text:
|View Poll Results: Hanasaku Iroha - Episode 6 Rating
|Perfect 10
|9 out of 10 : Excellent
|8 out of 10 : Very Good
|7 out of 10 : Good
|6 out of 10 : Average
|5 out of 10 : Below Average
|4 out of 10 : Poor
|3 out of 10 : Bad
|2 out of 10 : Very Bad
|1 out of 10 : Painful
|Voters: 70. You may not vote on this poll
|Thread Tools
|2011-05-08, 21:48
|Link #63
Sensei, aishite imasu
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Hong Kong Shatterdome
You know, I really like how all the older womens faces are drawn. So devious and sexy like.
Though crack thought. You think Tohru would feel compelled to ask Grandma for permission for trying to go out with Ohana? It certainly would escalate the feeling of shock beyond what she got when Ko confessed to her, considering that the Grandma would probably
A:Endorse Ohana matching up with Tohru
B: Tell her to not mess around wit him
|2011-05-08, 22:00
|Link #64
To the beat//
Join Date: Feb 2011
Age: 26
^ I think Grandma would probably support them but only after saying something along the lines of:
"Don´t enter such a relationship half-heartedly. Be completely serious because if you mess this up, there's going to be lots of shit and whatnot. Think about the fact that he is aspiring to become a succesful cook and that you are a high school student."
but yeah, I think she'd support them. xD;;
|2011-05-08, 22:16
|Link #65
Please tell me that Tooru is not a total lolicon and was blushing at Nako being smoking hot in that china dress being embarrassed and all
Anyway, I had the exact same reaction with Ohana when I got my first payment, and it really sucks now that I think about it
|2011-05-08, 22:23
|Link #66
Seishu's Ace
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kagurazaka, Tokyo
It's interesting how I tend to have a totally contrarian view of this show - aside from #3, I've pretty much loved the eps most posters don't care for and been indifferent towards the well-received ones. So many glowing reviews for #6 here, but it was pretty much a yawner for me. It had a few nice moments, but lacked any snap or charm for the most part. The whole bit with the consultant felt forced and artificial and really, is it such a big deal for the staff at a traditional ryokan to wear kimono? Is that worth building an episode around?
It definitely looks like the foreshadowing of a Tohru crush on Ohana was legit - I don't see how it can be doubted after seeing him today. Once a man drops his pickle, love can't be far behind...
|2011-05-08, 22:31
|Link #67
Criminal Unrequitor
Graphic Designer
Join Date: Jul 2010
My take on the episode
I like Okami-san this episode.
Please do not have a love triangle with Ohana, Tohru and Minko. That's just disgusting.
|2011-05-08, 22:54
|Link #68
Dame Cheesie
Graphic Designer
Join Date: May 2004
Curses, this is turning out exactly how I envisioned it to be.
I haven't watched any episodes yet, but much like any shipping activities that almost always are devoid of reason, I liked what I saw in Tohru and Ohana's character design at first glance and... paired them up. That's right, even before the show started, all the pretty colours and design shamelessly hit all my weak spots. Damn you, shipping radar.
Damn you too, love triangle, for I am weak to this specific set-up.
I put this show on the back burner because I really don't have time, but if turns out to be Tohru x Ohana endgame, I'll be on it faster than a fat kid on cake, despite not having touched any of the episodes. How the shipper side could've conceived such a miserable revelation is a bit jarring to the heart, but nevertheless, I'll be keeping an eye out on the developments, and hopefully, it end with the desired pairing in mind.
|2011-05-08, 23:05
|Link #69
"As long as we are doing something, it's all good"
--Ah, well Ohana might be wise beyond her years if she knows that. She may not be good at understanding others yet, as proven that she thought the dresses weren't as hot enough but she definitely understands herself. This episode got that point across really well, and the fact that Nako has huge boobs.
It was also funny to see Ohana get excited over the money. It's money she earned, and well her mom sucks.
Oh, Takako, you look like a stock villain from a Miyazaki movie. You and your silly gimmicks. Hmm...
Mr. Old guy is awesome as her manages to show another side of grandma that most people might not have remembered about. Back then she had tried something new, but it wasn't come across that well. But no Ohana is here making stuff work, so even if her work is somewhat sloppy, results do speak for themselves. Perhaps they can reach an understnding.
Stupid Jinomaru moment: When he shows that he really needs a restraining order.
Service! Service! Moment: Nako has huge boobs.
Minko's presence in this episode was minimal, thus the show is better. Also, the BGM this episode was well used in a way I haven't felt in quite a while.
Rating: 8/10
|2011-05-08, 23:36
|Link #71
well, okay
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: CA
Age: 23
It was an alright episode, I wasn't too interested with Ohana's uncle or the outfits. The final outfit they dug up looked weird with the white apron thing. I'm glad they went back to the original uniform.
Ohana was pretty cute with the paycheck, but one has to wonder how she thinks, what with the whole cosplay and making-the-slits-higher deal.
It was nice to see that Ohana can now hold nightly conversations with Minko, that was a highlight for me. xD
But now my worst fear has come true: Tohru and Ohana just doesn't appeal to me. I mean, I wouldn't mind if Minko didn't end up with Tohru, or if Minko ended up with Ko (although I would still prefer OhanaxKo), but the idea of Ohana and Tohru, of all people, grosses me out. Of course, there's still the possibility that either
A) Tohru was imagining Minko in the dress
B) Tohru was looking at Nako or
C) Tohru was looking at Tomoe,
but I guess that's highly unlikely..
But I'm glad that Minko picked up on it as soon as it started. I was scared her relationship with Ohana would go back to square one, but I think she knows it's not Ohana's fault (even though she was more irritable towards Ohana, she still waited for her before school near the end). I like to think that she's still sharp, even when it comes to love and such. I still don't want this love triangle though. I'd sooner have some kind of yuri triangle between the three main girls (not that I think the idea is bad. LOL).
|2011-05-09, 00:36
|Link #72
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: East Cupcake
At least that is why the episode is important to me (besides the potential love quadrangle).
(As for the consultant, I imagine she was added more to give Enishi someone to be matched with before the fans start trying to pair up Enishi and Tomoe (we all know Tomoe will end up with Renji).)
Last edited by james0246; 2011-05-09 at 02:02.
|2011-05-09, 01:14
|Link #73
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
And here I was expecting some teasing from Tooru when Ohana wore the chinese dress. Damn, please don't make him go gaga every time he sees Ohana. I missed the constant trolling and bickering already.
I believe the dress was only a short term solution on the Inn's decline, nostalgia and pretty girls can only take you so far. I could even see them resort to drastic measures like firing some of the staff in the future. Yeah, that'd be good drama material.
|2011-05-09, 01:58
|Link #75
Seishu's Ace
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kagurazaka, Tokyo
|2011-05-09, 02:02
|Link #76
Bittersweet Distractor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 26
|2011-05-09, 02:14
|Link #77
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: East Cupcake
And, of course, this is just my two cents . Ive never really minded ponderous, so a slow pace doesnt bother as so long as something significant (even if just significant-lite) occurs. To put it another way, if the final dresses werent made by the grandmother for a similar purpose as Ohana and Enshi's desires, then the entire episode loses its emotional center, and consequently loses its weight.
Honestly, my main complaint was the lack of Grey Heron...though Yuina and weird old dude did make up for the missing mascot...
|2011-05-09, 02:45
|Link #78
Dansa med oss
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Near Cincinnati, OH, but actually in Kentucky
Age: 29
Frankly, the biggest thing dragging the show down at this point is the pacing. There are a lot of unnecessary scenes in the first half of the sixth episode. It tends to stretch things out far too long and spends time on things which don't further the story or characters in any meaningful way. The characters are entertaining and I like the story so far, and I generally like this sort of show. With tighter pacing like the first two episodes had, this show could be great.
|2011-05-09, 03:13
|Link #79
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
I agree that the pacing is somewhat slow, but I'll say this again too: The first few episodes are always more exciting because of the freshness of the show, that coupled with the great execution of the first half of episode 1 make the rest feel a bit disappointing.
The reason HanaIro feels slow is that it doesn't have a noticeable plot that spans over all the episodes. Meaning that you can only address one problem in a single episode, which is exactly what's happening since the beginning of episode 2.
But then again, if you sum up what has been revealed in this episode, it sums up to a decent amount. Also don't expect writers to 'cut to the chase' that fast, because they need to hold the suspense of the public. Remember, this episode was partially a fanservice episode like episode 3. That indeed drags on for too long.
|2011-05-09, 03:44
|Link #80
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: U.S.
Just because she has to work of it, it's still allowance though. There are plenty of families, where you need to do house chores to get your allowance. (granted, Ohana did more than just a "few" house chores)
In her mind the 8,000 yen was still allowance, since she noted immediately that it was calculate from her age x 500 yen and that work is great because that's the reason she got 20,000 yen and she didn't get shafted by her grandma because she's family. (assuming Ohana got the similar amount as Minko, Nako doesn't count since she as she doesn't work there as a live-in)
I don't agree that pacing is the problem, shows like these has alway been in similar pacing. These shows are slice of life and in East Asia (China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea) they are referred as healing-genre anime. The whole point of these shows are simply be pleasant, relaxing, and uplifting similar to K-On except K-on is also more of a comedy and moe genre. Too much up and down will just ruin the genre, it's like asking harem anime to have zero fan-service or shonen action to have no fight scenes. But of course, there's always chance they can pull a Madoka here and turn it into a dark series which could be interesting but I hope not since pure healing-genre is hard to come by these days as is and a good one was even less.....
Either way, all the news I got from East Asia is that the series is widely considered as one of the top and most well-made series this spring along with Kaminomi and Ao no Exorcist. The city of Kanazawa has began promote their city tourism alongside as the anime air, and the Chinese subbing group for Hanairo has ballooned to 15 by my last count.
Last edited by Undertaker; 2011-05-09 at 04:41.
|Thread Tools


