text:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Trying to show flexibility without slowing down President Barack Obama's health care law, the administration said Friday states can have more time to work out their roles in providing health care to millions of uninsured Americans.
In a letter to governors, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said she still wants to hear by the end of next week if states will be setting up health insurance markets under the law. But governors can now take another month, until mid-December, to submit detailed blueprints.
The new insurance exchanges will allow households and small businesses to buy a private health plan, and many will get help from the government to pay their premiums. Under the law, states that can't or won't set up exchanges will have theirs run by Washington.
But many governors and state lawmakers were on the fence, awaiting the outcome of the presidential election. And the lost time left them fewer options.
In a concession to procrastinators, Sebelius said states considering a partnership with the federal government to run their exchanges can now have until mid-February to make a decision and submit their blueprints.
The partnership option allows states to handle consumer relations and oversight of health plans, while the federal government does the heavy lifting, taking care of enrollment, and figuring out any taxpayer help that consumers may be entitled to.
Sebelius stressed, however, that she is not waiving any hard deadlines under the law.
"Consumers in all fifty states and the District of Columbia will have access to insurance through these new marketplaces on January 1, 2014, as scheduled, with no delays," she wrote. Open enrollment for exchange plans will start in about 11 months, Oct. 1, 2013.
A check by The Associated Press found 17 states and the District of Columbia on track to setting up their own exchanges, while 10 have decided not to do so.
The states on track include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia.
Not setting up exchanges are Alaska, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Missouri and others are likely to join the list. The federal government could end up running the show in half or more of the states.


text:
Naxos Flat Icon Pack v6.6 Apk is a flat icon pack that will add high definition icons for many popular Android Launcher.
Updated: August 21, 2016
Current Version: 6.6
Requires Android: 4.0.3 and up
Category: Personalization
Size: 13M
- More than 600 custom icons!
- 11 Wallpapers included!
- Icon masking support: all icons are themed!
- Icons with HD Resolution at 300x300px 🙂
- Stand-alone app to apply the icon, wallpaper, and other useful stuff
Compatible with:
- Apex Launcher
- Nova Launcher
- ADW EX and Free
- Action Launcher
- Holo Launcher
- Smart Launcher
- Other Launchers (tell me which ones)
- Go Launcher is not fully compatible and doesn't support proper icon masking. We don't recommend using Go Launcher!
- Icons may also work with other launcher (KitKat Launchers, Solo Launcher, but they couldn't be fully compatible!
What's New
- add 15 New icons
- Updated many activities
- Support for "Collection of family"
- Bug Fix
Free Download Naxos Flat Icon Pack 6.6
- download naxos flat icon pack miui 6 apk , naxos flat icon pack apk download , naxos flat icon pack pro

subset: commoncrawl


text:
A Vermont folk artist who built a T-shirt business around the phrase "eat more kale" says the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has given him a "preliminary no" in his effort to protect it after the Chick-fil-A restaurant chain complained.
Montpelier resident Bo Muller-Moore says he had expected Monday's ruling to be more definitive. He says he has six months to respond to it.
Chick-fil-A has argued Muller-Moore's T-shirt infringes on its trademarked "eat mor chikin" slogan.
The legal fight over "eat more kale" prompted Gov. Peter Shumlin to say in December 2011 the state would do all it could to help Muller-Moore against Chick-fil-A.
Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A sells chicken sandwiches and sides. It made headlines last summer over its president's comments opposing gay marriage. It hasn't responded to an emailed request for comment on the "eat more kale" ruling.


text:
This week, a mob of more than 3000 people from all over the world has packed into the subterranean conference space of the San Francisco Marriott Hotel to attend ISSCC 2012, the 55th annual IEEE International Solid State Circuits Conference.
Getting there in time for the opening keynotes first thing Monday morning was easy – no traffic, thanks to the Presidents Day Holiday – but once you came down the escalators into the bowels of the Marriott, it was a total zoo. Of course, ISSCC always is.
As the granddaddy of all solid state conferences, it's the place where some of the most historic circuit design announcements have been made over the years. Everybody wants to be there, and this past Monday nobody appeared to regret not having the day off – particularly during the plenary session when the cavernous hall was filled with thousands of people sitting in countless tidy rows, stretching off into the darkness. Even the keynote speakers commented on the impact of looking out across that sea of people. Yeah, ISSCC is really something.
This year's keynotes included SanDisk co-founder Eli Harari talking about the history of Flash, a technology he said is now both ubiquitous and unstoppable, and well on its way to eliminating HDDs in its meteoric rise to success fueling the consumer electronics industry.
STMicro Senior EVP Carmelo Papa spoke of a critical synergy between energy consumption and semiconductors: More people and bigger cities in the coming decades will exceed all power utility capacity, he said, unless smart chips, bodies, homes, grids, and governments build together on the efficiencies and intelligent promise of IC-based systems.
In a similar vein, Renesas EVP Yoichi Yano promised MCUs, in combination with Flash, will ease a plethora of power-demand problems and will go a long way to making the world green, at last.
Finally, Intel EVP David Perlmutter gave an emotion-packed keynote that laid out strategies for optimizing transistor-level power consumption, invoking all the usual suspects – smaller process technologies, 3D stacking, and heterogeneous multi-core devices. Perlmutter's address was as close as it comes to a rousing stump speech and call to action for the uber-nerds of the semiconductor industry. It was fabulous.
Between keynotes, major awards were presented at ISSCC on Monday morning. Of interest to those in EDA, stalwart industry legend Ron Rohrer received the 2012 Gustav Kirchhoff Award, and UCLA's Behzad Razavi received the 2012 Donald O. Pederson Award. Those who know Rohrer would not be surprised to learn that when he stepped to the podium to thank the IEEE, he first acknowledged SPICE-collaborator Larry Nagler, and then got a huge roar of laughter from the enormous audience when he admitted that Kirchhoff's Laws are the only laws he has managed to obey throughout his life.
During a break in the 4-hour plenary session marathon, I dashed into the Press Room for a cup of coffee, a carb, and a chance to catch up with various colleagues. Dave Bursky was there – busy with his new enterprise, PRN Engineering Services, and continuing to astound by attending more conferences per week than anyone else in the industry.


text:
Emily spent a day doing some fiddle workshops in Glasgow yesterday- and they decided to invade Kelvingrove gallery/museum in a kind of flashmob event.
Michaela had just enough power on the battery of her camera to record this- but we managed to miss getting Emily in frame at all!
I love simple creative flashmobs- the pleasure that they give to people. I suppose there has to be a limit to them or it will all go a bit mad. The staff in Kelvingrove certainly thought so- they only managed a couple of tunes inside.


text:
Science Friday® is produced by the Science Friday Initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Science Friday® and SciFri® are registered service marks of Science Friday, Inc. Site design by Pentagram; engineering by Mediapolis.
In "Bitter Pill: Why Medical Bills Are Killing Us," a 26,000-word investigative piece in TIME magazine, journalist and entrepreneur Steven Brill catalogues the myriad reasons for America's skyrocketing healthcare costs, from extravagantly paid administrators at nonprofit hospitals to bloated bills for hospital care. And Obamacare, he argues, won't do much to solve the problem.


text:
The School has an outstanding reputation in undergraduate and postgraduate education, and offers a wide range of undergraduate, MSc and PhD programmes.
As part of the Maxwell Institute for Mathematical Sciences, we form one of the UK's leading research centres in Mathematics.
The School of Mathematics has a talented team of staff and students who work hard to communicate their love of mathematics to the wider community.
Directory of staff and research students in the School of Mathematics.
Centre for Statistics
The School of Mathematics is leading a new University-wide Centre for Statistics, to unite multi-disciplinary researchers with the expertise to tackle today's commercial and societal challenges.


text:
First Look: Word Crasher. Dropping January 11th.
Having worked 12 years in the gaming industry, working as a software engineer and senior programmer with major gaming outfits such as EA and RockStar Games, Edinburgh-based Kevin Ng has worked on and helped develop a slew of well-known console titles which we will most likely be familiar with or have played at some point in our lives; including the likes of: "Skate" for Xbox 360, "Bully" for PS2 and "Starlancer" for PC and Dreamcast. Leaving that life behind though (for the most part) Kevin is now going solo, becoming an independent developer specifically targeting the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. He was kind enough to give me a quick heads up on his debut iPhone title, and I even scored myself a pre-release promo copy to take a look at .. (Cheers, Kevin!).
Dropping January 11th, Word Crasher is a well-designed, graphically exciting word game. Playing through two modes; Marathon and Flood Panic the aim of the game is to create words from the letter chips that fall from above - but don't make the mistake of picturing this as your normal every-day word puzzle. Its much more dynamic. Usually with these types of games we see a rigid setup which involves some kind of grid-like area, and you having to draw out or follow a certain path in order to create a word. Word Crasher throws that rule book away, adding it's own pretty unique twist to it's gameplay.
The game is set out in a 'tank-like' environment. With fairly straight forward gameplay, at the start of each level a number of letter 'chips' fall to the ground, and every few seconds or so after that, another letter chip will be added into the mix. Unlike other word puzzles of it's genre, in Word Crasher you're able to make a word from any of the letters on screen, regardless of their current position or proximity to others letters on screen. Almost psychedelic in it's approach, the game has a sort of modern retro feel to it. Tapping letters on the board will see a faint colorful neon-like glow surround them. As you select various letters to create a word, they appear at the bottom of the screen allowing you to see just what you've selected and whether it actually does make sense (unlike my attempt - seen right!). The games AI then lets you know if the word exists by lighting up either the 'tick' symbol (bottom right), or cross symbol (bottom left).
The game's "Flood Panic" mode injects even more challenge, introducing a rising water level which creates both a frenzied-type gameplay experience and a race against the clock. Having spent some time with the game, my first impressions are that this is one polished, well-designed and thought out title.
Fully supported by Open Feint, Word Crasher is reportedly set to make it's debut on January 11th at the introductory price of $0.99 .. returning to $1.99 afterward. Also, while you're at it, be sure to checkout the game's official site at wordcrasher.com.


