shelter and local women's support services. Weatherstone is located at 58 South Main in Sharon, Conn., and the sale will occur between 9 a.m and 4 p.m on Saturday and Sunday.
DOING AN ENCORE: Cate Blanchett, who currently is filming the fourth installment of the Indiana Jones adventures with Harrison Ford, always has time for a bit of fashion drama. The Giorgio Armani stalwart is expected to turn up at his couture show in Paris on Wednesday, according to a source. Actress Anne Hathaway also is expected to be among front-row celebs.
HERE COMES TROUBLE: Charlotte Rampling, Julie Depardieu, Jean-Claude Jitrois and Italian actress Vahina Giocante gathered at agnès b.'s Parisian headquarters Tuesday night to fete designer Agnès Trouble's crowning as the latest laureate of Montblanc's Cultural Prize. Rampling said she'll be missing out on the couture shows next week. "I'm off again — this time to Prague," said the actress, who is filming Mathieu Kassovitz's "Babylon A.D." Meanwhile, Wolff Heinrichsdorff, president of the Montblanc Cultural Foundation, disclosed that the brand will be holding a "major" bash in Paris in October for the second collection of its nascent fine jewelry line.


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Can you describe the plot of Rags?
"It's a classic Cinderella fairytale with a twist. A man plays the Cinderella character, and I play the prince character. I'm actually a hip-hop princess! There's a huge music element to the film, and the songs have a Rihanna and Beyonce-esque feel. People always see the Cinderella story in that same way, and it's fun to change it up and flip it on its head."
What music do you like to listen to?
"I like pop, R&B, and rap. Recently, I've been listening to Brandy's new single, 'Put It Down.'"
Are you releasing any of your own music?
"I'm getting ready to put out a mix tape. Once I put out my two singles, the complete mix tape will come out."
How do you juggle your career, school, and your personal life?
"I'm a workaholic, so I ignore the signs of fatigue and just keep going and going, and then conk out when I get home. It can be pretty stressful. It's a lot of work, and you're adjusting to a different lifestyle when you're a child in the entertainment business. The role that you have to play is usually played by adults. It can be mentally hard, but you work hard, get through it, and develop your own way of handling it."
Are you into fashion? Which designers and stores do you like?
"I love clothes! I shop everywhere, but I like Urban Outfitters, Forever 21, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus. It's a wide range. I'm from California, and I love the Pasadena Flea Market."
What projects do you have lined up?
"I'm going to be in an independent film called Virgin Mary. It's a great script, and I'm excited to film it. I'm also in Ice Age 4: Continental Drift, and I play Peaches. It comes out in July. It's such a huge franchise, and to be part of that is awesome. I recorded my voice over a span of two years. Peaches is a really fun, cool character—she's the daughter of Queen Latifah and Ray Romano's characters."
Do you have a dream role?
"I definitely want to play someone who's inspired me. I would love to play Aaliyah; it would be personal because I love her so much."


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Gossip Girl Really Knows How to Tap a Vein
It's the recap of the recap.
Valentine's Day on the Upper East Side was more about family values than love. Our beloved UESider's made us question, once again, Serena's level of intelligence, Rufus's constant steps toward becoming the perfect househusband, Dan and Blair's "Harry met Sally" non-friendship, Lily's constant flow of never-ending suitors out for revenge, and Chuck's increasingly bizarre behavior regarding his feelings for Raina. The Thorpes reaffirmed that blood is thicker than water, but what remains to be seen is whether the blood on the UES is indeed thicker than Damien's spray tan. And now, on to your best comments from this week's Gossip Girl recap.