text:
Last day at NARH filled with emotions, high drama
NORTH ADAMS -- The cold rain just wouldn't let up, exacerbating the frustration felt by more than 200 North Adams Regional Hospital workers struggling with the plight of losing their jobs, friends, and patients -- many of them after decades of loyal service.
They gathered in the cafeteria on the bottom floor where they made signs, chatted with friends and strategized with their union representatives.
About 10 a.m., the time of the scheduled closing of the hospital, they took the stairs to the second floor and proceeded to the lobby, where they gathered and began chanting. It wasn't but a few minutes before North Adams Police Lt. David Sacco shouted over the din, telling the crowd they can't block the lobby and impede patients and staff due to safety reasons.
He asked them to leave.
So the crowd proceeded out the front door and gathered under the awning, trying stay dry and unable to keep warm.
There they stood, chanting slogans and waving signs.
The police asked them to keep the driveway clear. So they cleared the driveway, standing under the awning on the island and outside the front entryway.
The chanting continued.
Then a car pulled up to the sidewalk as a small miracle was carried out of the hospital. It was Shanika Sims, a new mother carrying her newborn son, Jayceon Bullet. Walking with her was her mother, Tonya Sims.
The crowd grew silent and a path opened through the crowd from the hospital door to the car, allowing the two women and the infant to pass.
When people recognized that the woman was carrying her new baby, they broke into spontaneous applause, prompting smiles all through the crowd and on the faces of the family climbing into the car. The new father, Jeremy Bullet, helped situate his new son in the car seat, and smiled and waved to the crowd as he got back in the car and rolled slowly through.
It was a rare moment of hope and joy in the midst of a desperate struggle to protect a community about to lose its primary source of health care.
Then the protest and chanting rang out anew.
Closing time came soon after.
That's when the last nurses in the building started filing out. There were about a dozen of them, half of them were weeping.
One by one, they stepped up to door and hugged their supervisor and long time friend, Katie Henault, the director of acute care, then stepped into the cold one by one, each receiving applause as they walked through the crowd.
After everyone had left the building, the protesters returned to the cafeteria, where the struggle and planning for a possible overnight occupation continued. They spoke about taking shifts staying in the cafeteria through the night to be sure they didn't get locked out of the building.
At noon, they ventured back out in to the rain. The chanting rang out anew.
Then word spread that the hospital executives were arguing against keeping the emergency department open because it was not properly staffed and could be harmful to patients.
Union organizers started wondering aloud if they should head to the third floor executive offices to seek answers from Tim Jones, president and CEO of Northern Berkshire Healthcare.
Shortly thereafter, about 15 police cars arrived and police quickly blocked the entrance, even surrounding the 60 or so protesters that remained.
Sacco blocked the front door with the help of other officers, including Adams Police Chief Richard Tarsa. But during the exchange, a phalanx of about two dozen employees and union officials slipped through and headed for the third floor executive offices. There they were met by a line of police that included officers from Lee, Adams, North Adams and the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office.
They were told to leave, eventually allowing a few to stay, who eventually had a brief meeting with CEO Jones, which did little to alleviate the frustration.
Shortly before 3 p.m., the union delegates returned to the cafeteria while NBH executives huddled on the third floor, both sides awaiting a ruling from Berkshire Superior Court regarding the fate of the emergency room.
When the news came that the ER would close at 4 p.m., they were ejected from the building and escorted by at least a dozen police officers off NARH grounds.
Within minute, multiple police cruisers blocked off the entrance to the campus and narrowed the exit.
Union leaders and hospital staff were brought to tears as they gathered their belongings and left the building.
No arrests were made, and North Adams Police Director Michael Cozzaglio thanked the protesters -- which only numbered about 20 at the time -- for leaving peacefully.
"The building is in the control of the hospital," Sacco said. "[The administration] made a decision that everyone should leave."
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us. We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Green Beans with Savory for Two Recipe
Featuring almonds, a splash of lemon juice and a hint of cayenne pepper, this green bean side would be delicious with just about any main dish. Enjoy! Taste of Home Test Kitchen
- 2-1/2 cups frozen French-style green beans
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh or 1/8 teaspoon dried savory
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1. Cook green beans according to package directions.
- 2. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, saute almonds in butter until toasted. Remove from the heat; stir in the remaining ingredients. Drain beans; add almond mixture and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately. Yield: 2 servings.
Nutritional Facts
3/4 cup: 148 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 196mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 6g fiber), 5g protein.
Reviews for Green Beans with Savory for Two
Average Rating
© 2018 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC


text:
The son of William Thomas Prince and Dellar George, he was born August 11, 1946, in Ben Hur. He married Juanita A. Cooper-Prince, on July 12, 2001 at the Conway County Courthouse. He was a United States Navy veteran of Vietnam. He was a Licensed Journeyman Electrician with National Park Service of Yosemite and Buffalo River here in Arkansas. He was a Former Millwright of the Local 216 Arkansas. He was a member of the Falling Water Church. He was an avid hunter, enjoyed working with his hands, was a gifted mechanic, always enjoyed being outdoors, and loved helping his neighbors and community.
He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Elmer Gregory; brother, Duke Prince; sister, Becky Amato; and cousin, Hartzel Prince.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Juanita A. Cooper-Prince of Jerusalem; one daughter, Kimberly Lynn Prince of Victoria, Texas; one brother, Carl Prince of Little Rock; two sisters, Willa Jean Patderson of Little Rock and Donna Ann Taylor of Springdale; and many nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws, friends and two ex-wives.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at Moore Cemetery in Ben Hur. Pastors Don Turnipseed and Glendon Garrison will officiate. Burial will follow by Humphrey Funeral Service.
Full military honors will be provided by VFW Post 223. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m., on Saturday, at the cemetery. Internet obituary and on-line guest book are available at www.humphreyfuneral.com.


text:
Ten years later, we will watch, listen and participate today in the Arkansas River Valley, across Arkansas and at the memorial ceremonies where the World Trade Center (WTC) towers stood, where the Pentagon still stands and where one failed attack ended in a field in western Pennsylvania.
When former President George W. Bush stood at the foot of the rubble that was once the WTC towers a few days later, he told workers who cleared the debris with their bare hands, "I can hear you, and soon the people who did this will hear us."
Indeed, America has changed since that terrible day. But what has not changed is the American resolve, the American spirit — one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Although the terrorists thought thousands more would die, as well as our spirit, they were wrong. Although potent threats still persist — including in Arab nations swept by revolutions — they were wrong.
The United States of America is still the greatest nation in the world. The Pentagon still stands. Memorials stand and will be finished in Pennsylvania and where the World Trade Center towers once stood.
It took nearly 10 years, but one of the masterminds of the 9/11 attacks, al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden, was brought to justice. Our men and women of the Armed Forces continue to search and find al-Qaida's core leadership in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
We agree the world is a different place, but the terrorists failed. They caused the sudden death of nearly 3,000 men and women, mothers and fathers, law enforcement and emergency personnel.
They forever changed the lives of millions more. They made the next 10 years a decade in which Americans would bend, but never break.
Potent threats still exist even today, as the nation remembers those cowardly acts a decade ago. We are a changed America, and we will never forget Sept. 11, 2001. But the terrorists were wrong.
As we have many times during the last 10 years, we will come together and meet any challenge that comes before us. The terrorists may have thought they won, but they were wrong. They will always be wrong.


text:
Mattingly tweaks lineup vs. Padres prospect
By Quinn Roberts / MLB.com
Jerry Hairston got the nod at second base, while Adam Kennedy was penciled in at third and Matt Treanor started behind the plate.
Tony Gwynn also got his second straight start in left field, giving Juan Rivera the night off.
"With a guy that we don't really know, I feel like we are better off with a left-handed lineup," Mattingly said. "Instead of doing everyone tomorrow, I figured I would break it up and give some today off and others tomorrow off.
"Jerry is most comfortable at second and Adam can play second and third."
Mattingly also fully recognizes which players need more rest than others during the grind of a long season.
"It was either going to be today or tomorrow," Mattingly said. "The guys I try to take care of, like Juan Uribe, Juan Rivera and Mark Ellis, I just can't throw out there every day."
LA places Coffey on DL to make room for Lilly
LOS ANGELES -- To make room for Ted Lilly, who will start Saturday's game against the Padres, the Dodgers placed reliever Todd Coffey on the 15-day disabled list with an inflamed right knee.
Lilly, set to make his first start of the season, began the year on the DL with a strained neck.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Coffey hasn't been 100 percent the last few games, and has been receiving treatment on the knee.
"He is OK. It is something that has been creeping up on him a little," Mattingly said. "Honestly though, if we were later in the year, I don't know if we would be DLing him."
More than anything, Mattingly said the team wanted to make sure the injury didn't linger or get any worse.
In three appearances this season, all against the Padres, Coffey has tossed one inning, surrendering four runs on four hits. In Friday's game, the right-hander couldn't record an out, giving up two runs on two hits in the seventh inning.
"We felt like now it was best to get him healthy and get it behind us," Mattingly said. "It is a long season and he hasn't thrown the ball the way he is capable of."
The move does allow the team to keep right-handed reliever Josh Lindblom a little longer. A valuable extra piece in the Dodgers bullpen with Lilly on the DL, Lindblom has excelled in four games this season, giving up only one hit in six innings of work with two holds.
"Josh is throwing the ball well, but still has options and if Ted hadn't got hurt, Josh wouldn't have been here at all," Mattingly said. "He has been a welcome addition for us, though."
Scully set for return to Dodgers booth Sunday
LOS ANGELES -- Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully will return to the booth Sunday for his first 2012 regular-season game at Dodger Stadium, the team announced on Saturday.
Scully, 84, has missed the past five contests while recovering from a bad cold.
Charley Steiner and Steve Lyons called Saturday's game against the Padres on PRIME TICKET, while Rick Monday and Kevin Kennedy were behind the microphone on AM 570 Fox Sports Los Angeles.
Worth noting
Nancy Bea Hefley, who is celebrating her 25th year as Dodger Stadium's organist, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Saturday's game against the Padres.
The Dodgers have taken four of five games from the Padres to start the 2012 season and have beaten San Diego in 14 of their past 17 games dating back to July 8, 2011.
Quinn Roberts is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text: When I inserted a dvd/cd into my disc drive ZA warned of a virus called Trojan-Dropper.Win32.Agent.dbfr . However when checking with ZA as to its structure etc ZA says it has no record of that type of virus. So how could it identify it as such when it has no knowledge of it?