text:
Letter's 'Facts' Disputed
Letter's 'Facts' Disputed
To the Editor:
George Caracciolo's recent letters to the editor regarding the staffing of our school contained incorrect facts: the school he refers to (Hawley) does not have 318 students; it has 460 students. It does not have four administrators; it has one, the principal. There is also a lead teacher, who assists with administration, but is not considered "an administrator" by definition. It does not have 15 specialists; it has one reading consultant, one reading recovery teacher, and one math/science specialist, all of whom work directly with children in need of remedial services in these critical areas. (It should be noted that remediation provided by these instructors often results in cost savings because early intervention reduces the likelihood of sustained and/or comprehensive services as students advance through the school system.) In addition to classroom teachers, there are also certified instructors who teach library/media, physical education, art, and music, as is generally typical in elementary education.
Although Mr Caracciolo implies that we have greater staffing levels than other school districts, the facts provided by the State Department of Education illustrate otherwise. Connecticut's 2002–03 Strategic School Profile (SSP) Report indicates an average student-teacher ratio of 13.7 statewide, 14.0 for districts in our educational reference group, and 15.4 for Newtown. In other words, our student-teacher ratio is higher, and therefore less favorable, in comparison. Additionally, in all grades reported on the SSP, Newtown's average class sizes exceed the average for our reference group and for the state as a whole.
Our per pupil expenditure, which is driven largely by staffing levels, is notable as well. In 2002, 82 percent of Connecticut's public schools spent more per pupil than we did. Newtown continues to experience growth and simply put, as enrollment grows, so too do staffing needs.
We strive for high quality education supported by sound fiscal management. We believe that our statistics validate our success. It will be the charge of this board to justify a sound and well-reasoned budget and we intend to do so with due diligence. It is imperative that our community be provided with facts; misinformation undermines this process and does a disservice to our voters.
Elaine McClure, Lisa Schwartz, David Nanavaty, Tom Gissen
Newtown Board of Education
4 Fairfield Circle South, Newtown                       January 21, 2004
Change Text Size:
Commenting has been closed for this story.
0 comments


text:
Farm Press and DuPont Crop Protection have teamed up to bring California and Arizona Pest Control Advisers this informational E-newsletter, V-News.
From June, 2006 through March, 2007, twice monthly, you'll receive the latest specialized vegetable market information, such as:
· Crop conditions on vegetable crops and strawberries in Salinas and other California coastal areas, as well as winter vegetables in the Southwestern Arizona and California's Imperial Valley.
· Market conditions
· New products for the consumer marketplace
· Calendar of upcoming events/meetings
· UC and UA Cooperative Extension Agent input on current issues and solutions
· Research and development updates from DuPont Crop Protection.
For years, Western Farm Press' editorial staff has been serving the information needs of California and Arizona agriculture and the PCAs who serve the most diverse and lucrative agricultural market in the world. This e-newsletter is an extension of that commitment to provide the latest information available in a timely manner.
DuPont has made an added commitment to advancing vegetable, processing tomato and strawberry crop production in California and by partnering with Farm Press in bringing you these monthly E-newsletters.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns, we'd appreciate your feedback.
Research Update
This is a technical update on research/registration field work being completed to add uses for key DuPont fungicides.
DuPont development specialists and cooperators are in the final stages of field work on a stand alone formulation of the DuPont cymoxanil fungicide for use against downy mildew in head lettuce.
Cymoxanil is currently teamed with another DuPont active ingredient, famoxadone, in DuPont™ Tanos® fungicide. The new stand alone formulation of cymoxanil is being developed to allow farmers more flexibility to use cymoxanil in tank mixes with other fungicides like DuPont™ Manex® fungicide for control of downy mildew in head lettuce*. DuPont field development specialists said while the new label for the cymoxanil formulation will be a stand alone one, the cymoxanil product must be mixed with another fungicide with a different mode of action.
* Pending state and EPA registration.
Always read and follow all label directions and precautions for use.
The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™, Curzate®, Manex®, and Tanos® are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.
Copyright © 2006 E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. All Rights Reserved. 7/06
It was a challenging summer coastal vegetable season start for growers, and PCAs in late June were still coping with fallout from a difficult planting season. With crop schedules in some cases several weeks late due to wet spring planting weather, the result has been late and compressed harvests, erratic markets but unusually light pest conditions.
Market Uncertainty
As with other crops, record rains in March limited field access as most coastal head and romaine lettuce growers geared up for planting. Those who did get in and get their crops harvested on time enjoyed profitable returns for their early lettuce and cole crops. However, prices since have dropped to drastically low levels well below the cost of production.
Prices on lettuce soared in mid-May to a high of $30 a carton with shipments down about 20 percent the first two weeks of May. Within a month, however, those prices had dropped to as low as $5 a box as a flood of product hit key markets at once, and prices remained at those low levels going into July.
Similarly, cauliflower and broccoli prices that peaked early on by late June softened considerably amid sporadic demand. Still the market is slightly higher than average this time of year due to gaps in supply.
Processing Tomatoes
According to a USDA survey in May, processing tomato growers were expecting to contract 11.4 million short tons of processing tomatoes, for a 12 percent increase over last year. This year's difficult planting season, however, has brought uncertainty to an otherwise hopeful market.
Canneries are building up inventory, but the compressed harvest could make for complications as a flood of canning tomatoes bump up against cannery capacity. The delay could force processors to push harvest into early fall when crops are more at risk of fall rains.
Gene Miyao, UCCE farm advisor for tomatoes in Northern California, said tomatoes in his area are running up to five weeks late, pushing the peak of harvest likely into the middle of August. In the San Joaquin Valley, processing tomatoes were running from five days to two weeks late.
The mild weather has resulted in good fruit set although as temperatures climbed the last week of July, he warned growers might expect some blossom drop.
"This is going to be a very different year," Miyao said. "We hope it will be a long season, but it certainly will be a more compressed harvest delivery time period."
Pest Pressures Light
The good news for most vegetable growers is that pest pressures have been unseasonably light. Pests that might normally be raging as the season moved into July were still quiet. All that could change quickly, though, as heat units started to accumulate the last week of June.
"In the Salinas Valley, as far as insects go, it's really quiet right now. We've had a little aphid pressure, but overall there's not much happening," said Bill Cheney, UCCE Entomology Farm Advisor for Monterey County.
Miyao said typical springtime diseases, such as bacterial speck and bacterial canker, have not been much of an issue this year on processing tomatoes in the northern regions. Slight russet mite activity has been reported, and Miyao advised PCAs to be mindful of the pest as it may come earlier than normal.
Henry Carrasco, agronomist and PCA with Western Farm Service's Salinas branch, said downy mildew is causing the most problem for coastal lettuce growers. Carrasco said he is having good luck treating downy mildew with a tank-mix combination of Ridomil and a contact fungicide such as Manex.
"Ridomil is an old compound that's revived itself," Carrasco said. "I hadn't used Ridomil in literally six or seven years and it's holding its own this year on both romaine and head lettuce in combination with contact fungicides."
Worm and aphid pressures, meanwhile have been "virtually non-existent" on lettuce and cole crops, he said. PCAs have been treating for leafminer in lettuce.
"We have to be cognizant of leafminer damage because, depending on the size of the crop, even moderate leafminer pressure can set lettuce or romaine back a week of harvest if left untreated," Carrasco said.
He also expects green peach aphid to start showing up in lettuce and perhaps cole crops, noting that cole crop growers in his area in recent years have been treating more frequently for green peach aphid.
Carrasco noted that the acceptance threshold for even cosmetic insect damage has gotten very high, particularly with value-added lettuce, spinach and other vegetables.
"As the industry has moved to more bagged product, tolerance for insect damage is much lower than it used to be so we're having to evaluate whether we need an extra treatment for those value-added crops," he said.
Newer products with short pre-harvest intervals of zero to two days have helped growers keep pests in check right up to harvest.
"Manufacturers have been providing us with fungicides and insecticides to meet the demand of short day-before-harvest intervals that allow us to treat right up to harvest," he said.
Strawberry growers too have been contending with a challenging year as late spring rains damaged early crops and have pushed the coastal strawberry harvest into the fall, when they are vulnerable to further weather damage.
Glenn McMillan, Salinas branch manager with Helena Chemical Co., said late rain forced some growers to discard fruit early on, which will likely impact total crop production, unless an open fall allows production numbers to catch up.
The last week of June McMillan said PCAs were starting to treat for "the usual suspects" including lygus, western flower thrips, spider mites, botrytis and gray mold.
"Flower thrips seem to be worse this year, I'm seeing some growers having trouble with that and we may be spraying earlier for thrips than we did in the past," he said.
Many growers forced to play catch-up with late planting have been relying more on transplants to close the delayed harvest window and fill in production gaps, sources said.
Miyao said statewide the industry estimates 70 percent of the state's processing tomato acreage has been planted with transplants.
Carrasco said many leaf and head lettuce growers in the Salinas Valley area planted from transplants in an effort to fill in gaps in production. Broccoli and cauliflower transplants are also helping make up for earlier losses in production, he added.


text:
Review: Stars And Hank Forever
So, we're stealin' the idea from the Sparks Project and doing one with probably even more records out there — The Residents! And this time we're changing it up a little bit — we've got two hardcore Residents fans in me and Rich, but Aila is, at best, a casual fan, who will be hearing about 99% of these records for the first time. DANGEROUS! So, enjoy, THE RESIDENTS PROJECT!