Realer Than Wall Street Not Needing a Sequel:
• Lily to Chuck: "Whatever price you pay for what you've done, that's on you." Sing it girl. We all know that Chuck's emotion over losing his business and losing Raina (and Eva before her) aren't really about the business or true feelings for anyone else: It's about the fact that he couldn't see the line between businesses and love in the first place when he traded Blair for the Empire. Plus 100 - BLONDEPHOENIXRISING
• Lily: "Hello Daniel. Have you seen Charles?" It's comforting to know that, even in the most turbulent of times, Lily maintains her commitment to only referring to everyone by their complete names. +10 - NEVERHAVENEVERWILL
• Plus 100 for Leighton Meester's gorgeous lip quiver, but minus 1000 for Chuck Bass once again being the one to put the quiver in her lip. Bad Bass! - UESIDERZ
• Damien caught Eric around the collar like the Sticky Bandits did to Macaulay Culkin. - JESS108
• plus 100 for Blair who so obviously wanted to cry after seeing Chuck's love for Raina, not. She'd never let the help see her cry, let alone hold her hand. - BAKEYOU
• Rufus brings the Love Actually and then like the true househusband he is, he gets blue balled by Lily. The poor guy could have probably used "some air" at Chuck's party. Plus 1 - JNP1013
• Does anyone find this plan to keep Bass Industries just a little too diplomatic and tasteful? Where is the ripping and the shredding, the scheming and the conniving, the slandering and the deporting? Oh, that's right ...it's at W magazine. While Chuck dates that boring business drone, Blair has apparently made off with his wit and mojo. - BLONDEPHOENIXRISING
• Serena was happy drinking beer and playing pool? Dan...you drink cosmos and play bridge with Nate. Stop trying to fool other men. Minus 10 -VARTA
• Chuck needs to have visions of Bart again so he can grow a pair. My homeboy is softer than Rufus' sweaters lately. (-9) - CHUCKISMYHOMEBOY
• So, Dan (remember, Brooklyn!) dares to hold Blair's hand while Chuck is still in the next room! And Rufus stands like a cater waiter holding a V-Day tray at which Lily barely looks! What a long way these Humphreys have come. Plus 10 for them - ANINDIANGGFAN
• During brunch, Chuck pitched his idea to win Russell over - whose outfit completely out-purpled his. We should have known something was up. +2 - NIKOLE0602
• Somehow even in his tough street outfit and skullcap, Damien still appeared to have about a pound of rouge and lip-gloss on. Trust funds might be frozen, but Euro trash is forever. Plus 50 - FEED_THE_DUCKS
• Serena being too stupid to take the card that betrays the lie she just told Blair about where the RL dress came from nets +25. Every moment is blonde. - KADUZY
• All that was missing from Chuck's party was Jenny suddenly emerging from a Gaga-esque egg and scaring the hell out of everyone. -UESIDERZ
• Minus 100 for The Captain (and his dim-witted son) believing that it's a good idea for an ex-con to hand over his key card to the company's enemy. Um, that crap can be traced, fool! - BRANDIE_LARUE
Faker Than Dan Paying $2500 to Attend Chuck's Party:
• If Damien is "under the microscope" like he says. How does no one know that he spend the evening literally lurking in a dark alley and then marched Eric off to certain death? Minus 5 -PURPLEAND GREEN
• Why were Dan and Eric in Long Island City. Those schnitzels are not THAT great. -4 - NYCGG4233
• Lily's reaction to being removed from the board is so blaze, even my boyfriend said, "Wow, she's cold." +4 the number of letters in WASP - SOUTHERNCOMFORT
• 10 for that tacky replica of Venice or whatever. -10 for Chuck falling for anyone who-well, anyone really. No wonder everyone's hopping onboard the Dair ship. - JESS108
• Blair would never set foot in a Duane Reade. Her pharmacy would be Zitomer, really. And she would make Dorota go for her. -15 - IDIDNOTSLEEPWITHCHUCKBASS
• The party cost $2500 and gave one day's notice...yet Dan was there. Plus 5 - BLAIR_BASS
• There is no way a bunch of 20 year olds go to these parties to not get hammered. You don't go home after to watch a movei or sulk, you pass out. Minus 100- STILETTO33
•...Blair is wearing PANTS in the opening scene? -3 , because, no. - SECRETSANDGIN
• Blair and Dan are watching Rosemary's Baby together? -5 But I would have switched that to a +5 if Blair makes a catty Georgina's Baby joke. So easily Dan forgets when he was fathering the spawn of the Sparks. - ANNIE_IN_NY
• Ben thought he could keep his new job as a high end cater waiter a secret from Serena? This is only his fourth episode out of the pokee and he's already attended four catered events with her. Minus 5 - KDOW3