text:
Money Flows Toward the Student
Via Invisible Adjunct, your one-stop-shopping source for depressing information about academia, a "Thomas H. Benton" essay about graduate school. This is a follow-up to the previous piece which kicked off a series of posts about graduate school (scroll up for more) here.
The previous article argued that students shouldn't even think about going to graduate school. This one provides advice for those who will not be deterred. Some of the more pessimistic stuff is fairly specific to the humanities, but it's solid advice for those considering science grad school, too. In particular:
Do Not Pay for Graduate School.
Not even if it is the best program in your field. Do not accept future promises (e.g., a job) instead of fair payment in the present.
If anything, this is probably more generally true in the sciences than the humanities. We flat-out tell our students that if they're accepted to a program that doesn't automatically provide tuition waivers and, at a minimum, teaching assistantships, they should turn it down.
It's a variant of Yog's Law in publishing: Money should always and only flow toward the student. If you're in grad school in the sciences, you will eventually be doing your advisor's research for them-- you should expect to be compensated for this labor. If the department or school is insisting that you pay tuition, you're getting screwed. (And don't get me started on the frequent attempts to amend the tax code to treat tuition waivers as taxable income...)
Another critically important bit of advice from Benton is:
Advising: Your adviser will be the most important person in your academic career, and your final choice of a graduate school should also take potential relationships with a few, specific advisers into account.
It's hard to overstate the importance of this choice. Grad school with an incompatible advisor can be hell on earth. You will be directly accountable to this person for the next several years, and your future will be entirely in their hands. If you can't get along with your advisor, your life will be utterly miserable. On the other hand, if your advisor has a bad reputation in the field, or a history of graduating students who have trouble getting jobs, it doesn't matter how wonderfully nice they may be, you don't want to work for them.
I tend to disagree with a lot of the commenters over at the Invisible Adjunct about the degree to which grad school is a trap, and strands people in career limbo-- it's a big decision, yes, but it's not the end of the world. But while it won't necessarily irretrievably wreck your life if you slip up, deciding whether and where to go to graduate school is a major decision, and it's important to do it right. Benton's advice on these points is well worth reading.
Posted at 11:55 AM | link | follow-ups | 11 comments
Operation: Beyond Parody
Pat Robertson is praying for God to lay some divine smack down on the Supreme Court. Why does anyone listen to this jackass any more? Why does he hate America?
And, more importantly, if enough people refuse to join his campaign, is it possible that God might "call him home" instead?
Posted at 10:36 AM | link | follow-ups | no comments
Cue the Black Helicopters
Kevin Drum and Mark Kleiman are all over the latest outrage from the White House. It seems that the Bush administration as part of a smear campaign against former Ambassador James Wilson in retaliation for kicking up the current furor over specious uranium claims, has decided to out his wife as a CIA agent. From Time, we have:
Some government officials, noting that Wilson's wife, Valerie Plame, is a CIA official who monitors the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, intimate that she was involved in his being dispatched Niger to investigate reports that Saddam Hussein's government had sought to purchase large quantities of uranium ore, sometimes referred to as yellow cake, for the purposes of building nuclear devices.
The same basic statement appeared in a Robert Novak column, attributed to "senior administration officials."
As Kevin and Mark point out, Plame is not openly a CIA agent, and if she is working for them, these statements have effectively ruined her career, and potentially put her in personal danger. As her husband, the former Ambassador, put it, "This is the stuff of Kim Philby and Aldrich Ames" (quoted in The Nation).
So, we're in a War On Terror in which intelligence sources, agents, and methods are so sacrosanct that accused terrorists can be denied the ability to mount an effective defense, or even whisked out of the normal justice system entirely to face a military tribunal, for fear of the "national security" implications of having to actually present evidence in a court of law. Not to mention the fact that our intelligence is so incredibly secret that it can't be revealed to the public when attempting to build a case for an unprovoked attack on another country.
But one former diplomat gets a little mouthy, and it's OK to spill the beans in an attempt to discredit him. A really pathetic attempt, I might add-- even if true, I don't see how this accusation reflects on Wilson's credibility at all. Or has it really come to open warfare between the White House and the CIA, to such a degree that any candidate proposed by the CIA is automatically assumed to be "objectively pro-Saddam?"
This is disgusting. I know Bush promised to "change the tone" in Washington, but I didn't realize that post-Clinton politics would actually be more petty and childish than what came before. I didn't think it was possible...
This is why I've been trying to avoid writing about politics-- every new story just makes me more disgusted.
Posted at 8:40 AM | link | follow-ups | no comments
Obligatory Cheap College Joke
Via Electrolite, we have the worst break-up letter ever. I especially like the part where he writes: "Well I am just going to stop writing because you are just absolutely beneath me." At the start of a 487-word paragraph...
Patrick jokingly attributes it to the corruption of power, but the real cause is right there in a quote from the Washington Post:
"As soon as it was brought to the attention of our internship coordinator, they had a very frank discussion, and he was dismissed," Kevin Schweers told us about the late-June incident involving Tripplehorn, a 20-year-old Amherst College sophomore, and his ex-girlfriend, an unnamed 20-year-old University of Texas student.
Emphasis added. Friends don't let friends, and alla that.
And, of course, sometimes, any further comment is superfluous:
Tripplehorn disputed that he was fired and said he's now interning in the office of a Republican House member he refused to identify.
Posted at 8:28 AM | link | follow-ups | 2 comments
It Sounded Cool in Junior High
Currently atop the long list of "Ways in Which I Am a Great Trial to Kate" is my odd obsession with VH1's "I Love the 80's". The shows are sort of a hanging curve over my pop-culture plate, and I find them weirdly hypnotic. If I stumble across it while channel-surfing, I'll sit and watch it, even if I've seen the episode in question three times before (for some reason, they show the same three or four years over and over).
This is, of course, largely a matter of the Golden Age of pop culture in general being twelve (1983, in my case)-- that's about the point where your tastes in music, books, clothes, and so forth stop being received wisdom from your parents, and start being a matter of active personal choice. However regrettable those choices may appear in retrospect, it's hard not to harbor a little bit of nostalgia for the major pillars of whatever era you came of age in.
There are a whole bunch of aspects of 80's culture that I never fully partook of-- I couldn't stand most of the top TV shows at the time, for example, so I have a hard time working up any enthusiasm for "Dukes of Hazzard" tributes-- but my fascination with ephemeral pop music was born in the early 80's, which accounts for my continuing fascination with Dexy's Midnight Runners...
This is all by way of a long lead-in to another mix tape post, mostly because we were talking about the VH1 show over the weekend, and I'm not feeling all that inspired to write about anything else. This isn't one of those deliberately random tapes, though-- this is my cheesy 80's mix tape, that I keep around for when I need comfort music of an especially dippy variety.
The tape actually has its origin in my sister's career as a competitive swimmer. Back in the mid-90's, she and the rest of the swim team were stuck in a hotel at some away meet in some desolate corner of the Midwest, and sometime during a long, strange, weekend, one of them phoned in and ordered the Totally Eighties collection that was being hawked on TV at the time. (They weren't actually aware of this until it showed up in their mailbox back on campus, but that's what happened...) She taped a selection of songs, and sent me a copy, and I edited it to replace some of the more ridiculous acts (Tone Loc, Billy Ocean) with other stuff I had lying around.
Here's what I ended up with:
Side One
- "Take On Me," a-ha. It's important to start a tape like this off with a bang, and there are few songs more spectacularly Eighties in nature than this, the synth-driven falsetto pinnacle of the Video Music Era.
- "Come On Eileen," Dexy's Midnight Runners. There was a ska-punk cover of this a few years ago by a band called Save Ferris. It's amazing how much the song is harmed by being able to understand the lyrics. The original is unbeatable.
- "Who Can It Be Now?," Men at Work. I always liked "Land Down Under" better, but it wasn't on the tape.
- "Good Girls Don't," the Knack. The other song by the guys who did "My Sharona." I always liked this one better, anyway.
- "Karma Chameleon," Culture Club. What can you say about this one, really?
- "In a Big Country," Big Country. Exhibit A in the argument that naming your band in your first single is the kiss of death.
- "Everybody Have Fun," Wang Chung. A song that is forever defined for me by hearing Kelsey Grammer as Frasier on Cheers recite the lyrics.
- "Jesse's Girl," by Rick Springfield. Kate was foolish enough to doubt that Lara Beaton and I could know all the words to this, this past weekend. And she paid the price for her lack of faith...
- "Always Something There to Remind Me," Naked Eyes. On Googling to check my memory of the band name, I was astonished to find this attributed to Burt Bacharach. I'm not sure why.
- "Missing You," John Waite. A song that always seemed to be on when I drove home late at night in the late 80's. A good one to sing along with in those circumstances...
- "Secret Separation," the Fixx. This was a filler track on a CD I bought in order to obtain some other tune ("Come On Eileen," I think), and I was surprised to discover that I knew and liked it.
- "Be My Yoko Ono," Barenaked Ladies. Not actually an 80's song, but goofy enough to fit, and short enough to fit in the gap at the end of the tape, which none of the actual 80's material I had on hand would do.
Side Two:
- "What I Like About You," the Romantics. One of the decade's most recognizable opening riffs. These guys never did cocaine. Nope, no way.
- "Centerfold," J. Geils Band. I actually got really sick of this song back when it was popular, but I recovered nicely.
- "She Blinded Me With Science," Thomas Dolby. So ridiculously weird, and weirdly ridiculous, that it's essential.
- "Magic," the Cars. The Cars Greatest Hits was probably the first CD I bought with my own money, and it's held up remarkably well. Their omission from VH1's catalog of 80's phenomena was a gross oversight.
- "99 Luftballoons," Nena. Retroactively altered forever by Grosse Point Blank, this is another song that benefits immeasurably from the fact that I don't speak German.
- "Once in a Lifetime," Talking Heads. "You may ask yourself, 'Why am I wearing such a very large suit?' You may ask yourself, 'Couldn't that suit be taken in a little?'"
- "Gloria," Laura Branigan. A song which would be really weird, paired with Van Morrison on the "Different Songs with the Same Title" mix tape...
- "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," Tears for Fears. A song which seemed to appear in every movie released in the latter half of the decade, but most memorably in Real Genius.
- "No Romance," the Rainmakers. An obscure song by a band with serious Mall Hair, that I didn't actually hear in the 80's. A friend had it on a tape in college, I liked it, and I picked the CD up for a buck in a cut-out bin at some point.
- "867-5309 (Jenny)," Tommy Tutone. It's probably indicative of something that you need to go to the second page of Google results before you see this one attributed properly. A classic one-hit wonder.
- "Sunglasses at Night," Corey Hart. Every girl in the ninth grade had the screaming thigh sweats for this guy, which got annoying. A similar effect barred Duran Duran from the tape, but this is such a dopey song, it'd be hard not to include it.
- "All I Need Is a Miracle," Mike and the Mechanics. Disposable pop from a Genesis side project, but it's not actively bad, and I couldn't think of anything to replace it with, so that's where it ends.
Hardly a comprehensive survey, but good for cornball nostalgia on long road trips. It's a good "stuck in traffic" tape, too, because it's hard for me to stay in a bad mood with these songs playing.
Posted at 9:13 PM | link | follow-ups | 16 comments
Strife is Good
Kate and I spent the weekend down in Boston, visiting various people. Before heading out yesterday, we swung by Readercon for a few hours. It was a pleasant way to kill a few hours-- I heard Patrick O'Leary read a couple of poems and a short story that I have to own (it was done all in dialogue, and featured numerous Midnight Run references), spent rather a lot of money on books (I bought Iain Banks's Dead Air and Steven Erikson's Memories of Ice from Glen Cook (who said he was halfway through the latter, and "they just keep getting grimmer and grimmer..." When Glen "Black Company" Cook is calling your books grim, that's really something...), and let myself be talked into buying a couple of Bradley Denton collections), and attended a fairly entertaining panel on the influence of Catholicism on SF, which wound up being more about the influence of Catholic school on SF, among other things.
One of the panels we went to was on "Psychology, Myth, and Fantasy," which had promise, but wound up being a little bit of a disappointment. The description sounded like it had real potential to be interesting, opening as it did with a slightly loaded quote:
Guy Gavriel Kay said: "...the genre [at the time The Fionavar Tapestry was written] seemed to be utterly lacking of any awareness of psychological underpinnings of myth and legend forms ... being clued into myth, to legend while being very uncomfortable with, say, the sexuality that underlies [them] ... the contribution of Freud is to suggest that these myths and legends are powerful for reasons that Tolkien would have been very uncomfortable with." What other works of modern fantasy appear to be psychologically informed? Which works rely on the Jungian, and which seem to adopt a neuroscientific perspective? Is a psychological understanding of myths and legends necessarily helpful? A sword, after all, is sometimes just a sword...
It ended up fizzling, though, because all six of the panelists wound up agreeing with one another that it not only wasn't important to have an awareness of the psychological underpinnings of myth, but that it was actively bad to consciously think about such things while writing. Which may well be true, but doesn't exactly make for gripping theater. Lacking any real dispute over the stated topic, they sort of wandered off into other areas, which provided a few amusing anecdotes, but I couldn't help thinking that the whole thing would've been more interesting had there been at least one panelist willing to stand up and defend Kay's statement.
In this specific case, the problem may well have arisen from the detailed mechanics of putting together SF con panels, a subject about which I know even less than I do about particle physics, but this is a problem I've encountered with a lot of panel discussions, not just those at SF cons. In late 2001, some people on campus put together a panel discussion about the "War on Terror" featuring a couple of professors and professional former weapons inspector Scott Ritter (who happens to live in the area). Again, it was an idea with the potential to be really interesting, but wound up being pretty lame, as all the panelists basically agreed with one another that the whole situation was very disturbing, and while attacking Afghanistan was basically justified, they had real concerns about our ability to win the peace. I agreed with them at the time, and events have shown their concerns to be well-founded in general, but I can't help thinking that the whole thing would've been vastly improved by the addition of a "bomb 'em all into the Stone Age" right-winger.
Ultimately, serial agreement just isn't that interesting to watch. When each speaker on a panel opens with "the person to my right is exactly correct..." and goes on to reiterate the points made by the previous panelist, my eyes start to glaze over. As they move along, adding more cozily agreeable statments, I start hoping that the next person to speak will open up with "Jane, you ignorant slut..." Once it's established that all the panelists are in general agreement, the fun's over, and you might as well adjourn to the nearest pub, unless you can find a vocal supporter of the opposite point of view in the audience. At times, I've been that vocal proponent, even when I actually agree with the panelists, just on the principle that no point of view should go unchallenged.
(I did the same thing back in college-- a couple of people in a PoliSci class I took were convinced that I was a complete right-wing tool, because I argued against them all the time. In reality, I didn't actually believe that much of what I was saying in class, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity for a good argument.)
This can be taken too far, of course-- see "Brin, David" in the index-- but then, I still think I'd prefer to err in the direction of lively disagreement, rather than soporific agreement. If nothing else, when putting together a panel whose description contains a vaguely controversial quote, you should try to include at least one person who's willing to pretend to agree with it, for the sake of theater...
But then, as noted above, my knowledge of the mechanics of these things is basically nonexistent, so the above opinion may just count as a very good reason to never let me near the organization of any kind of argumentative panel...
Posted at 3:56 PM | link | follow-ups | 1 comment