text:
There are certain names that are forever linked with the horror genre. Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff will always be remembered for their work on the early Universal creature features. Where those two and Universal left off, Christoper Lee, Peter Cushing and Hammer picked up. Playing Dracula and Van Helsing respectively, Lee and Cushing will probably go down in the annals of the genre much like Lugosi and Karloff before them. So then how is it that a horror film, an anthology film no less, with both Cushing and Lee can go unremembered for so long?
The typical reaction when I mention parasites is for a small shudder to course though the listener's body and some kind of verbal reaction such as, "Oh man, gross!" But really, are they so bad? They just want to be inside you. Uh...wait, they just want to live off of you. Er...
In a world of crappy remakes I was fairly happy to see that the trailer for the upcoming "Fright Night" re-telling didn't look like complete crap. Well now we've got our first clip from the vampire classic and it looks pretty... well kind of creepy and not in a good way. No vampires, no blood and no screams. Nope, just Colin Farrell tellin' a kid that his mom is in heat. Sexy.
If you live anywhere near New York City you have no doubt heard the constant crying from the locals about the filming of "Men in Black 3". Apparently the explosions make it hard to listen to their crappy indie rock records and that just won't fly. Well a few pictures from the set have hit the tubes and honestly I have no idea what part of the city these are from but I assume there's a pale man wearing owl rimmed glasses just out of the shot cursing Will Smith.
I've completely given up on reporting anything about "The Hunger Games" because I'm pretty sure by the end of this month just about everyone who's got a page on IMDB will be attached to the film. But now Donald Sutherland has been cast as the President of one of the nations that must send it's youngsters to battle it out. That's all for now though, the only way I'll mention any more casting about this movie is if they finally put me in it.
A gaggle of new posters have dropped for the new creepy stalker film "388 Arletta Avenue" and they're emoticon-riffic. It's a new saying and it's going to be bigger than "wazzup!". The move is shot from hidden cameras that are being operated by a creeper who's following the daily activities of a young couple. I have done the exact same thing to my neighbors for the past 3 years and if you haven't stalked someone before you're really missing out on something that's truly rewarding. Start now! You'll thank me later.
Donald Sutherland wants you to watch the 1978 remake of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" on Netflix Instant Streaming today!
Why do you ask? Well, let me explain it to you.
A lot of movies get added to Netflix's Instant Stream every week. Luckily for you, I'm here to dig through what's new and highlight new releases that may be of interest to BGH readers. Halloween is right around the corner and Netflix is really ramping up the horror releases.
**Editor's Note: Angelo is another new addition to our writers team, please welcome him in the comments!**
I have a love/hate relationship with Italian horror films. On the one hand, they are some of the most stylish horror flicks around. Vivid colors, unique and memorable soundtracks, over-the-top ridiculous gore, beautiful women, interesting use of recurring motifs and symbolism, are all staples of the genre. However, they're also, in general, incredibly poorly paced. The question usually is, are they stylish enough that the filmmaking keeps me entertained while the plot is dragging? Unfortunately for "Don't Look Now", the answer to that question is no. The film, while having an interesting plot, has some serious pacing issues that detract from the overall experience and prevents it from being the classic that it could be.


text:
Christians going full force at 'gates of hell'
Expecting 'greatest revival the world has ever experienced'
Men, mostly, like comfort. A sofa, a good football game and some snacks.
A heated driver's seat in the car is great.
Wood stoves are fine as long as the firewood is split when it's delivered.
Men are why malls have benches.
So what's with this announcement from the Promise Keepers men's ministry in Denver talking about storming the gates of hell?
But that's exactly what will be happening in September when the organization, which once staged a "Stand in the Gap" call for America to return to faith on the National Mall in Washington and 1.4 million men showed up, holds a revolutionary event on the doorstep to Jerusalem.
The assembly "Jesus Reigns 2014" will be held on Sept. 17.
It is expected to draw tens of thousands in person, and perhaps millions around the globe, because of plans to simulcast online in Sultan's Pool in the Valley on Hinnom.
Even tourism promoters in Israel note there's something not entirely cheerful in that location's history. It was the site of ritual sacrifice.
That led to the naming of Judaism's Purgatory-esque "concept of an afterlife Gehinnom (Valley of Hinnom), from which the contemporary world gets its word 'hell.'"
Jesus refers to "Gehenna" 11 times in the Gospels as the opposite of the Kingdom of God. In the Old Testament, it is the location where Israel worshiped Baal and Molech by sacrificing their children. The prophets also use the Valley of Hinnom to describe the destiny of the enemies of God.
And about storming those gates?
Promise Keepers' "revolutionary event" will be in that valley, and broadcast worldwide.
"The purpose of the event is to call the body of Christ together in unity to declare that our faith isn't in any government, financial institution, or man, but in Jesus alone, and that He reigns," conference organizers explained.
In Matthew 16:13-19, the strategy is revealed: "Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?' And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God' And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Conference organizers say Promise Keepers will be calling the church, worldwide, to unite together around the simple truth that Jesus reigns, and then to take the battle right to the gates of hell – both metaphorically, and literally.
"We believe it's time for the people of the one true God to once again come together in unity – in response to Jesus' prayer in John 17 – and declare that 'our God is greater!" organizers said. "But this time, it must be more than just the men of America. It will include both men and women from every race, nationality, and continent, all declaring that 'Jesus reigns!'"
PK founder Bill McCartney says, "I'm calling you out [to] stand together as one and demonstrate that Jesus reigns."
Promise Keepers has scheduled, too, conferences in Jacksonville, Fla., Peoria, Ill., Baton Rouge, La., Loveland, Colo., and Wallingford, Conn., this year.
It is setting up an Israel tour that coordinates with the Jesus Reigns event Sept. 14-23.
See the plans:
"The greatest revival the world has ever known – a revival prophesied by the Apostle Paul and affirmed by men like Jonathan Edwards and C. H. Spurgeon – has begun," Promise Keepers says.
Edwards once said, "When they shall be called, that ancient people, who alone were so long God's people for so long a time, shall be his people again, never to be rejected more. They shall be gathered together into one fold, together with the Gentiles…"
Spurgeon? He said, "I think we do not attach sufficient importance to the restoration of the Jews. We do not think enough of it. But certainly, if there is anything promised in the Bible, it is this…The day shall yet come when the Jews, who were the first apostles to the Gentiles, the first missionaries to us, we who were far off, shall be gathered in again. Until that shall be, the fullness of the churches' glory can never come. Matchless benefits to the world are bound up with the restoration of Israel; their gathering in shall be as life from the dead."


text:
StreetBlowjobs.com Presents Everyday Ladies Giving Head
We have an amazing update for you this week. I had been taking a walk near the bay when I discovered this hot lady moving my way. There was a cold front and I could tell she was feeling it in that little outfit. I went back to speak with her and gave her my coat. Works out she was looking around for a job yet had no luck thus I suggested she come spend more time with me for some hard cash. The beautiful Rosa was not too into that concept to begin with yet that soon changed the moment she observed the money.
Become a Member of STREETBJS For Only One Dollar.
The girl said yes and then we began walking away. I was beginning to feel something from her like she was a wild girl and so I just went all out and asked if she would like to go do a lot more than hang out. She was positive one more time with the cash. We headed away to a lodging I knew of in close proximity and it was on. She became a skilled girl when it comes to giving BJs.


text:
A series of monthly, hour-long webinars for IDSA members on
current recommended practices to effectively identify, treat, and manage
patients infected with the hepatitis C virus.
Up-to-date guidance for the
treatment of HCV infection from IDSA and the American Association for the Study
of Liver Diseases, in collaboration with the International Antiviral
IDSA offers a Maintenance of Certification
module specific to Hepatitis C.
Viral hepatitis is a silent epidemic. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, it is estimated that 2.7 to 3.9 million persons are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the United States alone. An enormous public health danger lies in the fact that many infected patients are unaware of their diseased state. HCV's slow disease progression can lead to liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma, which ultimately requires transplantation or causes mortality.
Up-to-date guidance for the treatment of HCV infection from IDSA and the AASLD. >> Go to HCVguidelines.org
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for HCV infection to adults born between 1945-1965. Read the full report >>
State-by-state information for hepatitis C patients >>
1300 Wilson Boulevard Suite 300 Arlington, VA 22209 | Phone: (703) 299-0200 | Fax: (703) 299-0204
© Copyright IDSA 2018 | Sitemap | Terms of Use | Privacy
| HIVMA | Contact Us
© Copyright IDSA 2018 Infectious Diseases Society of America


text:
Police: Mom admits hitting, slapping, biting child
Police: Mom admits hitting, slapping, biting child
LOUISVILLE, Ky. —
A woman faces multiple charges after police say she admitted to hitting, slapping and biting her child.
Police said 25-year-old Kenyatta Lewis would hold her 3-year-old in the air by his arm and strike him with a closed fist.
According to the arrest report, a day care worker notified a hospital of the child's injuries and the hospital contacted police.
Police said Lewis admitted that she had hit her child on numerous occasions.
The injuries inflicted on the child included bruising to the face and buttocks, as well as a bite mark to the child's right thigh after police said Lewis bit the child.
Lewis is charged with criminal child abuse.


text:
Study Shakespeare's Hamlet in the context of Elizabethan attitudes toward revenge. The lesson includes activities in which students compare the text of Hamlet to the interpretations of several modern filmmakers.
While teaching some of the formal terms used to describe sonnets will be one of the aims of this lesson, our starting point and central focus throughout will be learning to appreciate the sounds of poetry.
Learn how Shakespeare used the sonnet tradition to enhance his stagecraft by performing a scene from this timeless tragedy.