• There were Irish Wolfhounds at Chuck's party? No. If Chuck were to have an animal at his Valentine's Day party- which is unlikely- but if he were, they would be something more exotic than large dogs. Jaguars, tigers, believable. LARGE DOGS? No. Minus 20- VARTA
• Plus 5 for The Captain and Nate thinking that leaking private corporate documents and giving unauthorized personel access to buildings and information -five minutes after you're out of prison for all things corporately inappropriate—is a positive decision. Brains run in the family after all. - DACEYLEE
• Dan keeps referencing his experience as a cater waiter like he did it for years. Wasn't it more like a week? He would have no pull in that company to get an ex-con a job there. -3 - CHUCKISMYPUPPY
• - 1 to the writers for putting Blair and Dan in a When Harry met Sally moment. No matter how hard you try to convince us, they are not meant to be together. ( And Blair would never dot her Is with hearts.) - GUMDROPCOOKIES
• Blair tells Serena to treat herself to a night out? Seriously, Serena lives every damn day of her life TREATING HERSELF TO A NIGHT OUT. Blair should know this, as she has been living in Serena's drunken, hair extension-laden, boob-filled, Louboutin Bianca-wearing shadow her entire life. -20 JULIEFB
• Nobody on the Board had any previous knowledge of Lily & Thorpe's relationship? This woman carries out her love affairs in the tabloids , and this one was apparently serious enough that it broke Thorpe's heart, and put him on a road hellbent for revenge. Doubt very seriously that at least one person wouldn't know about that. -5 - VALTERLAW


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Etsy vs Tradesy
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EtsyAuctions and Marketplaces
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- Seller closed my case with no resolve3
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Products by Etsy
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Told myself that tomorrow will be my last day to complete painting projects for raya. I need to do some marketing on Monday, clean the house on the same day and cook for hari raya meals on Tuesday. Raya will probably be on wednesday. Hope I can squeeze sometime to get myself some new clothes, cosmetics, perfume and accessories, otherwise I will just have to do with the old ones.
I painted many items during the fasting month and love them, unfortunately they are all customers orders, fortunate for them though. So, bye bye beautiful things. Here are some of the things that I have painted recently. I especially love the trompe'leil cupbord in limewash background and the blue kettle with hanging teacups.
Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir Batin


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The signings of Mathieu Debuchy and Calum Chambers seem to have strengthened a backline that was in need of numbers. However, question marks remain over the left-back area and whether Kieran Gibbs can stay fit, while Nacho Monreal has so far failed to convince he's capable of filling in when required.
In the midfield and up front, the Arsenal squad is arguably stronger than last season with the signing of £30m Alexis Sanchez providing the star quality that Arsenal fans crave. Costa Rican World Cup star Joel Campbell has returned and if he can continue his World Cup form then Arsenal have struck gold. However, there is a doubt over whether Yaya Sanogo provides adequate back up should anything happen to Olivier Giroud.
Keeping Aaron Ramsay fit would be a step in the right direction as he has the potential to be Arsenal's star man for years to come. Jack Wilshere also needs to stay fit in order to fulfil his undoubted quality. Another centre-back would be a welcome addition to the Arsenal squad but another position that Arsenal have also strengthened is the goalkeeper department where Colombian David Ospina should provide significant competition to Szczęsny.
Arsenal to win the Premier League outright odds.
Key Signing(s):
Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona, £30m), Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle, £12m)
Key Departures:
Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona, £15m)
Villa have not been as active in the transfer market as they should have been this summer while the on-going sale of the club by current owner Randy Lerner has been nothing short of a complete disaster for both parties. The signings of Philippe Senderos, Joe Cole, Kieran Richardson and Aly Cissokho (two on free transfers) have done little to impress the Villa faithful.