text:
Polanco sidelined by lower back stiffness
By Todd Zolecki / MLB.com
Polanco could not play Monday because of stiffness in his lower back, which has bothered him for several days. The severity of the injury is unclear, although Polanco spent time on the disabled list last season with lower back inflammation and was scheduled to see team physician Michael Ciccotti. Polanco previously missed time this season because of an injured wrist and ankle, although he has not been on the DL.
Polanco is hitting .255 with two home runs, 19 RBIs and a .628 on-base-plus-slugging percentage. His OPS is 119 points below his career average.
Asked if Polanco can still be an everyday player, Manuel said, "The last couple years, it's been tough for him to stay on the field. Polly used to be a guy that was set on playing every day. I'm sure when he's hurting and he can't play, it bothers him."
Since going 2-for-4 on June 4 to push his batting average to a season-high .294, Polanco has hit .184 with eight RBIs and a .494 OPS.
"Every now and then when he does hit a ball hard it seems like somebody catches it," Manuel said. "It seems like he's always having to beat something out. He hasn't been getting a lot of hits. At times, he puts the fat part of the bat on the ball still."
Ty Wigginton started at third base Monday night, batting seventh.
Clock ticking down on decision from Hamels
PHILADELPHIA -- Eight days remain before the non-waiver July 31 Trade Deadline and Cole Hamels remains unsigned.
The Phillies need to know his plans soon.
Sources said the Phillies have offered Hamels a six-year deal. FOXSports.com reported Monday that Hamels is "conflicted" about his decision, which could be read any number of ways. But it sounds at the very least like the Phils' offer has caught Hamels' attention, which means they still have a chance to sign him.
After all, Hamels hasn't said no.
Not yet.
But if Hamels does not want to sign, the club needs to know quickly so it can shop him and find the best package possible in a trade.
Hamels could be conflicted because he is so close to free agency, where he could score an even bigger payday, or he could be conflicted based on the direction of the team. The team is losing and getting older, and if the Phillies spend money on a big deal for Hamels, he might wonder how much financial flexibility they have to fill other holes on the roster.
Utley, Howard make fourth consecutive starts
PHILADELPHIA -- Chase Utley and Ryan Howard are looking more like everyday players.
Utley and Howard both started their fourth consecutive games in as many days Monday in the Phillies' series opener against the Brewers at Citizens Bank Park. Previously, Howard, who is coming back from a left Achilles injury, had not started more than two consecutive days, while Utley, who has knee issues, had not started more than three consecutive days.
"Somewhere along the line, I've got to turn them loose," manager Charlie Manuel said. "But at the same time, I don't want to overdo it. I don't want them to have a relapse and stuff like that. But sooner or later, I've got to them play four games in a row. Figured we'd try today."
The move paid off as Utley and Howard drilled back-to-back homers in the first inning, and Howard hit a clutch two-run single in the ninth as the Phillies rallied for a 7-6 win over the Brewers.
Savery relishes first Major League victory
PHILADELPHIA -- Joe Savery finally got one.
He had pitched in 17 games this season before Monday's 7-6 victory over the Brewers at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies lost every one of those games, which is a quirky coincidence for the organization's 2007 first-round Draft pick. But not only did Savery snap that streak pitching the ninth inning Monday, he also got his first Major League win.
It was a big moment for Savery, who switched from pitcher to first baseman briefly last season before giving pitching another shot and making his big league debut late last season.
"It was an emotional moment," he said. "I'd like to think I don't take these things for granted. I've been bad way more than I've been good, so I really feel like I'm going to savor this moment -- no pun intended. It's something that a lot of people dream of. It's just one of those things."
Worth noting
Phillies catcher Brian Schneider, who is on the disabled list with a sprained right ankle, will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with Class A Clearwater.
Left-hander Raul Valdez, who has a strained right hip, will begin a rehab stint Wednesday with Double-A Reading.
Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text: http://www.alcan5000.com/2014itin.htm Itinerary http://www.alcan5000.com/2014entryF.htm Entry form and costs I thought I'd post this. A few here have run this event before. I ran it in 2006 and again in 2010. It is a time-speed-and-distance rally for both cars and bikes. 9 days long and maybe 4500 miles, starting from Seattle. Most days have two or three timed sections. Other days have more of a challenge aspect to them without a timed section. If you run those, you are guaranteed your highest previous TSD score. They will be dirt. The reason they are not timed is because most everybody wants to ride them like hell and not worry about arriving early. 2014 will feature over 2000 miles of dirt roads. The principal dirt is a) the Blackwater b) Cassiar, Dease Lake, Telegraph Creek c) North Canol Rd to NWT border and back out d) part of the Klodike Hwy e) Dempster Hwy to Arctic Circle and back f) Top-of-the-World Hwy g) Denali Hwy. Finish in Anchorage, ride or ferry back to Seattle (another 2300 mi). Rider entry is $2k and includes all lodging and a few meals plus an awards banquet. They also provide us with chase trucks to pick up wounded riders/bikes, haul our spares, clothing etc and spot gas for us where we need it to complete a liason. Bikes: 4 classes; under 700cc, over 700cc, computer aided navigation, non computer aids. You'll need at least 170 miles fuel range. DOT knobby front tires recommended. Your spares will likely include a second set of tires and you'll have to spoon them by hand as there are no tire changing services open when you arrive at night destination. Most will swap rubber in Dawson at the hotel lot after some 3k miles. The field: All ages and skill levels. Rider's are pretty evenly split between twins and thumpers. Maybe 15-20 starters. Fewer cars, but all kinds. Heck, I've seen people rent one way SUV's loaded up with insurance and fly home. The winners will have full on electronic navigation. Jimmy650 here won 2nd overall and first bike aboard a BMW 650 Dakar. Ned, his buddy, was 3rd overall and 2nd bike on another BMW 650. They both practiced their timing and zeroed a few TSD's just like the top cars with navigators on board. Route sheets are sized for 6" roadbook holders. You'll get all kinds of weather. Gortex and heated gear is recommended. I rode a KTM 950 both times. if I do it again, I'll use a 2012 KTM 690. It's a great trip. Hard to beat the cost. The competition aspect adds a little fun to your vacation. -P