text:
AINIMOER Womens Genuine Leather Vintage Tote Shoulder Bag Top-handle Crossbody Handbags Large Capacity Ladies PurseBlack Black -
Attention: AINIMOER is an US registered trademark, unauthorized sale without permission, we will investigated for legal responsibility. Please pay attention to avoid purchasing counterfeits from other seller.
Material: High quality imported vintage soft Top Grain Leather(Genuine Leather) with durable golden hardware, sturdily constructed with detailed streamlined stitching and fully lined with smooth dark brown polyester lining. Waterproof, wear resistant and durable in use.
Strap: Double handle(about 4.72 in, Long enough to put on shoulder) with a long removable and adjustable shoulder strap(about 37.4-45.27 in), you can have 3 carrying options: Hand carry, Shoulder and Cross Body.
Features: Handmade. With 2 big inner compartment, 1 interlayer zipper bag, 1 interior zipper slot pocket, 2 open pockets for smartphone, credential and keys/lipsticks, 1 behind zippered pocket, 2 small pockets with magnetic snap closure on both sides. Delicate zip closure is designed for the safety of your properties. The bottom of bag has four textured metal rivets which is effective for protection against wear.
Dimensions: (L)12.6(upside)-14.76(underside)\" x (H)10.24\"x (W)5.12\" inches ,and the weight is 2.18 pounds. Can carry your 13.3\" Laptop, IPAD Air,Iphone6 plus, A4 file, wallets, key, umbrella, ID card, your phone, Key pocket, makeups and other daily thing with you. Please see more details in Exquisite Detailing below.
Crossbody Bags


text:
Abundance Transworld Transport TravelTours, Inc. – Manila
– offers the most competitive rates and the highest quality of car
rental services; an honest , courteous and uniformed drivers, Brand new
and well-maintained vehicle models.
ATTTI Car Rental Services offers:
– Pick up and drop off
– Transfer in – from airport to hotel / Transfer out – from hotel to airport
– City tour / Out of town tour
– Local or international conventions and conferences
– company outings, team buildings, family getaways
Please feel free to drop in your questions and we would be able to get back to you as soon as possible.
You can reach us at 02-478- 9236/ 09278363069 / 09989632041
Email us @ firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Tribune Co. has named the leadership team for Tribune Publishing, which is preparing to spin off as a separate newspaper company later this year.
Eddy Hartenstein, publisher and CEO of the Los Angeles Times, will serve as non-executive chairman of the board, and publishing industry veteran Jack Griffin, will become chief executive of Tribune Publishing, the company announced Thursday.
Griffin, 53, the former CEO of Time Inc., has spent the last three years heading up Empirical Media, a New York-based consulting firm whose clients included Tribune Co. He will take the reins of Tribune Publishing on April 14.
"This is an experienced leadership team, all of...


text:
The Library organizes and maintains a collection of space science-related materials in a variety of media, including books, journals, documents, maps and images to facilitate lunar and planetary science research and disseminates information to the educational and public communities. The collection is one of 17 international NASA Regional Planetary Image Facilities (RPIFs). References services are provided to scientists, educators, students, media representatives and the public requesting information related to lunar and planetary science.
The Library collection contains more than 60,000 cataloged books, documents, maps and globes, videos, and more than 100 current journals and newsletters. The subject emphasis of the collection is space science, astronomy, and geology.
The Library at LPI has a variety of equipment that is available to qualified users such as light tables, copy stand, and scanners. Temporary workspace and meeting tables are available for users. The reference staff can assist with using the collection, equipment, and with identifying and obtaining materials.
LPI Library Check-Out and Renewal Policies
Online Books
Space science books from LPI and other publishers
LPI Contribution Series
Documents the scientific research, meetings, and outreach products of LPI
LPI's Regional Planetary Image Facility
NASA Regional Planetary Image Facility
What's New
Noteworthy items of interest and additions to the Library collection
Wiki Your Science
Tips and hints for editing and writing planetary science Wikipedia articles
Questions about the Library or space science?
Lunar and Planetary Institute
3600 Bay Area Boulevard
Houston TX 77058-1113
Phone: 281-486-2182
Email: email@example.com


text:
Potbelly gives out free sandwiches throughout the month of October
WASHINGTON (Sinclair Broadcast Group) - Potbelly is hoping to give away 75,000 free sandwiches by Oct. 30.
Thrillist is reporting that in order to redeem your prize, you have to download the company's app then create a new account. Afterwards, you order a sandwich and pay by entering your card information on the app.
Once all of this is done, the promotion automatically loads onto your account.
The promotion will end after the restaurant chain gives away all 75,000 sandwiches nationwide.
Users can order any kind of sandwich they choose to and those who download the app for the first time will receive a free cookie with their meal.


text:
Monarchy is a free browser-based strategy game. If this is your first visit, then please Register an account. If not you can login to the game by using the login form above. Need some help? Please visit our message boards and interact with other players.
Heaven flooded with despair, washing over the elder gods, driving them backwards... downwards... to Tonan, to be born again.
The throne of Heaven is empty, and the first to reach it will rule all. As Oleana once did, now each mortal-incarnation must struggle to reclaim their immortality, with the first to do so likely to gain supreme power over heaven and earth.
And this is where we find ourselves. The wheel has almost turned full circle; three born with names of old have grown to power. It is time to pick a side; Will you follow Angelique, Barnabas or Leto?
Continue on to read the full storyline and the historical archives of Monarchy.
Current Game Scrolls
Like us on Facebook
Vote for us on Gaming Directories
All Games Reset
It's that time again, all games have been reset and it's time for the new ages to begin.
Hall of Fame can be found in the usual places
Guilds #11
Conquest2 #19
Bloodbath #17
Guest races for guilds and bloodbath have been set to the following
Bloodbath: Droben & Dwarven
Guilds: Elemental & Sidhe
Screenshots of the New Layout
Rest in Peace : Misty Moonlight
In Honor of Misty Moonlight, RIP
Monarchy Art Gallery
We have just added a Gallery to Monarchs Glen. The gallery currently contains artwork commissioned by Table Warfare to improve the Monarchy game. New artwork will be added as it's done. Artistic players who want to do some Monarchy inspired artwork, can upload into the existing galleries, or request a personal gallery from Kaz.


text:
Tim Tebow will go for two against a pair of talented quarterbacks from the Big 12 when the Heisman Trophy is handed out Saturday night.
Sam Bradford from Oklahoma and Colt McCoy from Texas joined Tebow as Heisman finalists announced Wednesday.
The last time all the Heisman finalists were quarterbacks was 2001, when Nebraska's Eric Crouch won the award and quarterbacks held the first six spots.
Tebow, the rugged and multitalented junior from Florida, was the first sophomore to win the Heisman last year and is trying to become the second player to win it twice.
Archie Griffin won the Heisman as a junior in 1974 for Ohio State and again in 1975.
Tebow's Gators will play Bradford and the Sooners in the BCS national championship game Jan. 8 in Miami.
Tebow became the first college football player with 20 touchdown passes and 20 rushing touchdowns in 2007, carrying a Florida team that finished 9-4.
This season, Tebow's stats were down, but his play has still been stellar. He is fifth in the nation in passer rating (176.7) with 28 touchdown passes and only two interceptions. He hasn't been asked to run as much this season, but still has 564 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns.
Most importantly, the Gators are 12-1 and a victory away from their second national title in three seasons.
Tebow made a strong final case to win another Heisman, leading Florida's 14-point fourth quarter and comeback victory in the Southeastern Conference title game Saturday against Alabama.
Bradford has directed the highest scoring team in major college football history, leading the nation in passer rating (186.3) and TD passes (48) while throwing for 4,464 yards. The Sooners have scored 702 points and became the first college team in 89 years to reach 60 points in five consecutive games when they won the Big 12 title 62-21 over Missouri last Saturday.
McCoy, who had the imposing task of following Vince Young as Texas' starting quarterback, has turned out to be a multiple-threat much like his predecessor.
McCoy set a major college record with his 77.6 completion percentage, breaking the mark set by Duante Culpepper for Central Florida, and is the Longhorns' leading rusher with 576 yards and 10 touchdowns. Texas finished 11-1, with a victory against Oklahoma.
Heisman organizers generally invite three to five players, based on vote totals.
Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell was surprisingly not invited to the ceremony, to be held at the Sports Museum of America in downtown New York for the first time.
Harrell, the latest in a long line of prolific passers to run coach Mike Leach's Air Raid offense, leads the nation with 4,747 yards passing and has thrown 41 touchdown passes. He also led Texas Tech to a school-record 11 victories and a tie for first in the Big 12 South with Texas and Oklahoma.


text:
Ron Woods, PhD, is a performance coach for the Human Performance Institute (HPI) in Orlando, Florida, and an adjunct professor of sport science at the University of Tampa and the University of South Florida. He spent 20 years with the United States Tennis Association, including 10 years as the USTA's director of Player Development, a program that develops top junior players into touring professionals. For 17 years, Woods was professor of physical education and men's tennis coach at West Chester University. He has been inducted into West Chester University's Athletic Hall of Fame. A graduate of East Stroudsburg University and an inductee into their athletic hall of fame, Woods received his PhD from Temple University with an emphasis in sport psychology and motor learning. The International Tennis Hall of Fame awarded Ron the Educational Merit Award in 1997. He was also honored by the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) as National Coach of the Year in 1982 and named a master professional in 1984. His accomplishments include eight years on the Coaching Committee of the United States Olympic Committee and the Coaches' Commission of the International Tennis Association. Woods authored Social Issues in Sport and Playing Tennis After 50 and has written and edited numerous USTA publications, including Coaching Youth Tennis, Tennis Tactics, and Coaching Tennis Successfully, all published by Human Kinetics. He lives in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Chris Jordan is the vice president of facilitator training at HPI, the manager of its Corporate Athlete Train-the-Trainer course, and the director of fitness. Jordan manages the development and execution of all corporate fitness programs. He is also a regular contributor to Men's Health, Best Life, Florida Tennis, and Outside magazines. He holds a master of science degree in exercise physiology from Leeds Metropolitan University and a bachelor of science in applied biological sciences from the University of West England in Bristol. Before joining HPI, Jordan was the fitness program consultant for the U.S. Air Force in Europe at the Royal Air Force base in Lakenheath. He was also an exercise physiologist at the British Army Personnel Research Establishment of the Ministry of Defence. He is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and a certified personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a health fitness specialist and advanced personal trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine. Jordan lives in Orlando, Florida.
Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, the Human Performance Institute is the world leader in energy management technology. The institute's corporate athlete training solutions include executive and on-site training courses, keynotes, and Train-the-Trainer courses. Corporate clients include Procter & Gamble, the Estï¿œe Lauder companies, Dell, the FBI, GlaxoSmithKline, PepsiCo, and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.
"From young to old, we all seek more energy to accomplish more and be
active. Energy Every Day illuminates this quest by showing how we
all can produce, store, and manage our personal energy for maximum
Jim Loehr
Best-Selling Author and Founder of Human Performance Institute
"Ron Woods and Chris Jordan have solved the personal energy crisis
that people face every day. Their approach via a compelling step-by-step
program not only works but is done in an inspiring way that allows you
to achieve your personal goals."
Calvin W. Schmidt
Wellness & Prevention, Inc.
Johnson & Johnson
"Lose weight without dieting, gain more energy without artificial
means, and just simply feel great, both physically and mentally. Read
it, follow it, and change your life!"
Dan Jansen
Olympic Gold Medalist, Speed Skating
Get the latest news, special offers, and updates on authors and products. SIGN UP NOW!
About Our Products
Book Excerpts
News and Articles
About Us
Career Opportunities
Business to Business
Author Center
HK Today Newsletter
Exam/Desk Copies
Language rights translation
Associate Program
Rights and Permissions
Certifying Organizations
Continuing Education Policies
Connect with Us
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
Safe Harbor