The appointment of Roy Keane as assistant manager should provide some much needed experience and winning mentality to a young squad while doing little to cover Paul Lambert's obvious tactical and strategical failings. He may have to become a marvel in the loan transfer market if he's to provide much needed strength and in-depth.
While bringing players back in from the cold such as N'Zogbia and Darren Bent, Lambert has a tough job this season and it remains to be seen if he can stop a slide that has been carrying on for around four seasons.
Key Signing(s):
Securing Ron Vlaar and Brad Guzan to new long-term contracts would go a long way to helping Villa's cause this season. Getting Christian Benteke back would provide a huge lift but as he's not due back till November, Lambert must provide Bent with a much-needed injection of confidence to provide the goals Villa desperately require.
If Joe Cole can remain fit for any length of time then he could provide a certain creative element that the Villa squad lacks. However, his injury record is less than impressive.
Key Departures:
Marc Albrighton (free, Leicester City)
Pre-season couldn't have gone any better for Burnley and their likeable manager Sean Dyche. In Danny Ings and Sam Vokes, they have two strikers who have proved themselves capable of scoring goals while they have also strengthened their striking options in the form of Marvin Sordell from Bolton and Lukas Jutkiewicz from Middlesbrough.
However, there is a question in quality of replacements. While signing Matthew Taylor and Steven Reid from West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion respectively provide experience and much needed Premier League know-how, their ability to drag the squad to a level where they're in a position to consolidate their place in the Premier League remains to be seen.
Dyche is looking for more players and before the transfer window closes on September 1st, there should be more arrivals at Turf Moor but will they be the right ones?
Key Signing(s):
Steven Reid (free, West Bromwich Albion), Lukas Jutkiewicz (undisclosed, Middlesbrough), Marvin Sordell (undisclosed, Bolton Wanderers)
Key Departures:
Chris Baird (free, West Bromwich Albion)
Fan's View: Tony Scholes @clarets_mad
How do you see the season panning out for Burnley?
It will be tough but I think we will surprise a few people during the season and give ourselves a chance of staying up.
Is it good to see Burnley back in the Premier League?
You want your team to be the best it can be and that means getting to as higher league as possible. Yes, good to be back.
Who would you tip as one to watch in your squad?
Marvin Sordell. He has had a difficult time at Bolton but I just have a feeling, given the opportunity, he might come good.
Chelsea have conducted their summer transfer business relatively quietly, quickly and efficiently. Jose Mourinho has strengthened area of his squad that last season, he viewed as suspect while also acquiring huge sums of cash for players who were no longer needed.
Cesc Fabregas should provide a suitable replacement for the now departed Frank Lampard who will join Manchester City on loan till January 2015 before his move to the newly formed MLS franchise New York City FC. The signings of Diego Costa and Filipe Luis also provide welcome quality and strength in key areas as well as the returning Didier Drogba providing something a little different.
However, the squad is still a little light up front and the form of Fernando Torres remains a worry. It is possible that the weight of expectation on Diego Costa could prove too much.
Check out the latest Chelsea outright odds with Guts.
Key Signing(s):
Cesc Fabregas (£27m, Barcelona), Diego Costa (£32m, Atlético Madrid), Filipe Luis (15.8m, Atlético Madrid)
Key Departures:
Frank Lampard (free, New York City FC), David Luiz (£50m, PSG), Samuel Eto'o (Released), Ashley Cole (free, Roma), Demba Ba (£4.7m, Besiktas), Romelu Lukaku (£28m, Everton)
With the start of the Premier League just around the corner, we've created a quiz to challenge your PL knowledge. Only the hardcore will score 15/15 on the Guts PL quiz. And if you're a hadcore sports better, you should definitely check out this Guts bonus sports!
Check out the latest Premier League Outright Odds and markets for the opening Premier League fixtures.