text:
Loria holds team meeting following sleepless night
By Austin Laymance / MLB.com
The Marlins held a team meeting in the clubhouse before taking batting practice for the series finale vs. the Sox. The meeting lasted roughly 15 minutes.
Nevertheless, Miami lost to Boston, 6-5, on Thursday night to fall to 4-14 in June. The Marlins have lost 13 of their past 15 games.
What did Loria tell his team?
"I wanted them to look back at when they first started discovering that they liked baseball and they discovered that they could play baseball and then they discovered that they could play it really well," Loria said. "And then they could become professionals and what it meant to them, to start thinking about that for a few moments each day.
"I went on from there to talk about this is the best team that I've ever been involved with and that I believed in them and they are capable of doing a lot of successful things this year."
It was the Marlins' second team meeting this month. Manager Ozzie Guillen also held a team meeting during the club's homestand prior to its six-game road trip.
"Like I say, bad teams have meetings and good teams win games," Guillen said. "You have to have meetings when you have to have meetings. I will only have a meeting if I see someone not trying."
So do these meetings actually work?
"To me it doesn't matter," Guillen said. "Maybe for the players, yes. Why not? I look at the meeting as just to try to get them going and make sure everybody is positive and goes about their business the right way."
Loria was calm and collected during the meeting, according to Marlins players.
"It was relaxed," said outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. "We understand what's going on and what we need to do. It's a lot easier said than done right now."
Loria isn't giving up on the team, despite its 33-37 record.
"I'm not angry with anybody," he said. "There are ups and downs in this business. I still have enormous faith in everybody. The talent level is enormous."
But does the team's president believe his message got through to the players?
"Most of them are pretty intelligent. We're very careful about who we bring here. I think they heard," Loria said. "It may resonate with a few guys, it may resonate with many. But eventually they'll think about it. Finally, I can't hit for them, I can't field for them and I can't pitch for them but I do my part."
Marlins add Dunn to 'pen in place of Hatcher
BOSTON -- The Marlins made a roster move in their bullpen on Thursday, recalling Mike Dunn from New Orleans and optioning Chris Hatcher to the Triple-A club.
"We tried to move Dunn here a little bit earlier but his wife had a baby," said manager Ozzie Guillen. "That's the reason we couldn't move him earlier than this."
Dunn's wife gave birth to a son on Saturday in Miami.
He appeared in 12 games with the Marlins earlier this season before being optioned to Triple-A on May 24. With Miami, Dunn had a 9.58 ERA in 12 games with 17 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings.
In 12 appearances with New Orleans, he was 1-1 with a 4.58 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings.
"I was pounding the strike zone and making them swing the bat to make them put it in play instead of before, where I was trying to guide a pitch," Dunn said. "I want to force contact instead of pitch to contact. The whole time I was down there I only had one walk. I was just going right at people, able to finish them off early."
Dunn arrived at Fenway Park around 2:30 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Hatcher was hit hard in a relief appearance in Wednesday's 15-5 loss. The right-hander gave up a grand slam to David Ortiz and a homer to Jarrod Saltalamacchia. He allowed four runs in 1 2/3 innings.
Buck sits out series finale night after cramping
BOSTON -- John Buck was held out of the Marlins lineup on Thursday after leaving Wednesday's game with cramps. With another unseasonably hot day at Fenway Park on tap for the series finale vs. the Red Sox, the catcher was given the day off.
"He's just got cramps, his legs are a little sore," said manager Ozzie Guillen. "He wasn't going to play today no matter what."
Buck was removed in the ninth inning of Wednesday's 15-5 loss after his legs and back cramped.
After he homered over the Green Monster in the seventh inning, Buck felt discomfort in his back. He said he drank two Pedialytes before the game to battle dehydration on a humid day, but still cramped late in the contest.
"If I didn't have that I would have cramped in the fourth inning," Buck said on Thursday. "I feel good now."
Brett Hayes started in Buck's place and hit ninth in Guillen's lineup.
Austin Laymance is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
| * Mail flights available on notice that Click here
* Other product and your order can be shipped, but the total size of the product
If you exceed size that can be shipped via mail service courier ( \680 )
In the shipping will be.
Strived fervently * cut fabric for the of purchase multiple copies if you develop
Cannot be delivered in the State.
★ Here is a page of sample size cut dough.
When purchasing the larger size? Click here To proceed.
|Item size width 75 cm × height is 50 cm cut fabric.
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| Up to * half cut 4 pieces
Mail service available
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| Mail services are available only if you have the same order, and shipping.
Please if you differ in order and your delivery address,
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text:
Welcome to Year-Round Recreation at Bayview Wildwood Resort. Our team of Recreation Staff have a fun filled getaway or vacation planned for you with activities for the whole family. Have Fun!
There are programs and activities designed for all ages, and to allow everyone to have a relaxing and fun filled vacation.
Please take a moment to review all that is offered at Bayview Wildwood Resort.
*** Subject to change ***
2017 Fall Midweek & Weekend Activity Program
2017 Thanksgiving Activity Program
2017 Holiday Activity Schedule
2017 Holiday Children's Activity Schedule
2018 Winter Kick Off Activity Schedule
Weather Proof Your Holiday Adventure
Bayview Wildwood Resort is pleased to offer a wide variety of programs over the Holiday and New Years Packages. Whether we have snow or not we will still offer a multitude of indoor and outdoor activities that are "weather proof". Our program schedule is packed full of fun and entertaining activities that the whole family can enjoy. Whether you just want to relax by the fire or spend some time outdoors enjoying some physical activity, we have something for everyone. Great nightly entertainment, special programs just for the kids and a few specially designed holiday themed activities. Bayview Wildwood Resort is a great place to spend your holiday vacation and remember what "fun" is all about.


text:
copyright the Chronicle January 15, 2014
by Paul Lefebvre
FERDINAND — Community opposition in three of the most remote northern towns of the Northeast Kingdom have shut the door on hosting what would have been the third industrial wind project planned for the region's ridgelines.
On Monday, the Unified Towns and Gores (UTG) joined Brighton and Newark in rejecting a proposal to build a ridgeline wind project on Seneca Mountain.
The decision came on the strength of a referendum mailed to property owners, whose ballots were counted in the UTG office in Ferdinand Monday night.
By a margin of 171 to 107, voters rejected the project and left little choice but for the UTG five-member board of governors to follow suit.
"The board has agreed to support the vote, and that's what we intend to do," said Chairman Barbara Nolan, after the results of the vote were announced.
There was also little room to maneuver for Eolian Renewable Energy, the company that had been spearheading a project that came to be known as Seneca Mountain Wind (SMW). The company had repeatedly vowed that the project would rise or fall on the results of the vote.
"We are committed to abide by the local vote," said a disappointed John Soininen, a company vice-president who was present during the counting of the ballots.