text:
Whew! I'm back from a busy weekend away at Quilt Camp! I actually got back Sunday evening, but I still feel like I'm recovering from all the late nights and fun. We had such a good time. Thursday afternoon, Jeni drove to my house from Wisconsin so we could car pool to Michigan together. It was really nice to have someone to chat with during the drive and it seemed to go by rather quickly, rather than the 3+ hours. We stayed at the Hankerd Inn in Pleasant Lake, Michigan. It was so cute! Lots of old barns and cottages set up specifically for quilting/sewing retreats. The owner was just the sweetest and took such good care of us while we were there.
There was lots of open sewing time and also four classes. I taught my Poinsettia Mini Quilt Pattern.
There were quite a few people paper piecing for the first time – and we had a lot of success! These are only a few of the finishes.
Since I've already made one mini quilt from the pattern layout, I'm thinking of an alternative design with my blocks.
Heather taught Improv and everyone made really great blocks.
Jeni taught her famous drawstring bags and Brenda taught English Paper Piecing. There were bags and hexies popping up all over the place!
So much holiday sewing was accomplished – this is only part of the projects everyone finished.
These were my table mates for the weekend – my great friend Kara (we met just after college in 2000), Cristin, Angela, and Amanda.
And my fellow "camp counselors" – Heather, Brenda and Jeni.
I'm so grateful for everyone that came to hang out and sew. This was the first time for Brenda's Quilt Camp and I know she plans many more! Hopefully many of you will get a chance to attend one of the future camp weekends.


text:
Volkswagen has just given the motoring world the low down on its up! The up! is VW's new compact city car and will become the brand's entry-level machine in many global markets.
As you'd expect the up! is a very small machine being just 3.54 metres long, 1.64 m wide and 1.48 m tall with a wheelbase of 2.42 m. There's 251 litres cargo capacity in the hatch expanding to an impressive 951 litres with the rear seats folded down.
Under the bonnet there will be two variants of VW's three-cylinder, 1.0 litre petrol engine with BlueMotion technology. Power output will be either 44kW or 55kW respectively. Economy is extremely frugal at just 4.2 litres/100km and 4.3 liters/100 km, depending on power grade.
A special feature of the up! will be optional City Emergency Braking – a safety system that works at speeds under 30 km/h, detects an imminent collision and apply the brakes automatically.


text:
Wonderful Mandalas Designs by EDDA Froehlich / EDDArt | This beautiful blue red colored FOLK ART MANDALA will makes you happy and brings joyful energy in your life. SPREAD YOUR GOOD MOOD! | You miss other products with this design? Feel free to contact me: firstname.lastname@example.com I will do it for you! HAVE FUN & BE HAPPYOur button magnets offers you much fun in the office and home. Suitable as fridge magnets or on writing boards, these lightweight mylar protected button magnets are a great little decorative accessory. Magnet measures 1.75" in diameter.
If you order more than 50 pcs items (can be combined), please click here to contact us for whole price quotation, please include the SKU# and the quantity you want for each of them. For order less than 50 pcs, please order directly from our website.


text:
Stay Up to Date
Receive Bicycle Friendly America news delivered straight to your inbox every other week.
May 28, 2012by Carolyn Szczepanski(Pilar Perez is a student at Brooklyn International High School in Brooklyn, NY, and a bike mechanic at Recycle-A-Bicycle)
May 27, 2012by Carolyn Szczepanski(Parry Burnap is the executive director of Denver Bike Sharing.)
May 26, 2012by Carolyn Szczepanski(Jenn Fox is an environmental engineer; and a Board member of the League and the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.)
May 25, 2012by Carolyn SzczepanskiWe're coming into the home stretch of May and the final innings of National Bike Month have been action-packed.
May 25, 2012by Carolyn SzczepanskiAs you might imagine, everyone here at the League of American Bicyclists is participating in the National Bike Challenge.
May 25, 2012by Carolyn Szczepanski(Omar Martinez is a bicycle commuter in Portland, Ore., and a participant in the Community Cycling Center's "I Ride" campaign.)
May 24, 2012by Carolyn SzczepanskiZac Totten wanted to go out with bang. Little did he know that his senior bike ride idea would make national news headlines.
May 24, 2012by supportWith the release of the 2012 Bicycle Friendly State rankings, it's great to see states and advocates continuing to improve conditions for bicyclists. With that in mind, here's this week's advocacy roundup:
May 24, 2012by Carolyn Szczepanski(Chene is a participant in the Gearing Up program, a student at Philadelphia Community College and works part-time for WashCycle Laundry, towing up to 200 lbs. of dirty laundry behind her bicycle!)
May 23, 2012by Darren FluscheWe have been gratified by the reception of our new website, Every Bicyclist Counts. The site is a memorial to cyclists who have been killed in the saddle. It is also a data-gathering tool that will help us learn more about the nature of fatal crashes — and hopefully prevent them.


text:
Brendan Rodgers hits back at Ferguson
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes Sir Alex Ferguson was wrong to question Steven Gerrard's reputation -- and should apologise for criticising Jordan Henderson.
• Gerrard: I can still score goals
• Usher: A Lawler unto himself
Former Manchester United boss Ferguson aimed a number of barbs at Liverpool in his new autobiography, published this week.
He argued that Gerrard was "not a top, top player", suggested that Rodgers' appointment at Anfield in June 2012 was a "mistake" and added that Henderson's running style could cause fitness problems for him later in his career.
Rodgers brushed aside the criticisms he received from Ferguson, saying: "It's all about opinion. And I'm not here to publicise his book, by the way. He's had enough coverage this week as it is."
But he did defend midfielders Gerrard and Henderson, and questioned Ferguson's decision to release a book that was so candid.
Ferguson admitted that he was interested in signing Gerrard in 2005, but claimed that whenever the Liverpool captain faced Manchester United's midfield pairing of Paul Scholes and Roy Keane, he "seldom had a kick".
However, Rodgers felt that Ferguson, who stepped down as manager at Old Trafford in May after 26-and-a-half years in the job, is in a minority when it comes to questioning the England captain's ability.
He said: "He is probably one of the very few -- if not the only one -- who doesn't believe he's a top, top player. I don't think it was credible really, in terms of what was said.
"Steven speaks for himself. He's a top, top player, for sure. He may not have won the title, but that's more because of the teams he's been in rather than him. He's a world-class player and still operates at a high level."
Rodgers was annoyed further by the comments on Henderson, which suggested the England international, 23, has a flawed gait and running style.
"The one thing that I will add that I was disappointed about -- bitterly disappointed about -- was what he said on Jordan Henderson," the Liverpool manager said. "Sir Alex is obviously someone who works with young players and nurtured them.
"The statement in terms of Jordan was inappropriate really. This is a young guy who I've worked with now for over a season, and you won't get a more honest player.
"When Kenny Dalglish signed him, I thought it was a great signing. I'd seen him at Sunderland and he was outstanding. Going to a big club, it was going to take him a wee bit of time. And there was reference towards his running style and gait. But listen, every player is different.
"Every player, when they come into a football club, will be medically assessed. They'll have strengths and weaknesses, and over the course of their career those elements of their physical, technical and tactical qualities will be improved.
"So I'm sure that, somewhere along the line, if Sir Alex bumps into Jordan Henderson, he'll apologise for that -- because it was something I didn't think was right, especially from someone who knows that every word to a young player is important."
Rodgers said that he was surprised Ferguson had decided to reveal so much in his autobiography.
The Liverpool manager revealed that he has been approached twice to write a book -- once when he was in charge at Swansea, and once since his move to Anfield -- but insisted that he had no interest in revealing dressing-room secrets.
He said: "I've been a manager for a short period of time. Even in that period, I've been offered the opportunity twice to write a book.
"There was an offer to write about Swansea's promotion, when they became the first Welsh club to reach the Premier League, and then coming here, and everything that surrounds that, there was a possibility there too.
"But at this stage of my life, I've absolutely no interest in it. My focus is purely on doing the best I can and giving my best for this club. I'd like to think that in the changing room I have, people can always speak openly and honestly. I always open up communication with the players.
"I'd be bitterly, bitterly disappointed if they felt they couldn't say something because they felt the manager would repeat it in times to come. It's something I've never thought of, really. When it has been put to me, it's something that, at this stage of my life, I've got no interest in."
Use a Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on ESPN's media platforms. Learn more.