As part of our Football XI series, we're creating numerous football XI's based on different scenarios, this week it's a casino XI. This casino XI is made up of all-time players, some still within the game of football, some not. It is however a world-class game XI regardless!
GOALKEEPER – Costel Pontoonamon
Not the obvious choice as he was rarely used by Manchester City and made only 29 appearances in 3 years, mostly in the cup competitions. A free transfer to Sunderland beckoned at the end of the 2013/14 season and the journey continues in trying to reach his 21.
RIGHT-BACK – Baccarat Sagna
A good choice if you're after an athletic, pacy option in the right full-back area. Was virtually first choice in each of his 7 seasons at Arsenal and came back stoutly from a leg break and is now ready to continue drawing that third card.
CENTRE-BACK – Nigel Reo-Poker
Nigel was a solid player for mid-table clubs such as West Ham, Aston Villa and Bolton. Now plying his trade in Canada for Vancouver Whitecaps, Nigel's ever on the game as he looks to poker-face his opponents once more.
CENTRE-BACK – Solitaire Campbell
Was once a leading centre-half for Tottenham, Arsenal and England. Now retired, he has made a serious of bizarre interviews but he once played the patience game very well.
LEFT-BACK – Wayne Bridge
What? Yeah Bridge was the surname of a footballer, once. A perennially injured one at that but less said about that the better. I'm willing to bet he wished he'd tried a few more tricks to stay uninjured too.
RIGHT-MIDFIELD – Aaron Rummysay
He came to the fore last season for Arsenal before getting injured and he was their top goalscorer at one point. Chipped in with an impressive 16 goals too.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD – Stuart Hold'em
Stuart was once an upcoming midfielder but a cruel injury robbed him of progression but he did come back briefly. However, he now is not contributing to the Hold'em pot again.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD – BlackJack Wilshere
The object is to beat the dealer and that is what Wilshere strives to do. He's a risk taker, and he lives for that. A very good midfielder when not injured, Wilshere looks to complete his objectives as quickly as possible and that is what has earned him the name BlackJack.
LEFT-MIDFIELD – David Ginola
Always looking to score more than his opponent, Ginola was your typical French footballer. Graceful, pacy and had packed a powerful punch. He looked to play his cards close to his chest at all times.
SECOND-STRIKER – Andres Incanasta
The player to dealers left has first go and that is what Andres was all about, the left, as he made that position his own for Barcelona down the years. He always looked to draw the right card and left his opponent at the bottom of the pile.
Arsenal and Manchester City have almost been victims of their own players' success this pre-season. With Arsenal's World Cup winning Germans returning to club training on 11 August and confirmed to play no part in the first round of Premier League fixtures, the Gunners have been missing a large part of their spine in Mertesacker, Ozil and Podolski. Count in late returns for the rest of the World Cup contingent and it has been a fractured squad which Arsene Wenger has had to work with this summer.
Manchester City have suffered similar problems, with the Argentinian finalists, Aguero, Zabaleta, and Demichelis, only returning to training on Monday 04 August. Club captain Vincent Kompany and Fernandinho also returned on the 4th, meaning that at least five of last season's starting XI have yet to kick a ball in anger. David Silva, meanwhile played just 45 minutes on the club's American tour.
34 Players
It will be essential for both sides to give minutes to players who are lacking sharpness before the Premier League begins. Although uncommon, it would not be at all surprising for both managers to make use of the full six substitutions available to them in this game.
The goals could easily flow, as both teams search for both attacking and defensive sharpness. Stevan Jovetic has been the standout performer for the champions season and could be the key man to unlocking the Arsenal backline.
Arsenal: Worjciech Szczesny; Mathieu Debuchy, Callum Chambers, Laurent Koscielny, Keiran Gibbs; Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsay, Santi Cazorla, Alexis Sanchez; Olivier Giroud
MCFC: Joe Hart; Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Matija Nastasic, Aleksandar Kolarov; Fernando Reges, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Jesus Navas; Stevan Jovetic, Edin Dzeko
Arsenal 1-2 Manchester City @ 15/2
Arsenal 3-3 Manchester City @ 49/1
To celebrate the this season's Premier League curtain-raiser we have put together the ultimate Community Shield quiz!