text:
Confusing call actually just ball four
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
On a 3-1 count and with Andruw Jones on first, Oswalt threw a pitch that LaRoche took. Nelson immediately made a signal that had many in the press box thinking a balk was called. Instead, what actually happened was since the pitch was ruled a ball, LaRoche technically walked, advancing Jones to second.
Had a strike been called, Nelson would have ruled a balk, advancing Jones to second, while the count would have remained 3-1 on LaRoche.
According to the penalty phase of Rule 8.05: The ball is dead, and each runner shall advance one base without liability to be put out, unless the batter reaches first on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter, or otherwise, and all other runners advance at least one base, in which case the play proceeds without reference to a balk.
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text: Harry Potter super-fan since 2002. I love to read fanfiction as much I like to write it. Haven't written lately because I used to be a very bad writer and would get negative comments on my stories, but I've improved and gained some originality. But I haven't published anything on here lately, I'll have to think about it. But yeah, that's me! YAY!


text:
Textile Fiber Department, Los Angeles, Delaware 19973
Total inspections: 8
Last inspection: Aug. 13, 2008
Classification: Plastics Material and Synthetic Resins, and Nonvulcanizable Elastomers
Last enforcement: Unknown
Formal enforcement: 0
Informal enforcement: 0
This facility has been out of regulatory compliance 10 of the past 12 quarters.
View detailed information from the Environmental Protection Agency. Note: There are no mandated limits for power plant discharges into waterways for many common chemicals such as arsenic, lead and mercury. However some facilities are monitored for these pollutants by state regulators and report the findings to the E.P.A.


text:
Independence Day (or the Fourth of July) is one of the most revered holidays in the United States because it memorializes the day the U.S. declared independence from Great Britain by adopting the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
We celebrate this monumental day by joining together as a nation and expressing our patriotism through parades, barbecues, and fireworks.
To aid in the festivities, we've created a list of the Top Ten Songs About Freedom & Lovin' The American Life.
10. "Proud To Be An American"-[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Beyoncé[/lastfm]
Doing a modern R&B pop take on [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Lee Greenwood[/lastfm]'s heart-warming lyrics of unwavering patriotism, Beyoncé makes us proud that we can claim this vocally talented Houston girl as our own.
9. "Americano"-[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Lady Gaga[/lastfm]
Lady Gaga's new album, Born This Way, has many Americana musical tributes within her normally uber-poppy songs. In a way, "Americano" is Lady Gaga's great American standard.
8. "American Girl"-[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Taylor Swift[/lastfm]
Taylor Swift is the epitome of the All-American girl-next-door. By definition, Taylor Swift's music is America: young, creatively fertile, brimming with hope, and representative of many different types of people.
7. "4th of July"-[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Aimee Mann[/lastfm]
The symbolism of the Fourth of July doesn't go unchecked–or unnoticed when one is going through a tough time, like Aimee Mann with her love crisis in "4th of July."
6. "America The Beautiful"-[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]David Cook[/lastfm]
Ex-American Idol veteran, David Cook, is very popular around America and we have a feeling that he will be even more popular after you hear his rendition of "America The Beautiful."
5. "Freedom"-[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Solange[/lastfm]
Many people forget that Beyoncé has an equally talented and beautiful sister named Solange Knowles. When Knowles talks about freedom in her song called, well, "Freedom," we can tell that she is grateful to live n a country where she make the decision to follow her will:
So I'll live to survive and to be real/And I'll give my story as long as my will…/I'll be free of all the living boundaries set for me/And I'll see whatever this world offers for freedom
4. "Fourth of July"-[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Mariah Carey[/lastfm]
When it come to singing songs about holidays, Mariah Carey might be the queen. She takes no exception to "Fourth Of July," by essentially channeling the whole spirit of the day:
It was twilight/On the Fourth of July/Sparkling colors were/Strewn across the sky/And we sat close enough/That we just barely touched/While roman candles/Went soaring above us and baby
3. "Freedom"-[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Madonna[/lastfm]
As an American, we are free to express ourselves as freely as humanly possible: Madonna is a great representation of this and reminds us of this blessing in her song "Freedom."
'Cause "no" is just a word/That people say when they are lost/And if you say "no" to me/Then I will fight you till I'm free/Say freedom, brotherhood/Justice, just say "yes"/Freedom, brotherhood/Justice, just say "yes"
2. "Firework"[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]-Katy Perry[/lastfm]
Katy Perry's song "Firework" might not be about the Fourth Of July per se, but it does talk about being free to be who you are. And, of course, the obvious usage of the firework metaphor is what makes it such a strong contender on our Fourth of July list.
1. "Freedom Song"-[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Jason Mraz[/lastfm]
Jason Mraz's ode to the life of leisure, sunshine, happiness, and freedom evokes the energy of a Fourth of July picnic. He even talks about "fried food."
I see birds fly across the sky/And everyone's heart flies together/Food is frying and people smiling/Like there is no other way to feel good/And when I feel good, I sing/And the joy it brings makes me feel good/Cos when I feel good, I sing/Of the joy it brings


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First of all sorry about the double post. In my pong game I need to of course have the paddle reflect the ball. My ball moves by having its velocity in both the x and y axis added onto its current position.
In this piece of code I am trying to test:Code:if (pongBall.xpos<=ppaddlex+5 && pongBall.ypos-5>=ppaddley-40 && pongBall.ypos-5<=ppaddley){ pongBall.vely=pongBall.vely*-1; };
1st: if the x cordinate of pong ball = the front part of the paddle.
2nd: If the middle of the pong ball is greater than the lowest part of the paddle.
3rd: If the middle of the pong ball is less than the hightest part of the paddle.
pongBall is a class with its xpos, and ypos and there accompaning velocities name vely and vel x. ppaddle x and y are the upper left corner of the paddle.
Does anyone know why this collision detection wont work. Ive been staring at it for about 2 hours and I just cant figure it out. Sorry if I didn't give enough info please tell me and I will put up more.


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Wally Pfister
Johnny Depp
Morgan Freeman
Kate Mara
Rebecca Hall
Cillian Murphy
Paul Bettany
Clifton Collins Jr.
Luce Rains
Wallace Langham
Transcendence (PG-13)
SciFi/Fantasy 120 April 18, 2014
Transcendence looks very nice; it certainly doesn't look cheap. But even though Pfister and cinematographer Jess Hall lavish a great deal of visual care on the movie's key actress, the gifted Rebecca Hall, her character has little to do but moon over Johnny Depp as her sort-of dead husband, an artificial-intelligence expert whose brain has been uploaded into a computer and who, from his hologram limbo, now wants to rule the world.
You'd think Pfister's love for genuine celluloid and his dedication to craftsmanship would make him a perfect fit for this ostensibly thought-provoking material. But Transcendence, written by Jack Paglen, is just more business as usual, one of those "control technology or it will control you" sermons that nonetheless enlists the usual heap of technically advanced special effects necessary to lure audiences into theaters these days. Pfister tries to build layers of complexity into the material, but none of it takes, and the movie's phony, love-beyond-the-grave ending doesn't click, either, as we've just watched Depp's Hologram Will behave like an egotistical jerk toward Hall's Evelyn for two hours. Just die already, OK?
Wally Pfister Johnny Depp, Morgan Freeman, Kate Mara, Rebecca Hall, Cillian Murphy, Paul Bettany, Clifton Collins Jr., Luce Rains, Wallace Langham Jack Paglen Warner Bros. Pictures


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HD DVD vs. Blu-ray: LeaderSpeak
Why should S&V's readers be excited about Blu-ray? It's great that you're approaching the interview from that standpoint, because it's going to be the consumer who decides whether HD DVD or Blu-ray survives. And that very same consumer is the source of our bullishness for Blu-ray, which we believe will be the clear eventual winner of this format scuffle.
Blu-ray Disc will give you an unparalleled experience, largely afforded by the capacity it provides. Soon you won't need to choose between widescreen and pan-and-scan, because the standard-definition pan-and-scan and high-def widescreen signals are on one disc. And while a lot of your readers might not be interested in it, there are still people who want standard pan-and-scan for the 13-inch TVs in their kids' rooms. So Blu-ray offers high-def widescreen, standard-def pan-and-scan, 7.1-channel lossless audio, interactivity the likes of which we've never seen on a movie disc before, and Internet connectivity - an experience that outdoes DVD in so many ways that until you see and experience it, you can't comprehend it.
You've been very outspoken about the need for 50-gigabtye Blu-ray discs, but only 25-GB discs will be ready for the launch. Are bigger discs still a priority? Absolutely. To fully exploit all the technology available on the Blu-ray side, it's going to take all that capacity. Some of the things we have in development right now from an interactivity standpoint are going to chew up a lot of space.
Can you give some examples of that interactivity? In perhaps its most mundane incarnation, we'll have picture-in-picture, which means you can have several things going on at once. You have not only the movie rolling, but you have options tracking at the same time inside PIP windows. Interactivity also lets you take different segments of the program and put them in whatever order you prefer. And it gives you a gaming ability - which I'm very excited about, because we've tried to utilize the relatively limited ability to have games on DVDs, and it's resulted in a lot of stops, starts, and pauses. Blu-ray's greater processing time results in more fluid game play. So, not only can you have a lot on a disc, but the speed at which it's accessed - the twitch factor - should be very good, which is also why it makes a great platform for PlayStation 3.