text:
With the immediate crises raised by Hurricane Katrina now past, attention is focusing on rebuilding New Orleans and Biloxi and Gulfport, Miss., and surrounding areas. That will surely mean disputes between landlords, tenants, insurers and the government over who should bear the brunt of the reconstruction cost.
The lone blessing for the region was that when Hurricane Rita blasted through parts of Texas and Louisiana less than a month after Katrina, the damage ended up being much less severe than many feared. Still, the question remains: Who is responsible for the $200 billion in damage and rebuilding costs in New Orleans and the much smaller amount for Rita?
Retail Traffic conducted a survey in mid-September to find what our readers thought about insurers', developers' and tenants responsibility following Katrina. About 70 percent of the 142 respondents say the damage to real estate owners and retailers should be handled by flood insurance and general liability or business owner insurance. A huge 82.4 percent expect clashes between landlords and tenants over who is responsible for what damage.
Surprisingly, many readers are not re-thinking their own insurance strategies. Only 26.8 percent of respondents have flood insurance and 48.6 have business interruption coverage. Just 30.3 percent said that they will change their insurance strategy as a result of Katrina.
For retail developers, Katrina was punishing. Some 13 malls in Louisiana and one in Mississippi were closed indefinitely. General Growth Properties' Oakwood Center in Gretna, La., sustained "major fire, smoke and water damage." Riverwalk Marketplace suffered more damage from looting than flooding and was used as a staging center for emergency operations of the National Guard. Meanwhile, the largest mall in the Biloxi and Gulfport, Miss., area, the 900,000-square-foot Edgewater Mall, "took a severe beating from the storm surge and wind," according to a spokesperson for Jim Wilson & Associates, which manages the property and has pledged to rebuild.
Which way forward?
But what will the new New Orleans look like?
The battle lines are being drawn.
According to Newsweek magazine, heads of New Orleans law firms, tourist businesses and other groups have been meeting with real estate developers to outline a vision of New Orleans as "an Afro-Caribbean Paris" — one that is more upscale and less populous, creating a higher demographic profile but less housing for lower-income families.
"It's like a forest after a fire," says Doron Valero, president of North Miami Beach, Fla.-based Equity One Inc. "There will be devastation, but then the government is going to build it back and billions and billions of corporate dollars will flow into the city."
Just over half — 56.3 percent — of the respondents to Retail Traffic's poll think New Orleans should be redeveloped; 23.2 percent say it doesn't make sense to build a city that is below sea level and the remainder don't have an opinion or would like to see the city sink back into the marshland much of it was built on. Only 44.4 percent say that if they had properties in New Orleans they would rebuild them, while 54.2 percent would replace structures in Biloxi and Gulfport. About two-thirds say rebuilding should be managed by public/private partnerships.
The Bush administration appears poised to grease the wheels for developers to rebuild the region. Bush has proposed to designate the entire area an economic empowerment zone — creating tax breaks and other incentives for developers willing to move back in. But there are questions as to whether such zones lead to genuine economic development or if they simply provide corporations with tax advantages.
Economic zones set in Los Angeles after the 1992 riots, for example, "did not have a noticeable effect on total private sector investment when compared to the region as a whole," according to a research paper co-authored by James Spencer, a professor at the University of Hawaii-Manoa. Spencer is currently studying the specific impacts of the zones on retail.


text:
Gerrard: Best yet to come from Coutinho
Steven Gerrard insists January recruit Philippe Coutinho will show his full potential next season, despite the midfielder already proving successful in the Reds' attack.
• Allen named in Wales squad
• Rodgers outlines transfer strategy
Coutinho, 20, was a standout for Liverpool in the 3-2 defeat of Tottenham last weekend but was withdrawn by Brendan Rodgers just ten minutes into the second half.
Gerrard believes the Brazilian's impact in just over 200 minutes on the pitch is a sign that he will be a major influence for Liverpool next season as he developments match fitness.
"He's got moments of magical brilliance," Gerrard said. "I think you'll see the best of him next season when he gets a full pre-season under his belt and gets used to the speed of the game.
"What he has shown for 55 or 60 minutes is that he's a top player and he belongs in a Liverpool shirt. If we can get that for 90 minutes from him next season then he's going to be a great asset for us."
Defender Jose Enrique echoed Gerrard's sentiments, claiming Coutinho has filled the missing link in Liverpool's attack.
"The numbers speak for themselves: in four games he has two assists and one goal so I hope he will continue like this scoring goal and making assists," Enrique said. "He is the type of a player, as a big team, you have to have.
"He can create from nothing in a one versus one. He is playing really well right now and he is the type of player we need. Defenders are important but you need people who can score goals and we have now."
Information from the Press Association was used in this report.
Use a Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on ESPN's media platforms. Learn more.


text:
Photo By: Courtesy of Sophie Ho
Mountain View High graduate Sophie Ho, right, cheers for her college team at a football game.
In Haruki Murakami's short story, "On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning," the novelist recounts the tale of a fated couple – a man and woman who, on first sight, recognize that the other is their "100 percent perfect lover" – in other words, their soul mate. His story nurtures the idea that one can find something unrealistically ideal on first recognition.
When I read this short story in my second semester of senior year at Mountain View High School, I remember hoping that the same situation would occur to me come April, a month that would determine the next four years of my life. After receiving news (acceptance or rejection) from the multiple colleges I had applied to, I fantasized that I would somehow instinctively know which university would be 100 percent perfect for me.
But when April arrived and I began to hear back from colleges, I realized that finding the perfect match would inevitably go beyond that "good feeling" described in Murakami's short story. There was no click, no inner voice that quietly told me which college would be best for me – no 100 percent perfect match, at least at first glance.
Romantic belief in my own instincts was replaced with the familiar worry that I might make the wrong choice. But after days of deliberation, I finally chose a university to call home for the next four years of my life, a place that came as close to 100 percent perfect for me that I could find.
After finishing a semester of college, I have accepted that while Murakami's story was romantic, it doesn't come close to describing the real struggle when evaluating a potential match. While I now believe that my university is the perfect place for me, I found it more important to actively find my own space on campus – to carve a place where I could grow and take advantage of opportunities that weren't always presented on a silver platter. It wasn't a question of compatibility, but instead one of whether or not I was willing to grow up in my new home.
For seniors waiting and hoping for that perfect match with their ideal university or future plans, I would like to say that it's OK to relax. Take your time to compare your choices, whether that is a four-year state university, a small liberal-arts college in Ohio or a community college close to home. Understand that the perfect match likely will not appear at first glance, and it may not be your ideal until you go.
Students willing to be positive in a new world, however, will find that any future plan could potentially be 100 percent perfect for them.
The future is scary simply because it's unpredictable. The idea that unplanned time exists can be daunting and intimidating, but everyone has the power to determine what shape the days ahead will take.
So relax, take a deep breath and believe in your ability to choose, plan and grow.
Los Altos resident Sophie Ho is a graduate of Mountain View High School and recipient of the Los Altos Town Crier Journalism Scholarship.


text:
Ouch Outrageous Obnoxious and Odd: Funny Video: Flying Pig, No Wings Necessary: From Denny: This is one of those unexpected videos from real life that catches you off guard. The piglets and Momma pig were being filmed and discussed as to weaning time for the little guys.
Well, get a shocker as to how Big Pig quickly convinces her piglets to wean themselves. Now you know where the children's books got the idea for flying pigs. Watch closely as it happens so fast you might miss it.
Sort of reminds you of Wall Street Bankers where you sure would like to thump them all out, weaning them off corporate welfare and federal bailouts.
Related articles
- Dennys Funny Quotes: 34 Funny Friday Quotes, Friday Music Video (poemsfromaspiritualheart.blogspot.com)
- Ouch Outrageous Obnoxious and Odd: Funny Joke From New Digg Follower (dennysguestbloggers.blogspot.com)
- The Social Poets: Rush Limbaugh: 3 Funny Colbert, Stewart Videos, Late Nite Jokes (poemsfromaspiritualheart.blogspot.com)
- Dennys Funny Quotes: Funny Video: Little Girl Pranks Her Dad to Perfection (visualinsights.blogspot.com)
- Dennys Art Sanctuary: Coolest Guitar Duet: Four Hand Exchange (dennysfunnyquotes.blogspot.com)
- Happy Birthday Star Trek Spock, Leonard Nimoy: Funny Satire, The Lazy Song Video (dennysfunnyquotes.blogspot.com)


text:
Despite three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons, Cedric Benson remains a man without a team. We've heard for months that the Oakland Raiders are eyeing the former Cincinnati Bengals running back, but the Silver and Black, along with the rest of the NFL, hasn't pulled the trigger.
When Rich Gannon and Adam Schein of "SiriusXM Blitz" spoke with Benson on Tuesday, they encountered a man down on his luck.
Wow, emotional interview with Cedric Benson who wants in the worst way to be with new team in a training camp. This guy is hungry&motivated!- Rich Gannon (@RichGannon12) July 17, 2012
Benson just choked up, teared up, and got emotional on air. This is a spot. #SIZZLEâ Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) July 17, 2012
Benson said he has fielded "check-ins" from the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets, along with the Raiders. He turns 30 this season but said he has no interest in taking the veteran minimum.
Teams have stayed away from Benson and his flurry of previous off-the-field issues, but he delved into a Mike Gundy-like "I'm a man" rant, according to Schein, suggesting he won't become a headache.
It would be intriguing to see Benson added to New York's ground-and-pound attack. The Jets' backfield doesn't scare you behind Shonn Greene, and Benson would give them a veteran weapon still capable of cranking out yardage. The Oakland Raiders appear to be the front-runner, but injuries around the NFL could solve Benson's unemployment problem in a flash.


text:
Tehran, Iran, Oct 28, 2013 / 02:17 pm (CNA).- Four Iranian Christians were sentenced last week to 80 lashes each for drinking communion wine during a communion service at a house church.
The four men were charged in court with drinking alcohol and possessing a receiver and satellite antenna in Rasht, a city 200 miles northwest of Tehran, on Oct. 6. The verdict was delivered to the men Oct. 20, and they have been given ten days to appeal the sentence, the group Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports.
Iran is an Islamic Republic, and Islam forbids the consumption of alcohol. Non-Muslims account for less than one percent of Iran's population.
The charged men are members of the Church of Iran, a Protestant ecclesial community. Two of the men were arrested Dec. 31, 2012, during the government's crackdown on house churches.
Mervyn Thomas, head of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, criticized the sentence.
"The sentences handed down to these members of the Church of Iran effectively criminalize the Christian sacrament of sharing in the Lord's Supper and constitute an unacceptable infringement on the right to practice faith freely and peaceably," he said Oct. 23.
He urged the Iranian authorities to ensure Iran's laws do not violate the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory. He said the government should guarantee "the full enjoyment of freedom of religion or belief by all its religious communities."
The sentencing follows the Oct. 4 release of a report from Ahmed Shaheed, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Iran.
Shaheed said there are still allegations of rights violations, although the Iranian government has accepted recommendations to extend rights guaranteed under international law to members of all religious groups. These alleged violations include limitations on freedom of expression, assembly, and association.Members of minority religious communities, including Christians, are "increasingly subjected to
various forms of legal discrimination, including in employment and education, and
often face arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment," the report said.
More than 300 Christians have been arrested since 2010, with dozens of church leaders convicted of national security crimes for their church activities. At least 20 remain in custody. Evangelical Protestant groups, many of whose members are converts, are particularly affected, according to the report.
The Iranian government responded to a draft version of the report, contending that it was a "politicized report" based on "invalid" sources.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has been and continues to be transparent and responsive to human rights issues," the government said.
Saeed Abedini, a Protestant pastor, has been imprisoned by the Iranian authorities for over a year. He was charged with threatening national security for his work with non-religious orphanages in the country.
He had previously worked with house churches in Iran, and human rights groups contend that his Christian faith is the real reason for his eight-year sentence.