Check out the latest Community Shield odds.
National Rugby League Assemble!
Australia's NRL have confirmed that five of their clubs will be wearing specially designed jerseys designed Marvel and ISC. The kits will be worn in round 21 of the NRL and are available to buy in the NRL shop. This is pretty amazing. Almost like our Guts sports promotion. Get ready!
Dragons: Iron Man
Raiders: Hulk
Roosters: Captain America
Cowboys: Thor
Sea Eagles: Wolverine
Of course, this isn't the first time that Marvel and sports have crossed over - who can forget Atletico Madrid's Spider-Man 2 away kit?
After England's defeat at the group stages of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the first time the team has left the World Cup at the group stage in 56 years, the nations pride and optimism has taken a severe knock.
In order to gage the feelings of the general public towards England's hopes at the Euro 2016, we have asked 1,200 people in Britain how far they think England will progress in the upcoming 2016 UEFA European Championship.
The survey reveals that the British publics views for England's team are decidedly pessimistic.
The general consensus (33.4%) think that England will make it through to the group stages, but no further. This is closely followed by 30.1% of respondents who think that that England won't even qualify.
The remaining stats are equally as negative. 18.1% of Brits think that the team will make it to the quarterfinals, 5.4% think that they will get through to the semi finals, and a meager 13% of respondents believe that they will make it all the through to the final.
2016 will mark the 15th UEFA European Championship. Euro 2016 will be held in France between June 10th and July 10th, after beating Italy and Turkey for the right to host the finals.
Rather than the traditional 16-team format, Euro 2016 will now consist of 24 teams. France automatically have a place in the tournament due to their position as hosts, however the remaining 53 teams will have to compete for a place between this September and November 2015.
The main tournament will consist of a group stage where six groups of four teams compete. This will then be followed by a knockout stage including three rounds and the final.
Despite the nations cynical predictions, we are still rooting for England!
Well it was quite a special tournament wasn't it? It had everything going for it, Brazil, weather, iconic scenes and historic stadia as well as new, plush stadia waiting for the paying public to set foot and make history.
The Brazilians sure know how to put on a show that is without doubt. The atmosphere within the grounds for the majority of the matches was simply staggering. It was so loud on occasion that the TV commentators of the BBC and ITV nearly lost their voices trying to inform us of what was going on down at pitch-level.
Furthermore, not only did the tournament produce off the pitch, it also produced on it. There were 171 goals throughout the tournament, matching the best ever amount achieved in France 1998, there was also the most scorers in a World Cup tournament with 121 and there was also a lot of bad defending!
We saw a number of high quality goals too. Some were outstanding for their simplicity, some were technically outstanding, some were individually outstanding and others were outstanding from a team point of view.
Of course there was also controversy, something that brings out the debaters in everyday Joe Bloggs. As usual, referees and officials made the World Cup a somewhat debatable topic and of course there was BBC commentator Jonathan Pearce who refused to believe that he was wrong and he was stirring a subject that didn't need to be stirred with regards to goal-line technology.
Overall, Brazil 2014 can be considered a tournament that will live long in the memory, certainly for Germany and certainly for Brazil only for the trouncing they received at the hands of the Germans in the semi-final. There is a lot to be proud of as far as the Brazil tournament goes as in 2010 in South Africa there was a fear that this is what football would become – a lifeless, win-at-all-costs spectacle that would never again produce the goods in terms of entertainment and goals again.
However, it was as if a mentality shift had occurred within teams (apart from Greece!) and they had decided that defending what they had wasn't enough; they had to win by scoring more goals than their opponents. It was a refreshing sight to see and it made for a spectacle that will live long in the memory of everyone who witnessed it.