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Hunt: My head on block over NHS
The Health Secretary has said it will be his "head on the block" if England does not become one of the most successful countries in Europe for preventing premature deaths.
Jeremy Hunt has said the responsibility falls at his feet if local health service commissioners fail to deliver on key objectives set out in the the first contract between the Government and the health service.
Mr Hunt set out a series of goals to improve the nation's health through the first NHS Mandate.
The mandate will form an agreement between ministers and the NHS Commissioning Board (NHSCB), a new body which will supervise the new GP-led commissioning groups that will come into play when the NHS reforms take effect next year.
The document says around 20,000 lives a year would be saved in England if mortality rates were reduced to the best level in Europe.
It calls on the NHSCB to make "measurable progress" towards making England one of the most successful countries in Europe at preventing people from dying prematurely.
"If the board does not succeed, in the end it will be my head on the block because I am the one who has negotiated this mandate with the board," said Mr Hunt.
"Ministers appointed people to the board and we believe it is the structure that has the best possible chance to leading to dramatic improvements in the NHS. In the end we are responsible as ministers for the structures that we have set up."
Ministers are hailing the mandate as a landmark for the NHS by ensuring the health service is held to account. They said the contract will mean ministers will not micro-manage the health service from Whitehall.
Mr Hunt claims the document gives frontline health professionals more power and independence to deliver care.


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My oldest daughter, who is almost 12, decided she wanted to start helping me behind the scenes here with this blog of mine. I thought…why not?! She is a pretty good little baker and really enjoys it (all except for the cleaning up part). So we decided that I would pay her a small fee each time she baked something that I could share here with you. Her first gig?…this Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake.
She did a great job…and I made cleaning up after part of the "job"! The cake tastes great and the best part is that I didn't have to make it or clean up afterwards…and she is learning some great skills!
Good thing I have three girls…a momma could get used to this. I wonder how long it is going to last?!
Anyways, this cake is perfect for an after dinner snack or to serve up for the next bridal or baby shower you have. It comes out really pretty, especially with a nice thin coating of icing (powdered) sugar.
Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake
1 yellow cake mix
4 eggs
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup melted butter
1 small box of Vanilla Pudding mix (just the powder)
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. lemon extract or rum flavoring
1 tbsp. poppy seeds
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat the eggs in a mixer. Add the water, cake mix and butter and mix together. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix for 5 minutes. Pour into a greased and floured Bundt pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes in a 350 degree oven or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Leave in pan until cooled before turning out onto a plate. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
We found poppy seeds in our local grocery store in the spice section in case some of you have a hard time finding them.
But remember…if you have a job interview, you might want to hold off eating this poppy seed cake until after. (Random Elaine Benes reference from Seinfeld) ;)
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On one of my many rereads:
1. Did you relate to Bella right away? If so, what part of her did you identify with?
The normalcy of her actually gave me a sense of relation with her. I can also relate with the separation of parents and the moving thing, which was cool.
2. What were your first impressions of Renee and Charlie?
Renee, I thought she was the typical mom, worry wart. I liked Bella's comments of her about how she was neurotic and flighty. I wanted to get to know her better. As for Charlie, I didn't know what to think. He seemed like the awkward dad that you go and visit on the weekends, but I sort of liked him from the start.
3. What were your first impressions of the friends Bella meets?
I thought they were all rather annoying. I could tell Bella wasn't one of those personable people that wanted friends to be all over her the first day. I didn't like Eric nor Mike, but Jessica seemed slightly normal at first.
4. Were you scared or intrigued by Edward?
I was definitely intrigued. I was just a little bit confused, but seeing as how I knew that there was a vampire in it, I knew he would be the vampire. The second time around, knowing more about Edward, I found him extremely easy to understand.
5. What did you think of Edward's odd behavior?
At first, I thought he was a jerk, just like Bella thought.
6. Did this chapter hook you on the book or were you still trying to see what the fuss was?
I wasn't hooked at the first chapter, but it was very easy to read after the first 30 pages flew by that the next chapter sort of just flowed right in.


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Evaluating Prenatal and Pediatric Automobile Injuries
By Claudia Anrig, DC
Often in a family practice, one of your patients or an entire family is in an automobile accident and you are sought out to provide care for their soft-tissue injuries. Depending on the severity of the collision and individual complaints, each of the occupants may need to be treated differently.
This is a brief introduction and overview of chiropractic care for the prenatal and pediatric patient following a collision injury. Be aware that these patients may require care by other specialists, but I the following is not a narrative or advice on co-management of the injured individual.
The Prenatal Patient
Prior to your consultation, request that all accident reports and examinations by other providers be forwarded in advance for your review. The first point for consideration is the prenatal patient's stage of pregnancy and the immediate care offered as a result. For instance, if the occupant is in her first trimester, it was probably recommended that she go to her OB for an evaluation; whereas if she is in her second or third trimester and/or the driver of the vehicle, especially if she were close to the steering wheel at the time of the crash, the airbag deployed and/or if she felt abdominal trauma from the seatbelt, she may have first gone to the emergency room and followed up with her OB once released.
There are several questions you might consider asking the pregnant patient about what happened during the collision (after asking these, pose the traditional personal-injury questions):
Note that increased levels of the hormone relaxin may have caused increased ligament laxity in the prenatal patient, which may cause a more symptomatic picture. For example, if the patient's arms were on the steering wheel, she may have an increase of cervical and thoracic instability. If her right leg were extended out on the pedal (gas or brake), her pelvis may have been in rotation upon impact.
A comprehensive chiropractic, orthopedic and neurological examination to document the nature of the injury and provide more recommendations for an appropriate treatment plan is required. The examination must include enough procedures that would allow you to write a comprehensive report for an OB or attorney if they are co-managing the case.
Regarding radiographing the cervical spine of the pregnant patient, the doctor must determine if taking this series (within their practice or referring out to an X-ray facility) is warranted due to the clinical findings of the examination. All precautions (lead shielding) are mandatory and the doctor must always weigh the benefits versus risks of radiographing with shielding, and discuss this with the patient and possibly other health care providers involved with her care.
The Pediatric Patient
In the United States in 2011, more than 650 children under the age of 12 died and 148,000 were injured in motor-vehicle accidents,1 while in 2012, more than 2,000 teenagers (ages 13-19) were killed.2 As described by Murphy3 in his chapter in Pediatric Chiropractic, 2nd Edition, there are many contributing factors to the injury of a pediatric patient involved in a collision. Anthropometric and positioning variables include head size, pelvic height, anterior-superior iliac crest and the center of gravity, to name a few.
The pediatric population may be one of the most underserved when it comes to post-automobile-collision treatment. Many children are deemed "normal" because they "were in a car seat" or "have no apparent symptoms" (e.g., no headaches or neck pain), so parents and those in the medical field may inadvertently not be aware that the child could have soft-tissue injuries warranting a musculoskeletal exam.
In my clinical experience with infants and young children, I have often seen what I call the "silent signals"– subtle but notable abnormal functions reported by the parents. Some of these signals include positional discomfort (putting the infant or a toddler in a certain positions causes discomfort), night terrors, picky eating, bowel disruption (usually constipation), and being clingy, anxious and/or unable to focus in the classroom. If a parent is not sure if their child has been injured, one can always rule it in or out by performing an exam.
Consultation questions to include with your traditional questions (ask the parents of the pediatric child or the child, if old enough to communicate clearly) include the following:
Your exam of the infant to age 5 child should include static and motion palpation, ROM, and orthopedic and neurological examination. Take X-rays (or refer out for radiological exam) if X-rays are warranted. For patients ages 5 and older, I suggest the above, but I would include selective X-ray views.
Re-examinations of the pediatric patient are recommended every 30 days or 12 visits. Parents should be asked during the examination and each treatment visit, about their child's overall quality of life since the accident, including sleep, digestion, elimination, behavior, etc. Also inquire as to any activities the child has been unable to do – or been limited in doing – post-accident.
The Child Advocate: If Not You, Then Who?
It should be noted that the insurance community is not embracing the legitimacy of soft-tissue injuries in the pediatric population. I have found that it requires extensive documentation, having the parents involved with their pediatrician, sending out periodic update reports to the child's other doctor(s), and sometimes the involvement of an attorney (one willing to accept a case even if it appears to be minor and who believes in advocating for the right of the child to receive necessary and appropriate care). In some cases, I have even provided the insurer with a copy of Pediatric Chiropractic so they can review Dr. Murphy's chapter.
Sadly, some of our colleagues have earned us a bad rap (and thus the challenges from the insurance industry) when it comes to the care of individuals with car injuries, but that small percentage should not cause the majority of us to think twice about caring for the pregnant or pediatric population. It would be unethical to selectively eliminate certain population groups (pediatric, special need, etc.) access to appropriate care via chiropractic.
I encourage our profession to advocate for the child patient and the mother of the unborn child in the event of an automobile collision. Perform the necessary examinations and document your findings to provide appropriate care for this important patient group.
The pediatric examination may vary due to the nature of the injury, but the following chapters of Pediatric Chiropractic, 2nd Edition, may prove useful in helping guide a comprehensive exam: Chapter 6 – the prenatal patient and neurological examinations for the neonate; chapters 9, 11-12 – neurological examinations; chapter 13 – orthopedics; chapter 4 – diagnostic Imaging; and chapters 5, 28-34 – techniques for spinal and cranial examination.
Click here for more information about Claudia Anrig, DC.


text: I enjoyed this episode a lot. And unlike other Doctor-lite episodes, this one was actually heavy on the Doctor, which in a way was disappointing, cause I would have liked to see a fully realized story with Jenny and Vastra as the leads. I saw part of a great idea in here with Jenny being the action heroin while Vastra is the brains, with Strax as the comic relief, if indeed they are eying this trio for a spin-off, I know I'd definitely watch it. As for the inclusion of the kids (and their subsequent use in next weeks episode), I have no issue with it at all. I've always felt the tone of Doctor Who was one for all ages, and to include children in the cast (or at least one episode) makes sense.