text:
Back in 1963, when I was just nine years old, one of the 50 or so Chrysler Ghia Turbine Cars built to test the practicality of gas turbine engines in passenger cars, passed through our neighborhood. Ever since then I have been fascinated by what many people call the "Bronze Blowtorch." Designed by Elwood P. Engel, who also designed the 1961 Ford Thunderbird and 1961 Lincoln Continental, he was responsible for the exterior and interior design of this landmark car. Forty-two years after my first encounter with the Chrysler Turbine car, I was able to drive one of the few remaining examples thanks to friends at Chrysler and the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, Michigan. A similar car, painted in white, starred in the 1964 James Darren movie "The Lively Set" and it's a trip seeing it race through Death Valley, where every summer I stalk pre-production prototypes for the Automotive Traveler image gallery. The best source on the web for information on the Chrysler Turbine Car program can be found at Mark Olsen's excellent website at www.turbinecar.com/introduction.htm All images copyright 2010 by Richard Truesdell and automotivetraveler.com, all rights reserved. If you have a request for commercial use of these images, contact the photographer through Fotki. For more photos from the Automotive Traveler image gallery visit http://automotivetraveler.fotki.com/ To view automotivetraveler.com, visit http://automotivetraveler.com/jump/2196 And to view Automotive Traveler magazine, visit http://automotivetraveler.com/jump/2197Photos copyright 2010 by Richard Truesdell, all rights reserved.
Roll View
Fullscreen View
1963 Chrysler Ghia Turbine Car rear interior bucket seat detail view
© 1998-2018 FOTKI INC or its affiliates.


text:
|2012-05-08, 22:38
|Link #2342
Megane girl fan
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Diagonally parked in a parallel universe.
Age: 50
Great discussion so far, I'm really enjoying the analyses you guys are posting.
I may be wrong, but I believe I read somewhere that the Japanese invented modern amphibious assaults. However, that innovation ended with landing barges. The U.S. took that idea and ran with it, perfecting the amphibious assault and using it against the Japanese with success time and time again.
Endless "Mechanized" Soul
|2012-05-08, 22:44
|Link #2343
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Dai Korai Teikoku
|2012-05-08, 23:21
|Link #2344
Megane girl fan
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Diagonally parked in a parallel universe.
Age: 50
Endless "some other time" Soul
|2012-05-09, 05:33
|Link #2345
Knight Errant
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Age: 30
The US were much more mechanized then any other army in the war, though I don't think it was cultural. It was much to do with their industrial capacity. IE if the other countries in the war could have put out as many motorized vehicles as the US, they would have, but what industrial capacity they had was going towards more objectively important weapons (planes, tanks, artillery).
For instance, almost all the cars used by the soviets were manufactured in the US. It helps that the US had the largest car industry going into the war. The only other country that could match them in this respect was Germany, and most of their car industry was diverted into tank production.
Motorized brigades would have made up a minority of every other army, the average soldier had to make do with marching, or if they were lucky, rail.
|2012-05-11, 01:04
|Link #2346
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 61
I recall reading in some European histories of the war that the most astonishing thing to the Europeans about the American forces was that *everyone* rode *everywhere* and that they'd leave perfectly functioning vehicles just scattered about if they became superfluous.
|2012-05-11, 01:36
|Link #2347
I don't give a damn, dude
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: In Despair
Age: 32
|2012-05-11, 03:48
|Link #2348
( ಠ_ಠ)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Somewhere, between the sacred silence and sleep
We don't wish to discuss tanks.
Unlike the American Sherman tanks, and the amazing German Tiger tanks, we had Chiha tanks seemingly made out of cardboard boxes, rusty fish buckets, and empty tuna cans.
I'm pretty sure my Toyota Corolla is more bulletproof.
|2012-05-11, 11:42
|Link #2349
The GAP Man
|2012-05-11, 11:51
|Link #2350
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 29
When are they developing Gundarium?
|2012-05-12, 08:35
|Link #2351
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Well, here is a question that has been bothering me for quite some time, in relation to japanese culture and how it expresses in anime - and yes, I know, animes are not real life
One of, if not THE most prevalent male protagonist archetype, is the "nice guy to the extreme", that is someone who is nice to a fault, and happily let himself be insulted, abused and exploited by some domineering/rude/selfish girl/friend/whatever, usually female. And this kind of guy is simply ubiquitous, even in male-oriented market.
On the other hand, I think I've heard that Japan is still very male-dominated, and that the role-model is more about being a "strong man".
I have a hard time understanding how social norms like the latter could create something like the former outside of shojo manga, especially considering the famous normative power of the society.
I suppose there is something I'm missing in japanese culture, and it's a point I'm rather curious about. So, could an insider explain it all ? ^^
|2012-05-12, 09:46
|Link #2352
Knight Errant
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Age: 30
Herbivorous males.
Also, consider the demographic most anime is aimed at: Teen-Young adult nerdy males. I don't know about you, but as a teen I was terrible with women(in fact I'm still terrible...), and so a lot of clichés in Anime had a certain amount of resonance. Also, seeing guys fail at romance like that has a certain element of Schadenfreude.
So the typical romantic/harem plot, whereby the loser male gets all these girls holds a lot of attraction to otaku, who may be losers themselves. It tells them "You can get a girlfriend too!".
It's as much a case of a demographic being catered to, that in the west does not get catered to. Closest thing might be Judd Apatow movies.
Also, in a society where males are dominant, there's a certain comedy in males being subservient. Consider American Family Sitcoms as well. Going back to the 30s the father is usually somewhat of a doofus, with the wife is smart. This is drawing comedy by basically flipping traditional gender norms.
For instance guy abuses a girl -> drama. Girl abuses a guy -> comedy.
|2012-05-12, 10:02
|Link #2353
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 29
Naturally though, it still proves one thing : human beings, male or female, are insecure creatures.
|2012-05-12, 10:16
|Link #2354
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
I don't really buy the target demographic : making so the audience relate to the protagonist is certainly a good thing for marketing, so making him a somehow shy guy bad with women is understandable, but making him a buttmonkey that gets abused and without a spine ? If it's about making people relate, it's rather insulting. You would think that you would like the hero you relate to, to be at least able to bite back and not just be a passive loser - showing you that you can get a girl AND you can be an actual person and not just a doormat for people to clean their feet on.
As well as the humorous inversion of gender role, I can get it (we do it rather commonly in the West too), but it's just so UBIQUITOUS that I think there is something else here. I mean, I have a hard time remembering even ONE protagonist that didn't let himself to be abused by some maniacal female friend, so it's not even a trend, it's downright systematic.
The link about herbivorous male is rather interesting, though, especially as it seems it started roughly at the same time as the victim-protagonist cliché. Maybe that is an actual deep shift in the whole japanese society.
One more reason to wait with interest for a Japanese member's point of view on the subject !
|2012-05-12, 12:12
|Link #2355
Knight Errant
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Age: 30
Natsume Yuujinchou
Hotarubi no Mori e
Usagi Drop
Sakamichi No Appolon
Tiger and Bunny
Danshi Koukosei no Nichijou
Ao no Exorcist
Gundam Unicorn
Gundam Age
Mawaru Penguindrum.
The "complete loser" is really only common in Harems. That said, there are plenty of "weak males" outside of the "complete loser". Generally I'd split it up as follows:
1. Complete losers: These are indeed the complete losers to whom you refer. No redeeming qualities. Might occasionally have a bout of courage. No particular reason for being losers either.
2. Legitimate losers: These are guys who are dysfunctional, but are legitimately so, often feature in more dramatic stuff, think Welcome to the NHK or The Tatami Galaxy. They may end out overcoming their problems.
3. Initially losers: A lot of Shonen, the guy starts off weak, but gains courage, guts and strength as the story continues. Think Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, or most any sports or Shonen show.
Only number 1 gets egregiously abused by the women around him. 1 is more of a comedy agent, it's not funny to see an amazing guy get with loads of women, but it is to see a loser. Again, this character is also super extreme version of many Otaku, he has the hangups many otaku have, but he gets into "hilarious" situations, allowing the viewer to laugh at himself. There's also Schadenfreude going on here. It's a bit like laughing at Mr. Magoo, or Mr. Bean etc. This character never changes as the story continues. He might grow enough of a pair to confess to the girl at the end. Might. They're endemic to Comedies and Harem shows.
Number 2 is intended to explore real life issues otaku viewers might have, this character type is rarely seen being outright abused by anyone, but is still a loser, and misanthropic. This is more about Drama, I rarely see anyone complain about these guys.
Number 3 has the benefit of being both empathetic to the viewer, presenting a good fantasy, and being generally superior to the alternative (utterly amazing hero). In contrast to an utterly amazing hero, it's impossible for the viewer to think "This guy is just like me" and shows that with effort and courage, he can be just like that character. It's also dramatically satisfying to see someone overcome their fears. This wouldn't be possible with a character that's all round amazing. It features a lot more possibilities for introspection and characterisation compared to a lead who kicks ass and chews bubblegum. While the ass-kicking badass is cool, he makes for a poor lead, because there's no real way for him to improve, he's already an ass-kicking badass. Seeing a guy start as an ass-kicking badass and end as an ass-kicking badass isn't satisfying. Seeing someone go from zero to hero is. That's why the protagonist of Star Wars is Luke Skywalker, even if we all prefer Han Solo. And that's why the star of every sports movie ever is some loser team at the bottom of the league, not the team at the top of their game that initially beats them at the start, but that loses against them again in the heroic finale.
In terms of male characterisation, I think Anime actually does a lot better then most other genres of young adult fiction (particularly their closest counterpart, american comics).
|2012-05-12, 13:51
|Link #2356
( ಠ_ಠ)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Somewhere, between the sacred silence and sleep
Nerds sympathises with nerds.
Quite simple.
American nerds fantasies they were buffed, badass, and macho. = superhero idolizing syndrome
Japanese nerds wish they were accepted the way they are = spineless buttmonkey protagonist syndrome
It wasn't always this way, back in the 80s the mindset of a Japanese nerd was a lot closer to that of the American ones.
(look at Space Cobra, Lupin IIIrd, Mazinger Z, Hokuto no Ken, Kinnikuman, City Hunter, to name a few)
|2012-05-12, 13:55
|Link #2357
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 29
|2012-05-12, 13:56
|Link #2358
( ಠ_ಠ)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Somewhere, between the sacred silence and sleep
Haha, your timing is impeccable, Saint, I was just editing that in.
Needless to say, I prefer the old days protags.
Same even goes for eroge. The early 90s eroge protagonists were badass, strong, manly, and openly playboy.
Now they're just as spineless and whiney as their anime counterparts.
|2012-05-12, 14:16
|Link #2359
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 29
My heroes are still the Expendables-types though. And people call me old-fashioned. And the fujoshis are going to have a field day with that picture about what he and his buddy will do while under camoflage in their spider-holes......
|2012-05-12, 14:20
|Link #2360
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Dai Korai Teikoku
Nah, I have too much respect for the military to think of such things. My fiancé is a former ROKMC, and he's a compact hunk, especially compared to the stupid machos of the past. Finely toned muscles everywhere.
Also, rare is the eroge protagonist who are worth anything.
|culture, discussion, japan, japanese culture
|Thread Tools