We thought we'd go for something a bit different with this one, as we want you to make to make the choice for whom you want as the Guts Awards recipient. We'll run down a list of players who caught the eye with their performances in Brazil and ask you to vote on who you think deserves the award the most.
a.) James Rodriguez – The 22 year-old Colombian provided some exquisite moments of genius and also provided the spark for a lively Colombian side and of course he finished with the Golden Boot with 6 goals and also scored quite possibly the goal of the tournament with an outstanding volley.
b.) Ron Vlaar – The Aston Villa man proved he has what it takes to provide a steely backbone to any team and he did with an unfancied Dutch side under the stewardship of Louis van Gaal. It was simply an outstanding tournament from the defender.
c.) Javier Mascherano – The Argentina man proved he still has what it takes to play in midfield. He was effectively everywhere in the final vs. Germany and he also performed an outstanding man-marking job on Netherlands danger man Arjen Robben to nullify the threat from him with ruthless ease.
d.) Manuel Neuer – The German goalkeeper had an outstanding tournament and proved the difference when the Germans were under-pressure, specifically against Ghana in the group stages and against Algeria in the Round of 16. He conceded 4 goals and kept 3 clean sheets throughout the tournament, tied with Keylor Navas of Costa Rica at the top of the pile.
e.) Neymar – The Brazilian poster boy scored 4 goals and single-handedly carried Brazil at times and they couldn't live without the 22 year-old's absence through injury suffered against Chile.
f.) Arjen Robben – Arjen Robben was as dangerous as he has ever been throughout the tournament and chipped in with a few, crucial goals too.
g.) Philipp Lahm – The full-back started the tournament in a holding midfield role but eventually Joachim Low eventually moved him back to where he is best. Defensively solid and not bad at the attacking game either, the Germany captain demonstrated he has all the attributes that make him one of the best full-backs in the world.
h.) Mats Hummels – The Germany defender suffers from a distinct lack of pace but what he suffers on that side of his game, he makes up for in determination and his reading of the game. Had a very good tournament and deserves to be on the list.
i.) Thomas Muller – The forward was as devastating as ever and he's closing in on Miroslav Klose's 16-goal World Cup record. A fantastic performance from summed up with a hat-trick vs. Portugal and other vital goals too.
The Nuts Award is reserved for those who we have seen fail and also cock up – badly. We were amazed to see Lionel Messi receive the Golden Ball award for player of the tournament, as, we thought, he hadn't performed at all. So, without further ado lets compile the list.
a.) Lionel Messi – Has the Argentinian really been that good? Apart from the a couple of brilliant goals, notably against Iran and Bosnia, he hadn't scored throughout the knockout stages and failed to inspire anyone around him to produce and his World Cup was summed up with a last minute free-kick in the final which he blazed over the bar and was still travelling when the Germans lifted the trophy.
b.) David Luiz – A prime candidate simply for his awful defending. Nothing more to say on how awful he was.
c.) Eden Hazard – Another who failed to inspire himself or anyone around him, his performances were quite simply woeful. As were his teams'.
d.) Luis Suarez – Need we say anymore as far as the Uruguayan is concerned? His biting antics have finally caught up with him and he deserved everything that was thrown at him for it.
e.) Cameroon squad – The archetypal African football nation, they try and work hard and obviously acquire a love from the neutral that tends to be the case throughout a World Cup tournament…this is what should have happened, however, it didn't. Cameroon instead sulked over money not paid to them and also there was in fighting which led to 3 awful performances.
There was some splendid goals throughout World Cup 2014 and obviously this is going to be a hard choice for you!
a.) Robin van Persie (1st goal) v Spain – A flying header which caught Iker Casillas off guard and set up a very good tournament for the Dutch.
b.) Lionel Messi v Iran – A wonderful curling effort from all of 20-yards that had the keeper beaten all ends up.
c.) James Rodriguez v Uruguay – A quite epic volley from outside the box that swerved and dipped and went in via the underside of the bar – a simply stunning effort.
d.) Tim Cahill (1st goal) v The Netherlands – Another epic volley with his wrong foot that again flew in off the underside of the bar and stunned the Dutch 30 seconds after they had taken the lead.
e.) David Luiz v Colombia – A brilliant free-kick from the 'defender' who sent the Brazilian crowd into a frenzy with this winner.
f.) Jermaine Jones v Portugal – The USA midfielder produced an amazing bending shot from what seemed miles out and it bent into the net.
g.) James Rodriguez v Japan – A lovely dinked finish after twisting the Japanese defender inside and out before the cherry was planted on top of the cake.
h.) Andre Schürrle v Brazil – A spectacular volley from the German from a seemingly difficult angle. Not so difficult for it to fly in via the underside of the bar.