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Wyden, Murkowski face 'unfinished business' of revenue sharing, spill response legislation
One month before the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded in spring 2010, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon and nine other Democrats sent a letter to colleagues arguing that revenues from offshore drilling should be "shared equally" among all Americans to be used for deficit reduction and protection of the nation's waters and coastlines.
It wasn't a clear denunciation of offshore revenue sharing, which would hand a percentage of federal drilling revenue to those states off whose shores drilling took place, but it was pretty close.
"The Senate has rejected the concept of revenue sharing on numerous occasions in recent years," the Democrats wrote to Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who at the time were crafting a comprehensive energy and climate bill. "All states should have a say in how offshore revenues are allocated."
Although the Democrats on the letter all represented coastal states, none of them was from a Gulf of Mexico state -- the only area that currently would benefit from a revenue-sharing plan.
Wyden, who next month will become chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said his thinking on the issue has evolved over the past few years and that he is now open to solutions that address the revenue needs of resource-dependent communities nationwide.
His stance on the issue -- while still tantalizingly vague -- may factor in the committee's ability to pass other significant legislation in the 113th Congress, not the least of which includes an oil spill response bill that was shelved in 2011 amid disagreements over revenues from offshore drilling
Wyden appears more likely to embrace revenue sharing than current Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), which could offer a major bipartisan breakthrough.
"If you look at what's happened in the committee, there's been a pretty stark division on this revenue-sharing issue," Wyden told Platts Energy Week last month. "I think there's a chance to develop a third path in between those who want no revenue sharing and those who do want revenue sharing and in effect stitch together a new national coalition that involves resource-dependent communities all over this country."
Under a 2006 deal, Gulf of Mexico states will receive a 37.5 percent cut from certain offshore leasing areas, but the bulk of those payments won't phase in until 2016. Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) want to see the revenue-sharing process sped up and expanded to other prospective areas including Alaska and Virginia.
But disagreements over their proposal sank passage of S. 917, a bipartisan suite of offshore safety provisions that the committee had passed easily in the 111th Congress.
That bill would have authorized the Interior Department to restructure the troubled Minerals Management Service, lengthen reviews for exploration plans and increase civil penalties to deter risky drilling, among other provisions.
While Interior has taken many steps administratively -- including a sweeping reorganization, more detailed environmental reviews and tougher safety regulations -- it lacks other authorities that environmentalists and drilling experts say are needed to prevent another spill.
"We've had a lot of reminders in the past couple of weeks of why this is so important, and how far we have to go to adequately protect our workers, our water, our wildlife from the dangers of offshore drilling," said Bob Deans, associate director for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Deans pointed to last month's fatal explosion and fire on the Black Elk Energy Offshore Operations LLC oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico and BP PLC's recent admission of 14 counts of criminal wrongdoing in the April 2010 oil spill.
Over the past six years, there have been 681 fires or explosions on platforms in the Gulf, and 36 workers died and 1,653 were injured, Deans said, citing Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement data.
"This is staring us right in the face right now," he said.
Not a 'slam dunk'
Murkowski's office said she is hopeful Wyden will support revenue sharing for coastal states, including Alaska, but that she realizes it is far from a done deal.
"You've had a chairman who has been philosophically opposed, who won't even bring it up for a vote, and his reaction to the issue, both from his own party, Democrats and Republicans, has been he's not interested in the conversation," said Robert Dillon, spokesman for Murkowski. "Sen. Wyden has certainly been interested in having the conversation."
Bingaman's office said the chairman was willing to give the revenue-sharing amendment a vote at the July 2011 markup but that the committee lost its quorum after Landrieu left the dias. The committee has not revisited the issue since.
Bingaman and other Democrats have long argued that revenues from federal waters belong to all Americans and are critical to reducing the nation's deficit.
Dillon said Wyden appears willing to have "difficult discussions" not just on revenue from offshore oil and gas, but also incentives for offshore wind and tidal energy off the coasts of states including Oregon.
"We're not saying this is a slam dunk or that he is a full supporter," he said. "This is an ongoing discussion."
Landrieu said an agreement on revenue sharing would build bipartisan momentum for the committee to tackle an array of energy issues including offshore safety, oil spill liability, exports of natural gas, energy and building efficiency, smart grids, and investments in alternative energy.
"There are any number of things that could be done that could be put together as a step forward on our goal to be more energy self-sufficient -- more cleaner, more renewable," Landrieu said.
Wyden appears "generally supportive" of revenue sharing and understands that energy development on federal lands depends on the cooperation of local communities, Landrieu said.
"Having a partnership between the local communities and the federal government for the benefit of the environment and all taxpayers is something we both strongly agree with," she said. "So it's just a matter of working out some of the details and levels of reimbursement. I think that can be worked out."
Wyden is familiar with the needs of resource-dependent communities, coming from a heavily forested state that is dominated by federal lands. As Congress faces a "fiscal cliff" of tax increases and spending cuts, counties in western Oregon face a fiscal cliff of their own as federal timber payments expire.
Like Murkowski's Alaska, Oregon has suffered from a significant decline in timber harvests as federal agencies moved to protect old-growth trees and the species that depend on them.
In addition to timber, Wyden and Murkowski share similar positions on hydro and geothermal energy and some public lands bills, Dillon said. It may help the two reach agreements on larger issues.
"We may start with these, and then they can start building some good will in the committee," Dillon said.
Bingaman said he is hopeful Wyden and Murkowski can find a path forward on offshore safety.
"There's a lot of unfinished business," he said last week, citing specifically the need to clarify Interior's authority over offshore drilling.
"I think they are good friends, and I think the committee has a history of trying to pass things on a bipartisan basis," he added. "So I hope that continues."
'More vigorous oversight'
Whether Wyden and Murkowski will agree on offshore drilling or other hot-button issues -- including gas exports, regulation of hydraulic fracturing, nuclear waste storage and clean energy incentives -- remains to be seen.
The two have taken at least three trips to each other's states in the past year, including an August visit to an offshore gas platform in Alaska's Cook Inlet and a salmon dinner at Murkowski's home (E&E Daily, Sept. 11).
Wyden last month said he has not forgotten the lessons of the Deepwater Horizon accident, which killed 11 and sent nearly 5 million barrels of oil into the Gulf -- the nation's worst spill.
"If you look back in particular at the regulator, which was the Minerals Management Service, there is a fair amount of evidence that, had they done their job, this might well have been prevented or certainly might have been less damaging than it was," Wyden told "Platts Energy Week" last month. "I think this highlights the need for the committee and the Congress to do more vigorous oversight, particularly on safety kinds of questions. And I'm certainly taking that lesson into my service on the committee."
Keith Chu, a spokesman for Wyden, said offshore safety will get a "close look," particularly in light of last month's explosion on the platform of Black Elk, a company with a history of safety violations.
That is good news, according to environmentalists and a top former Obama administration drilling official.
"There are two items that need immediate legislative action," said Michael Bromwich, former director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement who currently is managing principal of the Bromwich Group.
They are an "organic act" to make permanent the reorganization of MMS that Bromwich oversaw in the aftermath of the spill and authority for Interior to substantially raise the civil penalties for safety violations. The current civil penalties of $40,000 per violation, per day, pale in comparison to the operating costs of offshore rigs, which run upward of half-a-million dollars a day.
"They are obvious and should be uncontroversial," Bromwich said.
Deans said NRDC is lobbying for a handful of legislative reforms, from higher oil spill liabilities to investments in clean energy, specifically an extension of tax incentives for wind, so that companies no longer have the incentive to drill into deeper and riskier waters.
"Science needs to play a broader role in permitting," Deans said. Congress could set up a distinct science division for offshore drilling, formalize consultations with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration -- as Interior and NOAA have done administratively -- and require site-specific environmental impact statements for drilling into ultra-deepwater or complex geological structures, he added.
Corry Westbrook, federal policy director at Oceana, agreed with Bromwich that there is still a big discrepancy between offshore drilling penalties and operational costs.
"It can actually encourage operators to engage in rule breaking or corner cutting or cost-cutting measures when the penalties are not something they are necessarily afraid of," she said.
Westbrook said Interior agencies also have a much smaller ratio of inspectors to rigs than the United Kingdom and Norway, in part due to a lack of reliable funding.
She said groups plan to ramp up lobbying efforts soon after a resolution is found on the fiscal cliff. "As soon as the dust settles in January ... it is going to be a big priority," she said.
Elgie Holstein, senior director for strategic planning at the Environmental Defense Fund, said revenue sharing should not impede action on drilling safety. Passage of the RESTORE Act, a bill to ensure most of BP's Clean Water Act penalties are devoted to Gulf restorations, shows Congress can strike bipartisan compromises on revenue sharing.
But Holstein said he fears the nation's attention has drifted away from the Gulf spill.
"At the same time, the challenges of offshore drilling only grow more complicated," he said. "Companies are going into ever deeper water and into the Arctic in the case of Shell. It will be important to have a very strong safety net of regulation in place."
The former members of President Obama's oil spill commission last April expressed similar fears, releasing a report lauding the administration's response to the BP spill but excoriating Congress for doing almost nothing (Greenwire, April 17).
The former commission members said Congress must give NOAA a formal consultative role in the leasing process, ensure the offshore drilling industry bears the costs associated with leasing and permitting reviews, and significantly increase the oil spill liability cap.
"Although the administration and industry have made significant progress, Congress has not," said former Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fla.), one of the commission's co-chairmen. "Two years have passed since the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon killed 11 workers, and Congress has yet to enact one piece of legislation to make drilling safer."