text:
The Berkeley Pit gets deeper
Skyrocketing electricity prices in Montana are indirectly raising the level of Butte's Berkeley Pit, a 900-foot-deep, 30 billion-gallon soup of acid-mine runoff that ranks as the nation's largest Superfund site.
In mid-July, copper-mining company Montana Resources suddenly halted its Butte operations, blaming high electrical rates for the shutdown. During normal operations, the mine is obligated to treat and recycle surface water from Butte's network of abandoned mines. The halt in operations allows untreated run-off from the highly acidic mine to flow directly into the pit at a rate of 4 to 5 million gallons per day - a 100 percent increase in overall daily flow.
Russ Forba, project director for the Environmental Protection Agency office in Helena, says this significantly changes the cleanup plan for the Berkeley Pit. If the acidic flow continues, he says, the existing 2021 cleanup deadline would be moved up to 2011.
Forba also says Montana Resources must resume mining or submit new plans for its wastewater to the EPA by Jan. 1. Because treating mine runoff costs more than mining, company spokesman Steve Walsh expects Montana Resources to restart its operations before the deadline. A treatment plant would cost an estimated $15 million to build, and $3 to $4 million to operate each year, he says.
No matter what happens this fall, says Jim Jensen, executive director of the Montana Environmental Information Center in Helena, the EPA and Montana Resources will eventually "have to face the reality of treating the water in the pit. The fact that less water flows when (Montana Resources) is mining only postpones the inevitable."
Copyright © 2000 HCN and Kate Spinner


text:
NEW YORK (AP) — New Yorkers might have felt they knew about the personal life of Christine Quinn, the veteran politician seeking to become the city's first gay and first female mayor.
But on Tuesday, Quinn disclosed a difficult piece of her past that she had kept private: She was bulimic for a decade in her teens and 20s, went to rehab for it at 26 and considers herself a recovering alcoholic to this day.
"I've always held the belief that the more honest we are, and the more we kind of take things that are our own personal secrets and make them public, it's really transformative for us but also for society," the Democratic City Council speaker told an audience of students at Barnard College, where she described an eating disorder that began as a quest for self-perfection and a sense of power as she cared for her dying mother. A drinking problem developed in tandem as she struggled to contend with the pain and upheaval of her family's loss, Quinn said.
The revelation came in the thick of the heated mayoral race, in which Quinn is the Democratic front-runner but has seen her lead ebb somewhat recently, and ahead of a Quinn memoir that's due out next month.
Her discussion of her past, previewed in a New York Times story before her talk Tuesday, adds an element of personal struggle to a public figure who has a brassy image and embraces it. Her famously loud voice sometimes went quiet and paused as she spoke about topics she said she found difficult to discuss.
While Quinn faced questions about whether the disclosure was an attempt to temper her public persona, she said it was anything but: "I don't know that being a bulimic or an alcoholic makes that image that much softer, anyway," she said, to laughs from the audience.
She said she decided to make her past problems public now because she was emotionally ready to do so, had been touched by strangers' responses to her wedding to her longtime partner last year, and wanted to use the spotlight of the mayor's race — and the book offer — to share her experiences in hopes of easing others'.
"That's really what this is about: An opportunity for me to ... come out in another way that I needed to, and to help other people, hopefully," she told students at the all-women's college.
"One of the things about challenges like bulimia or eating disorders or alcoholism is: You think you're the only person. You know what I mean? I thought I was the only 16-year-old girl in the world who had no ability to deal with her mother dying," she said
Still, perhaps with voters' questions in mind, Quinn, 46, emphasized that she had gotten help for her problems and feels "really great and really healthy" now. After leaving rehab, she drank rarely — perhaps a glass of wine a month — for years and then stopped altogether about three years ago, as part of improving her diet and exercise habits, she said.
By disclosing her struggle with bulimia, a disorder that's considerably more common in women than in men, Quinn could foster empathy among women voters, while at the same time reshaping a political narrative that has sometimes portrayed her as aggressive, said Barbara Koziak, a political science professor who also teaches in the women's studies program at St. John's University in New York. The portrayals of Quinn have also stirred questions about whether that narrative would be a non-story if she were a man in a city not exactly known for reserve.
"I think she's really trying to manage some of this treacherous terrain now by presenting more of her personal life," Koziak said.
Quinn's approach impressed Tabia Santos, a Barnard senior who heard Quinn's talk.
"I think that we, as a society, are moving toward being open ... so it's better for people to be open and upfront about things," said Santos, a 21-year-old neurology major who hasn't yet settled on a candidate in the mayor's race.
An estimated 1.5 percent of U.S. women and 0.5 percent of men suffer at some point in their lives from bulimia, or a compulsive cycle of binge eating and then inducing vomiting, studies have found. The syndrome can be associated with gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and other problems.
Quinn was a teenager on Long Island, fretting about her weight, when she overheard other girls talking about it in her high school locker room, she recalled.
Then came a wrenching summer: Her mother was deaf and dying of cancer. Quinn was the family member whose lips she could best read, the one who delivered all the bad medical news.
She began sneaking to her room to devour hordes of sweets, and then throw up. Around the same time, she started going out with friends and drinking.
Bulimia "gave me a sense of control over my eating, over a small part of my world. And the alcohol gave me a little bit of an escape," she said. "And that's what started it, and it continued until, you know, I asked for help."
Associated Press researcher Rhonda Shafner contributed to this report.
Follow Jennifer Peltz at http://twitter.com/jennpeltz


text:
Procter & Gamble's
At issue for P&G is whether CEO McDonald can lead a right-sizing of the consumer products giants' costs, as investors like Ackman of Pershing Square clamor for C-Suite change and a refocus on new product research and development.
Following Ackman's $1.8 billion stake taken in P&G in July, the sometimes activist investor is reported to have called for McDonald's head after two years of flat share performance, earnings misses and spiraling costs that cut into new product development, according to September reports from the Wall Street Journal.
When Ackman unveiled his P&G stake some speculated the hedge funder would push a split-up of the maker of Gillette, Duracell and Tide products, following previous breakups at consumer products companies like Fortune Brands (NYSE:FBHS)
While McDonald remains at the helm of P&G and the company's conglomerate structure is intact, the CEO has outlined a multi-year, $10 billion cost saving plan that falls in-line with some complaints expressed by Ackman, according to Wall Street Journal reports.
Thursday's earnings, which beat a low bar of expectations, signaled that McDonald is making progress in his plan to cut $10 billion in costs by 2016 and layoff 4,100 workers by 2013. Continued signs of rebounding earnings after a string of cuts to P&G's forecasts may be prodded on by Ackman.
For Buffett, who pared his P&G holding by 19% in the second quarter, according to Bloomberg data, a turn in the company's performance may help the 'Oracle of Omaha' profitably exit a position that still stands in excess of $4 billion and is one of Berkshire Hathaway's
That would come as the value investing legend says he's out of ideas on how to turnaround P&G after shares had stalled in the $60-level since late 2009, significantly underperforming the S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX).
"What goes on inside the place, what mistakes have been made, what the plans are, I don't know the answers on that," Buffett said to CNBC on Wednesday. "The jury's out on that now, because they have disappointed in terms of earnings and we'll see what happens. I know the board is actively engaged and trying to come up with a strategy they think makes sense to take the earnings forward," he added in the TV interview.
At this point, it is Ackman who may be more engaged with P&G and who might have the biggest impact on whether large shareholders like Buffett see stock gains headed into 2013.
On Thursday, P&G reported net income off $2.81 billion, or $1.06 a share excluding one-time items, beating analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg of $0.96 a share. The Cincinnati-based company also forecast that 2012 EPS of between $3.80-to-$4, meeting previous guidance.
While the quarterly earning beat is helping to drive P&G stock to five-year highs above $70 a share, the report doesn't mark the end of the company's turnaround campaign.
"We think the company has set fairly low expectations for the quarter," said JPMorgan analyst John Faucher of an expected beat, in a research note published ahead of earnings.
While P&G did beat Faucher of JPMorgan's estimates, the company fell short on the analysts optimism that it would boost EPS guidance past $4 a share or grow top line sales.
Still, as Ackman wields his activist techniques to prod change at P&G, Faucher's optimistic the company can pull out of an earnings rut in coming years.
"Although the valuation of the stock has moved up, we think the company's execution and potential acceleration of its cost-savings program, together with improvement in share trends, may lead to further upside," wrote the analyst on Wednesday.
Daily Recap Newsletter
entertainment, education and
smart market commentary.