It had to be didn't it? Match officials were consistently found wanting at crucial times and they were either reluctant to book people or booked people for stupid, insignificant fouls. A major gripe is the quality of them on the International stage.
The World Cup final has been and gone and was it what we had expected from both International teams? The football on show was promising and it was as entertaining a World Cup final as I can remember. The only potential downside was the lack of goals until extra-time (again!) but this in a way provides an element of excitement.
The saving grace of both teams and in particularly Germany, going for the win in extra-time is that we didn't have to put with the luxury of penalties to settle and end what has been a splendid tournament – full of goals, excitement and controversy. What a proper World Cup should contain.
Of course, we cannot ignore the fact that Germany have become the first European side to win a World Cup in South America, a marvellous achievement considering before the tournament so called experts couldn't wait to nail their colours to the Argentinian mast simply because of one Lionel Messi.
If the final proved one thing, it is that there can be an absolutely tremendous atmosphere inside the spiritual home of football without the host nation. The Maracana put on one hell of a show for the final as well as other matches that were held there but the final is the showpiece that deserved to be signed off in the most glamorous and famous of football stadia.
The (now) unusual choice of selecting an individual for this award seen as we've seen many glorious team performances and another was added to the list last night from the Germans but Schweinsteiger absolutely dominated the midfield last night. His passing, movement and willingness to run himself into the ground as displayed by his match stats: he completed 102 passes more than his central midfield partner Toni Kroos, he intercepted 8 passes, more than any other German player and he ran a total distance of 15339m again more than any other player on the pitch. He epitomised Germany and their extremely efficient way of playing football, the definition of a complete player.
Again this is another award given to an individual. This was supposed to be Messi's World Cup wasn't it? South America, the limelight, the chance to shine and of course reaching the World Cup final at the home of your country's bitterest International rivals, what more could you want?
However, Messi failed to shine and he looked lazy showing all too brief glimpses of what he's capable of and what we're used to seeing from him. The odd mazy dribble, taking a couple of Germans out of the game and then a damp squib of a finish to a promising move by picking the wrong pass or shooting wildly off target.
His last ditch attempt at the end of 120 minutes from a free kick summed up his final and perhaps his World Cup – wayward.
Considering there was only one goal, it seems a bit odd to be selecting it even if it was a very good goal from Mario Götze. So we're going to be selecting something slightly different.
We're going to be selecting the Goal of the Day that wasn't given and this award goes to Gonzalo Higuain. It was a perfectly executed side-footed finish from the striker but there was a downside to it – he was offside. He really shouldn't have been as he was in the perfect position to look right across the German backline but as like his earlier chance when he proceeded to blaze wide when clean through, he fluffed it.
The lack of goals displayed in the match didn't match the quality of football that was on offer throughout the match. Of course it could have been a true classic had Gonzalo Higuain not decided to let the Germans off from two guilt-edged chances or Rodrigo Palacio had lifted the ball over Manuel Neuer into the net instead of looping wide but it wasn't to be.
During Friday, Saturday and Sunday we had our last World Cup site competition. We were in the hunt for the highest winning odds. This time it was Jussi R who took the first place prize with the winning odds of 149,5. Congratulations Jussi! To be fair, no other competitor got close to even challenging those odds.
Winning odds
Jussi R
Emil S
Petro Å
Marko J
Mikko P
Esa P
Joel L
Martin N
Savan K
Kristian V
The prize money has been credited to the lucky winners and congratulations again to Jussi and the gang!